
that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Yesterday I was reminded of a simpler time, when I was a boy in our village. The pride of every lad was his wheels, his bicycle whether it was new or old. We all knew and respected one elderly man known as “Spadgie,” a big strong ex-miner who walked with a stick. What endeared this man to the village lads was his expertise with bikes; he could fix any problem needing attention. But he particularly specialised in building bikes at a low cost from recycled parts. Spadgie worked out of his garden shed a few doors away from me, I remember visiting him in his wee workshop. His shed was an Aladdin’s Cave of old bike parts of every make, colour and shape, most of which he was given by villagers. Many times in my childhood wheels or brakes were renewed on my bike by Spadgie at little or no cost. Not long after reminiscing of this old gentleman I found myself reading todays verse, I saw a connection between my memory of Spadgie and the Scripture.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we are “born again” and renewed in God’s family. We give up our old life and sinful ways, putting on our new self as one puts on a new coat. Our old corrupt self is like an old rusty bike with dodgy brakes and bald tyres; through His Son God takes us into His Workshop to refurbish us. We come out afterwards fit for the road ahead of us. Our newly refurbished man/woman is superior to the old one in every way; we bear the hallmarks of our Maker in our new life of holiness and righteousness. As villagers in Dundonald recognised Spadgie’s bikes by his work, the world recognises those saved by faith in Jesus – they bear the unmistakable traits of a child of God.
Dear reader, have you swapped your old self for a renewed self through Jesus Christ? Is your life a constant witness to your Father God’s love for you; do you bear His hallmarks each day shining as a light in a dark world?
I thank God, that He is able to take the old me and make it new through the blood of Christ! What a great analogy, brother! When I was young, we had a bicycle man in my town as well! I suppose most of us remember a “Spadgie” who went out of his or her way to help children. Blessings!
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Thank you David. As I got to know Spadgie Cuthbertson I found out he had been a champion road cyclist in his youth, competing all across Scotland. His passion for two wheels stayed with him until the day he died.
God bless you brother.
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We thank GOD that He is continuing to change the old to new as He remoulds us into His Image because of the shed blood and the Sacrifice of the Lamb of God. What beautiful memories of the days when our bicycles could go to the bike man to be fixed and lasted many, many years, Thank you for inspirational post and music.
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Thank you Faye, God bless you and your family this coming weekend.
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Thanks, Alan. It is amazing how God will change us when we are submissive to His will for us.
Sometimes I think of things I said, or did, even a few weeks ago, and God has made me aware that these are not pleasing to Him. He seeks constantly, with our co-operation, to transform us into the image of his Son. 🤗
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Very true Sally! Oh how I long to be more like Him, my earthly body is forever letting Him down. Praise God for His persistent whispers to our spirit, what to say, where to go, what to do, all in His excellent timing. May our Father continue to guide and bless you this coming weekend sister.
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Thanks, Alan. I am certain that our Lord sees, and rewards our earnest efforts to please Him . 🤗
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Brilliantly penned. Thank you my friend for this post
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Thank you for your precious comments brother, may our Father God guide and bless you and the family this coming weekend.
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Thanks Alan,
I’m mostly just excited, and nervous about our brand new project that is our Marriage podcast…..it’s like my little baby right now….new and helpless, and we’ve poured out heart and soul into it.
We only hope it can do something of what this post speaks of, and does, and helps people transform to become more like Jesus!
Andy B
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You are serving a real need in society and in the church by sharing His Word, I am sure that He will honour your latest work on marriage. Be assured of my prayers for this project. May God guide you in every word you write and speak for Him.
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prayers always very much valued
it’s probably the most raw we’ve been, in front of a camera/on a mic – and this is just the beginning of that particular journey, by episode 3 it’s SO much better (just editing that one as I type)
but it’s those true, raw, personal stories that make the difference between (I believe, anyway) just being a nice thing – a theoretical thing – as opposed to deep and meaningful
we just hope and pray it will simply point people back to Jesus, so they can become more like Him….that is the heart and hope behind everything that we do
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Perfect, Alan. Every element: perfect XXXXX
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Thank you sister.
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Yes, we certainly are a work-in-process. I’m thankful for the Soul Mechanic living within me.
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I love that unique name for our Father God, it makes great sense. God bless you brother.
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Love this window into a Scottish town with this guy and his bike fixing ability! What a good analogy then you swapped to point to Christian truth!
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Thank you brother Jim.
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YOu are welcome Alan!
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Great analogy
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Thank you Barbara. I hope you are being blessed in Him this Lord’s Day sister.
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So far so good. It’s only 6:20 AM at the moment.
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It was 12:20pm in Scotland when you responded 🙏🏴
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I love that statement Alan, “As villagers in Dundonald recognised Spadgie’s bikes by his work, the world recognises those saved by faith in Jesus – they bear the unmistakable traits of a child of God.” This past summer we encountered some problems with the fridge out our beach rental. The owner sent his handyman over. I happened to be the one at the house when he arrived. He was an older gentlemen who had obviously lived a hard life but the twinkle in his eye belayed something more. Before he left I inquired if he knew Jesus. His face lit up as he told his testimony which included the prayers of a faithful wife and surviving a heart attack. Yes, Jesus is visible in those who truly know and love Him.
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Thank you for your encouragement and sharing such a beautiful story! This would make a great post, don’t you think? God bless you richly this week sister.
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