A Transformed Life

After church service I attended a men's ministry meeting. Compared to size of church with at least 8,000 in attendance on a given Sunday morning, there was just some thirty or so men gathered in the spacious room.

Mighty men of God. Men who secretly wrestled with demons in prayer. Men who slew lions and bears in wilderness country like David long before he became king. Alone and abandoned but knowing something of the heart of God that few would ever experience.

But from the outward appearance in this group of men you may not even consider these men as being valiant, brave or fighters. After a short time of God's word, the leader open the meeting for others to share.

One man stood to his feet to talk of God's goodness. His voice was slightly high pitched, his speech a bit hesitant as he described a day he was invited to spend a day with a pastor for breakfast and lunch on Staten Island. He lit up at the remembrance of food - two meals he exclaimed in a single day!

Another raised his hand while others were commenting on a sports figure who recently announced he was gay. He sat comfortably behind me while retelling how God delivered him from homosexuality. He encouraged the group to love, reach out and be compassionate. At times you can detect a battle worn solider who had admittedly said, "It can be tough some days."

Yet another announced he was new to the group having heard of the men's ministry but decided it was time to show up and be accountable, so to speak. He shared of God's recent provision in connection to feeding the homeless.

Another struggled with wanting to be accepted and approved, afraid that people might know what was really going on inside his head. Many shared Scriptures of comfort and encouragement.

Story after story of lives being transformed by God's power. Sometimes raw, tender and even rough and scratchy around the edges but still testimonies of a life God is forming and shaping to astound the world.

David had mighty warriors. One of them best describes this group of men meeting on Sunday. I Chronicles 11:22-23 records this incredible feat. Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab's two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down an Egyptian who was five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's rod in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. (NIV)

Beloved, God will give you supernatural strength to overcome those things the Enemy and flesh has used to destroy you. You will snatch the very weapon out of the Enemy's hand and strike him! How when I'm so weak, afraid and feel so inadequate to such a task?

Through your testimony of God's rich mercy!

A transformed life troubles the Enemy because it speaks of God's power to change us when others have written us off or dismissed us for the talented, the famous or the charismatic. But God see us differently. Warriors, valiant and courageous men and women - the Joshua company taking the Promise Land!