[P]ut on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24
This morning I pause both my study of 1 Corinthians and my study that accompanies participation in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church. Instead, I lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how change is possible. I suspect this devotion will hit a nerve for many people as it certainly did for me - it hit a nerve because I KNOW what God has done to transform my life and change me. At the same time, I continue to struggle with change in certain areas - I pray constantly that God would make me a prayer warrior, that I would pray for more people more of the time and to pray with passion, vigor and specificity. Yet I don't feel as if this prayer is getting answered. Still, I press on and endure as - in Jesus - I have a blessed hope (Titus 2:13) and a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)...among the many, many rich blessings He pours out for us. This keeps me running back to Him. In this devotion today, John Piper encourages me to press on with efforts to change and to continue praying to become a prayer warrior. At one point I struggled with Bible study...and in response to prayer, God fanned a flame in me that gave me a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). God is faithful! Piper shares how change is possible BECAUSE "[t]he Bible assumes that God is the decisive factor in making us what we should be....This is wonderfully freeing. It frees us from the terrible fatalism that says change is impossible for me. It frees me from mechanistic views that make my background my destiny." To support his claims, Piper provides several scriptures:
- Matthew 23:9: "God adopted us as his children. We have a new Father and a new
family. This breaks the fatalistic forces of our “family-of-origin.”
“Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in
heaven."
- Ephesians 5:1: "God loves us as his children. We are “loved children.” The command to imitate the love of God does not hang in the air, it comes with power: “Be imitators of God, as loved children.” “Love!” is the command and being loved by God is the power."
- Ephesians 4:32: "God has forgiven us in Christ. Be tenderhearted and forgiving just as God in Christ forgave you.
What God did in Christ is powerful. It makes change possible. The
command to be tenderhearted has more to do with what God did for you than what your mother or your father did to you. This kind of command means you can change."
- Ephesians 5:2: "Christ loved you and gave himself up for you. “Walk in love, as Christ loved [you].” The command comes with life-changing truth. “Christ loved you.” At the moment when there is a chance to love, and some voice says, “You are not a loving person,” you can say, “Christ’s love for me makes me a new kind of person. His command to love is just as surely possible for me as his promise of love is true for me.”"
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are faithful and with You all things are possible, including change. You gave me a new heart, and made me a new creation. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of the love You pour out for me. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
