Isaiah 43:1-2
1 Now this is what the Lord says—
the One who created you, Jacob,
and the One who formed you, Israel—
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
2 I will be with you
when you pass through the waters,
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you.
You will not be scorched
when you walk through the fire,
and the flame will not burn you.
Are you discouraged about how the past year has gone? Are you looking forward to 2014? There is not anything that you can do about 2013, but get ready to roll up your sleeves in 2014 and work out what you want to do with your life. Life may have been difficult for you with broken dreams and mistakes, but the Holy Spirit has a unique way of picking up those broken pieces and helping you to see your life is put back together again.
Many will enter 2014 with fearfulness about a lack of employment or finances, but God is aware of what you need and will provide for you. There is no need to fear…fear not! There will be challenges that you will face in 2014, but God wants you to fear not and stand for Him. Stand in righteousness and do it with a smile in His confidence.
In today’s culture, we are not to fear anything as God remains in control. Yes, there will be some heated days ahead, but God can and will use you at those times when you are speaking the truth.
You are to look at the past to avoid making the same mistakes. You need to know what to do to improve and focus on what God will have you do.
Philippians 3:12-15
12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you.
God does want you to give your life to Him. It’s not just for the purpose of salvation. He wants you because He calls for you to serve Him. We are to forget what came from behind us in order to press on and do something new. While it is not often an easy thing to do, there is a freedom in moving ahead and casting your cares upon Him.
Don’t be afraid to press on and make changes in your life. Even more so, don’t be afraid to change your environment or even from some of the people you associate with in 2013. Change your environment and make new friends in 2014 to help you to move on the path to success. God truly wants the best for you, and change may be a significant part of your great year in 2014.
Romans 5:5
This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
There is hope in The Lord that He will do a mighty work in your life. Pray for God to increase your faith and to grow in your relationship with Him in 2014. Pray for a measure of each of the things that exemplify that agape love that Jesus showed to everyone.
1 Corinthians 13:13
Now these three remain:
faith, hope, and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
Luke 13:6-9
6 And He told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it even waste the soil?’
8 “But he replied to him, ‘Sir, leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 Perhaps it will bear fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.’”
God is giving us another year to bear fruit. You can bear fruit when you are seeking God with sincerity to nurture you and even prune you. It is your opportunity to show how you can serve the living God. It is your chance to show Jesus Christ that you are able to provide more than just the potential to do it. As the Spirit of Christ lives within you, the fruit will come out. God is merciful and patient with those who love Him and seek Him.
I pray that, in 2014, you will grow in ministry to those who need it. Please pray that people will see the love of God, His grace and His mercy in everything that you do. We can do every good work for Him with His guidance.
Akron Alliance Fellowship 