I Want A Change of Heart Produced by the Spirit

 

No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

Romans 2:29 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.2.29.NLT

God has changed my heart and I have been trying to learn more from God's Word and not just read it because it's routine and I keep trying to learn something new and apply it in my life.  I have tried to follow what it says rather than just having head knowledge.  I try my best to apply it in my life and pay attention to what God is trying to tell me through Scripture.

Don't Just Listen to the Law

 

For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.

Romans 2:13 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.2.13.NLT

Listening to what God says in His Word is important but obeying the law is what makes us right in His sight.  I must obey what the law says and not just listen to what it says.

God Shows Himself in His Creation

 

They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Romans 1:19‭-‬20 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.1.19-20.NLT

God showed me that he exists and has shown me that through His creation.  

Faith Gives a Righteous Person Life

 

This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Romans 1:17 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.1.17.NLT

God gives me life through faith, I must have faith in God for Him to heal my eye and since my faith has given me life, I will continue to have faith in God.

I Want to See

 

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi, ” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

Mark 10:51 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.10.51.NLT

I believe that Jesus can heal my blind eye and I need to tell him what I want and have faith that He can heal my eye.

Anything is Possible if I Believe

 

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

Mark 9:23 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.9.23.NLT

God can do things that are not possible in the natural world. I am praying and believing that my right eye will have the vision restored.  I have to remember that anything is possible because I believe that Jesus can heal my eye.

I Must Give Up My Way and Follow Jesus

 

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.8.34.NLT

I must put aside what I want and follow Jesus.  It's not easy but there is a reward in Heaven for following Jesus.  I must put him first and not myself.

Beware What People Tell You

 

As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.”

Mark 8:15 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.8.15.NLT

Jesus warned me to be careful about what people say or teach.  I should not be distracted by things in the physical world and focus on what He is saying to me in His Word.

Everything He Does Is Wonderful

 

They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.”

Mark 7:37 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.7.37.NLT

God can still perform miracles today and I'm praying for a miracle with my right eye right now.  This scripture reminds me that Jesus can do amazing and wonderful things for me too.

Listen And Hear What God Has To Say

 

It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.  16, Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand." 

Mark 7:15 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.7.15.NLT

I must focus on what comes from my heart and listen to what God has to say so I can understand and not be defiled by what comes from my heart.

Jesus Wants Me To Take Courage

 

They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here! ”

Mark 6:50 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.6.50.NLT

There's been a lot going on in my life that can make me feel afraid because I don't have any control over the situations I'm facing right now.  But Jesus is here to remind me that I don't need to be afraid because He's always with me, even in difficult and challenging situations.

I Need To Show Compassion Like Jesus Did

 

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Mark 6:34 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.6.34.NLT

Jesus felt sorry for the crowd because they needed someone to teach them and show them what they were supposed to do. Jesus wanted to teach them because they wanted to hear him.  They wanted to hear him.  

I need to be compassionate and be prepared to share Jesus with other people looking for answers in life.  Jesus was attentive to people and I need to pay attention to people and show them compassion that I might be a testimony of someone that follows Jesus.

God Wants Me to Go Out To Tell People About Him

 

So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.

Mark 6:12 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.6.12.NLT

God has sent me to tell people to repent of their sins.  He wants me to complete the Great Commission and tell people about Him.

Don't Be Afraid, Have Faith

 

But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

Mark 5:36 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.5.36.NLT

I don't need to be afraid even when the circumstances seem bad. I just need to have faith in Jesus.

Share What God Has Done For You With Family

 

But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.”

Mark 5:19 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.5.19.NLT

Jesus wants me to share what He has done in my life with my family.  I can share what the Lord has done for me with everyone, including family.

Jesus Was Calm During The Storm

 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

Mark 4:38 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.4.38.NLT

Jesus was calm during the storm.  He was able to sleep and not worry about the circumstances around him.  I need to follow His example and remain calm during the storms of my life.

Pay Close Attention to What I hear

 

Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given —and you will receive even more.

Mark 4:24 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.4.24.NLT

I need to pay attention to God's Word so that I will understand what He is saying to me through my Bible reading.  I will receive understanding if I pay attention to what the Word says.

Be Good Seed For God's Word

 

And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Mark 4:20 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.4.20.NLT

I want to be the good soil that accepts God's word and produces 30, 60, or 100 fold of what I receive. I need to lead other people to Jesus and spread His Word.

I Am The Family of Jesus

 

Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers.  Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Mark 3:34‭-‬35 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.3.34-35.NLT

I am Jesus' family if I do what He wants me to do.  I am part of Jesus' family because I do what he wants me to do.  Being part of His family is listening to the Word and obeying it.

God Sparks Enthusiasm in Me

Then Haggai, the Lord ’s messenger, gave the people this message from the Lord : “I am with you, says the Lord !” So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,

Haggai 1:13‭-‬14 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/hag.1.13-14.NLT

I need to be enthusiastic because I know God is with me in what I do.  I should be encouraged and do the work God has called me to do.  God will spark enthusiasm in me if I am open to what He is going to do in my life.

Jesus Calls Us His Apostles

Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, giving them authority to cast out demons.

Mark 3:14‭-‬15 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.3.14-15.NLT

Jesus has called me to be his Apostle and share the message of Christ with everyone.  He has given me the authority to cast out demons and I have the authority to do this in His name.  I am to be a good example of a follower of Jesus and preach the Good News to everyone.  What does this scripture mean to you?

Put New Wine in New Wineskins

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.”
Mark 2:22 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.2.22.NLT

God is going to do new things in my life.  I need to be open to what He's going to do in my life and follow His guidance for what I am going to do with my life.

