Since my wife and I started dating, we have attended New Year’s Eve Watch Night Services, and last night was no exception. The parking lot was already filled when we drove onto the church grounds at 9:45 p.m. People were parking on the sides of the road, probably to make it easy to exit at the end of the service. We were met with many smiling faces from the ushers upon entering. My wife led me to our regular seating places in the back, to the left of the altar. The ushers were very accommodating inside the sanctuary. There were still plenty of seats. At precisely 10 p.m., services began.
The singing and the praise music were uplifting. People started standing and clapping their hands in tune with the music. Those who came in put their coats, hats, and purses in the seats and started clapping. Yes, my wife barely put her things in her seat before she started clapping and praising. Of all the places the people could choose on New Year’s Eve, they chose the Lord’s House. 2024 was a year of surprises, disappointments, losses, and broken relationships. We wouldn't have made it if it weren’t for the Grace of God. But we are here now, paying tribute to the one who kept it. We don’t know of any other way than to thank the Lord for giving us another chance and welcoming Him into the New Year. Praise be to God! Another opportunity to get our lives right. Even though we don’t know what awaits us in 2025, we didn’t know in 2024; we know that bias, misinformation, and retaliation will follow Donald Trump and his administration in the next four years. Tonight, we sing, praise, and give thanks.
Young and old were in the sanctuary. The seats were filled, and many folks had to go to other rooms to view the main church via video. Children were dancing and praising in front of the altar. The spirit of the Lord was moving the congregation. This is a believers’ only affair. Those who are willing to accept Jesus Christ, the Son and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit without a doubt are here. Non-believers are still welcome in this place, but don’t be awed by the elderly running down aisles and a church shouting praises to God. The weak find the energy, and the congregation energizes each other.
The sermon was about having the Victory in 2025. No matter what adversities or challenges we face in the new year, with faith and trust in God, we will have victory. We need to have a reset from 2024 going into 2025. We need to be recalibrated by God’s spirit and be doers of the Word rather than hearers. Let’s not deceive ourselves. 2025 is a gift God has given us. We must learn to receive it and not compare what we have to others. Every good gift comes from God, the Father of Lights, with no variations or shadowing. In other words, God is the same today, yesterday, and forever. He is loving, forgiving, compassionate, faithful, merciful, and mighty. He is more than we can imagine. Look and see where we are now and where we were. If you are not in a better state of mind now, it’s not his fault. Stop blaming others and do what you know is right. You will see a difference. God’s blessings are with His children., but we don’t know how to receive them. We compare our blessings with those of others. This is our problem accepting His good gifts.
