Moving Forward into 2019

Making of a Leader Participant and
KGM Newsletter Editor
Guest Writer: Keri Medlin

Everything “new” is exciting, right? New house! New car! New job! New baby! New year!

Wait. New year? Is that exciting for you? Maybe you’re relieved that 2018 is over, and 2019 is new, exciting, and full of potential. Or, maybe you are terrified at the unknown of 2019, and exciting is the farthest descriptor from your mind.

Dear friend, if we are a child of God then we don’t have to be afraid of the unknown. We only need to trust that the Lord will take care of our needs all year long.

I have to be honest, 2018 was a challenging year. I felt as if I had lost my purpose. I lost many a night’s sleep over uncontrollable circumstances that affected my family and me. I felt like a failure. The devil had a foothold on me. I allowed him to steal my joy on many occasions and define me with his lies.

It was not an overnight process, but through prayer, quiet time, and Bible reading, I was able to move forward and quit dwelling on the past. Breaking the devil’s stronghold required me to remember that I am a child of God, and He will always give me what I need, not always what I want.

The year of 2018, along with my old self, is in the past. The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, the new is here!” We are the NEW creation! When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts, we are born again. Our old self is gone, and our new self is here! Our Father always wants the best for us.

I now have a brand new year and clean slate before me. I am thankful to the Lord for bringing me to this place. I could not have done it without Him.

Ephesians 3:20 states, “Now 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.”

Thank you, Lord, for this reminder! I do not have to carry the world on my shoulders, I just need to give my concerns and worries over to Him. He can do more in my life than I could ever imagine. The Lord can do amazing things in your life too, you just have to let Him in.

The year of 2019 is full of potential for all of us! How is the Lord working in you? What is the Lord placing on your heart for 2019? I encourage you to pray over the year of 2019. Give it to the Lord and let Him guide your steps. Let the Lord’s power work in you this New Year.

Here’s to 2019! May the Lord bless you in the coming year!

About Keri:

A pharmacist by trade, Keri is a small town girl who loves Jesus, her family and helping others. She is active in church and currently teaches a Bible class on Sunday mornings. She has a passion for encouraging others in their daily walk with the Lord. She is also the KGM monthly Newsletter editor.