Focus: Three Essentials for the New Year

Text: Dan.11:32.

"But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."

God has graciously brought you into a brand new year, and it's for a reason. You need three things to make the best of it.

*First is Expecting from God.

Start the year with great expectation. Expect God. Hope in God. Hold on to hope. Abraham even against all odds believed in hope. Hope based on the promises of God. Be expectant. It is said of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple that "he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them" - Act.3:5. Expect to receive from God.

*Second is Experiencing God.

"And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ" - 1Cor.10:3-4.

Ps.34:8 says, "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

Also Ps.119:103 says, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

Expect God to do things for you - things beyond your capacity, and also experience God. Enjoy God. Fellowship with Him. Meditate on His word. Seek His face continuously. The psalmist says, "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple" - Ps.27:4.

*Third and final is doing Exploits for God.

In Daniel 11:32, it is written, "But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."

Heb.11:33, 34 says, "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flights the armies of the aliens." 

Be and do something for God. Do exploits in His name. Touch eternity with your time, talent and treasure. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter