Philippians 1:6 (TLB) “ And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns”.

Once again, welcome to a New Year, a lot of us may have yet again made some New Year’s resolutions and for the most part are intent on seeing these resolutions through. Research has shown that 36% of us who do make these resolutions forget them within a month of getting into the New Year and the failure rate rate increases to 92% by year end, sad but true. I still maintain hope that we will all see those resolutions through to the end of the year BUT it will take great discipline and focus, two things many of us still grapple with.

We have to be absolutely resolute, for too long many of us keep doing the same things expecting a different result. This is the year to be resolute and determined that we are going to change and break the cycle of doing the same things over and over again. To stop wandering in the desert like the people of Israel. To stop giving in to the ways that the enemy has laid out for us and to walk in the ways that God has ordained for us. Early last year I wrote a post entitled “Change needs a constant reminder”. At the time I never thought I would have to remind myself about this one truth, but change does need a constant reminder. A constant reminder especially when we have unseen forces working against us not wanting us to become the people we were meant to be. Unseen forces that want us to remain with a question mark over our heads wondering if we are great or otherwise.

These resolutions/changes will require great work, effort and focus. We need to do what some may consider old fashioned (but surely works) and record the changes that we would like to see in our lives/circumstances, THEN constantly assess our progress.  It can be done. It’s not far-fetched.

The bible tells us where there is no vision, the people perish. We also need to be sure that we align ourselves with God’s will for our lives, in so doing we are sure to get to where we need to be. It’s not going to be easy, we can agree on that, but, we need to move towards God’s plan for our lives purposefully, knowing that the enemy will set up the roadblocks through the journey. Not to worry, God has already demolished those roadblocks, success is waiting, it’s inevitable. We only need to press through in faith knowing and being confident that he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

We definitely do not want to be like the people of Israel wandering around without direction. That is sure to happen when we are not resolute, determined and intentional in moving towards God’s will for our lives. Not our will, but God’s will for our lives. We need to move in confidence with unwavering faith. We have to put an end to thoughts that we cannot and know without a doubt that we can through Christ.

I encourage all of us to once again pray about the changes, move purposefully and RESOLUTELY… REMEMBERING THAT IT WILL NOT BE EASY but that we can change through God who empowers us to be all that he needs us to be in bringing others to his Kingdom.

Here’s how:

• Simplify by writing down everything off the top of your head.
• Next organize in order of difficult /easy changes.
• Make sure they are realistic.
• Pray about them-ask God to show what is his will.
• Get a calendar, maybe a diary and record what you would like to accomplish in each month, you can go as far as recording daily.
• Then be determined to stick to the plan and pray again.
• As you achieve each goal, reward yourself with something that will create a “feel good feeling within” and cross it off the list.

It can be done….