Get the appWind & Fire - ReflectionsSample
Written by Javier De La Rosa - Discipleship Minister at City on a Hill Melbourne
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” - Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
Paul describes the Christian life as a spiritual act of worship, not confined to songs or gatherings, but expressed through a transformed life. Formation begins here: with minds renewed by the gospel and hearts reshaped by grace. God does not merely call us away from sin; He invites us into a way of life that is good, pleasing, and ordered according to His will.
This transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit. As our minds are renewed, we learn to discern, to recognise what aligns with God’s character and kingdom. Discernment is not abstract wisdom; it is practical and lived. It shapes how we think, choose, love, and respond. Over time, the Spirit forms us into people who increasingly desire what God desires.
When we live this way, we remain under the life-giving presence of God. Sin loses its grip, not through sheer effort, but through a deeper affection for what is better. And this life does not bless us alone. Others benefit as they encounter the beauty of God’s order made visible through a transformed lifestyle, homes marked by peace, relationships shaped by grace, and communities strengthened by truth and love.
Formation, then, is not self-improvement. It is worship. As we submit our lives to God, the Spirit reveals the goodness of His kingdom through us, for our joy and for the good of those around us.
Reflect:
Based on today’s reading:
How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to respond today, for God’s glory and the good of others?
Pray:
Lord, renew my mind by Your Spirit. Shape my desires so that I may love what is good, pleasing, and true. Help me to live as an act of worship, and let my life reflect the beauty and order of Your kingdom for the good of others. Amen
Scripture
About this Plan
Wind & Fire is a devotional journey written by Javier de la Rosa to help you understand and pursue the spiritual gifts God gives his church. This series explores how the spiritual gifts are given for the mission of Jesus. You will study the gifts by looking at the church’s missional activities of love, presence, formation, freedom, witness and multiplication. Each devotion invites you to open the Scriptures, open your heart and ask the Holy Spirit for fresh power, fresh gifts and fresh wind and fire.
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We would like to thank City on a Hill for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://www.cityonahill.com.au