Do Whatever It Takes to Bring People to Jesus

They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.
Mark 2:4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.2.4.NLT

The people that brought the paralyzed man to Jesus did whatever they could to get him to Jesus so he could be healed.  I should do whatever I can to bring people to Jesus so he can change their lives forever.  What does this scripture mean to you?

Jesus Went Where God Sent Him

But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.”
Mark 1:38 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.1.38.NLT

Jesus went to another town even though he was successful ministering in the town he was currently at.  God wants me to follow Him and go where He sends me.  God doesn't want me to just stay in the same place.

Leave Everything and Follow Jesus

A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.
Mark 1:19‭-‬20 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.1.19-20.NLT

I must give up everything to follow Jesus like James and John did.  They left their nets and followed Jesus before he was famous and before he'd performed miracles for them to believe in Him as the Son of God.

What does this scripture mean to you?

Live Peaceful Lives While Waiting for Jesus to Come Back

And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
2 Peter 3:14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2pe.3.14.NLT

I will strive to live a peaceful and pure life while waiting for Jesus to return.  I will try to be pure and blameless and be an example of Jesus to others.  What does this scripture mean to you?

Escape the Wickedness of This World By Knowing Jesus

And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before.
2 Peter 2:20 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2pe.2.20.NLT

Knowing Jesus will help me escape the wickedness of the world by staying in the Word.  It will help me not become entangled in sin again.  What does this scripture mean to you?

Pay Close Attention to the Prophets

Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.
2 Peter 1:19 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2pe.1.19.NLT

I must pay attention to what the Prophets wrote in the Old Testament because they proclaimed God's message in what they wrote.  They were a light that shone in a dark place, showing me what God had to say during those times. 

Reading what the Prophets wrote is important because I can learn from what God told them.  What does this scripture mean to you?

Prove that You are Among Those God Has Chosen

So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.
2 Peter 1:10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2pe.1.10.NLT

By following God's instructions we show that God has called us and Chosen me as His child.  By following what God has shown us in the Bible I can show that God has chosen me.  If I follow God and His word I will never fall away.

Maintaining a close relationship with God is key so I don't fall away from Him.  It takes a lot of work but it is important for me to have a relationship with my creator.

Give your Cares to God

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.5.7.NLT

I know that I can give my worries and cares to God because He cares about me. He wants me to give my cares to him so that I won't carry them myself.  What does this scripture mean to you?

God Blesses You for Being Insulted

If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
1 Peter 4:14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.4.14.NLT

God blesses his followers when they are being insulted for Jesus.  God gives us His Spirit to rest upon us when we suffer for His sake.  God will be with me even when others insult me for following Jesus.  What does this scripture mean to you?

Show Deep Love For Each Other

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.4.8.NLT

God wants us to show deep love for each other.  Love covers sins and that's why God wants us to show love for each other.  

What does this scripture mean to you?

Be Prepared to Explain Your Hope

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
1 Peter 3:15 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.3.15.NLT

I must put Jesus first in my life and be able to explain the hope He has given me as a believer.  I need to be able to explain my faith to others when they ask me about it.

What does this scripture mean to you?

Sympathize and be Tenderhearted

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
1 Peter 3:8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.3.8.NLT

Christians should be sympathetic to each other and of one mind.  I need to love others as brothers and sisters in Christ.  I need to remember to be tenderhearted towards other people.  Being humble is also something God wants me to do.

We Love Him Though We Have Not Seen Him

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
1 Peter 1:8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.1.8.NLT

God gives joy to believers, because we love Him even though we haven't seen him.  It is hard to have joy in these troubling times but believers in Christ have joy because we love Him even though we can't see him, so even if we die we will see Jesus.

Put on the Full Armor of God

Therefore, put on every piece of God¡¯s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Ephesians 6:13 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.13.NLT

Putting on the armor of God lets me stand firm against the Devil and with God's help, I can resist the enemy.  I must put on the full armor of God.

Be Careful How You Live

So be careful how you live. Don¡¯t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
Ephesians 5:15 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.5.15.NLT

I must be careful about how I live and live like a wise person rather than a foolish person.  That is how Jesus wants me to live to be an example of who He is to other people.

Live a life filled with Love

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Ephesians 5:2 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.5.2.NLT

I need to try to live a life that filled with love, because it shows an example of Christ, even though I'm not perfect I will do my best to live a life filled with love to show Jesus to other people.

Love Makes Allowances for Each Other's Faults

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other¡¯s faults because of your love.
Ephesians 4:2 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.4.2.NLT

God wants me to be patient and make allowances for other peoples' faults.  It shows people the love of God by being patient and forgiving people when they make mistakes.  I'm not a patient person but God will help me become one so that I can show His love to other people.

God Gives us Strength Through His Spirit

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
Ephesians 3:16 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.3.16.NLT

God has unlimited resources and we can rely on His strength rather than our strength because he gives us strength through his Spirit.  He empowers us to do his will so we don't have to rely on ourselves to do everything in life.

Faith in Christ let us Come to God's Presence

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God¡¯s presence.
Ephesians 3:12 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.3.12.NLT

Faith in Christ makes it so we can come boldly into God's presence.  We can come to God through Jesus.  We don't have to feel that we can't go into God's presence because we've done something wrong.  We can go into God's presence because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Jesus United Us with God Through His Blood

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:13 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.2.13.NLT

God wanted us to be united with him after we sinned, so He sent Jesus to die for our sins and he paid the price with His blood so we could be united with God again.

God Has Shown us Grace and Kindness

So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.2.7.NLT

God used Paul to show His grace and kindness and God points to both him and us as examples for future generations to see how God is so kind to us and gives us grace through Jesus Christ because He saved us by dying for our sins and rising from the dead.

People forget about God's grace and kindness because many of them have the image of God as being a mean, old man.  But God gives us both grace and kindness when we are united with Christ Jesus.