When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring Me glory by telling you whatever He receives from Me. All that belongs to the Father is Mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever He receives from Me.’ (John 16:13-15- NLT).
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 -NLT).
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:7-NLT)
The times we live in are intense. Yet we live in the providence of God. God knew what we who live in this hour of history would face, and has made full provision for us to thrive! 2019 will be a year of increasing turbulence internationally, nationally, culturally, politically, financially, and spiritually. We need to fill our lives with at least four things to thrive this year.
First of all, we would be wise to make a choice to act on God’s Word in every circumstance this year. Jesus told us that those who act on the Word when trouble comes (the rain, the wind, the flood), would survive. God watches over His Word to bring it to pass wherever it is believed and acted upon (Jeremiah 1:12; Isaiah 55:11).
Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall (Matthew 7:24-27).
When challenges come mentally, cast your cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7) and act as though He is working out the mental challenge. When challenges come financially, act as though He is honoring His word to supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). When physical challenges attack, rise up and act on His word that Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses (Matthew 8:17). When circumstances seek to pin you down this year, act on His Word that in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Romans 8:37).
Secondly, we would be wise to tune in to the Holy Spirit’s wisdom for every situation life brings this year. Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would be our life Helper and would tell us of things to come. THe Holy Spirit expects us to first of all act on the Word! So, in seeking His guidance, we must first honor the Father by listening to and acting like His word is true. Then, if we need to make life adjustments or change direction, He will speak to our spirit what He hears from Jesus. We can have confidence that if we put the Word first, He will make sure that we succeed in every endeavor He has planned for us each day in 2019.
Thirdly, we would be wise to develop close friendships this year. There is great strength gained when we choose to hang out with fellow believers. When we’re in a tough place, close friends can encourage and lend a hand. And likewise, when those we befriend are challenged, we can be there for them to motivate and help lift their load. Being alone is a bad option in 2019.
Fourthly and lastly, we would be wise to choose to walk in love in every situation that arises. When a relationship becomes challenging and demanding, ask yourself: what would love do. Don’t forget that God’s love has been poured out in our spirit by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), and that God’s love within: is patient and kind; is not jealous, boastful, proud, or rude; it does not demand its own way; it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged; it does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out; it never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
We enter 2019 fully prepared by the Father for everything we will face. Let’s choose to commit every day to Him, fully trusting that He causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28-NLT)