OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL..
DATE : SUNDAY 1 JANUARY 2017
THEME : STARTING A NEW YEAR
Memorise :
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8
Read : Job 8:5-7
5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
Message
Welcome to this New Year! It is always good to experience something pleasantly new. At the dawn of a new year, hopes are renewed, aspirations are born and expectation are high. But when the ups and downs of life take their toil in the course of the year, many people are able to sustain the zeal and zest that they started the year with. Does this sound familiar? For some, it appears as if the events they experience in the course of a year are set up to completely dash their hopes. If this has been your experience, it shall be different this time around in the mighty Name of Jesus .
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11
As you take in the fresh New Year breeze, know for sure that God has something great in store for you which will unfold in the course of this year. Something huge is coming your way, so let your hope be fixed on the Lord. God wants you to end this year big and great, and to have your heart overflowing with joy. Remember that in the Kingdom of God, the end of a thing is always of greater significance than its beginning. Hence, the Holy Ghost in Job 8:7 said:
"Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase."
Because some people start a new year with little or nothing, they don't expect anything great to come their way that year. If you find yourself in a such situation, know that if you settle some key issues in your life, you can be assured of a greater, bigger and glorious year. First, start the year with God (Proverbs 8:17). If you still living in sin, the greatest way to start this year is by going on your kneels, confessing your sins to God, asking for His forgiveness and inviting Jesus Christ to be your captain and pilot from now onwards. Also, you need to cultivate a personal relationship with God by studying the Bible regularly, fellowshipping with others in Bible believing church, worshipping God and taking time to pray on a daily basis. In addition, daily ask God for direction, wait to receive it, and be sure to follow as he leads. Utilise all opportunities that come your way and give your best to God and His work. If You do all these, I assure you this year will end very well for you.
Action Point :
Thank God for gaining you access to this New Year. Let your thanksgiving be a daily offering to God this year.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Mathew 1-3 and Isaiah 1:1-17
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN : MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
1: My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior Divine;
Now hear me while I pray;
Take all my guilt away;
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine.
2: May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire;
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire.
3:While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my Guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
4: When life's swift race is run,
Death's cold work almost done,
Be near to me.
Blest Saviour, then, in love
Fear and distrust remove.
O bear me safe above,
Redeemed and free!
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