People around the world spend thousands to change their lives. They buy self-help books, attend seminars, go to their
shrink… Nevertheless, the change they pay for is only temporary. Real
change starts from within. Unless we change according to how God wants us to
change, we can never have a better
life.
Nowadays,
the situation in the world is really irritating. Then again, we have to
remember that vision comes from irritation. When we get annoyed at how things are happening now, God will give us a vision on what to do to change the world.
After all, the Word
of God is the only effective thing that
can promote change.
Foundational Principles that can Change Our Lives
1. Dedication: commit your body to God.
Romans 12:1
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of
God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your
true and proper worship.
a. Cleanse your body.
2 Corinthians 7:1
7 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from
everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
b. Care for your body
Ephesians 5:29
29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but
they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church
c. Control your body.
1 Thessalonians 4:4
4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,
1 Corinthians 9:27
27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I
have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
God's children are the ones
who grow more and more beautiful.
2. Evaluation: where are you right now?
Some people don't change because they won't admit their real
situation.
You can't get to your destination unless you know where you are at
the moment.
Romans 12:3
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not
think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with
sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Romans 10:17
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the
word about Christ.
3. Cooperation: connect to a group.
It's not good for man to be alone.
Romans 12:4-5
4 For just as each of us has one body with many
members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
4. Affirmation: Living to Love
There are 4 kinds of love in the Bible, but Agape is the best.
Agape is the love of Christ.
Romans 12:9-10
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves
5. Motivation: serve with enthusiasm
You can't do anything great without enthusiasm.
Romans 12:11-12
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual
fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,faithful in prayer.
Enthusiasm came from two words:
en-in
Theos-God
Hence, being
enthusiastic is being in God.
To
be enthusiastic is to experience these three:
a. Joy in hope
b. Patience in affliction
c. Faith in prayer.
(this entry is an excerpt of the message in our church)
Message by: Ptr. Rudy Fernandez
Firepower Ministries
Additional contemplation: mine
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