As of late, I am asked repeatedly, “How’s your year going, still traveling?” Due to my natural response, I sensed the Lord reminding me that words matter and are an indication of what you are believing in your heart. Regardless of whether you’re having a banner year or a bummer year, what you say about it matters and influences the outcome. I want to invite you to join me in saying, “I believe that 2025 will be my best year yet!”
Hebrews 11:3 reminds us that we have the God-like ability to create and structure what we want to see. It says, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” We must not forget the basic principles and tenets of our beliefs.
The Lord reminded me of a verse that I believe is crucial to our success as we obey and walk out God’s will. Psalms 119:13 (MSG), “I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth.” This verse suggests a close relationship between King David and the Lord. There was value in the advice, instruction, and guidance God provided, so much so that King David made a conscious decision to become a repeater and speaker of the word that God spoke over and to him concerning his life, calling, and situation. You could say it became a life motto to speak God’s word, not the problem. I like to say it like this: God watches over His word to perform it in your life, not your complaint.
With this, I want to remind you of the words of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego from Daniel 3, where they had rebelled against the king’s orders to bow when the music played and worship the king’s image. In Daniel 3:15, King Nebuchadnezzar says, “Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the (instruments) and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hand?” Notice the words “fall down.” The enemy is always wanting to push you down and place you beneath him, using fear. He will threaten every area of your life with failure, defeat, and ultimately your demise. I love the three boys’ answer in Daniel 3:16-18, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve (worship) is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, (The statement “But if not” is not speaking of God delivering them, but whether the king threw them into the furnace) let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve (worship) the gold image which you have set up.’” There was a bold declaration of faith in the face of the enemy’s threats!
Continue reading Daniel 3:23, “And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down, bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.” No matter what, it looks like naturally don’t change your speech! God is faithful and is not a man that He should lie. It may look like all is lost and the end is near but continue reading. Daniel 3:25, “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God!” Wow! Then the enemy says, “Fall down, give up, just go with the flow, don’t resist.” As you make a stand, the enemy binds you and pushes you down. But the story is not over, and God is not done! Loose, walking, and not wounded! What the enemy used to hinder you and end you will be the testimony of how you had a breakthrough, gained momentum, and were untouched by the enemy’s tactics! No weapon formed against you can prosper, and God said He’d never abandon you or let you go!
When you feel down, don’t change your confession, your declaration of God’s ability to deliver, sustain, and provide for you. When the outlook does not seem favorable, it is not a sign that God’s promises have failed or that the mission is recanted. It’s time to press in and push on! Ephesians 6:13b-14a, “…and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore….” The devil wants to push you down, but God has raised you up and made you to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Habakkuk 3:19 says, “The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, (You will not slip or fall) and He will make me walk on my high hills.” God will cause you to walk over the hindrances and threats of the enemy.
I declare to you, despite all opposition, that 2025 will be your best year yet! You’ll end this year ahead and with more than you imagined. The memories of the enemy’s attacks will fade, and the glory of the Lord will rest upon you as you recount the victories and blessings the Lord poured out on you, your family, and all endeavors! Your storehouses will burst with abundance, and God will continue to bless everything you set your hand to. It is time to increase, as the demand for kingdom advancement is evident!
Say this, “I’m going up, not down! I’m increasing and advancing in all areas of life; I am succeeding and will not fail for God loves me!”