February 12 – Step By Step Transformation

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”   2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

Each day we need to be reminded that  we who are children of God by faith in Jesus are being changed to be more and more like our Lord.  When we believed in Jesus, God sent His Holy Spirit to work in our lives and to guide us to becoming more like Him.  Our God is a God of glory and He want us, His children, to show forth His glory.  Our verse says that we are reflecting God glory.  It is not really our own glory – it is a reflection of God's glory which shows in our living.  And as we grow in faith it is an every increasing glory which shows out from us.  Let's trust this promise that we are being transformed through this process from one degree of glory to another.  The promise is secured by the Holy Spirit and is from our Lord Jesus Christ. 

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July 20 – Open Eyes, Thrilled Hearts

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18  (ESV)

From Psalm 119 we look today at verse 18 and find the psalmist praying to God.  In this psalm the scriptures are often called God's Law.  This word means much more than the 10 Commandments which God has given.  For us it includes all the instruction and revelation which God has given to us in the Bible.  For the psalmist, much of the Bible, as we have it, was not written yet and the focus was likely on the Mosaic Law, or the Pentateuch, or Torah which are the first five book and what believers had at that time.  But we can pray as the psalmist did in this verse and ask God to open our eyes to see the wondrous things in all of the Bible that we have. We remember that Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to do just that – to open our hearts and minds to understanding the Word of God.  Yes, the Holy Spirit is here with us to open our eyes to discern the wonderful truths in the Bible.  Remember the times your heart has been thrilled as truths are revealed to you from the Bible.  That is the promise of today's verse.  

Notes on Psalm 119

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