Daily life with Jesus by Grahame Howard: How can I change?

Tuesday 28 April 2020

How can I change?

"And do not be conformed to this world. but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God"
Romans 12:2. NKJV

'How can I change?' You may say. 'I've tried a million times over but I seem to be getting worse- it's a waste of time. I may as well give up.' You may be saying or thinking this and I want to tell you that, it's a very common statement. We have all said it from time to time.
The Christian life is not easy, not if you take it seriously - which God expects. Check this out if you will: - You have a good day and feel close to God and you decide that, 'this is the way I'm going to live. I'm going to live for God from this day on.'

The next day, a certain thing happens and, 'POW', your statement from yesterday goes out of the window and you feel awful and totally ashamed of yourself because of your behaviour. What has happened? You've discovered that you're normal and beating yourself up is not going to change things. It takes much more than that. You have to go deeper!

To go deeper, you need a closer walk with Jesus. God could change you in a second, but He expects you to do your bit first. He will then meet you halfway and help you to transform.
It begins with your thinking. What you think about you're more likely to speak. You've internalised it. Therefore, fill your day reading God's Word, then you're more likely to think and speak His way.

Our minds become renewed as we enter into the study of His Word and our hearts begin to change towards submission. In fact, the more we read the bible, study and expound it, and then put it into action, the more we want to do this. Try it, because learning about Jesus is infectious.

You'll still make mistakes. There will still be days when you mess up completely, but they will begin to be less frequent. You will also learn quickly when things are not going well and you're about to be attacked by the devil. That's good, because it'll mean that you can deal with it before the flak takes over.

So, if you feel that you have messed up recently, ask God to forgive you and accept that He has done (1 John 1:9). Then move on with Jesus.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard