Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Reformed by the Word of God
Genesis 14:17-24
Jibu Abraham
Long Island MTC, NY
21 Then the king of Sodom said to
Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of
Sodom, “I have sworn to the Lord, God Most High, maker of
heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread
or a sandal-thong or anything that is yours, so that you might not say, ‘I have
made Abram rich.’
re•form
riˈfôrm/
verb
1. Make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.
synonyms: improve, better, make better, ameliorate, refine; alter, make alterations to, change, adjust, make adjustments to, adapt, amend, revise, reshape, refashion, redesign, restyle, revamp, rebuild, reconstruct, remodel, reorganize
"a plan to reform the system" bring about a change in (someone) so that they no longer behave in an immoral, criminal, or self-destructive manner.
During our lives, how many of us at one time or another have said that it’s time for a change?
That was me a couple of years ago when I was struggling with my health. At 5 feet 4 inches tall, I was weighing in about 195 pounds, an uncomfortable combination of height and weight. I wasn't actually loving life, instead I was just trying to get through each day. My kids would be frustrated with me because all I wanted to do was sleep, my wife would look at me and wonder if it is it possible for my body to get any bigger. I needed to reconstruct a whole new self that would keep me healthy so I could see my daughters grow up. So I decided to commit my whole time and energy into something that would just reform my whole way of thinking and living life.
I tried a program called supreme 90 days, a workout program that was just 45 minutes a day for 90 days. The instructor told us that if we follow his plan I would be a whole new person.
It was hell the first week, yet I had to make sure that I didn't deviate from this plan. At the end of the 90 days, the program transformed me, not only physically but also mentally.
Abram truly lived his life according to the word of God and was reformed by the word. He believed that a full and unrestricted commitment was needed in God’s word in order for his whole life to be transformed. In Genesis chapter 14:21 Abram had an opportunity to increase his wealth but he did not want anything to taint his commitment to God's word. He believed in order for a reformation to take place in his life it had to come from God and God alone, so he refused the kings gesture.
Abraham was seventy five years old when he was called by God to leave his homeland and the Lord promised Abram that he would make him a great nation and all the people on earth will be blessed through him. Because of Abram's faith the Lord said, no longer will you be called Abram your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. His faith and commitment led him to be reformed by the word of God.
As Christians we all need a change or an improvement in our lives. We can learn a lesson from Abraham who dedicated himself to God’s word. We must understand that life gives us opportunities where we can achieve our goals but we must be like Abraham and discern that these opportunities are from God, in order for a true reformation to take place.
Reformation is possible in our lives if we commit to the word of God and live our lives by it. This process will not be easy just like my workout plan, but it will pay dividends. Abram faced many obstacles but because of his faith and commitment a great nation came from Abraham.
King Josiah was the king of Judah when he was eight years old and when he was 26 he tried to reconstruct the temple and bring his people back from exile, but a reformation was only possible when he found the Book of the Law. When king Josiah read the Book of the Law he tore his robes and wept in the presence of the Lord and realized that his people were not following the Book of the Law, which lead to a total reformation.
I believe at some point in our lives, we all need to say, "enough is enough" and make a needed change. We must commit ourselves to the Word of God. Abram and King Josiah faced many obstacles but it was the commitment to the Word of God that reformed them.
re•form
riˈfôrm/
verb
1. Make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.
synonyms: improve, better, make better, ameliorate, refine; alter, make alterations to, change, adjust, make adjustments to, adapt, amend, revise, reshape, refashion, redesign, restyle, revamp, rebuild, reconstruct, remodel, reorganize
"a plan to reform the system" bring about a change in (someone) so that they no longer behave in an immoral, criminal, or self-destructive manner.
During our lives, how many of us at one time or another have said that it’s time for a change?
That was me a couple of years ago when I was struggling with my health. At 5 feet 4 inches tall, I was weighing in about 195 pounds, an uncomfortable combination of height and weight. I wasn't actually loving life, instead I was just trying to get through each day. My kids would be frustrated with me because all I wanted to do was sleep, my wife would look at me and wonder if it is it possible for my body to get any bigger. I needed to reconstruct a whole new self that would keep me healthy so I could see my daughters grow up. So I decided to commit my whole time and energy into something that would just reform my whole way of thinking and living life.
I tried a program called supreme 90 days, a workout program that was just 45 minutes a day for 90 days. The instructor told us that if we follow his plan I would be a whole new person.
It was hell the first week, yet I had to make sure that I didn't deviate from this plan. At the end of the 90 days, the program transformed me, not only physically but also mentally.
Abram truly lived his life according to the word of God and was reformed by the word. He believed that a full and unrestricted commitment was needed in God’s word in order for his whole life to be transformed. In Genesis chapter 14:21 Abram had an opportunity to increase his wealth but he did not want anything to taint his commitment to God's word. He believed in order for a reformation to take place in his life it had to come from God and God alone, so he refused the kings gesture.
Abraham was seventy five years old when he was called by God to leave his homeland and the Lord promised Abram that he would make him a great nation and all the people on earth will be blessed through him. Because of Abram's faith the Lord said, no longer will you be called Abram your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. His faith and commitment led him to be reformed by the word of God.
As Christians we all need a change or an improvement in our lives. We can learn a lesson from Abraham who dedicated himself to God’s word. We must understand that life gives us opportunities where we can achieve our goals but we must be like Abraham and discern that these opportunities are from God, in order for a true reformation to take place.
Reformation is possible in our lives if we commit to the word of God and live our lives by it. This process will not be easy just like my workout plan, but it will pay dividends. Abram faced many obstacles but because of his faith and commitment a great nation came from Abraham.
King Josiah was the king of Judah when he was eight years old and when he was 26 he tried to reconstruct the temple and bring his people back from exile, but a reformation was only possible when he found the Book of the Law. When king Josiah read the Book of the Law he tore his robes and wept in the presence of the Lord and realized that his people were not following the Book of the Law, which lead to a total reformation.
I believe at some point in our lives, we all need to say, "enough is enough" and make a needed change. We must commit ourselves to the Word of God. Abram and King Josiah faced many obstacles but it was the commitment to the Word of God that reformed them.
Prayer: Lord we pray that we follow the examples of Abraham and King
Josiah and realize that a commitment to your word will lead to a reformation in
our lives.
Thought for the day:
The world should never say that the reformation in our lives was because of own accord, but by our relationship with God.
The world should never say that the reformation in our lives was because of own accord, but by our relationship with God.