“I plead with you friends, since you are immersed with the knowledge and amazed at the reality of God’s mercy, to offer your total being (thought life, self doubt, fears, guilt, shame, pride, arrogance, bitterness, etc.) as a living sacrifice (dying to your selfishness and old ways) knowing that you are holy and pleasing to God because of His finished work on the Cross. Quite frankly this is the only logical response to the message of the Gospel. Stop being shaped (conformed) by the world and its rules, lusts, desires, passions and mindsets, but instead be transformed (metamorphosed) by allowing your mind to be renewed by the truth of who God is and who you are in Him.” (Ro. 12:1-2)
Paul tells us that there are only two ways you can live – Conformed or Transformed. Those of us who choose to live conformed to this world determine either consciously or unconsciously to abide by the patterns of human existence that have grown out of the seeds from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Conformed people are at their core driven by the desire to define, distinguish and do good. The problem is that each of these endeavors is fatally flawed by the one thing we all have in common. All of us, conformed or transformed, share an underlying foundational trait. We are self focused.
Good and Evil
In the conformed world good and evil are relative terms. We treat others in ways we would never accept in return. But when we do it we justify it so that we can call it good. We vote for bills that we haven’t read in order to get re-elected; we believe good stories about people whom we like and bad stories about people whom we dislike. We pass on gossip and slander without any regard for whether we know anything about the veracity of the information. We cheat on our friends and spouses and excuse it in ourselves because we’re not to blame. We push people out of our way because that’s how we show everyone just how important we are. We use people for our pleasure and our gain. We lie because our reputation is more important than the truth.
You see, good is what I need it to be because I have to be in control of my universe. I focus on doing good only because it either protects me from punishment or earns me a reward. Good is anything that makes me look good, feel good, or gets me compliments and acclaim from others. Evil is anything that doesn’t. It is good when I love others as long as when I love others I get the credit for it and my reputation is enhanced. And finally I can unequivocally tell everyone else in my universe what they must do to be good.
Consumer Relationships
In a conformed world all relationships including family are consumer relationships. A consumer relationship is a relationship in which we stay as long as the other person meets my expectations at an acceptable price. If the other person falls short of my expectations or raises the price I am no longer bound and I move on. Even if the other party meets my expectations and doesn’t raise the price I may move on if someone else does the same at a lower price or does more for the same price.
Of course, in a conformed world everything is about me. I must look good, feel good and be praised. Everyone has to get a trophy because it’s all about each of us individually. The good we do, we do to in order to look good, feel good or to get praised. No one has the right to tell me what good is for me because no one knows what I have been through. But I can tell you what good is because good is an absolute in your life because good is anything that makes me look or feel good or gets me praise or acclaim. If I make sure that you follow God’s rules than I will be commended by God which makes it good. It’s really all about me.
Two Problems
Those of us who are being transformed (metamorphosed) still have at least two problems. One, prior to the process of metamorphosis beginning in our lives we lived conformed to this world and were very comfortable being the master of our universe. Two, after the process of metamorphosis has begun in our lives, we retain vivid memories of the the pleasures and habits of conformity. Because of these two problems, even as we are being transformed, we easily fall back into the habits of conformity.
The Caterpillar and the Butterfly
What is metamorphosis? What does it mean to be transformed? Nature gives us a wonderful example. Caterpillars are born as veracious eaters, totally self focused, destroying everything around them if necessary. They will even consume the very leaf that is sustaining them. Then at a predetermined time in their life cycle they attach themselves to a leaf and hang upside down and die to their “caterpillarness” and become a cocoon and then a butterfly.
Once the former caterpillar falls from the leaf he has been totally transformed (he has taken on a new nature). Now he must live in his new state, using his wings to fly from plant to plant receiving and delivering new life at each stop. If a butterfly were to try to live like a caterpillar his new nature would get in the way. His wings would bump into everything as he tried to crawl along the ground and his digestive system, which is now designed to drink in liquid life, would explode from the selfish gluttony of his former eating style. And the butterfly acting like a caterpillar would never spread the nectar of new life to the plants in his world.
Something in Between
Yet many Christians live like a butterfly trying to still be a caterpillar. A transformed believer has taken on a new nature and stands on the truth of the Gospel. Paul tells us that the mystery hidden for ages but now revealed is “Christ in you, the Hope of glory.” A transformed believer has been qualified by God, delivered out of the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of light in Jesus and been made holy and pleasing to God. Still, many Christians live as though God is angry with them, standing over them with a stick, trying to catch them in what they consider sin. (Doing something evil) Because they live in fear of God, they never flap their wings and they believe they are God’s policemen, always gossiping about people’s behavior and telling everyone how to live.
