Are You Ready For An UPGRADE?

                                   
News flash! . . . . . . . . . . Everything in life is improving and being replaced, as believers say, going to the next level.   Human beings are subject to become comfortable, complacent and in a state of becoming mediocre.    To become comfortable is a dangerous area.  This is an area of familiarity and safety.  We settle sometimes for the wilderness instead of pursuing the promise land.

Life brings progression.  We began life as babies, toddlers, adolescences, then adults.  Our outer being knows its progression but sometimes the mind can get in the rut or reality of “I know it all”.  I do not need to change. 

News flash! . . . . . . . . .  To everything there is a time and season under the sun, that is what the writer of  Ecclesiastes says.  Life is a process of change, movement and progress.  In order to stay updated and informed we must continue in the school of life (spiritually) and the school of knowledge (academically).  So often we get the school of knowledge but when it comes to our lives spiritually we get into the comfortable, complacent and mediocre zone.

We attend church, bible study, Sunday school class and even pursue conferences.  The change that takes place is that our bodies attend but our minds are in lock down.  We are pursuing with out heads but our hearts aren’t attending.   News flash1 . . . . . . . . . . . . .   The hot pursuit of change or transformation has to be grasped!  That calls for an UPGRADE.   Romans 12:1 - 2 says . . . . I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

In order to get the better and newest, there must be a recognition for an UPGRADE.  Upgrade our thoughts, our mindset.  Most of the time we want the new and improve without the hassle of working to  receive it.   In our society we have become so vulnerable to instant access.   The kingdom of God brings us spiritually in the realm and dominion of God.  There are new laws and requirements to be attained.  We get into the mindset of Nicodemus in John 3.  Jesus answered him, I assure you, most  solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above),  he cannot see  (know, become acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus said to Him, how can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter his mother’s womb again and  be born?  Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and (even) the Spirit, he cannot (ever) enter the kingdom of God.  What is born of (from) the flesh is flesh (of the physical is physical); and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not (do not be surprised, astonished) at my telling you, you must all be born anew (from above).

Nicodemus tried to understand the things of the spirit with his carnal way of thinking.  You cannot mix spirit with flesh.  It will never cohere together.  We are spiritual beings and need spiritual thoughts.  Isaiah 55:8 - 9 puts it this way, for My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

News flash! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Once we are born again there has to be a transformation in our thinking from flesh (natural) thinking to spiritual thinking.  When we enter the kingdom we are excited about the newness of life then there comes a time when we think . . . . I have arrived. . . .    I have studied my bible and even read it through once and even believe. . . I got this.  Not realizing that we are in a state of being changed.  Even in 1 Corinthians 4:16  it speaks of our bodies are decaying YET our inner self is being progressively renewed day after day.   Change is taking place whether we know it or not, like it or not.   Galatians 6:8 says . . . . For he who sows to the flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay (and) ruin (and) destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

As spiritual beings we must sow to our spirit man.  In the Message Bible in Ephesians 4:20  it reads like this . . . . .  You learned Christ!  My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus.   Since then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything --- and I do mean everything -- connected with that old way of life has to go.  It’s rotten through and through.  Get rid of it!  And then take on an entirely new way of life --- a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the  inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.   The Amplified Bible in 4:22 says to strip yourselves of your former nature (put off and discard your old un-renewed self) which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion. . . . . .  News flash! . . . . . .  . . . . .  And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude).   And PUT on the new nature . .  (UPGRADE!) . . . (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, (Godlike) in true righteousness and holiness.

God has made us for His good pleasure to rule with kingdom authority and dominion.  That will only happen as we hotly pursue our King.  Desiring to be just as He is.     Ephesisans 5:1 says to be imitators of God (copy Him (and) follow His example), as well-beloved children (imitate their father).

Are you ready to upgrade or do you want to stay in the valley of indecision?  Selah.  Pause and think about it.  The choice is yours.  To advance in the kingdom we must stay in tune with kingdom laws.  Learning and increasing in the things of God.  Our key to success is found in Joshua 1:8 - (Message Bible) . . .  And don’t for a minute let this Book of the Revelation (THE Law) be out of mind.  Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it.. . . . UPGRADE . . .  Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed.  Verse 9, Haven’t I commanded you?  Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged God your God is with you every step you take.  

David has penned it so well,  Psalms 42:1 - 2 . . . As the hart pants (and) longs for the water brooks, so I pant (and) long for You, O God.  My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God.  When shall I come and behold the face of God? 

That’s an UPGRADE!  2 Corinthians 3:18 says as with unveiled face, (Because we) CONTINUE to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are Constantly being transfigured into His (very own) image in ever INCREASING splendor (and) from one degree of glory to another; (for this comes) from the Lord (who is) the Spirit. 

 Let’s keep being renewed and changed that we reflect the very image of God. 
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