Determination

There are many people who made resolutions that they wouldn’t go through this year the way they went through the past year. But my contention is that you need to make more than a resolution, you need to make a change! So many people today are stuck in dead-end relationships; dead-end jobs; dead-end ministries; loneliness, anger, fear and other forms of ‘bondage’, simply because they are stuck in a cycle of defeat!

If you fall into any of these categories, it means there is a cycle that you need to break. And the problem is not always with other people, sometimes it’s you and your bad attitude, your self-destructive pride that keeps you stuck. There needs to be a change in your thinking and a change in your actions, especially if you’re going through the same problems over and over again! In order for you to see a change, you must make a change. Change is not change until you change!

The Bible says in 2 Kings 7:3 that there were four men with leprosy sitting at the entrance of the city gates. They asked each other, ‘Why should we sit here waiting to die?’ Leprosy was a death sentence in itself. Some of you are dying where you are. But, we can learn something from those lepers.

The first thing the lepers did was face the facts. They didn't pretend that they didn’t have leprosy. They didn’t deny that they were in bad shape where they were! And that’s your first step, realizing that you’re in bad shape where you are! Some trials are appointed by GOD, especially when you’re being broken, but some trials are self-inflicted bondage and GOD is not in it. You can know the difference because GOD will anoint you to go through when it’s His will for your life. But self-inflicted bondage is the result of anger, fear, pride and flesh! And like the lepers, you’ve got to make a decision… and then make a move.

The second thing the lepers did was decide that they had to change their position. They repositioned themselves! Your second step is to reposition yourself in Prayer! Prov 3:5 says, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. You need to PRAY! You cannot live a spirit-led life with a mind full of TV and crude conversations. Let GOD give you a vision for your future. The four lepers moved toward their most promising chance to live, even if they faced a chance of dying! Are you afraid to trust GOD because of what you’ve suffered in the past?

The third thing you must do is trust God! GOD is faithful! Stop looking at things the way thing used to be. Look at the way God is revealing them to you now. You can’t live in the past. Change your past with your NOW! GOD is great on the inside of you. When the lepers got to the enemy’s camp they found that God had already made them run off and leave their goods! God has already moved for you too! Learn from the lepers! Admit where you are, Reposition yourself in Prayer, Trust God and…Change! You’ve got the Power to do it! Now, declare it to yourself… ‘I’m not going out like that!’