More on Transformed Lives.
Hello everyone,
Here are a couple of follow-up thoughts from Sunday’s Values series message.
Values are key.
By now you have gotten a pretty solid understanding that we are all about Jesus, God’s Word, Honest Faith Journeys, Transformed Lives, and Outward Focus (coming up this weekend). Why do we have values, and do they really matter? Values are the core of human decision-making. What you value, you do. For example, if you value good eyesight you are going to do all you can within reason to maintain healthy eyes.
Transformation comes through the Holy Spirit.
It is the Holy Spirit inside of us that has the power to transform us. This can be one of the most exhilarating parts of being a Christian as you recognize that big changes in your personality and your desires are from God and not dependent on you. It means that the Spirit’s life-giving power is available to you.
This is why I referenced Luke 11:13 which says, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Here is the open invite to ask the Father, your Father in heaven, for his Holy Spirit and the life-giving power to be transformed.
So let’s ask. And ask with the same frequency you would have asked your parents if you needed to borrow the car when you were a teenager, or if you needed a bite to eat because you were a hungry tween.
Dear Father in heaven, you have promised that you would send your Holy Spirit to every person who asked for this gift. We desire the gift of your Holy Spirit; we ask that your Holy Spirit be present in us, personally, today. Fill us and empower us with your Spirit so that we throw off everything that hinders right living. Give us your Spirit so that we desire what you desire and turn away from those things that wage war against our soul. Inspire us to think those things that are true and long for those things that are good. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your next steps.
I wanted to include a list of possible next steps in standing for transformed lives. Here’s a starter list:
Research the list in Galatians 5:22-23 and write down what aspects of the fruit of the Spirit you feel you already have and which ones are needed/needed more of.
Name what it is that you know should change in your life.
Ask for the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13) so that you have the power to change.
Follow Peter’s advice from Acts 2 (“repent and be baptized”).
Dig into what it means to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” in Hebrews 12:1. Ask a fellow Christian for their insight.
Blessings to each of you as you grow in your understanding of Jesus, as you dig deeper into the truths of God’s Word, as you develop a more honest faith journey, as you enjoy the changes that God the Holy Spirit works in you, and as we all widen our understanding of developing an outward focus!
Pastor Al