The mirror effect

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to "Try Jesus!" If this is your first time joining us, it’s great to have you with us. I would like to thank all the new members for joining "Try Jesus."

I would also like to welcome those in Washington DC, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, Main, Florida, and Nevada. It is a pleasure to have you with us today. The Lord continues to expand his word!

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD."  (Psalm 122:1 KJV). The Lord is indescribable and uncontainable. We gather to seek him above all today. He is an amazing God!

Our Lord continues to pave the way for the righteous. Authentic born-again believers shall not be moved from his mighty guiding hand! The Lord is our rock and our salvation this morning! He is our defense against ungodliness.

Here's the exciting part about last week's amazing message, there are new names in “The Lamb’s Book” since last week. How do I know? Let me put it this way. Were there any abortions since then? Sadly, did a child die?

Did a born-again saint go home to his/her real home where Jesus is? I recall a lady telling a pastor at a service I attended that upon his closing and asking if people needed prayer, the lady approached the pastor with eyes open.

She said to him, "Pastor, that message scared the hell out of me!" The pastor remained silent for a moment, smiled and took hold of her hand and said, "Isn't that the idea?" Wasn't that the reason Jesus came to us?

Remember beloved, we are spiritual beings that Satan and his devils want to inhabit to destroy our lives. But praise God! That Jesus has come to deliver us from the power of sin and death. He sent his Son to transform us from darkness to light, Amen?

Let's pray. "Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the freedoms and liberties we have received from you. Lord, as many celebrated a nation yesterday, we, your born-again saints also celebrate and rejoice that our names are in heaven

Long after the fireworks burned out in the darkness yesterday, your glory never fades and your light continues to shine in the darkness. Lord, we thank you for showing your grace and mercy and giving us joy unspeakable.

As many states are dealing with high heat, we pray you would protect and uphold the elderly and those who may not have air conditioning. Lord, may you be glorified this morning in our communities and throughout the nation.

As was last week, we invite your Holy Spirit into this space, wherever people are logging in from today. Lord, we praise you for your goodness, your grace, and your unconditional love. We ask that you open hearts to your word.

Holy Spirit, fill us with power to overcome the enemy's tactics. We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord. Please give parents loving wisdom to rightly teach their children to follow the Lord.

As many gather on their smart phones, may they be aware that your living word is sweeter than honey and a guiding light to lead them to the promised place of redemption. Help us to let your light shine, In Jesus' name, Amen."

Yesterday, I saw a lot of people taking on the image of what Independence Day was all about. If you watched any celebrations at home on TV, you noticed a conformity in appearance of what Independence Day meant to them.

Today's message is about conforming to someone, not you. I've always wondered how identical twins can dress alike and still see the difference in their appearance yet still be able to keep those guessing who is who.

Of course, their parents can distinguish who they are no matter what. On the other hand, some of you younger people may have seen a movie called “The Parent Trap." There are worldly patterns in this world that people follow each day

There are many people in our culture today that are like mashed playdough. They cannot figure out who they are. They are constantly being indoctrinated, manipulated, and shaped into whatever the informer desires them to be.

Many people's lives have been destroyed by those who saw their weak minds as a way to infiltrate their lack of knowledge to what is truthful and has common sense.

Why do you think children and those under the age of 25 are so easily swayed and conformed to see things differently from what truth is right before their eyes? It's been said, "The mind is a terrible thing to waste."

It's also been said that some people can't see the forest through the trees. Many lose sight of the "Big Picture" because they have been deceived into believing lies that make them compromise their values.

This happens to many cultures who refuse to stand up to the truth. We all know the saying, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Some might disagree with me and say, "This my truth, this is how I see the world!"

Yes, and no one will dispute your right to hold onto your belief. However, there are many things in this world that have shaped people's perspectives that have later turned out to be falsehoods. You see, there is truth, and there is absolute truth.

It's possible to be manipulated and conformed to think in a certain way that could be wrong and hurtful to your mental well-being. But there is a truth that came into the world over 2 thousand years ago that transforms a life.

This truth can be found on (John 14:6) if you would allow your heart and mind to receive it. This truth embodies extreme love towards you. (Jeremiah 29:11; 31:3). Someone spoke to this truth and asked him, "What is truth?" Better yet, you can read the interaction yourself.

37} "Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.

38} Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. (John 18:37-38 KJV).

Did you understand where truth originates from? Jesus came to testify to that one only truth. The truth was the seal of God. If Pilate wanted to know the truth, he would understand what Jesus was saying.

Many people reject the truth and refuse to conform to any part of it because they are hearing a different voice. Jesus spoke these words to very religious leaders. Please read these words into your spirit and mind. (John 8:42-47).

I love how the military can take someone who's willing to submit themselves to being transformed into a lean strong and if necessary, fighting machine. They are transformed in heart, mind, and body.

Earlier, I mentioned playdough, and how it can be shaped into whatever your mind and hands conforms it to be. But when first take it out the can, it's just a lump of nothing waiting to be made into something.

That's how our lives are when we first come to Jesus. We are saved, yes saved, and if we were to die that same day, that saved lump would go right into the presence of God and have the same kind of body Jesus has.

Although for those still here on earth, your born-again spiritual birthday has some conforming, striving, and growing to mirror this truth. There is a process that takes place inside us with help from the Holy Spirit. (John 14:26; 15:26-27).

Notice the words, "Spirit of truth?" The Holy Spirit will help God's born-again children to remember the words of Jesus as they become more like him in word and deed. The words they conform to will be "The Truth" from the power of the Holy Spirit.

Here's my answer to those who ask me about truth (Jesus). "I'm still in the oven; God is still in the kitchen. God is still cookin' on me. And when God gets finish cookin' on me, he's gonna' pull me out of the oven and say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

I can only say, Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus! You alone receive all the glory! Like making the "Gingerbread Man," it takes time to shape it into something that you can enjoy. You home bakers can relate to "The Truth."

I sometimes have to help individuals who say, "I'm already sanctified!" Well, not exactly. You are right now on earth (if you are a true born-again believer), being sanctified (conforming to be more like him).

You are only fully sanctified once you are with him in glory. Remember Jesus at the transfiguration? Moses and Elijah were fully sanctified in his presence. Peter, James, and John although believers, were not fully sanctified.

When you become a Christian, God makes you holy by forgiving your sins. He looks at you as though you had never sinned. But while he sees you as holy, you are not perfect. You must still work each day to become more like Jesus.

This conforming that is being done inside you is not a swift race but a life-long marathon. Why? Because that is our goal on earth. This also helps you to witness effectively during this time. You become more like Jesus during growth.

The process of sanctification and being made holy comes through believing and obeying God's loving commandments and his Word. Reading the Bible has a purifying effect on your mind and heart. You grow towards holiness.

You don't learn how to drive for the first time by getting behind the wheel and driving 100 miles per hour. You gradually get better with slow approaches on the road. You grow toward holiness, but you will only be completely holy when you get to heaven.

Please read these precious words for your spirit, family, or study group. "Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD,