Supernatural Strength for Change

Fresh Manna© by Pastor Tim Burt
http://www.freshmanna.org

2 Cor 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Every human being was created with the desire to experience change. People desire it and are afraid of it at the same time. One of the biggest fears of change is the fear of the inability to make changes. The universal change that the spirit of all men yearn and cry out for even though all do not recognize it, is to be reconciled to God by receiving the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

From there, the ongoing desire for change every Christian experiences is to become Christ-like. The pursuit of becoming like Jesus – to conform our character, our heart and our purpose to His – is a lifelong quest but one that always stirs continuing desire for good and godly change. This is good and it is from God.

The other ongoing inward desire for change that every person yearns for is to participate in the supernatural. I’m not kidding. This desire is within every human being whether it’s understood or not. You can see this truth as clear as day in 2 Peter 1:3-4, “God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may PARTICIPATE IN THE DIVINE NATURE and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

Escaping the evil desires that are in this world is only possible by participating in the divine nature – in the supernatural – through faith. Why do the people in this world spend hundreds of billions of dollars dealing with weight loss, chemical addiction, gambling addiction, sexual addiction and on an on? Because they are unable to control themselves in these areas. Satan has power over those in this world that have not surrendered their lives to God through Jesus Christ.

I just heard a report that said that 98 percent of all overweight people that lose weight, gain it back. Another report said that 80 – 90 percent of all criminals released from jail offend again. Studies show that most people with addictions are tormented by them all their life. Why is that? Because without God, real and meaningful change doesn’t happen. Why? Because a person remains in Satan’s power. God wants to rescue them from Satan’s power – from the grip that keeps them in his clutches and that keeps them powerless to make lasting change. Colossians 1:13 addresses this saying “For God has RESCUED
US FROM SATAN’S POWER of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of
His Son Jesus whom He loves.”

The Bible says that this Satan’s power over us becomes a “stronghold.” That could best understood as a wrong desire that we just can’t seem to control or break. There are negative desires that have power over people. These negative desires or strongholds are broken only with God’s power. You may say, “But Pastor Tim, I know people that have gone to groups and overcome these addictions.” They may have gotten some control over their flesh but almost always the desire and the battle over the desires remains within them. They often feel like they are living with a tormenting demon. This is why alcoholics always consider themselves alcoholics. This why alcoholics, sex offenders, criminals, liars, and law-breakers repeat their offences over and over again. This is why those outside of God repeat their sins over and over again.

Today’s Fresh Manna says, “and we are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Only through the supernatural help of God can wrong desires be removed and replaced with good desires. That is a continuing change that everyone desires. No wonder our spirit yearns for the supernatural help of God.

Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing.” Once that truth becomes your reality and you continuously lean upon it, you will immediately begin to draw His supernatural strength and help.

How do we begin to lean on God and draw that strength? By learning to know what God says about you and then agreeing with it. Philippians 4:5 says, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” If God instructs us to moderate, then we can. If you’ve shown behavior other than moderation it’s time to say, “I am not addictive or a slave to anything. God says I am to show moderation- that means I can! I am moderate in Jesus name.” Let that be the ongoing confession of your heart and mouth spoken repeatedly in every situation until you see change begin to take root in you. That verse finishes “The Lord is at hand.” What does that mean? The picture it paints in its original Greek form is that there is a hand to grasp your hand as one giving aid and strength. That is the supernatural power of God. If you apply your faith and walk it out, you will see God there to help you.

Apply this to any scripture that speaks of what you should change toward and you can “…walk in God’s divine nature and escape the corruption in this world caused by evil desires!” As you do, your light for Jesus will become ever increasingly evident to all! Change is good! Go for it!

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt
http://www.freshmanna.org