Hello everyone. As we are drawing to the end of the year, I am reminded that ending well is just as important as starting well. Today, ending well, the year, this week, is as important as starting the year well. Both happen at different times and both are important.
Did you know that the Bible often shows us stories of people who were facing challenges, and God spoke to them to do something He wanted them to do? And they couldn’t imagine how it was possible. The way they started wasn’t the same as how they ended. Abraham, Gideon, Noah, Jonah, King David.
All of them needed God. Serving God and saying yes was a key factor.
But what are you specifically needing right now?
Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
I’ve got a good word for you. In fact I know the Lord gave this to me in a very real but rough situation and it was a breakthrough word for me. I know it will give you hope and direction as well.
The Lord spoke to me recently when something really rough happened to my husband and I. The Lord spoke to me and said, ‘just because this happened doesn’t mean it is from me.”
And my first thought was ‘how did this happen, and did we leave a door open somewhere spiritually that we were attacked in such a bad way?’
Again, the Lord spoke to me and said ‘don’t spend time wondering how this happened, pray and come against this assault. Pray it out of your home, your life, and your thoughts. ‘Come against it like there was an intruder in your home.’
“Come against it.”
‘James 4:7,8 “ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
‘I Peter 4:12,
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
This is what I prayed – Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand” I Samuel 17:45,46
Is there something in your life, that is happening that is defying God? Defying His Words and promises that say to you “For I know the plans I have for you plans for good and NOT FOR EVIL, to give you a future and a hope.”
Then come against it. “Resist the Devil.” (James 4:7,8)
I am telling you that just because something rough or painful has happened to you and if it does not fit in the category of ‘I will give you life more abundantly, John 10:10’ then pray and come against the intrusion. Come against it verbally in prayer, praying God’s scriptures and promises that say He will help you and deliver you.
Here are 3 scriptures to give you God’s insight from His promises specifically for you regarding attacks, assaults, and painful circumstances-
Isaiah 3:10, “Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, For they shall eat the fruit of their doings.”
Psalm 91, I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare (the work of Satan) and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.”
Joshua 1:9, 8, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” verse 8, “ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
To end well, we put everything we are and everything we aren’t in the hands of the Lord. Then we take what we do know to do, and we do it well, honoring the Lord.
Being sick or hearing a diagnosis is rough, but Jesus paid for sickness and salvation by the shedding of his blood on the cross. Jeremiah 30:17, “I will restore health to you and heal you of all your wounds.”
Being strong in the midst of turmoil and anxiety somehow is what Christian believers have done. throughout the ages. Regardless of what they’ve faced, they put their trust in the one who is trustworthy. Their courage reflects their trust in God.
Can you give the year to the Lord? Ask Him for forgiveness for the places you could have done better or completely failed. Thank Him for helping you get through this past year.
And then perhaps write down (if this would be helpful and not hard on yourself do it) areas that you indeed want to do better (reflection can be positive, if planning to fix and resolve problem areas). This is meaningful and I’ll show you why further down.
The most important thing is that ‘today is the day the Lord has made.’ You can wait till the New Year but why not begin today. God made today. There is purpose in today, and what you decide.
Haggai 2:19, “From this day forward I will bless you.”
Jeremiah 40:4, “I loose you this day (today) from EVERY chain that is on your soul.”
Those are incredible scriptures and promises for you.
Then God gives you the plan – Starting again with a plan, His plan, combined with your willingness to live for Him, His plan is the key ingredient. Not how many times you have tired, forgotten, given up, etc.
His plan – (we will cover more of this in the coming weeks)
His plan is that you live for Him. Give your heart to Jesus, be a believer, live for Him. He has the answers that you need, the comfort your heart needs, the wisdom for decisions. you need to make, it is Him that we turn to in this life.
God’s plan is for you to end the year well and start this next year well.
Here is what I do as part of my reflection – much of where we are is based on decisions we make or don’t make, so it is good to be honest with yourself, reflect and recognize this.
I list the areas I want to change, do better, improve, etc.
Then I write down a simple process that will help me fix or improve those areas. (Usually adjusting time is the solution, making time to do the project, read the book, clean the living room, go through bills, etc.)
“I begin today, without delay. Even dedicating just 15 minutes a day to a project or goal accumulates to 2.5 hours by the end of the week.”
If you are needing to do better in your devotions or time with the Lord, then perhaps exchange time for time to make room in your schedule for that. Remove one 30 minute activity, tv show, phone call, or planning to get up 30 minutes earlier. Perhaps spend 30 minutes at lunch and do your devotions then. Make a positive time exchange, not cutting yourself short.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths, lead you, guide you, help you, restore you, heal you and be with you, never leave you.” (Proverbs 3:5,6, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 107:20, Jeremiah 33:3, Hebrews 13:5)
God has more for you and it includes answers to prayer, Him opening doors for you, and giving you the breakthrough you hope for. Do you know what all those things include?
They include the power of God and you living for Him.
Starting tomorrow we have a new Bible reading plan you can access for free and a new plan for the New Year.
We will serve the Lord with all our hearts and being equipped to do that is important. End today well. Start the New Year well.
Isaiah 3:10, “Say to the righteous it will go well with them.”
Remember I pray for you every single day. God is going to help you and He is going to move on your behalf. We are making this journey together.
Living for the Lord, Loving the Lord, and being Strong in the Lord.
To God Be All the Glory!
Debbie (Mills) Booth
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To fill up your spirit, and grow your faith read more of our Scripture based articles see our posts below-
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