Road To Redemption
Road To Redemption
New Year New You 2025
Can you imagine stepping into the new year with a heart full of hope and a spirit ready for transformation? That's exactly what we're offering as we embark on the "Road to Redemption" for 2025. Together with Valerie Peterson and Drew Powell, we delve into the notion of embracing personal and spiritual growth by reflecting on the past and setting our sights on a future brimming with God's possibilities. Inspired by the wisdom of scriptures like Psalm 27 and Joshua 1, we share practical insights on setting goals that align with divine intentions and encourage you to resist the temptation of being anchored by past regrets or fears of what lies ahead.
Our conversation isn't just about looking forward—it's about finding peace and joy in the present moment by trusting in God's plan and provision. By embracing our identity in Christ, as reflected in Jeremiah 1:5 and Isaiah 26:3, we provide a path to grounding your faith even amidst life's challenges. We also share light-hearted stories that underscore the power of laughter and childlike faith, reminding us that joy in everyday moments is not just desirable, but achievable. So, as we step into 2025, join us in trusting God's great plans for your life, and let's walk this road to redemption together. Feel free to reach out at Destiny Radio Live with your thoughts or questions.
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Welcome to Road to Redemption, a show sharing powerful life testimonies, giving hope to those on their own road to redemption. New year, new you.
Speaker 2:Welcome to Road to Redemption. I'm John Martin and we've got the whole crew here today. We have Valerie Peterson, Drew Powell, hey. Good morning, good morning. Got coffee in hand. Yes, guys love it, and this is our last show of 2024. Hey, good morning, good morning. Got coffee in hand. Yes, guys love it. And this is our last show of 2024.
Speaker 4:Wow, where's the year gone.
Speaker 3:Seriously Seriously.
Speaker 2:It has flown by and this is an exciting show today because we're going to be talking about New Year, new you, 2025. And we've got some great things to share to hopefully encourage all of you, no matter where you are, that God has great plans for you in this year, amen.
Speaker 3:Definitely. You know, I woke up this morning and God led me to Psalm 27. And at the end it says I'm confident of this, that I'm going to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. You know, I just get a sense. There's some people that you know are out there and going yeah, another year, things that I have hoped for haven't come to pass yet. That's a good word yet. And can we expect to see in our lives in 2025, the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living?
Speaker 4:I like that expectancy expecting that. Yes.
Speaker 2:Amen, yeah, and one of the things that I've been hearing for myself and, I just think, for everyone listening, is to take the limits off what God wants to do in your life. I just feel like we often put limits on God and he wants us to take those limits off and just be expectant for what he wants to do in your life in this year and the years ahead.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it's so good. The issue is, how do we become expectant? And really, something that helps me is to what does it say in Joshua 1? Think on my word day and night and you'll be prosperous and successful. And I'm thinking as we learn it. Or keep one scripture verse in our pocket and think on it throughout the day. That gives us hope for the future.
Speaker 4:That's great.
Speaker 3:We've got to have strategies in our lives to keep us walking in faith and hopeful. And we've got to admit our compass is the word of God.
Speaker 4:Mm-hmm, amen, keeping it before us, little sticky pads. Whatever you have to do, my mom used to teach art back in the day and do calligraphy and she would write out scriptures and I've been finding a lot of that. Just, however, you have to do it to keep the word. There's apps. Disciple Me app.
Speaker 3:Yeah, exactly Right here at our church, definitely.
Speaker 2:And I think that just starting to even write down just a few simple goals for the year, just write them down and don't feel like you have to write down 25 goals and sub goals and you know, um, really, even if it's just one, is fine. Just one thing you want to do, work, work on in the year, you know, is fine, um, but just do that, you know, just write something down, ask God to come in, you know, to your plans for 2025, and just write a few down, you know, and just just start by doing that. I think, by writing something down and putting in writing, even if it's just one goal, it's powerful and God comes into our goals and plans. But we've got to start, we've got to take some action.
