Sunday, October 17, 2010

The Process Of Renewing

Change is not easy. Some of us fight back for all we are worth, while others simply sit down, and give in. It is one thing to talk about making adjustments in our lives, but following through is another story. We have to be serious, and completely committed to what needs to be done.

God can do very little with us, until we make the first move. As much as we would like to wake up some morning, and be a new person, there is no magic cure. God does not wave a wand over us and, in an instant, we are transformed. In order for us to change, we need to do what He tells us, and stick to it.

We need to remember that we are not on this journey of change by ourselves. We have God, first of all. He will be with us to strengthen, and encourage us. We also have family and friends, who love us and want the best for us. Many of them pray for us daily. They pray for our safety, our protection, and our care. We are not alone, even though we think so.

If you need to make a change in your life today, whether it involves your way of thinking, or your way of doing something, turn it over to God. That is the first step. The next step is to listen to Him. Do what He says, and focus on Him. Soon you will be a different person, because you allowed Him to renew you.

8 comments:

Sue said...

Beautiful thoughts Denise, I agree, listening to Him, and then acting are the keys. I sometimes talk so much, that I don't listen. Thank you for the reminder.
Love you,
Sue

rcubes said...

Amen! I love the background song, too "This Warrior Is A Child"...How are you sister? Praying all the best for you. Your faith and strength inspire me!!! Take care. God bless and may you have a wonderful week ahead.

Cranberry Morning said...

While we are lost, under the curse of sin, we are utterly hopeless. All our perceived righteousness is adding up to unrighteousness in the sight of God. BUT When the Holy Spirit of God breathes life into us, we are made alive in Him. At last we have free will - to sin or not to sin, to follow or not to follow, on a daily, hourly, minute-by-minute basis.

The Bible says we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. That takes effort on our part, and I'm reminded of the verse in Philippians, 'Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely...think on these things.'

And God promises to be there with us, helping us by His Spirit to follow Him, to be more like Jesus. Helping us to forsake sin and move forward.

Unknown said...

Thanks...I'm tearing up...needed that!
Happy wfw

Cathy said...

You have very much wisdom, my friend. Thanks for those thoughts.

Just Be Real said...

Powerful Denise, thank you. Blessings.

Jocelyn said...

Amen! This was a beautiful post - change is necessary. I often indirectly blame God for certain circumstances - but if I'd just listened to Him, I would've known how to go through them the right way instead of messing up.

I find myself in that same cycle that the Israelites went through. God would bless them. They would disobey Him. God would punish them. And they would worship God. God would bless them... and so the cycle went.

God's been blessing me and I want to stay at the point where I'm worshipping Him, obeying Him, and following His commands. That's the type of change I want to make: Listen and act.

Peggy said...

Many blessings Denise...Thank you for sharing such wise thoughts! I heard your warrior song!!! I love the steps you proposed... I'm so glad and thankful that I can trust God to help me change! I fought so hard change and wanting others to change and it is only I that can change me and pray for God to change me and my circumstances... and even the others that I thought time would change.

Guess I needed this word! Thanks sweet sister! Some people have much more difficult changes to make in their life... like addictions and bad habits! I'm so thankful that is not my problem, but I hurt for so many that struggle with this stuff. I have little understanding of this but realize I have my own stuff to
allow God to change. He is so good about transforming us. Following through...

Thanks and another BIG HUG...
Peggy