Going beyond...living a transformed life

Going beyond - Living a transformed life

Our mindset is a key factor in determining what we achieve in life. Working on the transformation of our minds is essential in our quest for success.

Today, we will take encouragement from examples of the impact of a “different way of thinking.” As we look at these case studies, we should draw lessons for our own development and growth.

Case Study 1: The Philosophers at Athens (Acts 17: 16 – 21)
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. 17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. 18 Then[b] certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?”
Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.

19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.” 21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.

The key lesson here is the willingness to keep an open mind. Paul is telling them strange things THEREFORE they want know what he means. The transformed mind is open to examining new ideas. It does not block its ears from strange sounding ideas. Truth can stand the test of examination.

What is your mindset? Are you the kind of person who is willing to examine new ideas?

Are you keen to “hear some new thing?”

Personal growth comes from examining all the available information and distilling objectively what you hold to be true. The fact of having exposed your beliefs to contending views and new ideas actually serves to increase your faith in the truths you hold dear.

Today, I challenge you to go beyond the norm. Go beyond what is comfortable. Be open to examine “some strange things.”

Case Study 2: Rahab hides the spies Joshua 2

1 Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.”
So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. 2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.”
3 So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.”
4 Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.” 6 (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.) 7 Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.
8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: “I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, 13 and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”
14 So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.”

The lesson that we draw from this case is that there are times when we will have to make tough decisions that put us at risk and might be difficult to justify to those with whom we normally associate.

The transformed mind is capable of clear-minded, independent thought. It is not guilty of blindly following the herd. Your personal growth demands a mindset that carefully examines the facts and makes wise choices.

What kind of person are you? Do you consistently weigh the evidence and come to your own conclusions?
Are your decisions made by the majority or by people in authority?
Are you the kind of person who is willing to go against the flow – even if doing so is risky?

Today, I challenge you to go beyond and examine more closely what you do and why you are in fact doing those things. Take another look as to whether you are in fact being what God would have you to be or whether peer-pressure has distracted you.

Case study 3: Mordecai made it his business Esther 2

2:7 And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

21 In those days, while Mordecai sat within the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 22 So the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name. 23 And when an inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.

Chap 4: 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square that was in front of the king’s gate. 7 And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries to destroy the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction, which was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people. 9 So Hathach returned and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.” 12 So they told Mordecai Esther’s words.
13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

Mordecai presents us with a wonderful example of the kind of mindset that we should seek to cultivate as part of our drive for personal growth. Mordecai made it HIS business!

Apathy and withdrawal into our personal spaces is one of major challenges faced by 21st century society. Most of us just prefer not to see, not to hear, not to speak. It is not our business. This large scale abstention affects virtually all aspects of our relations and organization.

Parents no longer think that the PTA is an important part of their business. Neighbours are focused on minding their own narrow business and not the business of the neighbourhood.
All too many people let criminal wrongdoing and anti-social behaviour pass before them because they hold the view that it is not their business.

The transformed mind does not hide its head in the sand so as to avoid taking required action. Like Mordecai we claim things to be our business in order to make a difference.

What kind of person are you? Do you intervene in situations that require action?
Are you the kind of person who turns a blind eye even though you know you ought to have stepped in?
Are you a perpetual fence-sitter who opts to abstain instead of getting involved?

Today, the challenge is for you to go beyond and get involved. Be different. Refuse to join the growing ranks of persons who refuse to take a position on anything.

Stay clear of the temptation to throw up your hands-on and sit in your safe corner thinking that you will not make a difference. Mordecai’s action saved his people!

Case study 4: Joseph reveals himself to his brothers Genesis 45

1 Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it.

3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. 4 And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Joseph is a remarkable example of a transformed mind in action. His entire life is marked by his capacity and willingness to go beyond the norm.

The core lesson that we want to focus on at this time is the fact that Joseph did not take the well trodden path of leaving his relationship with his brothers hanging. Oh, so many people adopt the policy of just staying clear of those with whom there is a conflict.

They make no genuine attempt to resolve differences and instead they simply drift apart.

What kind of person are you? Are you committed to resolving issues and resolving conflicts?
Are you the kind of person who just let things slide instead of taking positive action to restore relationships?
Are you the kind of person who harbours past hurts and wear your status as a “victim” like a badge?
Are you a forgiving person?

Today, the challenge is for us to seek the transformation of our minds such that we ready to exchange our role as victims for that of reconcilers.

Today, we implore you to remember that vengeance is not ours but God’s. We invite you to consider the unbridled joy that would have filled Joseph and his family when hate and guilt are replaced by love!

Case study 5: Stephen the martyr Acts 7

54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Being someone who lives a transformed life is not without danger. Personal social, financial, mental and even physical harm might be your lot when you hold principled positions. Saying what needs to be said does not always produce endearing responses.

What kind of person are you? Are you willing to say what needs to be said even though you stand to lose much?

Are you someone who stifles your conscience “for a peaceful life?”
Can you recall instances when you needed to have spoken out but you kept silent because of fear?
Have you had the experience of taking a stand in the face of strong opposition and walking away feeling good about yourself and your principled stance?

Today, the challenge is for us to be willing to be bold in defence of the things we hold dear.
Today, we invite you to adopt a mindset that requires you to speak out on important issues of principle.

Case study 6: The Anointing at Bethany Matt 26

6 And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. 8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”
10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 13 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

Many people live strictly within the norm. They conform to what is expected of them. This case highlights the kind of powerful impact that is possible when we do the unexpected.

What kind of person are you? Do you operate within established guidelines and conform to the norm?

Are you the kind of person who is willing to experiment?
Are you the kind of person who will do the unexpected and enjoy the rush that you get from doing so?
Are you the kind of person who has the knack for showing you care by doing something really special and memorable?

Today, the challenge is for you to explore new vistas. Step out from your safe zone and create memorable moments for others. Forget for once what others might think or say – just do it!

Case study 7: A Lame Man Healed Acts 3

1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

The transformed mind is discerning. It is able to identify the real needs of others. It looks beneath the surface. It recognizes that what is being requested might not be the core issue.

What kind of person are you? Are you discerning?

Are you the kind of person who seeks to get to the heart of the problem?
Are you someone who looks for a quick “band aid” solution and scoots away?
Are you the kind of person who has the patience to strive to find lasting and sustainable solutions?

Today, we challenge you to look deeper. Go beyond by going below the surface. Take the time to make your input really matter.

Case study 8: Joshua’s farewell speech Joshua 23

14. Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.

Going beyond requires a strong and abiding faith. We have to proceed on the basis that we know that God’s promises are real and will become reality. There is no room for doubt.

What kind of person are you? Are you the kind of person who prays believing and acting as if that belief is assured?

Are you the kind of person who is hampered by doubt and fear?

Today, we challenge you to be like Joshua and trust God to deliver unconditionally. And when you ask and trust…ACT. Proceed on the basis that God has heard your plea and He is granting it.

We charge you to follow through on your prayers in the faith that we serve a benevolent and all-wise God who is full of Grace.

In the final analysis, like Joshua we need to get the job done. God will be doing His part, what about you?

Let us not put off the need to be right in the sight of God. Let us be proactive in setting things right. Now is the appointed hour….it is time to go beyond!