Daily Devotions

Posts tagged “New Year

What of the New Year?

Marty Gabler—What of the New Year? — Thoughts, Plans & Inventions —— The Psalmist declares he is aware that He is included in God’s thoughts. One of the meanings of “thoughts” (Jer.29:11) is “an invention.” God has a plan for you in 2025 and, if necessary, He will INVENT required elements to work together to get you to that goal that glorifies Him and serves His purposes. He is beneficent and He is creative.
“thoughts”: a device, a plan, a purpose, AN INVENTION (Thayer) “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” (Jer.29:11, Amp)

Closing Out the Year

Kathy Gabler—As you look back and close out the year, you may be one of those folks who kept a daily journal and accounting of the details of life. Or, your accounting may simply be memories highlighted for the moment or forever, but all of us have matters that mattered this year as we laid our heads down each night and then awoke to face them again the next morning. There is no closing the books, no relief, on unresolved matters whether they concern healing or relationships or circumstances or finances. Even if we don’t note them in a journal or speak of them, still they sit in the silence of the night and trouble our hearts. That’s the reason that we, like David in Psalm 56, must lean into our God, the Great Accountant who can and will balance the books and bring us to peace of mind. “You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.” Psa 56:8 (MSG). Remembering He is there and aware and  that He will take action in our behalf, we can trust Him by breathing out a grateful sigh over 2024 and breathing in hope for 2025.


End Old Year Well

Marty Gabler—As the people of God assemble today, may they realize the value of ending the old year well that they may begin the new one well. May they turn from the uncompleted tasks and the failures of the past year that is behind them; turn from those things that seem to be accusing them and threatening them of repetition in the future. May they, in concerted determination, turn and face and bless and praise Jahweh who is the wise Securer of the future of His people, and move forward with faith in Him alone.   “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.” (Jer.29:11, NKJV)


Live More

MARTIN—Let us live more than a mere semblance of life, more than a reasonable facsimile thereof. As we venture further into the year, let us rise to the heights that our Lord invites us to and live full lives. ”Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.” (Eph.3:19, Msg)


The Coming Week and the Coming Year

As the people of God assemble today, may they hear and experience the powerful Word of God that propels them forward and may they go into the coming week stronger than the week before and into the coming year more expectant than before..”The righteous shall move onward and forward; those with pure hearts shall become stronger and stronger.” (Job 17:9, Living Bible)


The First Step

Father’s strength and wisdom are available for weary people to take the first step after not moving against things that have defeated them in the last year. The time of not doing something about defeating-factors is over. The first step will be admitting there is a problem and wanting the answer, even if it means we have to put forth some effort and make some changes. The first step will be to not wait for others and not wait for those circumstances to change, but begin the change in us.  Ps.37:23— “The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].” (Amp)


Opportunities Require Decisions

In His wisdom Father has placed opportunities & choices before us (Deut.30:19; Matt.7:13). Whether or not we go through the many divinely-ordained opened doors God has put before us this year will depend upon how we make decisions this year. There are many doors open before you. They are not just barely cracked open but wide open for His Kingdom purposes, for His Name’s sake.


Don’t Give Up This Year Because of Opposition

KATHY — A farmer we know had a new Doberman puppy. One morning the puppy was in the barn with the horse. The farmers wife heard the horse stomping around and then heard a desperate yelp from the puppy! She ran into the barn and found the tiny puppy limp and lifeless. She could see no wound, but the small pet lay in the puddle of released bowels she knew to be a sign of sudden death. She rushed the unresponsive puppy to the vet. The vet took one look at the dog and said, “The dog is dead. There is nothing I can do.”

When the farmer returned, his wife broke the news that his new puppy was on the back porch dead. The farmer knelt beside the stiff little body and studied the once shiny eyes now glazed in a dead stare. He called her name, “Princess.” He watched the motionless pup intently. Moments later, she moved her tail slightly. He called her name again, “Princess,” and began to stroke her. The tiny tail broke into a full swing, lifting her rear off the ground into a full wag! When he called her name, she suddenly agreed with her identity and purpose and future instead of what might have been. We will never know if the horse actually kicked her or just came close. Either way, the dog who thought she was dead overcame the trauma of the giant in the barn and lived to fulfill her purpose, becoming the best watch dog the farmer ever had.

