Make a Personal Decision to Change

1 Corinthians 15:34
“Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.”

The message for this week may seem too simplistic to some but it has served me well for the last 20 years of attempting to live for the Lord. The message is: Stop what you are doing long enough to make a decision of who you want to be. Over the years I have had many people step into my office with problem after problem looking for answers. There are very few of them who considered what it would cost for the changes that needed to take place. They would feel horrible for their sin and walk in depression because of their habits, and due to the pain, decide that changes are necessary. However, those changes meant they would need to shift their daily schedule, alter the people they call friends, and quite possibly do a total 180 degree turn in more than one area of their life. I hope to not distract from the amazing power of God to transform our lives, in order to explain that without making a decision to change, life will continue to spin out of control and eventually will drive you off of a cliff. God has given us this amazing gift, which is truly the most loving present imaginable and quite possibly is also the most dangerous. It is the gift of free will. He will never step in and decide for you what you should do or who you should be. He promises to give you the answers and the strength if you run to Him and submit at His feet. But, He will not force you to do things that should be done. He loves you that much!

So Let’s Take a Closer Look At The Cost Of Change
1. You must be honest with yourself and those around you.
2. You must be wise with you who you allow to speak into your life. People who have walked with you down the wrong roads will always have the chance to bring you down those roads again.
3. You cannot hide your wounds. This does not mean that the whole world needs to know all of your mistakes but it does mean that the right people need to know. Take the time to figure out who those people might be (i.e. your pastor, a counselor, a mentor).
4. Face the consequences. Usually there are consequences for the rebellion that we take part in and true change only will take place as you accept those consequences.
5. Replace the habits with new activities, thoughts and attitudes. The best definition of insanity is when someone repeats the same actions over and over and expects different results.
6. Read your Bible daily! It is a light unto your path. Do not walk in the dark anymore!
7. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide. If we submit to the Lord the Holy Spirit is always there to show you the next step. You just have to take the time to listen and be patient for the answers.

I am sure that you will be able to add more practical steps to this list, and I encourage doing so. If you notice on my list of things for you to accomplish, none of the points encourage you to carry the burden or be strong enough on your own. The Lord accepts you just how you are and knows that you are not strong enough to walk on your own. If you will submit to Him your daily life and decisions, then, He will give you the strength to endure through any hardships you will face and He will perform the miracle of transformation.