New Year, New Fire: Positioned for Victory in 2026

New Year, New Fire: Positioned for Victory in 2026
By Pastor Robert Hyatt
Sunday, January 4, 2026 “Renewed. Ready. Rising.” 2026 isn’t just another year—it’s a divine opportunity from heaven’s calendar. God is not repeating 2025; He is revealing something new, something greater, something destined for those who are willing to believe. The Word of the Lord declares in Isaiah 43:19, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth—do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” That means even when the path seems dry or uncertain, God is already preparing life, provision, and victory for His people. The old challenges, the disappointments, and even the triumphs of last year were not wasted—they were a training ground. God used them to shape, stretch, and strengthen you for what’s coming next. But this year, He’s calling His church higher. It’s time to expect more, believe deeper, and move stronger. We are stepping into this new year not with fear or fatigue—but with fire! Expect promise, not problems. Expectation is the soil where miracles take root. What you expect determines what you experience. If you enter 2026 expecting defeat, that’s the harvest you will see. But if you enter expecting divine progress, heavenly provision, and spiritual growth, then faith will open the door to God’s best. Jesus said in Matthew 9:29, “According to your faith be it unto you.” Faith decides the flow of favor. Expect spiritual maturity—not just blessings but transformation. Expect breakthroughs—in your health, your finances, and your relationships. Expect revival—not only in your own heart but throughout your community. Faith doesn’t wait for the year to become easy; it declares it victorious from the very start. If the church desires to see better in 2026, then it must be better. We must rebuild, refocus, and reach out. Rebuild the altar of prayer. Let prayer no longer be the church’s emergency exit but its daily engine. James 5:16 reminds us that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” A praying church is not a weak church—it is a warring and winning church. Refocus on purpose. Programs and events hold value, but people remain the mission. Every act, every service, every word must point toward salvation, discipleship, and love in action. And we must reach out like never before. 2026 calls for a missional church—one that steps into streets, schools, workplaces, and homes carrying the light of Christ. The world doesn’t just need sermons; it needs servants who live the message of Jesus daily. We’ve been blessed to build buildings, but now it’s time to build bridges—bridges that connect hearts back to God. To live a victorious life in 2026, remember that victory is not luck—it is alignment. When your will aligns with God’s will, victory becomes a lifestyle. Jesus taught in John 15:7, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Abiding brings authority. Live daily in obedience, gratitude,  and boldness. Walk in faith over fear, because fear paralyzes, but faith propels. Pursue holiness over habit, for purity invites the power of the Holy Spirit. Choose praise over pressure, because praise doesn’t wait for the battle to end—it breaks chains while the enemy is still roaring. Victory is not the absence of storms; it is the confidence of knowing who calms them. Just as Jesus stood in the boat and rebuked the winds in Mark 4:39 saying, “Peace, be still,” He is standing in your life today declaring stillness over every storm. So here is my declaration for 2026: This is the year we rise again. This is the year our expectation will meet God’s manifestation. This is the year of renewal, readiness, and rising. We will not shrink back. We will pray more, love deeper, and shine brighter. 2026 is our year of victory! We are renewed. We are ready. We are rising in 2026! Heavenly Father, we step into this new year with hearts full of faith and hands lifted high in surrender. Thank You for leading us through every trial of 2025 and positioning us now for divine victory. Lord, renew Your church with fresh fire. Let unity crush division, let passion replace complacency, and let love overflow from every heart. For those who are coming to You right now, embrace them in Your grace. Let them feel forgiveness washing over their past and the joy of a brand-new beginning. We declare that 2026 is a year of divine acceleration, godly success, and supernatural breakthrough. We will pray more, serve stronger, and love deeper than ever before. In the mighty name of Jesus, we seal this new year—we are renewed, we are ready, and we are rising! Amen.