Happy New Year!
As we flip the calendar and begin 2025, we have a wonderful opportunity to review our lives and take a fresh look at the future.
Remember that God loves you and He wants to lead you on the best path. This month, we hope you’ll take some time to ask the Lord, “What do You want me to do this year?”
Below you’ll find some insights from Dr. Stanley to reassure you that God is, indeed, ready and willing to answer that question.
For a long time, I wasn’t convinced that God was interested in guiding me. Maybe you can relate to this. It wasn’t until I had a deeper understanding of God’s personal concern for me that I realized something important:
I could go to Him for specific help on anything that troubles me.
Think of how, when you were a child, you went running to a grown-up with things that seemed like major crises. To an adult, many of those “disasters” wouldn’t be a crisis at all. But loving parents would respond with genuine attention. They’d bend down and listen intently. They’d take you in their arms and assure you that everything would be alright.
Well, that’s how God hears your fears and concerns. Such things matter to Him.
Why? Because you matter to God.
That’s why He’s the perfect person to talk to about your future. The Lord walks with you every step of the way, and He’s given many promises that demonstrate His personal attention to your life.
Let’s look at some of them.
God promises to guide you.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you” (Ps. 32:8). The Lord knows all things and He can perfectly guide you. Read the Bible and listen to the Holy Spirit’s voice so you can understand it. Ask God to show you what to do in each situation in your life.
God promises to listen to your prayers.
“The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous” (Prov. 15:29). This is an incredible privilege for us! Go to Him with all your concerns and believe that He will hear and answer. Ask God each morning to show you what to do.
The Lord promises to empower you.
“I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10). At the moment of your salvation, the Holy Spirit came to indwell you forever. He is enabling you right now to make changes in your life. Paul described our cooperation this way: “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Col. 1:29). You have this same power working in you.
God promises to encourage you.
“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus” (Rom. 15:5). He sustains, strengthens, and encourages you, for example, when you feel inadequate to move past temptation. The greatest source of His encouragement is His Word (Rom. 15:4). That’s why it’s so important to fill your mind with Scripture.
Let your heavenly Father direct your path. Seek His guidance for your plans and decisions. If you’ll make your relationship with Him a priority, I am confident that God will empower you to discover His best.
You have God’s intimate and personal attention. Isn’t that amazing?
As 2025 gets underway, make these thoughts a touchstone. Return to them whenever you become weary, wondering if God hears you. We hope these words have reminded you that God will guide your steps and watch over your life (Ps. 121:1-8).
Till next time, God bless you.
For His glory,
Your friends at In Touch Ministries