.TRANSFORMING THURSDAY.
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I am so thankful for transformation! I wouldn't want you to see or know the real Patti Sikes. Oh, she pops up. Those closest to me see her and know her. They don't like her around.
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When I choose to be POOR IN SPIRIT, God can take me, work with me, and transform me.
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Philippians 3:20-21 says,
"For our citizenship is in heaven,
from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ;
who will transform the body of our humble state
into conformity with the body of His glory,
by the exertion of the power that
He has even to subject all things to Himself."
.I've had several "Kingdom of Heaven" experiences this week. Remember my Wendy's story that I shared yesterday? One thing is usually very clear during these GOD STOP times - someone's humility has allowed them to be transformed more into the glorious image of Christ. I do believe that the transformation that Jesus desires in us is much more than any of us can ever fathom. Yet, when it happens, it is a beautiful thing!
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I read Barnes Notes comments on the concept of being poor in spirit... humble... and I really liked what he had to say:
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"...to be willing to be where God places us,
to bear what He lays on us,
to go where He bids us,
and to die when He commands;
to be willing to be in His hands,
and to feel that we deserve no favor from Him.
It is opposed to pride,
and vanity,
and ambition..."
"...to be willing to be where God places us,
to bear what He lays on us,
to go where He bids us,
and to die when He commands;
to be willing to be in His hands,
and to feel that we deserve no favor from Him.
It is opposed to pride,
and vanity,
and ambition..."
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"It is remarkable that Jesus began His ministry in this manner, so unlike all others. Other teachers had taught that happiness was to be found in honor, or riches, or splendor, or sensual pleasure. Jesus overlooked all those things, and fixed His eye on the poor and the humble, and said that happiness was to be found in the lowly vale of poverty more than in the pomp and splendors of life."
"It is remarkable that Jesus began His ministry in this manner, so unlike all others. Other teachers had taught that happiness was to be found in honor, or riches, or splendor, or sensual pleasure. Jesus overlooked all those things, and fixed His eye on the poor and the humble, and said that happiness was to be found in the lowly vale of poverty more than in the pomp and splendors of life."
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TRANSFORMATION, MY SISTER, BEGINS WITH POVERTY OF SPIRIT! Come back tomorrow and we'll talk about how that works with us and our kids!
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In the meantime, if you want to really be encouraged today, here are two of my favorite GOD links in the last 24 hours:
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- Laura, heavenly homemaker friend, had a huge GOD STOP and thinks that "He's Up to Something!"
- Terry, preacher friend and St. Louis Cardinals chaplain, got a few amazing phone calls "just out of the blue". Yes, Terry, I think "He's up to something!" Just a little note to those of you who are new to Terry: He's been writing a whole lot lately about being led by the Holy Spirit... about letting God be in control... about doing things in God's timing... He's been writing a new book and it was rejected last week by a publisher. Looks like God may have something else in mind! Link here to find out more:
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1 comment:
I've left this post up on my computer most of the day. It has hit me right where it needed!! The old "Vanessa" came out this week and I'm not proud of what I've done nor said. This has helped me to be transformed into the humble state. It's never fun but I'm growing because of it. Thanks again for sharing your daily devotions. Love you!
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