Halfway Mark

Going into the new year we all have a longggggg list of New Year's Resolution. And for a lot of us by month 2 those resolutions are no where to be found. Some of our resolutions may be spiritual based, some may be purpose based, some may be health based, for some it may simply be I just want to live a better life than I did last year. Some people stick to those resolutions for the entire year and they accomplish everything they said they would for the year. For others that is not their story.

Some of us have allowed life to get in the way of those goals we set not just for the year but for life in general. But let's be honest we thought 2021 couldn't be worse than 2020 but whew it started out a little rocky. It definitely hasn't been an easy road for a lot of us. The circumstances of life can easily get any one off track from their destiny.

*SIDE NOTE/PRAISE BREAK

So the enemy will use what you're going through in life to keep you from achieving the purpose that God has for you. The Bible tells us that the enemy comes to steal, to kill and destroy. The enemy is literally out to kill your dreams and your purpose, to kill your relationship with God, to steal your joy and your peace, to destroy everything that God has in store for you. But wait a minute (this is your shouting moment), Jesus in response to that said but I have come so that you may have an abundant life. Jesus lets us know, yes life is not going to be easy, yes the enemy is going to attack you, yes you may cry sometimes, but I have come so that no matter what you go through in life, you will overcome it. No matter what life throws at you, I will block it. No matter who may talk about you, try to destroy you, try keep you from me, it won't work. Because I'm going to make your enemies your footstool to elevate you to the next level, I'm going to use every trick and scheme to fulfill the purpose that I have for, I'm going to do exceedingly, abundantly, above ALL in your life. And yes the weapons may come, the attacks are going to come, you're going to face difficult moments, heartbreak, sickness BUT they will not prosper, you will be victorious.

We are at the halfway mark for this year and we have two decisions:

1. We can either give up all together,

2. We can go for the goals we have for our lives

I don't know about you, but I want to live the abundant life that God has promised me. So with us going into the second half of the year it's time to refocus, reimagine, re-center, rejuvenate and restore any lost goals that we had for this year, for our life. In order for us to get back on track, there are some things that we need to focus on and some things we need to get us through.

1. God's Promises

As we are looking to move forward in the year, we must remember the promises that God has for each of us and our lives. As we go through the hustle and bustle of life, it is so easy to forget all of the promises that God has for us. We get so caught up in trying to fix things, figure things out, make it on our own, we forget that God promised that He would never leave us nor forsake, that He will provide everything that we need, that we just have to lean on Him and He will make our crooked paths straight. As we begin to refocus for the year, we must first remember God's Promises.

2. Purpose

We must remember that God has a purpose for our life. There is a reason that we are all here. A reason that we were born. A reason that God placed us into this world. We must lean on God to discover our purpose and to go for it. And remember, purpose is not always career based. There is something that God has called you to be that will impact this world. Don't diminish it or belittle it because you don't think that it's a big thing. You're a big deal and so is your purpose. If you're struggling to find your purpose, spend more time with God.

3. Discernment

We all need discernment. We here this word over and over and over again. How people are praying for a spirit of discernment. And you may think, they are doing the most. But we all NEED discernment. But first we must know that discernment is more than trying to determine if this is a good or bed person. That is the context that a lot of people use it in. But we need it for more than that. Yes, we need to discern if a person is good or bad, if they have our best interest at heart or if they have ulterior motives, because who you have in your circle can take you a long way or nowhere. But we also need it to decipher the good from the bad, if this is really what God has for me or if this is my flesh, is this really what I'm called for or is it just something I'm longing for. Discernment can save you a lot of heartache and keep you on the right path. We need to be able to discern the voice of God. (By the way Priscilla Shirer has a great book on Discerning the Voice of God. Check it out.)

4. Encouragement

We all need encouragement. Life is hard. Don't think that you are the only one that may be facing difficult times. We all do. And it's in those moments that we need encouragement the most. The Bible is filled with encouraging words that can get you through whatever you may be facing at the moment. For me, Romans 8:18 is my go to. It is on those moments, when we need to lean on God and those in our circle to push us through. When you are facing those moments, when you're wanting to just give up, encourage yourself, turn to others for encouragement, turn to God.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ~Romans 8:28

In order for us all to move forward in the purpose God has for each of us and the goals we have set for ourselves for this year, I am issuing a 30 Day Prayer Challenge to each and every one of you. During this 30 Day Prayer Challenge, we are going to pray for God's promises for our lives to be revealed, pray for our purpose, pray for discernment and pray for encouragement and strength as we move into the second half of the year. My prayer is that we accomplish everything we set our minds to achieve, that we move forward in the strength and courage that God has provided us with, and that we all become all that God has called us to be. I pray that as you finish out this year, that God will do some amazing things in your life. Trust God, He's making a way for you, directing your steps, and setting you up for the next level. I'm praying for each of you and know #challengeaccepted.