A Year of New Beginnings

There is something special about each new year.  It is full of hope and expectation for what the year may bring. Each new day God gives us is a true reflection of His favor and faithfulness in our lives.  He would not have allowed us to cross over into this year if He didn't have a plan and a purpose in mind for each of us.

Before the close of last year I began to sense the Lord drawing me into prayer and consecration. For the last 8 weeks I have separated myself from much activity and interaction with others in order to set my heart to seek the Lord concerning this year. Whatever God wanted to accomplish in this new year couldn't wait until after the year had already begun. Instead of waiting to do 21 days of fasting and prayer at the beginning of the year, in obedience to the Lord's prompting, I quieted myself before Him with great anticipation for what He had to say about 2014.

The Lord spoke to my heart that 2014 would be a year of New Beginnings!

As I heard these words in my spirit, I immediately thought of several areas of my life where I had been crying out for something new. Something other than what I had been seeing in the past.

As an intercessor and prayer leader, I've heard the stories and received many prayer request over this past year alone. Many of God's children have been facing tremendous test and trials with seemingly no end in sight. And even if some have not been in a season of testing they were tempted to grow weary while waiting on change in some area of their lives. But God has seen us and heard the cries of our hearts as we seek Him for change in our lives.

Photo by Warren Caiman

God gave me a vision

I can remember a time when my life seemed hopeless. Despite my prayers and faithfulness to serve in church, and live right before God,  I still seemed to battle with depression because things just weren't the way I wanted them to be. I wanted a happy marriage and family, and to enjoy life the way it is was supposed to be.

One day as I sat on my bed feeling low, God gave me a vision where the sky above my home was covered with dark clouds, when suddenly a small circle appeared in the midst of the clouds. It was just large enough for the sun to shine through. The beam of light breaking through the darkness was the Lord's way of letting me know that things were about to change. When God's light comes in,  darkness must flee.  From that point on the circumstances started to change around me, and my life has never been the same.

When we experience the same thing day after day it's difficult to imagine life being any different for us. This is why vision is so important. We must be able to see ahead and know that God wants to give us a new beginning in the areas of our greatest needs and desires.

When we've had enough of the same old problems we must look to God for a fresh start.

In what area of your life do you need a fresh start or new beginning?

Stop right now and imagine God bringing a sudden change into your life.

Sometimes when we have reached our lowest point, when it seems like things will never change, God is ready to bring forth something new and fresh. God has already created a way of escape from those areas where we can't seem to find a way out. God has already made provision for the new things He desires to do for us this year. 

6 Keys to experience New Beginnings

"Forget what happened long ago! Don't think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in the deserts, streams in thirsty lands." Isaiah 43:18, 19 CEV

1.  Forget about the Past. We must be willing to abandon the old that is behind us to receive what is new ahead of us. If our minds are bombarded by yesterday's trouble it will be difficult to grasp the new thing God has in store.  We must greet each day with a fresh prospective, knowing that anything can happen!  We must replace every negative thought and with a promise from the word of God that contradicts the situation. 

2.  Just Ask for it.  Pray and ask God for a new beginning in whatever area you need it most. The word tells us, Ask and it shall be given, seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks the will be opened.  Matt 7:7, 8. 

3.  Have faith to believe.  If we don't believe God will give us a fresh start and new beginning, it won't happen. God always meets us at the point of our faith. We cannot fear disappointment, but hold on to faith and hope, knowing that God is good! David said, "What would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living!" Ps 27:13 Amp

4.  Obey God's instruction. Once we've asked God for our new beginning we must be willing to follow His direction or instruction. He knows that path that will get us to where we want to be. He may have us take a simple step of faith that when obeyed, will lead us right into the blessing. We must take more time to listen in prayer rather than talking.  Listening and following the Holy Spirit's lead is key in this season of change and transition into our new beginnings. However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. For as many as are lead by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. John 16:13, Rom 8:14

5.  Stay thankful. No matter how things appear we must resist feelings of despair and complaining about the problem.  Instead we must be grateful for what God has already done. Thanksgiving helps us to have a right heart attitude so that we are ready to receive at any time. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thes 5:16-18

6.  Raise your level of expectancy.  All too often we look to people to bring about a change, when we must look to God.  Keeping our eyes on the Lord is key! We cannot let what others are doing or not doing become a distraction as we are embarking on new beginnings. David said, "My soul wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved." Ps 62:5, 6

So let me ask you, where do you need a new beginning in your life? Is it in your family or finances? Maybe it's in the area of your health, or in a relationship? Maybe you need a new car or a home for your children. Whatever it is God can do it! 

God desires to do a new thing in our lives this year. 

Let's stand in faith together and see what God will do.  Be sure to leave a comment for me, even if it's just one word that reflects the area where you need a new beginning. Let me know if what I shared has resonated with you or somehow encouraged you. 

My prayer for you

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank you for the person reading this post. I pray that You would do something new in their life this year, in the area of their greatest needs and desires. I ask You to give them the grace and strength to endure until change manifest in their life. Lord, help them not to grow weary in well doing, because You've said they will reap if they don't faint and give up. Father lead and guide them each day and give them divine direction and strategies that will lead them into new beginnings.  Lord, thank You in advance for what You have already done, and what You are about to do. Thank you for new beginnings! It's in Jesus' mighty and matchless name I pray. Amen!

Love and Blessings,

Kathy

For more on this topic read these post:

Out with the Old, In with the New

God Will Restore