TOPIC: Happy New Life!
OPENING PRAYER: Open my eyes O Lord that I might behold wondrous things from your word in Jesus name.
SCRIPTURE READING: MARK 1:1-13
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
• Q 4: Is there any promise for me to believe or hope for?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 1st January 2023 MESSAGE
The message of John the Baptist was not merely to proclaim a Happy New Year. It was a Happy New Life he was ushering in with his announcement about Jesus Christ. His message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (v.4) was one which was the first of its kind to be preached anywhere in the world. With this, he was introducing the One who was going to make this possible with His life, His death, and His resurrection. This is a forgiveness which is available for us right now (1 John 1:8-9). There is no better way to start a new year than to have the assurance that ALL our sins have been forgiven.
This does not mean that we shall be free from all human problems for the rest of the year. Read vs.9-13 again. First the Holy Spirit alighted on Jesus Christ immediately following His baptism. God, the Father in heaven, affirmed Jesus Christ as His Son. What happened immediately after this unity of the Trinity? Jesus Christ did not wander off into the wilderness. He was led there by the Holy Spirit. For what purpose? To be tempted by the devil! Now, look at the end of v.13.
When we are tempted by the devil this year, we should consider it strange. If our master was tempted and he overcame, we shall overcome any temptation. And help is always near for the child of God (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). “O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come…” (Isaac Watts, 1708)
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
HYMN – O God Our Help
1 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:
2 Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
3 Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same.
4 A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the op’ning day.
6 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home!
READ: MFM Daily Devotional 1st January 2023 – Be Grateful Always (I)
CLOSING PRAYER
Pray for those who are yet to accept this message of forgiveness.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Exodus 33:14
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Genesis 1, Psalms 1,2.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Sun, 01-Jan-2023
PRAYER FOCUS
OPEN CHEQUE!!
And if you faithfully Obey the voice of the Lord your God being careful to do all His commandments. The Lord your God will set you on high above all. – Deuteronomy 28:1-2
THANK GOD FOR:
Bringing us into this New Year.
► The blessings He has reserved for all His children who obey Him.
PRAY FOR:
► Deliberate decision to do all He bids us to do this year.
► God’s protection, guidance and blessings for us and our family.
► Grace to walk the path of righteousness as we utilize the open cheque to ask for whatever we desire this year according to His will.
PRAY AGAINST:
► All forms of fear and faithlessness that will not make us hand over our life totally to God this year.
► Believing the lies of the devil instead of trusting God for a new dawn this New Year.
Scripture Union Daily Guide 1st January 2023. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.