Month: November 2025

People often question or wonder what our purpose here is. It is simple. The Bible tells us that we are to be transformed into the nature(image) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The key verse is in Romans chapter 8.

Romans 8:29 (NASB 2020)
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters;

How can we fulfil this purpose, is the big question? I believe the answer comes from the same chapter and of course the whole counsel of God.

Firstly ALL THINGS work together – Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. He is the only one who can do this – bad to good! So not everything that is bad is bad, for He uses these circumstances too for that purpose.

Secondly He gives ALL THINGS – Romans 8:32
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? He does not withhold anything that is beneficial for this transformation – to become like this Son.

Lastly we are more than conquerors in ALL THINGS – Romans 8:37
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. We can win! But don’t forget the purpose – it is to be conformed to His likeness.

So to summarise, God has given us all things, to be more than conquerors in all things, as He works all things in our favour to become like his Son.

3 Rs

Remember/Remind – Who He is , What He has done, What He has given.

Reflect/Ruminate – Spend time, investigate His word, study it and understand the riches of how deep, wide, long and high is His “every spiritual blessing” Ephesians 1:3

Respond/Reciprocate – with a “thank offering”

1Samuel 15:22 Samuel said, “Does the LORD have AS much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices AS in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is BETTER than a sacrifice, And to pay attention is BETTER than the fat of rams.

You see on closer examination it is a comparison of two things here. It doesn’t say stop your sacrifices, what it says is that you have neglected a weightier matter and you are sort of trying to make up with a ritual. That’s not going to cut it. Those sacrifices were offered as a cover up for disobedience. It is displeasing in His sight. So, let’s get it right. That is why the New Testament talks about a pleasing sacrifice, holy and acceptable before Him.

The first one is from Hebrews 13:15-16 Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.Don’t miss out the “fruit” here. Our spoken praise, thanksgiving, doing good and sharing are all fruits that consequently happens, that are sacrifices pleasing to God.

Here is the second one. Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Note the plurality of the word, “mercies”, in response, offer your body as a thank offering, which is your reciprocation.

Offer your bodies – to God, set apart, not conforming to the world, not doing, seeing, speaking, hearing, thinking and going, like the world. So not just professing we are Christians but also walking very different from the world – this is a transformed life. Our attitudes and thinking need to change, our priorities need to change, and our investments need to change. This is the expression of thanksgiving.

Our transformation is the reciprocation of thanksgiving.

Cultivate a habit and attitude of thanksgiving at the start, at end of the day and every waking moment in between. Don’t hang up !

Past: Ministry of Reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Future: Ministry of the King Luke 1:32-33 

Now: Ministry of Intercession Hebrews 7:24-25, Romans 8:34, 1 John 2:1

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Q. But what exactly is Jesus interceding for us? 3 P’s

• Protection. John 17:11-15, Luke 22:31-32
• Preservation in suffering. Romans 8:31-37, Hebrews 4:15-16
• Pardon for sin now. 1 John 2:1-2

Because of the cross and the resurrection, He is our living, sympathetic intercessor, continually praying now for our protection, our preservation through suffering and our pardon now if we sin. As we go to sleep every day He continues praying for us.