A New Today

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until day of Christ Jesus. (Phil 1:6)

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This morning brought you a new ‘today’ to hear God’s voice and to enjoy communion with Christ. Today you are holy. Today you have been purified from your sins. Today Jesus in his high priestly role has consecrated you to the service of God. Continue today to persevere in your relationship with God faithfully resting in hope. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4). With all your heart, soul and mind resolve to do God’s will this moment and to render him obedience from your heart . May you be known as a faithful servant in God’s house. 

Believe that God’s grace can triumph today. Continue to pray, continue to trust. God does speak into every situation you will face today. God is orchestrating all the events that are happening around you. Christ, as the faithful Son over God’s house, has authority and is worthy of honor in everything that happens in your life and work today. Orient your day towards heaven for you are a citizen of a realm not constrained by the conditions of earthly life. 

Shoulder to shoulder with the community of faith stand firm upon the promises of God in his Word. Stand with public boldness and confidence in the hope in which you glory. Together with your brothers and sisters discern God’s voice amidst the dangers of unbelief and the deceitfulness of sin. Shout out to each other that God sees you; that God knows you and calls you by name; that God empowers you for a future he has envisioned for you.

Look to Jesus

What we do see is Jesus, made “not quite as high as angels,” and then, through the experience of death, crowned so much higher than any angel, with a glory “bright with Eden’s dawn light.” (Heb 2:9 The Message)

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In the middle of your life and work, focus on Jesus, the pioneer of your salvation who was made perfect by what he suffered. When God created mankind, God crowned us with glory and honor, and put everything under our feet. However we no longer see everything “subject to us” because of the fall. What we do see … is Jesus crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death for us. As you look at Jesus, the one who set you free from slavery to the fear of death, he will show you a brighter and bigger picture filled with hope.

Jesus assures you that there is a day coming when there will be a new heaven and a new earth – God’s Kingdom - where workplaces, communities and the world will be what they were meant to be. Together with Jesus you will reign in God’s Kingdom. For Jesus with joy and delight brought you to glory, to the throne room of heaven and introduced you as one of the children God gave him. Jesus is not ashamed to call you his brother or sister.

Jesus fully understands the temptations you face, for he shared in our humanity. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus for he is able to help you when you face temptations at work. Jesus worked as a carpenter and knows what it is like for tools to be dull, or misplaced. Jesus interacted with the best and worst of people. Jesus led a group of disciples and experienced all the challenges and disappointments of friendships and betrayals, of followers and saboteurs. Look to Jesus for he is merciful, he sympathizes with you in your sufferings and trials for he has experienced them all. Look to Jesus as your example for he was faithful and endured to the end. 

When you look to Jesus you can walk through this day with hope, knowing that your life can be lived as it was meant to be lived, fully alive in God’s presence.

Celebrate the New Year

I know God can do all things; no purpose of God’s can be thwarted (Job 42:2)

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The baby born in Bethlehem, the carpenter of Nazareth, the enthroned Lord of this universe is worthy of your praise, honor and worship this year! Everything you have today exists because He created it. He set the heavens in their place, established the clouds above, established the boundaries of the oceans, and marked out the foundations of the earth. The King of Kings, the Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace is lovingly ruling over everything that will happen in your life this year.

In the midst of the realities of life and death, work and unemployment, sickness and health you don’t need to keep searching. God’s celestial voice speaks to you through his word providing all that you need to know. Your relationship with Christ is your anchor of stability. The exalted and risen Christ, full of grace and truth, stepped into history and provided purification for your sins graciously offering you a way past any shameful or embarrassing moments. Relax, for when you face affliction, persecution or temptation, you can cry out Abba Father, and know that he understands.

Celebrate this year knowing that God can do all things! No purpose of God’s can be foiled. Look to Christ with adoration, as he rules and sustains everything that is happening in your world. God’s plans for you are more wonderful than you can comprehend!