When Christ came, He made it possible for believers to be made a new creation.
Are you ready for a change?
Sometimes you just get tired of things being the way they have been. You know what that is like. You don’t really need a new sofa, but you just want a change. You didn’t really need new carpet, but you wanted a change. You didn’t need a new hairdo, but you wanted a change. Sometimes you just feel like you need things to change.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Changed
Have you noticed that every change is not good?
Adam and Eve felt they needed a change.
Everything was always the same. They woke up in Paradise, and everything was just the same. Every day they had everything that they needed. I am sure that is the way it is in your house. You wake up in PARADISE and everything is perfect.
Have you wondered what it would be like if everything was perfect every morning?
Adam and Eve felt like they needed a change.
Genesis 3 tells us what happened. They got a change, but it was not what they expected. Satan had deceived their minds, and Adam and Eve pressed for a change that went against God’s plan for their lives. After things had changed, they made a pathetic attempt to cover their sin and nakedness by sewing fig leaves for coverings. Nothing they could do was able to undo or correct the damage that was done.
When God came down to walk with them in the garden, Adam and Eve knew they had changed.
They really needed God’s help, but sin drove them from God’s presence. In fear they hid from the only One Who could help them.
When you need help in your life, you need to go to God first.
God knows how to help you in your situation. From the moment of their fall and sin, mankind has been in a pathetic condition. Sin has changed us — but God can get us out. We need help — and God can get us out. We need to be changed by the power of God. Only God is able to bring real help to get us out.
This is where the message of the Good News starts.
God can get you out.
This is good news for the burdened and oppressed. It is good news for those who feel hopeless and helpless. This is good news for the sinner and the saint.
Sin has its reward.
The Bible says: “The wages of sin is death.” No one is exempt. Everyone is guilty and condemned, but God is not willing to leave things that way.
The Book of Jonah is a testimony of God’s great mercy and grace.
Jonah was a prophet of God in the Old Testament. He knew that God was merciful, kind, and gracious. He knew that God wanted to save men and change things for the good. He knew God wanted to bring evil and wicked people to repentance.
In Jonah 4:2 NLT Jonah said: “I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.”
Jonah knew that God loved mercy more than judgment.
That is good news for everyone that needs help and needs a change. Jonah knew that the people in Nineveh were guilty and extremely evil. He wanted to do anything but tell those people that God would forgive them.
So, Jonah ran from Nineveh and headed to Tarshish.
He did not want to tell them that judgment was coming. If he refused to tell the truth, God would destroy them.
He wasn’t just running from Nineveh, he was fleeing from God.
He did not want God to show mercy, but, this is where God’s love and mercy is revealed. Jonah was on that boat running from God when a great storm hit. He knew the storm came because he was disobedient to God. When the men threw Jonah overboard, God sent a giant fish that swallowed him.
After three days and nights in the stomach of the fish, Jonah was ready to go to Nineveh with God’s message. How long does it take for God to change your mind?
Jonah 3:4 NLT On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”
As soon as they heard God’s message, everyone in Nineveh fasted, put on sackcloth, and turned from their evil ways. (Jonah 3:5-10)
God has deeply invested in our salvation and change.
He has given His Son to die on the cross for our sins. He has invested His power and wonderful works in us. God is ready to do mighty works to change things and make you a new creation. He is ready to heal the sick. He is ready to deliver the suffering, burdened, and oppressed. He is ready to give new life and freedom. He is ready to fill you with His Holy Spirit.
The power of God that changes lives is present today. What Jesus Christ came into this world to do is still being done today.
In Luke 4:18 NKJV Jesus said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
Jesus has the power to change your life and make you a new creation.
You need to take that message personally. Jesus wants to heal your broken heart. He wants to give liberty to captives. He wants to open blinded eyes. He wants to save, restore, and give new life.
You can experience God’s power for yourself.
He has enough power to change things in your life. It is so very difficult for us to understand the effect the power of God can have on us.
- He can save the vilest sinner and make them clean.
- His power can redeem from the deepest bondage and make you free.
- He can take the bitter, angry heart and make it sweet.
- His power can heal the sickest and weakest and bring wholeness and health.
- He can heal the blind eye and cause the deaf ear to hear.
- He can deliver from every oppressive force of evil.
- His power can give a sound mind and body.
- His power over creation can cause the wind to calm down and troubled waters to be calm.
- He has power over life and death.
Much should be said about God’s power to change lives.
If you are weary from trying to unlock your own resources and change your life, turn it over to the Lord.
Invite Jesus into your life and let Him go to work. Many people are broken and shattered pieces of what God wants them to be. Circumstances and situations have brought them to the pit of despair.
You need help.
The Bible tells us: “All who receive Him, Christ gives the power to get out and be transformed into all they were created to be.”
Salvation relates to your destiny with God.
God has an eternal purpose for you. He wants to fill you with all of His goodness, power, and life. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Lord says,“My grace is sufficient for you.” His power is not intimidated by your circumstances or your history. God knows how to lift you up and accomplish His goals for your life. Your human limitations cannot hinder God’s ability.
You may already be shaped into something less than what God wants you to be.
The circumstances of your life have made you what you are. When you cannot change, You need God’s help. God has sent His Spirit to transform every aspect of your life that has been warped and destroyed. You are persevering without progressing. Are you wrestling with areas of your life that are causing you pain and are destroying your peace and joy? If you are, you need a change.
God can help you! Right now, start expecting God to do something new in your life.
You remember the story of the Prodigal Son.
His life was diminished and destroyed. Once he experienced the pig pen, he could only see himself as a slave. Although he had been a son, he thought he was only worthy to be a slave. He was out of the pig pen, but the effects of that experience left him defeated, despondent, and destroyed.
At one time, he had great ambitions and expectations. He felt he could conquer the world. The pig pen changed everything once it got into him.
His story is an illustration of God’s amazing grace to change those who are lost, hurting, defeated and destroyed.
When he decided to go back to his father’s house, he was surprised.
Acts 3:19 NKJVRepent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
Repentance is a turn around in your life. Repentance is something that happens when we respond to the work and call of the Holy Spirit. Have you been hearing a voice inside that says things can change? Have you heard the Holy Spirit saying, “God wants to make all things new?” God is ready right now to step in and change things for you. Will you respond to Him?
Everything was changed when the Prodigal came home.
The old rotten clothes were taken away. He was given brand new clothes to cover him. That is what conversion does. God takes us in and gives us a new life in Christ Jesus.
When refreshing comes, you will find new joy.
When the Prodigal got home, he was given a chance to wash away all of the odor and filth of his past. When refreshing comes, there is a new song and a new life. Refreshing chases the clouds away and removes the stain and the pain. Refreshing conquers the quilt and brings victory. Refreshing deals with the doom and gloom of life.
The Church needs refreshing.
Your soul, spirit and body needs refreshing and new joy. When we repent, refreshing comes from the presence of God. So, here is what needs to happen. We all need to do what the Prodigal Son did to his father.
Present yourself to God.
Say, “Lord, here I am, do your work on me. Search me thoroughly. Don’t stop with the trivial things I am willing to present. Dig deep in my life. Find everything I have hidden, excused and overlooked. God change me and make me new!”
