Congratulations on starting 2016! If you think it was your alarm clock that woke you up on the 1st or this morning, try putting it beside a dead body and you will realize that it is the Grace of God that woke you up! I pray that the undeserving favour of God will follow you throughout this year. Once again I remind you to expect the unexpected; “As much as you want to plan your life, it has a way of surprising you with unexpected things that will make you happier than you originally planned. That’s what you call God’s WILL.” 

Remember the famous words of Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.“ The God that we serve is all-knowing; not only does he know the beginning from the end he also knows the end from the beginning. If we are aware of this, Why do we always insist on things going our OWN way or get so discouraged when things are not working out RIGHT? Our definitions of “right” don’t necessarily correlate with God’s definition. We have to constantly remind ourselves that God’s plan> Our Plans. 

Imagine your life is like a jiGsaW puZzle, with over a thousand pieces. Currently, you may be at the side pieces, experiencing the start of things that don’t seem to make sense. That is because you cannot see the full picture, you only see a small part. God has a perfect view of the puzzle, he knows what pieces fit correctly and he promises to help complete the puzzle of our lives. However, we struggle and venture to find our own ways of making the puzzle complete and “make sense”, which only leads to more frustration and confusion. In 2016, we should all cultivate a habit to trust God more as He is the only one who sees the whole picture. I love making declarations as it makes whatever you profess seem very real, so with that in mind make this declaration with confidence: I Declare that God is working all things together for my good. He has the master plan for my life. I don’t understand right now but I am not worried or afraid. I know all the pieces aren’t here yet. One day it will all come together and everything will make sense to me. I will see God’s amazing plan taking me to places I have never dreamt of. God is doing a new thing in my life in 2016, it has already begun. I shall not ponder on the former things of 2015 because God will make a pathway through the wilderness. 

As we’ve started 2016, the devil may try to put into you a spirit of Fear of the unknown. Not knowing what 2016 holds may ultimately cause us to live in Fear, but I want you to make these declarations (which are based on God’s promises) against fear.

The Lord shall fight for me in 2016, and I shall hold my peace – Exodus 14:14

The Lord himself has gone before me in 2016 and He will be with me, He will never leave me nor forsake me. I shall not be afraid, I will not be discouraged. -Deuteronomy 31:8

I shall be strong and courageous in 2016 because that is what the Lord has commanded. The Lord will be with me wherever I go in 2016. – Joshua 1:9

I shall call upon the Lord in 2016, and I shall be saved from my enemies. – Psalm 18:3

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death in 2016, I will fear no evil: for the Lord is with me, his rod and staff they comfort me. – Psalms 23:4

The angel of the Lord will encamp around me in 2016 and will also deliver me. – Psalms 34:7

The Lord is a shelter for me in 2016, a strong tower from the enemy. -Psalms 61:3

When I pass through waters in 2016 the Lord will be with me, I will not be swept away from rivers when I pass through them, when I walk through fire I shall not be burned for the Lord will be with me. -Isaiah 43:2

In 2016, God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

All weapons formed against me in 2016 shall not prosper, every tongue that shall rise against me in judgement the Lord shall condemn. This is my heritage as a servant of the Lord. – Isaiah 54:17

Wishing you all a happy, fulfilling and blessed Year!

Dara x

P.S – Don’t forget to send your prayer requests on the prayer request form here.