Girlfriends in God - Apr. 25, 2008

April 25, 2008

Transformed?

I hope you are enjoying the Girlfriends in God daily devotions. We (Mary, Sharon, and Gwen) would like to introduce you to some of our special friends. From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry. We call them our "Friday Friends." So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend",

Angela Craig.

Today’s Truth

Galatians 6:15 (CEV)

"What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people.”

Friend to Friend

One of the themes I love to write about is transformation. The reason? The Bible teaches that, as a Christ-follower I can leave behind my dumpster of mistakes, regrets, hurts, and failures for a renewed mind and a transformed life that looks like Jesus. Nothing is better than that, I say. I envision my future as a life filled with God-given purpose, passion, adventure, forgiveness, health, relationships, and more!

But then, someone challenged me with this question, “Does your ‘transformed’ life show people who Jesus really is?” With a month or so of self-examination behind me, I can honestly say, “only sometimes.”

That question left me asking God: “What do I have to ‘do’ for people to see more of You in me?”

I heard God clearly say: “Angela, you have it all wrong. It is not what you ‘do’ that helps people to see me through your life, it is the love and grace you extend to them on a daily basis.”

Then God asked me: “How do I love you? Is My love and acceptance based on what you ‘do’? Do you have to change your behavior for Me to love you? Do you have to look a certain way, attend a certain church, or attend church at all? What do you have to do to get My approval???”

“Nothing?” I asked in frail belief.

Romans 11:6 (CKJV) says, “And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it be by works, then it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.”

How do others see Christ through me? They see Christ when I extend the same love and grace that God has extended to me, but have I done that? Have I extended the love and grace of Christ to the co-worker who complains more than she works by avoiding her? Have I extended the love and grace of Christ to the 10 year old neighbor boy whom I fear my children playing with because he comes from a broken home? Have I extended the love and grace of Christ to the family member who has hurt my feelings by holding an unforgiving attitude towards them?

If we are honest, I believe we will discover the truth that we all have relationships like these that could use healing; the healing that comes simply by allowing the love and grace that God has extended to us flow through us into the lives of others. That is when we are truly transformed.

May the grace of God be poured out on you today!

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, I come before you with a heart of repentance. Forgive me for getting it wrong. Please Lord, open my eyes to relationships in my life that need your love and grace. My only desire is that others will see You through me. I thank you Lord, that You promise to provide your Holy Spirit to help me to become more like Jesus in His example of love and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Now it is Your Turn

1) How do people see Jesus in your life?

2) Are there relationships in your life that need the healing touch of God’s grace and love?

3) Be intentional! Write down ways that you can show grace and love to the people you listed above next time you see them.

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Girlfriends in God, Inc.

P.O. Box 725

Matthews, North Carolina 28106