Extreme Makeover

We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.

2 Corinthians 3:18

In the Old Testament, when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, Moses was allowed to catch a glimpse of the unique splendor of God's actual presence. This experience was so profound that Moses's face literally glowed as a result. The Israelites who followed Moses were frightened by the change in his appearance and by a God who could transform someone in that way. But Moses's transformation was temporary. At first Moses veiled his face so that the people would no longer be afraid. Later he wore the veil to conceal the fact that his personal evidence of God's glory was fading away.

God's glory refers both to God's unfathomable beauty and to his incomparable expression of power. As you look into God's mirror, which is a biblical synonym that stands for the Bible, you glimpse what Moses did. You see God. Unlike Moses, the reflection of God's glory in you will never fade. In fact, it will continue to shine brighter as time goes by. You are not being transformed into God; you are being transformed into a sharper reflection of his image.

This means you don't need to hide behind a veil when you're with others. Be honest and authentic, freely sharing how God is working in your life. In this way, you become a spiritual mirror for those around you as you grow to look more and more like your heavenly Father.

As God became more visible in you, you'll find that people are naturally attracted to you - not simply because of the wonderful way God created you, but because of how glorious God is.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray for freedom from the "distractions of the enemy" that come from this earthly life so we may be prepared to embrace the beauty of God's awesome power. Transformation is God's mercy and grace upon our earthly bodies so we may experience His awe inspiring love and beauty on earth as it will be in heaven. Let us not be so "busy" with our earthly duties that we do not take time to honor our Lord and Savior with prayer and mediate in his words that transform us into His children - the Bible. ~ MME Team

Running to Win

One thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.

Philippians 3:13-14

When the apostle Paul said there is "one thing I always do," it is time to sit up and listen. Paul summarized his goal in life and shared a couple of quick tips on how to persevere toward reaching it. That makes his advice not only important, but extremely helpful to those with that same goal in mind.

Paul's images of "straining toward what is ahead" and "trying to reach the goal" paint a picture of a long-distance runner whose focus on the rewards of the finish line gives him the strength to persevere, one step at a time. The goal Paul pointed to is God's call to run toward a Jesus-centered life, leaving his self-centered life behind in the dust. The prize he longed to reach was not eternal life, because Jesus's death has already achieved that. Instead, Paul pursued a mature Christian life, one that yielded rewards both in heaven and on earth. 

Paul's purpose and process for perseverance provide practical applications you can use every day of your life. Put your past mistakes, victories, and self-reliance behind you. Focus your attention and energy on Jesus, not on those running the race alongside you. Keep moving forward - your endurance increases the harder and the farther you run. Keep the finish line in sight. It doesn't mark the end of your life; it marks the beginning of an eternity spent in the winner's circle with Jesus, the One who enables you to be victorious.

Persevering toward maturity in your faith takes both personal effort and the transforming power of God's Spirit. God works through you as you do his work.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God for obedience over your mind and body to run the race he has laid out for you. Let us not get lost in our own self-reliance and/or abilities. Rely only on God's will and seek sustainability to worship him even in the times of pain and hurt. Our flesh is weak but our spirit is strong when we a-line our life's purpose with that of God's gifts.

Time to Change Your Mind

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

Romans 12:2

Your mind is like the control center of your body. It helps direct your thoughts, your actions, and your emotions. Before God's Spirit made his home inside you, you ran that control center the way you thought was best. Chances are, the culture and practices of those around you helped shape your thoughts and consequently your actions. But once you invited God's Spirit into your life, there was a change in influence, leadership, and direction.

Choosing to renew your mind is the key to making that change complete. God guides and directs your mind, but he does not control it. God provides you with the power to transform your mind, to change the way you think so that your mind is more in line with his heart - to allow your mind to become all he originally designed it to be.

The Greek word for conform actually translates as "masquerade." Without God in you life, you live a charade and are not your authentic self. God's transformation of who you once pretended to be into who he created you to be is an ongoing process. Part of this process is testing what you believe by putting your faith into practice. Experiments help prove scientific truths. Living what you believe helps prove spiritual truths. As you practice what you have learned about changing the way you think, you will better understand who  you are and what God's desires is for your life.

You can help renew your mind by providing an environment that's favorable to the process. Carefully choose what you watch, take part in, and listen to, making sure that your choices line up with what pleases God.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray for spiritual strength from God to devalue all that is not from him and to honor all that is from him. Value of life comes from the love of the Father; from God's Spirit made home inside of you. ~ MME Team

More Than Meets the Eye

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

                      

          The apostle Paul had a difficult life. He was beaten, imprisoned, stoned, whipped, slandered, and shipwrecked. Through it all, however, he continued to tell others with joy, hope, and conviction about what Jesus had done. God had called Paul for his purpose. Paul knew God was at work behind the scenes, transforming every circumstance into something that would bring glory to God and good into Paul's own life.

          Paul said "we know" with assurance. He did not write "we hope" or "we feel" or even "we pray." God's loving involvement was, and is, an irrefutable fact. When Paul spoke of those people who God calls for his purpose, Paul was talking about every child who responds to the call of his or her heavenly Father. In the same way that an earthly father cannot show a child something wonderful until the child responds to his call to "come here," God promises to work only wonderful things in the lives of those who follow him.

          The good that God worked in Paul's life, and that he vows to work in yours, is not a promise of perfect happiness. It is a promise of eternal purpose. God's plan for you to know him and to spend eternity with him is steadfast. In addition, God will use the pain and the disappointment  in your life. He will use them to do something beautiful, to turn heartache into strength and sorrow into joy.

          When you are facing difficult circumstances, remember that God is at work transforming everything that happens, both good and bad, into something beneficial for you.

          Pray for obedience to God that you live your life according to his heavenly purpose, to make his pathways straight and for you to glorify him in all circumstances. 

          God bless, ~ MME Team