Anchor

User-friendly devotionals with audio

  • 30 Jul

    Transformation

    Audio length: 12:19
    Download Audio (11.2MB)

    No Christian is perfect; we all make mistakes, we all sin, and none of us has complete Christlikeness, nor will we attain it in this life. Developing godly character can’t be achieved by “keeping rules” out of a sense of duty, or feeling that if we systematically do all the right things, we will be living in a Christlike manner. While there are specific things to do and rules to keep, it’s not the rote keeping of them that develops godliness; rather it’s doing so in response to our love for God, who dwells within us. The actions that reflect godliness come from within us, from our relationship with God and our becoming new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). It’s by the work of the Holy Spirit that our character is transformed.

    Of course, there’s some work to be done for us to grow in Christlikeness. There are moral decisions we individually need to make on a regular basis to bring our lives, thoughts, and actions into alignment with the teachings of the Bible. But all of this must be seen within the framework of God’s grace. It’s the Holy Spirit that brings about the changes in our lives that move us in the direction of Christlikeness. We have a part to play as well, but the actual transformation comes through the Holy Spirit.—Peter Amsterdam 

    *

    I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.—Romans 12:1–2

    The phrase “the mercies of God” refers to all of what has preceded in chapters 1–11. The exhortation that Paul presents is that since we have been the recipients of God’s great mercies, we are to be “living sacrifices” to God. …

    A living sacrifice to God is one who does not conform, but is transformed. … As unbelievers, we are naturally conformed to the world (Ephesians 2:1–3). As believers, we are no longer conformed to this world because we no longer belong to the spirit of this age. We have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). Therefore, rather than continuing to conform to this world, we are to be transformed by having our minds renewed. …

    Our thinking must be changed (transformed) from old, ungodly ways of thinking into new, godly ways of thinking. What we know in our minds to be true forms a conviction in our hearts of that truth, and that conviction in our hearts translates into action. Therefore, we must first renew our minds.—Got Questions1

    *

    Here’s the reason the Christian life is freedom. The transformation is a transformation from bondage into freedom. Here’s the reason: Freedom is doing what you love to do, if what you love to do is what you ought to do, and transformation is the change of our hearts, so that what we love to do is what we ought to do. …

    The Christian life is one long process of crucifying those old desires and experiencing, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the awakening of new passions and new desires, so that I can stand at the front of this church and say, “There is no place on planet earth I would rather be than standing here, loving these people, welcoming, and preaching,” which would not have been the case when I was fifteen. God changes and God transforms.

     “The renewal of your mind” … is the key to the transformation. You’re sitting there, I hope, with the Holy Spirit at work, saying, “I don’t feel very far along in that process of loving and delighting in what I ought to do, and hating and finding unpleasing what I ought not to do. You better say something practically helpful here because I need to know how to get changed.” That is what this verse says we should do: Be transformed—and then, it says something very weighty, worthy of a whole sermon—by the renewing of your mind.

    So what is that and how do you get it? Oh, how crucial this is. If you long to break loose from conformity to the world, if you long to be transformed from the inside out, if you long to be free from duty-driven Christianity;… if you long to offer up your body as a living sacrifice, so that your whole life becomes worship and displays the glory of Jesus, rather than just displaying selfishness; …if you want that kind of freedom, then pursue with all your might the renewal of your mind, because Paul says that’s where the transformation comes from. Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.—John Piper2

    *

    “When God is doing a deep work, there is a lot you can’t explain. There’s a knowing, yet no plan. There’s unshakable hope, yet endless tears. There’s gratitude while learning grit. You don’t know what comes next, but you do know this: Whatever He is doing, you’ll never be the same.”

    I wrote those words in the middle of a season that felt impossible. I felt God calling me away from a job I loved, yet I had no idea what came next. In the days after, I felt stuck and painfully uncertain. I held on to God with all I had, but His plans seemed hidden. I craved clarity, but all I had was the faint sense that He was still at work—despite my panicked heart.

    Maybe you’re in your own in-between season where God’s plan feels hard to grasp. And yet you’re determined to hold on to Him. These are the moments when we wrestle with Him.

    When you wrestle with someone, it’s up close and personal. It’s messy and exhausting and demands all you have.

