Friday, 30 November 2012

Appreciation


by: Meg

Truly I admire all Christian song writers and composers. They have different styles in conveying the message through the uniqueness of rhythms, melodies, beats and tempos. Recognizing their God given talents is worth to be appreciated.  Understanding the content and meaning of their composition entails a great message and reason how they came up with such a beautiful song or piece.

An artist can create a great masterpiece especially when he or she is inspired.  The passion that resides in his or her heart magnifies it more to his composition and can be heard through his songs. Most of the time or should I say most of my day, I can play only one song for an hour or two just to show my appreciation of a particular song.  Like the song ‘Create in me a clean heart Oh God’ by Joel Younce is a song so dearly special.

In Romans 12:2 it says that…


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.

Taking the time to comprehend the song gives us more understanding how passionate the song is. It creates an atmosphere of intimacy between man and God; listening to the song can move our soul to connect with the Holy Spirit that gives us an unspeakable joy ---something that cannot describe or utter but too wonderful to feel. =)

How giving thanks can deepen your joy


by: Ptr. Graham

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
            you have loosed my sackcloth
            and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
            O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Psalm 30:11-12
 

The wonderful poet Annie Johnson Flint composed a poem that gives remarkable insight into Christian gratitude. She wrote,

As we offer our small rejoicing for the love that surrounds our days
All the wonderful works of Thy goodness open before our gaze. 
And through gates of our narrow thanksgiving we shall enter Thy courts of praise.

Praise and thanksgiving to God do more than make us feel good. They also increase our comprehension and apprehension of God’s goodness. And through that, we receive a greater capacity to enjoy Him and experience Him in our lives.

While many people spend a great deal of time enlarging their prayer lists, we must also spend time enlarging our praise list and counting the blessings of God—naming them one by one. This day is about more than turkey; it’s about recognizing God’s goodness in our lives.

As you count your blessings today, let that guide your thoughts. Give God praise for His goodness and you’ll enjoy Him all the more!


LET GOD’S GOODNESS GUIDE YOUR THOUGHTS THIS THANKSGIVING AND YOU’LL DEEPEN YOUR ENJOYMENT OF HIM!
 

Run Your Race



Run Your Race

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…
Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV.

TODAY’S WORD
It’s easy to be tempted to go through life competing with everyone around us. When we see someone who’s more talented, better looking or has more gifts, instead of running our race and being comfortable with who we are, oftentimes we feel inferior and think, “I’ve got to catch up to them.” The problem with this unhealthy competition is that it’s a never-ending cycle.

There will always be someone ahead of us. But, it’s a very freeing thing when you realize, “I’m not competing with you. I don’t have to have as big a house as my neighbor to feel good about myself. I don’t have to keep up with my co-worker. I don’t have to be a certain size. No, I understand that I’m not in competition with my friend, my neighbor or my co-worker. Instead, I’m going to be the best me that I can possibly be.” Friend, that’s an attitude God can work with. When you focus on being who God made you to be, that’s when you’ll rise up higher and position yourself for every spiritual blessing He has in store for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, I humbly come to You giving You all that I am. I choose to keep my eyes on You and allow You to work in my heart and mind. I declare that I am free from competition today in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***
“That you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30:20 NIV)
Today we’ve bought into this myth that love is uncontrollable, that it’s something that just happens to us; it’s not something we control. In fact, even the language we use implies the uncontrollability of love. We say, “I fell in love,” as if love is some kind of a ditch. It’s like I’m walking along one day and — bam! — I fell in love. I couldn’t help myself.
But I have to tell you the truth: That’s not love. Love doesn’t just happen to you. Love is a choice, and it represents a commitment.
There’s no doubt about it: Attraction is uncontrollable, and arousal is uncontrollable. But attraction and arousal are not love. They can lead to love, but they are not love. Love is a choice.
You must choose to love God; he won’t force you to love him (Deuteronomy 30:20). You can thumb your nose at God and go a totally different way. You can destroy your life if you choose to do that. God still won’t force you to love him, because he knows love can’t be forced.
This same principle is true about your relationships: You can choose to love others, but God won’t force you to love anyone.
Talk About It
  • How is love received differently when it’s understood that it is a choice?
  • What is the difference between love that is from God and love that is based on human understanding?

