We live in the world that is obviously chaotic and hopeless despite achieving many mind-blowing technological feats. Morality has collapsed, basic decency is scorned at, and the fear of God is rare. Certainly, the Christian is impacted by the circumstances of the world. As such we experience diminish zeal to be the light of the world. However, it is in this environment that the Lord is calling us to Arise and Shine!
In 2024, God wants you to Arise and shine because your light has come. The call to Arise, the responsibility to shine, and the opportunity to become a blessing to the world in 2024.
Call to Arise. Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
First, the call to arise implies that one is in slumber, or so discouraged that the motivation to do anything is not there, or unfortunately, the individual has accepted to remain in defeat. Sleep is good, but it’s also true that a person can sleep his or her life away. In Proverbs 20:13, Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. Take inventory of your life and see the areas that you might be sleeping. Areas where your gifts are not used. Areas where you are not taking advantage of opportunities. Many well-intentioned children of God are slipping into crisis because they are reluctant to arise from their sleep. Again, there are those who are so discouraged at some past experiences that they have lost all motivation to arise and shine. However, remaining in slumber is not an option for the child of God.
Secondly, the call to arise implies that one must make a conscious effort to rise. To arise is more than a wish, a dream, or a thought. It’s a call to action! Ephesians 5:14, Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. The year 2024 is your call to action! Arise and Shine!
Your ability to shine is solely dependent upon your ability to rise. In other words, all the blessings, favors, opportunities, and open doors that God has for you are waiting for you to arise. You will shine if you rise. Arise from any ungodly indulgences, and God will cause you to shine. The prodigal son experienced a complete transformation when he said, “I will arise and go to my father” (Luke 15:18). Your honor, your miracle, your success are all waiting for you to arise.
Again, this call to Arise and Shine is to announce that your light has come. Jesus Christ is your light and your salvation, what should you fear? He is the strength of your life, what should you be afraid of? (Psalm 27:1-2). Your experiences might have been dark and disappointing, However, having the light of Jesus Christ, you cannot afford to remain down in slumber and in defeat. In the year 2024, look up, for the glory of God is risen upon.
Here are some overwhelming blessings that you stand to gain if you dare to arise and shine. Isaiah 60:3-5, And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to thee; thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be carried in the arms. Then thou shalt see and be radiant, and thy heart shall thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned unto thee, the wealth of the nations shall come unto thee.
When you arise, God’s favor and blessing will shine on you. You will be a light for the world that is stuck in sin, sickness and in bondage to Satan. The dark world is desperately looking for a lighthouse. Thus, people and will be attracted to your light through your testimony, your joy, and your victory. The impact you will make in this lost and chaotic world will lead many to salvation. Wealth will come to you, and you will live in abundance. Arise and Shine!
2024 PASTOR'S NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE Arise and Shine (Isaiah 60:1-6)
2022 New Year’s Message
OUR YEAR OF INCREASE
In the last two years, the entire world had seen the challenges posed largely by the COVID-19 and its associated variants. These had resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, lock-downs of major cites, and loss of livelihoods. Now the “New normal” such as masking and vaccinations which we may have to live with for a while seems to present a bleak future to many people around the world.
However, there is a strong conviction in my heart that the Year-2022 is a year of increase. To many it will be like the Rainbow after the rain, the Joy after mourning, and the Calm after the storm. Among the several areas we will experience increase include our walk with God, our family life, our health, our finances, and our peace of mind.
Our expectations for 2022 must begin with preparation. The Scripture says, Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you (Hosea 10:12). Preparation is primary to almost every move of God. In your walk with God, prepare to be more faithful, commit more of yourself and time to God’s work so you can experience true spiritual increase. Prepare to be forgiving and loving to your family so you can experience genuine affection in your family life. Prepare to stop any habit and lifestyle that are detrimental to your wellbeing so you can experience increase in health. Prepare to be honest and acknowledge God in your finances, You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day (Deuteronomy 8:18). Above all, prepare to rid yourself of anything that robs you of your peace and sanity of mind by filling your mind with the word of God. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you (Isaiah 26:3).
As we hope and pray that 2022 is our year of increase, let us also dare ourselves to
make the necessary preparation and change regardless of the cost, so we may experience God-
given increase and enlargement in every area of our lives.
2021 New Year's Message
OUR YEAR OF RESTORATION
“Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Regardless of your disappointments and loses in 2020, the fact that you made it to this New Year is more than anything you could have asked for or attained. Stay the course in your walk with God, and Christ, will restore you.
The dark events of 2020 should among other things inform our present commitment and dedication to God. At the least, we are reminded that life is fragile, and that we are nothing without God. It is neither an accident nor chance that we are still alive today. Instead, it is by the grace of God, and the plan He has for each one of us. Therefore, it is necessary for us to renew our walk with Him and ask Him to enable us to live for Him.
The prophet Joel, called the Nation of Israel to a renewed relationship with God. He encouraged them to rend their hearts and not their clothes, and return to the Lord. Israel obeyed and renewed their walk with God. As a result God promised to restore to them the wasted years (Joel chapter 1, 2). I see this year 2021 as a year of great restoration as we turn to the Lord with a renewed heart, mind and attitude.
As you resolve to walk with God in the year 2021, do not allow the loses and disappointments of 2020 cripple you. Rather, expect Him to restore your peace, your purity, your health, your wealth, your confidence, and your joy. Any dear thing that the enemy had stolen from you, God will restore them to you this year as you continue to seek Him. This is the year of our restoration.
Shalom!
