Isaiah 43:18-19

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert’  
• DAILY READING -Revelation 4; Nehemiah 5:1-7:4; Psalm 99

As the year progresses and we run after different goals, it can sometimes have the feeling of being in a football game. The first half of the year can be likened to the first half of the game. And as tomorrow marks the beginning of the sixth month, it can be likened to coming to the last leg of the first half of the game. 
Perhaps, for you, the beginning of the year may have come with some challenges. But really, it doesn’t matter how you may have begun the year, what matters now is what happens hereafter.  
On 3 August 1996, Nigeria made history as the first African nation to become Olympic football champions at the Atlanta Games. In the course of this competition, one of the most dramatic matches Nigeria had was its match with Brazil. At beginning of the match, the Nigerian team started poorly, but by the end of it, they had made football history. 
Indeed it was a match which hardly anyone expected Nigeria to win. They were playing the star-studded Brazilian team, which had won the World Cup only two years earlier. The Brazilian team, were the overwhelming favourites, expected to clinch the Olympic gold. 
In the game’s first half, Brazil scored immediately in the very first minutes. By the end of the first half, Nigeria was down by 3-1, and it seemed there was no way they could equalize,  talk-less of win the match. However with 12 minutes left to go, when it seemed all hope was lost, something truly amazing happened. In succession Nigeria scored two goals to equalize. Then in the extra time given, Nigeria amazed the world by winning the game. 
Consequently, Nigeria went on to win its other matches, and finally clinched the Olympic gold medal, thereby making history as the first African team to do so.
Indeed it is never over until God says so. 
As we prepare to enter the sixth month of the year today, it is a chance for a new beginning. Whatever the past months may have looked like, you are about to enter into a new season of amazing victories. 
In Isaiah 43:18-19  God says  “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert’  
God has seasons for each of us to have new beginnings. We all need new beginnings! And every month starts over again as new beginnings. And in this season, we need to forget what is behind and keep pressing forward to the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 
In Exodus chapter 12, the establishment of the Passover marked a new beginning for the Israelites.
Exodus 12:2 says ”This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.’
The Passover was marked by the blood of the lamb upon their doorposts, which prevented the angel of death from having access. And today by the mark of the blood of the lamb we are passing over into a new season of unending victories. Whatsoever has been resisting your eagle’s flight so far will be destroyed by the blood of Jesus. Every Egyptian you saw in the past months, none shall cross over with you into this new season. Indeed you shall be experiencing the kinds of testimonies that you have not seen since the year began. God will raise help for you from strange quarters and give you amazing victories in Jesus Name. 
Like every day, each season comes with its own challenges, but God has given us the weapons to deal with these challenges. And one of the vital weapons of our warfare is praise. As we continually bless God all through this month, He shall take over all our battles. We shall be going from victory to victory and from glory to glory. 
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to praise you all through the remaining part of the year . Let nothing ever stop the continual flow of Your praise from my mouth. And as I praise You, I know unending victories shall be my  testimony all through this year in Jesus Name. .  
QUOTE 
Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222. 
 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE]