Transformational Spirit

If we are going to experience transformation and see transformation, we must become desperate for the Word and the Spirit. Jesus said in John 14:10-12, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.  Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”

Jesus walked in authority and power out of his relationship with the Father, and he calls us by his Spirit into that same relationship. Jesus said in John 16:7, “I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.” As a result of the Spirit living in us, Jesus said that “the works that I do you will do also; and greater works than these you will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:12-13)

We read about the authority of the Spirit, but we are so busy with our works of the flesh that we fail to submit to the transformational work of the Spirit that God has afforded us through Christ Jesus. Jesus commanded the disciples not to leave Jerusalem “until you have been clothed with power from on high."  (Luke 24:49) Jesus understood that personal transformation was essential to produce community and national transformation.

We groan over the condition of our nation, but are we desperate enough to yield to the transformational work of the Spirit? On the Day of Pentecost a man called Peter, who only had denied Jesus and watched Him die, now stood and spoke with authority to a multitude and witnessed the transformation of thousands of people, a city, and a nation. Do we read the Acts of the Apostles as some story of exploits in times past, or can we believe that the same Spirit can transform our world today?

God is not calling you to transform the world but to allow the Spirit to first transform you, and then He can use you to transform your world or your area of influence. Initially, Peter’s world was a fisherman’s world, but as he walked with Jesus for three and a half years, Jesus expanded his world. Jesus is not going to call you to something that is too big for you, but as you walk with Him and allow the transformational Spirit to grow in you, that same Spirit will begin to impact those around you.

Allow the Holy Spirit into a greater area of your life. Begin your day with Him and pause when making decisions through out the day to allow Him to speak into your world. As you practice His presence, He will transform your life and the lives of those you encounter.

Andy Clark

Transformational Repentance

Last week we looked at a “Transformational Word.” A transformational word often results in repentance, a total change in thought, attitude and direction. Repentance is the first message Jesus preached and commanded the disciples to preach when He sent them out. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter called the multitude to repentance. The primary message to the seven churches in Revelation is repentance. Revelation 2:5 warns the church in Ephesus to “repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place.” Repentance is key to entering into the kingdom and in maintaining the presence of God in our lives.

Throughout history, personal, community and national transformation have always been preceded by repentance of sin. Part of the function of the Word and the Holy Spirit is to convict us of sin and bring us to repentance. Repentance has three major parts: “1) a genuine sorrow towards God on account of sin (2 Cor 7:9-10; Matt 5:3-4; Ps 51:1); 2) an inward repugnance to sin necessarily followed by the actual forsaking of it (Matt 3:8; Acts 26:20; Heb 6:1); and 3) humble self-surrender to the will and service of God.    (Acts 9:6)” (The New Unger's Bible Dictionary)

An example of transformational repentance is during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. The land of Judah was filled with idolatry that was even practiced in the temple of God in Jerusalem. God had sent His prophets to warn Judah of impending judgment, but no one listened. Josiah, however was a godly king in a line of ungodly kings. 2 Chronicles 34:3 says, “And he (Josiah) did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.”

Josiah’s first act was to cleanse the land of idolatry. 2 Chronicles 34:7 says, “He had broken down the altars and the wooden images, had beaten the carved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel.” He even burned the bones of the idolatrous priests on their altars. Even though Josiah acted out of a pure heart, which brought tremendous social and religious reformation to Judah, God’s judgment was still pending because there was still no true repentance from sin.

Then in the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, they were cleansing and restoring the temple when someone came upon the book of the law. It was brought and read to Josiah, who upon hearing God’s Word, tore his robe and commanded his servants to go to the prophet and inquire of the Lord. In a moment under the conviction of the Word and the Spirit, Josiah moved from reformation to repentance and transformation. Josiah called the nation together, and they renewed their covenant with God, and as a result of transformational repentance, God promised not to destroy Judah under Josiah’s reign.

To save our lives, the lives of our children, our community, and nation we must move from reformation to true transformational repentance, where we acknowledge our sin, become repulsed by sin and humbly surrender our will and service to God. 

