As we stand on the cusp of a New Year, I am filled with hope and expectation for what God has in store for us in 2025. Though many faith-filled phrases have already been declared for this year, I have embraced the phrase, “In 2025, we’re going to THRIVE!” Furthermore, the Lord has impressed upon me to continue believing for manifestations of restoration. This is my declaration over myself, my family, and you, my partner. 

Job 22:28 says, “You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you: and the light of God’s favor shall shine upon your ways.” 

Deciding and decreeing isn’t just a good idea; it’s God’s idea! And when we take Him at His Word and do it, we will be blessed in our doing. 

Recently, I have enjoyed diving into the historically controversial book of Job. Though many people have adopted false doctrines about it, Job’s life is one of the most powerful illustrations of faith and restoration that has ever existed. 

Job’s journey from prosperity to despair and back to restoration reminds us that our circumstances do not define us. The same key that turned Job’s situation around is the very thing that still turns seemingly hopeless situations into powerful testimonies…FAITH. 

Job was surrounded by people who expressed differing opinions on his current state, but a statement made by one of his friends caused a shift when Job was experiencing one of the lowest, most challenging moments in his life. 

Job 25:4, “How then can a man be justified with God?” 

Friend, we have the answer to this question: FAITH. Faith will always cause you to stand justified in the sight of God, and FAITH will also cause you to thrive in 2025. Now, we have an advantage Job did not have, and he spoke about it in Job chapter 9.

Job 9:33, “Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.”

Here, Job was crying out for someone to stand between him and God. He saw the need for someone to have one hand on God while placing the other hand on man. Fast forward to 2025, and that Daysman has come. His Name is Jesus! 

By the end of his life, Job had seen and experienced what faith can do. God completely restored and doubled his life when he turned his eyes away from himself and began speaking words of faith. 

What do you desire to see for your life in 2025? It begins with faith. Ask the Lord to give you a specific Word to use that will bring that desire to pass. 

Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not my Word like as a fire? Saith the Lord: and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”

When I worked as a plumber many years ago, we sometimes had to break through concrete slabs to install plumbing. Initially, the concrete seemed impenetrable, but with persistence and the right tools, we were able to do so. 

When we put God’s Word in our mouths, targeting situations, it’s like taking a hammer to the rock. It may not break the rock into pieces at the first swing of the hammer. But through persistence and faith, we will prevail if we don’t quit. 

God has given us words that will move mountains (aren’t mountains made of rocks?) He has given us words that will start fires. He has given us words of peace, joy, and love. These words contain power because they are seeds with God’s very nature and DNA. 

A few years ago, I began encouraging my congregation to raise their sights and begin speaking words of increase over themselves. For example, I told them to say aloud, “From one millionaire to another, I salute you.” The purpose of this exercise was not to become fixated on an amount of money but to use words to break barriers over themselves. 

One lady in particular brought this story back to me recently. She said, “When you led us to begin saying that, it was really hard to say it. But the more I said it, the easier it became.” She was raised in an environment where she regularly experienced lack and scarcity, so seeing herself as a millionaire was challenging. However, the words she began speaking and continued to speak broke through the rock, and today, she is well on her way to millionaire status. 

I encourage you to put a watch on your words and be purposeful about the words you speak. Build your faith, and remain strong in it as you step into this new year. God is eager to showcase His power in our lives, just as He did with Job. 

Together, we will thrive in 2025, experiencing manifestations of restoration!