Easy Conversations with God: New Year’s Edition

Dear Friend, 

I hope you and your sweet family had a wonderful, meaningful Christmas celebrating our Savior’s birth. I hope it included as much fun as could be had, as many beautiful memories as could be made, and as much special, intimate time with your loved ones and with Jesus as possible!

As we approach New Year’s, many of us make resolutions. Goals are important for accomplishing things that we have chosen for ourselves, but what could be more important than checking in with God about what He thinks of your upcoming year? If you don’t already do this, I would absolutely urge you to try it this year! There is nothing more life-giving than hearing from the all-knowing, all-powerful God of the entire Universe, who also happens to love you more than you could ever imagine and has good plans specifically designed just for you — “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

If you are in Christ, you already have the Holy Spirit within you. Listen to what Jesus Himself says about the Holy Spirit: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come” (John 16:13). Do you want to get a glimpse of “what is yet to come” for you?

If you’ve never done anything like this before, first be confident that God will speak to you. He says in Jeremiah 29:13-14a, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.” Secondly, it’s best to get to a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. Find a place to rest and just be still before God. Worship Him for who He is, and give Him thanks and praise for what He has done for you. Then ask Him your questions (suggestions provided below) and simply listen to what He says. Be confident that He will answer. Make sure you write down everything you hear and then spend some time responding to Him, telling Him what you want to in your reply and thanking Him for what He just revealed to you. Write down your response as well! 

Here are some questions to ask God to get you started in your New Year:

  • What do You have for me in 2020? This is a very open-ended question, on purpose! Be open to whatever God has to tell you. Jeremiah 33:3 declares, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” What could be more exciting?
  • Are there any areas in my life where You want to give me freedom this year? Are there any areas of my heart that still need to be healed? God is the ultimate Healer, and He knows you inside and out. He created your “inmost being” (Psalm 139:13), and He knows things about you that you don’t even know! Hebrews 4:13 says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight,” so ask the One who knows best! It’s important to note that when God points something out to you in your life, it will never be condemning or cause shame. It will always be gentle and full of grace, just like He is Himself.
  • What is my word or theme for this year? What is my verse(s) for this year? This is quite literally a word that will be the theme for your year, like “joy, relentless, peace, victory, etc.” The verse or verses for this year will go along with this word. Make sure you date and highlight them in your Bible for your own records. 

One last thing. Let’s finish up this conversation with God with gratitude. We are all looking forward to a new year, but it’s so important to also look back on our past year and thank God for what He has done for us, who He has been for us, and all the good things He has given us. James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Write God a thank-you letter for all of these things in 2019. I bet you will be surprised at how much flows from your pen!

Thank you for joining me in “Conversations with God.” I hope that you have an amazing, life-giving time with your heavenly Father, listening to what is on His heart for you this year and experiencing His love in a personal way. I also hope you have drawn even closer to the One who knows and loves you the most — indeed, the One who “is love” (1 John 4:16). And I pray that you will go forth with great faith, joy, and confidence this year, for “if God is for us, who can be against us?”(Romans 8:31).  

Happy New Year, my beloved friend!

With love,

Linda and the Help Club for Moms Team

Linda Steppenbacker
Latest posts by Linda Steppenbacker (see all)

6 Comments on “Easy Conversations with God: New Year’s Edition”

  1. Thank you for your encouragement, and prayers Linda. I receive that pray of blessing(s) for 2020, and pray that blessing back to you and your family as well. Have an Exceptionally Blessed week full of Grace, Victory & Favor Linda!!

  2. Amen, La’Dwan! I’m so glad that you were encouraged by the study, and I am believing for good things for you and your family in 2020! Your 2019 sounds like mine. But looking back on it all, even though I am not quite on the other side of difficulties, it’s amazing to see how God has been working and blessing. He has held my hand through everything, making the hardest things beautiful. He redeems it all! Isaiah 43:1-7 has meant so much to me this year, and I hope it blesses you too. Here is an excerpt: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…you are precious and honored in my sight…do not be afraid, for I am with you.” Praying blessing over you today, La’Dwan!

  3. Hello Linda,

    Thank you for this beautiful refresher for aligning my personal goals, with God’s specific will for my life as a Women of God. I loved your very specific questions for us to as God. My husband and I set goals for our family each year, however, 2019 was such a challenging year, I felt spiritually, and emotionally drained from the many faith fights. Your post here has helped me regain the appropriate focus, thanking God for those victories of 2019, as well as challenges. All things are working together for my good, and God’s Word in Jeremiah 29:11 is still at work! Thanks again!!
    La’Dwan

  4. We’re so excited that you’re joining us for this, Jennifer. Praying that this series will bless you so much!

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