A truly Happy New Year

[Janine Stellatos]

Already we are four days into the new year. Time goes so fast. We must redeem the time for the day is fast approaching when our Lord will return and the night cometh when no man can work. I have spent the last 7 weeks out here in the Ghetto's of New York City where Metro Ministries reaches over 23,000 children every week and over Christmas around 35-40,000 kids to whom we give a brand new wrapped gift to let them know we love them and preach the Gospel message. It's been a time of deep inner searching and evaluation, challenges and surrender. If we really are to make a difference and make our lives count then the only way is total death of self and surrender to the one we call Lord and Master of our lives, Jesus Christ. A complete mortification of everything that is of self and a turning over completely of our will to His will and His absolute control. True freedom and joy comes when we are fully walking in His ways and doing His will.
So at the start of a new year and a new decade (for me personally), there has to be a shifting of the gears - some wonder can we work any faster - we can always do more! We make time in life to do exactly what we want to do. It's all about choices. We can stay in bed a little longer, or we can choose to get up earlier and seek the Lord, and the truth is without time in His presence all our efforts are of no effect. We can choose to give more - more of our time - more of our finances - we can choose to believe and to stand on His word that if we step out of the box and give it our all as we give ourselves totally to God and to service, He will give more if Himself to us. The more we die to self, the more THE Anointed One can live in us.
The clock is ticking. Time is passing by. The King is ready to return for His Bride. Let us go forward with a deeper sense of urgency (not panic) to determine this year to work in the harvestfield and bring many more souls into the Kingdom of Righteousness. The past is gone, we only have today and so today I give myself to God and dedicate myself to Him, to love Him with my whole heart, my whole mind, and with all my strength. The future of many others may well depend on what we do today. We have a duty to reach this generation for Jesus Christ - let this be a generation who knows their God and does exploits. Let it not be said of this generation that a generation rose up who did not know God. We can turn the tide. We can go out and reach these kids and their families for the Lord. So often in reaching the kids first, that opens a door into the hearts of their parents and families. It's much work and there is a price to pay but ooh the joy when these kids and families give their lives to Jesus. Let's get out into our communities this year and reach out and be the ones that "turn the world upside down". Lets "Go". May the fire of the Holy Ghost be in you this year as you carry His Anointing, His Presence and His Glory into the streets and homes and declare Salvation is Here through the blood of the Lamb and the Power of His name.