How’s this 2021 year going to be for you?
Will it be the same or different than last year?
Oh and what will make it that way?
Most of you would have heard the saying “if we do the same thing, the same way we will get the same result’ right?
Well I have personally found this to be true in my own life and Ministry.
Over these last 12 months and during covid periods of lockdown and isolation. The Lord took me on a journey of re learning and re discovering the importance of embracing change. I found out and discovered new ways of doing things and learnt to change what I had done in the past.
This is where I have found an incredible increase in 3 areas: productivity, provision and blessing in all areas of my life.
So hence this message to challenge all of us to be willing and open to change for the new year ahead!
So are you willing and open to change this year?
Don’t look at what you don’t have or can not do or have done wrong in the pass as a set back, but rather a step forward. For the Lord always has at the ready a hidden thing to be unveiled, new way, new plan, and with it all the provision necessary for it to be completed. Here is a verse from Him that explains this:
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
“See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland”
Have you ever paused and looked at this verse long enough to ask these 4 questions?
1. What new thing are You are doing Lord that I may join you with?
2. Lord allow my heart, eyes and ears to perceive what You are doing, so I can be a witness to others?
3. Father reveal to me new paths in the wilderness you have carved out for me and others? So we can be victorious in this new year!
4. Father allow me to see the streams You have provided in the wasteland of my life for new things to spring forward.
These four questions could be the very thing needed to prepare, position and propel you into one of the most productive years of your life.
If you have never done this, what a perfect time to
do it? And if you have done it before maybe it’s time to do it again? Write down all He shows you. Remember to take time don’t rush! This could be your breakthrough point.
Through my life, marriage and our ministry this year we have allowed the Lord to show us His new thing or way of seeing or doing things.
It helps us see new ways of doing personal, business and ministry. In our ministry it was the key to see our little local/national ministry go global. We are now releasing message twice a week in seven continents and producing them in 14 different languages with some being publishing through other media by other organization ministries and secular too. Personally things like relationship, intimacy, fitness, diet have all gone to levels undreamed of. In every area personally, business and in ministry the Lord has revealed, lead us and provided a new way to exceptional breakthrough and provide everything for the journey. I believe today He is waiting and wanting to do the same for you too.
It is simple and pro-found But I have countless personal testimonies and many from others I mentor or lead that this works.
If you read though the
gospels you will see and discover something remarkable. A new thing was not only the reason He was born (Jesus ) fully God fully man on earth to humanity, It’s why He died on the cross and why He rose from the grave to new life. Overall all this was so He could revealed the Father’s message of new way of life and doing it.
John 10:10 (TPT)
………….But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow!
When the Holy Spirit drew you to the Father, by an invitation we call salvation, where you said yes and choose to lay down your old life and embrace a new life and He revealed a new way to you of living and being.
Romans 8:28 (TPT)
28 So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.
Today if you have not had this experience then maybe you would you like to join me in this simple prayer.
Lord Jesus, I admit I’m a sinner, but you died on the cross for my sins. So I ask you to come into my heart, manage my life from this day forward, be my Lord and Saviour in Jesus Name. Amen
Above I challenged you to pause and write down what the Lord spoke to you when you asked Him 4 questions. If you have not already done this here is another opportunity ?
Once you have done this there is one more important step to seeing the break through like we/I have seen last year in the area of being open to change.
What the Father revealed to you in the above 4 questions may seem amazing, exciting and look good on paper there is one more step for it to become reality like it was with your salvation.
This one decision will allow the things you have written to become reality and break any past mindsets, values and open the door to greater freedom in your life.
Many people sit down at this stage in the year and write huge lists for their new year resolutions but never see them through to completion.
So instead let’s stick to one resolution to keep it simple found in this prayer. Will you join me in it ?
Father I choose today to take off, lay down or put behind me the old way and I choose to pick up your new things and new ways you are inviting me to step into. I choose to pick up, embrace and step into ……………. (read all He reveals and has revealed to you in the answers to the above 4 questions you asked Him. Thank you Jesus
This simple prayer will allow the new things and ways to be available to you. For He is good and will never let you down!
Here may I suggest you journal all you have written, revise and revisit it often and ask Him if you’re on track? or if He has anything else He wants you to do?
A prayer like Father You said ………(what He spoke) on ……..( Date ) Thank you for the new things you have shown me and the new ways you have revealed to me. Today I ask what is the next step?
Father I pray for all Your children today as they come to You and ask You for the new thing you are so wanting to do in and through their lives. Father would You give them courage, strength, boldness and Love as they go on their journey into a year of remarkable break throughs . Amen
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors / Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
