What Do You Want To See In 2017?

“Then the Lord answered me and said, “Write the vision and engrave it plainly on [clay] tablets so that the one who reads it will run. “For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time it hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, because it will certainly come; it will not delay.” “   Habakkuk 2:2-3 (AMP)

Another year has passed. Where did it go? My mother always told me not to wish my life away as it would seem to fly by quicker and quicker as I got older. Boy, was she right!  Has it been a mundane year for you, with routine and responsibility or has it been a year of challenge and sorrow? Maybe a mixture of both. It may have been a year of great change, excitement, and miracles.

Whatever it has been for you, know that today is a new day. God’s love never ceases and His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

What have you accomplished this year? Have you made any steps towards a dream that God has placed in your heart? What do you want to see happen for you in 2017? What do you want the Lord to do for you in the coming year?

Today I want to speak hope and promise into your life.

You were put right where you are for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). Who has God created you to help? What skills and talents can you use for God’s Kingdom? Who has God put into your life to influence? A husband, a wife, children, grandchildren, a boss, employees, students, friends, neighbours, shop assistants? Everyone of us has the opportunity to make someone else’s life better.

Have you ever sat down long enough to just listen to your thoughts? I know people who ALWAYS have to have background noise because they don’t want to literally “hear themselves think”. God wanted to meet with Elijah but He wasn’t in the mighty wind, or the earthquake, or the fire that passed him by. God actually spoke in the “sound of a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). How easy do you think it might be to hear God’s voice when you are constantly surrounded by noise?

I ask you this because God has created you for at least one special job that wants you to do. He loves you so dearly that at the moment of your conception, He placed everything within you that you need to live a fulfilled and purposeful life. Do you believe that? If this is the case, then know your Heavenly Father wants to tell you what that plan is. Jeremiah 29:11-13 says so.

I would like to ask you to do some practical things before you go into 2017. Be purposeful about this coming year and make a plan.

Next steps to take:

1.  Make time to just sit quietly. Sit alone with God, your Bible, a journal (a blank notebook) and a pen. No distractions. Lock yourself in the bathroom if you have to. (Yes, I have done this.)
2.  Thank God for your life. Spend a couple of moments just thanking God for all that He has given you. Even if you are in a place of pain and confusion, there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for.
3.  Ask the Lord to speak to you. There are many ways this can happen. He can give you a thought, a picture in your mind, a Bible verse.  If you don’t know your purpose, ask God to give you a clue as to what that could be. Ask Him for 1 or 2 steps that you can take to move towards a dream in your heart.
4.  Write it down. Whatever you see or hear – no matter how silly you think it is, write it down!. This is very important. Don’t dismiss it.
5.  Ask the Lord to give you a Bible verse or passage for next year. I have done this every year and it is amazing to see God work with it. Again, it is imperative that you write it down.
6. Say ‘Thank You’. Thank the Lord for the word He has given you and put it close to you. Read it daily and meditate on it (think about it).
7.  Act on any instructions that the Lord has given you. This is vitally important for you to move forward in living a purposeful life.

Wow! God may have just given you a clue to your future!

As I said, don’t dismiss what you think you heard or saw. WRITE IT DOWN and read it several times a day. If you don’t feel like you received anything the first time, do it again the next day and keep doing it until you do. As you take the time to do this and record what the Lord speaks, you will find that He talks more and more. The more you are willing to take time to listen, the more He is willing to speak to you. (Jeremiah 33:3)

It is your responsibility to live the life that God has given you. If you know what you are created for, fantastic. Keep pressing on. If you are not sure or have no idea, or you have no vision for the future, may I encourage you to take time during this last week of 2016 to listen for His guidance. I can guarantee you, you won’t be disappointed. God is always willing to speak – He just needs listening hearts.

I have lots of exciting things coming for you next year and I thank you for the privilege of entering your mailbox each week.

My prayer for you:

I pray for God’s voice to speak to you above the noise and that He will flood your heart with dreams for the future. May He shower His great love upon you and reveal to you just how He sees you. May you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you are no accident, that you were created for a purpose, and that you are very precious to your Lord and Saviour ….. Jesus. I pray that 2017 will be the best year that you have yet experienced and that you will receive a new excitement and vision for your life.

Enjoy the rest of 2016 …… the best is yet to come!

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As always, my prayers are with you.

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