Change

May 16th – 2 Chronicles 7:14

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2 Chronicles 7:14

As hard as it can be, change is a good thing. Especially when it comes to our walk with God. Even if at times it’s one step forward two steps back, our relationship with the Lord is to be one of perpetual motion. And repentance is just the thing to bring about growth and change. True repentance involves four things. First is humility. When we sin against God we need to come before Him with a truly sorry heart. One that hurts because it hurt God. Next is prayer. Jesus gave His life to provide an open line of communication between us and God. And we need to use it to confess the wrong we’ve done. Third is to continually seek God’s face. This means studying His Word and striving to live according to His commandments. Finally, we need to turn from our wickedness. It isn’t enough to just apologize for the sin we commit. We need to literally change the sinful behavior. If we take these steps, God promises to hear us, forgive our sins, and give us healing, change, and a deeper relationship with Him.

May 16th – 2 Chronicles 7:14 Read More »

May 14th – Colossians 3:10

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Colossians 3:10

Author Robin Lee Hatcher said, “Following Christ is a lifelong journey. Christians are foot soldiers, so to speak. Always learning. Always growing stronger.” When we first receive Jesus as our Savior, we are born again babes in Christ feeding on milk. But we aren’t to be content in staying that way. Like children who grow and move on to solid food, we too need to move to the meat of God’s Word and truth. The Lord calls us to continually grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with Him. This involves moving beyond the basic teachings of the faith. And purposefully growing a deeper understanding of who God is, His word, and His will for our lives. For such growth leads to transformation. A transformation of becoming less like us and more like Jesus. One that involves a change in our character, attitudes, and behavior, as we become more loving, kind, and compassionate, like our Creator.

May 14th – Colossians 3:10 Read More »

May 6th – Isaiah 43:19

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Isaiah 43:19

I love the quote by Joyce Meyer which says, “I may not be where I want to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be.” Everyone has a past. One containing some mistakes and a regret or two. But God doesn’t keep score. For when He looks at us, He sees us through the righteousness of Jesus. And the righteousness of Jesus washes away the sins of the past. It declares us innocent and beloved by God. And because He loves us, the Lord refuses to leave us as He found us. The minute we receive Jesus as our Savior, God sends the Holy Spirit to indwell us. Immediately He gets to work doing something new and unexpected, bringing about a transformation in the lives of each believer. And the more we surrender to His awesome love, the more God is committed to continually work in our lives. The Lord wants us trust Him enough to throw away the old and let Him bring out the new. To receive His blessing of change and transformation. And to lead us on a new and exciting journey of faith!

May 6th – Isaiah 43:19 Read More »

May 5th – Philippians 3:13

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Philippians 3:13

We can be our own worst enemies. Always replaying past mistakes in our head, never forgiving ourselves, and feeling too worthless for God. No wonder many believers seem to get stuck in the mud. Always spinning their wheels and unable to move forward. But Jesus made it clear that having a relationship with Him involves growth, change, and action. And the action needed is letting go of our past mistakes and instead focusing on our future. The glorious future planned for us as followers of Christ. We all sin daily, and need God’s forgiveness. And He’ll give it freely and generously when we come to Him in true repentance and sorrow. More than that when we confess, God promises to wipe our slates clean. He’ll remember our sins no more and remove them as far as the east us from the west. (1 John 1:9) So if God can forget our past, who are to remember? All we need to do is learn from our mistakes, and move forward with renewed focus and determination.

May 5th – Philippians 3:13 Read More »

April 9th – Ecclesiastes 3:1

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Ecclesiastes 3:1

I love the quote by theologian John Henry Newman which says, “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” No one likes change. It’s hard, unpleasant, and takes work. But life is about change. And the Christian life is about changing into the image of Jesus. For each one plays a part in making us who we are. And far from being just random events that happen, we know that God is in control, and has a time and purpose for everything in our lives. For He sees beginning to end, and knows the wonderful grand plan He has for each of us. All we have to do is embrace the ebb and flow of life, trust God in all things, and find meaning and purpose in each moment no matter what it may bring.

