Transformation

Philippians 3:12-21 is about pressing on towards the goal to acheive what?

...who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies...

Romans 12:2 transforming what? How?
Do not confirm any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...

2 Corinthians 3:18 transformed into what? how?
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Ok, so I know that God used lots of different parables and exaqmples to try to convey to us a concept. I also know that somethings in the Bible are meant to be taken as an example or concept and some things are to be taken literaly. I believe that even in the examples though that there is a literal translation that can be gleened from it. like in these verses. I know that in the Philippines verses there is the concept of training for and winning the race. resulting in a transformed body, is an example used to describe the transformation that takes place in us when we practice living the Christian lifestyle God wants us to live, when we spend time in the spiritual disiplins we become more like him. Which leads to the verses in Romans where it is saying do not do like the heathens do if you refrain from that and instead think of the things of god and fill our minds with His words it is mentaly and emotionally change our thinking, and all of that will bring us to the Corinthins verses where it shares it will be a changing or ever-increasing transformation to be more like Him. However the principals are all correct when used out of context if you physically change to start training you will see your body change physically. (loosing weight... fat... and gaining muscle) and if you hang around with people who think differently and spend all your time listening to them and their thoughts within a short time you will start thinking like them. actually beliving what they believe and liking the things they like. God designed us this way so that He could transform us, He knew we would need a transformation in our lives.

So all of that to say Although I said at the beginning of this year that this would be the year I got healthy, I don't know if I really expected it to happen. kind of like the new years resolution that 90% of the people forget about or quit by the 13th of January. However God does not forget. He allowed me to drag my feet about it for the first 6 months of the year and now is kicking my butt into high gear! I am still smoke free! five weeks no cigarettes... I am looking forward to the day I can say 5 years no cigarettes! God is so AMAZING!

This week I get serious about some other things the physical appearance things in my life. I have started the first processed yesterday, Hugh hurdle overcome in a huge fight between me and the enemy... he really did not want me to take that step and tried several things to derail me. Praise God for His love and compassion and provision of exactly what I needed when I needed it, so I could take that step. There wil be one more step before the week is done. Then the process of that area will be well under way. I also realize that I need to make plans for the other changes. I know that I want this even if I cm scared of and dreading the process. Please just keep me in your prayers. this journey is is a wild one!

blessings everyone!