January 1, 2024 • 10 mins
Title: New Year's Prayer - Do Something New
Summary:
This episode encourages listeners to embrace newness and step outside their comfort zones in the new year. Jason Gohl explores biblical passages that highlight God's love for new things and offers practical ways to incorporate newness into your life.
Key Points:
- God is a God of transformation and change (Isaiah 43:19).
- We shouldn't be afraid of the unknown but view it as an opportunity for growth (Psalm 34:8).
- New experiences can lead to unexpected blessings and deepen our relationship with God.
- Even small steps, like trying a new prayer schedule or learning a new skill, can make a difference.
- God is always with us, even when we step outside our comfort zones (2 Timothy 1:7).
- Our walk with God is a lifelong journey of growth and discovery (1 Peter 2:2).
Call to Action:
- Choose one thing you've been wanting to try and commit to doing it in the new year.
- Share your experience of stepping outside your comfort zone with the Walking in His Word community.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Greetings, friends.
(00:00):
Welcome back to Walking.
In His Word,
your source for faith filled inspiration
and practical Bible teachings.
I'm your host, Jason Gohl
and I'm grateful
you join me as
we dive into the depths
of Scripture, discover
its timeless wisdom,
and apply its teaching
to our daily lives.
But before we begin,
please remember
to subscribe to our podcast
to receive daily inspiration.
Please
also visit our website at W
WW Dot walking in his works
(00:22):
for additional resources and information
on how you can connect
with our community.
Now let's explore our next episode.
Do something new
as we go into the New Year.
There's a lot of potential for growth
and renewal
through new experiences,
and I want to talk today
about asking God for something new.
Now I want to open up with Isaiah 43,
verse 19, which says, Behold,
I am doing a new thing now.
(00:43):
It springs forth.
Do you not perceive it
and making a way of the wilderness
and streams in the desert?
This verse is spoken
by God to the Israelites
during their exile in Babylon.
They had been defeated,
their land was destroyed,
Their future was uncertain.
This message of hope and renewal
served as a powerful reminder
of God's faithfulness
and his ability to bring forth life
even in the midst of hardship.
(01:03):
It speaks to us of God's nature
as a God of transformation and change.
He is not stagnant and predictable,
but is constantly working to bring out
new and unexpected things.
This message is a call to us to embrace
change and remain open to new things.
We should not be afraid of the unknown,
but instead view it as an opportunity
for growth and discovery.
God often works through ordinary people
(01:24):
and seemingly insignificant events
to accomplish his extraordinary plans.
In this reminds us
that we are not powerless
in the face of change,
but can be active participants
in God's Word.
Our choices
and actions
have profound impact on our lives
in the world around us.
When we choose to step
outside our comfort zone
and explore
new things,
we open up ourselves to God's
(01:44):
life changing power.
Now, this doesn't mean
we have to make drastic changes
or even go on
large, gigantic adventures
or do something wild.
It can simply mean that
trying something
new is altering your prayer schedule.
It could be something as simple
as reaching out to join a new ministry,
learning a new skill,
(02:05):
or reaching out to someone
who you haven't met
before from your church.
Even small acts of faith
and obedience
could spark incredible change
and lead us to unexpected blessings.
So we could take a class or a workshop
on a topic that interests you. Volunteer.
Do something new.
Stretch outside your comfort zone.
Even begin a new hobby.
For me,
(02:25):
this podcast was something
new that was stretching me to get God's
Word out there in a new way.
Also, we should embrace
fresh encounters with God.
Psalm 34,
verse eight says, Taste
and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed are those who take refuge in Him.
This verse is an invitation
of experiencing God,
not just through
intellectual understanding,
but through a deeper and counter
(02:47):
with Him.
Taste and see are not passive actions.
They require active engagement
and willingness to open ourselves
up to the presence of the Lord.
God is not confined
by a specific ritual or routine,
or even a place.
He desires to meet us in
fresh and unexpected ways,
challenging us to break out
of our comfort zones
and explore unknown territory.
(03:08):
So maybe it's
spending a little extra time in nature.
If you go on a nature
walk, spend a little extra time
and see
God through all of the wonderful creation
that exists around us.
