Over the holidays I enjoyed quiet time seeking the Lord, not only concerning the year ahead but also the previous years – I want this New Year to be different, very different. Therefore, I needed some insight in that area. I needed to know what I could have done differently and if there were changes I needed to make.
I believe God showed me a few things about implementing change in the coming year – and thereby seeing the change I am praying for.
Frankly, in 2020 and 2021 I felt like I was doing everything I could to keep my head above water and simply survive. As I have already shared, I don’t want to just survive any longer – I am ready to thrive and live the abundant life Jesus died to give us. What a precious price was paid that we might do more than survive!
Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly, until it overflows. Is that what you are seeing in your life today? If not, it is available to you, but you, like me, may need to make some serious changes.
I believe God has great plans for His Body this year. I believe He wants to do mighty miracles and exploits in our midst. Are we ready for them? Are we believing for them? Do we still have faith for them after the chaos of the past two years?
The Bible says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
We cannot have or maintain faith without the Word of God. The first thing we must do is get in, and stay in the Word of God. Many people only pick up their Bible while they are in church or bible study, once a week, maybe twice a week. That will not usher you into the abundant life Jesus died to give you. We must stay filled with God’s word. If we are full of His Word, that is what will come out of our mouth – and that is the fruit we will eat of.
However, if we spend little time in God’s word, whatever is dominant in our life, whether it is news media, negative conversations, fear, or doubt…whatever it is, will come out of our mouth and that is the fruit we will eat of.
Let’s look at some powerful scriptures about the Word of God.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8
“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22
God’s Word is powerful. It is our light, our teacher, our wisdom. It will not return void. It accomplishes what it is sent for. We must live by the very Word of God…then we will experience great success.
Friends, we cannot live the abundant life without the Word of God going in our heart, every single day. If you didn’t have the year you wanted last year – check your Word time. Are you spending time daily in God’s Word? If not, make the change. Set aside time to read the Bible every single day. It doesn’t have to be for hours – just a few minutes, consistently, will make a world of difference and it will change your world. Try it and see.
Appoint My Days
I am patient and kind. I do not envy or boast. I walk in humility. I refuse to be rude or indecent, even when wronged. I am not easily upset, and I keep no record of wrongs. I rejoice in the truth, and I rejoice that Christ lives in me and He is the hope of Glory! I trust, hope, and endure, no matter what. For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, Philippians 4:13, Colossians 1:27