Speaker 3:We've got to do our part.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 4:Drew, that's right. We've got to do our part, and this is a popular time of year A lot of people are doing that, a lot of New Year's resolutions that I want to do something new. I was thinking about it. I want to work out more. I've lost some weight recently. I've done that and I need to keep that going. How do we keep the good parts of ourselves and be better and magnify Jesus and get rid of the bad parts Daily, walking in the Spirit? I want to be a better person. I want to be a better Christian. I want to be a better person. I want to be a better Christian. I want to be a better reflection of Jesus this year. I want to be better as a person. I want to listen more back to you guys.
Speaker 4:I really do, and I feel like I talk way too much, so that's one of my goals you know we had talked off air the other day about Isaiah 43, 18,.
Speaker 3:Forget the former things, don't dwell on the past, for I'm doing a new thing and that new thing springs forth now. You know, so often we can. Focus on the past that what Leads to regret. Focus on the past that what leads to regret, disappointment, guilt, shame. But when we focus too much on the future, it can lead to fear open the door to fear.
Speaker 3:But when we stay in today and look at, today is a day of miracles. What can I do today to serve God to be who he wants me to be? What goals can I accomplish in my life in this given day? You know, like you talked about we can get so like it's New Year, so I'm going to have 35 goals and then we set ourselves up for failure when we don't Set ourselves up for failure, when we don't complete those goals. I love how John is just saying can you be more simplistic and have a few things to accomplish? For those of you that may be real goal-oriented, that's not bad. But just remind yourself in Habakkuk 2.2, it does say right down the vision that it will come to pass at God's appointed time. So when things don't maybe come to pass in two weeks, can you trust? Well, it's just not God's appointed time yet.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and it made me think. We were reading just recently here in this room from 2 Peter 3, and where it says but you must not forget this one thing A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn't really about being slow, and, I'm sorry, the Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake.
Speaker 3:So powerful Patient for our sake, and we're also. We're in such a hurry to see him answer this and that, and he's being patient for our sake. That's pretty powerful to think about. What does it say in Isaiah 55? His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are different than ours, and can we trust his timing to bring things forth? It's a mystery how we have to do our part and he does his. That's amazing, and let's keep doing it, keep praying and keep trusting.
Speaker 4:It's a mystery how we have to do our part and he does his. It's amazing and let's keep doing it, keep praying and keep trusting. And I'm going to keep praying, god, it's in your perfect timing, I'll trust you and turn it over to you and I'm not going to worry about it.
Speaker 3:That's so good. I feel, guys, that we really, when we understand who we are in Christ, that we're not looking at ourselves from our past failures or disappointments or our families of origin that maybe weren't the greatest whatever, but when we look at it, we are sons and daughters of the Most High God and we get our thoughts on that and what is his plan and purpose for my life when I shift from what I want and look at what does he want you?
Speaker 3:know what if it says in Jeremiah one five, before I knit you in your mother's womb, I knew you. To me that's pretty amazing that he knew us. He had a plan, a purpose and a call and a destiny on each of our lives, right?
Speaker 4:Yeah, yeah, and he knows. He knows how long we're supposed to be here. It's exciting Well.
Speaker 2:I just think too, we need to think that a lot of folks are in tough situations today, yeah, so some of you might be listening, thinking, yeah, I mean, it's all these goals.
Speaker 2:A lot of folks are in tough situations today. So some of you might be listening, thinking, yeah, I mean, it's all these goals for 2025. But I'm trying to figure out just how I'm going to make my bills. You know I'm trying to. Some people are in some tough spots and we just want to speak to you and let you know that you know God is going to meet you where you are and he will provide all of your needs. He is going to be there for you. Um, the scriptures say don't worry, don't be anxious, and that's either easier said than done for all of us. Right, but we really do need to trust in God that he's going to provide for us today, where we are right now. So just know that. I mean we want you to obviously write down your goals and you know, new year, new you, 2025. It's coming. God is with you. But also know God is going to provide for your needs today, where you are today.
Speaker 4:Yeah, that's great John.
Speaker 2:And how best do we know? That is to pick up and start reading His Word. Read His Word and come into a personal relationship with him and just surrender to him today.
