It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. GALATIANS 2:20 NLT

Are you amazed at the sickness of your heart—the way it strays from God’s Word, doubts His promises, and wavers during difficult situations? Do your efforts to reform your behavior fail repeatedly, discouraging you again and again?

It may be that though you trust Jesus to save you, you don’t really have faith that He can transform your life. And so you work, wrestle, and strive to do it yourself—all in vain.

Friend, the Holy Spirit is both willing and able to produce the character of Christ in you—not through your effort, but through His transformative power. Your job is to abide in Him, which means staying focused on Jesus, submitting to His leadership, and seeing the details of your life as coming from His hand for your instruction.

You cannot change yourself—but God can. And once you learn to let Him transform you, you will have the key to living a truly victorious life.

Lord, only You can truly change me. Live through me. Teach me to abide in You always, amen.

In His presence . . . allow Him to live through you.

Stanley, Dr. Charles F. (2014-11-11). Every Day in His Presence (p. 360).