The history of the world is the story of a loving Father and his rebellious human children. God’s plan, from the beginning, has been family and kingdom. God invites us to Be with Him as sons and daughters of the King, to Become like Him as we were when He created man, and to Do things together – wonderful things.
He invites us, as His children, to fulfill the task given to Adam: fill the whole earth with godly people who bring God’s goodness to their area of influence. In other words, establish the Kingdom of God here on earth.
This all becomes REAL to us through God’s processes of Revelation, Encounter, Application, and Life/Light.
2 Minute Transformations- A Tool to Change You and the World
2 Minute Transformations is a tool that will help you take small steps to make big changes in you and in the world. It will take a few minutes to learn. After you learn it, each of the four parts below can usually be done in about 2 minutes. The steps can be used together or separately. To make “overcoming evil with good” a lifestyle practice these daily. Put this post where you can use it anytime. [I use Evernote to save things I want to have access to anywhere. Evernote clipper makes capturing pages like this blog post a snap. And it’s free.] Let’s get started.
Today, I Overcome Evil With Good
I. Revelation
Amazed and perplexed, they (the crowd) asked one another, “What does this mean?” Acts 2:12 (NIV)
Jesus said: “..the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you.” John 14:26
Holy Spirit, open the following scriptures to me. Let them burn in my heart.
This is how love is made complete among us…. In this world we are like Jesus. 1 John 4:17 (NIV)
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 (NIV)
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NIV)
II. Encounter
“Revelation is intended as an invitation to encounter and experience” Bill Johnson, Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind
“My lord,” he (Abraham) said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while.” Genesis 18:3 (NLT)
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
1. Thank and praise God for what you are going to do with Him today.
In praise and worship we encounter God because the emotion in the songs and cries of our hearts bypasses our mental filters and our hearts connect with God.
Connect your heart to God’s through Steven Curtis Chapman’s song about the tragedy in Charleston, SC. “Love will not be overcome by evil. Love will overcome evil with good.” http://bit.ly/1LxTOcd
2. Ask Jesus to lead you into situations where you can do good today and to show you how to co-labor and collaborate with Him.
III Application
What can I do to make this my natural response – to make this part of me?
… humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:21-22 (NLT)
Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Acts 2:37 (NLT)
1. Declare who you are and what you are going to do today.
- I can change my world today. I may not be able to change everything, but I will change something.
- I am a force for good in my home, my neighborhood and everywhere I go.
- I will plant random acts of kindness, unseen when possible.
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I will lend others my peace, my joy, and my patience.
- I will take time to listen, to understand, and to care.
- The goodness in me (the Holy Spirit) is greater than any evil I will encounter today.
- It’s going to be a very good day!!
2. Just do it. Look for opportunities to do good. You will find them.
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. Romans 12:21 (MSG)
IV Life/Light
You are the Message. You are Light of the World
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Mat 5:16 (NIV)
1. Celebrate that you overcame evil with God’s goodness today!
2. Journal it!
- write down what God told or showed you.
- Record what God did when you stepped out and applied His goodness to a bad situation.
- Notice how you were changed by this process.
3. Share your light. We would love to hear your experiences! Please post them in the comments on this blog post.
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