July 14th, 2025
by Rose Marie Abraham
by Rose Marie Abraham
Something Has to Change: Embracing God's Power for Transformation Pt 2
Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle, repeating the same patterns day after day, yet longing for something different? Perhaps you've found yourself in a spiritual "Groundhog Day," where your circumstances seem unchanging despite your desire for growth and progress. If so, you're not alone. Many of us reach points in our lives where we realize that something has to change – but how do we make that leap from stagnation to transformation?
The key lies in understanding three crucial steps: assessment, acceptance, and action. Let's explore how these elements can lead us to the change we seek, guided by the wisdom found in Scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Step 1: Conduct a Prayerful Assessment
Before we can change, we must first take an honest look at where we are. This isn't about making excuses or sugarcoating our situation. Instead, it's about seeking God's perspective on our lives. We need to approach this assessment with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about our circumstances.
As we do this, we might discover uncomfortable realities. Perhaps we've been settling for less than God's best, or maybe we've allowed others to benefit from our struggles without truly helping us overcome them. Whatever the case, a prayerful assessment is the first step toward meaningful change.
Step 2: Accept or Address
Once we've assessed our situation, we face a choice: accept things as they are or address the issues at hand. This is a critical juncture. As the saying goes, "Whatever you're willing to accept, you'll never change." Are you willing to accept mediocrity, mistreatment, or a life that falls short of God's calling? Or are you ready to address these challenges head-on?
Consider the story from Acts 3, where Peter and John encountered a man who had been lame from birth. This man had accepted his condition, being carried daily to beg at the temple gate. But Peter and John saw beyond his current state – they saw the potential for transformation through the power of Jesus Christ.
Like this man, we often settle for our "Lodebar" – a place of lack and limitation. But God sees us differently. He sees the potential for us to leap, to praise, and to enter into the fullness of His presence. The question is: are we willing to accept His vision for our lives?
Step 3: Take Action in Faith
Awareness and acceptance aren't enough – we must couple our faith with action. When Peter declared healing to the lame man, he didn't stop at words. The Scripture tells us that he "took him by the right hand and raised him up." This physical act of faith was the catalyst for the miracle that followed.
In our own lives, we must be willing to take bold steps of faith. This might mean:
1. Stepping out of our comfort zone
2. Addressing long-standing issues in relationships
3. Pursuing God-given dreams and callings
4. Breaking free from destructive habits or addictions
5. Seeking help and accountability from others
Remember, faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Our beliefs must be matched by our behaviors if we want to see real change.
The Power of Expectation
As we take these steps, we must also cultivate an expectation for God to move. The lame man in Acts 3 looked at Peter and John, "expecting to receive something from them." While he may have only been anticipating a small handout, God had something far greater in store.
What are you expecting from God? Are your expectations limiting what He can do in your life? When we align our expectations with God's promises and power, we open ourselves up to miraculous possibilities.
Embracing Your New Identity
True transformation isn't just about changing our circumstances – it's about embracing a new identity in Christ. The man who was once known only as "the lame beggar" became "the leaping man," praising God in the temple. His entire identity shifted because of his encounter with the power of Jesus.
In the same way, God wants to give you a new name, a new purpose, and a new destiny. You are no longer defined by your past failures, current limitations, or the labels others have placed on you. In Christ, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Call to Change
Today, you stand at a crossroads. Will you continue to accept the status quo, or will you embrace the change God is offering? Here are some practical steps you can take:
1. Spend time in prayer, asking God to show you areas of your life that need transformation.
2. Identify any "Lodebar" situations in your life – places of lack or limitation you've been accepting.
3. Write down specific actions you can take to address these areas, no matter how small they may seem.
4. Share your commitment to change with a trusted friend or mentor who can pray for you and hold you accountable.
5. Cultivate an expectation for God to move powerfully in your life, looking for His hand at work each day.
Remember, lasting change isn't about willpower or self-improvement alone. It's about surrendering to the transformative power of Jesus Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through you.
As you embark on this journey of change, hold fast to the promise found in Philippians 1:6: "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." God is not finished with you yet. He sees the potential within you – the ability to leap, to praise, and to live a life that glorifies Him.
So today, let your declaration be: "Something has to change, and by God's grace, it will." Step out in faith, take hold of God's promises, and watch as He transforms your life from the inside out. Your Groundhog Day cycle can end. A new chapter of growth, purpose, and abundant life in Christ awaits. Are you ready to embrace it?
Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle, repeating the same patterns day after day, yet longing for something different? Perhaps you've found yourself in a spiritual "Groundhog Day," where your circumstances seem unchanging despite your desire for growth and progress. If so, you're not alone. Many of us reach points in our lives where we realize that something has to change – but how do we make that leap from stagnation to transformation?
The key lies in understanding three crucial steps: assessment, acceptance, and action. Let's explore how these elements can lead us to the change we seek, guided by the wisdom found in Scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Step 1: Conduct a Prayerful Assessment
Before we can change, we must first take an honest look at where we are. This isn't about making excuses or sugarcoating our situation. Instead, it's about seeking God's perspective on our lives. We need to approach this assessment with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about our circumstances.
As we do this, we might discover uncomfortable realities. Perhaps we've been settling for less than God's best, or maybe we've allowed others to benefit from our struggles without truly helping us overcome them. Whatever the case, a prayerful assessment is the first step toward meaningful change.
Step 2: Accept or Address
Once we've assessed our situation, we face a choice: accept things as they are or address the issues at hand. This is a critical juncture. As the saying goes, "Whatever you're willing to accept, you'll never change." Are you willing to accept mediocrity, mistreatment, or a life that falls short of God's calling? Or are you ready to address these challenges head-on?
Consider the story from Acts 3, where Peter and John encountered a man who had been lame from birth. This man had accepted his condition, being carried daily to beg at the temple gate. But Peter and John saw beyond his current state – they saw the potential for transformation through the power of Jesus Christ.
Like this man, we often settle for our "Lodebar" – a place of lack and limitation. But God sees us differently. He sees the potential for us to leap, to praise, and to enter into the fullness of His presence. The question is: are we willing to accept His vision for our lives?
Step 3: Take Action in Faith
Awareness and acceptance aren't enough – we must couple our faith with action. When Peter declared healing to the lame man, he didn't stop at words. The Scripture tells us that he "took him by the right hand and raised him up." This physical act of faith was the catalyst for the miracle that followed.
In our own lives, we must be willing to take bold steps of faith. This might mean:
1. Stepping out of our comfort zone
2. Addressing long-standing issues in relationships
3. Pursuing God-given dreams and callings
4. Breaking free from destructive habits or addictions
5. Seeking help and accountability from others
Remember, faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Our beliefs must be matched by our behaviors if we want to see real change.
The Power of Expectation
As we take these steps, we must also cultivate an expectation for God to move. The lame man in Acts 3 looked at Peter and John, "expecting to receive something from them." While he may have only been anticipating a small handout, God had something far greater in store.
What are you expecting from God? Are your expectations limiting what He can do in your life? When we align our expectations with God's promises and power, we open ourselves up to miraculous possibilities.
Embracing Your New Identity
True transformation isn't just about changing our circumstances – it's about embracing a new identity in Christ. The man who was once known only as "the lame beggar" became "the leaping man," praising God in the temple. His entire identity shifted because of his encounter with the power of Jesus.
In the same way, God wants to give you a new name, a new purpose, and a new destiny. You are no longer defined by your past failures, current limitations, or the labels others have placed on you. In Christ, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Call to Change
Today, you stand at a crossroads. Will you continue to accept the status quo, or will you embrace the change God is offering? Here are some practical steps you can take:
1. Spend time in prayer, asking God to show you areas of your life that need transformation.
2. Identify any "Lodebar" situations in your life – places of lack or limitation you've been accepting.
3. Write down specific actions you can take to address these areas, no matter how small they may seem.
4. Share your commitment to change with a trusted friend or mentor who can pray for you and hold you accountable.
5. Cultivate an expectation for God to move powerfully in your life, looking for His hand at work each day.
Remember, lasting change isn't about willpower or self-improvement alone. It's about surrendering to the transformative power of Jesus Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through you.
As you embark on this journey of change, hold fast to the promise found in Philippians 1:6: "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." God is not finished with you yet. He sees the potential within you – the ability to leap, to praise, and to live a life that glorifies Him.
So today, let your declaration be: "Something has to change, and by God's grace, it will." Step out in faith, take hold of God's promises, and watch as He transforms your life from the inside out. Your Groundhog Day cycle can end. A new chapter of growth, purpose, and abundant life in Christ awaits. Are you ready to embrace it?
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