This time of year many people reflect on their past and what was or was not accomplished. Like the Apostle Paul, we have to recognize the past, the good and the bad, then learn to put the past behind us: our successes and our failures. We must pull ourselves up, stir ourselves up in faith, use wisdom, and go before the Lord God to ask Him: what is it we can accomplish together this year, Lord?
Foundational verse: Isaiah 43.19
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (ESV)
The Lord is ready to do a new thing in your life. He is ready to forgive your past and bless your future. Receive that from God. Receive the new start. Receive redemption, being revalued by God. You can move forward with God, in a new thing.
In Isaiah 43, God tells Israel that they are called by His name. Are you in Christ? Have you received Jesus as Savior and Lord? If you did, you are His. You are now called by His name!
When you are surrounded by what appears to be overwhelming floods and fires from those who are trying to destroy you, God says fear not. He is with you. The flood waters will separate like they did for Moses or you will walk over them like Jesus and Peter. God is with you in the midst of the fiery tribulation just like He was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon. What your enemies meant to destroy you promotes you.
Pray for those who persecute you. For God is their judge. God is willing to sacrifice those who are not His to promote, protect, and bless those who walk with Him, who are His. Walk with God and forgive your enemies. There is no salvation a part from God through Jesus.
God is calling all who are His together. From the north, south, east, and west, the whole world will give up His chosen, His children, those who are called by His name.
You are His witnesses. You know who He is. You have seen His works. You will declare there is no other God but the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus. He delivers all those who rely on Him. He raises up who He chooses. He blesses those He chooses to bless.
Now behold: forget about what was done before. God is about to do a new thing in all the earth. His Spirit will spring forth like a river. Who can withstand it? In wild and desert places, He will spring forth, God in the midst of His people. He will be known as the present God; not the God of the past or the former things.
“Behold, a new thing I will do,” declares the Lord. “I will be Emmanuel to my People. I will be present with them wherever they gather, and they will know it is Me,” declares the Lord.
So, friend, prepare to receive God’s goodness and Himself in the midst of your worship, in the midst of your services, and in the midst of your prayers.
2016 is the year of the Lord’s Favor for those who will receive it and walk in it. Walk with God in 2016 as friends walk together, and God will be with you tangibly and in reality.
Amen.
I pray God’s very best on you in the coming year. Just walk in all God has for you.
Now receive this blessing:
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The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. May He put His name upon you and bless you. May the Lord make all grace abound toward you; that you, always have all sufficiency in all things and may abound to every good work.
Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all you could ask or think according to the power that is in Him, at work in us, supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by and through Christ Jesus.
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This is part of a letter sent to partners of Bethel Grace Church in Charleston, SC. If you are interested in more information and how you can partner with Bethel Grace Church Charleston, please go this link (click here) and check out the Partnership & Giving page.
Doc Rogers writes.... 