Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 20 hours ago
Scripture to read and think about today: Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
A few years ago, I found myself in a season I hadn’t experienced before. Yes, I was still grieving the sudden loss of my mother, but there was more going on. I felt anxious and tired every day. There was a fog and confusion around any decision I faced. A heaviness sat on my life that I couldn’t shake. Thankfully, I went on a trip with some men and found myself sitting by a raging river in Wyoming. Peace flooded me as I sat there with no cell phone coverage, no distractions, just me, my Bible, and God’s amazing creation.
A raging river will quickly make you realize that you’re not the one in control. That day, I had a revelation: I didn’t have to wait for a trip across the country to find God’s peace. What I needed to do was stop conforming to the patterns of this world. You see, there are many patterns in this world. They include being in a constant state of hurry, living with stress and anxiety, staying distracted, and so much more. But Paul tells us in Romans not to conform to these patterns. Instead, he talks about being transformed by the renewing of your mind. Only then will you be able to test and approve what God’s will is.
That was my issue. I needed a renewing of my mind. Practically, that meant I needed to prioritize sitting still. I needed to prioritize reading Scripture and prayer, not just sometimes, but every day. How could I hear God’s voice if I wasn’t stopping to listen?
So for years now, I’ve given the Lord the first hour of my day. I wake up early, grab a cup of coffee, and sit and read. It’s in the stillness that Scripture has come alive to me. It has totally transformed my life. Where I used to find confusion, I started finding clarity. Where I used to find anxiety, I started finding peace. My mind was being renewed little by little as I spent time with the Lord.
What I love about the end of this verse is that it says, “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” So in this season of prayer and fasting, if you are searching for clear direction or feeling weighed down by fear or anxiety, you may need to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
The beginning of the year is a great time to evaluate your schedule and priorities. I encourage you to find some space for the Lord. I know when our kids were little, we didn’t always get to choose what the first hour of the day looked like. But I do know we all have some time when we can put our phones away, pause, and be still. And as we create space for the Lord and allow Him to renew our minds, transformation follows.
Jeremy Hezlep
Elder
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#conduitchurch #worship #Jesus #God #Franklin #Tennessee #churchonline #mission
__
To be a conduit of Jesus to the community in front of us and the world around us. Conduit Church has a campus in Franklin, Tennessee.
__
Join us every Sunday for Conduit Livestream at 9:45am CST, and you can also join us in person at 8am, 9:45am, 11:45am or 5pm.
__
*Get the CHURCH CENTER app for all the latest events and info. Download in your app store and search Conduit Church
Scripture to read and think about today: Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
A few years ago, I found myself in a season I hadn’t experienced before. Yes, I was still grieving the sudden loss of my mother, but there was more going on. I felt anxious and tired every day. There was a fog and confusion around any decision I faced. A heaviness sat on my life that I couldn’t shake. Thankfully, I went on a trip with some men and found myself sitting by a raging river in Wyoming. Peace flooded me as I sat there with no cell phone coverage, no distractions, just me, my Bible, and God’s amazing creation.
A raging river will quickly make you realize that you’re not the one in control. That day, I had a revelation: I didn’t have to wait for a trip across the country to find God’s peace. What I needed to do was stop conforming to the patterns of this world. You see, there are many patterns in this world. They include being in a constant state of hurry, living with stress and anxiety, staying distracted, and so much more. But Paul tells us in Romans not to conform to these patterns. Instead, he talks about being transformed by the renewing of your mind. Only then will you be able to test and approve what God’s will is.
That was my issue. I needed a renewing of my mind. Practically, that meant I needed to prioritize sitting still. I needed to prioritize reading Scripture and prayer, not just sometimes, but every day. How could I hear God’s voice if I wasn’t stopping to listen?
So for years now, I’ve given the Lord the first hour of my day. I wake up early, grab a cup of coffee, and sit and read. It’s in the stillness that Scripture has come alive to me. It has totally transformed my life. Where I used to find confusion, I started finding clarity. Where I used to find anxiety, I started finding peace. My mind was being renewed little by little as I spent time with the Lord.
What I love about the end of this verse is that it says, “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” So in this season of prayer and fasting, if you are searching for clear direction or feeling weighed down by fear or anxiety, you may need to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
The beginning of the year is a great time to evaluate your schedule and priorities. I encourage you to find some space for the Lord. I know when our kids were little, we didn’t always get to choose what the first hour of the day looked like. But I do know we all have some time when we can put our phones away, pause, and be still. And as we create space for the Lord and allow Him to renew our minds, transformation follows.
Jeremy Hezlep
Elder
__
#conduitchurch #worship #Jesus #God #Franklin #Tennessee #churchonline #mission
__
To be a conduit of Jesus to the community in front of us and the world around us. Conduit Church has a campus in Franklin, Tennessee.
__
Join us every Sunday for Conduit Livestream at 9:45am CST, and you can also join us in person at 8am, 9:45am, 11:45am or 5pm.
__
*Get the CHURCH CENTER app for all the latest events and info. Download in your app store and search Conduit Church
