As we approach a new year, I pray that we don't do it without allowing God to speak to us. Often times, we plan without ever consulting to Him on what He has for us, what He wants to do through us, and how He needs us to be postured in order to walk into it. 

I pray that we have a posture that mimics Habakkuk's. He sought the Lord, he waited for Him to answer, and then He executed on what He said. He didn't make a move without Him. He didn't preemptively make an announcement before God spoke. He didn't start coordinating before God gave the instruction. He just waited. So before you plan, I pray you have the fortitude and trust in God to wait too. He heard you. He will answer you. 

Reference Scriptures:
Habakkuk 2:1-2

Have you ever found yourself clinging to something, someone, or a situation, despite knowing deep down it's time to let go? Perhaps it's a toxic relationship, a dream that's no longer aligned with your purpose, or a past mistake that continues to haunt you. Letting go can be one of the most challenging Biblical practices, especially when it feels like we're losing a part of ourselves.

There's profound wisdom we can duplicate in Ecclesiastes 3:1. While heaven has no end, our time on earth and our experiences within all have a time table. What do you need to stop picking back up year after year? What doors has God closed that you keep reopening? What has expired in your life that's holding you back from fully experiencing all that obedience in God has to offer? I pray you leave that in this year. I pray that you push forward and not live in the regret of what could've been. I pray you trust Him with your story.

Reference Scripture:
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Forgiveness is hard. Forgiveness, similar to sanctification, requires us to walk it out daily. It requires us to forgive those who hurt us to our core, both intentionally and unintentionally. It requires us to confront moments when we've hurt others and we've fallen short. It also requires us to ask for forgiveness when we don't feel like it and before we ask God to forgive us. 

As we approach the holiday season, my prayer is that we carry a spirit of forgiveness. That we don't allow the moments and scars that we've carried for months, years, and decades to go with us into the new year. My prayer is that we don't have huge asks of God before we resolve the areas of our heart that don't mirror what we're praying for. 

Reference Scriptures:
Matthew 18: 21-22
Matthew 5: 23-24
Romans 3:23
Luke 23:34

Have you ever felt discouraged because your harvest didn’t match your seed? Perhaps you sowed financially, but the return didn’t come in the same form. If we're not careful, we'll become discouraged and believe that our investment was in vain, our efforts weren't enough, or that God didn't answer. 

In this season, it's so important that we are intentional on what we sow, where we sow, and how we sow. And even understand that some seeds may not be harvested for us, they may be for others or for your future lineage. 

Reference Scriptures:
Galatians 6:7
Luke 8:5
2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Have you ever felt overlooked or undervalued? Like your efforts go unnoticed, your contributions are dismissed, or your voice is unheard? You're not alone. But if we’re not careful, we will allow those feelings to seep into our relationship with God. We’ll take God not answering our prayers in the timeline we desire as rejection or not being important to Him. 

The woman who poured her expensive oil on Jesus’ head to prepare Him for burial was never named. The Bible never says that she was summoned to use her gift. The Bible never says that she was praised by those who watched, in fact, the disciples were opposed. But she served anyway. She loved Jesus outwardly anyway. Let us have her spirit. Let us work as we work unto God, even if no one notices. 

Reference Scriptures:

Matthew 26:6-13

Colossians 3:23-25

I know it seems hopeless. I know it's heavy. I know you're tired. But I know more than all of these things, is that God is still on the throne. I know that if you're still here, He has work for you to do. That work must carry on despite what you see. That work must carry on despite what you feel. That work must carry on despite who is in leadership, because He is who we ultimately answer to.
I pray that God breathes a fresh wind of endurance into your spirit this week. I pray that you are reminded that what we see is temporary and pales in comparison to who God is and what He can do. I pray that you are reminded that in the same way that God hasn't given up, neither can you.

Reference Scripture:
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Has your heart ever felt like it was too broken to believe? Ever had someone tell you that you were cold, but you can’t figure out which situation made you that way? Have you ever been too pained to get excited about the possibility?

I’m praying that God softens your heart. I’m praying that He reminds you that nothing is too hard for His resurrecting power. I pray that He restores you back to the goodness and not the guarded nature you’ve taken on. 

Reference Scriptures:
Mark 6:45-52

The enemy's goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. The enemy's goal is to get you so distracted by what you see that you are delayed or completely abort what God has given you to do. And if many of us are honest, there are many moments where we've lost focus without the help of the enemy. We became fearful, we became fatigued and didn't rest, and we became overwhelmed to the point of no return. But not this season. We're going full speed ahead toward what God has for us. 

As we study Nehemiah, we see that despite the obstacles He knew were ahead, He prayed to God for favor. He quoted the Promises of Moses back to God. He continued to declare the success God promised. He remained focus on serving the people and being obedient without delay. He was strategic in his planning and positioning to stay on task. May Nehemiah be our Biblical mentor as we close out this year. May he be our blueprint as we petition God, plan, and prepare.

Reference Scriptures:
Nehemiah 1 -5

Have you ever felt like you couldn't get from under something? You've been to therapy, you've prayed, but you're still in it time and time again. Or maybe, you know deep down that you haven't fully healed from a situation, but you fill it with things that are good in theory (like community, working out, work), but harmful when done in excess? In either scenario, you're covering the root of the issue up because dealing with it is more than we can handle.

Saul did the same thing. When it was time for him to be chosen as king amongst all the tribes, he was hiding amongst the baggage - his baggage. Why? Because even though we may feel the call, the pull, the anointing of what God wants us to do, the shame of where we are and what we carry is to heavy for us to bear alone. God wants to uncover it. He wants to heal the broken parts. He wants to give you true clarity. But you need to let Him uncover you first. Deal?

Reference Scriptures:
1 Samuel 10: 20-24
Genesis 3:9

Hey good people! Has God ever told you no? Like flat out "no" to something or someone you really believed was yours? If so, what was your response? Was it one of anger and disappointment or was it one of trust? 

If you're anything like me, you've had moments where you've leaned more into the former. You've used moments where God said "no" to explain your disobedience. You've used moments where God didn't come through like you wanted as a rationale for why you've strayed away. 

This time, I encourage you to take Hannah's heart posture. One that chooses to bless God, honor God, serve God, love God whether He does what you want or not. One that says "yes" despite the circumstance. After all, He said yes to you knowing all of who you were and what you'd do.

Reference Scriptures:
1 Samuel 1 & 2
Matthew 26:39
Romans 12:1-2