Transformer or Conformer

I loved the Transformers when I was a kid.  These robots would disguise themselves as different types of vehicles.  Then the Decepticons would show up and the Transformers, led by Optimus Prime, would spring into their robot forms and fight off the Decepticons.  No matter what type of vehicle they changed into, inside they were still robots.  So maybe they should have been called Conformers.  

In the beginning, we were formed in the image of God.  The word that is translated as "formed" in Genesis 2:7 means to create, to give life to, and to give purpose.  This was our Optimus Prime moment.  His name means "the best and first".  We were not only alive, but we had purpose.  The imagery that is used throughout the Bible is one of a potter working with clay.  So if we run with that imagery, the clay had set.  We were complete and ready to fulfill our purpose.  However, the pottery broke when we sinned.  Just like with real pottery, there is no reforming us back into the image of God.  In fact, the only way the word "reform" is used in the Bible, is in talking about changing your actions and behavior.  

As broken human beings on our own, we were left with one choice.  The form had broken.  We could not reform ourselves or be reformed.  We did the only thing we could do.  We conformed.  In Romans 12:2, we are instructed to "not conform to the pattern of this world".  Now we need to dive into the words here or something important will be missed.  The word that is used here is Suschematizo.  According to Strong's Concordance, it means to conform one's self (i.e. one's mind and character) to another's pattern, (fashion one's self according to).  What is implied here is that it is an act of our own will.  We are trying to form ourselves and the pattern we are using is the world.  It is like a ripped piece of denim saying, "I am going to sew myself into a pair of jeans.  However, the pattern I am going to use is that of a dress."  It just does not come how we hoped. 

Romans 8:29 reminds us of God's original plan for us.  "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son . . ."  The conformed that is used there is a different word than we see in Romans 12:2.  It is more similar to the Hebrew word used in Genesis 2:9.  The word is Summorphos which means "having the same form as another, similar, conformed to".  Having the same form of Jesus was his plan from all eternity past.  It is just not something we can get back to on our own.  

We can not be reformed.  We can not conform ourselves.  That leaves only one option.  We have to be transformed.  One last word study; the word transform is the greek word metamorphoo and it means "to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure".  You might already recognize this is where we get the word metamorphous.  This is like the process of a caterpillar going into a cacoon and coming out a butterfly.  It is a complete and permanent change.  Unlike our robots in disguise, the butterfly can never return to the larvae stage.  The cellular makeup of the insect has changed.  The cells of the larvae have to die to make way for the cells of the butterfly.  

Well, Romans 12:2 tells us to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  In order to get a butterfly the larvae has to die.  In order for us to be transformed the old self has to die.  The good news is that Paul tells us that one died for all.  Jesus took our place.  Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Our part in it is to allow the Spirit of God to come in and renew; "perform a complete change for the better" our minds.  Sorry, I had to slip one more word study in there.  I am not going to dive into this, but when you see "mind" don't think brain;  think your inner being, your heart, or your gut.  It is a complete and permanent change.  It is an inside-out transition that goes deeper than the cellular level.  

It says that when we experience this change we "will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  Do you remember what His will for us has been from the very beginning?  His will for us is that we are formed, conformed, and transformed into the image of Jesus.  This is not accomplished through praying a prayer, following spiritual rituals, or any number of good things we can do.  It is a work that only God can do through the Holy Spirit.  Like the changing of the caterpillar to a butterfly it is a process that takes time.  The end product will be worth the wait.  

Want to learn more about starting a relationship with Jesus?  Let me know Here and I would be happy to help you.  

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All Greek and Hebrew word meanings come from Strongs Concordance on www.biblestudytools.com.  Scripture references are all in the New International Version unless otherwise indicated.

Jesus Gets Canceled

It feels, at times, like we are living in a different world.  When I was in middle school and I did something ridiculous people would laugh at me and make fun of me.  Some people might tell their friends and they might make fun of me too.  This would last a day or two at most because it would not take long for someone else to do something ridiculous and the attention would turn to them.  I could not imagine being in middle school today.  If you do something today it is caught on camera and goes viral.  No one ever forgets because there is a record of it.  

When I first started speaking if I messed up or said something controversial, the only people that knew about it were the people in the room.  Sometimes there was a tape recording or a video recording but if you wanted to hear or see it you had to go and get a copy.  You could not just click a button and share it with everyone.  If you are speaking today, and you say the wrong thing, it could go around the world in minutes.  You can forget about getting another opportunity.    