When a transformed person continues to focus on their own actions or the actions of others, they are living as a conformed person and they are grieving the Holy Spirit. They look as foolish as a butterfly trying to live like a caterpillar. There is no fruit in their life because you need to spread your wings in order to fly from flower to flower. There is no aroma of God in their life because they are miserable and they make everyone around them miserable. They continue to judge themselves and everyone else by their relative scale of good and evil, while trying to earn God’s favor in their own strength and to their own glory. Christians who live conformed lives spit in God’s face because they refuse to truly accept His free and completed work of reconciliation and justification.
The Power of the Old Nature
Some butterflies continue to live like caterpillars because they haven’t yet tasted the nectar of the truth and are still chasing the counterfeit sweetness of their former lusts. They refuse to flap their wings because they are afraid of losing control and are so conformed in their thinking that they are only comfortable crawling in the grass and hiding in the darkness.
Truly Transformed
A truly transformed person has been given a new mind, and has surrendered his heart to the truth and hope of the Gospel. They understand that God is God and they are not. They know that God is holy and in and of themselves they are not and will never be. But they also know that because of God’s free gift of reconciliation and justification through His Son Jesus Christ, they have been made holy and pleasing in God’s sight. They also know that they have been made children of God who have the family connection required to call God, “Daddy.” And finally they know that they are joint heirs with Jesus of all that is God’s.
Do you see how different a transformed believer is when compared to a conformed person? Do you see how love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (the fruit of the Spirit) naturally grow in a transformed heart and are spread abroad by transformed hearts? Living a transformed life is living with a new mind – a mind focused on God and who we are in Him. We have hope in every situation because we are children of God. We are at peace because we have peace with God and if God is for us who can be against us. And we love because we are loved – unconditionally because God sees us in Him. We can love others because we can choose to see them as God sees them. Everyone is created in the image of God and we can forgive them because they know not what they do. Some of them are living conformed lives and are in bondage to selfishness. Others are living transformed lives and they are spreading life everywhere they go. Being in the presence of a transformed life is to be in the presence of God.
The Return to the Garden
The whole creation is waiting for the sons of God to be revealed. By offering ourselves to God as living sacrifices, knowing that we are holy and pleasing to God, we set in place the altar for the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. As we focus on God and who we are in Him, we return to the mindset of the garden before the knowledge of good and evil. And in our renewed mind we are transformed into and revealed as the children of God.
A good reminder of the importance to live a transformed life, which is not easy. It is something I have to strive for daily. Thank you for the excellent article.
So logical, so true. And what a great analogy (butterflies living like caterpillars!) Why is it so hard for us to live the butterfly life? Why do we keep returning to leaf-chomping?
The leg press excels in its simplicity and security features, making it
accessible for most health levels. Its design allows for heavy loading with reduced
danger, supporting steady strength development. There are lots of reasons why we’d wish to keep away from barbell back squats.
You can modify it to target completely different muscle groups
based mostly on your personal preference. Squats are
a compound train targeting different muscle groups simultaneously.
A standard squat requires you to decrease your physique right into a seated place after which return to a
standing place, primarily concentrating on your thighs,
hips, buttocks, and core. It may be carried out with physique weight, free weights, or using special equipment like a squat rack or an influence
rack. Understanding the leg press and hack squat helps
maximise your workout effectivity by targeting specific muscle tissue
and reaching desired fitness goals. Each the leg press and hack squat can tempt you to load extra weight than necessary.
In different words – whatever the type you’re in search of and whatever your budget, your next leg press is someplace on this
web page. The finest train for you is dependent upon your fitness goals and individual needs.
If you’re (like me) trying to max out the effectiveness of each training session, I truly have no doubt you wish to know
which is the simplest, most secure, and “best bang for your buck”.
By incorporating this variation into your again squat vs
hack squat routine, you could find enhanced enjoyment and engagement during decrease physique workouts.
Apart from leg press machines, we’ve also tested and rated other leg machines that complement the press.
Examine out our greatest leg extension &
curl machines or the squat rack and Olympic barbell guides.
Trainees who wish to develop monster quads will usually max out on the hack squats for this very objective.
Hack squat machines will usually characteristic a sliding rail,
or could simply be an higher body pad/weight rack on mechanical arms that move if you squat.
The goal of the hack squat is to remove your core from the equation, focusing totally in your
decrease physique.
The calves will also be recruited extra on this
position to help with ankle and knee extension. Examine out my article, where I discuss how one
can modify the leg press to make use of your glutes extra.
