The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation."

"Change" is to become different, to undergo a modification, to undergo transformation.

Change is not what you say. It is what you do. If there is one thing the church desperately needs, it is for people to be transformed by God. Not only do we need to get into the word of God, we need the word to get into us.

David said in Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee."

If the truth be told, change is needed in many areas in this world. We all recognize the need for change, but very few want to put in the time or go to the extent of implementing that change.

Not only do people need to change, change needs to take place in the people of God. The Church needs change. We talk a lot about corporate change, but we need to understand that corporate change begins with personal change.

The world will only change as each individual changes. Each person has to make a conscience effort to change. Let us have the mentality to say, "Change begins with me."

As believers we must guard ourselves against letting worldly things influence our thinking and our behavior.

It appears now that the world has a greater influence on the church than the church has on the world.

This is a problem. Whenever we reverse our roles, we become ineffective, powerless to change or make a difference in anything or anyone.

As believers, we leave slothfulness in the world so it doesn’t render us powerless.

We leave bad attitudes in the world so they don’t render us powerless.

We leave our mindset of doing what we want whenever we want to in the world so it doesn’t render us powerless.

Change takes place from the inside out. That’s what makes us effective.

Unfortunately, more focus is placed on what appears to be, instead of what actually is. Change and salvation originate from the inside and then manifest themselves on the outside. In the Old Testament, the Jews thought themselves to be righteous because of their act of circumcision; an outward display with no inward change. Many of their hearts were far from God.

Again, the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed (changed) by the renewing of your mind."

Too many times we conform to the world and that’s why our behavior in church is as such.

Inward change brings about powerful leadership. Dying men and women are looking, and searching, for true change.

We, as believers, are the light of the world. Demonstrate that power of change by letting your light shine so those in the valley can find their way home.

I speak peace, I speak power, I speak prosperity, I speak purpose, yes, in the lives of all of God’s people. And in return, I challenge you to always give God praise. For he alone is worthy to be praised.

Dyer is the pastor of New Vision Restoration Center and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.