2019 New Year Message
JANUARY 2019
Dear Beloved,
Happy New Year! We thank God for another
opportunity to see a great and fulfilling year. It’s a thing of joy that despite the ups and downs encountered
last year, we were able to overcome and triumph in all ramifications. Indeed, overwhelming
victory is ours through Christ! This gives us the confidence that this year it’s
going to be a successful year!
While we hope for beautiful
experiences this year, we are aware that there may be challenges and hurdles to
overcome. We are, however, armed with God’s promises ‘I have told you all this so that you may have peace in
me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart,
because I have overcome the world”.” (John 16:33, NLT). We know
that we are more than conquerors and we will relive the victory that is ours
through Christ in all sphere of life! (See Romans 8:37).
As
children of God we have been given overflowing joy and hope in Jesus Christ over
all circumstances. We have nothing to worry about. So we encourage you to ‘Give
all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you’. (1 Peter5:7, NLT). Beloved, you must resolve to put your total trust in God and not in
mere men. ‘Trust in
the Lord with all your heart; do
not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will
show you which path to take.’ (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT)
Hence,
this year as you spend time with the Word and use the Godly principles embedded
in it, you can be sure that your way will be prosperous. ‘This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you
shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according
to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and
then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and
courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your
God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9)ESV
Let
us consider few ways you can express your trust in Him:
1. Make Your Request Known to God
Prayer is an act of
trust: trusting that God is for you and that He hears you. It is our expression
of our trust in the immeasurable greatness of His power towards us who believe
(Ephesians 1: 19). And that He is willing to display this power on our behalf!
This year, we hope that rather than worrying, being anxious or wearing yourself
out, you will choose to call on Him.
‘Don't worry about anything; instead, pray
about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.’
(Philippians
4:6-7, NLT)
See
also Psalms
107:19, Psalms 34:17 and 1 John 5:14
2. Make God Your Priority
We need to let you know that there will be
distractions this year. The enemy will attempt to use the very things God has
gifted you with to distract you from making God your priority. However, since
you are aware, you will take caution and outsmart the enemy. You can boldly
declare that money (relationships,
positions etc.) are good but they are not my priority, God is my priority!
"Don't
concern yourself about what you will eat or drink, and quit worrying about
these things. Everyone in the world is concerned about these things, but your
Father knows you need them. Rather, be concerned about his kingdom. Then these
things will be provided for you.” (Luke 12:29-31, GOD’S
WORD)
3. Pay
attention to the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is in you and with you to help you!
Read what Jesus said: “I will ask the Father, and he will give
you another helper who will be with you forever. That helper is the Spirit of
Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it doesn't see or know him. You
know him, because he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14: 16-17, GOD’S WORD). The Holy Spirit
our “allos Parakletos” which in Greek
means one of the same kind called alongside to help. He is present to help you,
as your Comforter, Counsellor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby and much more. In this year and beyond, we hope that you will
pay attention to His leading as He constantly prompts you and speaks to you.
In
conclusion, our God is so good that His goodness often extends to both the good
and the evil (Matthew 5:45). His promises and assurance of these promises,
however, are only applicable to those who are in Christ. For you to be in
Christ you need to accept him as your Lord and personal Saviour. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one
and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have
eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through Him." (John 3:16-17, NIV)
Do you want to start a relationship with God or are you looking forward to growing in your relationship with Him? We want to be of help to you! Feel free to contact us through https://pensforchrist.org/contact
Have an amazing year!
Afolake Adedayo
For ‘Pens For Christ’
