All of My Best Friends Devotional by Hillsong Y&FSample

As I Am

Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

“Oh Lord You take me as I am, over and over You call me Yours again” – As I Am, Young & Free.

God’s grace is so undeserved and relentless. Jesus, knowing our state and condition as sinners, still went to the cross for each and every one of us. God calls us His children and He accepts us as we are when we come to Him for forgiveness.

But we don’t stay as we are. You see, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour the Holy Spirit begins a transformation process in our lives. It’s a transformation of becoming more like Christ. God accepts us as we are when we first come to Him, but He doesn’t expect us to stay that way. We too must make a conscious effort in partnership with the Holy Spirit to become more like Christ.

The Apostle Paul warns us in Romans 12:2 not to conform to the ways of the world but to be transformed by renewing our minds. Then we will be able to discern what is of God and what is not. There is a transformation taking place when we renew our minds. We renew our minds by reading the Word of God, being in consistent prayer, and seeking the Holy Spirit.

The Father loves us infinitely! His kindness and mercy go way beyond what we could imagine. The Holy Spirit is working within us and when we respond and align ourselves to what He is doing then we will gradually be transformed into Christ’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18) 

Self-reflection:

1. When was the last time I asked God for forgiveness?

2.  In what way has God shown grace to me recently?

3. How do I feel knowing that I am always are accepted as a child of God, no matter what?

TO-DO-LIST:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal an area of your life that could be more like Jesus. Write it down and pray for His help to be transformed in that area.