CHALLENGED FOR CHANGE!
Sunday’s Monday
As creatures of habit, we oftentimes forget that no matter how hard we try we are not the same today as yesterday. After a year of COVID-19, many are praying for things to get back to normal or the way things were before COVID and that will never happen. You see we all (the world over) live on the same clock or timetable if you will and this clock dictates that once time has passed it is gone for all eternity. With the tick of every second, our past is expanded as our future decreases. Everything God made is in a constant state of change including this planet we’re standing on and man has no power to change it.
The bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 that God has given us time for everything. That being said, what do you think happens during these times or seasons as they’re called? One word comes to mind, change! We each change for the better or the worse during each second on the clock in every season God has for us, by His own design. God has given us birth to begin the journey through this life and man chose death to end it, during which time we have googolplex (largest number known) of opportunities to surrender our will to His. Hopefully during one of these many seasons, one will have a heart-to-heart, life-changing encounter with Jesus where His mercy is accepted, forgiveness is granted, and salvation is assured. In the twinkle of an eye, our repentance can activate the promise which is written in Hebrews 8:12 (NLT), And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins. Please note, Jesus doesn’t change our past, He forgets and erases it from His sight. Our past shall never change!
I sometimes wonder what it is I fear the most and 90% of the time my answer will be “change.” I still suffer from anxiety brought on by an apprehensive concern, for the future which stirs my foreboding nature to clash with my spiritual wisdom. However, once I place my full trust in God and put Satan’s false information under my feet, I can embrace change, as then I’m drawn to fiercely cooperate with God who changes my inner being from that of terrestrial (self) to spiritual (God). Once I honestly, immerse myself and become absorbed in seeking God, I’ll find that peace which only comes from Him. I was given a challenge a long time ago which says, self-improvement comes to those who are willing to change their old playpens and playmates, or another way to say it is, you will become like those you hang with. So, I learned to find the people I wished to be like and hung with them. I allow their lifestyles to challenge mine to change. I pay close attention to their wisdom and allow God to use these people to develop within me the lifestyle He desires. The word change in itself dictates there is a process that precedes the results, and one should not attempt this alone. King David wrote in Psalm 55:22 (NLT), Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Then he tells us how in Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT), 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life. God has created each of us to connect with those He has prepared to help us grow in Him! Ask Him for those divine appointments and seek those spiritually wise to help you overcome the world.
God’s Holy word is filled with promises of a better life; however, man has managed to distort its meaning. This better life we seek is many times not in the form of what we want or expect. Far too many people look for Jesus to be a cash cow, expecting immediate debt relief, be rich, and have powerful friends. Now honestly, that would be like giving an open book test where little effort is required to receive top honors. Truth is, in God’s world you earn what you learn! We change with His wisdom! Sadly the world dictates we’ll receive according to our effort in choosing whom we serve, the will of God, or the path of Satan. Many are wondering why God hasn’t changed them? This is explained in James 4:3 (NLT), And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. We are created for change and with that comes transformation from worldly definitions to heavenly insights. Remember, this life dictates, you must give something to get anything!
Father God, it is my plea today that we all become welcoming to the changes you desire and that we read, believe, and live what is written in Philippians 2:13-15 (NLT), 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Thank you for our ability to change! Amen
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
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