    Consider the way God came to wrestle Jacob in Genesis 32. Jacob found himself stuck between leaving his past and stepping into God’s call for his future. God could have intervened in any way, but He chose to wrestle. For Jacob, this was an act of clinging to the One he struggled with while releasing the outcomes he had tried to control his whole life.

    Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

    But the wrestling itself wasn’t the point. After a long night of grappling, Jacob demanded a blessing—and God gave it to him: “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome” (Genesis 32:28).

    When the struggle ended, Jacob walked away with a limp but also with a new identity. Jacob wanted God to remove the challenge, but God wanted him to be changed.

    Friend, your wrestling isn’t wasted. Like Jacob, your struggle will mark you—not with defeat but with God’s transforming work. I know this because I’ve lived it.

    The season that once left me feeling lost and unsure was the very place where God met me. I didn’t get the clarity I wanted, but I got something I needed: a deeper trust in Him. The wrestling was never about where I was going; it was about who I was becoming.

    You may not know what comes next, but you can trust this: God’s not just working on your circumstances. He’s also working on you. Your struggle isn’t proof of God’s absence but a sign of His nearness. Hold on! When you come through this, you’ll see you were never alone.

    Lord, I believe I’m in a season of wrestling, and I don’t understand what You’re doing. Help me to hold on to You, even when it’s hard. Change me through this process, and remind me that Your work in me is always good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.—Ashley Morgan Jackson3

    Published on Anchor July 2026. Read by John Laurence. Music by Michael Fogarty.

    1 “What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of the mind?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/renewing-the-mind.html

    2 John Piper, “True Freedom Begins with Your Mind,” Desiring God, June 15, 2017, https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-renewed-mind-and-how-to-have-it/excerpts/true-freedom-begins-with-your-mind

    3 Ashley Morgan Jackson, “Holding On to God When Life Feels Messy and Unclear,” Proverbs 31, April 24, 2025, https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2025/04/24/holding-on-to-god-when-life-feels-messy-and-unclear

  • Jul 29 Why Is Jesus the Good Shepherd?
  • Jul 27 The Final Appearances and Commission of Jesus
  • Jul 24 Why Did Jesus Die
  • Jul 21 A Lifestyle of Worship
  • Jul 20 Resilience in the Autumn of Life
  • Jul 16 The Wedding and the Wine
  • Jul 14 Freely Received, Freely Given
  • Jul 13 Rainbows from Rain
  • Jul 10 The Gift of Waiting on God
   

Directors’ Corner

Faith-building Bible studies and articles

  • 9 Jun

    The Life of Discipleship, Part 12: Everyday Discipleship

    Audio length: 22.45

    Download Audio (20.8MB)

    (You may need to right-click the above links and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" to download videos and audios to your computer.)

    Discipleship is a lifelong journey that requires perseverance, determination, conviction, the love of God, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The late Reverend Billy Graham once said, “The Christian’s journey through life isn’t a sprint but a marathon. … Discipleship is the commitment of a lifetime, day by day.” The process of growing in our discipleship and being transformed into Christ’s image is a lifelong task. As one person expressed it:

    We are created as rough drafts that must go through the editing process. God works to transform us step by step into a finished article that will make worthwhile reading. Our substance is reshaped repeatedly by the choices and decisions we make, the superficial and superfluous bits are purged through life’s trials, and we are fine-tuned and polished … in the hands of the Great Editor.—Scott Montrose1

    Our discipleship is meant to encompass every aspect of our lives, including our relationship with God and our daily walk with Him, and our love for others, which includes every person we encounter in our day. Our discipleship includes being an ambassador for Christ, sharing the good news with the people He places in our path, as well as being a living reflection of the love of Christ in every sphere of our lives and striving to grow in His likeness.

    We live our discipleship in our homes, the workplace, in schools, and in the community. We incorporate discipleship principles into our parenting, our relationships, and the investment of our time, skills, and resources. We strive to be a living example of our faith to our families, friends, and neighbors, and the people we interact with throughout our day and in our online communications.

