There’s A New Dawn Soon

Brothers and Sisters the time for renewal is here. Every year we have this wonderful thing called New Year’s Resolutions (NYR). The issue is that many people who make these resolutions do not resolve to actually accomplish them. What is a NYR? Basically, it is a much needed change that stems from events or physical characteristics that happened the previous year. Sometimes the NYRs are not resolved from the previous year and so the person tries again and again. We are such procrastinators when it comes to change that we cannot even begin to understand the changes that must occur in our lives when it comes to Obedience to God.

Change is Good for the Soul   
The choices we make in this life really do dictate how we live. Choosing a spouse, a house, having a child, are all very important things. So are other choices we make but the most important choice any believer should be making is how much time we devote to God. 

Time is a human condition that dictates many things but it is of no consequence when it comes to devotion to our Creator. Every second of every day actually belongs to Him but we choose how to use it. So many folks rely on a clock that there is no time for relaxing and reflecting and when that does finally happen, thoughts of God do not enter the mind. Instead we look for ways to just vegetate or take our minds off of the day instead of thanking God for how He helped us through it. 

What needs to change is less reliance on a clock and more reliance on what we are to do with our lives when it comes to God. Everything we do has some connection to God. Daily chores, eating, working, playing, communicating, spending time with family and friends, these are things that can bring us closer to a relationship with God. 

When we recognize and approach the changes necessary to bring us closer to God, we are really searching our soul for what it needs. We are asking our heart what will fill it spiritually while our physical needs, not desires, are also met. Do not resolve to acquire physical things but resolve to make oneself physically and spiritually fit. Making that change will change others' outlook about you and themselves.   

Change is Not Easy
There are a few things that we really must approach cautiously yet with tough love. We all know someone who is struggling and trying to find themself. The issue there is that they are seeking for self gratification and use the influence of other people whom they see as having good, happy lives. The problem is most of the influencers are fake and are being influenced to act a certain way by others themselves. These will be the hardest to change because more than likely, God is not on their minds. 
This is where tough love comes into play. Life choices can be made that are actually detrimental to the soul. I have seen so many people in pain from the results of either their choices or the choices of someone they love. If the choice made goes against God’s Law then the chances are that life will seem okay on the outside but there's a battle going on in the soul of the person. This causes others to stumble because of their love for the person and the wish not to mentally hurt them even though they are struggling with the mental and spiritual pain themselves. 

If you are struggling because you have a loved one who made certain life choices, you can still love the person but do not force change nor be in complete acceptance of the person’s choice. Shower with God’s Love but ensure you differentiate acceptance from this Love. Change can happen. 

Be Faithful and Grateful 
How often do we take our faith for granted and do whatever we want. When we are that way then we are not faithful nor grateful for all the things that have been done for us. In James we read that faith without works is dead. This is a very true statement because when we have true faith we do good works which help grow our faith even more. If we just say saved by faith alone and continue to sin then we are most ungrateful for everything ever done for us. Both of these require a change but the second more than the first. 

When someone does an act of faith and requires accolades then that person is more about the self and does not understand what faith is. When someone relies on faith to make things happen and things remain stagnant, there is no real faith but lip service because God will not assist someone who will not take action for themselves. 

Glory is not ours to have. Fame is nonsense and popularity means nothing. We have grown up in a society where certain people need to have attention and to get it they put their whole lives and talents out in the open for everyone to serve praise or ridicule. This is not living nor does it serve a purpose except for a distraction from what really matters. 

How does one act on faith? What that means is to be a charitable person. To give more than receive. To create an atmosphere where people feel the Love and Presence of the Father God and see that the person is of good character. That is acting on faith. 

What does it mean to be grateful? In everything praise and worship are for the Father God alone. No other creature, person, or man made object can do what God has done or will do in our lives to make living possible. When we pray, give God all the glory for everything about to happen or what has happened depending on morning or evening prayer. Give God thanks for every meal before and after. Pray the prayer that Jesus taught at least once a day. That is being grateful.      

Change Is Necessary To Be Faithful Servants
We are in a place right now where the world needs to step back and look at itself and how everyone is treating everyone else. People who fought for awareness and  acceptance now desire everyone to change to their ways. This is more dangerous than saying thank you and just go on living. People who I deal with daily know that I understand who and what they are or what they desire to be. They also know that I do not need to be reminded or their way pushed upon me or I will say something they do not want to hear. 
We need to change the world one person at a time to be obedient to God’s Law but the biggest change has to be within ourselves. 
Brothers and Sisters, I know that I may have offended or made some feel that I am condemning or judging and if that is so then I did not mean to make it sound that way. I am a follower of God and His Law so that is how I must be. I speak truth without the sugar coating. God’s Law is eternal and we are just fleeting moments and pieces of His plan.

With Love,
 Rob, Servant of God