Thursday, 29 November 2012

Day 15: Respect the growing process


Posted in November 23rd, 2007
by Joe

An excerpt from Chapter 15 of Change is good... You go first:

Like the gardener, the effective leader recognizes that change takes time to take root. And pulling up the "roots" before the process has matured is a sure way to confuse people, and destroy what has been started. There is a story about a Japanese executive who stressed the need for patience and discipline when it comes to quality.

"Sometimes," he said, "the quality process is like farming bamboo. Once the bamboo seed is planted, the farmer waters it every day. He does that for 4 years before the tree even breaks ground. But, when it finally does, it grows 60 feet in the next 90 days."

This story reminds us that change, like quality, will need time to "take root" before the full benefits are realized.

"He that can have patience can have what he will."--- Benjamin Franklin

Why are you thankful?


by: Ptr. Graham

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

Philippians 4:6
 

Everyone has a bad day now and then. I once heard someone explain that you know you’re having a bad day when…

… you see your stockbroker hitchhiking out of town.
 
… the bird singing outside your window is a vulture.

But in bad days as well as good days, we’re to praise the Lord. That’s what Thanksgiving is all about. But what if we weren’t just thankful one day a year, but turned our Thanksgiving Day into “thanks-living” every day? What if our day of gratitude turned to a constant attitude of gratitude?

Giving thanks should be the first response for anyone who knows the Lord Jesus as his or her personal Savior. So why is it so rare? Well, many people base their level of thankfulness on their current circumstances. When things go well, they’re thankful. But when things don’t go their way, they stop.

Real thankfulness, however, should transcend our circumstances because God has already blessed us so much. We have life. We have breath in our lungs. And that’s one of the greatest gifts we could’ve ever been given. Be thankful today not for your circumstances, but for what God has already given you!


GOD HAS GIVEN YOU BREATH AND LIFE. SO GIVE THANKS TO HIM NO MATTER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES!
 

You're in Good Company


You're in Good Company

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
…but Jesus refused to answer.
Luke 23:9, NLT.

TODAY’S WORD
In scripture, many times people would come against Jesus and criticize Him. Many times it says, “Jesus answered them not a word.” He simply didn’t respond to His critics. He didn’t try to convince them to change their minds. He didn’t get upset because somebody was talking about Him. No, He just ignored it.

When people come against you and they’re jealous, trying to make you look bad, trying to discourage you, remember you’re in good company! Jesus was probably criticized more than anyone else. I love the fact that He didn’t try to explain Himself. He didn’t try to make everyone understand Him. He just stayed focused on what He was called to do. He simply ran His race.

Friend, Jesus set the example for you and me. We don’t have to try to win the approval of others. We have to understand that not everyone is going to understand us. Our focus should be on following God’s leading and let Him order our steps. The next time someone criticizes you, remember the example of Jesus. Overlook it, don’t get offended, and keep moving forward in the destiny God has for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, today I release every person who has criticized me or tried to discourage me. I choose to forgive them; I choose to turn away from that distraction. I choose to focus on You and the blessings You have in store for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19 NIV)
This season is a good time to remember that the reason God wants us to love is because he islove, and he created us to be like him — to love. The only reason we’re able to love is because God loves us: “Love comes from God … because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8 NIV).
We were created in God’s image to do two things on Earth: Learn to love God and learn to love other people. Life is all about love.
But love all started with God. He loved us first, and that gives us the ability to love others (1 John 4:19). The only reason you can love God or love anybody else is because God first loved you. And he showed that love by sending Jesus Christ to Earth to die for you. He showed that love by creating you. He showed that love by everything you have in life; it’s all a gift of God’s love.
In order to love others and to become great lovers, we first need to understand and feel how much God loves us. We don’t want to just talk about love, read about love, or discuss love; our need is to experience the love of God.
We need to reach a day when we finally, fully understand how God loves us completely and unconditionally. We need to become secure in the truth that we cannot make God stop loving us.
Once we’re secure inside God’s unconditional love, we’ll start cutting people a lot of slack. We won’t be as angry as we’ve been. We’ll be more patient. We’ll be more forgiving. We’ll be more merciful. We’ll give others grace.
But you cannot give to others what you have not received yourself, and so my hope is that, as you learn how much God loves you, you’ll also let him heal your heart so that his love can flow freely through you. It’s impossible to love others until you really feel loved yourself.
Talk About It
  • When you feel “empty” and not able to give or show love to others, how do you think God wants you to “refuel”?
  • Take time today to make sure your heart is right with the Lord, that you have received his grace, forgiveness, and love so that you can show it to other people.

