“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:8, KJV)

Dear friend,

There was a point in my life when everything changed. It wasn’t because I started to do everything right. It was because God changed me from the inside out. I’m excited to share these “3 steps to transform your life into the image of God” because it will work for anyone. Where ever you find yourself, God wants to heal, restore, and redeem every area and it’s not up to your good works and perfect performance. It all comes from relationship and inside out transformation.

Romans 12:1 (NKJV) says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

This verse reveals that its our job to present our bodies and lives to God as a living sacrifice, and that once we know and understand all the amazing things God’s done for us through Christ, that this is our reasonable response to Him. We don’t seek and serve God out of fear, but out of worship for all He’s done.

Have you ever tried to practice patience, go on a diet, or eat salads every day? Have you ever tried to be a living sacrifice? These things are difficult in our own strength. It’s like telling yourself, “don’t think about the pink elephant.” Human nature has a tendency to want to do the things you’re not supposed to do. Which is why we have to ask God to help us with this, and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

I’ve tried to be a holy, living sacrifice, and failed—many times—and I continue to fall short of God’s mark. But praise be to God, He isn’t looking at our actions to determine His approval of us. He approves us, and is pleased with us, because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Now, my friend, we are righteous and truly holy because of Jesus Christ in us (Eph. 4:24). We are blameless and spotless, and our actions don’t change that. That’s a lot to digest if you’re hearing this good news for the first time. But it changes everything.

Instead of us trying to be a holy, living sacrifice on our own—which is impossible, and we will set ourselves up for failure and disappointment—I’ve found that surrender is the key.

Step 1: Surrender is the first step to becoming a living sacrifice and serving the Lord.

Surrender says,

“Lord, I know I can’t do this on my own. I know that you know more than I do. I’ve done it my way and failed. I want to do it your way. I lay down my will and my wants. I ask that you show me your will and help me walk in it.”

When this is our heart attitude, then it gives God access to guide our lives to victory. Without surrender, we’re in pride, and God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Speaking from experience, I’ve seen how pride can shut the flow of God off in my life. I’ve seen how resisting help and correction from the people around me can shut the power of God off in my life. And I never ever, ever, want to be in that place again. Surrender opened my life and my heart to the power, promises, and purpose of God.

In fact, I remember exactly where I was when I first surrendered. I’d been a Christians since I was 11, but as a teenager, I didn’t serve God, nor did I know how to. I rebelled against God and my conscience. So after seven years of brutal drug addiction, I found myself in a 30-day inpatient treatment center. Two weeks in, walking through the courtyard, I saw the destruction and chaos I had caused in my life. I had ruined it. And it was in that moment that I decided,

“God, I know nothing. From this day forward, I choose to yield to you, and listen to the people around me.”

And then, I made that decision every day moving forward.

Step 2: Align your life with God.

As I was getting sober, I started reading the Bible. I wasn’t necessarily trying to become godlier, but I was trying to ease the aching in my heart. Little did I know that God was renewing my mind and changing me from the inside out with no effort on my part. Through this simple commitment, my heart became soft to God, I could feel Him guiding me away from sin and closer to Him, and I began to hear my conscience. God began to lead my life away from the ways of the world and He taught me His ways.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV) goes on to say, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Having one foot in the world and one foot in godliness creates a basis for an unstable life. We will not grow with God or meet our full potential if this is how we’re living. Again, I’m speaking from experience. Being a friend of the world means that we’re an enemy of God (James 4:4). We can’t live a double lifestyle and expect to be blessed for it. If we want to see blessing and transformation in our life, then we need to live like it.

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:25, NKJV)

We are blessed when we look to the Word of God, continue in it, keep hearing and growing in faith (Rom. 10:17), and apply it to our life and our actions. Then, we will see godly promises, blessings, and renewal in our life.

God’s Word can change your circumstances and the direction your life is going. But you must believe that it can, know the truth, and apply it to your life by faith. This is how we align our life with God’s Word. (Scripture references: Mark 4, Prov. 23:7, 2 Peter 1)

Step 3: Be transformed into the image of God

The second part of Romans 12:2 tells us that if we want to be transformed, then we need to renew our mind.

