What changes do you desire?
What does this next year have in store for you? What changes does God have planned? Perhaps this is the year He will lead you to your ideal soul mate?
Have you considered what crucial things God may still want to accomplish in your life so you are ready for that special relationship? Are you willing to cooperate with Him?
If you are like most people, New Year’s is a time when you have made resolutions — going on a diet, starting an exercise program, breaking an obnoxious habit, etc. Sometimes you succeeded, but usually you found it too difficult to follow through, and so you gave up on your noble intentions after a few weeks or months.
But don’t let your past failures discourage you from from making positive commitments for the future. God wants to help you. In fact, apart from His involvement it’s impossible to see significant changes take place in our lives. The Holy Spirit is in the life transformation business and you are one of His projects. (see Be Empowered by the Spirit)
Any day of the year can be the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Prayerfully consider making the following commitments today as you desire to be more transformed into the person God wants you to be. As God changes you, so does your future.
…
1. With God’s help, I will focus on my relationship with Him above all else.
Make your relationship with God your highest priority. What you love the most, you pursue the most.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
Psalm 42:1,2, NIV
It’s important to set your affections on Christ. If you desire anything more than God, it becomes an idol. And God hates idolatry.
Our God is a jealous God. We belong to Him and He expects our wholehearted love and devotion. Unfortunately, our loyalties and priorities are easily misdirected. Family, friends, work, recreation, etc. all compete for our attention. And when we are with our soul mate, it becomes even more challenging to keep God first in our life.
Do you have an intimate relationship with God? Ask the Holy Spirit to help your love for God to grow with every passing day. If you keep Him first, all your other relationships will also be better.
(see Become Intimate with God)
…
2. With God’s help, I will look at my situation from His perspective.
Allow God to change your outlook on life. Discard the worldly philosophies and distorted values that society promotes as truth.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2, NIV
Your mind is renewed when you read the Bible and discover God’s principles for successful living. As a result, the Word of God will help you to recognize the evil one’s deceptions and will reveal correct values for decision-making.
Make it a habit to read the Bible every day and to look at your life from God’s viewpoint. Then you will be able to discover God’s perfect will for you and His pathway to true fulfillment.
With a new biblical perspective, everything is different — even though nothing has changed.
(see Developing a Biblical Worldview)
…
3. With God’s help, I will trust Him more and rely on self-effort less.
Do you have more faith in God than you do in yourself? Logically it is ridiculous for us to rely on our own capabilities and resources more than we rely on God. And yet, all too often, that is exactly what we do.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn your back on evil.
Proverbs 3:5, 6, NLT
Our understanding of the present and our vision of the future are both very limited. However, God has total knowledge about every detail of our current situation. Not only does He have greater insight into what we are going through, but He also knows everything about every person or thing that has an influence on us.
He is aware of every possible scenario for our future and clearly recognizes the path that will lead to the best outcome. So why do we often choose to ignore Him and try to handle things on our own? As a result, we are often confused and frustrated as we navigate through a maze of options in search of the best choice.
Faith is believing God and living accordingly — even if what God says is invisible to us or a promised future event.
God is the object for spiritual faith. We trust in Him and His character. Because He is trustworthy, we believe what He says with confidence. We follow through on our trust in God and belief in His word by taking the appropriate action. As we persevere in doing what God has told us, He brings about the fulfillment of what He promised.
Having faith in the trustworthiness of God is an absolute necessity if you want to experience the best He has planned for you and fulfill the purposes for which God created you.
God can do anything. He knows absolutely everything. And He is totally committed to your well-being. Trust God completely. He is able to change everything in an instant.
I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. Psalm 57:2; 138:8, NLT
…
Fast forward one or two years into the future. There you are looking back on the next 12 months of your life. What will you see? Will you be filled with amazement and wonder as you consider the astonishing things that God has done?
God has a wonderful future for you! The question is, “Are you willing to cooperate with Him and walk by faith?” It’s the only way you can travel on the pathway that leads to His best!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11, NIV.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20, 21, NIV
