1. So you want a better life
Come to God just as you are, and He will help you to become all that you need to be. But you
have to want your life to be different -- really different.
Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And
be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Transformed in this Scripture is the same word from which we get metamorphosis. That is total
change. Too often people want their lives to be better is some way, but don't really want a
different life in any significant way.
As we submit ourselves unto our Lord and His Holy Spirit, He will begin to work in us in
different ways. The first thing God will work on is our mindset and attitude.
Ephesians 5:9-11 (KJV) (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and
truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
When we hang out with people who walk in darkness (sin), we are asking for trouble.
Ephesians 5:18-21 (KJV) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the
Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father
in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
An attitude of gratitude unto the Lord will change our mindset, and help us to be happy.
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV) 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality,
impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish
ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did
before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Our thoughts come from our attitude and our actions come from our thoughts.
True change will affect every aspect of our lives:
Friendships Use of time The way we treat people
Our sleeping habits Eating habits To name just a few.
Those who want a better life must be willing to change -- to live our lives according to the Word
of God in the Power of the Spirit of God. God's Way is the only Way of blessing.
There will be several more installments of this lesson, with emphasis on the details of change.