New Wineskins 9 of 21 – A Revelation of God’s Transforming Power

Ask the Holy Spirit for a revelation of God’s transforming power of love today:

John did not naturally possess loveliness of character. He was not only proud, self-assertive, and ambitious for honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injury. An evil temper, the desire for revenge, the spirit of criticism, were all in this “son of thunder.” But beneath all this, the divine Teacher discerned the ardent, sincere, loving heart. Jesus rebuked this self-seeking, disappointed his ambitions, tested his faith. But He revealed to him that for which his soul longed—the beauty of holiness, the transforming power of love.

It was John’s deep love for Christ which led him always to desire to be close by His side. The depth and fervor of John’s affection for his Master was not the cause of Christ’s love for him, but the effect of that love.  John desired to become like Jesus, and under the transforming influence of the love of Christ, he did become meek and lowly. Self was hid in Jesus.

 Self is difficult to conquer. Human depravity in every form is not easily brought into subjection to the Spirit of Christ. But the victory can be gained; for nothing is impossible with God. By His assisting grace, all evil temper, all human depravity, may be overcome. Every Christian must learn of Christ, “who, when He was reviled, reviled not again.

(Adapted from AA 540, 544; 4T 349)

Dear Heavenly Father,

I see myself in that list of defects; I hate these selfish ways; the thought of them sometimes overwhelms and discourages me.  Yet You see beneath all that to my heart desirous of change; and YOU LOVE ME!  Lord, rebuke my ways, disappoint my ambitions, test my faith!  Search me, know my heart, prove me and know my steps! Forgive and purge me from any wicked way!

“If I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight.”   Put me in that place by You, and while Your glory passes by, hide me in the cleft of that Rock and cover me with Your hand.  I want self to be totally hid in You that nothing can be seen of me, only Your glory!  May Your beauty and Your goodness pass before; may Your everlasting love transform me!

Today, I see You Jesus. I picture You, getting off Your heavenly throne to become part of Your creation to end up at the foot of Your rightful earthly throne, before Caiaphas, surrounded by the stares of a mob. How much lower could You go? They spat on Your face, and beat You and struck You with the palms of their hands, saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ!”  Yet, You did not retaliate.  You “alone were calm and serene.”

This scene breaks my heart!  Please, come and sit on the throne of my heart forever!  Thank You, that I have found grace in Your sight, that You know me by name!  I praise You for your promise that I claim today, that Your Presence will go with me and give me rest.

I pray this in the name of the one who “had done no violence,” yet was bruised for me, Amen.

Ps. 139:23; Ex. 33:13,14,17, 19, 21,22; Matt. 26:67,68; DA 703-4; Is. 53:9,10.

Today, walk the Via Dolorosa with Jesus (Matthew 27: 11-end), and ask Him to change you as you behold His beauty and transforming love!