Wednesday, 28 November 2012

Lunch with God

by: Kathy Pinto 

There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer, and he started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave but before he had gone more than a few steps; he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug.

She gave him her biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." But before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we under estimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!

Do not Quit


by Chuck Danes

Each and every person on earth has within them a passion, a purpose to fulfill.

Born deep within you is an insatiable desire as well as the potential and limitless ability to fulfill the purpose for which you were sent here to fulfill. At one point in time this purpose, this passion, this thing that you so desire to accomplish was very clear to you.

So many in our world today, for any number of reasons allow this purpose to be buried, forgotten, to become lost, to be labeled as wishful or "irrational" thinking and as a result, fail to ever act upon it. They have allowed the deep inner passions of their soul, the very thing that would set them free and enable them to contribute to the world in a profoundly powerful way and experience a life of fulfillment and wholeness, to be snuffed out and forgotten due to a seemingly overwhelming host of external opinions, situations and circumstances.

This once known purpose that at one point in time burning within them like the August sun in Oklahoma, for so many in our world has been abandoned or reduced to a hopeless flicker due to the external pressures and false teachings of a disillusioned and uninformed world.

Unfounded and misguided beliefs and perceptions keep so many from ever attempting and achieving what they feel down deep in their hearts, continually ignoring the very passion that would enable them to experience heaven on earth.

So many fail to ever attempt fulfilling their most heartfelt dreams and desires due to flawed outside opinion and inner misguided perceptions and many more who after meeting with various challenges in an attempt to fulfill them, give up prematurely perceiving that "It must not have been meant to be." And so it is.

One thing is absolutely certain. You cannot win unless you play and you cannot fail unless and until you quit. Fall down if you must, rest for awhile if you wish, but get right back up, brush off the dust, re-chart your course and find the inner strength to go one more round.

Your passions and desires exist for a purpose. They are not just some whimsical illusion but rather exist as the guiding light that through persistence will enable you to reach and experience the wholeness and fulfillment that their accomplishment will surely provide.

Go within and find the strength and guidance that will allow you to take those additional steps that may very well prove to be the very steps that will lead and enable you to stumble upon and discover your pot of gold, whatever it might be.

Learn the importance of looking at each previously perceived setback as an essential and necessary process of growth designed to show and teach you that more information is needed. Develop the unshakable ability to express heartfelt gratitude for whatever may have come your way fully understanding that it is that gratitude that will enable you to discover that as a result of expressing just that, you will be provided with more of that which to be grateful for.

After every storm there is sunshine, for every ending there lies a new beginning. For every question there is an answer. For every heartache there is joy. For every sickness there is healing. After every perceived loss there is always something much greater to be gained and the hope and assurance to do better the next time abounds and is always available if you’ll only refuse to quit and "allow" it to be so.

For every perceived setback experienced there is a much greater lesson to be learned that will allow and empower you to go that much further the next time you decide to try IF you will only remain open to "allowing" that experience to teach you the intended lesson.

Our world was created purposefully and intentionally with polarity. Without polarity you would never be enabled to FULLY experience life. The Law of Polarity provides an immense gift once you fully understand it's purpose and function and choose to adopt an attitude of gratitude for all that life sends your way.

Develop a deep understanding what polarity is, how it serves rather than hinders you. Learn to express sincere and heartfelt gratitude for whatever end of the polarity spectrum that you experience fully knowing that "All things, regardless of how you might currently perceive it, is intended and happens to benefit the "Greater Good", YOUR greater good and you will be miles ahead of the "unconscious creators" in our world.

