January 01, 2023
Greetings and blessings to all of you. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! What are you asking God for in 2023? During His time on earth Jesus met many people who longed for new beginnings. He gave physical healings to the blind and the lame. He gave spiritual healing to the Samaritan woman at the well. To Nicodemus the religious leader he explained to him how to be Born- Again. To the disciples’ students of His Word; Jesus offered them a new identity. All of us who are saved and a True follower of Christ have been given “new beginnings”. Because Christ died for our sins and conquered the grave, we are a “new creation” Jesus offers us complete transformation from the inside out. The Word says, “Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24) Since we are “a new man” we can reign in life (Rom. 5:17). “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence… We are now empowered to participate in the “divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world” (2 Peter 1:3-4) Christ has left us with the Holy Spirit to convict the world concerning sin and righteousness. Jesus said,” When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:7-15) In Acts 1:5-8 Jesus told the disciples to expect a different kind of power. The Holy Spirit would come upon them and they would be His witnesses ..to the ends of the earth.” While they hoped for political authority, they received like us the power to act on Christ’ behalf. Jesus told them to focus on God’s dominion over their lives. Controlled by God’s empowering Spirit they would be strengthened to bear testimony to the truth about Christ. Saints this new year should be a new start for all of us. Here are just some things we must continue or begin. That is to make it our aim to glorify God. In 1 Cor.10:31 it says, “whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” We must commit to be willing to sacrifice self and self-glory. Hypocrites want a little glory for themselves. Everything we have come from God ..our mind, our careers, our family, our life therefore, this new year we must aim our life to prefer Him above all else. We must be content to do His will at any cost. How? We have the Holy Spirit. “Walk in the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Gal.5:16). Pray that you mature spiritually in 2023.
With the Love of Christ First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC