If you could change something significant about how you live your life to better it – what would it be?
April 18, 2021
The fact is, we’re all sick. We all Need a doctor!! Not one, not one of us is righteous! Although we cannot judge other people just because they sin DIFFERENTLY than us, we can all certainly admit, to some degree of certainty, we need a change in the form of repentance. Repentance, unlike the definition of insanity, is NOT doing the same thing over and over again expecting to be forgiven. That’s NOT repentance – it’s deflection, avoidance, denial, repetitive sin, and an unchanging heart. Plain and simple.
The changes we need to make, if we’re honest to ourselves but more and most importantly, to God our Father and Creator, then we will admit we need change. Permanent change. The thing is, we cannot do it on our own. If we could, we most certainly would. Just like quitting smoking is difficult without help, so is changing of our hearts. In fact, without Jesus, it’s literally and spiritually IMPOSSIBLE.
Thank you so much for tuning in and Welcome everyone – Hope you’re well! I’m your host, Ben Lively, and you’re listening to “Shaken Awake” – Episode #8!
I just want to thank you for tuning in, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing right this very moment. And look - If you find any value in today’s episode – please pass the news, pass the podcast name and link to a friend, family member, or colleague that you feel would benefit from this show, and become blessed as you are through the words that the Lord shares through these messages. It’s probably one of the easiest things you can do to spread the word – just pass the resource on and let God do the rest, right? That’s what I do just about every minute of every day. Just a note, if you haven’t checked the show out yet at www.shaken-awake.com, please do – I’ve just added more information and transcripts of the show for those that prefer to read or review snippets of the show without having to listen to the entire podcast again, or if you want to share out some of the messages stated on the show to friends, family, or colleagues – go for it! It is better viewed on a desktop, laptop, or tablet, but available on all devices.
And, as always, I promise you another great show – But, more than anything, my HOPE for you today, and always, is that you have an actual encounter with the Lord - He’s is always right there with you, even when you think He’s not. So, let’s get ready to invite Him in with us, right here, right now and allow Him to speak directly to your heart and minds. So, let’s get right into the heart of today’s topic, shall we???
Today, we’re going to be diving into a very important topic, “If you could change something significant about how you live your life to better it – what would it be? Could you change that starting today?”
The point of today’s episode that I really want to hit home for all of you is that although ‘CHANGE’ can be a bit of a mystery, or as I like to call it – a hologram, change is necessary to continue to grow in your walk with the Lord, in your faith, in your relationships, in your life, in your purpose God has for you, in your race He has set before you, and to better your chances of living the purposeful life He created you to have. Often times, change is the one thing we love to hate, right? Be honest! Let’s all admit it right now – when things seem like they’re going poorly or just plain BAD, sometimes, change is embraced and welcomed, right? I mean, if you’re going through tough or challenging times, financially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally, etc. – you begin WANTING and ASKING for change to occur, realizing that change is the only way out of your predicament.
If you want to change financially, you look into alternate means of either adding income to your finances, reducing expenses, or both. That’s the ONLY way change, positive change to your financial situation, will happen, correct?
If you want to change physically, you look into alternate means of living a healthier lifestyle. Eating better, eating less, eating a balanced diet, becoming more active and adding nutrition, reducing bad intake, or both. Less consumed and more burned, right? That’s the ONLY way change, positive change to your physical self will occur, correct?
Why then do we have people that are unhappy with the way they look in the mirror and/or scale, want to change their health and physical situation, but do nothing or very little to change?
Why then do we have people struggling to make ends meet or barely scraping by, want change to their financial situation, but do nothing or very little to change?
I believe we can throw some logical or scientific suggestions out as to why – such as generally speaking most people do not embrace change; people do the same things repeatedly expecting a different outcome (which we’ve come to know as one definition of insanity, right?); it’s not bad enough for them to WANT to change; change is more uncomfortable than the positive results that the change would bring about – in other words, the end results, although positive, do not outweigh the ‘pain’ of the change required; they’re inherently lazy and slothful; they blame everyone and everything for their situation but don’t take accountability for their actions or inactions that keep their situation the same; it’s not completely broken, so they feel there’s nothing that needs critical fixing this very moment; or their strategy is HOPE, in that they hope their situation improves with time by something or someone that requires very little to no effort on their part to assist in making the change.