    The call to be a disciple of Jesus is a call to a whole way of life. It’s a call to rearrange our priorities so that God has first place in our lives. This doesn’t mean that we won’t have other priorities in life, but our allegiance is to God first—above our own desires and will, our loved ones, our possessions, and even our own lives. Christian discipleship is not easy to live out—in fact, Jesus said “the way is hard,” but it is the path “that leads to life” (Matthew 7:13–14). It requires commitment, dedication, and placing God at the center of our lives, our decisions, and our relationships.

    In the Gospels, Jesus challenged His followers to lay down their lives for His sake and to follow Him. In Matthew’s Gospel, He said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24–25).

    Denying ourselves can be understood to mean setting aside our personal desires, ambitions, and goals, and choosing to seek God for His direction in our lives and pursue His will over our own. This doesn’t mean that the Lord will never lead us to work toward our personal ambitions and goals. If we are seeking God’s will and our desire is to please Him, it’s very likely that His will and our desires will be in alignment (Psalm 37:4). However, if God’s direction doesn’t align with the direction we were leaning toward, as His disciples, we will be willing to “deny ourselves” in order to follow Him.

    Jesus gave us the key to being able to live our commitment to discipleship, starting with our spiritual rebirth through salvation. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20).

    The ability and grace to live the discipleship life come not only from our desire to obey God’s commandments and our efforts to live in a godly way, but from the power of God through “Christ in us” (Colossians 1:27) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15–17). “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

    Christ in Us

    Every new morning we can anticipate that the Lord Jesus Christ will express Himself through us that day and accomplish some aspect of His work, whether we can identify what He has done or not. This is our privilege, and this is our responsibility.

    For Christ to be in us gives us power. We can live effectively in no other strength than that which derives from the life of Jesus Christ, for He said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). And for us to be in Christ gives us purpose. It is not a power that enables us to live for ourselves, but it equips us to fulfill the plans of Christ...

    For Christ to be in us gives us resources. Everything we possibly need is ours in the Lord Jesus Christ. And for us to be in Christ gives us responsibilities. As part of His body, the most important issue I have to face is, “What [does He] want me to do?”

    For Christ to be in us is dynamic. And for us to be in Christ is demanding. If He has something to do, He has the right to use us as the means of doing it. If there is an “Ethiopian eunuch” on the desert road, He has the right to tell you to leave your Samaria and go to meet him (Acts 8:26–40). But for every demand He makes, He provides the dynamic of His Spirit within to accomplish it.

    This is the Christian life. Having faced our failure to express His likeness and image in the world, we come to the Cross for forgiveness, are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and become incorporated into Christ, to become vehicles for the expression of His life and purpose. The world desperately needs to know this but will have no grounds on which to believe it until they see the life and character of Jesus Christ lived out in your life and mine. This is God's purpose for you!—Charles Price2

    Joining His Kingdom Mission

    God has invited you to join him in changing the world. God has a dream for this world that Jesus called the kingdom of God. God created you to play an important role in his kingdom vision. You will never find your deepest purpose in life until you find your place in building God’s kingdom.

    You don’t have to be brilliant to change the world—or wealthy or influential or a spiritual giant. But you do have to say yes to the invitation. You do have to be available and willing to be used, and you may have to pay the price that comes with following Jesus, because changing the world and following Jesus isn’t easy, and it doesn’t come cheap. There will be some sacrifice involved—there always is.

    Our Christian faith is not just a way to find forgiveness for sin in order to enter eternal life, yet it is that. It is not just a system of right beliefs about ultimate truth and the order of things, though it is that. Nor is it just a way to find God’s comfort in times of trouble or a helpful code of conduct for how to live a good and productive life, though it is those things too. Fundamentally, the Christian faith is a call to … follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and join in the great mission of Christ in our world. … Only then will we become completed people—people living according to God’s deepest purpose for our lives.—Richard Stearns3

    Conclusion: The Blueprint for Life

    As we have seen throughout this series on discipleship, the Bible teaches us about the relationship God wishes to have with us and how to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him. Growing in Christlikeness and being transformed into His likeness is the foundation for living a godly and fruitful life in harmony with God and others, which produces the fruit of His Spirit in our lives and those of others (Galatians 5:22–23). It is within the Bible that we learn truths revealed by God that we can pattern our lives after.

