Friday, January 10, 2020

The Truth About the New Year (part 4 in the revival series)

The New Year for some is a time to press the reset button.  Diets are started, resolutions made, work-out clothes and equipment purchased, and exercise classes started.  For others, the first of January is just another day since their “year” revolves around something entirely different such as a school calendar or even a financial calendar.  

Self-help folks and even those behind the pulpit look to the numerical imagery of our new year 2020, and equate it with the year to have 20/20 vision; changing your outlook, seeing things, or even yourself clearly, grasping a vision and focusing more on self, family, and God. 

But let’s look at the New Year through God’s word.  In all actually, His calendar new year and when the push of our “reset button” are two totally different times from when the Gregorian calendar designates our new beginning!  



Sidebar lesson:  - Exodus 12: 2 shows God’s introduction of His calendar to the Children of Israel. This calendar revolves around the cycle of the moon instead of the sun.  It also has specially designated days for collective worship called holy days (Leviticus 23),. The last three holy days which occur in the fall, Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) have an amazing spiritual and historical significance. It is at the start of Rosh Hashanah, also dubbed “the head of the year”, that our spiritual reset button should actually be pressed.  The three fall observances are marked by collective worship, reflection and repentance, and great celebration which occurs over a course of about three weeks.  God too, also numbers His years. Since each letter of the Hebraic alphabet has a numeric value and meaning of their own, with each year comes a new spiritual meaning.  (Seriously, when you have time study this for yourself. It’s awesome!)

So, back in October, God’s new year actually started!  This year is numbered 5780. It too is also the start of a new decade. However, the focus is not on our eyes and seeing, but on our mouths and speaking (80 signifies the mouth either open or shut, voice, speaking)!  In all actuality, the seeing decade was the last decade. It not that God has moved on and left that behind, but that He’s calling us to pay more attention to what He is saying (His voice) and learning when, where, and how to be His mouthpiece. 

So, are we just supposed to throw the whole 20/20 stuff out of the window? No! It is still important.  We always need to stop and take an account of how we’re doing, make changes and move on, so let’s break this thing down. 

God’s calendar says to focus on what is coming out of His mouth and ours.

Man’s calendar says to focus on seeing things clearly and perfectly.



God’s calendar says to listen for His voice and speak boldly about Him.

Man’s calendar says look intently and see things for what they really are. 



My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 
John 10:27

You are the light of the world… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 
Matthew 5:14, 16

(Did you get the play on colors?  Blue and red make purple...)


If we start with hearing His voice, strengthening our relationship with Jesus through prayer (which is a two-way communication) and then follow obediently after Him, we will shine brightly as His light.  Aaaaaannnndd if we are shining brightly as His light, then those who do not follow Him can see the benefits of living for Jesus.


You see, it’s not really about us getting 20/20 vision.  This time, this new year, this new decade is about God’s people being able to be seen and recognized for being a set-apart people for God. 

What helps people see in the darkness of night?  The reflection of the sun off of a full moon.  That’s what we’re supposed to do.  We’re not the greater light. We’re not God. But we are, however,  supposed to shine in the darkness of this world reflecting His light. 

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light.   
Ephesians 5:8

As this revival series (part1, part 2, part 3) comes to a close, I urge you to read through this collection of scriptures I got from my Sunday school book, and any others you can find, on how we can help those who cannot see Jesus clearly perfect their vision just looking through the lenses of our lives. How will the world know we’re not just good people, but that we are God’s people?


  • By our fruits (lasting effective, seed-bearing work we do for God)     Matthew 7: 15-20      
  • By our character                                                          Colossians 3:10-17
  • By our confession of Jesus                                          1 John 4: 1-21
  • By the Fruit of the Spirit in us                                    Galatians 5:22-25
  • By following after Jesus (being obedient)                   John 10: 1-16, 27

Revival is the reset button of our hearts.
Press it.
Peace comes when we are the light of peace.
Unity comes when we are the light of unity.
Love comes when we are the light of love. 
Ask God to speak to you concerning you.
Ask Him to speak to you concerning how to pray for things that need to be changed around you.
 Listen for His voice.

Do what He says if you really want things to change.

Happy New You!!

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni 




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