Do you see where I’m headed with this? If not, let me help put into perspective what we do every day that helps our spiritual situation and walk with the Lord change for the better – NOTHING or very little! The biggest question is: WHY?
Obviously, I can’t answer that FOR you…but YOU should. You NEED TO. I NEED TO.
I’m not here to preach to you – that’s not my intent; that’s not my job; that’s not God’s calling in my life - right now, anyway. My intent is to use God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s conviction on my life that we need to change because God DOESN’T. WE need to make the changes to our lives that God expects when we strive to reach spiritual maturity. We cannot grow in our relationship with Him when we do nothing or very little to change – we just showed a few examples using measures in life that are meaningless in comparison to Him and His Kingdom and absolutely and utterly pointless in the grand scheme of our eternal destination. When we make efforts to better parts of our life, but do nothing or very little to change to conform to His ways and the direction He wants to lead us to and through in our lives, we’re choosing ‘this’ and ‘that’ over HIM – EVERY TIME! The very thing that He looks at, our hearts…my heart, your heart…. are our hearts so absorbed into Him and living our lives for Him, or are they devoted to something else? Again, and I’ll say this repeatedly – I’m not implying a single thing on any person – listener, or not. I’m simply, asking. And, I’m certainly not asking YOU any questions I haven’t already asked myself over and over again, or which the Holy Spirit has not poked and prodded against my heart day after day and night after night. Thank GOD He did – otherwise, I’d still be living my old life, thinking all was well in the world and with my spirituality and relationship with Christ. The reality is, I had NEITHER. Good questions typically provoke thought, and those thought-provoking moments usually have an effect on the mind and the heart of a person who seeks the truth, seeks to better themselves, and above all, the person who seeks to love the Lord God with all their heart, mind, and soul.
Things I’ve needed to change over the years may be greater or worse than you, but I’d like to share if I may, to put this into my own life’s perspective:
If I seem like I have it together….Here’s the ‘me’ before most of YOU got to know me by this podcast and by the way, I haven’t even scratched the surface; all of which God has changed me and healed me from, completely and fully. Not one of these I did on my own doing, but through prayer, and full and total surrender to the Lord and He has healed me from all:
Smoking – smoked for 27 plus years – I’m not putting you smokers down by the way.
Drinking – Drank for 25 years straight - I’m not putting your drinkers down by the way, either.
Cursing – Used the “F” word at least 3-5 times per sentence for 20+ years.
Blasphemy – for my entire life, I used God’s and Jesus’ name in vein – said almost my entire life.
Anger – I used to get angry more times per day then I could count, from around age 18 - 41. I remember being scared that a situation would occur that my anger would end up killing someone and placing me in prison for life.
Abuse – Since around 18, I abused everyone and everything I could to gain any advantage in life I could – this was for my entire life – money, rewards, promotions, etc.
Regret – I’ve regretted most of my life, for MOST OF MY LIFE – could’ve, would’ve, should’ve, but didn’t.
Greed – My entire life, I cared only about my needs and would NEVER dream or dare to provide any help or support, whether physically, emotionally, financially, or other to anyone for any reason. The more I got, the more I wanted. The more I wanted, the more I got.
Hate – Since I was around 18 years of age, I hated people. EVERY ONE. Almost everything about every one made me sick. I saw the worst in everything and everyone. To say I was cynical and hateful was a total understatement. I day dreamed about things I would do to someone. I would daydream and create fictitious scenarios that ended in making what serial killers have done seem like peanuts.
Lust – Had more lust and fantasy and unclean happenings and thoughts than I believed even Hugh Heffner did.