Sometimes all our enemy has to do is show up. We give up because of OPPOSITION. Sometimes all he has to do is be taller. We give up because of INTIMIDATION. Sometimes all he has to do is cast a shadow over us. We give up because of DOUBTS. Sometimes all he has to do is be louder than hope. We give up because of IMPOSSIBILITIES. Sometimes all he has to do is out last us. We give up because of LACK of PERSEVERANCE. Sometimes all our enemy has to do is scare us with what might have been. If in shock we AGREE, he is successful. It is not what the enemy takes, it is what we give over! Some things were given over in past generations, but we can even take those things back through agreeing with our Redeemer!
(Thx to Jim Becton for reminding me of this.)


Run On The Road Called to Travel On

As the people of God assemble today, may they see plainer than ever the road that they are purposed to run on in the new year. May one person be an encouragement to another to steadily get on down the path this year that leads to fulfillment and success for our Lord’s Kingdom plan in for coming year.   Eph.4:1b-3, Msg—…”I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.”


Live in the New

Jim Hodges — We embark on a new year. Most of you would remember back in the 1980s when the Ephesians 4:11 ministry gift of prophets began to emerge as a global movement. I recall these phrases from the prophets’ utterances: (1) “It’s a new day” and (2) “It’s a new season.” Today, we hear these words from prophets and apostles: “It’s a new era.” 

I love these words about the NEW. The Lord God is always working to make all things new (Revelation 21:5). We hopefully understand that this promise is not just applied to the end of history and to eternity. It applies now in the unfolding of history! After all, the Lord Jesus came in history to introduce the new covenant and to inaugurate the new creation. His Ekklesia Church is a part of both and is the agent for the ongoing work of renewal among the peoples of the earth and the cosmic order itself (Colossians 1:15-20). Let’s continue to prophesy the new and to live in the new!


Invitation to be Part

MELISSA — Here is a key for being awake, “If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Prov. 2:3-6)  When we wake up we have to have insight and understanding to be able to navigate what God is doing in this earth. How thrilling is it that we get to be alive for this?  We just need to accept the invitation to be a part of what Father is doing.  Gotta say, I accept even though I don’t even know what all is next.  I’m just waking up to a whole new world, waiting for my eyes to clear up so I can see it!


Coming Into the New Year

KATHY—Coming into the new year we would be wise to make decisions based in the Word of God, the wisdom of God. If we go to God for a deposit of His peace and wisdom, we can make a choice that contradicts our feelings.  That doesn’t mean you are giving up strategy and resolve, it means you’re just choosing not to stay upset while it comes.  To stay upset is to choose death because your body will suffer, relationships will suffer and “emotional reactions” will become king in the house and set an atmosphere that draws more upset.


New Season, New Adjustments

Martin P. Gabler–Going into the new year or new season or new opportunities requires adjustments, decisions and determination on our part. When Israel left old Egypt for the new promised land, they increased the difficulty of the transition by taking old issues, and resultant attitudes, with them. It is OK to take a wilderness experience into promise. We all have some kind of wilderness experience at some point in life, if not several of them. Having gone through the not-so-fun wilderness events, we tend to come out on the other end with negative residue on us. Not “washing off” (Eph.5:26) the residue of the past will taint the tomorrow of promise. It is OK to go into promise with a wilderness experience. But it is destructive to go into promise with a wilderness heart. What we don’t leave in the wilderness, trips us up in the promised land. Achan’s family, as well as himself, suffered the consequences of a wilderness heart in the promised land (Josh. 7). What we don’t get over today, overcomes us tomorrow.


Welcomed Changes

KATHY—After what you’ve been through in the last year, you just might be battle-weary, but I believe the New Year will bring welcomed changes. I’m not trying to imply that battles will stop suddenly and everyone will go on vacation.  I’m saying many long-term battles will end because you finally win. “Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around” (MSG, Prov.13:12).  I expect some sudden good breaks in the year to come.


