But the Lord's plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken. (Ps. 33:11 NLT)

I am going to make a statement. It might look like a discouraging statement. It’s not so don’t take it that way. Are you ready? Okay, here we go. Some people not might get this but life is a life long battle of spiritual warfare. To those that are Bible readers and have learned such things, you may be more acutely aware of this truth. To those that haven’t read what God’s Word has to say about it, they’ve still experienced it first hand. None of us are ever more aware of it than the first non-holiday into the new year – the day we officially say is the fresh start of our New Year resolutions.

The New Year resolution has been meditated upon. The good intention firmly planted in the mind. The anticipation for the kick off of the new resolution(s) are even high. Day one comes and some don’t make it past four hours into the day. Some make it through the entire day and are high fiving themselves in the mirror. They beat their chest and say, “Let me at day two,,, grrr.” Day two comes but with interruptions. Something that throws a wrench into the plan and calls for more inward depth than good intention. This is where the boys are separated from the men. (Or girls from the women?) Actually, this is where the warfare comes into serious play. The enemy of your soul by his perverted state wants you to succeed at nothing that improves your quality of life – especially if it draws you closer to God. He has plenty of wrenches to mess up your carefully laid out plan.

Expect opposition in the preparation of good intention. Spiritual warfare is real. Satan worked to stop Jesus and he’ll work to stop you. You are God’s creation – God’s most intimate love. You represent everything that Satan hates. So, he’s against you – seriously! This is real! 2 Cor. 10:3-5 (NIV) reveals: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Pages could be and have been written on this subject but something simple to help you get started is to first know that anytime you want to develop a godlier lifestyle and draw closer to God – it’s a good thing! God is for you! It is a good intention. Go for it! But, know this: know that you will be opposed. Just knowing that helps you grit your teeth, take a more serious stance and strengthen your conviction about good change.

Secondly, don’t kid yourself into thinking you can do it without God’s help. Jesus never failed. There’s a power thought for you. His conviction was rooted in His Father’s will – it was far more than a good intention. You saw that he continually prayed. It was the source of His strength while living in human flesh. It filled His tank. It strengthened His resolve. Prayer has to be our source of strength also. If you think you can get your good intentions established on will power alone, you will deceive yourself. Oh, I know there are some that get some things done on will power alone, but they have their secret failures they aren’t talking about.

Pray for the unmovable conviction and intention mentioned in today’s Fresh Manna. Psalm 33:11 (NLT) But the Lord's plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken. You’ve got weapons to shut down your foe! God thoughts and promises that you can anchor your heart and intentions in and then, fulfill those resolutions! You’ll praise God as you do!