    In God’s Word, we find the biblical principles that serve as the compass for our lives and help us to navigate the challenges of everyday life and to be an effective witness for Christ. His Word conveys principles that guide us in our interaction with others and our decision-making, helping us to discern the difference between right and wrong. These spiritual principles set the tone for our moral standard, our ethics, our attitudes about life, love, the world, the environment, and relationships. Though the Bible doesn’t specifically deal with every possible situation that we may face, it does provide the principles needed to navigate the complexities of life in a manner that is pleasing to God.

    His Word teaches us to live out our discipleship by loving and serving others. Our love for Jesus moves us to serve others on His behalf. It motivates us to be His ambassadors in whatever situation we find ourselves. It compels us to assist those in need, and to provide hope and healing to those who have none. We can be His hands to help and touch, His mouth to speak the truth of His Word and give encouragement and hope, His eyes to convey compassion, His feet to walk alongside a weary soul, and His arms to help carry their heavy burden. In so doing, our lives will glorify Him and bless others, as the following articles highlight.

    A Beautiful Life

    When the life of a follower of Jesus is lived as Jesus intended it to be, it becomes a thing of beauty. Being a Christian and having a relationship with God should be something that permeates our daily experiences, is integrated into our decisions, and brings color to our perceptions of ourselves, others, and this life. The countless expressions of God’s love shared with others in the course of a Christian’s life may at times appear to be insignificant in themselves, yet God sees them in the context of the totality of a life that glorifies Him, and He revels in their beauty.

    The more we are determined to strengthen our walk with Jesus, and the more we desire a deeper spiritual connection with Him, the more He will be able to manifest His Spirit through us. We are His handiwork. As we allow Him to blend the hues of His love and mercy and develop the beauty of form that He intended for us, we become His masterpiece that will speak to the hearts of many. Let’s eagerly embrace the priceless gift of His presence in our lives. And as we cultivate the captivating beauty of God’s love in all we do and say, others will be drawn to Him through us.—Maria Fontaine

    Christ’s Fragrance

    The Apostle Paul wrote that the Church is a fragrance of Christ to the world: “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15). By this he meant that every believer, and every congregation of believers, establishes a presence of Christ in the world which is palpable to nonbelievers. …

    But what is that fragrance? How should we expect others to experience the presence of Jesus in us? In two ways, primarily: the truth of the Gospel and the love of Jesus Christ. God's truth speaks to every aspect of human life. By His Word of truth, in the hands of His Spirit, Christ is making all things new in our lives (Revelation 21:5). This means that, in every area of our lives—all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities—Christians exhibit a newness which conforms not to the spirit of the world but to the Holy Spirit of Christ. Our conversation will be different—not filled with carping and complaining, triteness and frivolity, criticism and mean-spiritedness; instead, our words will always be gracious and edifying, respectful of the people with whom we converse (Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29).

    So also with the ways we do our work, raise our children, participate in the culture of our day, and conduct ourselves with dignity and grace. We are new creatures in Jesus Christ, and, therefore, in many ways, out of step with the surrounding culture. But by living the truth in every aspect of our lives we shine the light of Jesus and exude the fragrance of His worldview into every nook and cranny of our lives.

    Believers need to work hard at being the fragrance of Jesus. By steeping ourselves in God's Word and living in an attitude of prayer … we can begin to waft the fragrant smell of King Jesus into more of the everyday aspects and areas of our lives. Let us resolve to be that fragrance of truth and love, and we will find that the wind of God's Spirit will accompany us everywhere we go, sending the aroma of Jesus to all and everyone, as well as to God.—T. M. Moore4

    Jesus has entrusted us with the responsibility of passing on His personal, unconditional, all-encompassing love to our fellow men and women, to those who share the planet with us today. The commission He has given to His disciples is to take the gospel to all the world. Wherever the Lord has called you to is your mission field, and you are called to serve and reach the people He places in your path. Every one of us has some opportunity, some network, some realm in which we can be sharing His love and truth with others, strengthening people’s faith, hope, and hearts.

