transform Archives – Sonshine's Journal

October 6, 2023October 6, 2023

Empty Jars and Hearts

John 2 Many a year ago, we were married, but the day much like this story in John 2, had a very embarrassing moment. After saying our vows, the photographer insisted he take us to take photos. Unbeknownst to us, the drama in the church was just beginning. The day was exceedingly hot, and the church had no AC. The photographer kept insisting he needed more pictures. In the meantime, while we were sweltering outside, inside, the food sat in the kitchen and was never served. Imagine our embarrassment as we returned only to find all the guests had left, the food was untouched, and everyone was hot and just plain miserable. We can thus relate to this story in a very real and practical but embarrassing way.

How I wish Jesus had been a part of our wedding!

The story begins in Cana, and the wedding had been planned, but there was a problem. No wine! Mary sought out the one she knew could solve the problem. Moms like me think a son can solve any problem. She trusted Jesus and told the servants to do whatever He said to do. What did Jesus see? He saw empty jars, much like He sees us empty and in need of His transforming power. He told the servants to fill the jars to the brim, a picture of how the Holy Spirit fills our souls!

What a beautiful picture of Jesus’ compassion and care. He sees us as an empty jar in need of His transforming power!

March 14, 2014

Who is Jesus to You?

1Tim 3 “Six Signs Jesus Christ is Who He said He was”

I am sure you have, as I have, encountered two camps of people: (1) those who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ and (2) those who accept Jesus Christ as one who left his divine nature to indwell the human nature. Paul’s one heart desire was that you and I to know Him as he did and to share that truth succinctly with those who are seeking as well as to those who deny. We know for a fact that the scriptures tell us that all will one day bow the knee to Him. In 1Tim 1 Paul essentially provided us clear direction as to who God is. Now in chapter 3 Paul clarifies who Jesus is and thus in turn gives us reasons why we should worship Him and how and why we should be transformed. Over and over through Paul’s epistles to the church he reminds his readers that the purpose of our being “in Christ” is so that we are transformed into His image.

Paul gives us six reasons Jesus is who he said he was from 1Tim 3:

Jesus Christ was revealed in the flesh! He was born in Bethlehem, was carried to Egypt to be protected from the hand of Herod, raised in Nazareth, walked the wilderness and was tested by Satan himself. The scriptures reveal that the “Son who was a descendant of David with reference to the flesh,” [Rom 1:3]
Jesus Christ was vindicated by the Spirit! God opened the windows of heaven and said “This is my Beloved Son, listen to Him.” The Spirit vindicated Him by raising Him from the dead on Resurrection Day.
Jesus Christ was seen by angels! The night he was born the angelic choir sang forth “Peace on Earth.” On Resurrection Morning He was seen and proclaimed by the angelic beings.
Jesus Christ was proclaimed among the Gentiles. Jesus walked, taught and healed both Jew and Gentile. He said about the Gentile Centurion “I tell you the truth, I have not found such faith in anyone in Israel” [Matt 8]
Jesus Christ was believed on in the world. As He walked and taught many came to acknowledge Him as the Christ. Jesus asked Peter “Who do men say I am and Who do you say I am” “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [Mat 16:16]
Jesus Christ was taken up in to glory. After Jesus told his disciples that they were to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the farthest part of the earth, “he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight.” [Acts 1:9]

If we believe all of these six signs as Paul delineated them, it should then transform us both at the outset and continuing on throughout our lives: “And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” [2Co 3:18] Thus our mandate should be: “Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.” [Rom 12:2]

Beloved do you know Him? Have you been with Jesus today and experienced His transforming power?

January 10, 2014

God has a Plan and it includes YOU!

Do you believe that God has a plan for your life and that because of that you have a unique place at this particular moment in history? Long before Dr. Luke penned this book we are studying, the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylon: “29:11 For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.” The principle of that verse held true then as it holds true today—-God has a plan for each of us and it is one that He has uniquely designed to bring about His purpose.

Today in Luke 8, Jesus moves from a violent windstorm on a lake to a violent demonic storm within a person who had lost all hope, lost all idea of a future, lost his identity but Jesus had a plan to restore him and bring about the truth of Jer 29:11 in his life and to teach two principles: Every life is valuable to God and Jesus will not stay where he is not wanted. Whereas the disciples wondered, the demon within the man from the tombs proclaimed the answer that Jesus is the very Son of God, the Son of the Most High just as James later wrote: Jam 2:19 Even the demons believe [God is one]– and tremble with fear.

As Jesus commanded the evil spirits to leave their possession, a remarkable thing happened! The man was restored, resurrected in a way to a new life free from the power of sin. He had been dehumanized in many respects, ostracized and separated from people and God. After his encounter we see him clothed in his right mind sitting at the feet of Jesus listening. The townspeople do not praise God but instead become fearful and ask Jesus to leave. As Jesus began to leave our eyes are opened to God’s eternal plan for this former demon possessed man and in doing so show a third principle: once transformed you have a mission in life. For this man his mission was not to follow but to “Return to your home, and declare what God has done for you…” and he did. For the rest of his life he proudly wore the mantel of the man freed from demonic possession. He had a story that no one could top and that was Jesus restores one life at a time. He proclaimed it through the whole town and most likely beyond. He became the light that Jesus could not.

I really struggle with the throw away’s of society and what little I am doing for them. Do you also feel this way? I just feel uncomfortable and yet I do not know what to do about it. Secondly, I know that there are many principles and truths but the main one comes from Jer 29:11: God has a plan and we are part of it because we are valuable to Him seemed to resonate for me. I often find that one of the deadliest d’s for me is feeling less worthy and that I am not a real part of the jigsaw puzzle God is building. It is then that I have to remind myself that I am a part of a tapestry not a puzzle.

I am and you are to be His light and His word that others see or hear which comes about from being transformed by the power of Jesus.

What one truth has God taught you through this demon possessed man’s story for your own situation?