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Bible Study: The Change Factor!

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (Changed) by the renewing of your mind." [Romans 12:2]
   

Scripture Reference:
"Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence that you are showing the fruits that come from true fellowship with Christ. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it."
[2Corinthians 13:5 Message Bible]
 

ARE YOU HOPING FOR A MIRACLE?
Millions of God’s people are looking for changes in their lives. Many are desperate for changes. They hope for change, they pray for change, they cry out for change. But no changes come. Things just keep on going the way they have and most have no idea why. This powerful teaching will help you to discover HOW to bring about the changes you desire, and why so many never see the changes they so desperately need.
 
What most people do NOT understand is that change, when it comes, BEGINS with us.
Very FEW of God's children are aware of the fact that the Word of God instructs us to perform regular check-ups on ourselves, a self-examination of our life to see whether or not we are actually SEEING the promises of God manifesting in our life. And if we AREN’T – then WE are supposed to do something about it.
 
Yet, if we are to be honest, very rarely if ever does the average Christian pay any attention to their ‘faith-walk’, and even less attention to their life-style to see if it is conforming with the conduct of disciple of Christ as befitting a child of the Most-High God.
 
Instead, when problems arise or sickness comes, the average Christian looks to the Lord to change the situation, and when it doesn’t they place the blame squarely on the shoulders of God and proclaim “It must be God’s Will”.
  
Yet the scriptures tell us over and over again that the changes we seek BEGIN WITH US.
 
• "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (Changed) by the renewing of your mind." [Romans 12:2]

Notice that in both 2Corinthians 13:5 and Romans 12:2 the scriptures clearly state in order for changes to occur, something must FIRST occur on our end. WE must make some changes. This is why 2Corinthians 13:5 is so important to the believer. Changes cannot and will not take place unless we first RECOGNIZE that there are corrections (changes) that must be made in our life.

It may be that we need to change what we BELIEVE about certain things. It may be that we need to change how we DO certain things. Perhaps the changes must be made in the way we SPEAK or respond to other people. Maybe it’s the way we DEAL with situations as they arise. In other words, we must first IDENTIFY ‘where’ the changes need to be made – and then do something about it – MAKE the changes and corrections so that we can experience the changes in our life that the Lord promises will come.

 

ONE MORE TIME?
Albert Einstein once stated that: “One definition of insanity is to continue doing the same thing in the same way and expecting different results. It is unfortunate that many Christians today would easily fall into that definition of insanity. They keep making the same mistakes over and over while expecting things to change.
 
Speaking of such individuals, Jesus said it this way: "For the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light." [Luke 16:8]
 
It often seems that while the unbelievers (Children of this world) have enough ‘common sense’ to understand that something must be DONE in order for things to change – the people of God (Children of light) just go on, and on, and on - doing the same things in the same way - over and over again - despite the fact that nothing is changing. They’re still sick, still broke, still having marital or family problems, still unsuccessful in their jobs or business, etc. Yet seldom if ever taking a close look at ourselves or asking the Lord: “Where am ‘I’ missing it?”
 

ARE YOU READY FOR A CHANGE?
If you are tired of repeating the same cycle of lack, sickness, failure, defeat, oppression, ect. – And if you are seriously interested in change for the BETTER – Then let’s look again at 2 Corinthians 13:5:
 
• "Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence that you are showing the fruits that come from true fellowship with Christ. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it." [2Corinthians 13:5 Message Bible]
 
Take some time to reflect on the past year.
Think carefully about where you succeeded and where you failed. If necessary make a list so you can carefully, and fully take stock of your life and where the problems are that you just haven’t been able to overcome on a PERMANENT basis. In other words, look for the evidence of where you PASSED the test – and where you MISSED it.
 
Focus on the areas where you haven’t seemed to be able to experience the promised blessings of God no matter how much you tried. Then ask the Lord to SHOW you where you need to make the corrections. He WILL!
 
But it is important to understand that ‘acknowledging’ our mistakes are NOT enough –We must CORRECT our mistakes if we are to expect changes to come.
 
Remember that the Lord promises that when WE change – THINGS will also change. Start with changing the way you think about certain things because THAT is what will affect what we DO about them.

• "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (Changed) by the renewing of your mind." [Romans 12:2]

Practice these things and the Lord promises that blessings, success, prosperity, health, goodness, and mercy will follow us all the days of our life.
 

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