24 May Jesus, Cold Brew, and a Rattlesnake
Romans 12:2 – 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.
Every Saturday, I go outside, because we’re in Arizona and I can, and I spend time not just preparing the message but the messenger. I pray, drink cold brew coffee, and spend time with Jesus.
Last week, something very different happened while I was doing this weekly ritual.
I was sitting in my chair and a roughly 6-foot Mojave rattler, if my research is correct, one of the deadliest rattlesnakes alive on planet earth, came slithering up on our deck. I kid you not, I was reading my Bible and asking the Lord to speak to me, and this thing slithered up like Eden 2.0.
I’ve read Genesis 3. I start hoping it doesn’t literally speak to me.
This perfect illustration as I’m preparing my sermon for the weekend reminds me of the storyline of the Bible.
In Genesis 3, everything was fine until a snake came in. Then a snake attacked God’s people and where we’re headed in the next several months is Romans 16 where, in verse 20, Paul says, “The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet”.
So, I corned it, chopped its head off, and built a big fire, reminding me that the Lord Jesus is coming to cut the head off the snake and throw it into the flames. I prepped my whole sermon smelling a burning rattlesnake while worshipping Jesus.
If you’re going to worship Jesus, the storyline of Romans, and the whole Bible, is that ultimately, there’s a conflict in the end but Jesus wins. There’s lots of problems in this world but, as Christians, we don’t need to be conformed to the world but transformed to worship God until He returns.
Where do you see the enemy’s attacks on your life and family? How can you worship God through the attacks?
To find the free Romans 12-16 digital study guide for individuals and small groups, hear Pastor Mark’s entire sermon series on Romans, or find a free mountain of Bible teaching visit legacy.realfaith.com or download the Real Faith app.
