Text: Job 14:7-9
Memory verse:
““For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its tender shoots will not cease.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭14‬:‭7‬

Whatever your experience has been in year 2022, I like you to know that the year is ending but your life is not. According to our text today, the cutting of a tree doesn’t end its life, for with water, it will spring up again.
As Thomas Edison’s much-loved, pet and life-long project of a 14-building complex and invention center got engulfed with fire, Edison said, “I am 67 but not too old to make a fresh start”. Yes, he thereafter rebuilt the lab and worked for another 17 years.
Friends, no matter how good the outgoing year has been, it is nothing compared to what God has in stock for you in the new year (‭‭I Cor‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬). Thank God for those wonderful experiences but don’t let destination disease set in. Having become so great and with Ishmael, who was born to him by Hagar, Sarah’s maid, Abraham closed up the thought of having another son (Gen 17:17-18). Likewise, see what the woman of Shunem said to prophet Elisha who thought of rewarding her kindness. “…what can we do for you? Do you have a request we can bring to the king or to the commander of the army?” She replied, “Nothing. I’m secure and satisfied in my family.” ‭‭(2 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭MSG‬‬).
Why retire when God still has much ground for you to cover?
On the other hand, it could be that you just barely survived in the year 2022. Thank God that you still have life. You could have been cast down but you were not destroyed; knocked down but not knocked out; struck down but never struck out! And because Christ is still in you, there is hope of rising again (Col 1:27). Don’t cast away your confidence. Don’t enter the new year with hopelessness, rather look forward in faith to the new possibilities awaiting you. Yes, you will rise up again. Hallelujah!

Prayer points
1. Father, thank You for keeping me alive to see this year’s ending and above all for having Christ in me.
2. Father, I look forward to a more glorious new year and that You will cause me to rise up again in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations

1. I am ending year 2022 but my life is not ending.
2. I am about entering my best year and a year of new possibilities.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng