2021-01-02
Deuteronomy 11:11 NKJV
As we go through this year, we’ll face some mountains and go through some valleys. We need both. The strength we gain from climbing and conquering the mountains is what helps us get through the valleys. And we need to face the valleys because they’re where the sweetest fruit grows as they’re watered by streams that flow from the mountains. Jesus said, ‘You should produce much fruit and show that you are my followers, which brings glory to my Father’ (John 15:8 NCV).
This year Jesus wants us to be more fruitful in His service. ‘Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in me and I remain in them, they produce fruit. But without me they can do nothing’ (John 15:4-5 NCV).
God is looking for us to be fruitful in the things we do for His kingdom. The Message paraphrases Paul’s words: ‘When we live God’s way…He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely’ (Galatians 5:22-23 MSG). So this year, when we face a mountain or go through a valley, let’s remember that God is with us every step of the way.
Exo 1-3; Matt 3:11-17; Ps 90:1-6; Prov 1:1-4
2021-01-01
Deuteronomy 11:12 NKJV
As we begin a New Year, let’s reflect on this Scripture: ‘The land which you go to…is not like the land…from which you have come…the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord…are always on it, from the beginning…to the very end of the year’ (v.10-12 NKJV).
For the next few days, let’s take a closer look at these verses and discover how they can help us look forward to the New Year that lies ahead. ‘The land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come.’ For the Israelites, Egypt was a place of stress, sorrow, and struggle. But Canaan, the land they were heading for, was a place of God-given success, self-worth, and spiritual growth.
Jeremiah said: ‘Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him’ (Lamentations 3:21-25 NLT).
This year doesn’t have to be like last year. We don’t have to dread what lies ahead, because we can put our trust in God, who loves us and has a plan of goodness for each of us. This year, let’s intentionally seek God and experience His love, mercy, faithfulness and goodness in our lives like never before.
Rom 13:12-14:19; John 1:1-14
Deuteronomium 11:12 NLV
Soos jy die nuwe jaar binnegaan, lees hierdie Skrifgedeelte en staan daarop: ‘Die land wat jy nou binnegaan… is nie soos Egipte van waar julle kom nie… Dit is ‘n land met berge en valleie met baie reën wat van die hemel kom. Dit is ‘n land waarvoor die Here jou God sorg. Dag vir dag, dwarsdeur die jaar, hou Hy sy oog op die land!’ (verse 10-12 NLV). Kom ons kyk vir die volgende paar dae na hierdie Skrifgedeelte.
‘Die land wat jy nou binnegaan en in besit gaan neem, is nie soos Egipte van waar julle kom nie…’ Egipte was die plek van stres, smart en struwelinge. Kanaän was egter die plek van Godgegewe sukses, selfwaarde en geestelike groei. Hierdie jaar hoef, met ander woorde, nie soos verlede jaar vir jou te wees nie. Hoekom? Omdat ‘die Here jou God sorg.’
Jeremia het gesê: “Tog is daar een ding waarop ek kan reken en waarop ek altyd kan hoop: Deur die Here se troue liefde is ons nie doodgemaak nie. Hy hou nooit op om vir ons om te gee nie. Sy liefde het geen einde nie. Op u ontferming kan mens altyd vertrou. Dit is elke oggend nuut. Ek sê vir myself: ‘My lewe behoort aan die Here. Ek kan op Hom vertrou. Die Here is goed vir hulle wat hoop op Hom en vra wat Hy wil hê'” (Klaagliedere 3:21-25 NLV).
Dawid het gesê: ‘Sy toorn duur net ‘n oomblik, maar sy genade is lewenslank! In die nag vloei die trane, maar in die oggend is daar vreugde’ (Psalm 30:6 NLV). Jy hoef nie dit wat voor jou lê te vrees nie. Hierdie jaar kan jy God se liefde, genade, getrouheid, goedheid en guns in jou lewe ervaar.
Sielskos: Rom 13:12-14:19; Joh 1:1-14
Deuteronomy 11:12 NKJV
As you enter the New Year, read this Scripture and stand on it: “The land which you go to…is not like the land…from which you have come…the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord…are always on it, from the beginning…to the very end of the year” (vv. 10-12 NKJV).
For the next few days, let’s break this Scripture down. “The land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come.” Egypt was the place of stress, sorrow, and struggle. But Canaan was the place of God-given success, self-worth, and spiritual growth. In other words, this year doesn’t have to be like last year for you. Why? Because “the Lord your God cares.”
Jeremiah said: “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him” (Lamentations 3:21-25 NLT).
David said: “His anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NLT).
You don’t have to dread what lies ahead. This year you can experience God’s love, mercy, faithfulness, goodness, and favour in your life.
Soul food: Rom 13:12-14:19; John 1:1-14