    May the Lord bless your discipleship and service to Him and witness to others so that you can be the salt of the earth and the light of the world He has called us to be (Matthew 5:13–14). Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). In so doing, we will be living a life of discipleship that glorifies God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

    Thoughts to Ponder

    Discipleship isn’t a program or an event; it’s a way of life. It’s not for a limited time, but for our whole life. Discipleship … is for all believers for every day of their life.—Bill Hull

    Every believer who takes seriously their vocation as a disciple of Jesus will see themselves as a “sent one” wherever they find themselves, and will look to be mobilized into action in that place. This could take the form of being a “good witness” at work or a good neighbor to those who live nearby, or it could involve volunteering.—Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch

    Don’t allow the words of Jesus to only stay printed in your Bible. Give them wings, springing them into action. There are souls in your life who need your nurture. Consider how you might show concern for their welfare, loving and caring for them the way you already love and care for yourself. When you do, you’ll be completing the chain of love that began when God first loved you.—Karen Ehman

    What the Bible Says

    “Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:4–5; John 15:8 NKJV).

    “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6–7).

    “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life” (Jude 1:20–21 NIV).

    A Prayer for Everyday Discipleship

    Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me, calling me, and giving me purpose. You are so good, and your grace is sufficient for me. I ask that you cleanse my heart from sin and clear my mind of the distractions that attempt to draw me away from fellowship with you today. Help me abide in Christ, to learn from Him and lean on Him, so I can live for Him and lead others to Him. You are worthy of all of my devotion and praise. Make me a faithful and fruitful disciple who brings you glory every day. In the mighty and matchless name of Christ, my King, I pray, Amen.5

    1 Scott Montrose, “Life’s Editing,” Activated, January 2021, https://activated.org/en/life/the-whole-you/personal-growth/lifes-editing/

    2 Charles Price, Christ for Real: How to Grow into Christ’s Likeness (Kregel Publications, 2011).

    3 Richard Stearns, Unfinished: Believing Is Only the Beginning (Thomas Nelson, 2013).

    4 T. M. Moore, “The Fragrance of Truth and Love,” January 29, 2010.

    5 Annie McGuire, “What is a disciple of Christ?” Daily His Disciple, January 11, 2022, https://dailyhisdisciple.com/2022/01/11/what-is-a-disciple-of-christ/.

     

  • May 19 The Life of Discipleship, Part 11: Sharing Our Resources
  • Apr 28 The Life of Discipleship, Part 10: Our Work Life
  • Mar 17 The Life of Discipleship, Part 9: Discipling Others
  • Mar 3 1 Corinthians: Chapter 15 (verses 37–58)
  • Feb 17 The Life of Discipleship, Part 8: Sharing Our Faith
  • Feb 3 1 Corinthians: Chapter 15 (verses 20–36)
  • Jan 20 The Life of Discipleship, Part 7: Serving God by Serving Others
  • Dec 16 1 Corinthians: Chapter 15 (verses 1–19)
  • Dec 2 The Life of Discipleship, Part 6: Love for Others
   

Learn more

Beliefs

More…

  • The Family International (TFI) is an international online Christian community committed to sharing the message of God’s love with people around the globe. We believe that everyone can have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, which affords happiness and peace of mind, as well as the motivation to help others and to share the good news of His love.

Mission

More…
  • The primary goal of the Family International is to improve the quality of life of others by sharing the life-giving message of love, hope, and salvation found in God’s Word. We believe that God's love—applied on a practical level to our daily lives—is the key to resolving many of society's problems, even in the complex and fast-paced world of today. Through imparting the hope and guidance found in the Bible’s teachings, we believe that we can work toward building a better world—changing the world, one heart at a time.

Values

More…

  • The power of one

    We value each individual and his or her unique talents, skills, and strengths. We believe that every person can contribute to changing the world by changing one heart at a time.

About TFI

TFI Online is a community site for members of The Family International. TFI is an international Christian fellowship committed to sharing the message of God’s love with people around the globe.

Visit our main website if you would like to know more about what TFI is all about.

If you are a TFI member, sign in to view more content.

Latest Series

More…
1 and 2 Thessalonians
A study of Paul’s epistles to the Thessalonians and how these teachings apply today.
The Heart of It All: Foundations of Christian Theology
A book compiled from a series of articles covering the basics of Christian doctrine.
Living Christianity
Applying the teachings of the Bible to our daily lives and decisions.