Maybe we're again
stretching ourself in some new activity
or some new artistic means,
maybe take up playing an instrument
that sounds like a good way
to stretch yourself and serve others.
Always look for new ways to serve others.
(03:30):
By actively seeking
fresh encounters with God,
we expand
our understanding of His presence.
We also enrich ourselves spiritually.
We discover
that God is not just some distant figure,
but He's literally everywhere around us.
Now it's natural
to feel fear and resistance
when stepping into something unknown.
As humans,
it is in our nature to crave
familiarity and security,
(03:52):
and venturing into new territory
can feel unsettling for some.
However, we must remember that
God has not given us
the spirit of fear, but of power, love
and a sound mind.
And that's from Church.
Timothy one seven.
It means that he equips us with courage
and strength to face our fears
and move forward with confidence
when we feel hesitant
about going into something new.
It's important to remember that
God is with us every step of the way.
(04:13):
We can trust in His guidance
and know that he will lead us
to where we need to be.
Now, this doesn't
mean there won't be challenges,
but it means that when we face them,
we can trust in him
and know that he will give us the ability
and the grace to get through.
If you go into something new,
you're inevitably going
to have moments of doubt and difficulty.
But even when we feel weak and unsure,
we can rely on God's strength
to carry us through.
(04:34):
Think of Moses as he's
journeying through the wilderness
where he encounters
God in the burning bush
and receives his calling
to go back to Egypt.
There were certainly moments of doubt
and insecurity.
There also considered Esther's brave act,
defying the king to save her people.
This showcased her unwavering
faith and reliance on God.
But there was also a moment of doubt
and an opportunity
(04:55):
where Esther could have lost
even her life if she did not follow this
the right way.
And countless missionaries
who ventured into unknown territories
sharing the gospel
and experiencing God's presence
in diverse cultures, often
something very new,
but certainly opportunities
for fear in doubt to creep in.
But they, before
they pressed forward
and were obedient
(05:15):
to God's call for their lives.
These are just a few examples
of the life changing power
of embracing newness.
They remind us
that God
can work in unexpected ways
and reveal himself
in extraordinary circumstances.
When we trust His guidance
and rely on his strength,
we open ourselves up
to incredible experiences
of his presence and witness
the unfolding power of his amazing plan.
So our walk with
God is not a destination,
(05:36):
but a continuous journey of growth
and discovery.
As we move through life,
we encounter new challenges
and learn from our experiences
and deepen our understanding of God's
grace and love.
Here are a couple of verses
that highlight
the progressive growth
and maturity in our walk with God.
First, Peter to verse two says,
Like newborn babies
crave pure spiritual milk so that by it
(05:57):
you may grow up in your salvation.
This verse compares
our spiritual growth
to that of a baby
as a baby needs milk to grow physically,
we need the nourishment of God's Word
and the guidance of the Holy Spirit
to grow spiritually.
This growth is a gradual process
that requires constant
feeding and nurturing.
Ephesians
413 through 15 says
Until we all reach unity in the faith
(06:18):
and then the knowledge of the Son of God
and become mature,
attaining the whole measure
of the fullness of Christ,
then we will no longer be
infants tossed back and forth
by the waves and blown here
and there by every wind of teaching,
then by the cunning
and craftiness of people
in their deceitful scheming.
This verse emphasizes
the importance of growing towards
maturity in our faith to grow.
(06:39):
This growth allows us
to become more grounded in our beliefs
and resist temptation
to be swayed
by every new teaching or doctrine.
Hebrews 512 through 14 says.
In fact,
though, by this time
you ought to be teachers.
You need someone to teach you
the elementary truths of God's
Word all over again.
You have grown dollar fearing
and so little mature in some respects.
(06:59):
You are still infants and others.
Now solid food is for the mature
who, by the constant use,
have trained themselves
to distinguish God from evil.
This verse highlights
the need for continuous
learning and growth.
While we may have learned
some basic truths about God,
we need to constantly strive
to learn more
and deepen our understanding.
This requires a constant effort
and a willingness to challenge ourselves
(07:21):
to grow beyond our current level
of maturity.
And actually, Paul's
rebuking the people who are saying,
You should be teachers,
you should be moving on,
and now you are only able to be fed
milk and I want to give you strong food.
