Let’s dive into the incredible power of personal change through the lens of Biblical principles.
Change can be daunting, but the Bible reassures us that it’s not only possible but essential for our spiritual growth and alignment with God’s will.
Scripture Reading:
Romans 12:2 (ESV): “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
This verse reminds us that transformation begins in our minds. By renewing our thoughts and focusing on God’s truth, we allow ourselves to be shaped into the people He desires us to be. It’s a daily process, requiring intention and dedication.
Example of Personal Change:
Consider the story of Saul, who became Paul. Once a persecutor of Christians, his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus radically changed his life. Acts 9:3-6 (ESV) recounts this transformation:
“Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.'”
From that moment, Saul’s life was transformed. He became Paul, one of the greatest apostles, spreading the Gospel far and wide. His story shows us that no matter our past, God can use personal change to fulfill His greater purpose.
Practical Application:
To embrace personal change, consider these steps:
- Seek God’s Guidance: Pray for wisdom and clarity. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) encourages us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
- Renew Your Mind: Fill your thoughts with Scripture and positive affirmations. Philippians 4:8 (ESV) advises: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
- Take Small Steps: Change doesn’t happen overnight. Commit to small, consistent actions that align with God’s will.
Quote to Remember:
“Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end.” — Robin Sharma
Remember, personal change is a journey, and with God’s help, we can all be transformed into His likeness. Let’s embrace this journey together, supporting and encouraging one another.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the gift of transformation. Help us to renew our minds and hearts daily, seeking Your guidance and strength. May we embrace change with faith, knowing that You are working in us to fulfill Your perfect will. Amen.
Just some thoughts,
Do Not Curse the Deaf
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is an obscure verse found in the pages of Leviticus.
While many people avoid Leviticus, the writings have rich meanings to us today. As the Old Testament was the schoolmaster to get the children of God to the New Testament and the Sacrifice of Jesus, it is full of knowledge which is there for our learning.
Through the pages of the ancient text, we see the story of God’s people unfolding. We read of the good times, the bad times, the prosperous times, the more times and much more. The story of God’s people wondering from Eden to the Promised Land and beyond are a treasure to read.
The verse I mention today is not known by many. It has been read many times during daily Bible readings but just gleaned over. The verse is often overlooked because it is in the Old Testament, and we may not think it has application today. However, let’s look together.
“You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19.14; ESV)
Consider this: if you curse a deaf person, will he even hear it?
The answer is, “No.”
Leviticus 19.14 is a relationship verse. It is our relationship to God and our relationship to each other. Clearly, a deaf person will not hear a curse from your lips, but the Lord will. The Lord will see when you do not respect your fellow man and when you are not doing what is right before Him. Our words regarding others when they are not around are nothing more than a reflection of our hearts. I submit our words reflect our relationship with the Lord.
God is clear in His word about how we are to treat others. Gossiping and speaking behind other’s backs does nothing but fuel the fires of negativity and destroys everything. Yes, I said everything. Each of us knows relationships which have been destroyed because of gossip and backbiting. I am sure some can name families that have split, marriages divided, and congregations destroyed over gossip and backstabbing. Even King Solomon knew this when he said, “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases” (Proverbs 26.20; ESV)
Questions for a lifetime:
- Each day, do you spend more time talking about people or to people?
- When you pray, do you spend more time praying about others or more time praying for others?
- Do you tear people down with gossip or build them up with exhortation? (Remember, a “true friends say nice things behind your back.”)
Just some thoughts,
There are many people who want to change. They want a new start and a new future. While no one can go back and start over, we can start creating a better future today. C. S. Lewis is noted as saying, “You cannot go back and have a new beginning, but you can start today and have a new ending.”
Change begins with you. It starts in the heart, nurtured by faith and guided by God’s word. For us to change, we must realize the change that can take place in our life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (ESV)
We must remember that change begins with us. It is through following God’s word we change and see true transformation in our lives. (see Romans 12.1-2)
Consider these words as found on a tomb dated A.D. 1100 of an Anglican Bishop at Westminster Abbey:
When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits,
I dreamed of changing the world.
As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change,
so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.
But it, too, seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt,
I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas,
they would have none of it.
And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize:
If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.
From their inspiration and encouragement,
I would have been able to better my country and,
who knows, I may have changed the world.
Just some thoughts,
The journey of 2024, like any other year, will not be devoid of challenges. But it’s in the face of these obstacles where our resolve is tested and our growth occurs. Here are some strategies to keep moving forward when times get tough.
- Maintain your focus on the big picture. Challenges are often temporary, but our larger goals remain constant. Keeping our eyes fixed on the end goal can help us navigate through tough times.
