Messages from Above devotional 2012

Moving forward into 2012 leaving 2011 behind

Day 1

This was shared with me and I was blessed and decided that I must share it with it with you, and explore this topic deeper.

The story begins in Genesis Chapter 31, starting from verse 3, where God tells Jacob to return to the land of his fathers. Jacob decides to leave with his family without telling Laban (the man he is staying with). Obviously, when Laban finds out he is less than impressed and for 7 days he, along with his family hunt Jacob down.

God appears to Laban and asks him not to harm Jacob in any way. When Laban meets Jacob he is extremely angry and vents his frustrations, especially as someone has taken his family idols. Unbeknownst to Jacob, Rachel has taken the idol.

Just as Rachel took the idols, some answer God’s call but wish to take with us envy, greed, malice, pride, hatred etc you know the drill and just like Laban in genesis, the devil will come after us. He’s not happy that we are leaving his territory and will do whatever it takes to get us back.

The devil comes after us when we hold onto things that he feel are his, as he believes that he still has power over us. No matter what the devil plans he cannot harm you if like Jacob you have an intimate relationship with the saviour and place yourself in God’s hands. He can help you get rid of the idols in your life that cause you to sin. As you enter the new year, I encourage you to leave all your bad habits and practices behind and head back to the camp of God.

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Day 2

Some practical steps on how to prepare for the best year of your life

step 1

The first step in deciding what you want for the coming year is to
think back over the past year

–About the good things, as well as
the not-so-good things, that came into your life.

Think also, about what you did (or did not do) to achieve those
good things, or to bring or allow in those not-so-good things.



We learn from our mistakes as well as our successes, so it's good
to spend a few minutes on each.


If you're like most people, you are your own worst critic.



"See yourself with kind eyes." Dr Maltz

. So basic, but so difficult to do
sometimes.

So, I recommend you pretend you are speaking with your best
friend when you inventory the past year. Just as you would with
a friend, be honest, but...spend more time congratulating yourself
on the good things - the things you achieved this past year


Spend less time on the not-so-good stuff. There ARE good things - no matter how challenging your year
may have been. You might have to think a little bit, but they're
there.

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So I got to thinking over the day about step 1 -listing the positive and negative things about me, and believe me there were so many negatives. This made me contemplate on the passages in Romans3:23 which states that 'ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God' and Isaiah 64:6 which states how 'all our righteous acts are as filthy rags' in the sight of God. These texts were sort of depressing in a way because at a first glance they would make one feel as though no matter what, everything that is done will never be good enough for God. But thankfully in Isaiah 1:18 God promises that even though my sins may be 'red as scarlet they shall be as white as snow'. No matter what I do I am not condemned but through Jesus I can be saved John 3:18. All I need to do is firstly have faith or believe in Jesus Christ as my personal saviour and redeemer(acts 16:31) and that the only way to be saved is through Him (john 14:6) . It is God's grace that saves me not my own greatness or capabilities (ephesians 2:8) and because of this when I accept Christ. I can rest assured that I am a 'new creature' 2 Corinthians 5:17. All the negatives on my list can be gotten rid of even instantaneously if I place my life in God's hands he can make all things new.