Philippians one
six says,
I am sure of this,
that he would began a good work
and you will bring it to completion
(07:41):
at the day of Jesus Christ.
Here we are reminded
that God is the one
who started our journey of faith,
and He will continue to work in us
until we reach their
full potential in him.
But we must respond to him.
We must be obedient to him
as he works
and allow him to do that work.
And if we do, he will complete it.
This first gives us confident,
(08:02):
it gives us hope,
and knowing that we will see our
He will see our journey to completion.
Finally, Second
Corinthians 318
says that we all, with unveiled face
beholding the glory of the Lord,
are being
transformed into the same image
from one degree of glory to another.
For this comes from the Lord
Who is the spirit here?
We are reminded of the power
(08:22):
of our relationship with God
as we spend time with Him.
We are gradually being transformed
into His image,
reflecting his character and attributing
more and more of our lives to him.
This transformation
is a continual process
of responding to him,
allowing him to change us,
responding to him and repenting
as we need to, and becoming more
(08:43):
and more like him.
But ultimately it's leading us
closer to Christ.
So remember,
our Walk with God is a lifelong journey
of growth and discovery.
So let's embrace the continuous learning,
embrace the continuous moving on
that comes with this journey and knowing
that God is with us
every step of the way.
Thank you so much for joining us
and walking in his word
as we celebrate
the holidays together with the lessons
(09:03):
learned and the stories shared,
inspiring you to spread
joy and peace and love
throughout the season and beyond.
If this message is spoken to you
and inspired you,
please like and subscribe
and share with your family and friends.
You can also connect with us online at.
Walking into his workshop
where you can also share
your experiences
and continue
to walk in his word together.
(09:24):
You can also find us
on Facebook and Instagram
and YouTube
by searching
for at Walking in His Word podcast.
So until next time,
may God bless you
and feel your holidays and each day
with happiness and love.
And let's keep walking in his word.
Thank you so much for joining us
and walking in his word
as we celebrate
the holidays together with the lessons
learned and the stories shared,
inspiring you to spread
(09:45):
joy and peace and love
throughout the season and beyond.
If this message has spoken to you
and inspired you,
please like and subscribe
and share with your family and friends.
You can also connect with us online at.
Walking into his workshop,
where you can also share
your experiences and continue
to walk in this world together.
You can also find us
on Facebook and Instagram
(10:05):
and YouTube
by searching
for at Walking in His Word podcast.
So until next time.
May God bless you
and feel your holidays and each day
with happiness and love.
And let's keep walking in his word.
Greetings, friends.
(00:00):
Welcome back to Walking.
In His Word,
your source for faith filled inspiration
and practical Bible teachings.
I'm your host, Jason Gohl
and I'm grateful
you join me as
we dive into the depths
of Scripture, discover
its timeless wisdom,
and apply its teaching
to our daily lives.
But before we begin,
please remember
to subscribe to our podcast
to receive daily inspiration.
Please
also visit our website at W
WW Dot walking in his works
(00:22):
for additional resources and information
on how you can connect
with our community.
Now let's explore our next episode.
Do something new
as we go into the New Year.
There's a lot of potential for growth
and renewal
through new experiences,
and I want to talk today
about asking God for something new.
Now I want to open up with Isaiah 43,
verse 19, which says, Behold,
I am doing a new thing now.
(00:43):
It springs forth.
Do you not perceive it
and making a way of the wilderness
and streams in the desert?
This verse is spoken
by God to the Israelites
during their exile in Babylon.
They had been defeated,
their land was destroyed,
Their future was uncertain.
This message of hope and renewal
served as a powerful reminder
of God's faithfulness
and his ability to bring forth life
even in the midst of hardship.
(01:03):
It speaks to us of God's nature
as a God of transformation and change.
He is not stagnant and predictable,
but is constantly working to bring out
new and unexpected things.
This message is a call to us to embrace
change and remain open to new things.
We should not be afraid of the unknown,
but instead view it as an opportunity
for growth and discovery.
God often works through ordinary people
(01:24):
and seemingly insignificant events
to accomplish his extraordinary plans.
In this reminds us
that we are not powerless
in the face of change,
but can be active participants
in God's Word.
