2019 New Year Message

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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’