Andy Clark

Transformational Word

A transformational word is a word that becomes so alive to us that it radically impacts our life and the lives of those around us. Our lives are filled with words but not transformational words. Spiritual pollution robs us of our strength and God-ordained life of victory. While the Scribes and Pharisees spoke from a knowledge basis, Jesus spoke with authority a transformational word and wants to empower us with the same authority.

Transformational authority begins with a radical change in how we think. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” The Apostle Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” We cannot continue to allow the world to indoctrinate us through the media and expect spiritual transformation. Sunday morning service alone will not produce transformation.  We need a radical transformation in thought consumption.

As you enter the New Year, purposefully carve out some time to spend with God. This time with God does not come easily or naturally but initially requires personal discipline. Hearing the world is easy. Hearing God requires developing a mind that can receive the things of God. Mental transformation comes with not just knowing the Word of God, but also coming into revelation knowledge of the Word that produces a change in our perception and our actions. When the Holy Spirit turns the light on the Word and brings true revelation, it will radically change your life. Spiritual revelation comes through focusing on and meditating on the Word to allow it to trickle down from your mind into your spirit.

As God becomes a greater part of your life, you will find new energy and life flowing from your spirit. Your fulfillment will not come from your performance, appearance, or what others think of you. You will find a new level of love, joy, peace and patience in your life that will be astounding. This new life will not come by your effort but will flow out of your growing relationship with God, the author and sustainer of life, and life more abundantly.

This transformed mind will enable you to discern what is good and evil. Paul goes on to say in Romans 12:2 that with this renewed mind you will ”prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” You will begin to see things as God sees them and respond in faith and confidence as Christ did when He walked on the face of the earth. God is not depressed by world conditions because He has overcome, and He wants us to overcome. We need to quit listening to the pundits of the world and allow the Holy Spirit by the Word to renew our mind so that we have the mind of Christ.

May you be encouraged today to launch out on a journey of transformation in 2014.

Andy Clark

Desperate and Expectant

George Otis has traveled the world over the past 20 years to document communities that have been transformed by the Gospel. Through his observations, thousands of interviews, studying over 800 contemporary revivals and many historical examples, he has collected some principles and observations that reveal the patterns of God. Some of these below are taken from “The Journey to Transformation, Next Steps” by Intercessors for America.

Transformation Observations and Principles

1.      The process of salvation and transformation begins with hopelessness and surrender.

2.      The need for transformation depends on how we perceive our condition.

3.      Before transformation can occur, we must be persuaded that: 1) our present circumstances are desperate  2) time is running out  3) there is a lifeline or an opportunity to be grasped.

4.      Human history tells us that people don’t generally move until they perceive either an imminent crisis or an immediate opportunity.

5.      Desperation declares that our condition is not just broken and painful, but actually dangerous.

6.      If we sense that we have time, there will be no urgency for transformation.

7.      We must want deliverance, not just relief.

Transformation Questions

1.      What percentage of the Church do you believe is concerned about the condition of the Church and the community? Think about the community you live in.

2.      What do you believe is the perception of need in your community?

a.       Conditions desperate and unmanageable

b.      Conditions troubling but not unmanageable

c.       Conditions not perfect but stable and prosperous

3.      How do your perceive your own condition: desperate, time is running out, there is a lifeline or opportunity to be grasped?

Transformation Application

Based on your perception of your condition and the condition of your community, list some steps you can take personally, and some possible next steps to help those in your community to recognize that the condition of the community is desperate, time is running out, and there is a lifeline.

Beginning next week, I will be doing a series of Transformational Devotionals which I trust will be an encouragement to you. If you live in the Richmond, Virginia area, we will be showing and discussing at our next ETN Missions Forum one of George Otis’ Transformational DVDs, documenting three Community Transformations in three different parts of world. The ETN Mission Forum will be held Tuesday, January 21, at 7pm at the House of Prayer, 10500, Newby’s Bridge Road, Chesterfield VA 23832. Join me in the Journey to Transformation.

May God reveal Himself to you in a greater way in 2014 and meet your every need.

Yours in Christ,

Andy Clark