Tag Archives: transformation

Purifying Your Heart: How a Clean Heart Can Change the World

Posted on by yolandaberry
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red tree love heart

Several churches have become motivational powerhouses, however, they’re missing the mark on the message of Salvation.  The church, the body of Christ, has become a form of entertainment. Reality TV shows, superstar singing, shouting, dancing, and dramatic prophesying have all been incorporated into worship which makes it hard to tell what is real from what is not real.

Some people are attending church every Sunday but their hearts are not being truly transformed. Others are calling themselves Christians without having Godly character, a Godly lifestyle, or a personal relationship with Jesus.

Being a Christian today is like wearing a “title” on your chest like Superman or like wearing a badge or bumper sticker that shouts, “I’m a Christian!” But, what does that mean if you’re sleeping with your best friend’s husband, using the church to network for business or chasing women in the church?

The world on the outside looking in is even more confused because they have don’t have an understanding of the spiritual world much more how to discern the Spirit of God.

They’re looking at the church to be an example of what it means to be a Christian. Often times, no one can tell the difference because believers are conforming to the secular world at rapid speed.

Some preachers are preaching hate instead of love. Others are confirming same-sex marriage. Others are passive with heterosexual partners living together. The statistics in the divorce rates within the church is outrageous. There is just so much confusion about what religion, faith, and spirituality really mean.

The reverence for God is quickly diminishing. Morals and values are in the toilet. However, there is a remnant of believers that are thirsty for righteousness and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

As Christians, we are not to live like the world lives, but we are to set the example and live clean and sanctified lives.

The only way to do this is to be transformed by the Holy Spirit. Yes, we can change some things in our lives and make better choices and decisions but to be truly transformed, it takes the power of the Holy Spirit.

No one will ever be perfect, including me, but that’s why Jesus died for our sins. When we repent, we are acknowledging and declaring our weaknesses and faults and wrongdoings to the Lord. We do not have to have to carry guilt, shame, or condemnation in our hearts, but we are releasing everything attached to sin to God. He carries our burdens, troubles, and worries.

Even though we release all our problems to the Lord, it doesn’t mean it magically gets easier. Actually not to sugar coat anything, all hell breaks loose in our lives. You will still have to walk through tests, trials, and uncomfortable situations. However, the Lord will reveal his love, mercy, grace, power, healing, and faithfulness.

When we acknowledge Christ as our Lord and Savior. We confess and understand that Christ died for our sins and that Christ is the Son of God which was created in the image of man.

We ask the Lord to come into our hearts and transform us. It’s much more than just mouth service. You must have a deep yearning, desire, and surrender to God to change your heart. That’s where the transformation takes place – in the heart.

Your heart is where your desire and passion reside. “Out of the heart, the abundance speaks.” Luke 6:45 The core of a man is his heart. Sometimes decisions are made from the heart. The heart carries emotions and feelings. However, the mind is equally powerful and can override the heart. The mind carries logic, memory, intelligence, and consciousness.

If your heart is clean, you will have a desire to please God. It all stems from the issues of the heart. However, the mind is not an island. It also needs to be transformed. Our mind controls our thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behavior.

When we align our thoughts with God’s thoughts, all doubt, fear, discouragement, and negative thinking has to go! The Lord will give us the ability to discern situations and people, guard our minds, provide focus and clarity, and help us make wise decisions. We will also have a teachable spirit.

When we surrender our thoughts to the Lord, He gives us the authority to overcome attacks from the enemy in our minds that plagues us with worldly concerns. We know the difference between right and wrong and have accountability for our actions while maintaining grace under pressure.

We are not to judge others at all, but we are to live by God’s laws.

There are many questions to ponder on in your spiritual journey.  Have you surrendered your life to Christ? Have you backslidden? Do you have integrity? Do you forgive others without holding grudges? Do you gossip? Do you complain? Have you changed your language to represent the love of Christ? Are you jealous? Are you kind to others?

It’s time to step up and lead by example. Walk like Jesus. Even if you stumble or fall, He will catch you and will not let you go. Take the first step. It’s not an easy walk, but He promises it will be worth it.

John 8:24King James Version (KJV)

24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Romans 3:23King James Version (KJV)

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Hebrews 11:6King James Version (KJV)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

John 15:10King James Version (KJV)

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

1 Corinthians 13:1King James Version (KJV)

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Healing in the Garden

Posted on by yolandaberry
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flower-garden-11291224875Iks“Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that he shall also reap. Gal 6:7

When you plant a seed in a garden, it takes care, patience and time for the fruit, vegetable, tree, plant or flower to grow. The roots must maintain proper moisture for nutrients to be absorbed. Too much water or sunlight can kill it, as well as extreme temperatures or weather patterns. While the sun provides Vitamin D which is essential for the growth process, the elements of the environment can either destroy, hinder or produce life.

We are also a product of our environment. From birth, we have been conditioned and influenced by our families, communities and our society. We may have grown up in a negative environment or developed negative habits along the way. Negative attitudes, habits or behavior is like a virus which is very hard to get rid of. However, we also have the ability to change. “Be transformed, by the renewing of the mind.” Rom 12:2

It takes time and effort and can also be very painful or scary to take a good look in the mirror and analyze yourself. It may not even be your own fault. Abuse, neglect and other painful experiences and memories can cause a blockage or magnify negative emotions. But once you decide to weed out the causes of the behavior and get to the root of the problem, you will eventually dismiss those negative behaviors and habits and begin to bloom and flourish. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It takes time just like a seed deeply buried in the soil. Growing and healing is like watering a garden. However, we should not exclude Christ in the process. “I can do all things in Christ which strengthens me.” Phil 4:13

Just like the seed that is planted, we are also motivators in our social circles. Let us be mindful of the words and actions that we sow into the lives of others. Let us walk with integrity and respect reflecting the love of Christ in our lives wherever we go. We have the capacity to produce a beautiful, luscious garden in our lives and in our environment. As Jesus stated, “I am the vine, ye are the branches, those who abide in me, abide much fruit, apart from me; you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 

Jesus is our source and the one we can rely on; not only when life fails, but at all times. Many times we forget God when there is no pain or suffering but let us not forget that we can do nothing without Him.

“For us the earth brings forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” Isaiah 61:11

Hope for the Hopeless

Posted on by yolandaberry
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girl-depressed

I created this blog on the foundation of hope. Hope is a powerful word and even more powerful when put to action. When you have hope you have the courage to keep believing, keep going and keep striving. If you are still breathing, you still have hope. Things still have an opportunity to change for the better. It’s a matter of eliminating the negative thoughts and walking by faith despite your circumstances. You have to feed your mind with positive thoughts and surround yourself with people who will uplift your spirits. Sometimes it’s better to be by yourself than to be with someone who will tear you down or speak words of doubt or negativity.

Hope gives you imagination and allows you to work towards your goals. Hope is purpose and inspiration.

“I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11)

Hope keeps you moving in the right direction….

As we enter the Fall, lets shake off the negativity of life and prepare for a new season of promises. It starts with your thoughts. Just like the colored leaves and acorns fall off of trees, get rid of the old and prepare for the new things that life has to offer. You may not see the change happen immediately, but with time you will eventually see a transformation.

Live with hope and high expectation.

Through the many trials and storms of life, this e-book was written as a sentiment of God’s glory of His faithfulness. It is a reminder of His promises. May it anchor your faith and calm the storms and challenges in your life. You can download a copy here:

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