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Change Leads to Power
by
Ann Stewart
Change requires power. Any kind of change is a
formidable challenge for most people. Yet the Lord asks us to change
from our old ways and do things His way. Not an easy task!
“Put off ... the old man, ... and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
and... put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness
and true holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-24) “Be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:2)
In your daily world, especially in this hectic instant access global
culture where technology changes by the minute and you have to be
adapting constantly, change is inevitable. You are being pulled in
diverse directions and the older you get the less elastic you become.
You get in the habit of doing things a certain way and become less
tolerant to external demands to alter our lifestyle. Modifying learned
responses to habitual routine tasks often causes stress and anxiety,
especially in older persons.
However, when the Lord requires you to change your lifestyle, He not
only gives you the power to do so, but the result is a much more
powerful you! Some people say they love the Lord but refuse to make a
commitment because they’re just not “ready” yet! If only they realized
that with the Lord everything goes smoothly, peacefully, and painlessly!
Yes! Really!
First of all, it’s your love for Him that prompts you to make
adjustments. Secondly, He has given you the Holy Spirit to be your
comforter, counselor and help. (John 14:26). All you need to do is lay
your life before Him and ask Him to fashion you into a precious vessel
for His use. You cannot change on your own. He is the potter, you are
the clay. The clay just lies there as a lifeless lump on the potter’s
wheel while the master twists and turns it until it is just right. All
that is required of you is a willingness to want to be like Him.
The more readily you give yourself fully to Him the more instant the
transformation. It all starts in your mind. Once you align your thoughts
with those of Christ and understand His Word and His ways, then all the
old habits and mindsets fall by the wayside. Suddenly they don’t seem so
important any more. When you were in the world your mind, alienated from
God through ignorance and blindness, prompted you to do things your own
way. Once you know the Truth, you will want to put off all the vices and
let your mind be washed by the Word.
Besides the Holy Spirit, the Lord also knows that you need tangible
support here on earth. That is why He has established you, who has been
called out of the world, into His Body, the church. There He has
provided leadership and support “for the perfecting of the saints, for
the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till
we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ!” (Eph. 4; 12-13)
I pray, with Paul, that you will be strengthened with might by His
Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your heart by faith;
that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may come to comprehend His
Love and be filled with all the fullness of God! He is able to do
exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to His
Power that works in us!
(Eph. 3:16-20)
About the Author:
Ann is author of With Wings As Eagles.
http://www.lifealteringwords.com/with-wings-as-eagles
Get her inspirational newsletter Embracing All the Promises of God here:
http://www.lifealteringwords.com
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