Justice Starts with You!
As the New Year approaches, we look for new direction and ways to go to the next level. God has stirred my heart to bring forth a call for change and justice. But I want to do more than just declare this, or merely talk about it. I want to give you some concrete tools and steps you can take to bring justice into the darkness. Our team has encountered so much pain, devastation and darkness on the streets of Cambodia. Trafficking of children is rampant, and nothing but God can bring forth change, peace and love. We cannot afford to lose any more children. We cannot afford to let people suffer in darkness and hopelessness. You have the power to bring God to those who are lost. The Lord has showered you with blessings and joy. And now in this New Year we must give what God has given us. We must help those who have no one to help them. We have unmerited favor because we are children of God. It is your future and divine privilege to bring forward the fruit of your life in order to help others.Without Jesus, we have nothing. God works through people. Before this New Year I would like to encourage you to ask God how you can help. Within your sacrifice lies the peace and the blessing of God. Within your kindness lies the very heart of Jesus.
God's love never returns void! Your life has been given to you for a purpose. Use what you have to create love for others. Use what you have to encourage, to love and to bring happiness to others. God will never ask you to give what you don't have. We can sacrifice time, prayer, love or just an encouraging word. This life is yours to give. I ask you to try giving and see the changes it brings to your life.
10 Ways You Can Step Into All that God Has for You
We can enter the next year filled with new direction and hope. Here are some ways that you can step into all that God has for you.
1. Forgiveness – this is the way to the Lord's heart. This is one of the most incredible gifts that the Lord has given us – the ability to forgive. Before New Year's Eve comes, spend some time in prayer, forgiving the people who have hurt you. Send them a nice message, love on them. God will honor you for that. He knows how hurt you've been and He knows your heart. You will see changes in your life immediately. Forgiveness doesn't mean that people won't reap the consequences of their mistakes, it means that your heart will be free to love again.
Luke 6:36-37 ESV Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.
2. See yourself the way God sees you. Ask the Lord in prayer to reveal to you how incredible you are in His eyes. This revelation can change your life. Ask Him to show you how proud of you He is. Forgive yourself just like you forgave those who have hurt you. We often forget our worth, but God can't wait to remind you of how valuable you are to Him! All you have to do is ask, and He will show you your value.
Romans 4:7-8 ESV Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.
3. Ask God for direction for next year. You carry the heart of a lion. You are made fearless in His image. God is for you, Jesus died to take your sins. You are created for an extraordinary life. Pray and soak in His plans for you. Open the door to your future.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
4. The way to Heaven is clean hands and a pure heart. Find all that is hindering you in your life and take it out. You have the power to change your life. No matter what circumstances you came from, God will help you change your life. Some of the greatest leaders in the Bible were born out of the most difficult circumstances. Take control of your destiny through Jesus.
2 Peter 1:5-8 ESV For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5. Honor and respect others – with your words and actions – daily. If you are struggling with negativity, try speaking a kind word or speaking blessings every day. Soon you will have wisdom, and your heart will expand. We make mistakes, but it's never too late to create a new, bigger place in your heart for love. That's what God will do when you honor Him with your efforts. Try speaking only positive and godly words for the next two weeks and see your life change.
6. Pray, pray, pray. Pray for others and spend time giving back in prayer. The hardest thing for people to give is their time. Ask God to show you how precious your time on earth is, just like He did for Moses. Allow Him to guide you on how to give your time better. Your time, your prayers, your love is what God asks of you. In return, you get LIFE!
7. Prayer without action is not going to achieve much. Start small – go and reach out to what you've always dreamed of doing. God will bring forth the right people and finances, and He will equip you. All you have to do is take a step!
James 2:14-17 ESV What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
8. Finish strong. Tie up any loose ends and make peace with all of the painful situations in your life. Bring forth nothing but faith, love and hope. Release negative emotions, fear, jealousy and all the "gifts" from the enemy. Give them to God; let Him heal your heart. Your eyes must stay on the Lord, not on people.
Acts 20:24 NIV "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace."
9. Praise and worship Him daily. Enter the New Year with a heart filled with gratitude and love. Bless others and give everything that you've been given. Extend gratitude and shower kindness, especially where it's dark. Look for the darkness so you can bring His light. Praise changes the atmosphere.
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.
10. Decree justice and protection. Decree over your family and decree new life over those who are in bondage. Decree daily over the upcoming season so you can establish the new season for you and those you love. Enter the New Year with confidence and renewed hope.
Job 22:28 AKJV You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established to you: and the light shall shine on your ways.
In everything you do, remember those who are alone and in pain. Find who God wants you to help and go for it. Your life will change. Your future will change. Be the change that you want to see. Use your life to honor, heal and love – just like Jesus!
Malina Zlatkova serves with the XP Ministries in Thailand and Cambodia. Her passion for children and their well being has resulted in the development of projects that aim to save and heal trafficked children in the region. The projects work in conjunction with local homes in Cambodia and Thailand. They are designed to help abused kids and allow them access to school and medical care while providing restoration and spiritual guidance.
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