This is a verse that I have read and heard so many times in my life, but it is interesting to take a closer look in the word transformed and find the meaning in the Greek. It is also interesting to read this verse in other translations, like for instance the New Living Translation:

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.(Romans 12:2, NLT)

The original Greek word is the root of the word metamorphosis, which is the process of transformation that turns a worm into a butterfly. In other words, there is a way in God for us to become something totally different than what we are right now, we can have a nature change and become what we are not. And the way it happens is allowing God to change the way we think. There must always be a renewing of our minds and of the way we think; that happens by constantly being washed by the Word of God.

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. (Colossians 3:10, NLT)

For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. (1 Peter 1:23, NLT)

Correction is someone helping you get from A to B in the least amount of time.

Teaching and correction helps each one of us achieve our goals and achieve our potential. That is the heart of parents: they so love their children that they want them to be everything God has created them to be. However, in our immaturity we don’t see ourselves the way others see us, and sometimes we don’t really see our potential, and that is where the reactions to correction come in.

A lot of times I see people in a cycle, wasting so much time having a hard time with life and in the process getting hurt and frustrated. But the truth is that if they would open up to be directed and instructed, in other words, corrected, they would probably save a lot of time! Everyone is in a process of going where they need to be, but the question is how fast can you get there?

Correction has nothing to do with rejection; it is the expression of love and care, the heart of a father and a mother for their children.

Here are some scriptures that I love:

“Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.” (Psalm 119:165, NLT)

“Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about me in the Scriptures.’ ”” (Hebrews 10:7, NLT)

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. ” (Psalm 119:71, ESV)

“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8, NLT)

Recently I was taking care of one of them and she was having a hard time sleeping; it was very difficult for her to breathe because of this “normal” cold. And I thought: “If I could, I would be sick in your place. I would not sleep so you could sleep. I would suffer so you would not have to go through this.”

Then I remembered that our Lord Jesus Christ did that for all of us! What I wish I could do, He did! He took upon Himself our suffering and pain, our diseases and infirmities. He already paid the price.

“This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, ‘He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.’” (Matthew 8:17, NLT) “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, NLT)

This experience was a revealing of the Father’s heart—how much he cares for us, just as a father cares for his sons and daughters, and more! That is how God loves us.

There is something, I think, that we need to appropriate in Salvation that is bigger than we realize. There is a provision of love that goes beyond what we can even comprehend. It is a love that we can’t understand, but that is what Salvation is for us: “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:19, NLT)

I like to watch nature videos (I’ve always liked to study the sciences) and it is interesting to notice that all nature is in constant transition. But for us transitions are not necessarily an easy thing. We tend to get stuck in the way we see and react to people, our surroundings, and our circumstances.

Especially, we tend to get stuck in a way of thinking about ourselves and other people. And because of that we are always keeping others in a box of how we knew them in the past. At the same time, we also do that to ourselves. We tend to carry things of the past that were part of our learning experiences, growing and trying things, and whether right or wrong we were in a transition at the time and that is no longer who we are and who others are.

But if life is a big and long transition, we cannot be holding on to what was yesterday otherwise we will never know today or tomorrow. It is interesting to watch the transformation process of the butterfly; if you would say in the middle of the process that you know what a butterfly is, you would be totally wrong!!

Two verses of the scripture come to mind:

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (1 John 3:2, NAS)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2, NAS)

These young men and women take time off to come and help us for two weeks and it is an honor and privilege to be training them.

As I watched them arrive this year, it moved me to see their willingness to forget about themselves for those two weeks and focus 100% on creating an atmosphere for the younger ones to deepen their relationship with the Lord and the Scriptures.

What a privilege it is for people at such a young age to have a training ground to become the best spouses and parents the world has ever seen! As dorm leaders, they learned to handle stress, to be accountable; they were able to reach in to God and grow in love, and to exercise kindness and patience while sharing a dorm with six younger kids with way more energy than they have. They learned to keep their hearts open and they all had a lot of fun doing this. I think they will go home and sleep for a week after this experience!

