I used to be very quiet and reserved. I didn't want to be around people and I had nothing to say to them.
Then, I gave my life to Jesus and, ever so slowly, He's been transforming me.
It started with not hating going to church and being around people as much. Next, I really wanted to compliment this girl's hair one day. When I did, I got one back. It made me feel good and special. After that, I started saying "hi" to as many people at church as I could. I even greeted and talked with a girl that was new to the church.
Fast forward to almost thirteen years later, I've been a greeter at a couple different churches, have a great group of friends, post often as a social media influencer, and do about anything to connect with others, maybe except bowling. lol Yet, God is still transforming me.
Just because I can, and want to, talk a lot to others, doesn't mean I'm being bold. I'm not saying that we always need to be telling people to change or speak out about something all the time. Being bold and courageous in what I say, for me just means to Biblically encourage others, avoid negative talk, insert Jesus into the conversation, or be truthful and keep to the convictions God has laid on my heart. This is what God is transforming in me right now.
There was a man who wasn’t afraid to voice his own opinion. Yet, when it came down to standing for what he believed in, like many of us, he failed. That wasn’t the end of his testimony though.
Simon, aka Peter, was one of the twelve disciples. Multiple times, Peter declared that Jesus was the Messiah. However, he also used his tongue to discourage Jesus from God’s will, to babble when he was in shock, and to try to stop Jesus from washing his feet – even if it was out of humility. During Jesus’ trial though, Peter was afraid of people knowing that he was Jesus’ friend, so he used his words cowardly to deny Him three times. When he realized what he’d done, Peter was devastated. After Jesus rose to life, He had a conversation with Peter to show him that He knew Peter loved Him and that He wanted him to tell others about being a part of God’s family. Later, when the disciples received the Holy Spirit, Peter spoke out courageously for the glory of God and for lives to be saved.
Three tips to posture ourselves for inward change: First, conversate with God. Let Him reaffirm and redirect us. This happens through us telling Him how we truly feel and waiting in the quiet to hear what He has to say. Second, get back up. After their discussion, Peter didn’t tell Jesus that he wasn’t cut out to be a disciple and to let him go back as a failure to his old profession. Likewise, we must try to get back up after we’ve fallen into a sin struggle or experienced failure. Third, let the Holy Spirit lead our lives. Just as God as the Holy Spirit transformed the motivation of how Peter used his mouth, He is able to transform us, where we need it, if we allow the Holy Spirit to take hold of our lives.
Here’s how to block change: Have an unrepentant spirit – Feelings of unrepentance make you like stone, but a repentant spirit makes you like clay. Hide from God – When you’re hiding from God, you’re hiding from the hope of experiencing change in your life. Do the bare minimum – Peter could’ve decided to use his words for not much of anything anymore, that way he wouldn’t use them wrongly again. Instead, he trusted in God’s transformative power and didn’t settle for playing it safe.
God’s Guidance:
Luke 6:13-14 (NIV) – “When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,”
Matthew 16:13-16 (NIV) – “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.””
John 6:66-69 (NIV) – “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.””
Matthew 16:21-22 (NIV) – “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!””
Matthew 17:3-5 (NIV) – “Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!””
John 13:6-8 (NIV) – “He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.””
Mark 14:71-72 (NIV) – “He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.”
John 21:17 (NIV) – “The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”
Acts 2:14-17 (NIV) – “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
Acts 2:41 (NIV) – “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
Application:
1. Read Mark 14:66-72 and Acts 2:1-41, which is eight verses a day
2. Ask God each day this week to reveal to you what He’s transforming in you right now
3. Acknowledge and/or repent from a sin struggle or a shortcoming, and then get back up
Strength Point:
Letting God transform you can lead others to Him.
Song of the Week:
Reflection Question:
What is God transforming in you right now? Hint: Reflect on the sin struggles you've had throughout your life.
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being the root of change in me. It seems impossible to change without You. I'm sorry for resisting when You're trying to transform me. Don't give up on me, God, continue to move within me. Because, even in my resisting, deep down I want to act like You. I pray for a renewing of my mind, of my heart, of my spirit. I surrender my life to You, please change me. Remind me what You have transformed in me, reveal what You're changing in me now, and prepare me for what You want to make different in the future. I know that You’re doing a good work in me. Draw me closer to You every step of the way. I need You, my Friend. Thank You for all the work You've done in me so far. I can't wait to see the rest. I love You, Lord. In Jesus' Name, I pray, amen.
A Prayer to Pray over Others:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being the root of change in us. It seems impossible to change without You. Help my friend to not resist when You're trying to transform them. Don't give up on them, God, continue to move in them. Because, even in my friend's resistance, deep down I believe their soul desires change. I pray for a renewing of their mind, of their heart, of their spirit. Help my friend to surrender their life to You, so they could experience You changing their life. Remind them what You have transformed in them, reveal what You're changing in them now, and prepare them for what You want to make different in the future. I know that You’re doing, or want to do, a good work in my friend. Draw them closer to You every step of the way. We need You, my God and Friend. Thank You for all the work You've done in us so far. I can't wait to see the rest. I love You, Lord. In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, amen.
April is Donate Life Month. Join us as we learn more about organ donation through the following article - National Donate Life 2023.
Коментари