I didn’t just need and require change – I needed a DOCTOR!!! Just so happens, Jesus is the Master Physician. As He said it best (as He always does) – People that aren’t sick don’t need to go to a doctor.
Matthew 9:12 – When Jesus head this, He said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do.”
Luke 5:31 – And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”
Mark 2:17 – And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came NOT to call the righteous, but sinners.”
The fact is, we’re all sick. We all Need a doctor!! Not one, not one of us is righteous! Although we cannot judge other people just because they sin DIFFERENTLY than us, we can all certainly admit, to some degrees of certainty, we need change in the form of repentance. Repentance, unlike the definition of insanity, is NOT and I repeat NOT doing the same thing over and over again expecting to be forgiven. That’s NOT repentance – it’s deflection, avoidance, denial, repetitive sin, and an unchanging heart. Plain and simple.
The changes we need to make, if we’re honest to ourselves but more and most importantly, to God our Father and Creator, then we will admit we need change. Permanent change. The thing is, we cannot do it on our own. If we could, we most certainly would. Just like quitting smoking is difficult without help, so is changing of our hearts. In fact, without Jesus, it’s literally and spiritually IMPOSSIBLE.
Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
However, WE ARE NOT. We change from moment to moment. We are NOT supposed to be same today and forever as we were yesterday – so why do we? What causes us to believe that no change is better for us, in the spiritual sense, than change? The enemy, that’s what. From the beginning of time, satan deceived and fooled us, starting with Eve, then Adam, that we know better than God. Is that not correct? God told them not to do something, satan deceived Even into believing she would be better off disobeying God, so she did. Then, not only did she do that, she helped convince Adam, with satans help, that he should, as well – and then he did!!!! What was so bad about what they did? After all wasn’t it just one fruit from one tree out of a million? No, it was the cost of disobeying God. It was SO bad, that all of mankind starting with them and continuing right up until the present moment that you and I are in, have been and will continue to be cursed. This exact ONE simple sin caused the need for Jesus to come and save the world – those that are willing to believe in Him AND CHANGE, or in other words, repent – which is to permanently change after realizing your fault and sin against God.
So if that one sin was bad enough to change or alter the direction of the universe for all mankind, what does YOUR SIN and SINS and my sin and SINS do for us, as we are each held accountable for our sins? Who has given us the right and authority to dismiss the need to change and repent? Satan has and will forever try. He’s not called the angel of light or the Great deceiver for nothing!!! His two greatest lies ever told AND which are BELIEVED are that a.) he doesn’t exist and to those that do believe he exists, his other lie... “You have plenty of time to get right with God!”
Thank GOD that God’s truth is greater than satans lies!
The greatest change that’s required and needs to happen is inside your heart. For as the Bible states, LOVE covers a multitude of sins. LOVE is from the HEART and we only love because He first loved us. When we understand the compassion of our great Physician, Shepherd, and Savior, Jesus Christ, our hearts are changed in two ways: first we want to return to him and be restored; second, we feel compassion for fellow sinners and want them also to return and be restored. That is the second of the greatest commandments, love your neighbors as yourself.
If you are a sinner and your soul is sick, come to the Physician who loves you and has compassion for you; who can heal you and forgive you of all your sins. If you have already done this, then have compassion on other sinners and let this compassion move you to help them do as you have done and be cured.
We all understand that before we can be cured of an illness we must desire to be cured. Oddly, some sick people don't want to be cured and almost seem to cherish their illnesses or what is causing them. An alcoholic who won't give up the booze, or a lung cancer sufferer who won't stop smoking, or a person going deaf who won't wear ear protection, or a person going blind who won't use the eyedrops, or someone with high blood pressure who won't take walks, or an obese person who won't make dietary changes.
Some people, likewise, won't seek the cure for their sins, and this is very, VERY sad. We have to humbly and helplessly turn to Jesus, who alone has the remedy for sin. I hope you have done this, or will do it. Jesus, the Great Physician Himself has given us the following, exact prescription to follow and in order for change to happen...
