Time for the New!!!

As I strolled through the hall of my home one bright morning, my mind was filled with thoughts of the New Year that is here. Suddenly, a clear and gentle voice pierced the stillness—interrupting my thoughts. The Lord spoke five words that resonated deeply: “It’s time for the new.”

In that moment, a flood of expectation washed over me, and I couldn’t help but recall the words of Isaiah 43.

Isaiah 43:18-19 says, Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth. Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

I love the way it reads in the Passion Bible.

Stop dwelling on the past.

Don’t even remember these former things.

I am doing something brand new, something unheard of.

Even now, it sprouts and grows and matures.

Don’t you perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and open up flowing streams in the desert.

As we approach a new year, a powerful message resonates: God is urging us to embrace the new beginnings that lie ahead. Can you truly believe it? Can you perceive the incredible possibilities waiting for you?

The late Brother Norvel Hayes often emphasized the importance of visionary faith, saying, “If you can see it, you can have it.” He spoke not merely of physical sight, but of perceiving with your heart and viewing the world through the lens of your spiritual insight. This concept encourages us to have faith and envision our dreams before they materialize in our everyday lives. Such a mindset is deeply rooted in the Bible, inviting us to trust in what we cannot yet see with our natural eyes.

Nonetheless, the opposite holds just as much weight; if we cannot truly believe in something deep within our hearts, then it’s likely that we will never witness it manifest before our very eyes.

For many of us, a crucial element in cultivating genuine belief in our future lies in the ability to truly release the grip of our past experiences, particularly those tinged with disappointment. It’s a delicate and often challenging process, as you cannot simultaneously look behind you while striving to keep moving forward.

This is a pivotal choice we all face — a decision that demands our active participation and commitment. To move forward, we must consciously opt to leave behind the disappointments of yesterday, embracing the possibilities that lie ahead.

I love how Paul says it in Philippians; 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. (Phil 3:13-14)

His focus was on forgetting the past and focusing only on the future. The one God speaks of in the Book of Jeremiah 29:11; For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

I know that this may be a challenging endeavor, particularly during those tough times when life feels overwhelming. However, despite the difficulties, it is attainable. If we reach out to God and earnestly seek His help, He will give us the grace we need to navigate these seasons with strength and resilience. He will empower us to release the past and press forward to the future He has in store for us.

I may not know the specific challenges and experiences you have faced in recent years, but I do understand this: if you are taking the time to read these words, it signifies that you have persevered in your journey of faith. You have actively sought a relationship with God, and I want to assure you that He is walking alongside you through every step of that path. Your continued trust in Him and your desire to seek His presence reveal a resilience and devotion that is truly remarkable.

He is saying to you, “It’s time to step into the new. Can you see it? Can you feel it?”

Everywhere you look, it’s present; even within the very air we breathe. The arrival of fresh beginnings is upon us. The seasons are shifting. Personally, I am ready for a new season, feeling hope and great expectancy for what’s to come.

You may find yourself firmly holding onto faith, yearning for the tangible manifestation of God’s healing power that was lovingly secured for us at the cross. Perhaps you are interceding with fervent prayers for the salvation of a dear one, seeking their transformation and renewal. In these trying times, it can feel as though you are embroiled in a relentless battle, one that stretches on endlessly, casting shadows of doubt and weariness. Yet, remember this: every struggle has an endpoint. God, in His omniscience, has already declared the final victory, and it is assured. Our role in this is to steadfastly stand in faith, unwavering and resolute, as we await the culmination of His promises.

We must SEE the new with our hearts and spiritual eyes. We must, like Abraham, be fully persuaded that what God has promised, He will perform. His Word will not fail. It will come to pass.

Today, I want to encourage you to open your heart to new possibilities. Like Paul, focus on the future and the wonderful things that God has in store for you. Let go of past hurts, fears, and disappointments, and embrace what the Bible says belongs to you and your family. Expect something good today! Each morning, declare, “God, I know You are good, so I expect good things to come my way today. I see it, and I thank You for it.”

Yes, it’s time for the new, will we lay hold of it and walk in it? It’s up to us.