Transformed
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6, ESV
There was this song we used to sing in church… “Silver and gold, silver and gold, I’d rather have Jesus than silver and gold.” As a young child I had no idea what I was saying and sang the words without hesitation. As I became a young adult and we would sing that song in the choir, I would tell God, “I am not there yet. Nope, that is not how I feel. I would prefer silver and gold.”
I knew Jesus was good and I knew He had given me eternal life but because I missed the teaching on having a relationship with Jesus, I only knew Him through religion. Religion did not offer me much of anything except rules and repetition. It was not fun and to me, wealth and riches looked a whole lot better than what I was experiencing. I remember watching this show called the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and thinking, “Now they have the life!”
In my immature mind I did not realize that the show was only painting a picture of what they wanted me to believe, and I fell right into it. But praise God, at some point I started asking Jesus questions. I started to want to know Him in a deeper way. I started going to women’s conferences and really having a desire to seek His heart. Looking back, I now know it was the divine activation of the Holy Spirit that was prompting my heart to seek God in a different way. I was given the freedom to talk to Him about everything without trying to sound perfect or proper. Religion became a distance past, and I began an intimate relationship with God.
Let me just say this - I very much like silver and gold and I believe there is absolutely nothing wrong with having wealth, it just cannot be your god. Scriptures teaches, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). When I was young, silver and gold were becoming my god. It was years after this that I was sitting one day looking at some expensive vehicles and I heard God say, “You can have that one.” and immediately I said, “Not if it this item will cause me to be prideful and take the place of you!” Instantly the Holy Spirit reminded me of how I had changed from that young teenage girl. He showed how it was not through works that I had changed but by His Word and the renewing of my mind.
We can’t change ourselves into Christ-like servants of God, no matter how much we want to or how hard we try. Change and faith comes with hearing the Word of God and allowing it to transform the inside of our heart. If you want change in your heart, stop working to try and get it right.
Did you notice, I never tried to change my thoughts about wealth. I wanted to have a new heart, but I wanted wealth too. There was this war going on inside me, but the Holy Spirit sent me into the Word. The promptings in my heart led me to Him and He transformed me from the inside out. Do not be so hard on yourself about the thoughts you have inside. Give them to God. Stay under the Word and the power of His Word will transform you! Amen.
Holy Father,
Thank you for your grace, your patience, your kindness, your understanding, your mercy, and your love. We have this fleshly desire that is always going against you! I praise you because scripture tells us that change happens by the renewal of our mind in the Word of God! It is not by works, nor by power, but by your Spirit that we get transformed! To you be glory and praise. Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss