DID YOU CHANGE?

How many of us are so quick to be content where the Lord finds us? Perhaps you were at a job you really didn’t like or involved in a relationship that was not ordained from God. Whatever the situation, we need to look back at our lives and decide if we are the same person we were when Jesus found us. If we are, there is a problem. Christ cannot come wholly into your life and you not change.

Look at the disciples with me. Jesus found them in all different areas of their lives; with different occupations, some with money, some not; some with family and some not. Do you think that when Jesus called Simon (PETER) that Peter would have ever thought of devoting his whole life to God from that point forward? I am sure he was content right where he was. He had a job, payed his taxes, had a wife and family. But he certainly was not living the life God had for him. He was living the life he knew, with no expectation of something greater. Jeremiah 29:11 says that GOD Knows the plans he has for us…not we. Our feeble minds cannot conceive the wondrous works that the Lord desires to do in our heart and our lives. I don’t believe at anytime,  the disciples before they met up with Jesus would have said they wanted to be martyred, lied on, hated, stoned, hung from tree or ostracized. Of course the transition from worldly life into kingdom life was uncomfortable. It was a constant process that didn’t cease until they joined Jesus and the father in the heavenlies. Peter constantly struggled with his anger, and probably never really overcame it, but he was faithful, diligent and obedient. AS a wise Man of God once told me, it’s not about your feelings, it’s about what you know. If you based your life on your feelings, or circumstances your life would be glooming with inconsistencies, and guilt. But when you know who you are in Christ, that he called you, predestinated you, formed you in your mother’s womb and that there is a destiny for your life that is far greater than you; then you have the desire to fight. You fight for what God has shown you, what you know to be true. You fight for your assignment, saying to yourself, “I don’t care what it looks like, how bad it gets, I know what you showed me Lord and I will not stop until I get there.” We are not alone in the fight, we are well-equipped with the armor of God. He has given us according to Ephesians 6:14-17 the truth buckled around our waist, the breastplate of righteousness, are feet which are prepared to deliver the gospel of peace, a shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the WORD OF GOD.

The (dunamis, exusia) power, of the presence of God results in change. When you abide in the vine and you understand that you carry the DNA of your Lord and Savior and it is working on the inside of you, you have to change. Knowing who you are in Christ, is Victory itself. You shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free. If God did not expect a change in you, He would have left you right where you were, to fight the worldly battles yourself. Now that we are in Christ, we still fight battles (kingdom battles, which have greater rewards), but now we conquer them with the word of the Lord, who is able to make all grace abound toward you daily.

You may be saying that you don’t deserve to change, you are so used to living in bondage and you have done some unforgivable things in your lifetime. But the word says that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Amen!!! Before you know you were jacked up from the floor up, he already forgave you, made provision for you, set your path in order, and established blessings along the way. Listen it’s not up to you if God calls you, but it is up to you whether you accept the invitation to praise Him and change your life for Him. The best way you can show God reverence is to heed to his instruction, be obedient, and barack him with reverence and awe. Lay down before Him prostrate, and surrender all. Let him restore you, and build you up in the knowledge of the one who saved you. He desires that you should have life and life more abundantly.  Yes, you will make mistakes, no you won’t be perfect, you will sin from time to time, but guess what??? He already knew you would do it, and he made provision for you before you even knew you would do it.

If you are the same person you were when salvation knocked on the door to your heart, I invite you to examine your life and ask yourself, what is it that is holding  you back from the fullness of God. There is another plan for your life. The life your living is not what he planned for you. Set your heart right before Him. Present yourself to Him as a living sacrifice. Cast all your cares onto him, and allow Him to be God. You know, the gift of salvation is just like any other gift. It comes giftwrapped in a pretty box, with some decorative paper and a bow. But so many of us, only get that far. We just look at the box, and say that’s a pretty box. We never take the time to peel off the paper, strip off the bow, and discover the true gift (the real you) that God has placed inside of you. You have the gift, but you haven’t opened it. I encourage you today to open the gift he has given you. Not only do you discover Your Savior but you also discover the gift in yourself. The hidden treasure in an earthen vessel.

Be Blessed, Stand on the Word, Abide in the Vine, Know your DNA, and Conquer Life with an abundant Spirit.

Shalom, Grace and Peace be Multiplied unto you.

Evangelist Nadia Marinaccio