1. Hearing Christ’s Word is the first prescription:
Romans 10:8-17 reads:
8 In fact, it says,
“The message is very close at hand;
it is on your lips and in your heart.”
And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “LORD, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Matthew 7:24 refers to building on a solid foundation, and reads:
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
2. Believing is the second prescription — having faith
Romans 1:16-17 reads:
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
Who remembers John 3:16? It reads:
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
3. Repentance from sin is the third prescription – IT’S CHANGE, it’s what today’s podcast message is all about!
Romans 2:4-5 reads:
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.
Romans 6:1-2 reads:
1- Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?
Luke 5:31-32 reads:
31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
4. Confessing Christ is the fourth prescription.
Romans 10:8-10 reads:
8 In fact, it says,
“The message is very close at hand;
it is on your lips and in your heart.”
And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
Matthew 10:32 reads:
32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
5. Being baptized into Christ’s death is the fifth prescription
Romans 6:3-4 reads:
3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Mark 16:15-16 reads:
15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
6. Ongoing commitment (to CHANGE) is the sixth prescription
Romans 12:1-2 reads:
1 -And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:11-12 reads:
11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Luke 9:62 reads:
62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
***The sad part is, the world and those in it believe in change, BIG TIME! Except, it’s change to benefit THEM, not God, His Kingdom, His purpose for them, or their brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet, they spend countless hours and money on ‘change’. The world believes in change, just the wrong kind. I Googled the following phrase, “motivational quotes on change” and here are just simply the pictures of the quotes that appeared from the 99 MILLION, I kid you not, 99 million results:
- The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.
- Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreads than you are to your comfort zone.
- Knowing you are becoming someone you can be proud of….There is no greater motivation than that.
- In life, there are some things we might never really “get over.” Sometimes the best we can do is just “get through.” But that’s okay – There’s still a lot of beauty on the other side.
- The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on the fighting the old, but on building the new (Socrates).
- Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.
- Don’t be afraid of change. It’s leading you to a new beginning
- I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.
- If you do not change the direction, you may end up where you are going.
I’ll stop there. Enough said. The enemy is disguised, always, as the angel of light – as evident in these motivational quotes on change. Are they wrong? Not for the most part, no. Are they biblical? Not for the most part, no. Do these energize us and motivate us to make change? Perhaps, and for the most part, yes. The thing is – not one of them is any more powerful or truer than the words of God on how we should live our lives or make change to live a life that is pleasing to Him. “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” What changes are needed, TODAY, to make that statement a reality and come to life one day? I cannot answer that FOR YOU. I’m too busy working on that for ME.
“Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps.” – Luke 9.23. Did Jesus really mean what he said there? He was serious as His Father, God, who spoke that to Him.
Guys – I chose this particular title for today’s podcast, which is in the form of a question. I’m going to state it again and re-ask the question:
“If you could change something significant about how you live your life to better it – what would it be? Could you change that starting today?....and now I’ll end with one final question – WILL YOU?
So, before we end today’s show, I just want to thank you all again for tuning in and I HOPE you were touched by God through today’s message and scripture. I’d like to ask you a favor only IF you received any value out of today’s show – would you tell at least one person you know – call them, text them, email them, talk to them – tell them to give this show a listen. It may just help them in their walk with Christ.
Also, I really need your support - If you could do me a huge favor, would you go right now to whichever podcast app you’re listening through today and just give me a quick star-rating and if you want to go the extra mile for Christ, not me, put a quick review in – takes 20 seconds. I’d love that help and support for you guys, which will allow the Lord and the Holy Spirit to reach even more lives through this broadcast.
If you’d like to get ahold of me, you can write me a note on www.shaken-awake.com/contact you can also email me directly at ben@shaken-awake.com or even call or text me directly for any reason at (407)-493-3208 (repeat). I want feedback, questions, ideas, requests, criticisms, corrections, I want it all. If you’d like to be a guest of this show, please reach out to me, as well. If you have a life and/or eternity-changing story you’d like to share, please let me know and I’ll schedule you in. We don’t hear enough of the TRUTH these days or the POSITIVE ways of God and Jesus Christ these days, and this podcast is going to help change that up – I'd love your help with this where you can.
