I want to change.
That is, I feel like every couple of days I realize that I need to revise a part of myself or completely scrap it and start over. I am a sinful man to be sure. "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard" (Romans 3:23 NLT).
Then in discouragement I go to God. I spend time in prayer, worship, and reading Scripture. I am eventually encouraged by my place as God's child through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" - John 3:16 (NASB).
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" - John 1:12-13 (NASB).
Yet I want more than to simply have eternal life. I want to live this eternal life to its fullest and serve God to the best of my ability.
Can you relate?
If you can there is an answer for us who want to change and become more like Christ TODAY.
"...we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" - Hebrews 10:10 (NASB).
First, brothers and sisters, if we desire to change we need to recognize that the power to be made more holy (sanctified) is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We are both declared holy (justified) and made more holy (sanctified) through Jesus Christ.
But we work alongside of Jesus Christ's work in changing to be more like Him. We have the Holy Spirit to do His work and it is by His power that we work with Him. Secondly, we let our Heavenly Father's words transform our hearts and minds.
Jesus prayed to the Father "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth" (John 17:17 NASB).
If you desire to become more like Jesus you need to spend time in Scripture and strive to understand Scripture.
Paul wrote "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 NIV).
By soaking in Scripture we will be sanctified by the transforming of our minds.
It is my prayer that you and I can both say:
Yahweh, instead of meditating on my plans and regarding sinful ways "I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word." - Psalm 119:15-16 (NASB).
Lord, I want to press onward to know you more. I have been so distracted as of late and have not spent much time alone with You. Lord, I know I need You. I feel my need for You deep within the core of my being. My heart, soul, and mind crave and pant for you. I need you to survive so Lord I come to you now. I come to You not only because I love You but also because I need You and I need you to transform and CHANGE me.
Holy Father, sanctify me and my readers in Your truth.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. 3rd ed. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007.
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.
That is, I feel like every couple of days I realize that I need to revise a part of myself or completely scrap it and start over. I am a sinful man to be sure. "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard" (Romans 3:23 NLT).
Then in discouragement I go to God. I spend time in prayer, worship, and reading Scripture. I am eventually encouraged by my place as God's child through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" - John 3:16 (NASB).
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" - John 1:12-13 (NASB).
Yet I want more than to simply have eternal life. I want to live this eternal life to its fullest and serve God to the best of my ability.
Can you relate?
If you can there is an answer for us who want to change and become more like Christ TODAY.
"...we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" - Hebrews 10:10 (NASB).
First, brothers and sisters, if we desire to change we need to recognize that the power to be made more holy (sanctified) is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We are both declared holy (justified) and made more holy (sanctified) through Jesus Christ.
But we work alongside of Jesus Christ's work in changing to be more like Him. We have the Holy Spirit to do His work and it is by His power that we work with Him. Secondly, we let our Heavenly Father's words transform our hearts and minds.
Jesus prayed to the Father "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth" (John 17:17 NASB).
If you desire to become more like Jesus you need to spend time in Scripture and strive to understand Scripture.
Paul wrote "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 NIV).
By soaking in Scripture we will be sanctified by the transforming of our minds.
It is my prayer that you and I can both say:
Yahweh, instead of meditating on my plans and regarding sinful ways "I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word." - Psalm 119:15-16 (NASB).
Lord, I want to press onward to know you more. I have been so distracted as of late and have not spent much time alone with You. Lord, I know I need You. I feel my need for You deep within the core of my being. My heart, soul, and mind crave and pant for you. I need you to survive so Lord I come to you now. I come to You not only because I love You but also because I need You and I need you to transform and CHANGE me.
Holy Father, sanctify me and my readers in Your truth.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. 3rd ed. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007.
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.
RSS Feed