As we begin a new year, we are reminded that every season begins with God. This is more than just a simple change on the calendar; it is an invitation to trust the Lord once again, to grow deeper in faith, and to walk confidently in His promises.
Isaiah 43:19 (NASB)
19 “Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
If God can make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, then He is surely able to make a way for us today.
Isaiah 42:9 (NASB)
9 “Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”
Many people live mentally in the past. When we continually bring up former hurts, failures, or experiences, we hinder our ability to embrace God’s plan for our lives and move forward. Too many people, including Christians, remain focused on what happened years ago instead of trusting God with their future.
Before we look ahead, let’s pause and thank God for what He has done for us over the past year. A heart of gratitude prepares us for what God has already prepared for us.
As I shared in the November newsletter, being thankful expresses our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for all His blessings, and it keeps the door open to receive more from Him. Gratitude is one of the purest forms of worship, for God is the source of every good gift.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
When you ask Jesus into your heart, you are born again. Your past is gone. You are a brand new person, complete in Jesus and you have His nature living in you. What an incredible truth! You are truly made BRAND NEW!
As a new creation in Christ, do not allow the old things and the old version of yourself to define who you are today. It is so important to keep your mind renewed according to the Word of God.
Isaiah 43:18 tells us that we are not to remember the former things. If our Father does not hold them against us, why should we?
Romans 12:2 (NASB)
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
As you learn to totally rely on your heavenly Father, you will be able to move forward in faith.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
I really like the way these verses are written in the New Living Translation (NLT). We are to TRUST the Lord with all our heart, in every area of life. While God has given us understanding, we are not meant to rely solely on it. As we spend time in His word, and develop a relationship with Him, our trust in Him will continue to grow.
These two verses encourage us to live by Faith, trusting our Father rather than depending on our own reasoning. Many people feel the need to “analyze” and explain everything. However, Faith requires Trust; relying on God rather than ourselves.
Too often, Christians try to figure everything out on their own, making plans without ever spending time with the Father. Our knowledge is limited, but God knows everything we need.
The Bible illustrates this in Mark 2:6-8, when the religious leaders reasoned among themselves about what Jesus was doing. I encourage you to read this passage and see how their reasoning contrasted with Jesus’ authority and insight. While they reasoned in their hearts, Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking.
When we rely solely on our own reasoning, we limit what God can do. As believers, we are called to live by Faith, trusting and depending on our Heavenly Father instead of ourselves.
Hebrews 11:6 (TPT)
6 And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who give all their passion and strength into seeking him.
Notice how The Passion Translation emphasizes that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Faith is not of the head, it flows from the heart.
Just as relationships grow through communication, our relationship with the Father deepens as we spend time with Him in prayer. Through fellowship with Him, He speaks to us, guides us, and reveals His heart to us.
As we step into this New Year, let us thank God for His faithfulness through every season. Let’s place our trust fully in Him. As we do, our hearts will be renewed, our faith strengthened, and we will walk confidently knowing that the Lord is directing our steps. May our lives bring glory to the Father in everything we do.