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April 8th – 2 Corinthians 3:18

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2 Corinthians 3:18

One of my heroes in the Bible has always been Paul. He’s the perfect example of how no one is beyond God’s reach. Previously known as Saul of Tarsus, a great persecutor of Christians, through the transformation of the Holy Spirit, he became Paul, a great disciple of the Lord. Our God is so loving that He never wants to leave us as He found us. He wants to transform us into all we are meant to be. But that transformation won’t come easy. Because the Christian walk is a lifelong journey of growth and change. There will be times when that change will be hard, frustrating, and painful. But if we keep seeking God, allow the Holy Spirit to work both in and through us, change will come. Until then keep trusting God, keep moving forward, and remember this quote by Joyce Meyer which says, “I may not be where I want to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be!”

April 8th – 2 Corinthians 3:18 Read More »

December 15th – 2 Peter 3:9

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2 Peter 3:9

Because God takes no pleasure in the destruction of His children, He implores each of us to turn away from our wickedness; crying, “Repent and Live!” But repentance isn’t easy, and if you’re like me, it’s usually two steps forward, one step back. God knows and understands our weakness. All He cares about is that we keep trying, and trust in Him to change the wickedness of our hearts. That means not just confessing and apologizing for our transgressions, but actually turning aside from that sin. And believing that change will come through the strength of Jesus (Phil. 4:13) Unrepentant sin brings with it a host of consequences. Consequences God wants to spare His children. Which is why His own heart aches for the wicked to turn aside from the path of sin leading to death, and back to Him and everlasting life. Gods wants all His children to live eternally by His side, and to experience the perfect, love, joy, and peace that He alone can give!

December 15th – 2 Peter 3:9 Read More »

August 17th – 1 Peter 4:4

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1 Peter 4:4

There are some people that no matter how hard we try to convince them, will never accept our change as a person. Especially when that change comes from receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior. That’s because those who aren’t  followers of Jesus can’t understand why we would want to lead our life for anyone other than ourselves. And so they pressure us to go back to our sinful, worldly ways of the past. To be who we used to be. And when we don’t, we become targets of their resentment and ridicule. But Peter tells us that those same unbelievers, “will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (1 Pet. 4:5) Until the day when we stand before the Lord, Jesus calls us to stay strong in His Word. And to respond to those who persecute us, the same way Jesus responded to His persecutors, in kindness and love.

August 17th – 1 Peter 4:4 Read More »

May 9th – Philippians 4:13

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Philippians 4:13

Author Nishan Panwar once wrote, “Change is hard. You fight to hold on. You fight to let go. But in the end, we all know. Change is needed for you to grow.” As Christians we know the goal is growing to become more like Jesus. But who is a fan of the growing pains it brings? That’s why through the ebbs and flows of life, we need to take on the attitude of Paul. Paul faced hardship and persecution, good times and bad. Yet through it all, the one thing that remained constant was Paul’s contentment. Both in times of plenty and in famine, the apostle leaned on the strength of the Lord to navigate him through. And just like Paul, no matter the circumstance, we too have that same Christ given strength inside of us. Giving us the power to find contentment, whatever comes our way.

May 9th – Philippians 4:13 Read More »

March 29th – 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

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1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Sanctification is the process by which God sets us apart from nonbelievers, to become holy. A task we cannot accomplish on our own. So God sends to us the Holy Spirit, who through His indwelling, is constantly working on us. Yet the goal of becoming reflections of Jesus can be a slow process. But if we don’t give up and completely trust God, change will happen. For we serve a God who is faithful in all things. And whatever He calls us to do, He will also provide the means to make it happen. So on that glorious day when we see Jesus face to face, we can hear Him say, “Well done My good and faithful servant!”

March 29th – 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Read More »