Our hearts are full of praise and gratitude as we match victoriously into year 2017. What a mighty God we serve? He is so faithful and reliable that He is able to keep whatever is kept in His hand – 2 Timothy 1:12. We pray that we shall all see the end of this year bursting into doxology in Jesus name. He will go along with us, holding us with His hands and carrying us on His shoulders. He will team up with us to break barriers until when we have successfully accomplished His purpose in our lives in Jesus name.
Beloved in Christ, we must not leave Jesus out of our boat, because doing so will be very dangerous. You will remember what the disciples went through when the storm started to rage on the sea. Thank God for the presence of Jesus with them in that boat. They shouted and called upon Him to save them from perishing and He answered spontaneously by rebuking the storm which became still at the hearing of His voice – Luke 8:22-25. Jesus will make all the difference in our lives and circumstances this year because wherever He is, there is always a testimony. I remember the difference that His presence at the wedding in Cana of Galilee made for the bridegroom and his family. He prevented them from disgrace and reproach – John 2: 1-11.
I wish to enjoin all our members and other worshippers to allow God to drive the vehicles of our lives through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit this year. Like the Good Shepherd who goes before his flock to lead and guide them to where they can find greener pastures and beside still waters, God wishes to lead and guide us. It is very easy for God to lead those who will listen to Him and walk in His footsteps, because He knows the end from the beginning and therefore knows where we are destined to have breakthrough. He created us and said that He knows the plans He has for us, plans for welfare and not for evil, to have a future and an expected end- Jeremiah 29:11. Let us not fret or become fearful in the new year but hold on to God’s word and confess it in all circumstances and facets of our lives. There is a need for us to cultivate the habit of studying and meditating on the word, so that it can find fulfillment in our lives. Remember that Moses refused to continue on the journey to the promised land unless God was ready to go with them. He knew the inherent dangers of traveling without God. He refused vehemently to take the risks. Then Moses said to Him, “ If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”- Exodus 33:15. Moses was aware of the nature of the wilderness in which they were traveling and the strength of the nations they were going to contend with before entering into the promised land. Brethren, for victory to be guaranteed in this perilous times, God must be allowed to be in absolute possession of our lives. “ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “ He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”-Psalm 91:1 & 2. This psalm enumerates the dangers that abound in our world today and recommends that the only way to guarantee safety, security and success is by walking in the will of God.
Finally brethren, God cherishes and demands absolute obedience and unalloyed loyalty from us and this is what can guarantee fruitfulness. He expects us to maintain a fruit – bearing relationship with Him and this is only possible by abiding in Him. No branch of a tree can survive let alone bearing fruits without being firmly attached to the tree. Jesus refers to Himself as the True Vine and us as the branches. We cannot do anything apart from Him- John 15:5. Each of us needs to be determined to walk with and abide in Him for fruitfulness. This is achievable when the Holy Spirit is in full possession of our lives. Let us therefore be totally dependent upon Christ and the Holy Spirit without leaning on human knowledge or strength. Effortlessly we shall daily radiate the glory of God and the expected fruit of the Holy Spirit will find reflection in and through us.
Once again, I implore all of us to come along with us as we implement our programs and activities for year 2017 as enshrined in our Calendar of Worship.
I wish you all a very happy, victorious and prosperous new year in Jesus name.
Your brother, friend and pastor