02.01.2010
  
Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of magine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.

Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.

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Transformed
by the Spirit of God...
This one's a tad long, but worth it...I confess, I like to make my own decisions. When I was a child, decisions were made for me. As an adult, I enjoy the process of discernment and the accompanying sense of liberty. Although I can make the wrong choices, still, they're mine; I can own the consequences and embrace the learning.

 

The point will be evident in a moment, but in the meantime...

 

The apostle Paul wrote of the wonder of spiritual transformation. Read his words aloud, slowly, and deliberately: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Believers are transformed into the "glory of the Lord...the image of Christ," from "glory to glory"--that is, incrementally--by the Spirit of God.

 

Aren't you just a little curious how all that works itself out?

 

The work of the Holy Spirit is essentially communication: communicating the heart and mind of God to men (1 Corinthians 2:10-16); and, conversely, communicating the hearts and minds of men to God (Romans 8:26-27). Wondrously, the Spirit's purpose in communication appears to be focused upon formation (Genesis 1:1) and transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18)--with a mind toward (and this is a conversation for another day) "temple building." Communication and creation. Who knew. He's an Artist.  

  

But...how might we understand the transformational activity of the Spirit in such a way that the Spirit doesn't "co-opt" our souls, assume responsibility for our choices--I told you we'd get back to choices--and overwhelm our free will? Or do we become mere marionettes and the Spirit our puppeteer? Actually, put your hands down. Both questions are rhetorical. Paul offers practical insight...  

 

From Paul's letter to the Romans: "The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5). 

 

From Paul's prayer for the Ephesians: "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:14-19).  

 

As we draw near to God, he draws near to us. And the Spirit transforms and kindles our passions by communicating--such an inadequate word in this context!--to us, deep within, the love of God.  

 

And again, from Paul--this time from his letter to the Philippians: with love, comes discernment. Paul wrote: "I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it...I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ...Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will [to have the desire to be] and to work [to have the energy to do] for His good pleasure (Philippians 1:6-13).

 

How cool is that?

 

 

What's present--within and without--that either encourages or inhibits the Spirit in pouring out the love of God within your heart--transforming and fanning your passions with God's love?

 

The indwelling of the Spirit is described in scripture as a relationship (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14)--one in which we yield to the Spirit's influence. You may be surprised to learn that the indwelling of the Spirit is not something that is done either for us or to us; rather, Paul enjoined--precept, not promise--the Ephesians to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). It's our responsibility to initiate and to be faithful in relationship with the Spirit. And, finally, the inquiry: what three very practical activities does Paul prescribe in Ephesians 5:19-21 that we might be filled with the Spirit?   

 

In Ephesians 5:18, what did Paul contrast with being filled with the Spirit? What's the very creative connection?   

 

Michael Fox
m�agine!

530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241  
In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice
and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--

as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.

Michael's books include
 
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.

Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.

Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.

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