I am hungry for real transformation. The main reason is that I am so sick of my own self. I am desperate to believe that God can really do what he says he can do in me! Otherwise, I am stuck with the me I don't want to be, a failed potential of all that I was made for.
Can you relate?
I've decided to share just one of the ways I engage with God and His very powerful grace to see real transformation take shape in my life. Discipline and commitment are involved... but I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for you!
MEMORIZATION
The digital age offers little motivation for memorizing anything. I may need to know a few passwords and codes or memorize dates and facts for a particular test, but otherwise, all my important docs and info are accessible through my device.
As someone who loves Jesus, though, I want to live in Him. I want to be one with Him as He is one with the Father (John 17:21). I want my life to reflect His image. Personally, I've needed a deeper engagement with His living Word in order to see some level of realization of this work in my present life.
If you're hungry for the same thing, I'd love to work together and become a people who can truly change the world with the love and light of Jesus Christ.
THE STRATEGY
I've designed a simple strategy that can be implemented for any variety of passages. It takes some time but provides a simple breakdown and approach to digest God's Word at a deeper level for real transformation.
This time, for Ephesians 3:14-21, I'm using the New Living Translation. (Please feel free to use another of your own choosing.)
We will walk through the passage 3 times:
CYCLE 1: Meditate
CYCLE 2: Activate
CYCLE 3: Renew
Each passage is broken into 21 phrases or verses. There's nothing magical about 21, but the idea originally came from a number ascribed to the power of breaking old habits and setting new ones. 21 days alone are not enough, but 3 cycles of 21 days have the potential to bring about some degree of change.
Please feel free to do what you can, as you can. If you get behind, then want to jump back in later or start from where you left off, please do!!
When it comes to spiritual disciplines, we are always managing the tension between discipline and grace. Both are necessary tools on the road to transformation!
THE BREAKDOWN
Here is the breakdown for Ephesians 3:14-21, NLT.
Day 1. When I think of all this
Day 2. I fall to my knees and pray to the Father
Day 3. the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth
Day 4. I pray that from his glorious unlimited resources
Day 5. he will empower you with inner strength
Day 6. through his Spirit
Day 7. Then Christ will make his home in your heart
Day 8. as you trust in him
Day 9. Your roots will go down into God's love and keep you strong
Day 10. and may you have the power to understand
Day 11. as all God's people should
Day 12. how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is
Day 13. may you experience the love of Christ
Day 14. though it is too great to understand fully
Day 15. Then, you will be made complete
Day 16. with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God
Day 17. Now all glory to God who is able
Day 18. through his mighty power at work within us
Day 19. to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think
Day 20. glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus
Day 21. through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
I'm putting this online as I go, but it will then be available for you to access anytime you like! Start and end whenever is convenient for you!
Bless you, dear friends, and may you uncover hidden treasures in secret places (Is 45:3), placed there by the Holy Spirit for YOU! May you become more intimately acquainted and connected to the God who loves you and has called you according to His purposes