Dec 30 2009
Start Again in 2010
A Devotion to Start 2010
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have ?apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of ?the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
It’s hard to believe that this year is coming to close. In just a few days we will leave behind all the OOOOs! O9, O8, O7, O6, O5, O4, O3, O2, O1, and OO! That’s enough to make me want to shout! The Bible says that in order for us to step into the new, we must be willing to let go of the old.
Like most of you, we have had our share of woes and ohs over the last few years. Not just economically either! But as I look back and ponder those times I see that with each challenge there was an opportunity to grow closer to God. Setbacks are not setbacks unless you let them be. Setbacks are set ups for God to show Himself strong in our lives.
Here’s the deal, we can either worry, fret, and fear or we can trust, hope and believe in the goodness of God. The first option will bring depression, grief and sorry. The second option will bring joy, peace, and faith. So ask yourself which of the two you’d like to have more of in 2010, and the rest of your life for that matter. If you choose the first option, then basically you don’t have to do anything. You can just continue down the path of worry and fear. But if you choose the second option of trusting God, believing in His promises, and hoping for His goodness then you’re going to have to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
Somehow we fall into a stupor of believing that God is just going to make everything happen for us. While He is working on our behalf, He also expects us to do our part. The spiritual principles that we have learned are worthless if we don’t put them into practice and do them. (James 1:22) We must be willing to forgive those who offend us so that the enemy won’t have place in us. If want to have the windows of God’s heavenly storehouse open to us, then we must be willing to tithe and give offerings to God’s Kingdom work (Malachi 3:10). If we want to have joy and peace, we must guard ourselves against things like gossip, grumbling, and complaining (Colossians 3:8, Ephesians 4:22, 1 Peter 2:1).
Like it or not, we are in a battle. The enemy never stops working his plan to bring defeat and misery into our lives. But God has not left us defenseless. He has given us mighty weapons to use against the wiles of the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Our weapons of faith, praise, prayer, and declaring are the only things that work against satan’s arsenal. It’s time to rise up and use them to dispel the works of darkness that are ever increasing in our lives. God is on our side and He will empower us to do good works for His glory. He expects us to go forth in our lives wearing His armor that will quench every missile that the enemy shoots at us (Ephesians 6:11-18).
I for one am declaring to the Os that they are NOT going with me into this new season! No weapon that has been formed against me in the past is going to prosper. I will not give up, give in or shrink back from the promises God has given to me, no matter how long it takes for them to manifest in my life! 2010 is a time to start again. Start by making some New Year declarations of peace over your family; declare God’s prosperity over your finances; declare the Lord’s blessings over your life; declare God’s favor over your job. You are a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords and you have a blood bought right to expect to see the goodness of the Lord in every area of your life (Psalm 27:13). Start again in 2010 believing that in all things and in all ways God’s goodness will override the darkness and bring forth His eternal LIGHT! He is for you and His Spirit in you is greater than anything in this world (1 John 4:4).
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for New Beginnings. Thank You that have given me weapons to fight off the depression and hopelessness that clings to me. Right now I declare that this is a new day, a New Year, and new beginning. All the old has passed away and You are making all things NEW. Lead me in paths of righteousness and strengthen me in my inner being to believe You more. Unlock my chains of unbelief and set me free to joyfully obey Your word and Your commands. YOU are my God and I am determined to trust You with all of my heart. In Jesus Name! Amen!
