What a privilege it is to live yet another year for the Lord! When I think of the memorable blessings of the year 2007, I can’t help but ask myself “Why do you continue to be so good to me my Lord?” Please, don’t misunderstand where I’m coming from in asking God this question! I know why he does for me, Because He loves me more than I love myself! And this by way of His unmerited favor and G.R.A.C.E. (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)! This question comes to mind because of the realization that I constantly fall short of the glory of God! I owe Him so much for all of the blessing he ha given me of which I am unable to repay! Therefore, I serve Him not because I owe Him! But because I love Him!

As my living and serving matures in Him, I find that the passage of scripture the title is based on, Isaiah 61:2, becomes more real and intense each passing year! This year is without exception! I knew that in 2007 I was on my way to heaven! But 2008 shall be a great testimony for Him! Those anointed musicians once sang “Of all the Lord’s done for you and you’re tellin’ me you don’t have nothin’ to say? Then if you can’t tell it, oh let me tell it! Get all worked up and go tell somebody and if they look at you a little strange, tell’em let me tell it! Tell of His goodness! Tell of His mercy! Tell of His kindness, Tell of His faithfulness! Oh yeah, tell it!” Proclaim to this confused world the truth about the God you serve! This year, 2008, don’t make a resolution! CHANGE the way and how you say you live in a permanent fashion! Proclaim it!

When someone tells you “Happy New Year!” what do you hear? A benevolent greeting appropriate for the New Year? A warm wish of prosperity for the New Year? Warm feelings of friendship from a heart felt salutation? Or simply a line you are supposed to say to someone during this time of year? The phrase “Happy New Year!” is indeed a proclamation! The Lord interpreted His intention for the year in Luke 4:19 ” To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” If you are follower of the Lord you must do the same! PREACH IT! This year is the acceptable year! Tell someone why! How! When! Where! And who the Lord of your life is! Proclaim how we must become acceptable to the Lord, not that we must accept Him! When you wish someone “happy New Year”, throw in a specific blessing from God for them! Invite them to permanently change their life as they know it!

The Lord quoted the list of objectives for the year in Luke 4:18! Simply put, it is who we were, what we were about and how we lived! Your present communications ( who you  are in thought, word and deed) proclaim and preach to the world who you are or are not in Christ! Memorize the task list given in this scripture and let that be what you preach! The words of your testimony delivered in the format of the passage will indeed proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord! You will indeed find elements of your testimony that will heal the brokenhearted,  enable you to preach deliverance to the captives, allow the Holy Ghost moving through you to initiate the recovering of sight to the blind, or even set at liberty them that are bruised! In 2008, let the rivers of living water flow through your  life in the Lord!