Lord, Please Make Me Over – Weekly Devotional
2 Corinthians 5:14 – 21
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Brand New Start, Can’t Be the Same Way
This weekly devotional is inspired by one of my favorite gospel songs of all time. The name of the song is “Make Me Over” originally by Tonex and the updated version by Bri Babineaux. I was a Christian, but I still loved the world. When I heard this song or played this song, I would cry out to the Lord “Lord Please Make Me Over” over and over again. The moment I thought I had overcome my sinful ways I would sin again. I was filled with grief (I still feel this way today at times). I could never get out of the way and fully give myself to the Lord. I had just enough faith to make it to my next disappointment. For every mountain top reached in God, was a lower valley in my flesh. The moment I dedicated my life to Him, I would forfeit it, letting the cares of this life choke my seed. At times I was in sexual sin, having sex before marriage. Being sorrowful, able to stand at times but never able to overcome it if an opportunity presented itself. I was lost in idolatry chasing money over God. I tried to convince myself that my life would be easier or more secure if I made more money. I used the guise of ambition and dream chasing to make my worldly pursuits appear noble yet moving further away from Him. And finally, I forsook the calling God had on my life, being disappointed because when I called out to God, I heard nothing.
Matthew 13:18 – 23
18 “Therefore, hear the parable of the Sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
I was wayward in all my ways, until I gave myself to Him completely. To have a brand-new start, that start begins with you giving yourself to Him and denying yourself. Your life is on the line, you can’t be the same way.
Create in Me a Clean Heart, Renew a Right Spirit in Me
Psalms 51:10-12
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
2 Timothy 2:20-22
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Create in me a Clean Heart Lord and please don’t pass me by. Renew a steadfast spirit in Me, cast me not away from your presence. There are vessels of honor and dishonor, how may I honor you with my mouth, my heart, and my life.
I repeated the word of God in my previous paragraph as an example of how you ought to minister the Word to yourself knowing that the enemy will come to uproot your seed. Go out and work the field of your heart to know God, first by trusting Him. The manifestation of His power has already taken place, for you once was not His and didn’t care about what God wanted for you, but now you consider God and His ways. You were a vessel of dishonor, but God is redeeming you through His great love. Pursue righteousness, faith, and love in Christ Jesus this is how you overcome. Pursue Christ Today and He will Make you Over. God cannot lie and He cannot deny Himself.
Who are you? Have you ever asked yourself this?
If you said I am a child of God or want to be, then pursue righteousness for “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1. Catch this, there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, not in him because they think about Him or claim to Love Him. Those who are in Christ Jesus Walk according to the Spirit and not the flesh.
How do you walk in the Spirit?
By fleeing the Lust of the flesh and pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace only found in Jesus Christ. Set your mind on Jesus for your mind is your spirit. Purify your thoughts, keep your mind stayed on Him. Abide in Him, that means to act in accordance with the Word of God and the commandments of God. By doing so you walk in obedience, and you give no place to the evil one.
Things to Consider in Your Walk with Jesus
- Give yourself to daily prayer and reading the Word for this is essential to the believer.
- Take control of your thoughts. Fast and pray, and while fasting keep your mind on Jesus, by doing so if you can overcome the hunger pain, you can overcome more than you know.
- Exercise your faith by giving your cares and concerns to God. In His Timing He will work everything out even when it doesn’t seem that way. This step will only mean something to you if you take it by faith, not by knowledge.
Wrap your Loving Arms Around Me and Everything Will Be Alright
I know even in my calamity you loved me still and redeemed me. Not because of anything I did but because of who you are. I know you will keep those who seek you with a pure heart. Your grace knows no bounds. Lord, I don’t know what to do, and I second guess everything including your mercies. I’ve become sorrowful in my shame, hopeless in my folly, Godless in my thoughts, yet you were just to forgive me. You are Love Lord, and I want to be surrounded by your Great Love. I know everything will be alright in you. I must consider you in my circumstances. I must remember your plans for good to prosper me in the only way that matters and that’s to be filled and fulfilled by your Spirit. Only You alone are Good, and Wise. You know what’s best for me. You have vision beyond what I my eyes can see. So, I seek you by faith, for your word says it clearly.
Romans 1:16 – 17
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Make me your own and I shall be as free as a bird. I can then say I am truly rich, because I’ve experienced and come to know the greatness of your Love. I make my plea unto you today to “make me, shape me, mold me, use me, my heart is ready to receive”. Make Me Over Lord, yes! Make me just like You!