I read this article yesterday from a Christan blog I liked it and wanted to share it with you. I have left it anonymous so people do not judge the writer as much as they will enjoy the reading.
"The daily opportunity to renew, restore, and redirect our lives is one of the most awesome facets of our relationship with God, His Holy Spirit, and our redeemer, Christ Jesus.
God gives us the power – through His Word, through His Son, and through His Spirit – to rise each day and continue the process of transformation and restoration, as He perfects us into the image of Christ.
Even during seasons where nagging fears, doubts, and worries may lurk in the corners of our minds, there are more powerful forces at work in us, ready to help us rejuvenate our weary souls…replenish and increase our faith…and renew our commitment to find God’s destiny for our lives.
Because we are saved by the blood of Christ, led by the counsel of the Holy Spirit, and made strong in our weakness through faith in our omnipotent, omnipresent, and merciful God, it is possible to experience freedom from worry, doubt, anxiety, fear, bad memories or negative self-talk– and pursue our God-given dreams, goals and callings -- even during our most challenging seasons.
Yet, many of us, when confronted by difficulties, struggle to maintain the victory -- of spirit over flesh…faith over fear…and the truth of God -- over the lies of the enemy of our soul.
Here are three strategies for finding daily spiritual renewal and transformation through the power of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit:
#1: Stop Dwelling on Past Failures and Injuries. Failure is a part of life. When you fail, the most important thing is to pick yourself up and choose to move forward. At the same time, recognize that those around you have shortcomings and will fail, and possibly cause you pain, from time to time as well. Don’t get stuck in moments of failure – yours or theirs. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 7:3: “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye”?Ask God to forgive – and help you forgive -- what needs to be forgiven, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight on how to move forward.
#2: Remain Open to Change. Everything in life changes. Only through learning how to navigate transition will you be able to bend – and not break – when upheaval, loss, and change occurs in your life. Accept change as good. Ask God to help you “change your mind” about change…read God’s Word to learn how Jesus counseled His followers on the changes it would be necessary to make to achieve their destiny and enter God’s kingdom…and listen for the counsel of the Holy Spirit as you prepare for the new opportunities change will reveal!
#3: Keep an Eye Out for New Opportunities Each Day. God will send you opportunities. Expect them! Be open to new ideas – and don’t get stuck in a preconceived notion of how God is going to answer your prayers, or bring about the accomplishment of the goals and destiny He calls you to pursue. Pay attention to the leading and counsel of the Holy Spirit as you maintain an open and willing mind and seek new opportunities in your life. Remember: God’s objective is for you to be transformed, restored, and perfected into the likeness of Jesus Christ a little bit more each day.
Use these strategies to achieve the daily renewal, transformation, and freedom through Christ and the Holy Spirit that God intends for you. Your best is yet to come!
As I was listening to two fellow workers converse regarding the sentencing of a man convicted of murdering, raping the female members of a family and then burning down their home. They went on to suppose what "justice" they would prevail upon anyone who perpetrated a hideous act upon their respective families. Needless to say, at first reaction they were not going to allow the legal system to be utilized.
ReplyDeleteThen one stated that he would hope the defendant would be acquitted, so he would have the opportunity to exact his own "justice".
Forgiveness is the only weapon to be wielded, it is the only sedative that will quiet the soul and vanquish the pain. It is easy to write what is expected and right, but as a human, if I did not have the knowledge of the power of forgiveness,and the guidance of the Holy Spirit I may find myself standing along side of of my co-workers.
We as followers of Christ ask forgiveness with a repentant heart from a loving God for our transgressions and they are thrown into a sea of forgetfulness. How about asking to be forgiven but another human being, hard of heart and with anger to match. Ask for forgiveness, and watch the transformation just on their face and in their eyes. At that moment, the Cross is transformed in front of your eyes and there are no more words, but only compassion and a lifting of a weight that can not be compared to anything earthly.