Dear brethren, I hope you had a wonderful time during the Christmas celebration. I also hope you found it easy to share the love of Christ with the people around you. For those of us who had to spend the season alone for one reason or another, I pray that you were able to use that time to fellowship with your Maker. Everything has a purpose. Sometimes you can be in the midst of many people and yet feel alone, so having people around you does not automatically translate into meaningful fellowship.
Now that we have only a few days remaining in this year, we must make maximum use of them.
It is important that we first take stock of the year that is coming to an end. I believe that this time last year, we all had expectations concerning 2025. Some of us listened to our pastors’ declarations for the year and were very hopeful. There is therefore a need to look back from January until now. Have we achieved our goals or not? This is not a time for condemnation or self-castigation, but a time for reflection. Take time out to review the goals you were able to achieve. How did you achieve them? What are the things you need to let go of, and what should you invest in for the achievement of your goals?
You need to understand that no matter what you may have done or failed to do, victory is of God. You are not the only one with goals. Some people have even better goals and greater resources, yet they did not succeed. So give quality praise to God, who has given you victory, for it is not of him that wills nor of him that runs, but of God who shows mercy (Romans 9:16).
Now look at the goals you were unable to achieve. Why do you think you fell short in those areas? Did you put in the necessary effort and strength required? Was the goal too big for your current capacity, or were external inputs unavailable? Did you, perhaps, rely too much on yourself or on human help? The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5; see also Jeremiah 17:5 and Romans 8:8).
These scriptures are not saying you should fold your hands. Many Christians believe that all they need is prayer and that their expectations will simply drop into their laps. That is not correct. Prayer is very important, but diligence is also required. Put in your best effort, but trust that God alone can bring it to pass. Man will always fail you, but that does not make you a failure.
Now is the time to wait on God and receive direction for the year ahead. Is there something you have been doing wrongly while expecting a different result? That will not happen. Purpose to do things God’s way in the new year. Present your plans before your Maker, who knows the right paths that lead to success. Stay before God to receive your next assignment and the pattern for its fulfillment. God is not wicked; He does not delight in your failure. He desires that you bear fruit, for in doing so His name is glorified (John 15:8).
Do you need to upgrade yourself or learn a new skill? Do you need to change your associations? (Proverbs 13:20). Do you need to work on your mindset? Is there another route you must take to achieve your goals? God can reveal all these to you if you seek Him.
Is the goal you have set too big? Consider breaking it into smaller, achievable parts. Sometimes goals are delayed, remember that delay is not necessarily denial. Seek His face.
To those who have succeeded, congratulations. Rejoice, be thankful, and celebrate. However, there are still more giants to conquer. In Revelation chapter 4, after Jesus gave John the messages to the seven churches in chapter 3, which could be described as success, John was called to “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this” (Revelation 4:1). There is always more. So do not settle, do not rest, keep moving, and success will continue to be yours.
Dearly beloved, be sober and be vigilant. There will be a great increase in confusion across the world. The wisdom of the wise will fail. Many things that once worked will no longer work. A season of darkness and chaos, like that described in Genesis 1:2, will manifest in many sectors.
What is the survival strategy?
* Only those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits (Daniel 11:32).
* Pray more.
* Study the Word of God more, for in it you will find direction.
* Obey God’s Word absolutely, even when the instructions contradict what you know or what used to work for you. Obey it.
* Speak the Word in season and out of season (Genesis 1:3).
* Avoid unholy gatherings and associations with ungodly people (Psalm 1; Isaiah 8:12–15).
* Not everyone in church or Christian gatherings has the mind of Christ, so be sober and vigilant (Philippians 4:7).
* Draw closer and closer to God. We are entering times when news and information will shake many people (1 Samuel 3:11; Jeremiah 19:3), with unexplainable events that defy logic, science, and human wisdom.
* The kingdom of darkness will change its methods to deceive and subtly overpower many. Be very vigilant.
* You have been warned.
Have a happy, blessed, and prosperous New Year.