- Bible Verse to Remember: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14
- Quote to Remember: “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Foster resilience. It’s our ability to bounce back from adversity that determines our forward momentum. Cultivate a growth mindset, learn from your experiences and remember that setbacks are steppingstones, not dead ends.
- Bible Verse to Remember: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2-3
- Quote to Remember: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
- Remember to take care of yourself. Tough times can be mentally and physically draining. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate rest can boost our resilience and enable us to tackle challenges more effectively.
- Bible Verse to Remember: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19
- Quote to Remember: “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn
- Seek support when needed. We are not alone in our journey. Friends, family, mentors, or professional help can provide valuable advice, encouragement, and a fresh perspective.
- Bible Verse to Remember: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
- Quote to Remember: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
While challenges are inevitable, they don’t have to derail our journey. By adopting these strategies, we can continue to move forward, making 2024 the best year ever.
Just some thoughts,
- Dive into the deep seas of God’s goodness with Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”
- God’s faithfulness is a guiding light in the dark. Feeling low? Remember Lamentations 3:22-23, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases…”
- How about some midweek motivation? Remember, as in Romans 8:28, “God works for the good of those who love Him…”
- Experience the comfort of His goodness. Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”
- Ever wondered about the vastness of God’s love? Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love…”
- Need some reassurance today? Remember 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
- Need a reminder of your worth? Consider Matthew 10:29-31, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care… So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
- How about a little Monday motivation to start the week, right? Remember Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
- In case you forgot, you are loved! Let’s remember Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
- Need a little boost today? Remember Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”
- God’s hand is extended to us, even in our mess. Remember Romans 5:8, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
- Feeling like the world is against you? God is for you! Remember Romans 8:31, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
- Have you thanked God today for His endless goodness? 1 Chronicles 16:34, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
- Struggling with fear? God’s love is a perfect antidote. 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…”
- Feeling weary today? Remember Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
- God is our source of strength and comfort. Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
- A little reminder for today: God’s love for you is unfailing. Psalm 136:26, “Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.”
- You are never alone. Remember Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
- Let’s end the week with a powerful reminder: God is good, all the time. Psalm 100:5, “For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Just some thoughts,
In this journey called life, we often encounter people from all walks of life—some striving towards their goals, others grappling with the desire to change but seemingly unable to make that leap. For those of us who are deeply invested in the well-being of others, it can be incredibly disheartening to watch someone express a yearning to improve yet remain tethered to the same habits and patterns that hold them back.
The Desire to See Others Thrive
The desire to help others stems from a place of deep love and compassion. We see the potential in those around us—friends, family, colleagues—and we earnestly wish for them to experience the growth and happiness they deserve. Our hearts ache when we see them struggle, and we become invested in their journey, often more than they are themselves.
The Frustration of Inaction
One of the most challenging aspects of this experience is the frustration that arises when someone tells you they want to get better, but their actions speak otherwise. They may verbalize their goals, dreams, and aspirations, yet they continue to engage in behaviors that contradict their intentions. This dissonance can be perplexing and discouraging for those of us who are eager to offer support and guidance.
“Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end.” — Robin Sharma
We must remember that change is a deep personal process. The road to improvement is often fraught with obstacles, fears, and uncertainties. It is essential to approach this journey with empathy and patience, recognizing that everyone moves at their own pace.
The Process of Getting Better
Getting better is not a destination but a continuous process. It requires dedication, effort, and a willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone. As much as we wish we could, we cannot make these choices for others. They must take the steps themselves, and it is their responsibility to commit to the journey of self-improvement.
“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
We can offer encouragement, resources, and a listening ear, but ultimately, the power to change lies within the individual. It is crucial to communicate this lovingly and supportively, emphasizing that while we believe in their potential, they must take the reins and steer their own ship.
Navigating the Emotional Terrain
Our desire to see others improve can sometimes lead to emotional exhaustion. We invest our time and energy into helping them, and when progress seems stagnant, we may feel disheartened. It is essential to practice self-care and set healthy boundaries to ensure that our well-being is not compromised in the process.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.”
Remember, it is not a reflection of our efforts if someone chooses not to take the necessary steps towards improvement. Each person’s journey is unique, and their readiness for change may not align with our timeline.
A Message of Hope and Encouragement
As we continue to support those around us, let us do so with a heart full of hope and encouragement. Change is possible, and while it may take time, each small step forward is a victory worth celebrating.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” — Lao Tzu
We must remain steadfast in our belief that people can get better, and we should continue to offer our unwavering support. At the same time, we must acknowledge that the choice to change lies within the individual. By empowering them to take ownership of their journey, we can foster a sense of agency and motivation that will propel them towards a brighter future.
Keep pressing forward.
Just some thoughts,
