Sunday 1, January 2023 Luke 5:1-15

Memory Verse: “Simon answered, “Master, we have worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll lower the nets.” 6  After the men had done this, they caught so many fish that the nets began to tear. 7  So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats until the boats began to sink’

Simon Peter and his co-fishermen have been on the Lake of Gennesaret toiling all-night. Despite their hard work and professionalism, they were not able to catch any fish. Being frustrated, they were washing their nets preparing to go home with nothing for the day, hoping for better luck next time! However Jesus, who was at that time teaching the word of God to a crowd of people by the lake, noticed them and their empty boats. He thereafter entered Peter’s boat, asked him to launch a little away from the shore and He continued with teaching the people. After concluding His teaching, Jesus directed Simon Peter, the owner of the boat, to “Push out into deep water, and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon grudgingly obeyed, possibly thinking it will be another futile effort, considering his experience all night. However, when he obeyed Jesus’s command, he made an incredible and astonishing catch. His nets were filled with fishes to the extent that they began to break. So, he hurriedly called on his colleagues for help. When they came, they all filled their boats and the boats could not handle the deluge and they started to sink. Peter was so astonished at the turn of events that he fell at the feet of Jesus crying out in wonder and amazement, “Leave me, Lord! I am a sinful man!”

Many years ago, I received a similar message. I held on to the message and with great hope and expectation, continuing in prayer like Mary in Luke 1:38: “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according to your word.” As I was meditating on the incoming year 2023, the word came again to me that this is the year when His word will come into full manifestation, not just in my life, but also in my ministry, the life of all who are reading this message, and also of members and partners of Grace Leadership Foundation.

God declares that He will bring to manifestation His Amazing Grace and Power in our lives and the world this year, and there will be phenomenal and stunning occurrences that will be so unimaginable and stupefying like the experience of Peter and we will come to surrender and worship Him and wonder.

Therefore, as we enter into our year of the Amazing Grace and Power of God, ‘May the Lord bless and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace, now and forevermore, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.’

Go on in the year, march through it, enlarge and expand your tents, strengthen your nets to receive the spectacular grace and power of God in all ramifications of your life. Amen.

Prayer: Dear Father God, I receive your abundant grace and tremendous power for my life this year. I promise to to cooperate with you and obey as you command and lead me to cast my nets for a catch, in Jesus name. Amen


©Bola Olowe, Grace Leadership Foundation. Sunday 1, January 2023.

As you enter and march through the Year 2023, God will enlarge and expand your tents,  your nets and you will receive the spectacular grace and power of God working in all ramifications of your life, in the mighty name of Jesus. Welcome to your year of the Amazing Grace and Power of God. Amen.