Next week!!!! Tune in Next Sunday evening – or WHENEVER YOU’RE ABLE, as we dive into another important topic of the day: “Taking our eye off the prize and living each day as though we’ve got a million more”
In any event, next weeks episode is another DO NOT miss episode!
Until next week, take great care of yourself and each other, and God Bless You all.
I just want to thank you for tuning in, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing right this very moment. And look - If you find any value in today’s episode – please pass the news, pass the podcast name and link to a friend, family member, or colleague that you feel would benefit from this show, and become blessed as you are through the words that the Lord shares through these messages. It’s probably one of the easiest things you can do to spread the word – just pass the resource on and let God do the rest, right? That’s what I do just about every minute of every day. Just a note, if you haven’t checked the show out yet at www.shaken-awake.com, please do – I’ve just added more information and transcripts of the show for those that prefer to read or review snippets of the show without having to listen to the entire podcast again, or if you want to share out some of the messages stated on the show to friends, family, or colleagues – go for it! It is better viewed on a desktop, laptop, or tablet, but available on all devices.
And, as always, I promise you another great show – But, more than anything, my HOPE for you today, and always, is that you have an actual encounter with the Lord - He’s is always right there with you, even when you think He’s not. So, let’s get ready to invite Him in with us, right here, right now and allow Him to speak directly to your heart and minds. So, let’s get right into the heart of today’s topic, shall we???
Today, we’re going to be diving into a very important topic, “If you could change something significant about how you live your life to better it – what would it be? Could you change that starting today?”
The point of today’s episode that I really want to hit home for all of you is that although ‘CHANGE’ can be a bit of a mystery, or as I like to call it – a hologram, change is necessary to continue to grow in your walk with the Lord, in your faith, in your relationships, in your life, in your purpose God has for you, in your race He has set before you, and to better your chances of living the purposeful life He created you to have. Often times, change is the one thing we love to hate, right? Be honest! Let’s all admit it right now – when things seem like they’re going poorly or just plain BAD, sometimes, change is embraced and welcomed, right? I mean, if you’re going through tough or challenging times, financially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally, etc. – you begin WANTING and ASKING for change to occur, realizing that change is the only way out of your predicament.
If you want to change financially, you look into alternate means of either adding income to your finances, reducing expenses, or both. That’s the ONLY way change, positive change to your financial situation, will happen, correct?
If you want to change physically, you look into alternate means of living a healthier lifestyle. Eating better, eating less, eating a balanced diet, becoming more active and adding nutrition, reducing bad intake, or both. Less consumed and more burned, right? That’s the ONLY way change, positive change to your physical self will occur, correct?
Why then do we have people that are unhappy with the way they look in the mirror and/or scale, want to change their health and physical situation, but do nothing or very little to change?
Why then do we have people struggling to make ends meet or barely scraping by, want change to their financial situation, but do nothing or very little to change?
I believe we can throw some logical or scientific suggestions out as to why – such as generally speaking most people do not embrace change; people do the same things repeatedly expecting a different outcome (which we’ve come to know as one definition of insanity, right?); it’s not bad enough for them to WANT to change; change is more uncomfortable than the positive results that the change would bring about – in other words, the end results, although positive, do not outweigh the ‘pain’ of the change required; they’re inherently lazy and slothful; they blame everyone and everything for their situation but don’t take accountability for their actions or inactions that keep their situation the same; it’s not completely broken, so they feel there’s nothing that needs critical fixing this very moment; or their strategy is HOPE, in that they hope their situation improves with time by something or someone that requires very little to no effort on their part to assist in making the change.
Do you see where I’m headed with this? If not, let me help put into perspective what we do every day that helps our spiritual situation and walk with the Lord change for the better – NOTHING or very little! The biggest question is: WHY?
