Here we go again (The beginning of the year)
It seems at the beginning of every New Year, in pulpits around the world, you hear Men and Women of God declaring new promises for your life. “This is your year for …” Yet at the end of the year, NOTHING… as usual just words…. My life is still “the same-old-same-old”.
Key verse: James 1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. (NLT)
The above verse can easily apply to so many of us. When a [Rehma] “Word” is spoken (that is when God uses someone to speak a current word into or about your life), that “Word” can seem to not hold any weight. It can become common ground or just the right thing to say, turning us into just listeners of the “Word”. But the question to you and to me is, “are these really just words/empty promises?” How do we go from hearing these declarations spoken over us, or into our lives to actually being able to see some fruit of those words at the end of the year?
Well, let’s understand the power of the “spoken Word”. You and I first have to recognize who God is using to declare His Word over our lives. If the person speaking into our life is truly called by God then we have to believe the “Word” that was spoken (even in a group setting) can apply to you if it lines up with the Word of God.
One of the hardest things to accept for many of us is a “Word” that is spoken directly into our lives. God’s promise’s to us when we apply his “Word” into our heart, mouth, and mind are:
- God will love us and reveal Himself to us. (John 14:21
- God will dwell with us ( John 14:23)
- God’s “Word” will not return void (Isaiah 55:11)
- Jesus said the “ Word” they are Spirit and Life
It takes a lot for many of us to accept the “Word” because we struggle to believe it. Going from hearing-to-accepting-to-believe is what makes faith such a powerful weapon and tool. How do we get there? Below you will see some steps that will start to put your faith to action.
Application, Application, Application!!!!!
We have a large part to play with how our year ends and turns out once that “Word” is given. A man much wiser than I taught a group of us that there are four characteristics that define us in the area of growth and change:
- Action – Make the decision that you will receive and accept the “Word” in your heart and mind and then start acting accordingly.
- Full of passion – This is simply living your life filled with that “Word” in you, doing what it takes to understand and learning how to live out that spoken ”Word” with an internal passionate excitement.
- Must not settle for the status-quo – Those who live a status-quo life are those who hear a spoken “Word” over their lives and think, “That will never be for me” or “If God wants me to have it He’ll do it.” Status-quo living is the enemy of action and passion. It will keep us in the same place, way of thinking, and faith year in and year out.
- A willingness to change – Finally a changed heart and mind. The truth of the matter is, we look for that spoken “Word” to come into fruition on our time table. God can be very direct and give specific instruction and far too often He does not always share His complete plan and time table with us. Many times God is waiting on us to be willing to change. But if we adopt these characteristics we will see a change in how we approach the beginning of the year and how we live with expectation throughout the year.
Prayer
“Father I believe this is my year for ______ (fill in the blank) and I thank you for the promises spoken into my life and for all that I have not yet, but with faith in You and the promise of Your Word expect to see come to fruition.”
Ask Yourself These Two Questions:
This year what are you believing to change in your life?
What are a few steps you need to put in place, take action on, be passionate about, stop settling for the status quo and be willing to change in order see the manifestation happen?
Key verses: Luke 6:47, Mathew 7:24, Philippians 4:8
Minister Andre Parchment