Happy New Year! Let’s Run!

Happy New Year!  Let’s Run! 

Did anyone else feel that 2011 was a challenging year?   One more year of hope deferred. At my church it was called the year of transition, and I must admit, I am thankful it has ended.  

Crossing the threshold to 2012, I have envisioned myself taking off the heavy garments that had been dragging me down in 2011, and receiving new hope, and fresh vision for the future - light and empowering garments.  It is a NEW year!  I do not want anything to hinder me from the promises of our faithful God for 2012.  

I was eager to step out of 2011 with its disappointments and unfulfilled promises, however before charging into 2012, I took some time to reflect on all of the amazing, wonderful things God did in my life last year.  I am so grateful!  God IS Good, and the challenges are all part of the story - the testimony.  

Now that we are 5 days into 2012, I do not want to list or dwell on the disappointments of the past, but I do want to be aware of anything that may hinder my progress towards a deeper relationship with Jesus, the man God is preparing for me, and a few other areas of my life that need big breakthrough.  

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”  (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)

Sometimes we need to leave the familiar behind, and often what we have allowed to hang out with us is doubt, unbelief, fear, discouragement and self-pity.  Those things become comfortable because they are familiar.  

You may have noticed that I pay attention to numbers, do you think it is a “coincidence” that at the beginning of 2012, two 12:1 verses are telling us to strip off the weights, and leave the old?   (Hebrews 12:1 and Genesis 12:1)

In the twelfth book of the bible - 

“Now the LORD had said to Abram:  ‘GET OUT of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.’”  (Genesis 12:1 NKJV)

Ruth left her homeland, her country, her family, and her father’s house ....   

“So she (Ruth) fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him (Boaz), ‘Why have I found  favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?’And Boaz answered and said to her, ‘It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.  12 ‘The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.’” (Ruth 2:10-12)

“Listen, O daughter, Consider and incline your ear;Forget your own people also, and your father’s house;So the King will greatly desire your beauty;Because He is your Lord, worship Him.  12 ‘And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; The rich among the people will seek your favor.  13 The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace; her clothing is woven with gold.”  (Psalm 45:10-13. Psalm 45 is about the nuptial experience of the bride and bridegroom.)

Entering this new year of 2012, lets leave the old & familiar back in 2011, and receive the new garments, woven with gold, the glory of God.   We have been through a transition, and much preparation, so it is time to run with the expectancy of seeing the long awaited promises fulfilled!   

Declarations:  

LORD God Almighty, King of kings - THANK YOU for a new year, and for a fresh beginning!   I pray that every person reading this, and those for whom we are praying, known or unknown, will be filled with the spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of Jesus; and that the Light of Christ will shine on, and reveal ALL things we need to shed, or leave behind.  Thank You Lord that You are faithful!  

• We declare that we choose to “strip off every weight that has been slowing us down - especially the sin that so easily trips us up, or entangles us.”  

• Father God, reveal the weights and the sin in our lives now.....   (pause, and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your spirit.)  

• We declare that we have the faith of Abraham, and we have ears to hear the voice of God when He says to us, “GET OUT!”   

• Lord Jesus, reveal to us the “familiar” things we need to leave behind, and give us the courage to pack up and GO!  

• Lord Jesus, reveal to all of us any “friendships” or relationships that we need to end, walk away from and leave behind.

• We declare that we are getting out of any relationships that are holding us captive.  (This would include male-female friendships that are too close, not allowing room for the Kingdom Marriage partner to come into your life; or same sex friendships that are unhealthy; or romantic relationships that need to GO!) 

• We declare that in 2012, we are making room in our lives for God’s BEST!  

• We declare that we receive the divine Favor given to Ruth after she boldly walked away from her familiar life.

• We receive the FULL REWARD, including our Kingdom Marriage partner.  

• We declare that our kings (and queens) greatly desire our beauty, and we put on the garments for 2012, woven with gold.  

AMEN!  

Expecting to be amazed ~

Barbara

© Barbara Nelson – 2012