Is it just me, or did it seem like 2025 just barely got started, and all of a sudden, poof, it was gone? Even though the years seem to be moving at a much faster pace than ever (I’m told it’s because of my age), it’s always refreshing for me to begin a new year. You know, there is that sense of a new and fresh start—a clean slate—a leaving something difficult behind and embarking on a new and exciting journey. Just like that new car scent, or for me, the smell of a brand new pair of boots, you just can’t beat the aroma of a fresh new year!
With each new year, I always seek the Lord for His word concerning what’s ahead. If you don’t know it, part of the Holy Spirit’s ministry to us is to show us things to come. (John 16:13) My pastor, AT, always told me that, “We are on a need-to-know basis with God, and He’ll tell us everything that we need to know.” God loves for His kids to know the plan. If you haven’t heard yet, He wrote a book about it, it’s called the Bible! lol Every year I ask, and every year He is faithful to respond. Each year, His answers are different in nature, yet exactly what I need to hear. It’s like that old TV show from the yesteryears, Father Knows Best (I know, my age again!)
As I began to seek Him for this year, my heart nearly leapt out of my chest with excitement as I began to hear what He was saying! I believe it is a word not only for me but for the church as a whole. When I asked the Lord about 2026, the very first thing He said was Isaiah 54. Now, the Lord had given me a word from this passage two years ago concerning a situation that I was facing. As I heard the book and chapter, I thought to myself, surely that’s not it. I didn’t even take the time to go check it out.
It took me a few days, but the Father, being a good Father and true to what AT said about our need-to-know basis with Him, made sure I got it. For days, words like stewardship, increase, favor, connection, and expand your tent and the boundaries of your dwelling filled my heart. I finally opened the book that God wrote for us to the Isaiah 54 passage, and lo and behold, there it was in the second and third verses!
“Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
Your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.”
I believe God is saying this year will be a year of building and increase, as seen in Isaiah 54:2-3, where we are encouraged to “enlarge the place of our tent” and “spread out to the right and to the left.” This passage emphasizes the importance of growth, expansion, and readiness for greater responsibility in this new season. It is to be a year marked by growing, stretching, making new connections, restoring some old ones, forging new alliances, and preparing a place for the incoming harvest through the Spirit of evangelism.
Even though there may be ‘shaking’ in the world around us, God has given us the promise that we have received an unshakable Kingdom (Hebrews 12:28). I believe it will be a year of promised-land experience for the Church, a time of walking into a greater level of destiny! It is the most incredible time in history to be alive!
It’s important to note, though, that when Israel entered the promised land, the real work began. Years before, they refused because of the giants and the challenges ahead. But once they stepped in, they began the obedient godly labor and fight for what was theirs—it was a season of Kingdom work in the very place God had prepared. In our case, the New Testament says, “He has prepared the works beforehand that we should walk in them.”
It’s not about striving in our own strength; it’s about entering into the reward of His works—obedience by faith. That’s our true rest: believing by faith and walking in what He’s already prepared. Hebrews 11 tells us that without faith, it’s impossible to please Him, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Just like with the Parable of the Talents, God calls us to steward what He gives us. Stewardship equals increase. It is where we go to work according to His command, and as John said, if we are doing it right, His commandments aren’t burdensome. We are to take what He hands us and multiply it! And remember, His favor is on us and whatever He hands us. We are to invest the things that God entrusts to us. With stewardship in the Kingdom comes great reward. It is a reward that comes as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our steps on the path of investment to purpose and promise.
Knowing this, it’s high time to wake up and rise to the occasion! God has an incredible year prepared for the Church, but it requires our engagement. Let’s get up, press forward, lay hold of, and step boldly into our purpose and destiny—discovering great reward as His favor increases for Kingdom impact in 2026!
There is a ton to cover from this passage for 2026, and we will be breaking it down over the next few weeks! Stay tuned for the next Weekly Word! You are also invited to join us on Sunday mornings in person or on our livestream! A happy and blessed New Year to you all!
Kingdom living doesn’t happen by accident.
#hardchargingkingdomseekers
In the passionate pursuit of His Kingdom,
Pastor Jason
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