Obviously, I can’t answer that FOR you…but YOU should. You NEED TO. I NEED TO.
I’m not here to preach to you – that’s not my intent; that’s not my job; that’s not God’s calling in my life - right now, anyway. My intent is to use God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s conviction on my life that we need to change because God DOESN’T. WE need to make the changes to our lives that God expects when we strive to reach spiritual maturity. We cannot grow in our relationship with Him when we do nothing or very little to change – we just showed a few examples using measures in life that are meaningless in comparison to Him and His Kingdom and absolutely and utterly pointless in the grand scheme of our eternal destination. When we make efforts to better parts of our life, but do nothing or very little to change to conform to His ways and the direction He wants to lead us to and through in our lives, we’re choosing ‘this’ and ‘that’ over HIM – EVERY TIME! The very thing that He looks at, our hearts…my heart, your heart…. are our hearts so absorbed into Him and living our lives for Him, or are they devoted to something else? Again, and I’ll say this repeatedly – I’m not implying a single thing on any person – listener, or not. I’m simply, asking. And, I’m certainly not asking YOU any questions I haven’t already asked myself over and over again, or which the Holy Spirit has not poked and prodded against my heart day after day and night after night. Thank GOD He did – otherwise, I’d still be living my old life, thinking all was well in the world and with my spirituality and relationship with Christ. The reality is, I had NEITHER. Good questions typically provoke thought, and those thought-provoking moments usually have an effect on the mind and the heart of a person who seeks the truth, seeks to better themselves, and above all, the person who seeks to love the Lord God with all their heart, mind, and soul.
Things I’ve needed to change over the years may be greater or worse than you, but I’d like to share if I may, to put this into my own life’s perspective:
If I seem like I have it together….Here’s the ‘me’ before most of YOU got to know me by this podcast and by the way, I haven’t even scratched the surface; all of which God has changed me and healed me from, completely and fully. Not one of these I did on my own doing, but through prayer, and full and total surrender to the Lord and He has healed me from all:
Smoking – smoked for 27 plus years – I’m not putting you smokers down by the way.
Drinking – Drank for 25 years straight - I’m not putting your drinkers down by the way, either.
Cursing – Used the “F” word at least 3-5 times per sentence for 20+ years.
Blasphemy – for my entire life, I used God’s and Jesus’ name in vein – said almost my entire life.
Anger – I used to get angry more times per day then I could count, from around age 18 - 41. I remember being scared that a situation would occur that my anger would end up killing someone and placing me in prison for life.
Abuse – Since around 18, I abused everyone and everything I could to gain any advantage in life I could – this was for my entire life – money, rewards, promotions, etc.
Regret – I’ve regretted most of my life, for MOST OF MY LIFE – could’ve, would’ve, should’ve, but didn’t.
Greed – My entire life, I cared only about my needs and would NEVER dream or dare to provide any help or support, whether physically, emotionally, financially, or other to anyone for any reason. The more I got, the more I wanted. The more I wanted, the more I got.
Hate – Since I was around 18 years of age, I hated people. EVERY ONE. Almost everything about every one made me sick. I saw the worst in everything and everyone. To say I was cynical and hateful was a total understatement. I day dreamed about things I would do to someone. I would daydream and create fictitious scenarios that ended in making what serial killers have done seem like peanuts.
Lust – Had more lust and fantasy and unclean happenings and thoughts than I believed even Hugh Heffner did.
I didn’t just need and require change – I needed a DOCTOR!!! Just so happens, Jesus is the Master Physician. As He said it best (as He always does) – People that aren’t sick don’t need to go to a doctor.
Matthew 9:12 – When Jesus head this, He said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do.”
Luke 5:31 – And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”
Mark 2:17 – And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came NOT to call the righteous, but sinners.”
