New Self- Ephesians 4:24

22 So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. 23 Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, 24 and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (GNT)

Paul asks believers to discard their sinful nature (their old self) and embrace an entirely new way of life, being transformed, renewed in righteousness, and changed into a new self.

22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.

Ephesians 4:22 (NLT)

This new self is transformed by the Holy Spirit’s renewing our thoughts, attitudes, hearts, and minds.

23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes

-Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)

When you open your heart to Jesus, your life is transformed and renewed from within.

21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,

-Ephesians 4:21 (NLT)

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We need to transform our lives to be like Jesus and live a life that is upright and holy.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

– John 14:6 (NIV)

We were created to be like God; we need to cast off our old way of life and be renewed by the Spirit and transformed by Jesus into a new self.

20-24 But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. Ephesians 4:22-24 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, help us to cast off our old ways of life and embrace a new self that is upright and holy. Let us learn from the Holy Spirit and transform our hearts and minds. Teach us to cast off our sinful ways and grow to be like Jesus. Like the glowing white pansy, let us glow with Your light and wash us white as snow into a new self. Amen

Transformed: Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)

To be transformed is to respond to the grace of God, His mercy, His forgiveness, and to be changed. To be changed in how we think, and act, to renew our minds, to what is God’s will for us. To listen and conduct our lives in a Godly way instead of a worldly self-centered way. To determine what God’s purpose is for us, and discern His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Has your mind been transformed, renewed, from worldly ways to God’s purpose, His path?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Help us to discern Your way, renew our minds, and transform our lives to fit Your good and perfect will. Teach us to use our lives for Your purpose and not just our own. As the flowers of the butterfly weed are transformed into beautiful dispersing seed pods, let us be transformed by You to show, and disperse Your goodness and Your way. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

I believe in the power of prayer. If you need prayer, I will be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Transformed: Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

God is merciful and full of grace to us His people. In return, His wish is for us to renew our minds to be transformed, open to His guidance and Word. To open be open-hearted to turn to God for direction, to conform to do His will, what is good, acceptable, and perfect, learning to be more Christ-like. To focus on being good Christians pleasing in our actions and deeds.

During troubling times do you dwell on worldly problems, or is your mind transformed and focused on God?

Prayer: Our Father, we thank You for Your mercy and love. Help us to be transformed by Your love and guidance. Teach us to focus on being pleasing to You by following Your commandments, doing Your will. Like the bright yellow flowers of the Jerusalem artichoke blossoms reach united toward the sky, let us reach united toward Your kingdom. In Jesus’ Holy name. Amen