Jan 1 2009: Archbishop Ademowo's New Year Message
Dear children of God, it is another New Year. Blessed be the eyes that will see all that we shall see and the ears that will hear all that we shall hear. We thank God for giving us the special opportunity to see a wonderful year 2009 which is anticipated to be “The Year of Hope, Great Expectation and full of jubilations”.
It is a year glorious blessings will be poured upon all God’s children which will definitely mark a new era for all of us both as individuals and as a body.
It is a year we believe that what we want will happen. There is now laid for us a sure hope in the New Year because Jesus Christ is our anchor. (John 14:13 & 14, 15:7).
Psalm 42:5 says, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour my God”. King David was in exile when he asked these two questions and answered them correctly. His hope in God resulted in total victory and liberation over sin and enemies.
The only medicine for people in the exile of sin is “Hope in God”.
The economy is in comatose; the rate of sudden death has become very alarming while standard of living continues to plummet, worse still, the menace of armed robbery and general hardship continue to increase.
With all these problems, the drug, injection and dosage needed are in these three divine words: “HOPE IN GOD”. This is the only thing that can make the dead bones in our Homes, Institutions, Churches, States, Nation and The world at large become living (Ezek. 37:10).
It is the will of God that we should have HOPE in Him and prosper. My acronym for hope is as below:
H - HOPE IN GOD, Psalm. 3:3
O - OBEY GOD’S LAW/COMMANDMENTS, Jer. 7:23, Isa. 1:19
P - PUT SATAN DOWN II Cor. 10:4
E - EXPECT VICTORY, BLESSINGS. Etc Mk. 11:24
Challenges for the realization of the promise/prophetic sayings:
Faith, hope and love should be a must for us in our nation. In the morally corrupt Corinth, love had become a mixed-up term with little meaning. Today, people are still confused about love. Love is the greatest of all human qualities, and it is an attribute to God himself (I John 4:8). It involves unselfish service to others, it gives evidence that faith is the foundation and content of God’s message. Hope is the attitude and focus while love (charity) is the action. When faith and hope are in line, you are free to love completely because you understand the love of God. We must use hope, faith and love to operate in all places in order to reach out fruitfully (I Cor. 13:13, Rom 5:2-5.
Spirit of dedication and commitment must dwell in us to give God the best.
We must be the well of living water, not dry well and never giving bitter water.
Every Christian should be a wise steward of time, talent, treasures, tongue and (tithe) giving.
Those who know the Lord should live righteously and bring others to Christ’s saving knowledge through aggressive soul winning efforts.
Security of lives and property should remain an issue of national interest/a center-piece.
Additionally, the overhauling of our Refineries and Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc (PHCN) should receive more urgent attention from the Federal Government. Have hope, it helps us in life now (Phil. 3:13-14).
At this juncture, it is pertinent for our politicians and political office-holders to consider the masses that voted them into power and execute to the letter the articulated programmes on Healthcare delivery, Education, Gainful Employment and Rural developments.
The strong institutions that prevent corruption and protect the private sector should continue the on-going exercises with good results while the Church continues to teach the undiluted word of God to ensure that people live righteously to please God (II Tim. 3:16).
The statement of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomole, the Governor of Edo state, “there is no time for vengeance, there is no time to hatred, who are we to revenge when God has already brought us this long ……’ Should be our watch word. Whatever may be your position, serve God and humanity with joy. We must forgive and forget (Jer. 31:34b).
We should pray for the establishment of sound Christian principles in the corridor of power as we know that righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach (Prov. 14:34).
We must be law abiding, watchful and prayerful to avoid ethnic, political and religious crisis/violence.
I know God has good desires for us this year. Jer. 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future’. We are all encouraged by a Leader who stirs us to move ahead, someone who believes we can do the task he has given and who will be with us all the way.
God knows the future and His promises for us are good. As long as the God who knows the future inspires us and goes with us as we fulfill his mission, we can have boundless blessings. This does not mean we will be spared pain, suffering, or hardship but that God will see us to a glorious conclusion (Rom. 8:37-38).
Let us in all things be disciplined and think positively for Nigeria and The World. The spirit to eradicate poverty and restore perfect peace should be our top-most priority. It is done in Jesus’ name (Rev. 22:6). “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes and Amen in Christ’ (II Cor. 1:20).
I wish you a prosperous and Happy New Year. God of new beginning will grant you a new song this New Year and your expectation shall not be cut short, Amen.
Welcome to the Year of Great Expectation and Jubilation.
Signed: THE MOST REV. DR. E. ADEBOLA ADEMOWO, OON, FNAL, PhD
Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and Bishop of Lagos
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