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As we depart from the year 2020A.D. in which we all experienced the most challenging turmoil ever seen by most, let it not be said that we have not learned anything from such a time as this; but rather let us look forward into a new year understanding that since God has allowed us to continue on thus far, He also has done this for a purpose yet to be revealed to us in the coming days.
Let us continually learn the joys of “Unwrapping The Perfect Gift”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Isaiah 30:18 – 21 (KJV)
Isa 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
Isa 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.
Isa 30:20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:
Isa 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 1Peter 2:1 – 10 (KJV)
1Pe 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1Pe 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) The message of the Old Testament Prophets about the gift of God to His chosen people is concealed within prophecy which foretold of Jesus the Messiah, Who was promised to come and through His perfect righteousness which would be given as a gift from God to His chosen, their fallen lives would be transformed from day to day through their continual fellowship with God’s Holy Spirit, as mentioned here in Isaiah.
2) The redeemed are the people whom God has chosen and called, and gifted them with faith in His Son and has made provision through Jesus the Christ, for the purpose of granting them faith to trust His Son Jesus The Messiah, Who provides them with His Holy Spirit to be an “on board” Teacher, Who provides conviction, comfort, spiritual understanding, intercessory prayers, and Biblical understanding to promote construction of the new life to which we have been called.
3) The Apostle Peter writes a list of spiritual goals for all believers to eliminate from their lifestyles as a result of having received God’s adoption through the process of “Having been born again” and filled with the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to guide us from wherever we are to become more Christ like from day to day. The Apostle Paul concurs with Peter (and all the other NT writers) as he wrote to the Romans in chapter 12:1-3
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.