Trust the Transformation

Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect. – (Romans 12:2, ERV)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – (Romans 12:2, NLT)

Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete. – (Romans 12:2, VOICE)

 

We are bombarded by information, images and messages that compete for control of our hearts and minds. The influences of the world would have us believe that we must have more, do more and be more. God tells us that we are enough in Him. When we slow down and tune our ears and hearts to His voice, the message we receive is far different. The words the Lord speaks give life and hope and help, drawing us closer to Him, where we may find rest in the very presence of our Creator. Yes, there are some things that we have to do for our jobs, families, and so forth, yet in Christ, we find strength and help and hope that there is more than the mundane of “doing time”. He establishes purpose in all that we do and gives us eyes to see small things that we can do each day. May we stay true to who God has created us to be, and allow Him to be the one to transform us more and more into people who are refined and renewed and ready to do His will.

 

Do not change yourselves, 

To be like the world;

Instead, allow God,

Show His path preferred.

For when we allow,

God on the inside;

He shows us what’s good,

And how to abide.

Let us seek the Lord,

Learn His perfect will;

Be ever renewed,

Find rest and be still.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we do not need to copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but rather we can seek You and allow You to transform us to be more like You. Thank You that as we seek You, we learn Your will for us, which is good and pleasing before You. Forgive us for folding to the ways of the world, rather than seeking You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would walk in Your ways and do Your will, even when it does not make sense. Show us how to love those around us in a way that is good and pleasing before You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we let You transform us into the person that You have created us to become. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23

To Be Equipped

May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever. Amen. – (Hebrews 13:21, NLT) 

 

As our team continues to prepare for Saturday’s departure for Belize, it is my prayer that the words of Hebrews 13:21 would be felt tangibly for each of us. Just as it requires careful and thoughtful preparation and organization to fit all that we need for our time in Belize into one hiking backpack, so too does it require intentional time with our Heavenly Father to prepare our hearts for all that He intends to do in us and through us while we are there. May we each be equipped to do His will as we seek Him with our whole heart. For every good thing that is pleasing to Him, comes from the power of His Spirit at work within us.  

 

Prepare our hearts, Lord, 

Equip us anew; 

To rise up in faith, 

Where You call us to. 

It’s by Your power, 

That we can do good; 

All that is pleasing, 

Your grace understood. 

Shape us and mold us, 

By Your mighty hands; 

To serve with our hearts, 

And fulfill Your plans. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You equip us with all we need to do Your will, if we come to You and depend on You. Thank You that through Your power in us, You produce good things that are pleasing unto You. Forgive us for trying to go our own way, or attempting to do things in our own strength. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would allow Your power to produce in us, that which is pleasing to You. Show us how to walk out this journey in a way that demonstrates Your amazing love to the people of Belize and to each other. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. All glory to You, God, forever and ever. Amen. 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

May God Almighty grant you mercy. – Genesis 43:14