When Jesus came to me, it wasn't a physical encounter; He came from within. Meeting Jesus in this way taught me the importance of living from the inside out because He resides within me. Although I may not have seen Him externally, I have undeniably experienced His presence within.

The transformation began when I allowed the Word of God to penetrate my being. There was a part of me, the old self, that was created and held together by His Word. When I accepted Jesus, the Word within me was released, destroying the old me and creating a new self. This inner renewal mirrors the spiritual rebirth we undergo when we accept Christ, as explained in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Before we are born again, we are held together by the Word of God, yet we are spiritually dead. Upon accepting Christ, the Word envelops and transforms us, making the old self non-existent. This transformation is profound and real, as we become new creations, reflecting the image of God within us.

In our spiritual battles, it is crucial to recognize that the devil is already defeated. As 1 John 4:4 says, "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." This realization empowers us to rebuke the enemy, knowing that our new identity in Christ is victorious and eternal.

My transformation is ongoing, and it extends to others as well. For instance, as I pray for my friend Patty, I envision her being renewed by the same principles that transformed me. The new creation within us is continually reshaping our souls and bodies. Romans 12:2 encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, aligning our thoughts with God's eternal promises.

As we engage in prayer and spiritual practices, we tap into heavenly realities. We can experience the promises of our glorified bodies even now, by faith. Ephesians 2:6 reminds us that God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms. This truth allows us to access heavenly blessings and apply them to our earthly lives.

Reflecting on Jacob's story, who placed striped poles before Laban's livestock to influence their offspring, we see a principle at work: what we focus on shapes our reality. Similarly, when the Israelites were bitten by snakes, they were healed by looking at the bronze serpent on a pole (Numbers 21:8-9). Both stories point to Jesus, who became sin for us so that we might become righteous through Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). By His stripes, we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).

We must fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). By doing so, we align our hearts and minds with His truth, allowing His life-giving Spirit to quicken our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11). This inner vision of Christ's finished work on the cross and His resurrection power fuels our faith and brings transformation.

In conclusion, the journey of faith is about internalizing God's Word and allowing it to reshape our inner selves. As we focus on Jesus and His promises, we experience a profound inner transformation that manifests in our lives. This new life in Christ is greater than any earthly wisdom or medicine, for it is rooted in the eternal and unfailing love of God.

Scriptures Used:

1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2. 1 John 4:4 - "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world."
3. Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
4. Ephesians 2:6 - "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."
5. Numbers 21:8-9 - "The Lord said to Moses, 'Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.' So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived."
6. 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
7. Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
8. Hebrews 12:2 - "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
9. Romans 8:11 - "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."