AllYouNeedDev

All You Need For the New Year and Beyond

"But now, this is what the Lord says- He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel:
'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned (called) you by name; you are mine. When
you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walkest through the fire, you will
not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the
desert and streams in the wasteland" (Isaiah 43: 1,2, 18,19 NIV).

In this passage of scripture God is talking to His chosen people- Old Testament Israel. However,
since you were bought by the blood of Jesus Christ you are also His chosen people. Therefore you
can confidently replace the names "Jacob" and "Israel" in this passage with your name. Now read this
passage again replaced with your name and receive the promise God has for you.

We can all look back on the year 2005 and remember the horrible tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, and
the deadly Earthquake of Pakistan. We said farewell some of our fallen leaders such as Rosa Parks
and mourned the death of hero soldiers who fought until their last breath in the War in Iraq.

Perhaps during this past year you've lost loved ones or experienced financial setbacks. Perhaps your
spouse has decided that he/she doesn't want to be with you and has left home, or perhaps you've
discovered that your teen aged son is on drugs or your teen aged daughter is pregnant out of
wedlock. Maybe your life has been changed by positive test results- positive for HIV/AIDS or positive
for cancer. For whatever reason, perhaps your life has been drastically changed this past year and
you're struggling through the trials you face.

During this time in your life and as we begin a new year there are three things you need to know
beyond a shadow of a doubt. God loves you, God is with you, and God will provide. God is your
creator and the giver of life, He loves you, the Bible says, with an everlasting love. This type of love is
greater than a mother's love or a spouses affection. It is a love beyond our comprehension. And
though you may not feel loved by Him right now you must believe that His love is true. As you go
through the crisis in your life trust in Him and watch His love unfold.

Not only does He love you infinitely, He has promised to be with you every step of the way. Beneath
the rubble of displaced lives- God is there. Amidst the noise and confusion or in the silence of
despair- He is there. When you are heartbroken, deserted, lost, or afraid- He is there. Whatever your
situation may be, God is there. He has promised that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Cling
to Him with a heart of faith and be encouraged that He is near. He is fully aware of what has
happened to you and He knows your every need.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians
4:19 NIV). God will provide. And in addition to loving you, being constantly with you and providing all
your needs, He says that He will do a new thing for you. And if He said it, believe it! Ephesians
3:20,21 says that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His
power that works within us. God can restore your life so that it becomes a hundred times better than
it was before. What you must do is commit yourself to endure this crisis, choose to trust Him for the
process of restoration, and then honor His faithfulness by acting on His promises. Lift your head and
walk in confidence in the midst of your storm assured that He will never let you down. Don't be afraid
to feel the pain of what is happening in your life right now, but don't stay in that place of pain either.
Everyday, with every ounce of strength you have, believe in God, talk to Him, and trust Him for your
provision. Take one day at a time. And everyday take another step forward with Him. He will meet
your every need.

When all seems lost, hope still remains. And though it may not seem like it, within these trials you are
in the safest place anyone could be - in the arms of God. He is all you need, take Him with you into
the new year and watch His blessings unfold!

- Stephanie