Day 18: Faith

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible. Thomas Aquinas

Now, putting faith on day 18 may seem a bit strange to some, but I believe that our faith does not come automatically. Some people believe that you either have faith in God or you don't - that you just can't help whether you have faith or not, but I believe that this philosophy is ridiculous.  Faith is an educated belief, not some sort of helpless superstition. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that what may be known about God is plain because God has made it plain through His creation (Romans 1:18-20). In other words, we believe in God by what He has created because there is no other logical explanation. If you want to change your life for God, you will have to have faith sufficient for the task. This type of faith does not come through blind ignorance, but from educated observation.

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6, NIV

Day 19: Goodness

 Goodness is the only investment that never fails. Thoreau

One of the ways you will know that you have really changed for God is in the goodness that begins to take over every aspect of your life and which begins to impact the lives of those around you. You will begin to think of how you can help others, how you encourage others, how you can become a truly positive influence on others - in fact, you will begin to have a goodness in your life that literally overflows to the benefit of everyone around you. In short, your life will have changed from an existence of selfish pursuits to one that meaningfully transforms the lives of others. This is goodness and it defines the Christian way of life.

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce acrop. Luke 8:15, NIV  

Day 21: Self-Control

You have power over your mind... realize this, and you will find strength. Marcus Aurelius

If you truly want change in your life, you will have to acquire self-control. When you consider different behavior, whether you are thinking about losing weight, quitting smoking or drinking, changing your career or anything else that is significant, you are going to have to deny yourself and exercise self-control. This is one of the most difficult parts of changing your life. That's why many people will never lose significant weight, will never quit bad habits, will never invest the time and money into going in the direction of their dreams AND it is why most people will never change their lives for God. But, you are different because you really are going to change your life for God. This will require self-control. Did you think it would be easy?

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13, NIV 

Day 20: Knowledge

A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education. Theodore Roosevelt

The next "key" to effectively changing your life for God is in the area of knowledge. People have many different opinions about the word of God, but opinions on how to serve God are about as worthless as opinions when it comes to diffusing a bomb: Get either one wrong and you are likely to be very, very disappointed with the results. This life that God has blessed us with is filled with many tests. As with any test, knowledge of the subject is crucial to being able to pass the test.  Do you have the knowledge you need to properly serve God?

The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7, NIV 

Day 22: Perseverance

If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance. Samuel Johnson

Since we are now at the half-way point, it might be a good time to look at the role that perseverance plays in the goal of changing your life for God. All one has to do to realize the importance of perseverance is to consider all of our great projects that lay in the scrap pile of the half-finished. Whether it's that degree that was to transform our careers, that exercise program that was to transform our bodies, or that organizational program that was to transform our daily routines, all have met the same fate that mere good intentions always meet. But this time is different: We are not changing our lives just for ourselves, but for our spouses, our children, our friends, and especially for our Lord. Such a noble pursuit demands diligence, determination, and perseverance. Are you willing to pay that price? Then keep going!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9, NIV