Today, we focus on what the Bible tells us about being a changed person during the Lenten season. As we explore the quote by Rick Warren, "only changed people can change the world," we reflect on what it truly means to live out this change in our lives. I encourage you to consider how accepting Christ as your Savior brings about a genuine transformation, allowing us to live a new life free from condemnation.

Takeaways:

1. In this episode, we explore the meaning of being a changed person in Christ.
2. Understanding your identity as a new creation in Christ is essential for spiritual growth.
3. We are encouraged to reflect on our transformations and how they can impact our world.
4. Embracing the freedom from condemnation allows us to live empowered lives without fear.
5. We discuss the importance of setting our minds on positive and admirable things in life.
6. The promise of God's presence and support is a source of peace during life's struggles.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. www.bible805.com

Hi, welcome to the Hobo Soul Podcast of road advice from the Bible and from me, Yvon Prehn someone who's a little further down the road of life. I'll talk to you every weekday for about five to 10 minutes, with periodic longer talks on serious Saturdays. Let's get started with our topic today, PLEASE NOTE: the software that creates this transcript has split it into two speakers and I can't seem to do a thing about it....but it's all just me and the content is here.

Lenten Devotion Day 8. You're a Changed person, Live like it!

During this Lenten season, we're looking at the quotes and challenges from my devotional book and journal In Dying We Are Reborn that you can download for free on www.bible805.com. Each day there's a daily quote and challenge from the book, which I'll read to you and then I'll share my comments on them.

Our quote for today comes from Rick Warren, where he says

"Only changed people can change the world."

Today's challenge for you says

"I quote the verse 2nd Corinthians 5:17 where it says, therefore if anyone is a new Christ, the new creation has come.The old is gone, the new is here." You are a changed person. What changes do you want to make in your world for Jesus sake?

My challenge

Now, as I was thinking about what I was going to say on this in this podcast first, I thought about different changes we can make as Christians.

But then I thought, you know, before we do that, we need to really look at what are the changes in us once we become a Christian, we can say we're changed, but exactly what does that mean? Now, even if you've been a Christian for some time, you might not feel like a changed person.

Maybe you trusted Jesus as your Savior, but you only looked at it as a ticket to heaven and not much else. But there's so much more to it, and I'd like to take a few minutes now to look at what the Bible says about it in more detail.

First of all, in Romans 6:4, it tells us we were therefore buried with Christ through baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life when we accepted Jesus as Savior and publicly acknowledged that in baptism. Now, side note here, if you haven't been baptized publicly baptized, you need to talk to the pastor at your church about it and just Do it.

Baptism doesn't save you, but it is an important step to take in your identity as a Christian. But moving along from that, once you've done that in reality, spiritually you've been raised from the dead, you have a new life.

And then having that new life, Romans 8:1 and 2 tells us what I think is really one of the most wonderful benefits of of this new life. Where it says, therefore "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.Because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

We are not condemned from the highest court of heaven. We are not condemned.

For all sorts of reasons and in all kinds of situations in your life you may face condemnation and criticism, but know that from God Almighty you are not condemned. You are a loved and accepted child because of Jesus.

When negative people come your way, even if they're snarky or outright accusing and mean, quietly and confidently, remember, God does not condemn you. Now that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want, but when you sin, he says, get up off your face, confess it and go on.

And then he forgets about it totally and you are free from continuing condemnation.

And as that child of God and someone who is no longer condemned, second Timothy 1:7 tells us about one of the wonderful results of it when it says, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and a sound mind. If you're fearful about anything, you honestly don't need to be.

This doesn't mean you stupidly put yourself in dangerous situations or uncomfortable ones. These come into our lives without us doing anything to avoid them.

What this verse assures us of is that no matter what the situation, we don't have to respond with fear, but with power, love and a sound mind.

The Living Bible translates it this way "for the Holy Spirit, God's gift does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, to love them and enjoy being with them."

The Amplified Bible expands it in this way where it says, "God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but he's given us a spirit of power and love and of sound judgment and personal discipline. Abilities that result in a calm, well balanced mind and self control."

I really love the idea of a calm, well balanced mind and self control.

When you feel like life is out of control and you simply want to pound a wall, remember you don't have to react in that way.

This verse, also the coming verse that I'm going to read you, reminds us that here are some things that we can do to guarantee that we will live in a self controlled way.

It's in Philippians 4:8 where it says, "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things."

And Colossians 3:2 confirms that attitude by saying and encouraging us to "set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth."

We have a choice about what we think about and how we evaluate the circumstances around us.

When we set our hearts and minds on God, when we trust he is in control and that he loves us and has our ultimate good in mind, it's easier to find the good, the lovely, and the admirable in the people around us and in the situations in our world and when we obey these commands to do that. The following verse it's really great. Here's what it says. Result is in Philippians 4:9 it says, "then the God of peace will be with you."

I think one of the biggest changes our lives can exhibit is that in complete contrast to our world today, it's for us to be people of peace. That's what the Bible promises is possible for us.

Possible, yes, but if you feel worried that you can't simply live up to that, you can't do all the new things Jesus wants you to do, that you'll not hold on for long, that you just don't think you'll make it, really trust him through your life, stop a minute and realize you aren't alone in your struggle.

Because we also have this promise in Philippians where it says, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Jesus began a good work and all the Hobo Souls who travel with Him. He will not leave you.

He will help in all the struggles of life, and he will bring us as his changed people peacefully and safely home.

In closing for this Lenten devotional, which is a special Hobo Soul series that I'm doing for Lent, I'd encourage you to pause, take time to share, share with Jesus your response, thoughts and prayers to what you just heard. You can do this quietly in your heart or you can write it out.

I have a free journal with the quotes, challenges and space for you to write in that you can download at www.bible805.com let me close in prayer for you that as Jesus went into the wilderness to solidify his calling, that you during this time retreat to a place spiritually where God can significantly deepen your relationship with him, where he can speak to you regardless of the temptations and distractions in your life, and that you'll come out of it with a clear sense of his calling for you and a commitment to follow it. Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen.