Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone—and see—a new life has begun!  2 Corinthians 5:17 (VOICE)  So many people are living trapped in old behaviours, negative emotions or destructive ways of thinking. They can’t seem to break free—and the cry of their hearts is, “God, please help me change.” If this describes you, I want to show you the stunning answers the Bible has.    Today’s verse says when you give your life to Christ, you become a new creation. The Greek word for “new” is kainos, which means “fresh, new and unused.” But it also means “unprecedented, uncommon and unheard of.” As a believer, you are an uncommon creation—a new species that no one has seen before!  …

which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (GNT)  Real transformation requires more than just learning Scripture, although that is still vital! It involves an inner heart change. But how do you work out that process?  Luke 6:49 (NLT) says anyone “who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” Hearing God’s Word and doing it is what will change you.  As you meditate on the Word and put it into practice, the Word …

Continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling…  Philippians 2:12 (AMP)  Yesterday we saw how your spirit was made new the instant you believed on Jesus. But your soul—in other words, your mind, will and emotions—still has all your old programming. The gift of salvation has to impact your deepest beliefs, otherwise you will remain conformed to the world’s way of thinking and living.  I’ve seen Christians who served God for decades, but somewhere along the way, they neglected to stay in the Word—and the results were devastating. They were more easily tempted, distracted and defeated because they were not being led by God’s Spirit. They slid back into the old …

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes]…  Romans 12:2 (AMP)  Many Christians wonder, “If I’m saved, why do I still struggle with certain thoughts or behaviours?”  First of all, you need to understand that you are a three-part being. You are a spirit, you have a soul and you live in a body.  What many people don’t realize is that there’s a difference between “spirit salvation” and “soul salvation.” When you gave your life to Christ, your spirit instantly became a brand-new creation and came alive with the presence of God. You’re saved and going to Heaven one day!  But …

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”  John 14:9 (NKJV)  God created you for two reasons: to be like Him and to be close to Him!  Genesis 1:26 says He created you in His own image, which is a stunning statement. But that begs the question, what is God like?   To get an accurate look at who God is, you need to go to the Word. Jesus said that seeing Him was the same as seeing the Father. So read the Gospels and follow Jesus from street to street. Pay attention to how He treated people, how He spoke and how He carried Himself—and you’ll get a picture of …