They came ready to give, but they are the ones who probably received the most. That’s the principle of God. In our ministering, He ministers to us.

Dani and I send all our love and appreciation to everyone who made the Young Adult School of Prophets happen this summer. Thank you!

We had a little more than a week with the young adults this year. We took them to a water park, they played soccer and basketball, they had a very fun talent show and dance party, as well as many meetings and services, and an incredible fireworks show.

For me personally this time was above and beyond my expectations, not only because of the amazing Word that came, but because of the changes in all of us that will reflect in the next months and in the rest of our lives!

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.” (Luke 17:20–21, NLT)

Last month I wrote a blog about John Robert Stevens and I used a Scripture about how the foundation is laid, and how we must build upon that foundation (I Cor.3:10). Looking at all the amazing things that happened for people during this School of Prophets, I really believe that The Living Word Fellowship now has a complete foundation as a group, completed by Gary and Marilyn Hargrave. Now it’s time to build!

We have had three or four days of preparation here with the leadership group of the Young Adult School of Prophets. It has been an intense but fun time. There is an expectation in the air, with an anticipation to meet new people and seeing friends we havenʻt seen in awhile. There is an expectation for something new in our lives in a personal meeting with the Lord. We know we are building on a solid foundation “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11, NLT)

We are looking to the Lord to impart to the next generation a revelation that will be the basis of their faith that will enable them to keep building upon their relationship with Christ throughout their lives. May we build not with wood, hay or straw (1 Corinthians 3:12), but with the true Living Word of God.

We were already working with the young people at our church in Brazil, and were also involved in other areas of the church. But our main involvement has always been with people and relationships.

In the last 10 years we have been privileged to be around many young people and we have seen their relationship with God deepen, we are always proud of the many that have been part of the program and are still growing in God and in all aspects of their life.

More than anything else, for me and my wife, Debbie, we feel that it is our responsibility to communicate what we have received, and impart to the next generations the gift we have received. “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” (2 Timothy 2:2, NLT)

We are really looking forward to this time in the school of prophets, where we are going to have many gathered together in the same place, looking for a meeting with the Lord and something new to happen not only for our own personal lives, but a change that can actually affect the lives of many.

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:11–12, NASB95)

I think of myself as being really blessed by having the privilege of meeting John Robert Stevens, and being around people that he created. It is amazing to me how many people have been touched by the Word he spoke and his ministry. Of course, I was living in another country and did not spend much time around him, but my parents were always in contact with him, and even had him stay in our house in Brazil several times.

On this last June 4th it’s been 27 years since he passed away, but his legacy and the Word from God that he spoke is still a living today. It is a living Word. After 60 years since the beginning of his ministry, I am thankful for this man of God. Words that he spoke even before I was born are still revolutionary!

Just as his Word impacted me when I was growing up and discovering my personal relationship with the Lord, it still impacts me today; actually the Word is more alive and real to me now!

Now I am living in his country, and I am the pastor of one of the first churches he founded. But what really motivates me is his example of faith and love for the Lord and the Word. The truth is that his sense of destiny was imparted to me by the Word and it changed my life.

My point on this blog is not just to talk about John, but in my heart, to somehow honor him. I have to believe with the same faith he believed, and I need to be able to give my life to build upon the foundation that he laid.

On Saturday, Debbie and I, the elders of Hale O Kāula, and Gary and Marilyn met about the next steps for construction, as well as planning future projects.

Sunday morning we had another amazing meeting with the Lord. The word came with such an impartation of Godʻs powerful love toward us, and I believe it is a sign of a new level for every believer to enter into. In the afternoon we were all ready for some rest, and that is what we did!

This morning (Monday) we met with a landscape architect regarding our property. We walked around the property discussing and dreaming of future plans and had a delicious lunch at the church. There is much yet to happen in what God wants for Hale O Kaula!