As we step into the New Year of 2010, I want to share with you on how to turn from CRISIS to CELEBRATION so that this year will be a great year for all of us.  I sincerely believe that 2010 will not be an easy year for us whether individually or nationally.  So how do we turn problems into purpose, suffering into strategy and crisis into celebration?

In 1 Samuel 11:11-15, part of Israel was in crisis as they were held to ransom by the Ammonites.  Instead of panic and fear, Saul mobilized the nation and fought against the Ammonites, resulting in a great celebration of victory (v14-16).

If we study this portion of Scripture, we will find 2 postures we must adopt if we are to turn Crisis to Celebration in every situation we face this year, be it in the home, in our work, in our business or in our career path.

Saul was totally God-centred.  The Spirit of God came upon him and through him, the Fear of the Lord came upon the people.  In other words, Saul pointed the people to focus not on the problem but on God. In so doing, God became the centre, not their problem.

If we make God and the things of God our priority for 2010, I sincerely believe that God will work a miracle in our crisis situation.  With God, nothing is impossible.

Not only must we be God focused, but we must consistently have a Good spirit.  Saul did not play the blame game or went witch-hunting after the final victory was won.  He forgave those who did not join him and also those who were critical of him. On the basis of such a good spirit, God could work the miracle and the nation celebrated.  In the midst of crisis, we need to have a good spirit and if needs be, forgive.  We may even need to forgive those who have hurt or offended us.

This is the higher moral road that Jesus talks about in the Sermon on the Mount.

If we must be angry, let’s get angry with the devil and not with one another especially with our brothers and sisters in the church.  Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 4:7 to fight the good fight, not the wrong fight. 

My prayer for all of us is that we desire to GROW DEEP in Christ.  This is the theme for SIBKL this year.  My prayer is that for 2010, “we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13)

May God bless you and yours with bountiful blessings this year.