Ephesians 4:22-24, English Standard Version

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:13, ESV)

“Give ear, and hear my voice; give attention, and hear my speech.” (Isaiah 28:23, ESV)

The Lord speaks, and He can speak through many ways and in any way! The matter is this: Do we pay attention? Are we taking His word to be a doer and not just a hearer sincerely?

I am thankful that the Lord is willing to train the ears of those whose hearts desire Him and to hear Him. This includes discernment, clarity, and understanding, yet the best is His transformation power.

One of a very first statements the Lord spoke to me is this: You are not fatherless; I am your Father. This truth was life changing for me – an orphan heart replaced with a heart that was filled with love. A restored/redeemed identity of a beloved daughter of the Most High King.

The path of restoration did not end there. Through the wakening of my heart to recognizing who I am, I was adopted into His family. (Titus 3:7)

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” (Ephesians 2:19, NIV)

I am united in one family (His household) and one Kingdom (fellow citizens with God’s people). I am no longer of the world. (John 17:16) Instead, I am set apart for His purpose. (1 Peter 2:9) Created, called, and prepared uniquely for His work according to the riches of His glory! (2 Timothy 2:21, Ephesians 2:10, 3:16)

Wow! How could I still desire to be the same old self? The truth (His Word, the Son) sets me free from the lies of the enemy, the measurements of the world, and the nature of the flesh - whose mind set on the things below and whose heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. (John 8:32 and 36 and 44, Romans 12:2, Jeremiah 17:9)

“… if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)