Transformation

Transformation

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Confess your sins…Believe in your heart…and Pray.  Some examples in the Bible of transformations…the woman at the well in John 4 and Saul becomes Paul in Acts 9.  God wants a relationship with you.  Make time to be with Him.  Amen.

“But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[a] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Romans 10:8-10

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“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now 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 July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Give Thanks To The Lord

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Jesus has paid the price for our sins…He has reconciled us to God.  We are redeemed…we are loved.  God will teach us and guide us through His Word…He can transform our hearts and minds…He comforts us and strengthens us.  Give thanks to the Lord.  Amen.

Forever by Chris Tomlin

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.”

Psalm 136:1

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass near the Montana and Wyoming border)

Renew Your Mind

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Whatever has been on your mind…whatever thoughts keep swirling…whatever is in your heart share it with the Lord.  Seek Him and His Word.  The Lord will lead and guide you and renew your mind.  May God’s peace be with you.  Amen.

“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

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“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Transformation

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Change…conversion…revision…reshaping…remolding…rebuilding…reworking…renewing.  God is our Creator and He made each and every one of us.  He made us with a purpose and as we live our lives we get influenced and distracted by the world, by worldly desires and worldly expectations and we lose sight of what God made us to be.  This is not about what you do as a job or career, that should not define you, rather it is about who you are as a person in your everyday life and interactions.  Turn towards Jesus Christ and your faith, revisit the person God made you to be according to His plan.  Amen.

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“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Transformation

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The journey of faith and our relationship with Jesus Christ does not end with us coming to the Cross.  We all must come to the Cross, confess our sins and ask Christ into our hearts and minds to help turn us away from sinful desires.  After that transformation can begin…you see the journey continues as we must go back out into the world with a new attitude and a renewed mind and live the life God intended for us.  As referenced yesterday, when Saul became Paul that was just the beginning of his transformation that led to the spread of Christianity across the world.  Turn towards Jesus Christ and be transformed.  Amen.

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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 12:1-2

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

An Encounter…

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Many of the Books in the New Testament are a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the people in the churches He started.  They are meant to teach, encourage and guide the people.  They are also His prayers for them.  Paul, formally known as Saul, had an encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus and from that point forward everything single thing He did the rest of his life was about shining a light on Jesus Christ.  When we read his letters, we learn about Jesus and a new life that puts faith first.  Amen.

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“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:16-19

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of the Gods Park in southern Colorado)

Transformation

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Change…modify…reshape…rebuild…renew.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit within us.  We are not able to do this alone, although we often try.  In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us the answer to the question, ‘how can I change?’  “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6  If you truly want to seek a change in your life seek your relationship with Jesus Christ first and you will be transformed.  Amen.

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“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 ina neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Be Transformed

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To change…modify…reshape…rebuild…reconstruct…renew.  A transformation is the creation of a new way, a new way of thinking, a new approach.  For something or someone to be transformed the old ways and old thoughts must be broken down so that the new way can be created.  Transformation is personal and it is not easy…we should be careful that we do not assume that one person’s transformation will be the same as another person.  The greatest power we have in the transformation process is prayer.  Take time to be with God in prayer and be transformed.  Amen.

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  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 12:1-2

(This photo was taken in October of 2018  at a park near Winterset, Iowa)

The Peacemakers

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Our faith journey is a process without a ending point.  As we learn about Jesus and we read God’s Word the process begins by helping us transform on the inside…we open our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit becomes our guide.  This is not the end of the process…as we continue to learn and grow the intention is for us to have this Spirit of peace and goodness flow through us to our neighbors and others.  We are not saved just to be saved alone…we are to become a channel of God’s peace every day.  The Light of Christ should shine through us so that others can see God in who we are and what we do.  Think about it…in what other person in your life have you seen God shining through?  May we be comforted by God’s peace.  Amen.

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“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Matthew 5:9

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

We Are Being Transformed

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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.

Diamonds by Hawk Nelson

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“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)