Another cycle of God's festivals have come and gone. After the Feast of Tabernacles a new spiritual year begins.I always come away from the Feast of Tabernacles with a plans to make a few positive changes in my life. The 8 days I spend away from my routine and my stuff allow me to step outside of myself... make a few critical observations... rather like new years resolutions.Most new years resolutions die after a short burst of application. Then folks slide back into the pattern of life they are most accustomed to. We love changing our hairstyles, fashion, TV shows, maybe we'll strike out in a new direction by growing a mustache. But, changing our ideas, our habits, is a different matter. We resist change on these... To admit we're wrong and to make necessary corrections... makes us feels foolish, insignificant, and threatens our notions of self worth.A great deal of human reasoning is put to work to resist real change... by justifying, rationalizing, and plain old "making excuses".In the year that has passed we each received a lot of good information about eternal life, reward, and salvation. Resolve this year to be a Year of Change! Believe and act upon what you have heard!A New Beginning2 Corinthians 13:5 Has the past year brought you to see yourself more clearly? As you really are rather than how you wish to be or be seen? As God sees you?Have you sized yourself up by means of His word? Have you seen how you have fallen short or the glory of God?Are you ready to surrender those strongholds in your mind rather than protecting them like a mama bear with her cubs?Common Strongholds: thoughts, music, substance abuse, perverted sex, occult, money matters, authority issues, psychological dysfunction (such as stress, anxiety, depression).Prevention is the best remedy... however, if a stronghold has already been established: 1. Admit where you are: stop denial and self delusion ("its just entertainment", "I can stop anytime once I set my mind to it", "its not me its the system")2. Possibly share  your situation with a trusted individual3. Seek help4. Change your environment (bad company ruins good morals)5. Set your will to do the right thing (you gotta exert some effort)6. Go to the source of the problem (what trigger gets you started)7. Bathe your mind in the word of God - (it provides the only objective standard against which you can measure your current situation, then measure your improvement, and keep you oriented toward the right goals)God gives favor to the humble... humble people are willing to change. God wants change, change that's permanent with no turning back!Give Yourself To God CompletelyLive by every word of God. Make this your goal above all else: above family, friends, even your own life. Matthew 10:37-39 think of losing your life as letting go of those mental strongholds in your mind that are guarded, armed and ready to repel any intrusion by God. What good does it do you to hang on to what is temporary  at the risk of that which is everlasting? Instead: "seek first the kingdom of God".Everything Begins With ChangeJesus gave His life to pay the penalty for your sins. But you access the power of this salvation through a change of mind and thinking... "repent and be baptized so your sins may be forgiven and you may receive the Holy Spirit".The changing of mind and attitude does not end at the beginning. The active renewing of your mind after the pattern of Jesus Christ continues throughout your whole life.Winning requires ongoing effort 1 Timothy 6:12; 1:18-19, 2 Timothy 2:3-4A life successfully lived... is a battle won 2 Timothy 4:6-8Godly Change Means Doing Battle With 3 Deadly Enemies1. Yourself - your human nature2. The world - 3. Satan - the accuser, tempter, and liar1. YourselfYour flesh and blood mind has an instinct for reproduction and self preservation... neither of these is intrinsically bad. No one faults a moose for wanting to pass