Dear Transformation Today blog site Followers, it is my earnest prayer, in accordance with the prophetic word God has laid on my heart, that 2020 will be for you a year of new beginnings. May old things pass away and all things become new – thinking as God thinks, doing as God requires, His ways becoming your ways. Severing old destructive relationships and forging new life building and preserving ones, stripping away old destructive habits and seeking God’s strength and applying the power of His Word so that you can be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 2020 can be a year of prosperity and good success or a year of frustration and failure. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Our decisions always have consequences. Ask God for His wisdom and allow your steps to be ordered by Him.

You may have noticed a slowing down in the frequency with which I have been publishing blogs in the latter part of 2019. This will continue into 2020 as God has directed that I focus attention on compiling the blogs already published into several books. It’s been 88 blogs to date!! Really couldn’t have imagined it was so many. I guess that was God’s way of getting me to write my books – allowing me to use small chunks of time rather than always complaining that I don’t have the time. In fact, when God spoke to me years ago about writing books and knowing my busy schedule, I constantly worried about not being able to find the time. But now, over time, without my even realizing it, I not only have one book but several books. I just need to edit and make them ready for publication. God will provide the publisher and the funds. I have no doubt about that. Of course, I will keep you updated through this site and other media as each one becomes available. This is the legacy I am leaving behind.

This “Arise, Shine” series I am about to start is inspired by the Word the Lord gave to my family that 2019 was to be a “year of awakening”. It truly was!! Part of the Word instructed that we stir up our gifts as Paul instructed Timothy to do in 2 Timothy 1:6. In October 2019, I was approached by the Women’s Ministry of my church to be the speaker at a breakfast they were hosting, the biggest they had held to date. I was humbled and felt more than privileged to have been selected for such an auspicious occasion. Imagine how amazed I was when they shared that the theme was “Stir Up the Gifts of God Within You”!! Actually, this is exactly why I was able to accept this speaking invitation. Let me tell you, God has brought me a long, long way.  For years, I was afraid (that is an understatement, I am talking about fear that cripples) of speaking in public. But God………………………… He wouldn’t stop putting me in situations where I was forced to speak in public until I realized I had a gift of teaching and began to grow in confidence. What is more ironic, is the prophetic call God has placed on my life, which was preceded by ministering as a praise and worship leader. What two ministries can be more public than worship and prophecy??!! And what can be more fear provoking than singing in public and speaking forth messages from God??!! God does have a sense of humour. The point though is that I could have chosen to give in to my fear and not stir up my gifts. The two scriptures below, together with the song Oceans (Where Feet May Fail), convicted my heart of the need to step out with greater confidence into my calling.  This blog is just one of the outcomes of this decision. Our gifts are not for us but for ministry to bless and equip others.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom. 12:1, emphasis mine)

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. (Mk. 8:35 – see also Matt. 16:25; Lk. 9:24, 17:33)

It is my prayer that as I share this series, you will be moved to discover and stir up the gifts that God has placed within you. God is a purposeful God. Nothing happens by chance with Him. He has a reason for everything He does and says. Even as I began thinking that I would stop publishing these blogs and concentrate solely on compiling my books, He reminded me of this teaching and directed that I share in this forum. He has a divine appointment with you to make a shift in your life through a shift in your mindset. You never have an encounter with God and remain the same. God’s Word has transformative power but we have an active part to play in this power becoming a reality in our lives. It is the doers of the word (work) rather than just the hearers who will come into all the fullness that God has purposed for them (Jas 1:22-23, 25; Rom. 2:13).  Let this be our determination for 2020:

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world. I am the light of the world. (John 9:4-5)

The series will begin in full force next week. Please prepare your hearts and minds.

Shalom.