"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you."
Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)
Bishop Dr. Darlingston Johnson
New Year's Eve Watchnight Service - December 31, 2025
God Speaks to His People
"The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.'"
Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)
God spoke these words to rebellious Israel - not words of rejection, but words of unfailing love. In 2026, hear God saying the same to YOU.
Settle This Issue Once and For All
God has loved you - not past tense, but continuous
His love is REGARDLESS - regardless of your failures and rebellion
If it wasn't regardless, none of us would be here tonight
Before God talks about obedience, He settles one issue: I HAVE LOVED YOU
This is the foundation for facing every test and trial in 2026
In the midst of every challenge, be grounded in this truth
God loves me with an everlasting love - REGARDLESS
The Nature of Everlasting Love
No beginning - God loved you before you were born
No end - No expiration date on His love
No vacation - His love never takes time off
Not based on your performance - it's not a roller coaster
Nothing you do can diminish it; nothing can increase it - it's already perfect
God loved you before you prayed the sinner's prayer
"God is love."
1 John 4:8 (NKJV)
Loving Kindness
A Love That ACTS
Loving Kindness - Covenant Love
Not just a passive sentiment or good feeling
Not just mental acceptance of you
A love that ACTS - it draws, gives, provides, protects
When God says "I love you," He means "I am going to take action"
God will never stand by passively - He will move on your behalf
In every fire, God doesn't just watch - He steps into it with you
"Don't go into 2026 saying there will be no fire. Go knowing God is going INTO the fire with you!"
God Cannot NOT Help You
God IS love (1 John 4:8) - it's His very nature
Love by definition acts, helps, and gives
God's love will not permit Him NOT to help you
God cannot cease to be God, therefore cannot cease to be love
Because He loves you with everlasting love, He MUST help you
The only thing that limits this love is our unbelief
"God, You cannot NOT help me. Your love is too strong. You are a prisoner of Your own love."
The Father's Unfailing Love
The prodigal son misbehaved, yet the father's love never changed
The father didn't wait for the son to prove himself
While the son was yet far away, the father RAN to embrace him
Dirty, smelling like pigs - it didn't matter to the father
The father loved him because that's who the father IS
God's love for us comes from GOD'S NATURE, not our behavior
"But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him."
Luke 15:20 (NKJV)
More Than Conquerors
Romans 8:31-39
Nothing Will Separate You
If God is for us (loves us), who can be against us AND WIN?
Anything that comes against you must overcome God's love - IMPOSSIBLE
The love of God is the most powerful force in the universe
Death itself cannot separate you from God's love
Not angels, not principalities, not life, not death
Nothing in all creation can overpower the love of God at work in you
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Romans 8:31 (NKJV)
The Cross Proves His Love
Stop asking "Does God love me?" - Look at the cross!
God didn't just SAY it - He DEMONSTRATED it
Look at the nails - they say UNFAILING LOVE
Look at the crown of thorns - UNFAILING LOVE
Look at the blood Jesus shed - UNFAILING LOVE
The resurrection PROVES love has the power to overcome ANYTHING
"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
Romans 8:32 (NKJV)
What Love Has Already Done
God's love has already CALLED you - it cannot be undone
God's love has already JUSTIFIED you - your righteousness is secure
God's love has already GLORIFIED you - your destiny is sealed
Nothing in heaven or earth can change your position or status
The battle has already been fought; the victory already won
We don't fight FOR victory - we stand IN the victory already won
We are MORE than conquerors because LOVE has already conquered!
God's Love In Action - Testimony
The ministry needed $10,000 for the university gap
The Holy Spirit asked: "Who told you that YOU support ME?"
Bishop stopped worrying and started thanking God
A young member unexpectedly gave an envelope - $20,000!
God's love is concrete, practical, substantial, evidential
This kind of love will be working in YOUR life in 2026
"When you rely on His love, know His love, trust His love - that's the kind of love you'll experience in 2026!"
Prayer: Knowing God's Unfailing Love
Father, in this Year of Unfailing Love, I pray for a deep revelation of Your everlasting love. Help me settle once and for all that You love me - not based on my performance, but because of who YOU are. I am grounded in this truth: You love me with an everlasting love. Your love never takes a vacation. Nothing I do can diminish it. I will not be afraid of tests, trials, or the enemy because Your love is the most powerful force in the universe. I trust that You cannot NOT help me because You cannot cease to be love. In every challenge, I expect Your loving kindness to move on my behalf.
Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:8, 16
Prayer: More Than a Conqueror
Lord Jesus, I declare that because of Your love, I am MORE than a conqueror! The battle has already been fought and won. I will not fight FOR victory but stand IN the victory Your love has already accomplished. Every devil, demon, principality, and trial that shows up in 2026 - Your love has already conquered. Nothing can separate me from Your love. Nothing can undo what Your love has done. I've been called, justified, and glorified - no power can change my status. I receive Your love, and I will reflect it to others. May love be my defining culture in 2026 - in my home, my ministry, my service, and my community. In Jesus' name!
Romans 8:31-39
Welcome to Your Year of Unfailing Love
2026
"In 2026, we will walk in unfailing love. We will receive it from the Father. We will reflect it through the Lord Jesus Christ. And we will release it to the world by the power of the Holy Spirit."
God is love. And God loves YOU with an everlasting love!