Our choices
and actions
have profound impact on our lives
in the world around us.
When we choose to step
outside our comfort zone
and explore
new things,
we open up ourselves to God's
(01:44):
life changing power.
Now, this doesn't mean
we have to make drastic changes
or even go on
large, gigantic adventures
or do something wild.
It can simply mean that
trying something
new is altering your prayer schedule.
It could be something as simple
as reaching out to join a new ministry,
learning a new skill,
(02:05):
or reaching out to someone
who you haven't met
before from your church.
Even small acts of faith
and obedience
could spark incredible change
and lead us to unexpected blessings.
So we could take a class or a workshop
on a topic that interests you. Volunteer.
Do something new.
Stretch outside your comfort zone.
Even begin a new hobby.
For me,
(02:25):
this podcast was something
new that was stretching me to get God's
Word out there in a new way.
Also, we should embrace
fresh encounters with God.
Psalm 34,
verse eight says, Taste
and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed are those who take refuge in Him.
This verse is an invitation
of experiencing God,
not just through
intellectual understanding,
but through a deeper and counter
(02:47):
with Him.
Taste and see are not passive actions.
They require active engagement
and willingness to open ourselves
up to the presence of the Lord.
God is not confined
by a specific ritual or routine,
or even a place.
He desires to meet us in
fresh and unexpected ways,
challenging us to break out
of our comfort zones
and explore unknown territory.
(03:08):
So maybe it's
spending a little extra time in nature.
If you go on a nature
walk, spend a little extra time
and see
God through all of the wonderful creation
that exists around us.
Maybe we're again
stretching ourself in some new activity
or some new artistic means,
maybe take up playing an instrument
that sounds like a good way
to stretch yourself and serve others.
Always look for new ways to serve others.
(03:30):
By actively seeking
fresh encounters with God,
we expand
our understanding of His presence.
We also enrich ourselves spiritually.
We discover
that God is not just some distant figure,
but He's literally everywhere around us.
Now it's natural
to feel fear and resistance
when stepping into something unknown.
As humans,
it is in our nature to crave
familiarity and security,
(03:52):
and venturing into new territory
can feel unsettling for some.
However, we must remember that
God has not given us
the spirit of fear, but of power, love
and a sound mind.
And that's from Church.
Timothy one seven.
It means that he equips us with courage
and strength to face our fears
and move forward with confidence
when we feel hesitant
about going into something new.
It's important to remember that
God is with us every step of the way.
(04:13):
We can trust in His guidance
and know that he will lead us
to where we need to be.
Now, this doesn't
mean there won't be challenges,
but it means that when we face them,
we can trust in him
and know that he will give us the ability
and the grace to get through.
If you go into something new,
you're inevitably going
to have moments of doubt and difficulty.
But even when we feel weak and unsure,
we can rely on God's strength
to carry us through.
(04:34):
Think of Moses as he's
journeying through the wilderness
where he encounters
God in the burning bush
and receives his calling
to go back to Egypt.
There were certainly moments of doubt
and insecurity.
There also considered Esther's brave act,
defying the king to save her people.
This showcased her unwavering
faith and reliance on God.
But there was also a moment of doubt
and an opportunity
(04:55):
where Esther could have lost
even her life if she did not follow this
the right way.
And countless missionaries
who ventured into unknown territories
sharing the gospel
and experiencing God's presence
in diverse cultures, often
something very new,
but certainly opportunities
for fear in doubt to creep in.
But they, before
they pressed forward
and were obedient
(05:15):
to God's call for their lives.
These are just a few examples
of the life changing power
of embracing newness.
They remind us
that God
can work in unexpected ways
and reveal himself
in extraordinary circumstances.
When we trust His guidance
and rely on his strength,
we open ourselves up
to incredible experiences
of his presence and witness
the unfolding power of his amazing plan.
So our walk with
God is not a destination,
(05:36):
but a continuous journey of growth
and discovery.
As we move through life,
we encounter new challenges
and learn from our experiences
and deepen our understanding of God's
grace and love.
Here are a couple of verses
that highlight
the progressive growth
and maturity in our walk with God.
