This is the last week of the year 2015. I trust that it has been a good year for you, and pray that 2016 will be even a better year.

Most people at this time of year are thinking about projects they wished they had finished, or personal changes they want to make during this next year. I can think of several things I would like to accomplish in this New Year, seems like I always have more than one project I’m working on. I hope that you are thinking of making changes in your life too. It’s only with change that we can make our lives better, as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago in my blog about discipline.

Change is what life is all about and we should look at each new change as a new adventure of opportunity to grow and improve our lives. Of course we know that some changes due to accidents or medical problems are not necessarily something we might look at as a good thing, but even during those rough times we can grow in a positive manner if we choose to.

Change can do several things in our lives if we are willing to allow the change to affect us in a positive way:

1. Change builds character.  Our attitude and words have a major part in how situations can turn around. Romans 8:28 teaches us that all things can work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose if we allow Him to work in our lives. We are all called to God’s good purpose.
2. Change brings healing.  Our hearts and lives are changed when we submit our will to God’s will. Psalm 139:17 tells us that God’s thoughts toward us are precious and great. When we know that God loves us and wants the best for us, it’s easier to believe Jeremiah 30:17 where we are told that God will restore health unto us and heal our wounds. Whether physical, mental, or emotional, God is our healer.
3. Change gives us ability.  When we renew our mind to the Word of God and change our way of thinking to His way of thinking as we read in Romans 12:2, we are transformed from the image of the world into the image of Jesus. Philippians 4:13 becomes true as we believe that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
4. Change is always new. When we accepted Jesus as Savior we became a new creation as stated in Second Corinthians 5:17. When we live a life submitted to God we are always experiencing new victories; receiving healing, walking in love, forgiving others, and learning our authority in the Name of Jesus.
5. Change grows us up. We grow from childhood to adulthood in the natural and well as the spiritual. We grow up spiritually as we learn who we are in Christ; by reading the Bible, praying, and obeying God’s Word. When we learn to be willing and obedient to the voice of God, we shall eat the good of the land, as promised in Isaiah 1:19. That means we will have blessings in our lives.
6. Change will cause us to encourage and edify others. As we grow in the Lord, we become less selfish and self-centered, desiring more to be a blessing. According to Matthew 10:8, we have freely received from God His love and mercy, so we should freely extend love and mercy to others.
7. Change turns us from a spectator to a servant. Jesus said in Matthew 20:28 that the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. Since He is our example, then maybe, just maybe we should find ways to serve Him by serving others. Our serving attitude and life should exemplify the fruit of His Spirit: kindness, joy, goodness, and love as mentioned in Galatians 5:22.

Change can be a good thing. We don’t have to wait for change to just happen in our life; we can make conscience decisions to change our thinking, our words, our attitudes, and even our beliefs, bringing them in line with the Word of God. We are ambassadors of Christ, so this New Year let’s purpose to do as Matthew 6:33 instructs: to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  Let’s see how much change God can do in our heart and life by the end of this next New Year.

Have a wonderfully blessed New Year.