The fact is, we’re all sick. We all Need a doctor!! Not one, not one of us is righteous! Although we cannot judge other people just because they sin DIFFERENTLY than us, we can all certainly admit, to some degrees of certainty, we need change in the form of repentance. Repentance, unlike the definition of insanity, is NOT and I repeat NOT doing the same thing over and over again expecting to be forgiven. That’s NOT repentance – it’s deflection, avoidance, denial, repetitive sin, and an unchanging heart. Plain and simple.
The changes we need to make, if we’re honest to ourselves but more and most importantly, to God our Father and Creator, then we will admit we need change. Permanent change. The thing is, we cannot do it on our own. If we could, we most certainly would. Just like quitting smoking is difficult without help, so is changing of our hearts. In fact, without Jesus, it’s literally and spiritually IMPOSSIBLE.
Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
However, WE ARE NOT. We change from moment to moment. We are NOT supposed to be same today and forever as we were yesterday – so why do we? What causes us to believe that no change is better for us, in the spiritual sense, than change? The enemy, that’s what. From the beginning of time, satan deceived and fooled us, starting with Eve, then Adam, that we know better than God. Is that not correct? God told them not to do something, satan deceived Even into believing she would be better off disobeying God, so she did. Then, not only did she do that, she helped convince Adam, with satans help, that he should, as well – and then he did!!!! What was so bad about what they did? After all wasn’t it just one fruit from one tree out of a million? No, it was the cost of disobeying God. It was SO bad, that all of mankind starting with them and continuing right up until the present moment that you and I are in, have been and will continue to be cursed. This exact ONE simple sin caused the need for Jesus to come and save the world – those that are willing to believe in Him AND CHANGE, or in other words, repent – which is to permanently change after realizing your fault and sin against God.
So if that one sin was bad enough to change or alter the direction of the universe for all mankind, what does YOUR SIN and SINS and my sin and SINS do for us, as we are each held accountable for our sins? Who has given us the right and authority to dismiss the need to change and repent? Satan has and will forever try. He’s not called the angel of light or the Great deceiver for nothing!!! His two greatest lies ever told AND which are BELIEVED are that a.) he doesn’t exist and to those that do believe he exists, his other lie... “You have plenty of time to get right with God!”
Thank GOD that God’s truth is greater than satans lies!
The greatest change that’s required and needs to happen is inside your heart. For as the Bible states, LOVE covers a multitude of sins. LOVE is from the HEART and we only love because He first loved us. When we understand the compassion of our great Physician, Shepherd, and Savior, Jesus Christ, our hearts are changed in two ways: first we want to return to him and be restored; second, we feel compassion for fellow sinners and want them also to return and be restored. That is the second of the greatest commandments, love your neighbors as yourself.
If you are a sinner and your soul is sick, come to the Physician who loves you and has compassion for you; who can heal you and forgive you of all your sins. If you have already done this, then have compassion on other sinners and let this compassion move you to help them do as you have done and be cured.
We all understand that before we can be cured of an illness we must desire to be cured. Oddly, some sick people don't want to be cured and almost seem to cherish their illnesses or what is causing them. An alcoholic who won't give up the booze, or a lung cancer sufferer who won't stop smoking, or a person going deaf who won't wear ear protection, or a person going blind who won't use the eyedrops, or someone with high blood pressure who won't take walks, or an obese person who won't make dietary changes.
Some people, likewise, won't seek the cure for their sins, and this is very, VERY sad. We have to humbly and helplessly turn to Jesus, who alone has the remedy for sin. I hope you have done this, or will do it. Jesus, the Great Physician Himself has given us the following, exact prescription to follow and in order for change to happen...
1. Hearing Christ’s Word is the first prescription:
Romans 10:8-17 reads:
8 In fact, it says,
“The message is very close at hand;
it is on your lips and in your heart.”
And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “LORD, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Matthew 7:24 refers to building on a solid foundation, and reads:
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
2. Believing is the second prescription — having faith
Romans 1:16-17 reads:
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
Who remembers John 3:16? It reads:
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
3. Repentance from sin is the third prescription – IT’S CHANGE, it’s what today’s podcast message is all about!
Romans 2:4-5 reads:
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.
