When the New Year hits I am always amazed by all of the New Year resolutions that people devote themselves to so firmly at the start of the year (me included). While many fail to actually follow through with the New Year resolutions that they temporarily commit themselves to there are few who actually stick to their commitment and follow through to accomplish their set goal(s) for the year. Those few are the individuals who feel happy, accomplished and at peace come year round when they reflect back on their initial set goals and see results. What is your New Year resolution(s) for 2016? What is that thing you want to improve on? The goal(s) that you set for yourself now that you made it to a new year?
Now that we have officially entered into the year of 2016, I believe that God is calling people to wholeheartedly devote themselves to Him for their New Year resolution. For those who remain faithful in doing so throughout the year, they will be the individuals who will be rewarded with an abundance of joy, fulfillment, peace, wisdom, protection, direction, and so much more come year round when they reflect back on their devotion to God and see growth in varied areas of their lives.
On New Year's Eve I attended church and heard my pastor mention that 2016 will be the year of gathering. That means that everything that our hearts could possibly ever desire and beyond, God is going to satisfy those desires this year and exceed our expectations. Hear me and please hear me clearly, in order to properly reap this year, you must build a relationship with God rooted through his word and through prayer. Willingly serve God. Consistently listen for his instruction and obey His commands. No matter what type of relationship with God you previously had before this year, whether it was new, old, nonexistent, inconsistent, or resistant, 2016 is the year for it to change so that you may grow closer to God and be prepared for your year of gathering.
When I turned to my Bible for scripture to support the message that God revealed to me, here was what the Lord led me to read:
“13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today - to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul - 14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. 15 I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied” (Deuteronomy 11:13-15 NIV).
In other words, God confirmed that if you make a conscious effort to consistently devote yourself to him in 2016 then in the right time, He will send plentiful blessings into every area of your life that will exceed your expectations. What is important to remember is that just because it is your year of gathering, it does not mean that things are just going to come easily. You must prepare, if not, there will be things that you will miss out on throughout the year because you will not be ready to reap.
“13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today - to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul - 14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. 15 I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied” (Deuteronomy 11:13-15 NIV).
In other words, God confirmed that if you make a conscious effort to consistently devote yourself to him in 2016 then in the right time, He will send plentiful blessings into every area of your life that will exceed your expectations. What is important to remember is that just because it is your year of gathering, it does not mean that things are just going to come easily. You must prepare, if not, there will be things that you will miss out on throughout the year because you will not be ready to reap.
This morning my sister invited me out to breakfast. As we were both in the middle of devouring our food, out of nowhere my sister popped the big question, “so tell me, what are some of your goals for the new year?” I smiled at her knowing that I was writing this blog and replied letting her know my top 3 spiritual goals for 2016 and a few of my general goals. I then followed up by asking her what her goals were as well for the new year. We sat at the table for what seemed like hours talking about our goals and the ways we both wanted to grow this year. As we walked out of the restaurant an opportunity presented itself for one of us to take a step toward one of our goals but because the opportunity was so unexpected and happened so swiftly, it was missed.
No matter what happens throughout this year (when the opportunities that you think you are missing out on pass you by), stay focused on preparing for your reaping season by continuing to devote yourself wholeheartedly to God and remember that what God has for you is specifically for you.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
From the depths of our heart we praise your Holy name. Thank you for blessing us with another year. As we prepare to embark on our journey throughout 2016 we would like to let you know how much we appreciate you keeping us in 2015. Thank you for blessing our going in and coming out Lord, thank you for health, thank you for discernment throughout the year, thank you for happiness, thank you for a peace of mind, thank you for a year of movement.
With sincere gratitude, we thank you for every tribulation and hardship that we had to face head on in 2015 that provided us with the wisdom we will need to reap in 2016 Lord. Let us be able to quickly call to remembrance every lesson learned in 2015 throughout 2016. We decree and declare for a year of gathering in 2016 God. This year will be our reaping season. Bless us with the strength to keep our minds stayed on you throughout the year so that we may consistently devote ourselves to you Lord. Let us embody 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV) so that we may remain effective and productive throughout the year. Equip us with everything we will need to receive your plentiful rain in 2016 God. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Heavenly Father,
From the depths of our heart we praise your Holy name. Thank you for blessing us with another year. As we prepare to embark on our journey throughout 2016 we would like to let you know how much we appreciate you keeping us in 2015. Thank you for blessing our going in and coming out Lord, thank you for health, thank you for discernment throughout the year, thank you for happiness, thank you for a peace of mind, thank you for a year of movement.
With sincere gratitude, we thank you for every tribulation and hardship that we had to face head on in 2015 that provided us with the wisdom we will need to reap in 2016 Lord. Let us be able to quickly call to remembrance every lesson learned in 2015 throughout 2016. We decree and declare for a year of gathering in 2016 God. This year will be our reaping season. Bless us with the strength to keep our minds stayed on you throughout the year so that we may consistently devote ourselves to you Lord. Let us embody 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV) so that we may remain effective and productive throughout the year. Equip us with everything we will need to receive your plentiful rain in 2016 God. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.