Personally, I see thoughts, emotions, and things in my life that don’t align with God’s Word. When these things come up throughout the day, I bring them into subjection, I speak to my thoughts, emotions, and body and declare the Word to them, commanding them to align to the Spirit and truth of God. And they do.

We don’t have to receive everything we think and feel and just accept it in our life. We have to get violent with our faith (Matt. 11:12) and bring our souls and bodies into subjection (1 Cor. 9:27, 2 Cor. 10:3-5). We’ve been given all authority from Jesus (Lu. 10:19), and it’s our responsibility to enforce it in our life through our faith. Trust me, we live in a world that's fallen to sin, and it’s not going to happen on accident. You aren’t going to wake up one day and live in a transformed life. It will require faith, patience, and endurance (Heb. 6:11-12).

So what does it mean to renew your mind? In Greek, renewing is translated to mean renovation, complete change for the better.

I had an opportunity to help someone restore abandoned houses several years ago. These houses were a sore sight, inside and out. Before we could even start renovating, we had to go in and tear out the old, so we could replace it with the new. Renewing our mind with the truth is the same thing.

As we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit will guide you, speak to you, and begin to change the way you think. He’ll highlight areas in your heart, actions, or thoughts that don’t align with God’s Word. Holy Spirit does this in the most gentle, loving way. It's not painful, it’s healing and refreshing. But He can’t do this if we aren’t reading the Bible. There’s a supernatural connection that happens as you seek God with all your heart and read the Bible consistently, God will meet with you, teach you, and restore your life in every way imaginable. (Scripture references: Jer. 29:13, Heb. 4:12, Ps. 119:9).

Apply These Truths to Your Life Today

If you recognize an area in your life or heart that doesn’t align with God, or maybe its been abandoned and neglected, then surrender it to God today. Give that area to Him, invite Him into it, and ask Him to help you renew and restore it back to His perfect plan for your life.

Look for verses in the Bible that speak to that area in your life. Whenever the lie or temptation returns, believe in your heart and confess that verse out loud. When you do that, you’re releasing your faith and your authority over that situation. With time, your soul, body, and circumstances will change, and align with God’s truth. You will be transformed and renewed into the image of God, and you will prove God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will. You will prove that the Word of God works.

I’ve followed this outline in so many ways, in so many areas, and it works. I no longer struggle with the temptations, strongholds, and addictions that I once faced. When God sets you free, you're free for life because He doesn't just put a bandaid on it. He heals you from the inside out and He shows you the truth about the power of His Son Jesus Christ inside of you. That's the truth about who you are—not your past or your actions. There is power when we surrender and align with God's truth. It always leads to lasting transformation.

There’s three things that continue to help me walk out this process in my life, and I’d like to share them with you:

• A daily habit of reading the Bible, which ensures that I’m continually renewing my mind with the truth, staying sharp in my faith, and hearing the guidance of God.

• A mentor helped to guide me in the way of faith; someone who was older and wiser than me, who I could call and receive prayer or wise counsel from.

• Agree with God about who you are in Christ every day. If you see yourself as a failure and a sinner, then you’ll be double-minded, unstable, and it will be difficult for you to live in the fullness of the amazing things God has for you (James 1:6-8). Our lives are filled with His power when we acknowledge the truth about who we are in Christ (Phm. 1:6), and know how much God loves us (Eph. 3:16-20). Believe it!

Surrender. Align. Renew. Transform.

Today and everyday, let's choose to surrender to God, align our life with His ways, and renew our mind with the truth. As we do this, we won't have to force the transformation, it will happen automatically.

My friend, I pray that these three simple steps to transform your life into the image of God bring healing, renewal, and restoration to every area. God has good plans for your life, so stay steadfast in your faith, and don’t settle for anything less than God’s best.

Next Tuesday, we’ll be live on YouTube at 5:30pm MT to discuss Chapter 3 in my book, Hello, New You, which is all about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This was another life-changing truth for me, which set me on fire for God, and filled my life with the power I needed to keep moving forward and upward in my faith. I hope to see you there!

Partners, thank you so much for your generosity. You're enabling us to share the gospel with people for free, and its restoring their lives back to God, and helping them walk in His fullness for their life. This is a priceless gift to anyone who's ever walked in darkness. Thank you for your heart for God and His children. Your reward is great!

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Love You,
Erin

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