Thank God for January, the first month in the year of the Great Turnaround. I welcome you to February, the second month of the year 2020., the month of Divine Transformation.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
What is this Divine Transformation?
We all know that anything divine has to do with God, something beyond human reasoning or what man cannot find explanation to, simply call it a proceeding from God. What of transformation? It means a thorough or dramatic change in form or in appearance. Many of us probably know significant things about how God powerfully changed the lives of people like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Daniel, Isaiah or Apostle Paul.
There are some less well-known people in the Bible whose names we might just pass over while reading a verse or passage of scripture, you will discover that God transformed the lives of many ordinary people in a powerful way. People who are not so different from you and me, people who are not perfect, people who do not get everything right, people who fail or fall or stumble, people who humanly speaking were weak by the standards of the world but accomplished great things in God’s strength and power.
Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 is only mentioned 3 times in the Bible, yet his simple prayer of faith gives us a powerful example of how God can transform the life of a looser to a person receiving blessings from the Lord.
Shiphrah and Puah {Exodus 1:15-21} were two of the midwives assigned to attend Israelite women during childbirth in the years preceding the exodus. During the time of Joseph, the Israelites enjoyed favor before Pharaoh and his court. After he died, however, another pharaoh took his place.
The Israelites’ population increased, and the Egyptians felt threatened and feared the Israelite would take over the nation. To limit their growth, Exodus 1:16 records how the king of Egypt told the midwives: “When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.”
But Shiphrah and Puah feared God. They refused to do what the king of Egypt ordered. Deliberately disobeying their leader’s command, they delivered each tiny newborn with all the skill and ability they possessed. Their disobedience came to the attention of the king, and he summoned them to stand before him.
Shiphrah and Puah recognized their responsibilities to obey their leader, but they also understood God’s law supersedes man’s law. They knew they could not sin against God by killing Hebrew babies. “‘Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women,’ they said to Pharaoh. ‘They are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” Exodus 1:19
The Bible tells us God acknowledged their courage and commitment to do what was right and He transformed their lives by giving them families of their own. They did what was right in the sight of their powerful God no matter the cost to them.
God has transformed the lives of men and women throughout history, and He will continue to transform lives to accomplish His purposes.
Are you expecting God to transform your life in a powerful way this year or are you limiting God’s power and the work of the Holy Spirit?
God is able to accomplish infinitely more or do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or think. Ephesians 3:20-21.
What are your expectations?
There may be many things we cannot do by our own strength or our own ability as Jesus said in Matthew 19:26 “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
When we pray according to God’s will all things are possible.
PRAYERS
Begin to thank God for what he has done for you in the past, what He is doing today, and what He will do tomorrow and eternity.
Thank God for Jesus; thank Him for the Holy Spirit; thank Him for His Word. Thank Him for changing your story according to His power that works in us! Halleluiah!
Father strengthen me and my household to stand for and with You this year and henceforth.
Father transform me into Your own image in Jesus name.
Father let me experience the fullness of your joy throughout this year, in Jesus name.
Father make me a wonder throughout this year, in Jesus name.
Thank You Lord for answered prayers.
Welcome to February 2020, the month of Divine Transformation.
God bless You
Yours in the Lord,
Pastor Dr. Lillian Haastrup
