Moving Forward in 2016

For many, 2015, was a tough year; setbacks, delays, and distractions seemed to be the main themes for last year. Our nation experienced devastating violence in colleges, movie theaters and even in churches. Unpredictable and destructive weather patterns hit many areas in the United States. ISIS and terrorism attacks came at alarming rates around the world.

With such a difficult year last year, it is time to move forward in 2016 by faith that God has a plan. Part of going forward in hope means living in expectancy for God’s goodness to prevail. The world most likely will get spiritually darker, but we can still have God’s blessings and protection even in the midst of the perilous times we live in. A number of Christians have been shaken by the difficulties around them, but God is wanting His children to rise up and begin to live again, dream again and hope again.

The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger. Job 17:19

It is time to believe again for those promises God spoke to you so long ago to finally come to pass. It is time to believe that God is bigger and more powerful than any evil you face, or this country faces. It is time to believe that God’s people will prevail over all the forces of the enemy.

It is time to fight again for your children, your unsaved loved ones and our nation. It is the year to take back what the enemy has stolen from you and your family. The enemy does not want you to believe again, but to stay stuck in the past, believing that things WILL stay the same! With God there is always hope and new beginnings. No matter what last year was like for you, believe God has better! It takes an act of faith to believe again when hardships and tragedies have come into your life.

God IS a redeemer and a restorer of the lost and the broken. As limited human beings, we cannot understand God’s perspective on time. We want everything now, unaware that God’s timing is better. We can lose our joy and contentment and even become bitter when we want things on our own time table. When God is ready, He will do what needs to be done in your life. We must not doubt the wisdom of God’s timing. If you felt God did not answer your prayers in 2015, don’t despair; God’s timing is always perfect! God has not forgotten you or your prayers.

It is time to MOVE FORWARD and begin your new year seeking the Lord for His plans and allow Him to fill you with hope again. Before starting anything this year, connect to the Lord and seek His ways. Allow God to wash away your past failures and hardships so that you can fully go forward this year.

Begin to set aside all the baggage of 2015 so that you can fully take hold of all God has for you in 2016.

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19

What do you need to do to be able to move forward this year?