WHAT DOES 2023 HOLD?

 What Does 2023 Hold?

The year 2022 has almost come to an end. It is not the end of time but the end of a demarcation of time. Many are looking forward to 2023 in anticipation of better things to come. While there is nothing wrong with that, the transition to a new year or a new year itself do not bring changes in the fortunes or lives of individuals. 2023 is a number and while it is a year in the period after the death and resurrection of Jesus, it cannot of itself bring about any change. It has no life of its own; it cannot be touched; it cannot feel; it has no power to change anything.

Changes can only come when we cooperate with God whose plans for us are perfect. If your desire is to see positive changes in your life and ministry in 2023, run to God like never before. No matter where you have been, what you have experienced, and what your expectations may be, God loves you unconditionally and will never leave you nor forsake you, if you draw near to Him. Thoughts precede actions and the Bible tells us what to think about.

"Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9, AMP)

Having the right thoughts would ensure that your actions are the right actions in accordance with God's will. However, in order to walk in line with God's will, we must be born again and abide in Jesus. (John 3:3, 15:5)

The Bible says, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:5-8, ESV)

The promises of God referred to in the above passage have not just appeared on the scene. These are the everlasting promises of God applicable centuries ago and today. God has given us all we need for a fruitful and victorious life; He has blessed His people with all that is necessary for godliness. What that means is that in 2023, we have no excuse not to walk in holiness, in righteousness and in fruitfulness. Walking in the will and promises of God will 'keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus'. Having a better experience in 2023 requires action -"...make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love". Interestingly, in 2 Peter, chapter 1, the responsibility for doing all the above falls squarely at our feet. In other words, God holds us responsible for working out faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love in our lives. Wow!. The implication is that there is a fathomless fountain from which we can draw, in the power of the Holy Spirit. It therefore is appropriate to say that the question should not be what 2023 holds but rather what we desire in 2023.

The Bible says in Psalm 37,

"Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord ; Trust in Him also and He will do it." (vs. 3-5)

Delighting ourselves in the Lord in 2023 will enable us to have desires that are in line with God's will. The recipe for prosperity and good success is still reading, studying, meditating upon and doing the everlasting, undiluted, powerful, uncompromising and unadulterated Word of God (Joshua 1:8). Given that Jesus is the living Word of God (John 1:1), meditating on God's Word is invariably the most important aspect of abiding in Him after being born again. There can be no success in 2023 without Jesus because without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Our resolution for 2023 should be to love God with all our hearts, and with all our souls, with all our minds and with all our strength. That will give us a future and a hope according to Jeremiah 29:11 and anointed living that will glorify God in all that we do. God is for us and not against us and therefore we can face tomorrow (the first day of 2023) and subsequent days with hope, faith and love.

Let's trust in God and excel in the good works He has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:9-10) and 2023 will be a year of victory and powerful testimonies. Have a happy and fruitful New Year (2023).