Forget Resolutions, Look How Easy This Is (And It Works!)
Inside: 3 Simple Steps
You Can Take to
Let God Make the Difference
in Your Life Right Now!
Don’t we all want to make a change or seven? Maybe it’s human nature. And when we call something a New Year’s resolution, aren’t we insinuating that boom, it’s done! What’s been on your list for far too long? I have an idea. I only suggest it because “quit smoking” was on my list for what, 12 years? It never happened until I let God make the difference.
And then, not only did I quit smoking, but I no longer even wanted to smoke.
Now, that’s a miracle!
And He can do that for you. Let me show you how . . .

First, I want to encourage you.
God has plans for you!
Big ones, did you know that? Seriously, it’s in the Bible. This is what He says about you:
“For I know the plans I have for you,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you a hope and a future”
(Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).
Woo-hoo, right?
And God can do things we can’t. I’d quit smoking before, but the whole time I wasn’t smoking I craved a cigarette, but that didn’t happen when I quit with God.
And that was what, thirty years ago?
Changes aren’t easy.
But when we make those changes with God,
something happens.
My guess is that you’re still reading because you want to change and would like help. Amiright?
If that’s true, then let’s do it!
Step One: Ask God for what you want.
A couple of years ago, I thought God wanted me to write a book. If we were going to do that, I desperately needed His help.
During the day, I wrote. And at night, I studied the craft of writing.
Often, I came up short wondering how the heck to make my characters come alive on the page or show instead of tell and . . . and . . . and.
The list was endless.
But I wrote everything down that I wished I could do and then I made it into a prayer by addressing it to God, like this:
Raw chicken? Yep, that’s a funny God story. I’ll tell you in a minute.
But think about this for a second:
What if God was going to give you everything you asked for
and all you had to do was make a list.
I’m serious. The Bible says, “We have not because we ask not” (James 4:2-3).
And it says, “Now this is the confidence that we have in [God], that
if we ask anything according to His will,
He hears us.
And if we know that He hears us,
whatever we ask,
we know that we have the petitions
that we have asked of Him”
(1 John 5:14-15).
God wants you to help you with everything.
So, let’s pray:
Dear God,
I’d like Your help with
(fill this in with everything
that you want God to help you with),
so that’s what I ask You for
in Jesus’ name.
There, step one is done!
Now, here’s the funny God story about raw chicken.
It seemed like writing my book was taking forever. I just wanted to call it done. That’s when I heard the voice I’d come to recognize as God’s say,
“Are you willing to let it take the time it takes?”
Read that again because that’s key!
God had been accusing me of always being in a hurry. And He was right.
Since He’d given me the time and place to write, I felt like I’d better get ‘er done. That’s when He started talking to me about chicken curry. He knows I love it. He said,
“Would you serve your guests raw chicken?”
I wrinkled my nose and shook my head.
“When you’re cooking,” He said, “you need to let it take the time it takes. Food’s not done until it’s done and neither is your book!”
This may apply to what you’re doing, too.
Each time I got tempted to wrap up too soon, God would whisper, “chicken curry,” letting me know it wasn’t done yet!
And when He did that, He put a smile on my face.
I’m praying and trusting God
to put LOTS OF smiles on your face
as He answers your prayers, too!
Step 2: Keep talking to God.
Have you ever heard about the widow in the Bible who kept nagging the judge to settle a case in her favor?
It’s called: The Parable of the Persistent Widow.
As Jesus told his disciples the story, he taught them that they should always pray and never give up. That’s a message for us, too.
Sometimes it’s tempting to think we’re bugging God when we keep talking to Him about something, but we’re not. He wants to hear from us!
In fact, the Bible says, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, ESV) a.k.a. don’t stop talking to God.
God wants to hear from you!
After Jesus told His friends about the widow, He said,
“Won’t God protect his chosen ones who pray to him day and night?
Won’t He be concerned for them?
He will surely hurry and help them”
(Luke 18:7-8, CEV).
And guess what?
You are one of those people Jesus was talking about!
So, talk to God. And you can always add things to your list that you want God to help you with!
That’s what I did.
I kept adding to my list and talking to God about everything that came to mind. And by the time I finished my book, I had a nine-page prayer!
Step Three: Decree the Promises of God.
What does that mean?
It means you come into agreement with what God’s promised you and speak those words out loud, like this:
God has some cool plans for my life!
God hears me when I talk to Him,
and He answers my prayers.
One way I’ve done this is to record the promises I wanted to bury inside, so I’d never forget them.
The first time I listened to my recording and heard myself say,
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,”
(Philippians 4:11-13, NKJV).
I rolled my eyes and thought ri-i-ight.
But check this out . . .
I listened to that 5-minute tape as I fell asleep at night and again as I woke in the morning. And it wasn’t long before I was like, “I KNOW I can write this book through Christ who strengthens me!” ☺️
In a week or two, I became like a dog with a bone. No one could pry those promises away from me if he/she tried.
And guess what?
When we change our thinking,
we change our actions.
Once I learned how to do this, there was no stopping me.
And that’s my hope for you!
Here’s a three-minute audio clip of 14 promises for you to bury some of God’s promises inside:
You can play it while you’re driving, cooking, or taking a walk. And it won’t add one second to your schedule.
After you find out how fast this works, you may want to dig through the Bible and pick out all the promises to bury in your heart. That way you, too, can accomplish your goals!
That’s how I wrote a book!
God wants to help you make those changes in your life and accomplish your goals. He’s got that cool plan for you, right?
I never would have thought I could write a book. And by myself, I’m not sure that I could have, but click the link below and have a look:
Mary Me: One Woman’s Incredible Adventure with God.
I let God make the difference.
And you can, too!
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Thank you so much for posting that recording, Liz! What a gift!!♥️ I listened to it over and over again on my ride in to work this morning!
My favorite is Isaiah 41:13 (I think?) about holding my hand to keep me from being afraid!
Thank you for saying that, Terry, that makes it all worth doing!
🙂 I know what you mean. Every time I say, “that’s my favorite” with God, like family and friends, for instance, other things come to mind. Like heath, that’s definitely another favorite.
Thanks Liz, for yet another inspirational blog! Timing has been such an issue for me, but starting to get it, a wee bit, Lol!
Blessings and Hugs to you beloved friend ❤️
Jamie
You are ever-so-welcome, Jamie!
Timing, yes! I remember I knew God had this thing for me one time. I can’t remember exactly what it was or I’d share the details. But outside of His timing, this thing was not His will. Does that make sense?
The thing was His will, but the timing was just as important as the thing was.
Blessings and hugs right back at you 🙂
I love how perfectly personal our God is. Chicken Curry for you; Geese flying above for me; ___for this friend; — for another friend.
I also love the Prophesy our Promises thought. It’s a nugget to tuck away and I know it’ll be God’s words to nudge me into letting His word speak into the moments. The song you linked to, is wonderful, too. I also listened to the Praise Before My Breakthrough song. Both songs couldn’t have been more timely. Thank you for your faithfulness, Elizabeth.
Exactly, Carol, I love how personal God is, too!
Lord, help us all to hear everything You have to say.
I was just reading Luke 5:16 about how Jesus often withdrew to pray and I thought: If He had to get away from everything to calm His mind and make space to hear what God had to say to Him, how much more do we need to do that?
Help, Lord?