That brings up another interesting thing about the world we live in.  If someone makes a mistake, makes a bad choice, or just says something other people disagree with, there is no grace.  Society just cancels them.  It could be a celebrity, a politician, a minister, or anyone on social media.  People are quick to unfollow, unfriend, and smear other people.  

It feels like this is all a new phenomenon of our day, but it really is not.  Jesus was canceled over 2000 years ago.  In John 6, Jesus has healed a bunch of people, feds thousands with a small sack lunch, and taught in a way that captivated his audience.  As a result, the number of his followers is growing.  These are people that are literally following him.  They did not just click a button that said, "Follow".   

Jesus lets the people know that following him is not all rainbows and unicorns.  He starts talking about what it means to be a real follower of Jesus and the cost of discipleship, and just like that Jesus gets canceled. "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." (John 6:66).  The crowd gets so slim that he looks at his twelve main disciples and asks them if they are going to leave too. 

The next time your friend list goes down, or your number of followers drops, or that friend does not keep the streak going, remember, this cancel culture is not a new thing.  Jesus has already been down that road.  He also promised us that he would never unfriend us or unfollow us.

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"Faith Not Fear".

My church has been in a sermon series on Nehemiah.  One of the phrases that keeps coming up is "faith not fear."  This, along with other things in my life, has caused me to really start thinking through what is faith? 

I know it is not blindly moving through something hoping for the best.  I know it is not believing that things are just going to be okay.  In fact, it is not a thing at all.  Faith is believing in a person.  We put our faith in people all the time.  When we are driving a car we have faith that the driver of the car coming in the other lane is going to stay in that lane and not hit us.  The question is not what is faith, but who is your faith in?

When you put your faith in Jesus, you are saying that no matter what happens, I know Jesus loves me.  He cares about me and wants the best for me.  Faith is believing that inspite of the circumstances, God's character is good.  When the circumstances were bad for Nehemiah, he did not call the people to believe more, pray more, or hope that everything turns out.  He called the people to remember.

Nehemiah 4:14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

Whatever you are facing, whatever news story you are reading, whatever is happening around you "Don't be afraid . . . Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome."

What is a time you remember God showing His goodness to you that you can think on when circumstances are tough?

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Biggest Fear

As I have been sharing with you about my journey of courage I continue to discover all the ways that I respond in fear.  When I am angry, withholding the truth, or avoiding the uncomfortable conversation, it is all rooted in some fear.  Go ahead, take time to reflect.  When was the last time you lost your temper?  Why were you angry?  Someone once told me "if you want to get to the real reason, ask yourself why seven times?  I was angry because my kids did not do what I told them.  Why was I angry?  They know better.  Why was I angry? I am a good parent.  Why was I angry?  I am afraid of what people will think.  Why was I angry?  I am supposed to be the one in control.  Why was I angry?  I am afraid that I might not have as much control as I thought.  What if there are other areas that I don't have as much control as I think I do? The opposite of every virtue is fear.

So what is our biggest fear?

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us” (Timothy Keller).

Why do we not tell anyone we are having marriage trouble until it is too late?  Why do we put on masks as we go to work, school, or worse, church?  Why do we suffer addiction in silence and isolation?  Why do we not sit across the table from people, make eye contact and have a real conversation?  We are afraid someone might get to know us and then reject us.

There is a God who not only knows you and everything about you but he also loves you.  He promised to never reject you.  He gave up everything in reckless pursuit of you.  Before you reject him get to know him.  Want to know more about how to get to know God?  Click Here and send me a message.  Want to chat with someone now? Click Here.  Someone is available to chat 24/7.  It is free and anonymous. 

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Best Advice Ever

We are constantly being bombarded with advice.  It is a struggle to know what to follow and what to ignore.  There is a woman in the Bible that does not say very much.  What she does say is extremely valuable and worth listening to.

There is a wedding party going on.  The alcohol is flowing.  It is flowing so much that they run out of wine.  I have worked some weddings with a catering company.  Running out of anything is bad news.  Running out of wine is a catastrophe.  Mary is somehow involved with the party and has the task of solving this problem.  Her solution is to tell her son to fix the problem.  There are some servants near by and this is where the advice comes in. John 2:5 "His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he (Jesus) tells you.”

How much better life would be if we would follow that advice.  If we would simply do whatever Jesus tells us to do.  

Not sure where to start read Knowing God's Will.

Is there something you feel God has been telling you to do that you have been putting off?  Have you ever experienced the blessing of "Doing what he tells you?

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