By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
GEMS FOR MEDITATION AND PRAYER
THEME FOR THE WEEK: MISSION-DRIVEN LIFE
SUNDAY
THEME: WONDERFUL TRANSACTION: LIFE BEGINS AFRESH!
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
REFLECTIONS:
For anyone to be respected, revered, and accorded certain courtesies, there must be something recognizable about that individual. But with a deflated self-esteem, an unknown background, and no ties with strong and well-positioned people in society, it is extremely difficult to be recognized. The inception of sin dispossessed humanity of the dominion they had over God’s creation, the respected role as stewards of all created things, and the enviable position of a personal relationship with God. We fell short of the glory of God.
At the beginning of the year, it is important to remind ourselves of our purpose of being in the light of where we have come from, how far we have come, and how much more is ahead of us. The creation story began well. God assessed what He had created. The report showed that it was perfect – “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. . .” – Genesis 1:31. Unfortunately, the narrative changed when, in Genesis Chapter 3, Adam and Eve fell victim to the temptation of the devil-turned Serpent.
With the loss of all the glory God bestowed on humans came suffering, woe, pain, ailments, disappointment, lawlessness, disruption of the laws that guided nature, death, and hopelessness. Sin doomed all humanity! This is where we got to, and we have had to live with these uncertainties till today. However, God’s compassion, mercy, and love would not allow us to live a hopeless life. God tampered justice with mercy and allowed us to start afresh. Just as the new year offers us the opportunity to make resolutions for a better life, the good news of salvation was made real in Christ Jesus – “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”- John 3:16.
Jesus declared in John 12:31-33, “[31]Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. [32]And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” [33]This He said, signifying by what death He would die.” His death on the cross gave us the hope of redemption and restoration. So, Paul accedes, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” A new year, a new day, and a new beginning in Christ is our privilege. In Him, we have the certificate for eternal life.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 152 – “Tell Me The Story of Jesus”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for a new week; thank Him for His favors in the past week; pray to have a new beginning in Him and let Him live in you;
– Pray for individuals you present to God to save; pray for relatives, friends, and associates who are indifferent about their relationship with Christ;
– Pray for the gospel of salvation in Christ to reach all parts of the world; pray for the success of ongoing evangelistic campaigns;
– Pray for the nation to set priorities right and seek God’s guidance for a good year; pray for hope for the suffering, displaced, rejected, and the outcast; pray for the sick.
