Those of you that follow my blog know that the Lord usually ‘gives me’ a verse for the year ahead. Towards the end of the year, I re-looked the various promises He gave me over the years as I started feeling more and more concerned, worried, depressed and fearful about the year ahead.
The Economist (19 Dec 2015) so aptly summarised the situation in South Africa under the heading ‘The hollow State’ where the article refers to how the country is rotting from the top. Add to this the whole of Europe fearing yet more terror attacks and a general worldwide picture of doom and gloom starts to emerge. This forced me back to the Word and to relook at God’s promises over the years. After all, when God gives you a promise it is not just for the pending crisis but also for the years to come.
- For 2010
In the midst of the financial crisis and concern about the year ahead. God had given me the vision to develop a Second Eduplex Campus (25 Nov 2009) and I felt it was like a huge mountain before me, nearly too much for me.
Isaiah 40:31 “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”
- For 2011
I need to overcome my fears and ‘THINK BIG!’ about God’s vision. But how do I ‘think big’ if I don’t have the resources (money!)??
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
I had to step out in faith and trust God, even if I did not have the strength to do it.
- For 2012
Will the Lord again be with me in the year ahead? Has He not forgotten me?
Micah 6:5(b) Remember your journey that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”
Micah 7:11 “The day for building your walls will come, the day for extending your boundaries.”
Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.”
Two years later, we opened the High School and 3 years later built a boundary wall on our new Lynnwood Ear Institute, with the planned opening 4 January 2016. God has indeed not forgotten me. God has indeed instructed me…in the way I should go.
- For 2013
I was, again worried about the year ahead.
John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in the Lord and trust in Me (Jesus).”
John 27(b) “Don’t be troubled or afraid.”
- For 2014
So many things to get ‘into place’ before opening of the final High School wing. God reminds me that it is His vision and that He will flatten the mountain before me with miracle upon miracle.
Zechariah 4:7 “I will flatten the mountain.”
Isaiah 29:11 “For the whole vision is nothing but words sealed in a scroll…”
Isaiah 29:14 “Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder”
Isaiah 29:18 “In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll…”
Micah 7:15 “you will stand amazed at what I am going to do for you!”
During the opening of the High School, our visitors from around the world were indeed amazed at what God has done.
- For 2015
While praying for our country and being concerned about the negative thoughts that are spreading like cancer amongst my fellow countrymen.
Isaiah 43:18+19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! …do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Habakkuk 1:5 “…for I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told”.
Ephesians 3:20 “To Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”
Later in the year Psalm 16:2 “The Lord is my rock…in whom I take refuge.”
- For 2016
Now even more worried about our country. Perhaps even more concerned about I, myself and me in the year ahead? Spurgeon says it is weakness to be fretting and worrying, questioning and mistrusting. Oops. This is a hard blow.
Isaiah 30:15 “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
Jesus Calling 27 Dec 2015 “I am preparing you for what is on the road ahead, just around the bend. Walk close to Me and depend on my strength and trusting Me in every situation. If you live in this way, you will do less but accomplish far more.”
Isaiah 64:4(b) “God will… act on behalf of those who wait for Him”. Then God reminded again of the verse He gave me on 10 June 1992….
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
As I look back, I see a pattern of encouragement emerge from God also for 2016:
- That I should wait on Him
- That I should NOT be troubled or afraid for what lies ahead
- That He will flatten whatever mountain there is in front of me and guide me along the way
- That He is busy creating a new thing, something ‘unbelievable’
- That my strength will not lie in myself but in being quiet and confident in the Lord and His power
- And that He will act on behalf of those who wait on Him, because He knows the plans He has for us, plans for good and not for evil, to give us a future and hope!
All I need to do is trust Him and make these promises my own. God, please help me in my weakness.
May your trust in God increase and may He give you the peace that surpasses understanding.
Praise Him.. His ways are surprisingly wonderful every time. To trust God is the best thing for u and me. THANK U FOR REMINDING ME!
Thank you for very inspiring message. I am in sales and it is tough. Problems with getting deals approved and customers to commit. This really gives me strength and confirmed that I must just trust in our awesome God as He will provide.
God Bless
Wow Nico! This is the first time I have read your blog and timing could not have been better! Going back to work tomorrow worrying about where the deals will come from and now realising that this is the exact message God has been giving me for the last few months! TRUST! Going back tomorrow strengthened and trusting God with all my being for abundance!
Thank you for reading my blog! Never give up, always look up! Have a super 2016.
A very good reminder for me too! I am reminded God never leaves us in a cul de sac.
Thanks for the reminder and the look at the spiritual markers in your life.
Thank you for this positive and uplifting message. It does help to hear it from others
Dear Nico! Thank you for the prophetic message! I trust you and your family had a highly blessed holiday and Christmas together. As for 2016, I do believe that the world and all its systems will be shaken as never before. (See article by Clem Sunter on The flags to watch in 2016 in News24.com) As followers of Jesus we will have to grow closer to God and to one another every day, especially in the world of business! God only knows everything about business! Live love! Deon
Thank you…yet again, for the wisdom of living you share on your journey with the Lord. I am also personally challenged. Lord, continue to draw near to Nico. ..as he listens to You. Amen.
Thank you Corinne – appreciate your friendship.
I put my trust in YOU my GOD!!!!!!!
Love your heart, sincerity and total trust in God the Father Nico. Bless you.