Change

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. (Philippians 3:7-9 NIV)

There is nothing more important than your relationship with Jesus Christ. Nothing! 

Praise God for how he has changed me and is changing me. I can feel it. I can see it. I am so much happier with myself, the more I get to know Jesus. There are still many things I want to change, battles that I have within myself. The change I have seen in myself provide hope that I can overcome all sin and shortcomings in my life. It's not anything special I have done, it's Christ working in and through me. 

Knowing Christ is the center of my life. I am working everyday to embed his love into my life and spreading that love to the people I meet. Christ is in me!

I love you Lord! Please continue to change me. May I be a vessel for your love. I praise you with all my heart and worship you in thought, word, and deed. Praise God!

Yep, I've changed!

The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ— God’s righteousness. (Philippians 3:7-9 MSG)

I love this scripture from the message. It made me think about how I have changed throughout my life, how God has changed me! I have wasted so much of my life pursuing "credentials" which is just a fancy word for pursuing "power and prestige". It is also another way of saying my priorities have always been mixed up. I've always been trying to climb the ladder, get more stuff, nicer homes, and a "better" life. I claimed I was doing it for my family when I was really doing it for myself.  I kept rules in an attempt to please God, yet I ignored him, except on Sunday. In that time of my life, I had my own righteousness. I was in control!

Yep, I've changed.

Now I realize, and not a moment too soon, that all I ever needed was in Christ. All the things that used to be important aren't even an after thought. My prayers aren't for things anymore. They're not for jobs, or promotions. They're not for money or financial strife. They're not for the success of my kids. Now my prayers are full of praise and glory for a God that loves me even when I don't deserve it. My prayers are about my family's relationship with the God of the universe. My prayers are to plead for the souls of the lost, the poor, and those that have lost hope. It's no longer about me, it's about God, his glory, and his kingdom. I have realized I can never have real righteousness apart from God and I don't WANT to be in control. I want God to be in control.

Yep, I've changed! And I praise God for the work he is doing in me!