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Be Transformed

February

For many years before I became a pastor, I worked as a business consultant. My job
was to assist persons who had that strong desire to fulfill their dream of opening their
own business and becoming successful in their own right. As I counseled them,
something almost holy was happening. Where were their directives coming from; their
drive? It was as if ‘the one upstairs’ (God) was telling them that they had bigger and
better things to do with their lives, than to stick in their hum drum, ‘going no where’ job.
Many took-on a religious stance and were transformed.
God does that. God transforms people, when He can get a receptive subject. Opening
a new business is risk taking – big time! Many risked their homes (used as collateral) to
finance their dream.
When you have a focused goal and work smart and hard toward that goal, you will
reach it (in God’s time-not your time)! Of course you have to do your homework!
You can save much money and time by researching the industry facts.
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
You can review the mistakes of others.
In the same way, reading the Bible will reveal how to live your life. We don’t have to
use a trial and error system.
In the first Book of the Bible: Genesis, we read about people who murder, cheat, steal
and the repercussions families experience because of those heinous actions.
The Bible teaches us via the mistakes made by Cain, Jacob, Joseph’s siblings, etc.
So design your life! Focus on your goal!
Don’t wish things were easier; advance your personal growth! Make personal
adjustments as you go. The body of the church can give you encouragement, assistance,
and stability.
I am really taken aback when I hear people purporting that going to church is not
important in raising a family. Children need to see role models who express “the fruits of
the spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) – kindness, goodness, peace, joy, patience, self-control,
faithfulness, gentleness, and love. Hopefully your children will learn ‘the fruits of the
spirit’ at Church Sunday School. I know they will not learn them from watching TV.
And, I don’t understand why parents don’t protest the ‘mentally destructive pictures’
that are shown on TV that harmfully mold our children’s lives and personalities.
But, getting back to my last subject: making adjustments in your life…
You can write any plan by answering the questions: Who? What? Where? When?
Why? How?
In fact, you can use this same method to delve into the Bible. Who were the
characters? What actually happened? Where did this happen? When did this happen?
Why (any motive)? How was it accomplished?
Just as Jesus was ‘transfigured’ in Matthew 17:2, we can become transfigured, with a
face filled with joy, as we walk with God on a path of goodness by following the
instructions in the Bible.