“In the end, each of those tools really praise one another very well, and you must use them to bring out one of the best in your leg coaching over the long haul,” Samuel says.
In a squat, there’s some room to play with footing, however finally you need to
have the flexibility to stay balanced to stay safe—so there’s not a ton of room to play with.
Anybody that wishes to primarily strengthen their quads but in addition have interaction their hamstrings and glutes should think about doing the leg
press. If you lack the mobility, energy, or vary
of movement to do a squat, then the leg press is the next greatest different.
The hack squat primarily targets the quadriceps
muscular tissues on the front of your thighs. It additionally engages your glutes, hamstrings, and calves while activating
core muscular tissues for stabilization throughout
the motion.
Both workout routines can effectively build muscle mass, however the leg press might have a bonus due to
its greater range of motion and isolation capabilities.
TRAINING EFFECTIVELY MEANS doing workout routines that will get you to your goals faster.
If that objective includes constructing sturdy legs, you’ve got probably programmed leg presses or squats
sooner or later in your coaching. Since it mimics conventional squats, it
engages more muscular tissues, together with your abdominals and spinal
erectors, giving a comprehensive energy workout.
Relying on foot placement, it can also work the hamstrings and glutes.
The quads are especially activated during this train, promoting power and development.
The leg press machine may be highly effective for building
your leg muscular tissues, but it’s important to make use of it appropriately to avoid accidents and
discomfort.
With the V squat, your toes are shifted slightly wider than the
usual hack squat, with your toes pointed outward. This types a
V-shape with your toes and allows your knees to trace outward (rather than instantly ahead in a straight line).
Squats are a complex movement, so doing them more incessantly (at least
1-2 occasions per week) will help you enhance your method.
Since squats require so many muscular tissues, doing them on the very beginning of a workout is a good suggestion. However
I contemplate leg press essential for outlining and building as well, the place as my training associate
would favor to omit leg press in exchange for extra
squat sets. A neighborhood for Redditors to debate any subjects regarding general fitness; with an emphasis on barbell & dumbbell lifting, in addition to calisthenics (bodyweight movements).
For these seeking to maximize their leg day outcomes, combining proper
train choice with high quality protein intake creates an optimum environment for meeting your health goals.
Be certain to take a glance at my full listing of
workouts you are in a place to do on a belt squat machine to see just how versatile they
can be. If you get a belt squat machine, it’s probably going to be a brand new buy since it’s a much less frequent item.
Bodybuilders tend to hold out in correct gyms, whereas home fitness center homeowners tend to
care more about constructing overall or sport specific
power. If you’re a house health club owner,
likelihood is you’re much less interested in pure bodybuilding anyway and are extra concerned with ‘powerbuilding’.
I go into more element on this subject in my article discussing the benefits
of doing belt squats. Some athletes believe the leg press
is due to this fact more practical for isolating the quadriceps and getting great huge legs.
References:
most common steroids
70918248
References:
anabolic steroid treatment
Nevertheless, the sustainable and secure use precept should all the time be a priority.
Even although Oxandrolone is perceived as one of the milder
anabolic steroids, recurring use can still impose health dangers, notably liver
toxicity. Regular well being check-ups and continuous monitoring of potential side effects are critical to
make sure the user’s security. Anavar is a stronger anabolic steroid, however it
also has extra potential unwanted side effects. TRT is a more natural approach to
enhance testosterone ranges, but it is in all probability not
as effective for some folks. When it comes to utilizing Oxandrolone (Anavar) for bodybuilding purposes,
it is necessary to listen to the potential unwanted effects.
Clomid is also not a positive PCT for ladies, as it might trigger the ovaries to
become oversensitive. Anavar’s half-life can enhance
past this vary, depending on the age of the person. For instance, its half-life may be as high as 13.three hours within the
elderly (23). Thus, if we state the half-life as 10.four hours, a post-cycle therapy protocol ought to start 57 hours after the ultimate
dose. Bodybuilders generally take a dose of Anavar 45 minutes before a exercise, leading to a optimistic effect on motivation, vitality levels, and focus.
Others use tablet cutters to split 10 mg tablets in half, giving
them 4 x 5 mg doses. If 2.5 mg tablets are obtained, this reduces the want to
cut any of the pills.
Hi-Tech researchers had been the primary to start to make
use of these potent compounds — long before the recent steroid
legal guidelines were revamped to add nearly every prohormone recognized to be a controlled substance.
Therefore, our expertise to getting the powerful prohormones into the bloodstream by far surpasses another firm within the business.
