MAKING CHANGES

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

It is a fact.

Making a significant change in our lives is “tough work”.

Starting a diet can be daunting.

Committing to exercise? Exhausting.

Cracking open that dusty BIBLE on the coffee table?  That seems difficult.

We are creatures of habit and routine.  And let’s be honest not all the habits or all the routines are really “healthy or good” for us.  

I will confess, my little habit of a large (and I mean large) glass of milk and some GOLDEN OREOS before hitting the pillow is not in any medical handbook or will never be featured on Dr. Oz as a good nightly practice.  But sadly, you will still find me poised with my favorite mug and a handful of those sugary buddies as I jump in the sack at 8:45pm (that was for you Shannan M.)

But the reality is change has to be intentional.

Change requires investment.

Change demands discipline.

But change is possible.

Recently Joyce Meyer challenged a little small group in her studio to give 30 minutes to the BIBLE for 30 days.  She made the comment that it takes an investment like that to cultivate a new habit.  I know that when I started to write this little DISPATCH the thought of penning something daily seemed overwhelming.  But 500+ posts later, it has become a habit I don’t ever wish to break.

So ask yourself what are some areas that you wish to change?

Want to stop a destructive habit? Perhaps start a new healthy one?  Want to do “better” about your devotions?  Spend some more time in prayer? 

Then be intentional and commit to invest! Start today to develop the discipline needed. You CAN!  GOD will honor the effort!  In fact He desires it!

Ephesians 4:23-24 (TLB)

…your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature.

Never forget GOD loves us just the way we are, but He doesn’t want us to stay that way.  Daily He desires us to draw nearer to Him, to throw off those things that hinder us or don’t reflect His nature or bring Him honor and glory. 

The reality is all of us have areas in our lives that need changing, need tweaking, need improving.  It is up to us to be open and looking for new ways and ideas!

Proverbs 18:15 (LB)

The intelligent man (woman) is always open to new ideas. In fact, he (she) looks for them.

GOD will honor that desire to change.  In fact He will help us in the process if we allow Him. 

Why? Because He loves us!  He will welcome our change of heart!

“Legalism says God will love us if we change. The gospel says God will change us because He loves us.”

― Tullian Tchividjian

 

I love you all!

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney