Trials and temptations will come and our faith will be tested…God can use these times to transform us into something new. Take a look at James 1:2-18 for more about this.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12
(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Moument in New Mexico)
How has your faith shown up in your daily life? When you reflect on your attitude, your perspective and your daily living and compare it to a previous point in time, what do you notice has changed? Some of our old ways have faded, some are taking longer to adjust…this is the process of spiritual growth. Not everyone will encounter a burning shrub in the desert like Moses or directly encounter Christ on the road like Saul who became Paul. Our journey will be different, yet our God who is with all of us is the same. Be aware of who you are, the people in your life and what you can offer someone in need right where you are and pray. Pray for wisdom and courage, pay attention to what God is up to in your daily life. That alone will be different than the way we were before. Amen.
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)
What does it look like? How should it feel? What is different? I certainly can’t answer these questions for others as this is a process of spiritual growth and the cornerstone of the spiritual life is our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For me it is still going on, as I have mentioned in the past, I am a slow learner. This process is about the change of perspective…when the bible talks about the dying of self and the rising of my focus on Christ, it is 100% in contrast with what I see and experience in the world. I have spent a significant amount of time talking about the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22 because for me these behaviors are the keys to transforming my life. There are plenty of days and moments when I get derailed and the desires of the self bully there way into life…hey I’m only human…it is not about that we will make mistakes, what is more important is how we respond when the mistakes happen. That is one way things can be different in transformation. Have a talk with Jesus about it for yourself and look and listen for ways to change and to be transformed. Amen.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:2
(This photo was taken in September of 2014 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Changed…renewed…remade…to make new again. How we live, the decisions we make, our purpose and perspective are continually influenced by our life in this world. If we fail to spend time feeding our minds and spiritual being with the Word of God and if we don’t spend time in prayer in relationship and communication with God, we will become like the world. Only God can make us new again, with forgiveness, wisdom, courage, knowledge, trust and faith. There are people in the world striving for the Fruits of the Spirit in their life…you may have to look for them with new eyes and a new perspective and those are available to all of us because of Jesus. I pray we feed our faith and strive towards God and His will and away from the sinful nature. Amen.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Romans 12:2
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at City Park in Winterset, Iowa)
If we want to see a change in our lives and the world we must begin by being changed in our minds, in our hearts and in our soul. A desire to see change is one thing and probably a good first step…but then what? To be renewed, to be transformed and to truly have it be a new way of living and seeing means working on ourselves with God as our guide. Repent, believe and pray. We need to begin with repentance, admit our wrongs and our brokenness to God and ask God to give us the courage and wisdom to do better. Next we must believe in the power of God, pick up the Bible and read Scripture…believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God and our Savior who came down from heaven to save us, was crucified, died and was buried and that He has risen. Then we need to pray…in the morning, during the day and at night. Pray for our new behaviors, pray for our family and friends, pray that more people will turn towards God rather than away from Him. These are the things that will truly change your life…not according to the world’s standards but according to God. May we all be blessed with the courage and wisdom to be transformed into what God created us to be. Amen.
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
1 Corinthians 1:25
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin)
A change…conversion…overhaul…renew…remake. When something or someone is transformed they appear new again. The change from what of how they used to be to a new way. A transformation in the spiritual life means recognizing who and what we are and admitting that we need to be made new again. We must be willing to admit we are broken, stubborn and chasing after the sinful nature…once we see and know the conviction of sin we have the opportunity to be renewed, restored and redeemed. A relationship with Jesus Christ is vital to finding redemption. May God’s mercy and grace be with you.
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”
Ezekiel 11:19
(This photo was taken last week in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Minneapolis, Minnesota)
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 at Falls Park in South Dakota)
It is a new day, a new month and a new year. Be transformed…love God, love who he has made you to be and share His love with others.
Paul writes…
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:17-20
The places one can have experiences of growth and pure joy are the places that start out as the most uncomfortable. Often times to get to an uncomfortable place you have to step outside of “The Status Quo” of life in this world. Routines and doing things the same way with the same people every day can quickly turn into ruts. At first, the routine becomes comfortable we may experience contentment…however, if that continues for an extended period of time it can turn into a rut that we feel stuck in.
Society has many certain paths that are seen as normal or “the way you should do things” sticking only to these paths is typically the path of least resistance and the simplest to follow. These often are also the least challenging for your God given potential and if you spend time with God consistently you will learn that he is always with you even in the uncomfortable moments. As with everything in life you must have a balance of challenging, uncomfortable paths and being a contributing member of society. The uncomfortable places I am referring to involve issues of charity vs justice for the hungry and homeless…or choosing a role of work that is serving others instead of trying to climb the corporate ladder for personal wealth. Society tends to look away from the hungry and homeless and working to become a Director, VP or Executive is seen as ambitious. If we pursued justice for those who need a hand in life with that same determination we could impact so many more lives.
The bible teaches that we should be working to be living sacrifices…
“Do not conform any longer 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
Challenge yourself…look for that uncomfortable place that is in your community. Pray about it and stretch out of the status quo…you may find a new path that transforms your life and the lives of many others in ways you never imagined.
Peace be with you.
Take Your Faith With You 