What exactly is polarity?

Where there is anger there is also understanding

Where there is fear there is courage

Where there is hatred there is Love

Where there is failure there is victory

Where there is confusion there is clarity

Where there is illness there is health

Where there is poverty there are riches

Where there is doubt there is assurance

Where there is rejection there is acceptance

Where there is turmoil there is peace

Where there is overwhelming pain there is comfort

Where there is heartache there is joy

Where there are broken dreams there is hope

Where there is fatigue there is energy

Where there is sadness there are smiles

Where there are tears there is laughter

Where there is shame there is forgiveness

Where there is hurt there is healing

Where there is lack there is abundance


Where do each of these possibilities exist? They lie within you. It's simply a matter of choice as to which you will allow yourself to experience. Each probability exists only as a perception. Your perception. What you perceive to be true on the inside, what you choose to keep your predominant focus fixated upon will manifest and be experienced on the outside. Universal Law guarantees it without exception. You have the choice as to what experience you will create.

You have been provided the free will to choose which of these you will experience. That which you experience in the external world is determined only by what lies within you, what you choose to think about, focus on and "allow" to manifest. As within, so without. You are the sculptor of your external reality.

For each and every "perceived" negative there exists a positive, a solution which is well within your grasp and easily attainable if you'll only find that "inner place" and make the choice to "allow" it to be so.

Remain open to the intended lessons derived through your temporary "perceived" failures. Refocus and realign your efforts toward the desired end result with an assurance and renewed vigor, eliminating fear, regret, and anxious thoughts.

Develop a deep understanding as to how these day to day victories as well as challenges that you experience come into being and use the wisdom gained as well as your lessons learned through those previous experiences to carry you that much further the next time.

Don't place focus on past failures which only instill fear and regret and keep you from trying the next time, but allow them to carry you over the previously perceived hurdles which caused you to stumble and fall the first time around.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to fail unless you quit.

Forget about your past mistakes. Give no thought to that which made you slip and fall except to develop the awareness of the path not to take the next time. Keep your mind focused on the goal, focusing only on the end result of where you truly desire to be. Learn to recognize and remain open to the internal guidance that you receive along the way and plot your step by step plan based on it's unfailing direction, detaching from the how and when you are going to get there.

In the same way refuse to worry or become anxious about the future. Fear of future events, conditions and circumstances are only created due to the thought processes you choose now, today which are more times than not based on past undesirable experiences. What you place focus on today you will receive at some point in the future. Remain fixated on the now. Be grateful now. Be successful now. Visualize and see yourself as successful now, achieving now, and your future will unfold precisely as you have envisioned.

Ignore those who might otherwise attempt to belittle or steal your dream. Consistently place your focus only on that which gives you strength. Eliminate that which weakens you. Consistently take action on that which you discover will carry you one step closer to your intended outcome. And before you know it you will have reached the pinnacle, where the view is so incredibly peaceful, serene and unlike anything that you have ever previously experienced before.

Develop the understanding that in an infinitely abundant Universe there exists no such thing as failure in ANY shape or form but only sweet lessons which provide deeper understanding and greater insight allowing you to grow and progress further the next time. Failure is an impossibility unless YOU choose it, allow it to be so and accept it as real.

Stay focused on your desired target giving no thought or attention to that which weakens you and continue to plant, nurture and nourish the seeds that will produce your desired harvest.

The plan has been laid. The answers already exist. That which you have the ability to conceive and believe can and will be experienced in your life if you will only allow them to be. Your most sought after dreams, visions, and desires exist within you for a very specific reason and are waiting for you to recognize, accept and open yourself up to them, allowing you to attract, manifest, experience and enjoy the seemingly miraculous outcomes that happen as a result of their fulfillment.

