Archived Message

January 2007: The Acceptable year of the Lord

This is the time which he willed and fixed for the redemption of his created humanity, and in which he showed his goodwill and pleasure unto sinful men. Can you dare believe that the favour of God is going to be on you this coming year? Are you ready to accept it in childlike dependence upon God who loves you?

Last November my wife and I took a holiday in New Zealand. It had been a long time desire of mine to visit that country which I imagined to be full of wild and beautiful mountain scenery. I was not disappointed. The holiday unit had sweeping views of a mountain range called the Remarkables that overlook the community of Queenstown which is the tourist capital of the South Island. Everywhere you go there is vista after vista of green valley pastures with a backdrop of snowy mountain peaks. There is something very spiritual just gazing on such a mighty display of nature in all its glory. I noticed that at many of the lookouts people took their eyes off themselves and those around just to reverently stand and meditate in silence at the tremendous architecture set out before them. Such experiences take your breath away and you can only sense the moment that words cannot adequately portray. I have noticed also that most people have a desire to see a future filled with ideas that they presume will bring them such joy. As the old year draws to a close then the eyes of hope look forward to a new chance of seeing visions fulfilled and brought into reality. There will be almost as many visions as there are people for every one is an individual and their desires as endless as the snowflakes on those New Zealand mountains.

I want to encourage you this New Year not to let go of those ideas and visions that you hold in your heart. When they happen they will be even greater than you imagined. Proverbs says a hope realised is life. So how can we marry these two themes of future visions and a New Year? It is quite simple for the two already go hand in hand. There is within each of us something that entices us on to better things. As the clocks all around the world tick over to the next second from the old to the new, as fireworks set off and announce a new beginning, then at that same instant millions of people from every nation and creed will have an expectation of hopes to be fulfilled in this coming year. It will be a fresh start. There is a very popular song written by Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965) called 'Morning has broken'. It is such an inspiring song that it made the top ten when I was a young man. I set it out in full for you to enjoy the freshness and message of the words. The tune is an old Gaelic melody:-

Morning has broken like the first morning;
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven;
Like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden;
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning
Born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning;
God's recreation of the new day!

The message to get from this song is that every day should remind us of God's vision for His creation and to take the opportunity of a new beginning each morning.

Why not go into the New Year with the same attitude? God made the seasons and the years. Why not go into the New Year with the expectation of God's favour in every area of your life? I am sure that you, just as I do, need the favour of God to make life go smoother and find comfort in the fact that God really cares for His people.

While my wife and I were on holiday in New Zealand we were in the process of selling a house and buying another. I made the conscious decision that God was in charge of the whole episode, that He wanted everything to go right for me and so I refused to worry. I believed that all the legal and financial arrangements would be carried out correctly and that the date of removal would not be affected. It took a lot of faith to let go and sit back as I normally like to be on the phone chasing up every detail to ensure that no problems arise.
We arrived back in Australia with only six days to settlement and only sent the final forms then. The solicitor managed to get settlement on the last hour of the final day of the removal. We had to believe that Gods favour upon us would not fail and we had to keep on believing right up to the limit.

I encourage you to go into the new year with the expectancy that God will bring your visions into greater reality and that you will experience His favour to you in your personal spiritual life and your financial situation.

I pray to God that in the coming year His favour will be upon all who read this message and also I pray this scripture for you from

3John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Ivan.

For correspondence on matters relating to this message e-mail me at pastorivan@livingconnections.com. I am very interested in hearing from you.

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