Are any changes needed in your life?

Ecclesiastes 3:1 

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

In my opinion, we all have things in our lives that need changing.  This might not seem like a great topic for discussion but if you think about it, changing your life is pretty difficult, especially as an adult.

This may seem like a simple concept but change in your life requires changing your life.  So how do we identify what needs to be changed and how do we go about changing?

First let's talk about things that might need change.  Some are simple, like I need to stay off sugar. We might need to listen better or be nicer to someone. Some can be quite serious.  You might need to be more positive, exercise more, go to church more, overcome a fear, stop drinking or doing drugs.  Once we have identified what needs to be changed, then the hard work begins.  But with God all things are possible.

God will let us know what things in our lives need to be changed and He will help us change those things but sometimes there is legwork that we need to do.  Steps that need to be taken.

For example, an alcoholic in recovery needs to not only stop drinking, but stop hanging out in bars and with the same friends and associates.  This can be quite difficult.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Ephesians 4:22-24 To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

 Remember - God never changes and He loves you and made you the way you.  Your choices over time may not have been the best but He is always there to help you make changes in your life.  

 Obviously the best way to make a change in your life is to ask God to help you.  Once you have identified what needs to change He will make clear the path that you need to take and He will make a way for you to take that path if you trust Him.  

 I do want to confess that even though I need to stay off sugar, I have not really made a change in my life because I still eat sugar substitutes.  If I were really going to make a change in my life, I would stop sweets altogether and that is the goal.  I tell you this so that you don't just substitute one behavior or habit for another and think that you have made the necessary change.  Serious change requires work and commitment.  

 Serious change will take time and you might fail at some point.  Just get back up and start again asking God to guide and strengthen you.  Many people have made incredible life changes and you can too.

One last point.  God loves you now!  Do not think that you need to wait until you have made changes before you can come to God.  That is not necessary.  He wants you to accept Him and trust Him just the way you are at this very moment.  Jesus died - DIED - so that you could come to God now.  Please ask God to come into your life and help you make whatever changes are necessary, if there are any.

Titus 3:5 

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,



 Prayer:  Jesus, I believe you love me and that you died for me.  Please forgive me for my sins and mistakes.  Come into my heart and life.  I want to follow you and I need your guidance and wisdom to make some changes in my life.  Amen

 Questions:  
What changes would make a difference in your life?
What is holding you back from trying to make these changes?
What benefits would you receive from making these changes?

Revelation 21:5 

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

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