To See Real Change

You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. Deuteronomy 13:4 (New American Standard Bible)

There are a number of areas in my life wherein I want to experience change. God is awakening me to the truth that the change will NOT come through behavior modification, determination, or any attempt to muster it up on my own. Any “do it yourself” mentality must be put to death before there can be real and lasting change. My sites must be set on the God of change rather than my need and desire to change. It’s a change of focus for me and one that is filled with encouragement and hope. Change comes as I allow Him to do the external as well as internal molding and renovating. Doing His work on my body, mind, will, emotions, heart, and spirit!

Deuteronomy 13:4 is just one of a number of passages that gives me necessary pointers on my journey. If seen merely as “commands” I will miss the beauty of what is being said. It is actually an invitation to intimacy with God. It entails closeness, openness, and receptability to His ways and voice. Broken down it is rich with meaning.

*Follow means to walk in the direction He lays out for me….walking in His footsteps!

*Fear means reverence, honor, and respect. To be in awe of!

*Keeping His commandments means to obey, treasure, and observe the very things God says.

*Listening means to hear God’s voice with attention and interest. To understand, heed, agree with, and yield to what is being said.

*Serve means to work for as a servant. A bond servant by choice.

*Cling is so precious. It means to stay close, stick with, follow closely, join together, and cleave to. It is the same word used in verses that pertain to marriage! What a union we have with our heavenly Father!

Change comes, not as I try to keep this list, but rather as I allow God to instill and develop these qualities in me. It is not a legalistic life style but rather a pathway to freedom. It is His working in me the very life He has purposed for me. Will I still fail? Absolutely! But each failure can be a learning experience and one more opportunity to look to Him, grow in Him, and depend upon Him. Therefore, rather than being discouraged by failure I am encouraged to follow, fear, obey, listen, serve and cling to God by the power of Christ that works in me!

Father, thank you for the way You have designed the Christian life. Do the work in me that only You can do. I praise You! Amen.

Change My Heart Oh God by Eddie Espinosa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEtsHWFE6-w