"In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered by setting me free." Psalm 118:5
The transforming power of God can move us in many ways. It helps us see who we can one day become. It inspires us to lead selfless lives and helps us to understand how the Holy Spirit works in the everyday mundane aspects of our lives.
The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross transforms:
• Trouble makers into peacemakers
• The unjust into the just.
• Sinners into winners
• Miscreants into those who are poor in spirit.
The unbridled love of the Holy Spirit changes people. It makes:
• Those who mourn to become reborn.
• The meek to turn the other cheek.
• Those who thirst to become first.
• The pure to be secure.
• Persecuted into the imputed.
• And the Transgressor into a confessor.
For those who know Jesus and the power of the Good News we find that they are renewed:
• The Thief finds belief.
• The Least become priests.
• Sufferers become comforters.
• Tax collectors become a reflector of Christ.
• And the Destitute become renewed by Jesse's root.
The untold riches of knowing God's love turn the unwashed into spotless souls as white as snow because:
• The unknown become known.
• The unconsecrated become consecrated.
• The unholy find holiness.
• The uncommitted become committed.
• The unwavering become redeemed.
• The unsaved are saved.
• And the lost are now found.
Throughout history, God's holy judgments have guided people to salvation. We see God at work through:
• Aaron's rod that we see God.
• Moses' staff we are no longer riffraff.
• Ezekiel's bones have found new homes
• The ultimate cost is found at the cross.
The Good News tells us that a new Kingdom has been made and everyone can be free because:
• God's armor will take us farther.
• Those with guilt can be rebuilt.
• Our iniquity becomes antiquity.
• The prideful become mindful.
• The humble choose not to grumble
• And those who are distant to learn to be persistent.
In return we give our thanks and praise to God's mercy. Our voices lift up to the Lord because we:
• Declare in prayer
• The faithful are grateful
• The blameless are courageous
• And our inspiration becomes adulation
We sing these praises because it is only through Jesus we are Born Again. By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit we find:
• The scales were removed by the nails.
• The Bread has raised the dead.
• The Blood holds back the flood.
• Our chains no longer remain.
• The Lamb is the great I Am.
• Christ was sacrificed.
• And Jesus frees us.
Our Gracious Savior. We pray today that you will renew within us a right spirit. Let our hearts rejoice with praise to you and our souls always reflect the glory that is Jesus. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
The blessings of Our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you.
PASTOR TROY CONRAD IS MINISTER OF THE FARMINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. EMAIL: [email protected]. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.
Religion on 10/19/2016