God won’t always change your circumstances, my friend, but if you allow Him, He will change your heart, while giving you the courage to face the bumps in the road.
If you believe that God has checked out of your life, you’re not alone. Listen to David as he outlines what he went through in Psalm 69:
“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where their is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.” (NIV)
Now, let’s turn our attention to the early disciples, in the time before the resurrection. Can’t you picture them running from the cross, as they faced a life which they thought was totally over and void of meaning without Jesus? They had pinned all of their hopes and dreams on this man, and their thoughts of being alone filled them with excruciating fear.
Now, however, fast-forward to the day of Pentecost, in the second chapter of Acts. There, you will see quite a different story, as the Holy Spirit had come upon these men after Christ rose. Within the disciples, a fearless courage was born which transformed them in each situation. They were no longer men who needed to run, because they jad seen the empty tomb of Jesus. Therefore, we can celebrate as we look at our first T of the day, transformation, in detail.
While the circumstances of life today are totally different from what the apostles faced, the resurrection of Christ means that you no longer have to face them alone either. Instead of trying to live life in your own strength, transformation begins when you ask Him to help you develop a moment-by-moment dependency upon Him.
A good place to start is by clearing the channel of communication with Him through the confession of your sin. Draw upon His strength in prayer, letting Him speak to you through the voice of His Word. Then ask Him to control your life by giving you the peace and joy which the Spirit offers, as you fall deeper in love with Him.
Next, the idea of being Transfixed by Christ simply means developing a lifestyle of walking with Him. When problems are difficult, and there doesn’t seem to be a way out, we are all tempted to run ahead of God. If you stumble in this area, don’t worry, because to be honest, we all do. That is why the Bible tells us to take every thought captive to Christ.
Finally, an increased Transmission of His Word will be the outgrowth of the first two T’s, as your confidence in Christ grows. But please keep these things in mind.
First, you and I are just planting the seed, but it is up to the Holy Spirit to do the actual work. Therefore, approach each person you speak to with respect, as you speak the truth under the umbrella of God’s love.
Lastly, remember the old saying, “more is caught than taught.” In other words, let your light shine, and God will open doors for you to share His light with others.
I pray that you will allow God to continually transform you, as you become more and more transfixed by Him. Then watch as God transmits His message through you, and as the water of His Word begins to flow from your life.
Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 101 S Kraemer BLVD, Suite 123A, Placentia, CA 92870.
Finally, you’re always welcome to join our Tuesday night Bible study. These studies are conducted by conference call, and they take place at 6:30 PM Arizona time. Our conference number is 313-209-8800. Our PIN is 8699032. We hope to talk with you soon!
If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 507-369-6861.