Spirit Led Transformation - The Holy Spirit transforms us as we connect with God through prayer and worship.

This has me thinking lately – what does it mean for the Holy Spirit to transform us?  Certainly it doesn’t absolve us from any actions.  We can’t expect to be changed by God if we are unwilling to work at it.  Transformation isn’t some magical act that God works in us completely in spite of our actions.  There is no Holy Spirit ‘pixie dust’ that God sprinkles on our hearts that makes us completely new.  On the other side of the equation, there isn’t some set of exercises that guarantee a new soul.  We can’t expect that life will change for us if we are only willing to read a certain amount of scripture every day and pray.  These may be a means of God transforming us, but the transformation isn’t guaranteed by our actions.

What it comes down to, I think, is that tiny little word – ‘led”.  You see, the Holy Spirit is there to lead us into transformation.  It is the urging of the spirit that guides us into experiences and practices that shape us into the image of Christ.  It is our willingness to submit to God that makes what we do matter.  We can read and pray all we want, but unless we are willing to submit to God and let the Spirit lead us, we will never be transformed.

Our lives will only be changed to the degree that we are willing to let God lead us.  Self-directed spirituality will only produce self fulfilled fruits.  Submitting ourselves to Christ frees us to be led to the transformed life God envisions for us.

In your life, are you being led by the Spirit into transformation?  If your time with God has grown stale and your spiritual life stagnant, take a look again at who is leading you.  God is willing to shape us if we are willing to submit to Him.

Why do I love this commercial?  Because it points to the true heart of a man.  The husband, when surrounded by the things that this worlds holds up as truly “manly” busts through the wall of his dream to rescue his wife.  Excellent message!  Men are not these narcissistic beings longing only for the shallow trappings of this culture but deep at our hearts we long for a lasting loving relationship with our wives.  What a great message and reminder to men of what true manhood is about.

Some of these are ‘off the beaten path’.  There are other dishes in area to try (e.g. Perry’s porkchop), but these are likely some that you may not have had yet.  They are in no particular order.

1. The “Stone Bowl” at Korean BBQ (435 El Dorado)

The best way to describe this is like fried rice prepared tableside.  Very fun experience.

2. Grilled Pork Vietnamese Sandwich at Nobi (528 & Blackhawk)

A crispy French roll with grilled pork, shredded carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and jalapenos.  If you want it less spicy, make sure to ask for no jalapenos.

3. Jerk Chicken at D’Caribbean Curry Spot (2548 Broadway St, Pearland)

Everything here is an experience in the Caribbean.  Make sure to try the doubles – chickpeas in a zesty sauce in a flatbread.

4. Seafood Gumbo at Floyds (Pearland)

The best gumbo around!  Shrimp are perfectly cooked.

5. Bratwurst at King’s Biergarten (1329 East Broadway)

In same location as King’s Carwash across from Floyds.  Very authentic German food.

6. Pupusa at King Chicken (548 West Nasa Parkway)

Think of a pupusa as a thick stuffed tortilla with a cole slaw side.  Pretty tasty!

7. Fried Chicken at Pollo Campero (702 W Bay Area Blvd)

A Guatemalan chain.  Very good chicken and sides.

8. Vanilla Iced Nirvana at Dunn Bros Coffee

Cold brewed coffee with vanilla and cream.  A good smooth afternoon treat!

9. Homemade tamale plate at Alamo Tamales (13914 Highway 3 – near 2351)

Tamales with chili and queso.  Not for those on a diet.

10. Philly Cheese steak at Antonini’s Subs (Med Center Blvd and hwy 3)

He’s from New Jersey, but he makes a pretty good cheese steak.  You will get messy, but it’s worth it.

Typically, here is what happens in a church.  Someone comes to understand Jesus as their Savior and Lord and comes into a relationship with Him.  We call this ‘being saved’.  We then immediately try to get them caught up on discipleship, which means teaching them to read the scripture, take part in worship, be a part of a group, etc.  And then we also encourage them to take an active part in ministry, serving God either in or outside of the church.  A basic, simple plan that often works to reshape lives.  But it does so without a deliberate focus on one step – being delivered from sin.

What I mean is this, we jump right from being saved to being discipled without taking the time to deliberately deal with the sin that we are being saved from!  We accept forgiveness and move on without taking a decided look at the sin that we still cart around.  Being saved doesn’t mean that we immediately are cleansed from the mess that surrounds our lives.  Usually we just limp along, hoping that we will figure it out ourselves.  We don’t ackowledge that we still have struggles and, as a church, we do little to help people overcome sin.  We have lots of classes on how to study the bible but few about how to heal broken marriages, overcome addiction, get our finances in order, or be a parent that builds children of faith.  We skip our problems and try to get past them somehow so we can become disciples.

I wonder what the church would look like if we took the time and effort to really look at how we overcome sin?  What would it be like if we were willing to acknowledge that we are still dirty with sin even after we are saved and that we need help getting our life in order?  Maybe it’s time for us to look at discipleship in a new way – not just about learning and active ministry but also about restoring ourselves to the people God created us to be.

1. Be diligent. Never be unemployed. Never be triflingly employed. Never while away time, nor spend more time at any place than is strictly necessary.
2. Be serious. Let your motto be, ‘Holiness to the Lord.’ Avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking.
3. Converse sparingly and cautiously with women, particularly with young women.
4. Take no step towards marriage without solemn prayer to God and consulting with your brethren.
5. Believe evil of no one unless fully proved; take heed how you credit it. Put the best construction you can on everything. You know the judge is always supposed to be on the prisoner’s side.
6. Speak evil of no one, else your word, especially, would eat as doth a canker; keep your thoughts within your own breast till you come to the person concerned.
7. Tell every one what you think wrong in him, lovingly and plainly, and as soon as may be, else it will fester in your own heart. Make all haste to cast the fire out of your bosom.
8. Do not affect the gentleman. A preacher of the Gospel is the servant of all.
9. Be ashamed of nothing but sin; no, not of cleaning your own shoes when necessary.
10. Be punctual. Do everything exactly at the time. And do not mend our rules, but keep them, and that for conscience’ sake.
11. You have nothing to do but to save souls. Therefore spend and be spent in this work. And go always, not only to those who want you, but to those who want you most.
12. Act in all things, not according to your own will, but as a son in the Gospel, and in union with your brethren. As such, it is your part to employ your time as our rules direct: partly in preaching and visiting from i house to house, partly in reading, meditation, and prayer. Above all, if you labour with us in our Lord’s vineyard, it is needful you should do that part of the work which the Conference shall advise, at those times and places which they shall judge most for His glory.