Last year was rough. By the end of 2024, hate and division had a hold on the United States. The news media only added to the unrest with stories of escalating immigration issues, drugs, trafficking, gangs, looting, loss of jobs, and crippling inflation. We all felt the unsteady economy every time we went to the grocery store and came out with only half a cart of groceries for the same price as full cart of groceries cost us only a year or so before. Then there was the change in the presidency, which grieved some and gave hope to others. Much happened in 2024 that has left some of us with a bad taste in our mouths.
Now we have turned a corner and entered a new year. This year does not need to be more of what we experienced in 2024. Let me give you some encouragement.
Since the beginning of 2025, the word impressed over and over in my spirit is “love”. God spoke to me clearly that this year is a time to reset. Many sources have said that 2025 is a year of hope, God’s blessings, renewal, and rebuilding. God will be tangible this year. He is always working, but sometimes He works “behind the curtain” like the Wizard of Oz. But not this year. If we have eyes to see and ears to hear (Matthew 13:16), we will see a lot of God.
I Corinthians 13:13 (AMP) says, “And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.”
I give you this scripture to introduce the true power of love. With God’s love motivating us and our faith trusting in God and His promises, we are able to do anything (Philippians 4:13). In Isaiah 43:18-19 (AMP) we read, “Do not remember the former things or ponder the things of the past. Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth. Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
Let’s change our mindset from negative thinking, gossiping, complaining, wrong thoughts, and dwelling on the past. They only serve to hold us down and hold us back. God is doing a new thing.
People walk around with so much hurt, sorrow, and ill feelings of the past. We hold onto regrets and kick ourselves for our wrong choices. We cling to a sense of victimization and unfairness of what life or others we trusted have dealt us. God can’t use us to our fullest potential if we dwell on the past, whether it’s the past of what we did or what others did to us. God’s purpose for us is His future. He’s looking forward. If we hang onto the past, we are not able to move ahead. It’s time to let it go, and that happens only through forgiveness.
Here’s an example of what I mean. If you have an issue with a family member or neighbor, the typical response is to avoid them as much as possible or at least keep yourself at arm’s length from them. But when forgiveness takes place, you are set free and there is a new beginning. The old things are in the past and God has created a new thing within us. Today ask God for forgiveness of your past and then receive His forgiveness. Forgive those you have yet to forgive. Get free of your past so you can move forward with God’s love in 2025.
In closing, I want to share my prayer for each of you. It is something Cherie and I pray over ourselves often. For some of you, these words will make sense and you will receive them. For others of you, these words will be foreign to your understanding. Regardless, God has impressed Cherie and I to pray these words over many people, and we have witnessed those same people feel a release from bondage within themselves and be set free from their past.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for everyone who receives our newsletter (over 200 now) and that You hear my prayer for each of them. In Jesus’ name, through the power of the Holy Spirit, I break off all words, vows, curses, thoughts, and lies that have been spoken or even thought against them, even those they have spoken or thought against themselves. Right now, in Jesus’ name, I speak freedom into their lives. I cancel any and all other assignments from the eternal loser, satan. And now, in Jesus’ name, I fill this void with the love of Jesus.
Believe that God has heard and has answered this prayer. Every wrong word you have spoken over yourself, thought about yourself, or believed about yourself and every wrong word others have spoken against you, whether in your presence or not, no longer have a hold on you. Their bondage is broken. You are free.
Sometimes it takes time to rewire your mind to experience that freedom. You may need to unlearn some bad habits or thought patterns and learn how to walk in your freedom. But God has already broken the power of those words and thoughts so they no longer have a hold on you. Now, with God’s help, you have the power to choose your path. God has given you a new beginning. He’s doing a new thing. Grab hold of His love and make this year YOUR year of reset, hope, God’s blessings, renewal, and rebuilding. Move forward and make this your year of freedom!
We love you all very much!
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But blessed [spiritually aware, and favored by God] are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. ~ Matthew 13:16 (AMP)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
