"Brothers if you have any word of encouragement for me, come and give it!"
Need a change in your life for the better? Have some habits, wrong behavior, stinking thinking, bad decisions or maybe down right sin in your life that needs a turn in God's direction? The Apostle Paul gives us some insight into the "how to of change."
Paul spends three chapters in Ephesians showing us that we are new people in Christ when we by faith receive Him as our Savior and Lord. Then he makes the application to daily life in the next three. He assumes we are new. He also assumes we still struggle with our flesh. Thus he says: Ephesians 4:17 "With the Lord's authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused." (NLT) The walk of the believer is a 'no longer' walk. But how do you change? Is it even possible? I find defeated Christians who have given up on ever changing. I hope you have not given up and that this may help you.
1. Believe you can.
Eph 4:21-24 "Since you have heard all about Him and have learned the truth that
is in Jesus, throw off you old evil nature and your former way of life, which
is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must
be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new
nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness-righteous, holy,
and true." (NLT)
You can change because you already are changed. Your thoughts and actions need to catch up with your identity. You are holy, righteous and true. Do you believe that or do you think of yourself as horrible, bad, and full of lies and deception?
The first change must be in your thoughts. Stinking thinking produces stinking behavior and negative attitudes result in negative actions.
2. Make right choices.
Eph 4:25 "so put away all falsehood and tell your neighbor the truth because you
belong to each other." (NLT)
For the next eight verses Paul reminds you that you need to make right choices. He makes it quite clear that those choices are made through the power of God's Holy Spirit. He says to chose truth over lies, taking control of your temper, working and giving instead of stealing, encouraging words as opposed to abusive language, being kind to one another instead of bitterness, rage, anger and harsh words, forgiveness instead of grudges. You may think you cannot do this and on your own you cannot.
3. Be dependent upon the Holy Spirit.
Eph 5:22 "let the Holy Spirit fill and control you." (NLT)
I like to think about the truth that we are totally dependent upon God's Spirit to think correctly and live godly lives. God did not create you to live without dependence upon Him for everything. If you want to change He is the change agent. Lean on the Lord. You are involved in making choices, but the real power to achieve change is from Him.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ.
May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
_______________ Today's Personal Note from Dennis
Sandy and I are excited to begin about two months of ministry, most out of state. We will be in South Dakota this next week. I will be preaching and Sandy meeting with a youth group. We are leading a pastor's and wives' retreat in Yavapai Baptist Assoc April 25-26. I will be preaching in a church on Sunday in Rimrock. April 27-May 2 we will be in Pine Az working with a Campers on Mission project. May 11-27 we will be ministering in Missouri at several churches plus attending a neice and nephew's graduation. Please keep us in your prayers for spiritual insight and strength and for physical health for a fairly exhausting schedule. - DGW
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