“Take Heart! Christ Has Overcome The World!”

“Take Heart! Christ Has Overcome The World!”(Jn.16:32b-33).
For a new day in a new year, we thank you, LORD!
It doesn’t look like New Year’s Eve was always on the eve of 1st January. Most likely before the Gregorian calendar of 1582, it used to be on the eve of 25th March. We can ask, “What’s on a date?” Chances are that in some generations to come 31st December may not be the date of New Year’s Eve.
That notwithstanding, any date will still be worth celebrating the advent of another year.
“Crossover,” which started as a mere phrase coined by some Pentecostal inclined pastors, has become the new normal, and mainline denominations are now seriously competing for the fore. The question is, “Crossing over to where and for what?”
Last year(yesterday, December 31st), a carpenter who had to fit some door shutters for me told me he would do it today, January 1st. I asked a driver to transport some work materials for me. He told me he would do it today, January 1st. Some young bricklayers who were doing some work for me told me they would continue on 2nd January.
I myself have previous work that has been carried over to 2026.
A new year is not a blank slate. We crossover with carryover!
So, how new is a new year? We cross over to continue with life’s struggles; overcoming old struggles, gaining wisdom from experience that enables us to face new challenges.
The Lord Jesus Christ knows that life is a struggle. He gives us this encouragement: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
“Take heart” means to “become encouraged, hopeful, and courageous, especially during difficult times…” Take heart means “Dont give up! Stand up and continue the fight for those who fight and run away live to fight again another day!
We have crossed over to a world where we would still have trouble. But we have the confidence that the Lord Jesus Christ has overcome the world.
His suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension have saved us from sin and reconciled us to the Father. Even when Jesus was abandoned, he was not alone. The Father was with him.
We should know these things so that in him we may have peace.
Christ’s peace, which passes human understanding, is unrivalled tranquillity.
Christ has overcome the world. His followers are overcomers!
We step into the new year, not as blind actors. We will have trouble, but we have to take heart! Christ has overcome the world for us. We have crossed over with carryover. No year is an island! The catchy pronouncements of crossover night services to which we shouted loud “Amens” mean nothing if we think that the pronouncement and the Amens are the solutions to the troubles we would encounter!
Take responsibility and stop the blame game! Fight your demons and stop blaming your village people!
My friend, smile at the storm; Christ is in your boat! But don’t throw away your paddle!
New Year prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for being my anchor in a large ocean. Amen!
Peace be with you! Have a happy and fulfilling New Year.
Rev Babila Fochang.
01/01/2026.