Monday, August 24, 2009

Thoughts from "Ongoing Call" Weekend (#2)



Isn't this tree stunning??? It was in the front yard of the Bed and Breakfast we stayed at last weekend. It has nothing to do with this post, I just wanted to share it with you. :)

The second concept that challenged me last weekend was this.

We need: TRANSFORMATION by the Word, NOT simply information from the Word.

9 years ago I could not have sat under the session this was taught in. That one statement would have sent me running. (Although I would have sat in my seat, my mind would have been somewhere else!)

You see, like so many Christians I had been sitting in church and doing all the things on the “Good Christian Woman’s Checklist”. However, I was ignoring the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life. I refused to shut up long enough to listen because what He had to say I did not want to hear.

Then it happened. I was challenged in an in-depth Bible study to ask God for a heart that loved Him more. I started doing that and before long I could not get enough.

His Word was always alive and active (Heb. 4:12) but to me, it had been years since I had felt it like this. Every passage was new. I was realizing that this was not just a “good book” to live by. It was the very food I needed, and the water I craved. His Word became LIFE to me.

He transformed my thinking. I heard someone once say that “God changed my stinkin’ thinkin’!” THAT my friend is what transformation by the Word of God is all about.

Romans 12 tells us that we should not be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by the renewal of our mind. (That is only done by being in the Word) Then we will be able to discern what God’s will is. You can’t know what God thinks if you aren’t in God’s word.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 says “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” (ESV)

From one degree of glory to another. Transformation. It’s part of the process of a growing Christian. God is constantly removing the things that are not beneficial and replacing them with things that can only come from Him.

James 1:21 is precious to me. It says to put off all the junk, filthiness, wickedness….and here’s what excites me: RECEIVE the implanted word. Receive the alive and active word of God and allowing it to change us, from the inside out.

Transformation, not simply information. That’s what I pray you have experienced in your walk with the Father.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

God's been talking with me about that too.

Thanks for your blog and this post. It is much needed in my life.

Sheryl

Still Learning said...

That was so awesome on so many levels!! You've touched my heart on that one.

Jenn

Heather C said...

Amen... change me, Lord!

Leah Adams said...

God did the same thing to me. He began my transformation process in the late 90's---even before I realized what he was doing. Then in 2001 He called me to a deeper walk with Him through in-depth Bible study. Whew! He turned my life upside down and I've never been the same since. Praise Jesus!!

Thanks for sharing. I just love the transformation thought. Love it!!

Leah

connorcolesmom said...

Oh yes mam'am I need God to transform me inside and out
I am so selfish and prideful - YUCK!
Thank you so much for the reminder to focus and just LET GOD!!!
Love you
Kim

jenmom said...

I just started a Fall Bible Study with a group of ladies this morning. We are studying James MacDonald's "Downpour". The study is based on Hosea focusing on Chapter 6:1-3.
He was encouraging us this morning to not just have a mound of facts we know about God, but to know God through a "heart" understanding of those things about Him.
Transform me Lord through your Word!
That's my prayer,
Jennifer

darla said...

thnx for sharing all this...i just always love your heart. We all relate to this on some level, and i have taught it several times, always amazed at what it teaches me. We truly are all that God says we are..now we just need to learn that and apply it. I am on this road too! As much as i want all that he has to offer me, at times it is scary..i think that is part of the faith walk. Love you princess!