Let’s Make a D.E.A.L.

D esire to change… Jn 5:6 “He asked…Do you wish to (get well)?” Ps 51:10b “… and renew a steadfast spirit within me” Ps 73:25b…”and besides Thee I desire nothing on earth…” Rom 12:2 “…do not be conformed (patterned) to this world, but be transformed (changed) by the renewing of your mind…”

E xpect a revelation… Gal 1:16 “… called me…to reveal His Son in me…” Eph 1:17 “…that God …may give to you a … revelation in the knowledge of Him…” Mt 16:17 “…flesh & blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” Mt 11:25 “…thou didst hide these things from the intelligent & revealed them to babes” ◦ God reveals Himself – He also reveals you!

A ct on God’s Word Jas 1:22 “But prove yourselves doers of the word & not merely hearers who delude themselves” Mt 12:50 “Whoever does the will of My Father…he is my brother, sister & mother” Jn 15:5 “…apart from Me you can do nothing…” Gal 6:10 “…let us do good to all men…”

L ove must be our guiding force… Mt 22: “You shall love the Lord your God w/all your heart, soul and mind…and your neighbor as yourself” 1 Jn 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God and everyone who loves is born of God & knows God” Jude 21 “…keep yourselves in the love of God…”

What hinders us from maturing? 1. Laziness ◦ Takes too much time, effort & discipline 2.Procrastination ◦ Indecision fuels procrastination ◦ How badly do you want it? 3. Perfectionism ◦ Pride keeps us from taking the first step  “If I can’t get it totally right, why bother?”  Admitting a need to change is a sign of weakness  The Law of continued expectation

The challenge…. How will I know when I’m all “grown up?” ◦ Change won’t frighten us; we’ll see it as opportunity for maturity ◦ He increases – I decrease ◦ Doing God’s Word will be first nature, not second nature ◦ God’s expressed love will be seen in us:  UnconditionalUnqualified  LimitlessSelfless

The encouragement … Eph 1:17-19 “I pray that your hearts will be flooded w/light so that you can see something of the future He has called you to share. I pray you realize that God has been made rich because we who are Christ’s have been given to Him. I pray that you will receive a revelation of how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe in Him.”