Change As an American, it’s rewarding to follow our national competitors in the Summer Olympics and watch the United States medal count increase. For each of our champion athletes, though, there was a time when their bodies could not perform at the high level they do now. They were once like the small children from their hometowns shown upon their triumphs. It was then, though, that a champion's identity was born in them, and they set out on a lifestyle that would enable the necessary changes in their minds and bodies. They would commit to strict discipline of diet and exercise while steadily following coached adjustments to their movements that would shave fractions of seconds from their times. Though born with the potential, it would have to be joined with uncompromised practices that would develop the change necessary for world competition. The children most committed to this process and its environment are the ones with the greatest opportunity to fulfill their dreams. There is a life provided for us in Christ with an amazing eternal purpose. Ultimately, Revelations says that He has made us to be kings and priests who will reign with Him. As His new creation, though, his very own children, identifying with Him as our champion is but the beginning of much-needed change. The lifestyle and practices of that king and priest will begin with acknowledging Him in everything and giving in to His will, especially when it may challenge ours. Those new ways from Him will be the developed pursuit of the life that will fulfill its full potential through the change His presence brings. Notes Change – transformation with desired improvements and betterment. New Life Church – WHERE EVERYTHING CHANGES! How is the change made to everything? Demonstrations of power/ability Information Accepted identity Actions that produce the change A breakthrough of power with a breakto of identity yields a life that’s new in change. The aggregation of marginal gains. The change acquired from small changes made consistently. If you arrive 15 minutes before service, and stay 15 minutes after service. In 3 weeks, a lot will change about your experience. Let me give you three things that will change: If you walk through the door of your church 15 minutes before service, you will find the worship more impactful and your pastor more insightful than ever before. A calm heart is fertile ground. You will find new friends. Your experience in church will be dramatically altered if you arrive expecting friends to be there. But you can’t build new friendships on the run. You will find a place to serve. If you have time to talk with the folks who are serving, you will find out that most people really like serving, and after a few conversations, they will probably ask you to serve with them. In short, if you struggle to enjoy church, be radical in a really ordinary way. Start your Sunday morning routine 30 minutes earlier, and you will find out your church is actually a pretty great place to hang around in. If you arrive 15 minutes before service, and stay 15 minutes after service. In 3 weeks, a lot will change about your experience. Let me give you three things that will change: If you walk through the door of your church 15 minutes before service, you will find the worship more impactful and your pastor more insightful than ever before. A calm heart is fertile ground. You will find new friends. Your experience in church will be dramatically altered if you arrive expecting friends to be there. But you can’t build new friendships on the run. You will find a place to serve. If you have time to talk with the folks who are serving, you will find out that most people really like serving, and after a few conversations, they will probably ask you to serve with them. In short, if you struggle to enjoy church, be radical in a really ordinary way. Start your Sunday morning routine 30 minutes earlier, and you will find out your church is actually a pretty great place to hang around in. One hundred years ago, in the 1924 Paris Olympics, American Johnny Weissmuller won the men’s 100m freestyle with a time of 59 seconds. Nearly 100 years later in the most recent Olympics, the delayed 2020 Games in Tokyo, Caeleb Dressel took home the same event with a time that was 12 seconds faster than Weissmuller’s. Swimming times across the board have become much faster over the past century, a result of several factors, including innovations in training, recovery strategy, nutrition, and some equipment advances. One component in the improvement in swimming performances over the years is the role of biomechanics — that is, how swimmers optimize their stroke, whether it's the backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, or freestyle. 1 Corinthians 13:11 NLT [11] When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Change or transformation can only come by the mixing our faith with the word of God and applying it to our lives. When the Word is active it’s dynamic in its working. Faith means a redirect of your attention. Our given identity/purpose Revelation 5:9-10 (NKJV) 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” Consider God’s will Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Hebrews 4:2 AMPC [2] For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they united in faith with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe). Skill is a prerequisite for change to occur. To be skillful in this qualifies you for anything! The “law of faith” governs the “power of God.” The power only operates when faith is in the mix. The life giving word didn’t profit them bz it wasnt mixed was faith. Power is waiting for us to mix our faith with it to activate it. That’s when change or transformation comes. Transformation… Latin trans- “across, beyond, so as to change” FORMATION: layout, format, arrangement, setup, configuration, conformation, design, composition…, plan, structure. Consider God’s written will Joshua 1:8-9 (NKJV) 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Listen to God’s voice John 16:13 (NKJV) 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.