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Shalom!


Shalom is a Hebrew word that means peace and can be used to mean both hello and goodbye.  Ho-Hum!  Yawn, Yawn!  Peace is an overused word today.  We all laugh when Sandra Bullock says, “And world peace,” during her interview in Miss Congeniality.  It’s a joke!

Well, I’ve been learning something new about Shalom.  It started about 18 months ago with what is referred to as the LORD’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4).  I got no further than…

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  How is His will done in heaven?  Immediately!  Without question! Willingly!  With a joyful heart!

You get the picture.  That’s when I began to realize something about myself.  When I struggle to obey what His Word says is right, it is because I do not trust Him.  And when I do not trust Him, I do not have Shalom because I am at war with Him.  I have become His enemy because I am against Him and His ways.

I was reading Romans 12 last week and was struck anew by the words in verse 2…In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the world.  Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what He wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed (CJB).

Anytime “let” is used, I take notice because “let” implies a choice on my part.  Will I hinder or cooperate with God?  Look at it again…

I must not let myself be conformed to the standards of the world. 

I am to keep letting myself be transformed by the renewing of my mind.

What are the promised results of not letting myself be conformed to the world and letting my mind be renewed?

I will know what God wants and I will agree that what He wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.

The One who created us is unchanging and yet we were created to grow and change and become new...transformed.  Like the sun breaking over the horizon and bringing us a fresh new day, the Son also brings us fresh new days.  He brings light into our darkness and allows us to see the world from His perspective.  He is in the process of transforming me, and it is my desire to cooperate!  LORD may it be so!!!

The following is a link to one of my favorite songs.  Want What You Want by Tenth Avenue North.  I hope y’all enjoy it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7tfMno9uHQ
 

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