Planning for Transformation

You laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.

–Colossians 3:9–10

Imagine that after fifteen years of living in your current house, you decide your family needs more space. After all this time, your house could use some upgrades as well. So you decide to engage in a renovation project. You can see the benefits of fresh paint, updated appliances, and expanded living areas–the changes would certainly help your family. Not only that, but your Aunt Ethel’s recent departure from this world has left you with a great inheritance, so you have the money to complete the renovation.

But just because you can see the benefits of a renovation and you have the resources to carry it out, does the renovation automatically come to pass? No, you have to come up with a plan. You have to hire an architect and develop blueprints. You have to hire a contractor. You have to get cost estimates and a construction schedule. And then you actually have to experience the process of renovation. It’s costly. It’s messy. It’s time-consuming. But the end product is well worth the effort.

God has given us everything we need for a supernatural existence (2 Peter 1:3). We’ve received the Holy Spirit, who gives us the power to be transformed into the image of Christ. Yet so many Christians aren’t living the supernatural life Christ promised us. One reason may be that we haven’t planned for it. We have no plan to work with God in the supernatural transformation of our lives.

Let me be specific: What plan are you working on right now to free yourself from your concerns about financial needs? What plan do you have to make obeying God your first response when He asks you to do something? What plan do you have to make prayer a part of your life? What plan do you have for conquering the addictions that are destroying your life?

Supernatural transformation doesn’t just happen; it has to be planned for. Over the next couple of months, we’re going to talk about a specific plan for changing the condition of your heart so that you can experience the kind of supernatural life Christ has for you. Is it going to be costly? You bet. Is it going to be difficult? Absolutely. But the finished product will be well worth the effort.

Today’s devotion is adapted from “Connecting with the Supernatural” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2008.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.