The Impact of a New Beginning

When I was in military boot camp, the Drill Sargent’s task was to transform green recruits into disciplined soldiers within a short time frame. This was a new beginning for me that impacted my character and future choices. When God chose to give a new beginning to the Hebrew people in Egypt, he had to create in them a mentality for freedom with choices.

When Moses told Pharaoh to free the Hebrew people, he retorted, “I will not do it!" However, God brought hardships and troubles to Pharaoh, ensuring his will would be honored. Hardships can play a part in helping a person believe in God's deliverance and mercy.

Transformation for the Hebrews included believing they belonged to God and not to Pharaoh, nor to themselves. They belonged to God, and so do you, as 1 Peter 2:9 affirms: "You are God’s own people chosen to proclaim his wonderful acts. He called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." You can believe and trust in this wonderful choice.

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But all of us who are Christians…reflect like mirrors the glory of the Lord. We are transformed in ever-increasing splendor into his own image, and this is the work of the Lord who is the Spirit.

~2 Corinthians 3:18 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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What Indifference Communicates

Indifference is a state of mind that’s contrary to what God created us to be. Indifference portrays apathy, a lack of compassion for others. The verbal and nonverbal message of indifference is, “You deserve what you get, and I could care less." How is it possible to lose reverence for the gift of life and especially for God, its creator?

The unwillingness to be forgiving is associated with the attitude of indifference. Anger and bitterness entombed in the heart eventually transform into indifference. Losing a sense of reverence for life and the pleasure of fellowship with Christ Jesus usually comes as a result of extended pain and suffering.

God will restore those who have lost this sense of reverence and have become indifferent to life. If this is your plight, why not renew your vows to Christ Jesus and let him transform you to the depths of your soul? Ask him to help you make whatever changes that are needed so you can once again feel a sense of wonderment toward the life God has given you.  

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All of them have stubborn minds! Their ears are stopped up, and their eyes are covered. They cannot see or hear or understand. If they could, they would turn to me, and I would heal them.  

~Matthew 13:15 Contemporary English Bible

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A Green-Eyed Monster Called Jealousy

Jealousy is a common emotion experienced by everyone at some level. It's an emotion few people would endorse or boast about. Those who experience it often feel shame especially when it gets out of hand.  If a relationship is believed to be in danger, exaggerated jealousy may surface with rage and a fiery vengeance.

          Rachel felt jealous when her sister Leah could have children for Jacob while she remained barren.  Fostered by a lack of trust that she would ever conceive, Rachel persuaded Jacob to have children with her maid- servant.  Sound familiar?  Now jealousy has become the equalizer in a situation rather than trust in God’s plan and purpose. 

          As jealousy gains a foothold, it leaves little room for faith and trust. Jealousy is obsessed with thinking and feeling just one way.  To escape, force yourself to focus on Romans 12:2.  God’s word instructs you to be transformed by renewing your mind by the power of Christ Jesus in you.  Ask Jesus to transform you now.