Though Contrary Winds Blow

Apostle Allison Smith Conliff delivers a powerful mandate for the year, centered on the theme of being "steadfast". Drawing from Galatians and Hebrews 12, she provides a spiritual roadmap for believers to remain immovable amidst the "contrary winds" of 2025.Apostle Conliff defines steadfastness as being deep-rooted and anchored in Christ. This spiritual posture is essential to weathering the storms of life, whether they be academic, financial, or health-related. She reminds the congregation that while trials and tribulations are a scriptural certainty, God remains a deliverer for those who live a consecrated and faithful life.A central rebuke in the sermon is against serving God merely to "get things". Apostle Conliff asserts that humans were created for God's pleasure, and true worship must be based on who God is rather than personal needs. She warns that when worship is misplaced or sought for oneself, as seen in the fall of Lucifer, it leads to destruction. Conversely, when a believer delights in the Word and focuses on their assignment, God provides for every need as a surplus.Referencing the "great cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 12, Conliff calls for believers to "strip off and throw aside every unnecessary weight". This "cutting" involves several areas:Abandoning Vices: She specifically rebukes alcohol consumption, clubbing, and smoking, arguing that anything not "accelerating" one's walk with God is a hindrance.Eliminating Double Lives: She warns that a "double life" has a price to pay, asserting that one cannot be a saint on Sunday and a "devil" on Monday.Integrity in Leadership: She shares a testimony regarding a junior church teacher, noting that those who represent God's business cannot engage in worldly "clubbing" and expect to lead others by example.The Apostle delivers a stern warning to the youth to remain focused on academics (such as CSEC or Upper Six) rather than "infatuation" or "hormone testing". She highlights the tragedy of missing children in the nation and blames "wrong company". She urges young people to cultivate "dreams of edification" rather than carnal fantasies that interrupt spiritual growth.Apostle Conliff addresses current events, such as reports of a virus in China, to emphasize that "everything travels" - including Satan's tactics. She encourages the church to speak life and truth over their families rather than accepting negative news as final truth. She urges the congregation to be so "tuned in to the frequency of heaven" that hell cannot get a foothold in their language or habits.The analysis concludes with a simple but profound command: "Fix it". Whether it is gambling, "secret sins," or unholy associations, Apostle Conliff implores the church to surrender their all and admit when they are wrong to avoid spiritual suppression. Her message is a call to move beyond the "excitement" of a sermon and into a life of persistent endurance where God is the final authority.Rec. Date: 5th January, 2025