Can you believe it’s already almost the middle of February 2021?? Where does the time go?? It’s absolutely crazy how quickly the minutes, hours, days and now years are passing. Ugh!!! I better get going because I’ve got stuff to do before my time is up!!!

Don’t know about you, but I’ve got big dreams, goals and plans so that at the end of my life I can hear…

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. – Matthew 25:21

This brings me to the question: If you made a New Year’s resolution…how’s it going?

The internet says (and you know that Abraham Lincoln said that the internet is always right) 50% of adults in the U.S. make resolutions, but only 10% actually keep them.

Even if the numbers aren’t accurate, I imagine they are pretty dang close.

My theory is that we don’t keep these yearly promises to ourselves because of a few things.

1. We don’t want to make the sacrifices needed to reach the goal we’ve set.

2. We don’t have a plan to achieve our goals.

3. We don’t BELIEVE we can actually ATTAIN OUR GOALS.

Man, oh man, how sad!!!!

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. – Mark 11:24

Today, I would like to focus on sacrifice.

Sacrifice is a part of the Christian life. We sacrifice time so we can pray, worship, serve and much more. We sacrifice money to tithe, give help the poor, build churches, hospitals, schools and again, so much more.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. – Hebrews 13:16

When we are evaluating the things in our life that need to change, remember that those changes come with sacrifices because most of the time we will have to transform our mindset, desires, routines, and habits.

Giving up old ways will not be easy, but they are necessary to reach the promise to ourselves to change.

Surrendering our life to God is very similar.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

As you go through today, think about the ways you can alter old behaviors and make new ones that will grow you closer to God.  Only you can make the decision to change your life and you are responsible for wherever you end up at the end of 2021 or more importantly, the end of your life.

And remember, God’s been there. He and Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross for us even when we were still sinners.

Some Wisdom for Today: Proverbs 28:27 – Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.