Everyone has a picture in their minds of who they want to become. You think about it – dream about it – and even plan for it.

As a matter of fact, this time of year many people make resolutions that revolve around molding them into the person they want to BECOME. Sadly, most people drop their resolutions within weeks.

According to A Marist University Poll,

Keeping Their Word?

33% of Americans recall making a New Year’s resolution last year, but how successful were they?  Of those residents, 65% said they kept their promise for at least part of the year while 35% did not.  Men were more steadfast than were women.  70% of men kept their resolution for at least part of 2009.  This compares with 59% of women.

Dedication has grown among Americans who have previously made a resolution.  While 65% of residents kept their resolution for 2009, 60% did so in 2008.

Why do we fail in our New Years Resolutions? Because we don’t know how to change. The Bible gives us clear instructions on how to BECOME the person we would like to be.

Starting this Sunday, I will share with you how you can BECOME all God intended for you to be. I will examine change in general, and then over the next few weeks we will look at some of the New Years Resolutions everyone makes and what the Bible says about them.

If you want to improve your family, finances, organizational skills, and many other things – don’t miss a service.

Check us out at www.libertybaptistchurch.ws

See you Sunday – prepare to leave changed!!

This past Monday night I had to take a trip to the Emergency Room. It was the third time in about a month I have had an allergic reaction to something – but this was the worst time. [Yes, I have an upcoming appointment with an allergists to find out what it is]. I tried not to go to the ER and to take care of things myself, but it got really bad. I was turning purple and swelling …. kind of like Will Smith in the movie “Hitch”. I’ll spare you the details, but suffice to say I HAD to go to the ER.  So, I live close to the Murray Hospital and that’s where my wife drove me. I stayed for several hours, got better, and went home . . . but I learned a few things from that night….

1. Life comes at you Fast!

The thing about the allergic reaction was it didn’t happen over much time. It starts with the palms of my hands itching. Within minutes, my face was swelling, I couldn’t breath, I broke out in a rash and hives, and I was getting faint. . . all in about a 10 minute time span!!  I went from well to a “near-death” feeling in a matter of seconds.

The point is – It is a great reminder that life often happens that way. Often we can have things change in our lives in just the span of a moment and we have to learn to be prepared for it. When the reaction started, I didn’t have time to “get right with God”. I was what I was in that moment.

Walk with God so you are close and clean to Him and ready for whatever sudden changes might happen in your life.

James 4:13-17

¹³ Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” ¹⁴ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. ¹⁵ What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.

2. Sometimes you need Intervention from others.

OK – you would think with all that going on I would have ran to the ER – but not so. Even though I could barely breathe, I insisted on treating myself at home constantly saying, “I’m OK”! It was until my daughters and my wife said – “Get in the car you are going to the hospital” in a tone I couldn’t refuse that I came to my senses and realized I needed help.

The point is - sometimes we all need intervention from those that love us. We can get stuck in unhealthy spiritual, emotional, relationship, or physical ruts in our lives that we don’t even see the need to dig our way out of. Listen to those around you whom God has placed there to speak truth into your life. It is not always pleasant, but normally it is for the best.

Proverbs 17:17

¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

3. The right ministry from the right person can make such a difference

I can’t say enough good things about the way the hospital ministered to me. When I got there, the ER waiting room was packed. I couldn’t breathe and I told my wife that if we had to wait our turn I’d probably die! Well, I didn’t have too – within 2 minutes of walking in the door I was in a room. Then my nurse, Krista, was awesome. My wife and I both thought she was nice, informative, patient, and caring. Her ministry made such a big difference in our lives that night.

The point is - You never know what your life can mean to another person who is going through a difficult time. What you may view as your normal “job” can make a big difference to someone else if you do it with the joy of Christ in your heart. Wherever you are today and whatever you do, do it with the joy of Jesus and you’ll really impact those around you having a hard time.

Galatians 6:10

¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

4. Things can go from bad to better quickly

When I walked in the ER I thought I would be there all night or longer. They put me in a room -asked me some questions – ran some tests  -and then started an IV with several medicines. I was a mess – swollen, hives, rash, etc….but, within a couple of hours of treatment I was much much better. I walked out of the hospital very sleepy [Benadryl via IV will do that] but feeling much better.

The point is - If things are difficult for you now, don’t despair. They can turn around faster than you think. Just trust the Lord through your situation and you might be surprised at how much better things will get. You may not get all of your questions answered right away, but be thankful for the favor of God when it shines in your life.

Lamentations 3:17-24

¹⁷ My soul has been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is. ¹⁸ Then I thought: My future  is lost, as well as my hope from the LORD. ¹⁹ Remember  my affliction and my homelessness, the wormwood and the poison. ²⁰ I continually remember [them] and have become depressed. ²¹ Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope:

²² [Because of] the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. ²³ They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! ²⁴ I say: The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.

An ER visit is no fun, but it did reinforce some Biblical truths in my life.