Daily Devotions

Posts tagged “New Year

Identify the Weapons Formed Against Us

Marty Gabler—I declare that in 2025 Father God will enable us to identify the weapons that have been formed against our children, loved ones and nation.  Isa.54:17 says, “no weapon formed against you shall prosper.” Theologians have said Ps.74:16 is an announcement of the universal dominion of God. “The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have established the [starry] light and the sun.” (Ps.74:16) He has dominion over all and over all things. Therefore, nothing may be kept from His awareness nor from His ability to intervene. He will disperse light upon whatsoever He will. He sees into the darkness–nothing is hidden. Nothing may remain hidden and therefore, nothing can possibly be a surprise.  Wisdom is to access His knowledge. Seeking His face in particular about this matter and giving Him opportunity and time to speak will bring His knowledge of those weapons and wisdom to pray and declare concerning them. Declare: “No weapon formed against my children or my church or my nation shall prosper.”


Father says: Call Unto Me and I Will Answer

MELISSA GABLER—I had an experience that might not be a bad idea to apply all through 2025. During a time of ministry at a meeting awhile back a revered Prophet told me, “Read Jeremiah 33:3 everyday and watch what happens.” It’s certainly not an unfamiliar passage, but perhaps one that is easily forgotten in the midst of all the hustle, bustle and chaos. So, here you go (in 3 versions for impact):
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jer. 33:3 KJV   “Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.” Jer. 33:3 AMP   “Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” Jer. 33:3 Msg.


Reasons for Warfare

Kathy —It appears that we will have plenty of spiritual warfare to keep us busy in 2025. I’ve always thought the only reason to go to war is to win, but I’m beginning to realize there are other reasons for warfare. Some battles are a matter of training our soul (our mind and will and emotions) to stand and develop muscle to be able to stand no matter what. Eph. 6:13 puts it this way: And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm. The goal of warfare can also be to take ground incrementally in Divine timing. There are many maneuvers needed to pull down strongholds in this present darkness. It is a bigger war than we can wage from one battlefield. This present darkness is a matter of world rulers that are spirit forces of wickedness in the spirit realm. These forces gather to form strongholds, and there they influence and manipulate people like puppets for their evil intents to kill, steal and destroy. That’s why Eph 6:12 tells us we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. These forces must be dismantled strategically and incrementally along with the workers of darkness they deploy into this present darkness.


Looking to the Future


Marty Gabler—As the people of God assemble today, may they build one another up in hope as they look to the future with expectancy for the purposes of God Almighty to be fulfilled in their lives and in their church family.”So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth].” (Rom.14:19, Amp)


Increase in This Year

Marty Gabler—I pray that the Lord bring to you and your household increase in this year. May the Lord increase mental acumen in the children that are unable to bring up their grade average. May the Lord increase the fruitfulness of the womb that is unable to bear children.  May the Lord increase love and care and affection among your family members. May the Lord increase your ability to discern those destructive forces that will attempt to divide your family and your church in order to destroy your synergy for His Kingdom. May the Lord increase your capacity for successful participation in His plan.  “May the Lord give you increase more and more, You and your children.” (Ps.115:14, NKJV)


What a Great Year to be Alive!

Melissa Gabler — What a great, great year to be alive! We GET to not only see the shift, we get to BE the shift. Yes, the glory of God is going to be not only seen, but known.  And it’s not because things just got that bad, it’s because things and people (this includes you) are now in place for undeniable God elements.  Get ready.


If You are Battle-Weary

Kathy Gabler — If you are battle-weary, I believe the new year, 2025, will bring welcomed changes.  I’m not implying battles will stop suddenly and everybody goes 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.     


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.