YOU ARE a magnificent and creative being, created in the image and likeness of the Source, limitless in your ability to attract WHATSOEVER YE DESIRE if you will only recognize and accept it as real. Discover it, accept it, and most importantly develop the unshakable belief in it and you will begin to experience the boundless and limitless blessings that are available to you as a result. A life of Joy, Fulfillment, Inner Peace, and Limitless Prosperity are your rewards.

Keep on keeping on and should you ever come to the barrier that appears to be blocking your path, just as you get to the point where you think that you just can't take one more step, where it appears that the world is conspiring to make you fall back remember this…

Behind every significant triumph and magnificent success story there is always someone standing there smiling and saying "I took action on my passion and I didn’t know when to quit."

How to have a year-round attitude of gratitude


by: Ptr. Graham

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16
 


There are times when being thankful is frankly hard. It’s difficult to give thanks when someone you love hurts you. It’s hard to show gratitude when you’re in a seemingly hopeless situation. But God never commands us to do anything that He doesn’t enable us to do.

Since being thankful is a command in the Scriptures, we can be sure we have the capacity to do it at all times, in all circumstances and conditions. And in the darkest days, through the tears and pain, by His grace we can say, “Thank You, Lord.”

Now, being thankful will not change your circumstances. But it will change what your circumstances do to you. Your circumstances in life will either destroy you or build you up depending on how you see them. But when you say thank you, you recognize that beyond your circumstances there is a sovereign God who loves you.

Thankfulness for a day is easy. But living a life of thankfulness can be hard. So when you struggle to be thankful, remember God’s love—a love that’s so powerful He sent His son to die for you. That’s how you can have a year-round attitude of gratitude.


BE GRATEFUL YEAR ROUND BY FOCUSING ON GOD’S INDESCRIBABLE LOVE FOR YOU.

Pay Them No Mind



Pay Them No Mind

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
But some scoundrels said, ‘How can this fellow save us?’ They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.
1 Samuel 10:27, NIV.

TODAY’S WORD
In scripture, King Saul had some people come against him. They were making fun of him. He could have easily become distracted and lost his focus. He could have defended himself saying, “I’m a good leader. I have what it takes.” But what did he do? He kept silent. One translation says, “He paid them no mind.”

Friend, sometimes that’s what you have to do when people are coming against you. You have to realize that some people are just jealous. Not everyone is going to have your best interest at heart. But don’t let them control your destiny. Don’t let them distract you from God’s best. Instead of playing up to people or trying to win over all your critics, keep your eyes focused on what God has for you. Spend time with people who see what God is doing in you. Focus on those who will celebrate you. Ignore the critics so you can be all that God has called you to be.

PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, today I keep my heart and mind focused on You. I choose to ignore the naysayers. I choose to turn away from critical voices. I declare by faith that I will accomplish the plan You have for me as I daily put You first in everything that I do in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***
“Take on an entirely new way of life — a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.” (Ephesians 4:22-24 MSG)
Many religions and New Age philosophies promote the old lie that we are divine or can become gods. Let me be absolutely clear: You will never become God or even a god.
That prideful lie is Satan’s oldest temptation. Satan promised Adam and Eve that if they followed his advice, “you shall be as gods” (Genesis 3:5 KJV).
This desire to be a god shows up every time we try to control our circumstances, our future, and people around us. But as creatures, we will never be the Creator. God doesn’t want you to become a god; he wants you to become godly, taking on his values, attitudes, and character. We are meant to “take on an entirely new way of life — a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you” (Ephesians 4:22-24 MSG).
God’s ultimate goal for your life on Earth is not comfort but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ. Becoming like Christ does not mean losing your personality or becoming a mindless clone. God created your uniqueness, so he certainly doesn’t want to destroy it. Christ-likeness is all about transforming your character, not your personality.
God wants you to develop the kind of character described in the Beatitudes of Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit, Paul’s great chapter on love, and Peter’s list of the characteristics of an effective and productive life (Matthew 5:1-12; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13; 2 Peter 1:5-8).
Every time you forget that character is one of God’s purposes for your life, you will become frustrated by your circumstances. You’ll wonder, “Why is this happening to me? Why am I having such a difficult time?” One answer is that life is supposed to be difficult! It’s what enables us to grow. Remember: Earth is not Heaven!
Many Christians misinterpret Jesus’ promise of the “abundant life” (John 10:10) to mean perfect health, a comfortable lifestyle, constant happiness, full realization of your dreams, and instant relief from problems through faith and prayer.
In a word, they expect the Christian life to be easy. They expect Heaven on Earth.
This self-absorbed perspective treats God as a genie who simply exists to serve you in your selfish pursuit of personal fulfillment. But God is not your servant, and if you fall for the idea that life is supposed to be easy, either you will become severely disillusioned or you will live in denial of reality.
Never forget that life is not about you! You exist for God’s purposes, not vice versa. Why would God provide Heaven on Earth when he’s planned the real thing for you in eternity? God gives us our time on Earth to build and strengthen our character for Heaven.
Talk About It
  • In what ways have you been trying to control your circumstances or the people around you?
  • In what ways are you living the "full life" that Jesus came to Earth to provide for you (John 10:10)?

