Not long after I was found and saved by our LORD, a caring friend gave me a small paperback book titled LORD Change Me by Evelyn Christensen. The Bible-based message conveyed in this writing was to alter the rest of my life and eternity.
Summed up, the message of this writing titled LORD Change Me, was that I should seek to change the one person God gave me to change - myself, and cease from the preoccupation of thoughts about who else around me needed change. That is their Maker's place, not mine.
Being preoccupied with the need we personally have to be changed is all-important. God has pre-ordained us to be changed into His image. Being focused on the person who needs the most change - ourselves, will allow for such as we seek the LORD.
Only then can He begin to use us to help others (Gal. 6:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:21, etc.).
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:29
Change and being conformed into the image of Christ requires a constantly repenting heart and is an essential component for the wise virgin believer in readiness for the return of the Bridegroom for those who are being washed/purified by His Word (Matt. 25:1-13; Eph. 5:25-27).
Pride, stubbornness and an unteachable heart are the antithesis (total enemy and hindrance) to a healthy and growing life with the LORD.
The pliable heart that has no idols but only desires more of God, is that which facilitates unhindered growth and blessing of life from above.
This message is repeated four times in Scripture; "To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." Hebrews 4:7
May God grant us now a pliable heart of flesh and take away the stony places in our hearts (Ezek. 36:26). Help us LORD.
"O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel." Jeremiah 18:6
Natural clay cannnot be molded until it is wet. The human heart cannot be made pliable until it is wet with the presence of God the Holy Spirit who will only inhabit the heart postured in humility. (James 4:6-10, etc.)
God promises on numerous occasions that those who hide their sins, instead of relinquishing them, have ceased from growing in the life of God and are in grave danger:
"He that covereth (hides) his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Proverbs 28:13
The life of repenting (turning) from who we currently are and toward the LORD is essential to having God's glory in us - the glory that transforms our lives into His image.
"Refreshing" with the water of His Spriit is promised to those who repent (Acts 3:19). What are we waiting for?! A life with the Savior is one of constant change and transformation which is made possible by regular repentance before the LORD of life.
Remember with me that we were created/made in His image, right (Gen. 1:26-27). And, after the fall of man into sin are saved through Jesus Christ, and now after being bought back (re-deemed), are predestined to be conformed into His image.
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:29
Change can be painful at times, but yields life:
"Now no chastening (corrective change) for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Hebrews 12:11
As I read the book LORD Change Me, the Holy Spirit began to change and reconstruct my heart and thought life. The patterns of my heart and mind began to be transformed to realize how utterly in need I truly was (and am). The Holy Ghost and the Biblical message on change began the work of posturing my life for what is important and essential - God and His change. We should expect change. We should cry out to the LORD for change - Because it is the will of our God and so needed due to the fact that we are all imperfect and in need of Him who is "the life" (Jer. 17:9; John 14:6).
For the record; Is God changing?
"For I am the LORD, I change not." Malachi 3:6
Are those who are seeking Him and love Him changing?
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18
Note here that those who "behold...the glory of the LORD" are "changed" into His "image...from glory to glory." This informs us that there are levels and stages of change all the way through our walk with God on earth and that these occur as we "behold...the LORD". Your life is at one place of glory now and there is another one awaiting your being conformed to His image as you seek His face.
A life of repenting of our sins and wrong beliefs is essential to growing with God and into His perfect image. This occurrs by the in-depth study of His Word and the Holy Spirit, the Author of the Word. We must behold His face in order to grow and go from one place of glory with Him to the next. "But we all, with open face (transparency) beholding...the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18
Okay, notice also that God the Holy Spirit is the One who does the changing and work that only He can do, as we behold the face of Jesus Christ and seek His change. Note the phrase "as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18 Also, see Romans 8:13.
We are "predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son." Romans 8:29 Work is involved in this process - ours and His.
We should seek and expect change and when praying for others, know that this is His will for all of us. No need to wonder what to pray for ourselves and humbly hope for others.
todd tomasella
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