THE IMAGE WITHIN
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:4-6 (NIV)
"He must become greater; I must become less."
John 3:30 (NIV)
A. W. Tozer said, For human beings, the whole possibility of redemption lies in their ability to change. To move across from one sort of person to another is the essence of repentance; the liar becomes truthful, the thief honest, the lewd pure, the proud humble. The whole moral texture of the life is altered. The thoughts, the desires, the affections are transformed, and the man is no longer what he had been before.
Think back to this time last year. Do you look the same? I don't mean physically or circumstantially, but has your character or heart changed?
I recently asked myself this question while scrolling through photos on my phone. My hairstyle hasn't changed, and the marks of age remain, but deeper changes have taken place that no camera could capture. I've been pruned and polished, pushed and pursued by God. He's led me into places I didn't want to go, but He walked with me, teaching me things now woven into my heart. He loves me too much to leave me as I was.
I've walked with Christ for years, yet He continues revealing more of Himself and who He wants me to become. As you draw closer to your Heavenly Father, don't be surprised when your perspectives and desires change. He's molding your heart to reflect His own, bringing light into places you couldn't see before. Your responsibility is to respond. Invite Him to continue His transforming work. It's not about having everything together but continually surrendering every part of your life to Him. Through prayer and His Word, He changes you from the inside out, making your life a reflection of His likeness.
APPLICATION: Are there any areas of your life that don't reflect God's character? Write down one thing He brings to mind and ask Him to show you a practical step you can take this week to respond.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for loving me enough to continue working on my heart and in my life. Help me to surrender to Your plans to transform me into Your likeness, even when it's painful or difficult. You have saved my life, and I want to look more like You. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?