Today and every day, God has set up a plan for your success. He says in His Word that His plans are for your good—to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future. As we enter into this New Year, we can't just ask, "God what are You going to do for me?" Instead, we have to ask, "God, what are we going to do together?" Yes, God is at work in our lives, but we have to do our part to work with Him if we are going to see the goodness and blessings He has for us. Scripture calls it "working out" our salvation. He sets up the plan, but we have to walk it out. He gives us the tools, but we have to use them. The good news is that He isn't going to just hand us the plan and walk away to let us figure it out on our own. No, He's walking with us every step of the way and empowering us by His love. Scripture says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. In other words, His plan is easier and lighter than trying to figure things out on your own! You don't have to worry about how the whole year is going to unfold, you don't even have to worry about how this week is going to unfold; you just have to obey His Word and keep moving forward in peace, joy and love.
Maybe you're facing some difficulties or obstacles today. Maybe this year doesn't feel like a new beginning just yet. Instead of saying, "Lord, why am I in this situation?" say, "Lord, how can I bring You glory in this situation?" When we begin to change our focus and get our eyes off of ourselves and onto to Him, that's when we'll begin to see solutions. That's when we'll begin to see breakthroughs. That's how we work out what He is working in us by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith!
Today, remember, God is a good God, and He is at work in your life. Trust Him because He is faithful. His plans are always for your good. His plans are always to prosper you. He delights in seeing you grow and succeed. Make the decision to cooperate with what God is doing. Set aside the wrong questions, set aside complaining, and pick up His peace and joy and move forward with Him in victory and blessing every day of this New Year!
His father always encouraged him to preach, but Joel would politely decline time and time again until one day in October 1999 when his father was admitted to the hospital with kidney complications. Joel finally agreed to preach the next Sunday, and his father passed the following week. Joel’s first sermon was the last his father ever heard. Joel and his wife, Victoria, were suddenly thrust into full-time leadership of Lakewood Church.