This post was written for Five Minute Friday
Word prompt--TRANSFORM
Five minutes to free-write about it
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The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is quite amazing. So is the way a good haircut can transform the way you look. Or how adding a couple of ingredients can transform the taste of a recipe that turned out so yucky you were about to toss it.
My readiness to toss the recipe got me to thinking of how God doesn't just toss me out when I fall short. It led to a moment of deep gratitude that He is patient, longsuffering, and never gives up on me--even when I would have long given up on myself. No one is too far gone for Him to transform.
God loves us so much that while we were still sinners He sent Christ to die for us so that we could be forgiven of our sins and receive the gift of eternal life (Romans 5:9, Isaiah 5:5, John 3:16,36). The gift of salvation is a free gift that can only be received by grace, through faith. It is not something you can earn (Ephesians 2:8-9).
When we repent of our sins and invite Jesus into our hearts, the slate is wiped clean and we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) with a new identity as a child of God.
God accepts us just as we are, and transforms us from the inside out through the power of His Holy Spirit. It is not something we can do in our own power.
Truth always inspires. Thanks 4 that! G
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ReplyDeleteI love your recipe analogy. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love ❤️ this inspiring post very much. A heartfelt thank you 😊 🙏
ReplyDeleteI have learned some recipes
ReplyDelete(at an awful cost)
can only be made to please
with Tabasco sauce,
for they are just far too bland,
and maybe bitter, too;
for years I didn't understand
exactly what to do
until a younger, wiser man
showed me the right path,
to take a bottle in each hand
and give the meal a bath,
and to have no thoughts nor fears
of steam escaping from my ears.
Really good devotional!!
ReplyDeleteThat happened to me recently with a blah batch of beef stroganoff. I added a little lemon and pepper which transformed it to gourmet. It doesn't work with people, poor folks tossed out in Gaza and Ukraine are being blasted by the military industrial complex's bombs. Kind of looks like they were forgotten.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely post Sandra, very scriptural. I also liked the song, 'Come just as you are.' God loves all, and wants all to be saved, and there is only one way of doing it, as you have said - through the power of the Holy Spirit. God bless you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy and I love that song
ReplyDeleteSue
Love how you went from tossing a recipe to realizing how God never tosses us aside.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder that transformation isn’t about being perfect, just open.
Blessings, Sandra!
Awesome. Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteBoa tarde, Sandra
ReplyDeletePostagem muito edificante, a salvação em Jesus é o melhor presente que podemos receber, um forte abraço.
I love that funny... and your post is very good. Another helpful post.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Carla
that it is not something we can do in our power, no matter how hard we strive, is something most of us need to learn.
ReplyDeleteVery cute cartoon and a lovely read!
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