Starting off the New Year with His guidance

Happy New Year! 

How are you starting off the New Year?  For the past several years, I have entered into a fast for a certain amount of time with a specific purpose to get God's guidance and direction for the New Year.  I make it a point to press into God, tune my ears to His voice and pray and wait for Him to speak.  He is faithful every single year to speak His guidance to me. 

What does His guidance look like?

In the beginning of the new year, I will commit to fast and pray specifically for His guidance and direction. His guidance has simply been one to three words of direction for the coming year.  Throughout the years, He has given me words like intentional, encourager, fervent, press in, eager, specific, be available, sustain, and "I got this" says God, Each year He brings to my attention 1 - 3 words for me to embrace in the New Year.  I have also received specific scriptures from Him for guidance and direction.  It never fails, that the words He gives me in the beginning of the year or the scriptures He highlights are the exact words and verses I need throughout the year to either grow deeper as His daughter and/or be equipped in a spiritual or earthly battle I will face. 

How do you know a word or scripture is specifically for you from God?

God has always confirmed His word once I receive them.  One year I received the word "sustain" and I just could not embrace this word but it kept coming to my mind.  After battling in my head thinking is this from You God, I was sitting in church one Sunday and one of our pastors was talking and all of a sudden I heard the word "sustain" come from his mouth but he didn't say it one time rather the word "sustain" came out of his mouth about six times in what seemed to be one paragraph :)  God had gotten my attention and also made it crystal clear that "sustain" was from Him.  I froze and then chuckled to myself and said, "God, I hear You loud and clear!"  I went home and wrote down the word "sustain' in my journal knowing that this was a word of guidance from Him for me for the coming year.

Would you like to start your year off with His guidance? You can!  Just ask Him.  Go before the Lord and tell Him you want His guidance and direction for the coming year.  I know He will be faithful to fulfill this request for you.

Or maybe you already receive guidance from Him in the beginning of the year.  I would love to hear how He speaks to you and what are some of the words He has given you.  Feel free to post in the comment section.  You never know if your experience with God will encourage another :)

Have you ever fasted before?  Biblical fasting is a way to go deeper in your walk with God.  Fasting denies the flesh but in the process fasting builds spiritual muscles.  

Biblical fasting is not easy but the reward for denying the flesh is well worth the discomfort I feel during a fast. Starting off my year with fasting and praying has become an essential part of my life and walk with God. 

I have found that some people need encouragement to begin something new so here is your encouragement:  You CAN do this!! :)

May this be a year that you go deeper in the things of God!
Happy New Year to you!