Dear Friends,
Xmas is over but the festive season continues as we enter into the new year. I pray your year will be a glorious one. As I reflect on this year 2006 and look forward to 2007, I can say with confidence that the Lord has been faithful to us. I am also conscious of some of the challenges facing our nations, our church and people. Some of you went through extremely difficult situation (s) to the point of given up the faith. Thanks be to God that sustained such people. Whatever your experience in 2006 the Lord is still faithful. Towards the end of the each year (since 1988), I have cultivated the habit of asking the Lord what he wants us to hold on to as our motto for the upcoming year. The Lord has been impressing this verse on me for the past few days.

"If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land" Isa 1:20.

I thought it is important to share this with you as members of this great family of God. The rebellious people of Israel went through difficult times and God called them to repentance. After lamenting over their sins, exposing the nakedness and hypocrisy, deceit and wickedness of Israel, rebuking them for their sins, separation & rejection of God's love and care, showing them how they have failed him and how false religion and sacrifice cannot produce salvation and security; God called the people of Israel to repentance. He says "Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool, If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." Isa 1:18: 20. This is cry of a loving father asking his children to come home, it is a mix of mercy and judgment. He gave them assurance of forgiveness and restoration. He called them to surrender fully to his will. Friends, will you respond to God's call?

The subject of obedience is becoming strange to our culture today. We are fond of trying to rationalize things. We wants to know why. Some are use to putting up resistance. I am not sure what this call to obedience will translate to in your life. I will encourage to pray for grace to obey. The Lord will be asking some of you to do things that may appear silly. He might be calling you to do things strange to human understanding. He might be asking some of you to take steps that may be contrary to your ego or human pride. He might be asking some of you to publicly confess your hidden sin. He might be calling you to cross specific barriers and tell your neighbor that you have forgiven him or her. He might be calling some of you into full time ministry this year. The call might involve you given up your pleasure so that you can pray and fast. He might be calling you out of your comfortable zone to a strange land. The call may be for you to move as a church in certain direction or take certain drastic steps.I encourage you to obey. As long as you are sure it is the Lord speaking to you, obey. He will reward your obedience. "Surely to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams" I sam 15: 22b. Those who obeyed him in the past did not regret it. If you obey, you will eat the good of the land. Remember the obedience of Abraham, Moses, Jeremiah, and Paul. As for me and my household we would serve the Lord with full obedience in 2007. Just ask for the grace to obey. The road might be bumpy, but be assured of one thing, he will see you through. Remember we work not by sight but by faith. Human understanding may not fully comprehend the direction he is leading you but be sure he is leading you in the right direction. Can you really resist God? Can you kick against the goads? All he is asking you is obey, so that you be what he destined you to be in 2007.
Friends, I encourage you to obey the Lord this year. Remember John Henry Sammis' song (Ju­ly 6, 1846 - June 12, 1919)


When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Refrain

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

Refrain

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Refrain

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Refrain

May the Lord bless and keep you in 2007. Wishing you and all your loved ones happy new year. Jesus is Lord!!!!

Rev Olukayode (Kay) Adebogun
Vicar
Anglican Church of the Redeemer
Roger Chapel,
4400 4th Avenue,
Regina
Web page: www.anglicanchurchoftheredeemer.com
Email: olukayode@priest.com, or olukayode@anglicanchurchoftheredeemer.com

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