God's Transforming Power
I love listening to testimonies. It doesn't matter if someone is sharing a testimony they've heard about, or if it's the actual person sharing themselves. There is just something so powerful about testimonies that uplifts and encourages my soul. Even if I don't know the person, I feel a such a deep connection with them. It may be because I too am familiar with God's saving grace and abundant mercy, or maybe it's our adoption through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5) into God's family that brings us together. Whatever it is, I don't take it for granted. The stories always have a mighty impact on my life, and I appreciate my brother/sister's courage to speak on what God has done in their lives, which is one of the main reason's why I started this blog. To share my personal stories of hope, to encourage others who feel hopeless, lost, unloved, or abandoned, and to uplift those going through the daily struggles of life. God has made so many changes in me (which some of you may have already read in God's Changes in Me.), that it was impossible not to share. It was also impossible for people not to see God's changes. God's power is life changing and transforming! You can click on that title to read about me, but today I am going to talk about God's changes in others. I was inspired to write this blog post when I heard about God's transforming power in an 8th grade boy. What I heard was very minimal; yet, it had such a profound and lasting effect.
I was told about a boy who had what I call, a "God transformation". The change was so great, that it did not go unnoticed by his fellow schoolmates. They said things like, he's like a whole new person, he's way different than before, and after he met God, he totally changed. That was the majority of the conversation, that probably didn't last more than 30 seconds. I didn't hear specific details like what he was like before, or what he is like now, but I didn't need to. Those three phrases were enough to bring joy and excitement to my ears, and the tone in those kids' voices sounded like they were still astonished and amazed. You see, if you listen to people's testimonies, there is such a common theme. They change, become different, and have a new life!
When people truly meet God, or have an encounter with our LORD and Savior, they do not remain the same. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT) tells us that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun so these outward changes are just the start of God's transforming power.Romans 6:4 says We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. I've also witness God's transforming power in the lives of those close to me. People without hope, now have hope. People with bitterness, hatred, and resentment now have love, forgiveness, and compassion. People who always complained and grumbled, now have a positive and healthier mindset. I've seen God soften hard hearts, and bring reconciliation. God is truly working in these people from the inside out, which results in positive outward changes.
Once someone meets God, they will have more love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control (Ephesians 5:22-23), which are fruits of the Spirit. God renews our mind, and our sinful habits change because we cannot live how we used to. Out of God's correction and revelation, He purifies and sanctifies us by His Spirit. That is why so many testimonies comprise of three components. First, what a person (or their life) was like before. Secondly, how God saved them (revealed himself, helped, intervened). Thirdly, what life is like after being saved.
On the other hand, there are still a large amount of people who haven't experienced these changes. Some people have accepted Christ, but there is little to no change. Don't fret, God is working from the inside out. Begin to read God's Word, find a Bible based church, and join some Bible-study groups. God will begin to show you what He wants you to change, and help you through it. Start speaking to God, and acknowledge Him daily. Be thankful for what He has done. Desire to know Him, and to grow in your faith. The Bible says, Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Colossians 3:10 NLT). However, if you've know God for a long time, or have gone to church for years and you are still not displaying new behaviors, characteristics, or changes, something is not right. Ask someone to pray for you. Be honest and humble. Take a hard look at yourself and lifestyle to see what changes need to come about. Take an evaluation and assessment. It's not enough to just know or believe God because Satan knows God and demons believe in Him. You must intentionally seek Him and follow Him. You may also need to re-dedicate your life to Christ, and ask him to help you. Jesus says in Matthew 10:38-39 anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
I am not writing to condemn you, I am writing to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. I am writing to help you find the barriers or stumbling blocks keeping you from growing in your faith. For God to be present in our lives, we must choose to put Him first. God can't be first in your heart if you already have something there, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21). He cannot be on the back burner, or the final thing we think about. We all have things vying for our attention, but nothing beats God. Scripture says, Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2 NLT), and Jesus says to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind (Luke 10:27). What changes do you need to make so that others can witness God's transforming power in your life?
Let us pray.
Lord God,
I praise You and give You glory for the powerful transformations You have done in my life, as well as the lives of so many of others. Thank You for saving us, helping us, and revealing Yourself to us. Give us boldness, courage, and zeal to proclaim Your awesome power and goodness. Use us to spread the Gospel, share our testimonies, add to Your Kingdom, and bring You glory. You are worthy of all honor, glory, and praise! Father, those who have not had a personal encounter or have experienced You, please minister to them now. Speak to them, touch them, heal them, love them. Bring about transformation and the renewing of their minds. Break off yokes, bonds, chains, and anything else that has them bound. Open their eyes, ears, minds, and hearts. Give them new life, and new heart, and Your Spirit. I know that if they desire You LORD, and believe, You will not let them down. For those who have known You, but have not had many changes, bring to their attention what is hindering them. Show them the changes they need to make. Refresh them. Revive them. Use them also to bring about change. Let us all be a living testimony, the light and the salt to the earth. There are so many that still need to hear about You. May we not be idle or slumber, but have a heart for the needy and lost. Reveal Your transforming power! For Yours is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever and ever.
Prayerfully,
Pam