For Thou Will be With Us in 2024

Father God, here we are in the year 2023 and approaching the end of the year. Yea though we walked through 2022, yea though we walked through 2023, yea though we enter into 2024, we will not fear any evil because thou art with us. You were with us back in 1960 and 1970 and 1990. You were with us in 2020 and you are with us again because you never leave us nor for sake us (Heb.13:5)! 


Expect Keener Vision

KATHY—Seeing clearly with our natural eyes is called 20/20 vision.  I believe as we head into the new year that we are in a God-planned time in history to see more clearly than ever before.  I declare that understanding and clarity are coming to both physical eyes and the eyes of our soul and spirit.  I truly expect keener vision and perceptivity in the months ahead that will equip us for successful and effectual days of walking out the purposes of God in our lives.


Shedding of Cycles

MELISSA—In giving some thought to 2023, we might do well to think about the intense nature of the end of this year not being a foretelling of hardship to come in 2024, but rather the shedding of the things that have kept us bound to cycles of failure.


Gonna Make it Through the Year

As the people of God assemble today may take note of those who are really in need of prayer so that they can make it through the week and through the year. May they let Father’s precious Holy Spirit move their hearts in behalf of others and pray for them and speak to them of the hope that is within us through the promises of Jehovah God Almighty. Lam.3:21-23,Msg—“But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: 22  God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. 23 They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!  24  I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.”


Losing Your Grasp on Plan B

MELISSA — This is the year to loose your grasp on Plan B and take hold, with both hands, of Plan A – His original intent for your life in this year. If your answer is hidden, ask God what the right question is in this moment.  Ask Him what, in you, might be hindering the answer.  Ask Him what you need to know today.  He’s got plans for you, He is not into punishing you.  His M.O. is all about forgiveness, redemption, relationship, and promotion all for His glory. Hey, if He tells you it’s simply about timing then it’s really that simple.  His timing is perfect.  Look at the birth and life of Samuel.  Perseverance is key!  It’s going to be an amazing year.  Get ready for your answers.  (Melissa will be leading worship and speaking at Kingdom Congress which is Mar.1-3,2023. All info: martygabler com/kc2023)


Height, Length, Depth, Breadth are Waiting

It is hard to just settle for what is presently evident in our lives and in our environment when God Almighty has shown us in His Word that His sons/daughters are expected to call upon Him and know the breadth, length, depth and height of Him (Eph.4:18) that we have not known before and even expect to be filled with “the fullness of God” (Eph.3:19). New levels there are and we shall rise to them. Doors there are and we shall go through them. We shall walk through them, we shall run through them and those who go with us shall experience the Kingdom of God…. on earth as it is in heaven. Rise up, go through, walk through, run through and if you have to…. battle through! FULL POTENTIAL IS STILL OUT THERE… (waiting).


Heard a Slingshot

MELISSA — After having some wearisome days I was praying and I heard a slingshot being pulled back slowly to the point of release.  I could hear the sling snapping as it was being pulled to the its limit in order to hurl the stone at peak velocity.  Then I heard the Holy Spirit say, “You are feeling this way because this is where you are.” We are being stretched to the limit for the greatest outcome.  Don’t forget what happened when David released that stone — a giant fell! 


Marty at Cornerstone

Marty will be giving Part2 of the 2023 Declarations in the 10:00am service 1-15-23 at Cornerstone Brenham.
Info Link: cornerstonebrenham.org

MPG Brenham 1-15-23


Moving Into the New Year

Kathy—Moving into the new year we would be wise to make decisions based in the Word of God, the wisdom of God. If we go to God for a deposit of His peace and wisdom, we can make a choice that contradicts our feelings.  That doesn’t mean you are giving up strategy and resolve, it means you’re just choosing not to stay upset while it comes.  To stay upset is to choose death because your body will suffer, relationships will suffer and “emotional reactions” will become king in the house and set an atmosphere that draws more upset.


What of the New Year?

What of the New Year? — Paths & Old History
16-This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves…  18-“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history.  19-Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?   There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. (Isa.43:16, 18-19, Msg)