Time Changes Things!

I’m sure you have heard the phrase, “Time changes everything.” This picture shows it in my great-grandmother's age...she is getting older and it's tough. Over time, we change so much! From our hair, bodies, friends, decisions, responsibilities, desires, and so on, things change so quickly. Looking back on the last year, a lot has changed in my life. I finally have my intermediate license! My braces are gone forever…thank you Jesus! And, I’m driving my very own car! I can say that over the past year, besides the change in my granny, the changes in my life have been great!

As I was thinking back on some other things that have brought a spiritual change in my life, the Purity Conference from 2017 rings loudly in my ears. Most girls my age are looking forward to our next biggest change in our lives—having a relationship with a guy! We have dreamt about it since we were young, we have played house, imagined our life, and if you are anything like me—you have even planned it all out to the very last detail of your big day! Lol! Relationships are in our face every day through movies, music, television, social media. And, I have realized how much I have learned and changed in my life by listening to mentors in my life and allowing the word of God to help shape every change in my life.

Just to put a bug in your ear in for the purity conference I am referring to, you should plan to come in 2018. My youth group hosts this every year on the second weekend of November, and it’s truly eye-opening. Last year, the theme for the conference was, “Sanctified or Secular: Choose Your Direction.” It helped us realize that everything we do revolves around our choices and the changes we make in our lives. One of the speakers, Dawn Randolph, ministered about our identity as young women. I want to take some time and share with you some of my notes from this session. They are not in any particular order…they are just my thoughts and what I took away from this conference.

Our Identity

* God has placed something special on the inside of you.

* The biggest gift you can give your future husband is your virginity.

* Don’t let a boy dictate you how you feel about yourself.

* Proverbs 18:21--Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

* You can’t control everyone’s choices.

* We have control over our own selves.

* Betrayal shouldn’t make you believe things about yourself that aren’t true.

* If you keep speaking death over you and your relationship you’ll never have a good relationship. Speak life over you.

* What you say out of your mouth controls your future.

* If you want to have a man of God, then that’s what should come out of your mouth.

* Don’t chase a man. He’ll find you.

* Men who aren’t chasing God want you to use you all up and then walk away.

* Who you marry is going to be the most important decision you make.

* Make sure Jesus is more important to him than you.

* You always must take a step. It doesn’t just happen overnight.

* It is never ever too late to give your life over to the Lord.

* God wants you to know that everything about you is perfect. You’re perfectly created.

* Someone who has the right image of God doesn’t quit but keeps going.

* Who cares what you did yesterday. It’s about what you do today.

* When you believe that you are free, you’ll walk in that freedom.

* Romans 12:1-2 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Looking back over these notes and remembering the word that I received, I realized how the enemy wants to steal the word from us so that we never make these changes. It’s so important that we not only hear the word of God but allow the word to take root in our hearts and change! If we don’t put forth effort to change, then we will not get the results that we want.

For example, I started the Keto diet with my family not too long ago. As hard as it was, I loved seeing the results! I was losing weight, losing inches, and even felt better. However, I slowly went back to my old habits and before you know it, Keto is in my rearview mirror! Lol…It’s just goes to show that if you really want change, you have to do something about it. Time will change things, yes, but ask yourself are the changes taking place good for me, or am I allowing life to just happen.

There’s always a choice, and our choices change our future! I encourage you to make sure that the changes happening in your spiritual life are ON PURPOSE! When we are not aiming for righteousness and holiness, we are missing the mark—which is sin. So, live life on purpose. Don’t allow sin to steal your future from you. Always remember this saying, "Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay!"

Here are six things that SIN can steal from you:

1. Your self confidence

2. Your witness

3. Your joy

4. Your health

5. Your money

6. Your real friends and family

Decide today to change on purpose. Growing up is tough but hold on to the promises of God. Your future is secure in Him. But the key is “IN HIM.” Make sure you’re are living your life in Christ and not of this world.