Welcome To Year 2020

A FRESH START

Pelumi and Feranmi were good friends who enjoyed doing things together, especially when it comes to producing artwork. Most people thought they were siblings. One day, a very wealthy man needed an artwork before the end of the following day. He approached Feranmi and Pelumi with the offer and assured them that he would pay them handsomely if they could finish the task within the stipulated time. They both worked hard to finish the task within the time frame, but owing to the complex specifications, it appeared as if the task became bigger as the deadline approached. Feranmi decided to give up because he knew that he couldn’t complete the assignment within the time frame. Pelumi, on the other hand, continued the work since his initial aim was to finish the job whether or not he could complete it within the stipulated time.

Just like Feranmi, you might have given up on the past year because your expectations were not met and things did not go as planned. I have great news for you: 2020 is here filled with great opportunities and you have exceptional grace in Christ to do great exploits.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT).

“But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.” (Psalm 42:8, NLT).

God’s window of mercy and freshness never closes. He offers you grace for freshness and new beginning. Each day ushers in His mercies, which never runs out and which is renewed by the day. You may feel you have not achieved a lot in 2019 and all your expectations may not have been met; but this one thing I am sure of: “The Lord directs the affairs of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (Psalm 37:23 NLT).

God is not done with you. Don’t stop hoping and praying. As you do, please don’t fail to take stock of all the blessings you have enjoyed in 2019 and thank God for them. Take out time to consciously think about the good things that took place. Paul admonishes us: ‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.’ (Philippians 4:6, NLT) Like the Psalmist, you can say: ‘Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits’ (Psalms 103:2, NKJV)

In Luke chapter 5, Peter was already washing his nets and preparing to go home following his failure to catch any fish all through the night. However, he willingly released his boat for Jesus to use and obeyed him in faith. The result was a miraculous catch far beyond his understanding and ability.

“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.” (Luke 5:1-6 NIV).

Have you already given up, like Peter? Listen to this: Your heavenly father is ready to give you a ‘great catch’. Like Peter, you can seek first His kingdom and obey Him in faith as you trust Him. Peter never imagined that he was going to go home with anything that day. His expertise failed him but Jesus surprised him. This year, don’t depend on “how you have been doing it” and don’t depend on your knowledge either. Experience and knowledge may fail but Jesus never fails.

‘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)

“He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.” (Songs of Solomon 2:4 NIV).

“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honour me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.” (Psalm 23:5 NLT).

God’s decree over your life in this new year is abundance, newness, and freshness. Don’t allow the sweet-bitter experience of the previous year debar you from partaking in this year’s blessing. See what God’s Word says:

‘Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert’ (Isaiah 43: 18-19, NKJV)

Like the apostle Paul, you can also say: ‘No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us’ (Philippians 3:13&14, NLT)

All of us at Pens For Christ (PFC) will love to hear from you and help you grow in your walk with God in this new year. You can reach out to us through any of our contact details below. With the joy of the Lord in our hearts, we say a big and warm HAPPY NEW YEAR to you! Welcome to 2020, your year of freshness!

Ajise, Miracle

For: Pens For Christ