Welcome my new Canadian friends that I just met at Women Alive! this weekend. I hope you will enjoy the blog and continue to walk in God’s design for your life.
How many times have you wondered just WHAT God’s will, plan or purpose was for your life?
I know that I have asked the question more than once and I have also glossed over the REAL answer that could make a difference in how I view every thing.
According to Scripture, it is God’s Plan to conform us into the image of Jesus. Or, as Max Lucado says, ” He wants to make you just like Jesus.” However, that explanation often leaves us lacking and still reaching for something “more” that could help us understand what God’s plan really is. Why? because we know we are not like Jesus and never will be Jesus…so, we often write off the idea. But, what we don’t realize is this…in writing off the idea of being conformed into His image, we are writing off the very most important thing in life and the very end result that God is working towards in all things that we go through day in and day out. I want to quit writing off TRUTH, how about you?
Today’s Truth: Romans 8:29
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.”
Scripture tells us that God foreknew us. He knew us before we knew ourselves. He formed us from nothing to something in our mother’s womb. And, He not only was the force behind the miracle of our birth, but is still the force behind the miracle of our life. If that were not enough, he even ordained our days ( planned by express design) before we even took a breath. This connection to God our maker is not only exciting, but it is awe-inspiring. This is what foreknew means.
Predestined means to have a thought out plan for. God himself, knowing us before we knew ourselves, planned for us to be conformed to the likeness of His Son Jesus. In other words, God desires that our lives would be an extension of Christ Jesus in the world that we live in.
The first commandment tells us that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and soul. This means giving ourselves over to Him. Complete Surrender. It simply means exchanging ourselves ( our thoughts, emotions, dreams and desires) for His SELF in us ( His Love, His Thoughts and His Power).
We were created in the image of God ( Genesis 1:27) and, in Christ Jesus we are re-created to reflect the power and love of Jesus Christ through our lives. But because we are people, filled with self-life ( our own thoughts, emotions, dreams and desires) we are in need of a change in us that only God’s power can accomplish. This is where being conformed into His image comes in. This kind of change, transformation and living life differently…is God’s plan for us.
And, being it’s God’s plan, let us not be guilty of trying to make the change in our own strength. Start today by taking a moment and bringing “YOU” to Jesus. Thank Him that it is His will to conform you into His image, and surrender yourself for that cause.
Each day this week, we will look at more of what it means to surrender our self-life over to God, the challenge, the faith it takes, and the hope of change that we can hold on to.
Today’s Prayer
Jesus I come to you for real life change. I want to be more like you. I don’t always know how. I don’t have the power needed for freedom from self. Change me.
It is time to stop throwing out the TRUTH. The truth is…God is thinking about me every moment of every day. The truth is…He loves me every second of the day. So I want to think about Him, and love Him, and strive to be like Him. Can’t do it myself God. Where do I begin?
Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
I start by setting my heart and my mind…RIGHT. Lord, help me set. Love you Lord!