Encouragement

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Willing to Change

8Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart] – Matthew 3:8 (AMP)

Another year is drawing to a close. This weekend people will come together both in secular and Christian circles to “Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New”. I wonder how many people have actually ever sung or even read the words to this hymn. How many people casually fling out this phrase without a clue that it is a song that calls for the ringing in of the “Christ to be”?

New Year’s Resolutions will abound. People will be making lists, setting their resolve with fresh enthusiasm, assuring themselves, that this is the year that they will do it. What is on your list? How will you achieve it? What are you going to do differently than you have ever done before? What exactly is “it” that is going to make this “the” year?

I believe that most everyone will agree with me when I say, that right now, everyone is willing. The question is, is your willingness enough to bring forth the fruit that Jesus says “proves your change of heart”?

I personally can relate to the cry of the Psalmist here:

32I will [not merely walk, but] run the way of Your commandments, when You give me a heart that is willing. - Psalm 119:32

How many of us will not merely walk but start out running after our New Year’s resolution? It makes it so much easier when we have accountability partners to keep us on track doesn’t it? But who are you partnering with?

The realization is that I have to call upon God to give me a willing heart.

Jesus says to his disciples, after telling them that He was going to be given up to be crucified, to pray. You would think after being with Him for so long, they would have all the motivation that they needed to follow this simple request. But look at what happens:

41All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Matthew 26:41

After asking them to pray, they fell asleep. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. No kidding!

Your flesh wants exactly what you have trained it to crave. It wants whatever you have been feeding it. And one or the other, dependent upon which one you feed more, your Spirit or your flesh, is going to win. It just is what it is.

Everyone seems to have a solution or an opinion to how you can succeed in what you are trying to achieve.

I don’t know what it is you are resolved to do this year. Only God and those you have shared it with do. But whatever it is, it starts with a seed. What are you sowing to? Where are you sowing it? Who are you gardening with?

These are very important questions! Jesus Christ was with His disciple’s day in and day out. They witnessed His miracles, His teachings, and His life. They were a part of His inner circle; they saw things that nobody else did. And when He was seeking their support in prayer, they fell asleep.

The flesh is weak.

You may have an “accountability” partner. It may be someone you are going to diet or even workout with. Perhaps you are joining a support group that will assure you that it’s ok when you slip up. Back up and punt!

Love yourself enough this year to pursue Truth in everything! Find someone that will be honest with you no matter what. That is true love. Do not segment love out into pieces: tough love, tender love, etc. That is not complete. God is Love and Truth. Someone who loves you will constantly be moving you towards your best self by directing you to Him.

Jesus told the disciples, keep awake, give strict attention, be cautious and active, watch and pray! Why? That you may not come into temptation!

You may be tempted to eat those cookies, pick up that bottle, and smoke that one last cigarette. You may be tempted to go back into a relationship you have no business being in. It is time to go into starvation mode.

Starve your flesh. Whatever it is that you have been feeding it, it is time to detox. Feed your Spirit.

There is no simple solution. Whatever it is that you are resolving to put down this year, you have to be willing to turn your back on. Walk away from it. Find someone to hold your hand along the way if need be. But make sure that they are willing to put your hand into His hand.

Your greatest dependence, your most excellent resolve, your highest and your best, will only be found in Him. The will you bear witness that:

14You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. -Matthew 5:14

Then your lives will bear fruit that you were “Willing to Change”.

My prayer for you in 2012:
14The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the presence and fellowship (the communion and sharing together, and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (so be it). 2 Corinthians 13:14

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