Speaker 3:You know, as you're talking, I was thinking back. I remember in my life I was saying the verse in Isaiah 26, 3, thou will be in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.
Speaker 3:Thou will be in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee. And I remember thinking, wait a minute. I was a new believer. I was like why am I not in perfect peace? Whose mind is stayed empty? And I remember thinking, wait a minute. I was a new believer. I was like why am I not in perfect peace? And then I looked at the next verse and it said because he trusts in me. If we could just take a step each of us and our listeners included in trusting him in this new year, that's going to change a lot. And how do we learn to trust him, guys?
Speaker 2:It's just complete surrender that he is providing for us in every second, every moment of our life. And, yes, he wants us to plan and do all these things and we've got to do our part, but he doesn't want us to come, you know, into a lot of worry and fear and anxiety and that that that's not, that's not him. So, uh, he just wants us, you know, to know that he's providing for us where we are right now and, um, and, and I think too, something that is is is for all of us to laugh more, to enjoy him more, to laugh. You know, as we're coming into this new year, go watch some comedy, go watch a funny movie, go, you know, do more things like that. I really feel like that's how God is healing us is through laughter.
Speaker 4:Doesn't it? It talks about laughter being like a medicine to us. Yeah, it's good. I love it.
Speaker 3:It's good for our soul. But a lot of that comes from moment by moment, trusting he has all our concerns, he's taking care of it in the unseen and just enjoying the moment.
Speaker 3:You know, I think of maybe young parents out there that are, like John you said, are real concerned about their finances and are having a difficult time entering into just even fun with their children. Can you trust in the moment that God's got you and really enjoy step-by-step as we walk into the new year? You know he says in Psalm 20, I'll give you the desires of your heart. Well, can we trust him in that, that in due time he will give us those desires? Because I believe he places them there Amen, I believe so, amen.
Speaker 4:You know why is daddy not laughing at the comedy we're watching? Yeah, why is daddy not laughing at the comedy we're watching? You end up worrying about something going on and you have a great comedy and you're distracted, not even able to enjoy the moment because you're worrying. So don't worry.
Speaker 2:I actually wrote down that when I was listening to the sermon I was telling you all about from Bill Johnson about God's plans for us in 2025. Everyone should go find that. He said his grandson, Reese, did this prayer and I just laughed. He was doing the Lord's Prayer and he said he says our father, who does art in heaven, Harold is his name, amen, when they ask him to say the prayer.
Speaker 4:Now we're laughing.
Speaker 2:Our father who does art in heaven. Harold is his name, amen, and I just laughed. I was like that's so great.
Speaker 4:He does art in heaven. Look at the sunsets down here on the Emerald Coast. It's a different one every day. That's my Harold.
Speaker 3:Oh, that is good.
Speaker 4:Kids are great. I was in a band back in the 90s and the band was called Common Children. It was a shameless plug for the band, but we're all God's children and to have the heart of a child, the, the innocence, the, the childlike faith. You know and I know, when we grow up we're supposed to wait, put it, put, put away childish things, but I don't think so there's something that to be said about like praising, like like lifting your hands up and daddy, pick me up.
Speaker 4:Like I want to fly up there, I want him to catch me up in the clouds. And when I'm worshiping on Sunday, it's like what if it happens?
Speaker 4:then what if you know, At any moment, in the twinkling of an eye, he could come back? So this new year 2025, are we looking to the sky? Also, are we looking around us and not missing the opportunities around us? I want to be nicer to people and I want to listen to more, and I apologize to you guys for I've just talked your ears off and not let you talk, and I'm sorry for that and I'm not going to do that this year.
Speaker 3:I think you're a good.
Speaker 2:You're adding a lot of great things.
Speaker 3:I do want to add. I have this great book by Steve Backlund out of Bethel and it's on joy and he was sharing and I think this is correct. On an average, adults laugh 15 times a day and children laugh around 400 times a day Wow. And what he was basically saying is kind of like we're talking about here. We've got to become more childlike and just have more fun. We've got to study children, childlike just have more fun. We got to study children and go, you know what.
