Transformation
In the development of our world, inventions and new technology have changed nations and the whole world itself. Some came and were lost, and the population slumped back to the old ways, but in the past few hundred years, changes have occurred that have drastically and forever changed the way we live, move and have our being. Coal; as this meant that people could warm themselves, cook their meals easily, as this was a compact high energy output fuel, no longer did one have to expend vast time and effort to harvest the lumber, prepare it, dry it for a year or so before one could use it. A sack of coal was instant heat, and a sack of coal could heat for a long period of time, much longer than timber. Steam; is possibly the first major game changer, as steam in a boat meant that one could travel in the desired direction regardless of the weather and the direction of the wind, and also cover vast oceans very quickly and haul even larger cargos. Steam in a factory meant greater manufacturing ability to make products, Sawmills to quickly make vast quantities of lumber available for building and construction, steam became trains, steam became cars and trucks, and transport over land is now so much easier.
Steel; as this made tools and even new machines. Electricity meant that machines could be more compact, and even portable, lights for people to see when it is dark or at night. Radio meant that the world shrunk as one person could communicate with many, and even with those that are very far away. Telephones meant that one did not have to walk long distances, saddle the horse, you could just phone them up. Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene meant heat, internal combustion engines which gave farmers portable power to drive pumps anywhere they wanted it, Tractors, Trucks, Motorbikes, all giving instant action at the turn of a key, horses were now obsolete. Airplanes gave us the ability to fly vast distances in a very short time frame, and farmers could now spread fertilizer over their acres very quickly by air, regardless of the terrain.
Cellphones has meant that we can talk to a person anywhere in the world, as their phone is in their pocket, person to person at any time night or day, from anywhere to anywhere. Then medicine has made massive gains with antibiotics, surgical instruments, medicines, and then machines to give them tools to save lives. X-rays, Anesthetic machines, MRI and CAT Scans, Cancer Drugs, so much in such a short space of time to make life less dangerous to accidents and diseases. Pandemics have swept the world, and millions have perished, but now our “Technology” has meant that their impact is miniscule when compared to what occurred in ages past. Changes occur, and we cannot go back, a whole house was once the size of a bedroom that you have now, and this was for the whole family, and often for animals as well, water was from the communal well, pulled up in a bucket, and you slept on the floor in front of the fire to try to keep warm, if you could even afford the fuel to use for heating, as well as for cooking.
Farming has changed drastically, a farmer with a yolk of oxen could plow 10 acres in a whole season, now with a huge tractor, one man can plow huge acreage, on many farms, they run 8 tractors and can plow 1000 acres per day, and one Combine Harvester can easily harvest 200 acres a day all on its own, and a fleet of four combines can cut, thresh and deliver grain ready for market at a staggering 800-1000 acres per day. The world has forever changed on so many many fronts, and that is the ever developing new world that we live in. Corona Virus or Covid-19 has forever changed the way we live, move and have our being, as we transition into a brand new world. The “Power of the Gospel” has for centuries been changing lives, as put in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Acts 17:27-28 “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”
Quote; “Prayer and watching thereunto are necessary for advancement in the divine life. . . . Your only safety is to live like a watchman. Watch and pray always. Oh, what a preventive against yielding to temptation and falling into the snares of the world! “Take ye heed, watch and pray.” Mark 13:13. . . .
First, you are to watch. Watch, lest you should speak hastily, fretfully, and impatiently. Watch, lest pride should find a place in your heart. Watch, lest evil passions should overcome you, instead of your subduing them. Watch, lest . . . you . . . become light and trifling, and your influence savor of death, rather than life.
Second, you are to pray. Jesus would not have enjoined this upon you, unless there was actual necessity for it. It is well known to Him that of yourself you cannot overcome the many temptations of the enemy, and the many snares laid for your feet. He has not left you alone to do this; but has provided a way that you can obtain help. Therefore He has bid you to pray.
To pray aright is to ask God in faith for the very things you need. Go to your chamber, or in some retired place, and ask your Father, for Jesus’ sake to help you. There is power in that prayer that is sent up from a heart convinced of its own weakness, yet earnestly longing for that strength that comes of God. The earnest, fervent prayer will be heard and answered. . . .
Faint not. Cast yourself at the feet of Jesus, who has been tempted, and knows how to help such as are tempted. . . . Plead your case before God, through Jesus, until your soul can with confidence rely upon Him for strength, and you feel that you are not left to do the work of overcoming alone. God will help you. Angels will watch over you. But before you can expect this help, you must do what you can on your part. Watch and pray.” {FLB 224} Romans 2:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Be ye Transformed.