Romans 6:1-2 reads:
1- Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?
Luke 5:31-32 reads:
31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
4. Confessing Christ is the fourth prescription.
Romans 10:8-10 reads:
8 In fact, it says,
“The message is very close at hand;
it is on your lips and in your heart.”
And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
Matthew 10:32 reads:
32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
5. Being baptized into Christ’s death is the fifth prescription
Romans 6:3-4 reads:
3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Mark 16:15-16 reads:
15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
6. Ongoing commitment (to CHANGE) is the sixth prescription
Romans 12:1-2 reads:
1 -And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:11-12 reads:
11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Luke 9:62 reads:
62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
***The sad part is, the world and those in it believe in change, BIG TIME! Except, it’s change to benefit THEM, not God, His Kingdom, His purpose for them, or their brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet, they spend countless hours and money on ‘change’. The world believes in change, just the wrong kind. I Googled the following phrase, “motivational quotes on change” and here are just simply the pictures of the quotes that appeared from the 99 MILLION, I kid you not, 99 million results:
- The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.
- Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreads than you are to your comfort zone.
- Knowing you are becoming someone you can be proud of….There is no greater motivation than that.
- In life, there are some things we might never really “get over.” Sometimes the best we can do is just “get through.” But that’s okay – There’s still a lot of beauty on the other side.
- The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on the fighting the old, but on building the new (Socrates).
- Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.
- Don’t be afraid of change. It’s leading you to a new beginning
- I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.
- If you do not change the direction, you may end up where you are going.
I’ll stop there. Enough said. The enemy is disguised, always, as the angel of light – as evident in these motivational quotes on change. Are they wrong? Not for the most part, no. Are they biblical? Not for the most part, no. Do these energize us and motivate us to make change? Perhaps, and for the most part, yes. The thing is – not one of them is any more powerful or truer than the words of God on how we should live our lives or make change to live a life that is pleasing to Him. “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” What changes are needed, TODAY, to make that statement a reality and come to life one day? I cannot answer that FOR YOU. I’m too busy working on that for ME.
“Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps.” – Luke 9.23. Did Jesus really mean what he said there? He was serious as His Father, God, who spoke that to Him.
Guys – I chose this particular title for today’s podcast, which is in the form of a question. I’m going to state it again and re-ask the question:
“If you could change something significant about how you live your life to better it – what would it be? Could you change that starting today?....and now I’ll end with one final question – WILL YOU?
So, before we end today’s show, I just want to thank you all again for tuning in and I HOPE you were touched by God through today’s message and scripture. I’d like to ask you a favor only IF you received any value out of today’s show – would you tell at least one person you know – call them, text them, email them, talk to them – tell them to give this show a listen. It may just help them in their walk with Christ.
Also, I really need your support - If you could do me a huge favor, would you go right now to whichever podcast app you’re listening through today and just give me a quick star-rating and if you want to go the extra mile for Christ, not me, put a quick review in – takes 20 seconds. I’d love that help and support for you guys, which will allow the Lord and the Holy Spirit to reach even more lives through this broadcast.
If you’d like to get ahold of me, you can write me a note on www.shaken-awake.com/contact you can also email me directly at ben@shaken-awake.com or even call or text me directly for any reason at (407)-493-3208 (repeat). I want feedback, questions, ideas, requests, criticisms, corrections, I want it all. If you’d like to be a guest of this show, please reach out to me, as well. If you have a life and/or eternity-changing story you’d like to share, please let me know and I’ll schedule you in. We don’t hear enough of the TRUTH these days or the POSITIVE ways of God and Jesus Christ these days, and this podcast is going to help change that up – I'd love your help with this where you can.
Next week!!!! Tune in Next Sunday evening – or WHENEVER YOU’RE ABLE, as we dive into another important topic of the day: “Taking our eye off the prize and living each day as though we’ve got a million more”
In any event, next weeks episode is another DO NOT miss episode!
Until next week, take great care of yourself and each other, and God Bless You all.