Speaker 3:I want to be more like that and giggle and just have fun as we go into the new year. Amen.
Speaker 2:Definitely so. Just, folks, if you're listening, just know that God is going to meet your needs where you are today. Trust in him and go have some fun and just laugh and enjoy your family and just don't become consumed in maybe what you see as a lot of problems and you know cause it's easy. Easy for that. You know the enemy can come into our mind and take over and we just become consumed with fear and anxiety and worry, and that's not God's desire for us.
Speaker 3:It's not. What does it say in Philippians 4? It says be anxious for nothing, for nothing. What is it? You know what I'll never forget? A minister taking the like literal Hebrew roots and said that really means I refuse to worry about a thing. Now, guys, can you imagine if we walked around and said I refuse to worry about a thing, I refuse to worry about a thing.
Speaker 3:That would be powerful. Lord, it's all in your hands. I'm going to choose not to worry today about this in my life or that in my life, and make that declaration, even if it's under your breath. I am going to refuse to worry about a thing.
Speaker 4:Amen, and then the word and fill it with the word I'm not going to worry, I'm going to get that thought out and replace it with the word of God.
Speaker 2:Amen. Well, folks, we're talking about New Year, new you, 2025. And as we come to an end, we just always want to remind you three things is God wants to have a relationship with you and to speak to you, and first is to read his word. To pick up a Bible or a Bible app they're out there everywhere on your phone and start reading his word. He will speak to you today. And we also would say to get into a Christ-centered church. Go, find a church, go give it one year of your life or just go, just go one Sunday. Start with that. But Destiny Worship Center is all throughout Northwest Florida. There are many Christ-centered churches. Go to a church and get plugged into the church in a small group.
Speaker 4:Excited about that Navarre campus. They just opened up that.
Speaker 3:Amen, and something else I'm excited about is our 21-day fast coming up.
Speaker 4:That's right, it's starting.
Speaker 3:I look at that and we need to say to our listeners it's like a reset.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 3:There's something about 21 days to give up those things that may not be that important and can be a distraction to our relationship with the Lord. It's so exciting. I love January at Destiny.
Speaker 4:That's key, what you said right there. Weary of destiny that's key, what you said right there. Anything that would distract us from the Lord, because, really, what is this life about? It's getting to know God.
Speaker 2:And that's what the fast is about really is growing closer to God. It's not about an accomplishment or something that we can say we're doing. Actually, the scriptures say not to really talk about it. To do it because it's going to bring you into a closer relationship with Christ and he's going to be able to speak to your heart during that fasting period. So we're very excited about that coming up in January. So it's been a great show, guys. Is there anything? Else that you want to add.
Speaker 3:Yes, I encourage people out there today that are listening in. Can you forget the former things? And don't dwell on the past, for he's doing a new thing, and that new thing is springing forth right now, as we walk into the new year.
Speaker 4:Amen, enjoy the moments. Be here in the now, right now, because you might miss something. You know. You look back at photo albums and all these memories and let's make some new memories today. We've got a few days left. There's a day or two left in 2024 and, and as we go along the way, let's, let's be sensitive to the holy spirit, because he sends people to us at the gas station, at the grocery store, at walmart, wherever he's recreating himself in us in a new way.
Speaker 2:And I'll just leave you with. Take the limits off what God wants to do in your life. That's good, so good in a prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, lord, thank you. Thank you for sending your Son to die for us and to give us life here abundantly. And, lord, we just pray for all the listeners that you meet them where they are, meet their needs, lord, to help them to take off any worry or anxiety that they have and let them know that you will provide for every need that they have. And, lord Jesus, let them know that you have great plans for them in 2025 and to trust in you with all their hearts and all our hearts. Amen, amen, with all their hearts and all our hearts.
Speaker 1:Amen, Amen. You've been listening to Road to Redemption, sharing powerful life testimonies, giving hope to those on their own road to redemption. If you have any comments or questions, we would love to connect with you. You can reach out to us at destinyradiolive. Thank you for listening and we'll see you next week on Road to Redemption.