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Megastructures Megaship


Welcome





My warmest gratitude to all of my viewers from all over the world, I’m so glad to know new visitors from Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, Aruba, South Korea and Austria. God bless you more where ever you are. From my heart, I appreciate you all.

To God be the highest glory, power and honor! =)

Encouragement


Trusting God's Timing

Trusting God's Timing

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
My times are in your hands…
Psalm 31:15, NIV.

TODAY’S WORD
In life, oftentimes we are waiting for something; waiting for a dream to come to pass, waiting to meet the right person, waiting for a problem to turn around. When things aren’t happening as fast as we would like, it’s easy to get frustrated. But you have to realize that the moment you prayed, God established a set time to bring the promise to pass.

God has a set time for your opportunity. There is a set time for that problem to turn around, a set time for your healing, your promotion, your breakthrough. It may be tomorrow, or next week, or five years from now. But when you understand the time has already been set, it takes all the pressure off. You won’t live worried, wondering when this is ever going to happen. You’ll relax and enjoy your life knowing that the promise has already been scheduled and your answer is on the way!

PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, I choose to trust in Your timing. I trust that You have my best in mind. I believe that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Thank You for ordering my steps and leading me in the life of blessing You have in store for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***
“Let the Spirit change your way of thinking.” (Ephesians 4:23 CEV)
Throughout the Bible we see an important truth illustrated over and over: The Holy Spirit releases his power the moment you take a step of faith.
When Joshua was faced with an impassible barrier, the floodwaters of the Jordan River receded only after the leaders stepped into the rushing current in obedience and faith. Obedience unlocks God’s power.
God waits for you to act first. Don’t wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings. This is how you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and it is also how your character develops.
The Bible compares spiritual growth to a seed, a building, and a child growing up. Each metaphor requires active participation: Seeds must be planted and cultivated, buildings must be built — they don’t just appear — and children must eat and exercise to grow.
While effort has nothing to do with your salvation, it has much to do with your spiritual growth. You don’t just sit around and wait for it to happen. At least eight times in the New Testament we are told to "make every effort” in our growth toward becoming like Jesus (Luke 13:24 NIV; Romans 14:19 NIV; Ephesians 4:3 NIV; 2 Timothy 2:15 NCV; Hebrews 4:11 NIV; Hebrews 12:14 NIV; 2 Peter 3:14 NIV).
Paul explains in Ephesians 4:22-24 our three responsibilities in becoming like Christ.
First, we must choose to let go of old ways of acting. “Everything connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it!” (Ephesians 4:22 MSG)
Second, we must change the way we think. “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking” (Ephesians 4:23 CEV). The Bible says we are “transformed” by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).
The Greek word for transformed, “metamorphosis” (used in Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18), is used today to describe the amazing change a caterpillar goes through in becoming a butterfly. It is a beautiful picture of what happens to us spiritually when we allow God to direct our thoughts: We are changed from the inside out, we become more beautiful, and we are set free to soar to new heights.
Third, we must put on the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits. Your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act. The Bible says, “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 NIV).
Talk About It
  • What step forward do you need to take today in faith and God's strength?
  • In what practical ways can you change the way you think?