First, Peter to verse two says,
Like newborn babies
crave pure spiritual milk so that by it
(05:57):
you may grow up in your salvation.
This verse compares
our spiritual growth
to that of a baby
as a baby needs milk to grow physically,
we need the nourishment of God's Word
and the guidance of the Holy Spirit
to grow spiritually.
This growth is a gradual process
that requires constant
feeding and nurturing.
Ephesians
413 through 15 says
Until we all reach unity in the faith
(06:18):
and then the knowledge of the Son of God
and become mature,
attaining the whole measure
of the fullness of Christ,
then we will no longer be
infants tossed back and forth
by the waves and blown here
and there by every wind of teaching,
then by the cunning
and craftiness of people
in their deceitful scheming.
This verse emphasizes
the importance of growing towards
maturity in our faith to grow.
(06:39):
This growth allows us
to become more grounded in our beliefs
and resist temptation
to be swayed
by every new teaching or doctrine.
Hebrews 512 through 14 says.
In fact,
though, by this time
you ought to be teachers.
You need someone to teach you
the elementary truths of God's
Word all over again.
You have grown dollar fearing
and so little mature in some respects.
(06:59):
You are still infants and others.
Now solid food is for the mature
who, by the constant use,
have trained themselves
to distinguish God from evil.
This verse highlights
the need for continuous
learning and growth.
While we may have learned
some basic truths about God,
we need to constantly strive
to learn more
and deepen our understanding.
This requires a constant effort
and a willingness to challenge ourselves
(07:21):
to grow beyond our current level
of maturity.
And actually, Paul's
rebuking the people who are saying,
You should be teachers,
you should be moving on,
and now you are only able to be fed
milk and I want to give you strong food.
Philippians one
six says,
I am sure of this,
that he would began a good work
and you will bring it to completion
(07:41):
at the day of Jesus Christ.
Here we are reminded
that God is the one
who started our journey of faith,
and He will continue to work in us
until we reach their
full potential in him.
But we must respond to him.
We must be obedient to him
as he works
and allow him to do that work.
And if we do, he will complete it.
This first gives us confident,
(08:02):
it gives us hope,
and knowing that we will see our
He will see our journey to completion.
Finally, Second
Corinthians 318
says that we all, with unveiled face
beholding the glory of the Lord,
are being
transformed into the same image
from one degree of glory to another.
For this comes from the Lord
Who is the spirit here?
We are reminded of the power
(08:22):
of our relationship with God
as we spend time with Him.
We are gradually being transformed
into His image,
reflecting his character and attributing
more and more of our lives to him.
This transformation
is a continual process
of responding to him,
allowing him to change us,
responding to him and repenting
as we need to, and becoming more
(08:43):
and more like him.
But ultimately it's leading us
closer to Christ.
So remember,
our Walk with God is a lifelong journey
of growth and discovery.
So let's embrace the continuous learning,
embrace the continuous moving on
that comes with this journey and knowing
that God is with us
every step of the way.
Thank you so much for joining us
and walking in his word
as we celebrate
the holidays together with the lessons
(09:03):
learned and the stories shared,
inspiring you to spread
joy and peace and love
throughout the season and beyond.
If this message is spoken to you
and inspired you,
please like and subscribe
and share with your family and friends.
You can also connect with us online at.
Walking into his workshop
where you can also share
your experiences
and continue
to walk in his word together.
(09:24):
You can also find us
on Facebook and Instagram
and YouTube
by searching
for at Walking in His Word podcast.
So until next time,
may God bless you
and feel your holidays and each day
with happiness and love.
And let's keep walking in his word.
Thank you so much for joining us
and walking in his word
as we celebrate
the holidays together with the lessons
learned and the stories shared,
inspiring you to spread
(09:45):
joy and peace and love
throughout the season and beyond.
If this message has spoken to you
and inspired you,
please like and subscribe
and share with your family and friends.
You can also connect with us online at.
Walking into his workshop,
where you can also share
your experiences and continue
to walk in this world together.
You can also find us
on Facebook and Instagram
(10:05):
and YouTube
by searching
for at Walking in His Word podcast.
So until next time.
May God bless you
and feel your holidays and each day
with happiness and love.
And let's keep walking in his word.
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