Starting the New Year, as followers of Christ, we can rejoice in this truth: Christ is with us! Knowing this, we have no excuses for not believing and trusting God. If you are reading this, He has been with you, carried you and brought you into 2023 for a purpose.
We now have the greatest opportunity to arise and shine! The Light came over 2000 years ago! Now is the opportune time to be the light that shines in the gross darkness that covers the earth. We have no excuses for not believing God's Word and drawing nearer to the Lord — to say yes to Him, get to know Him better, be free to live the abundant life He designed for us. Now is the opportune time to live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit with power and authority.
As the apostle Paul told the Saints in Ephesus, "God made us alive together with Christ, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-6 NKJV). Also, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ..." (Ephesians 1:3 NKJV).
Since we have been positioned in the spiritual realm with Christ, we must live fearlessly and certain of who we are in Christ. In 2023, there should be no more excuses for living beneath our privilege as God's holy representatives. Make no excuses for God's favor that shields you. Live unapologetically because you trust in the sovereignty of God who chose you to serve and love Him with all your heart, soul, and strength. In this New Year, let your light shine brighter. Be the salt of the earth to season the bland life of those who cross your path wandering aimlessly without purpose.
In 2023 and the years ahead, resolve to be steadfast. Hold tightly to your confession of faith and hope, not wavering because He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful to His word. (Hebrews 10:23 AMP). There will be challenges in 2023, but nothing is too hard for our God! Being strong in the power of God's power — the Holy Ghost, we are unstoppable, and equipped for warfare. We are victorious; we are more than conquerors.
Remember our example? Jesus was unstoppable! In His humanity, He faced opposition, overcame temptation, endured betrayal, handled rejection and criticism, and encountered scrutiny from a political system. Yet, He persevered and finished His earthly mission to accomplish the Father's eternal purpose.
We will never comprehend the depth of His pain paid for our freedom. We will never experience the humiliation of hanging naked on a cross, but guilty of no crime! Jesus did it for all. He suffered and endured the Cross for the joy, which would cause many to become the righteousness of God. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, all are welcome into the family of God. Being a part of the kingdom grants us a royal status as a holy nation with divine privileges and access to supernatural power. Knowing this, why would we live in fear and remain slaves to sin? Knowing who we are and what we have in Christ eliminates all excuses.
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we can stand firm and not be shaken. In 2023, we must abound in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. We can trust God to complete the good work He began in us. The question is, will you permit Him to work in you and through you for His glory in 2023? Will you put your total trust in the Lord by committing to His will without restraints? If so, that means saying, "Yes, Lord" every day of our lives!
Praying that you have a blessed and prosperous New Year. May you prosper and be in health as your soul prospers.
"Live fearless and be free in 2023!" -Queen Esther Phillips
Copyright 2023. Queen Esther Phillips. All rights reserved. A Majestic Publication.