WE MUST BE TRANSFORMED

WE MUST BE TRANSFORMED. 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

It has been said that it was Albert Einstein who said “We cannot keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result.”

Some things need to change to have a different result. It’s just that straight forward.

We must embrace change because we live in an ever changing world.

Are there things we struggled with in the past year? Let’s see how we can change that this year by God’s grace.

The Revolutionary Righter in her article last week said something about sowing and reaping going beyond agriculture and good deeds.

She said we could also sow good habits.

That resonated with me becauae I have struggled with my weight for too long. I start off with great intentions every year but the end never looks like how I started. Then we get into another year and I begin the journey again.

By the grace of God, this year 2025 will be different. I must sow good eating habits. I am not exactly sure where and how I always get derailed and distracted from my goal but the one thing that is certain is that I must have shifted my focus somewhere along the line and did not carry on with the healthy lifestyle I started with. This year I will be marvellously helped by God. Amen!

Transformation begins in the mind.  Scripture tells us this: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2 KJV  The mind is where our thoughts are happening. So what is on our mind? Research says that the average person has between 12,000 – 60,000  thoughts per day.

That is a whole lot of thoughts you know!  So what are these thoughts? Some are negative and some are positive. Some of those negative thoughts are limiting, damaging, stressing and wearing us out. And that can easily drive us to habits that are not wholesome.

On the contrary, positive thoughts can energize, lift up and encourage. This will steer us towards better choices.

This year if we want anything to change, we must start by changing our thoughts. The bible encourages us to do this : “Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 Contemporary English Version

We are definitely NOT to be thinking about things that are wrong, that are a lie, that are unholy or that are simply in the negative.

We are also encouraged to “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Proverbs 4: 23 Good News Translation

The above scripture is very clear on how powerful our thoughts are. They shape our very lives! This tells me that the lives we are living now are shaped by our thoughts of years back. We should therefore be intentional about what we allow into our personal spaces.

There is nothing more refreshing than a scripture, a Psalm, a hymn or an anointed message that is Christ centered. These will build us up and give us hope and strength to carry on regardless of what we are up against.

I stumbled accross a Word today that ministered greatly to me.

Psalm 34: 19 New Living Translation says “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.”  Another version uses the word “afflictions” in place of “troubles” which could mean hurt, pain, torment or distress. This is not a new scripture to me but today I read it differently. The one who faces many troubles is not the thief, the liar or the murderer. It is the righteous person. And that is actually who we are.  We are God’s righteousness in Christ. “Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 English Revised Version

Troubles will definitely come. But Glory!!! Hallelujah!!! The LORD will deliver us from them all. And how we respond when they come will determine so many things: like how long they will last and how we will be affected by them.  When troubles come, let us trust the LORD to rescue us always. If we remember that all things (even troubles) will work together for our good it will be easier to still keep a positive outlook in the midst of the storm.

This is a good thing to think about as we start this year. No matter what lies ahead, the LORD will see us through.

Let us proceed into the year with every intention of sowing good habits of thinking good positive thoughts and we can be sure we will reap harvests of transformed lives.

LET US ALL HAVE A TRULY BLESSED 2025

OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©