By Tommy Rush

Recently we were having some problems with a computer program that operates the air and heating system of our church building. Few things are more important than a good air conditioning system during a Louisiana summer! When the computer technician came to check out our problem, he informed me that we were in desperate need of an “upgrade.”

When it comes to computers, I know just enough to get me by. But I do understand the importance of upgrading every now and then. Upgrading software makes a lot of things possible that were not possible before. The computer guy told me several times that upgrading the computers would give us much better service, but failing to upgrade would continue to limit our support and lead to more problems in the future.

Long before computers and software, God’s been in the business of upgrading the central processing system of people’s lives. It’s called your mind. A good scripture that reminds us of this is Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and prove what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

It’s good to know that God is in the “upgrading” business! When you commit your life to Christ, He begins the upgrade process in you. He wants to upgrade our goals and purpose for living each day. God wants to install some new attitudes about who you are, who you can be because you belong to Him. He wants to enable you to see your family through His eyes as He sees them, the problem people in your life as He sees them, and the events of your life as He sees them. This is the exciting process that takes you from the old you to being what the Bible calls “a new creation in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Sometimes a computer “upgrade” seems to take forever. Sometimes we feel the same way about the transformation God is working in our life. But the more you immerse yourself in God’s way of thinking, the more you begin to instinctively choose His will each day rather than ways of this old world. Each new day is a new challenge to live His way and to think His way. So each new day, begin by installing His Word in your mind and heart. Eventually you will find yourself examining every situation, every conversation, and every decision in light of what God says. Day by day, you will experience God’s upgrade miracle!

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