Greetings,

I had an opportunity on last night to speak on the subject New Year, New You. I changed it up a little for today's blog because really the choice is up to us. Are we going to allow Jesus to take the wheel of our lives and lead us into our purpose and destiny as a new creation, or just fake it until we make it and act like we have arrived but our lives are broken in need of a healing touch? New Year: New You?

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do something New, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Wow, look at the wonder of God. God is truly a way maker..

What do you need the New Year to Look like for you? What are your expectations for this coming 2018? I don’t know about you, but I’m expecting a breakthrough in every area of my life. When I think New Year, New You I immediately think change and transformation for me on a physical, spiritual and emotional level. Now the word of God says in 3 John 1:2, Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. So I already know as my soul prospers, everything else in my life is going to prosper and that's some good news.

Now some may immediately say if I can just get that new house, new car, new job, or that new business jumping off, then that’s the beginning of a new year and a new me. You know what that’s perfectly OK because we all have different outlooks and needs for our own personal lives that have significance for us. Have you truly identified what you want your new year, and new you to look like for 2018? What changes would you like to see in 2018? Have you been in prayer about the new year? Are you speaking life and do you speak positive affirmations over your life regarding the things you are believing God for? Have you already made that list of things you want to let go of before the new year? Did you know that with anything new we must let go of something? Is that something perhaps a bad attitude, guilt, shame, negative thought patterns, an addiction, or a toxic relationship? Maybe it’s anger, bitterness, or envy, maybe insecurity, self doubt or self pity. Whatever that it is, it’s time to let it go. Perhaps you’ve been waiting for a change and for that breakthrough to take place in your life, but you’re still holding on to some things that are hindering your progress. The universe is ready to release some things, but you may still be stuck in your comfort zone. What is it going to take for you to let go of the old so that you can embrace the new that’s ready to enter your life?

It’s here, but some of us are still stuck in some areas like old thought patterns. There are some that have made tremendous progress but you still haven’t completely let go of some things that are hindering you. Have you checked your circle lately? Are there some people you know you need to release? The season has ended, but you are still trying to hold on to a relationship that is already dead. You’ve got to let it go.

Those past hurts from those people that were suppose to be looking out for you, but they took advantage of you, used you, talked about you, and hurt you terribly to the point you sometimes feel messed up, jacked up and can’t even function properly half the time, yet alone have healthy relationships. You have trust issues because of others who didn't recognize your worth. You need to be healed and to release those folks by forgiving, releasing and moving on. No more blaming yourself, just move on. Don’t stay stuck in that type of dysfunction any longer. Healing is available, and you are not alone.

Are you suffering in silence, shame and guilt? Do those family secrets have you going out of your mind? You don’t have to be ashamed. Let this 2018 be your new year and new you by walking out your purpose and destiny. Did you think you didn’t have a purpose or destiny? Yes you do because God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has good plan for our life, it's not to harm us but to give us a future and hope.

Let’s get free from fear knowing perfect love cast out all fear (1 John 4:18). Let's expect the positive changes we need in our lives and allow God to clean our lives up. Let's be transparent with God knowing we can't hide anything from Him anyway. Let's only look at our past just to see how far we have come, and lets walk in love by trusting God, the process and loving others no matter what they do. We can still love people and release them at the same time. Let's be open to change and allow God to have His way.

You know what’s scarier than change? When nothing changes at all. That means no growth, no renewal, therefore no change. God is in the business of change and taking us to different and higher levels as we grow and learn from our mistakes, challenges and opposition. Whatever it is keep your attitude right and let's stay humble, then God can work through us. Don't fight change any longer by staying comfortable. Our comfort zone can become our worst enemy because it will keep us stuck right where we are. Change is good and I'm ready, what about you?

God loves us He’s not punishing us by making us wait for some things. God is merely trying to get something to us by growing us up. Let's trust the process and expect that the best is yet to come for a new year and new you. As always, thanks for the visit and keep looking up!!