We have labored on completely different technologies
for over a decade whereas everybody else enjoyed the fruits
of selling unlawful compounds. This is a steroid that can be utilized for each
bulking and chopping, however there’s little
doubt that Tren Hex excels within the area of gaining
mass and strength. With anabolic and androgenic scores at 5 occasions that of testosterone,
it’s no shock that Parabolan is a powerhouse for enhancing power and muscle
features. And with out the dreaded effects of water retention, the lean mass you put on with
this steroid goes to be top quality without the bloating you get with many
different bulking steroids. Like all forms of Tren, excessive doses of Tren-Hex
aren’t required as a result of truth this is such a robust steroid (five occasions as
highly effective as testosterone).
Clen has high bioavailability at as a lot as 98% and avoids first-pass
metabolism11. As plasma reaches its peak around 2 hours after administration, processes begin to activate, where
triglycerides break down into fatty acids and glycerol. This is the method of lipolysis – where your body
gets its power from fat. Clenbuterol has an extended history of being utilized
by some skilled athletes illegally, who had been in the end caught and suspended
or punished in different methods. Some sprinters, baseball players, swimmers, boxers,
and footballers have examined constructive for Clenbuterol.
This offers us a reasonably good thought of what sort of
pursuits Clenbuterol appeals to the most outside of fat loss use – primarily
these requiring exceptional cardio output and energy.
Safer choices like the most effective oral steroid with least unwanted effects or safest steroids for over
50 ought to all the time be prioritized.
It’s crucial to notice that Oxandrolone is administered in a managed
method. Prolonged usage past the advisable restrict can strain the liver and lead to antagonistic health outcomes.
Regardless Of its valuable performance-enhancement attributes, Oxandrolone endorses several
potential unwanted side effects.
The cycle should run for no much less than eight weeks and not than 12 weeks.
Two SARMs and a SERM could make up a simple but very potent superior bulking cycle.
LGD-3303 is considered by many to be THE most potent SARM for bulking.
As A End Result Of the SHBG binding affinity with SARMs is normally a lot higher, and this
causes a major increase in free testosterone18. Increased
androgenic and estrogenic unwanted effects – exactly the belongings you hope to keep away from through the use of SARMs.
Enclomiphene at 25mg every day for five weeks and 12.5mg day by day for the final week.
It’s important to understand that these are particular person experiences and can almost always result from inconsistency
in dosing and not adequately utilizing an AI or different ancillaries.
Males who discover that Sustanon 250 is simply too challenging to make
use of will rarely see the same issues that occur with single-ester types of testosterone.
If you’re self-administering TRT and don’t have a doctor’s recommendation, then a twice-weekly schedule
works completely for many men.
This approach seeks to maximize performance enhancement while probably counterbalancing opposed
effects from using stronger substances. Sometimes, Oxandrolone is mixed with other anabolic steroids to enhance and amplify the advantages of each part.
Whereas these dietary supplements are marketed as providing an “Anavar-like” increase to muscle development and fats loss, their
actual results are comparatively delicate compared to actual anabolic steroids.
Ladies within the bodybuilding scenario ought to observe that slightly Anavar can indeed go a good distance.
Testosterone, in all its varieties, is one other compound that must be
used cautiously with Anavar, particularly in higher doses.
Whereas it can be included in a chopping stack, maintaining low to average doses
of testosterone may be preferrable to cut back potential side
effects and make positive that the cycle remains balanced.
Finally, for well-versed, seasoned bodybuilders, a complicated Anavar cycle might entail the next dosage –
doubtlessly 80 to 100 milligrams a day – to carve that chiseled look.
At this level, Anavar will usually be combined with other compounds for a holistic vary of benefits.
Muscle gains on the arms alone can get into 2 lbs territory with
the best health club work. It’s not exceptional for features
of 30 pounds to be achieved, however you’d have to be essentially
the most serious hardcore user to see such features and work exhausting to
hold up them after a cycle. Nothing can match Trenbolone’s substantial advantages,
however on the identical time, nothing can rival its horrendous
downsides either! The truth is that for most individuals, the negatives of Tren will far outweigh any advantages.
Anavar works by growing protein synthesis and reducing protein breakdown. Anavar also helps
to retain nitrogen, which is crucial for building muscular tissues.
Sustanon 250 is deemed secure for its supposed medical
use in treating low testosterone circumstances in males. When it comes to utilizing Sustanon 250 for performance functions and at high doses,
it’s never potential to declare it completely safe.
PCT often runs for 4 weeks, and once completed, your natural testosterone perform should return to its regular level.
References:
synthetic steroids