The following is a reblog of the SIH 2012 New Years Devotional Lesson.  May the Lord bless you in the coming New Year as you seek to serve Him…

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In Jeremiah 29:11, we find a wonderful promise that our Lord gives to His people…

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

The ESV translates this passage with a slightly different phrasing “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Although the Lord originally gave this promise to the believers in the physical nation of Israel… in today’s time this promise applies to all believers (both Jewish and Gentile) who make up His spiritual nation of Israel.  (Gals 6:14-16).  As we begin the New Year, as believers in Christ, let us remind ourselves of this precious promise and the great hope that awaits us in the coming year.

THE SCRIPTURES:

Jeremiah 29:11

THE STUDY:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

“know” – to observe, to perceive                      “thoughts” – plot, plan, invention, weave “think” – same as “thoughts”                             “saith” – to reveal, to utter, to proclaim “LORD”- Jehovah                                                 “thoughts” weave, plot, work                “peace” – harmony, health, prosperity              “evil” – adversity, mischief, sorrow, troubles “expected” – expectation, to count on, rely on “end” –  after part, end,

Here we find a clear declaration from our Lord concerning His plans and watch care for our lives.  The Lord makes 3 basic declarations in this verse.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you”. – First of all, the Lord tells us that He personally makes individualized plans for each of our lives. He does not rely on others to plan our lives, nor does He simply allow our lives to go unguided and protected.  He has invented a plan for each of us.  This plan includes….

“thoughts of peace and not of evil” – the purpose of these plans is to bring to us prosperity and good, not sorrow and troubles.  By simply seeking His will for our lives, and then following that will, He will allow our lives to be successful in our endeavors for Him. By following His plans our lives will be spiritually prosperous and in harmony with our Lord.  These plans will not lead us into sin, sorrow or spiritual trouble.

Romans 8:28, reveals this same principle to us… And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

“to give you an expected end” – Third, The Lord tells us what the result of this truth should be for our lives…. An expected end… in other words, a future that we can place our hope and confidence in.  By understanding that the Lord has planned our lives in advance, and knowing that those plans will result in our good and spiritual prosperity, why should we not be hopeful and looking forward to a bright future for each of us?

Lamentations 3:25-26 – The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD

The ability to discern, follow, and patiently do His will for our lives can be a very difficult task.  In Daniel we have the perfect example of a King who rejected God’s will for His own will and had to learn a very difficult lesson.

Daniel 4:29-36

²⁹At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.  ³⁰The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?  ³¹While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. ³²And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

³³The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

³⁴And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from   generation to generation:  ³⁵And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?  ³⁶At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

For those who have trusted in Christ.

By patiently seeking the face of the Lord, and doing His will, we can be confident of what the future holds for us.  We can count on the fact that by simply serving Him our future will be filled with hope and spiritual prosperity.

For those who have never trusted in Christ.

The first step towards spiritual peace and prosperity is found by trusting the Lord with our past present and future.  Trust that He died on the cross, paying the price for the sins of His people.  Come to Him in a spirit of remorse with a willingness to turn from our sins and accept Him as the Lord of our life.  From that point forward we can know that He is leading and guiding us and preparing us a wonderful future of peace, and spiritual properity.  And we can know that our future will culminate in having a perfect, eternal habitation that He has prepared for us.

John 14:1-4

1) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

4) And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

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The following is a reblog of SIH’s 2010 NY Devotional Lesson…. May the Lord bless you as you enter the New Year…

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The Jewish Civil New Year begins on the first day of the month of Tishri on the Jewish calendar.  This month equates to our calendar months of September/October.  It was during this one month time frame that the Jews were instructed to observe three New Year related celebrations:  Feast of Trumpets (1st), Day of Atonement(10^th), and the Feast of Tabernacles(15^th-21^st).

As we study these three celebrations, we can learn much about preparing for our new year as well.

THE SCRIPTURE:

Lev 23:23-44; Nums 29:1-40

THE STUDY:

The Feast of Trumpets (Lev 23:23-25, Nums 29:1-6)

This feast centered upon the ritualistic sounding of trumpets used to call men to assemble before God.   Besides calling men to attention or assembly, in the Bible, the blowing of trumpets emphasizes a new beginning, with new responsibilities, brought about by God’s intervention:

1. Giving of 10 commandments – Exo 19:16
2. Day of Atonement – forgiveness of national sin – Lev 25:9
3. Fall of Wall of Jericho – Josh 6:20
4. Defeat of Midianties – Judg 7:18
5. Ark restored to city of David – 2 Sam 6:15
6. New moon  beginning of new lunar cycle, new time of worship and service – Psa 81:3
7. Israel’s deliverance from bondage of Assyria and Egypt – Isa 27:13
8. Taking Of His people to Heaven at Rapture – Matt 24:31, 1 Cor 15:52
9. The Lord’s judgments during Tribulation period – Rev 8:13

The Feast of Trumpets helps to remind us that:

It is by the Lord’s grace that we are entering into a New Year which can be a new beginning for us all.  This includes putting past failures behind us and looking forward to a new set of opportunities and responsibilities and victories in our service to Him.

The Day of Atonement (Lev 23:26-32, Num 29:7-11)

This was a day set aside for the Jewish people to “afflict” their souls. In other words, it was a time set aside for coming to the Lord in humility asking for forgiveness for sins and a renewal of dedication for His service, putting Him first in their lives.

Just as in the Feast of Trumpets, there was a  series of offerings that were to be made:

1. Burnt – picturing His death on the cross accepted by God  – Lev 1:1-17
2. Meat – picturing His blessings given to us  –  Lev 2:1-16
3. Sin – Picturing forgiveness of our transgressions against Him  – Lev 4:1-35
4. Drink – Picturing His shed blood on our behalf  –  Nums 15:5-7
5. Peace – Picturing His work brings about peace (rest, comfort, forgiveness) for us – Lev 3:1-5
6. Taken together, these represent His death, and shed blood, resulting in our forgiveness, peace and other blessings.

This was perhaps the most important observance for the Jewish celebrations.  If anyone refused to observe this Day of Atonement they were to be cut off from the people, alienated from all areas of worship and service.

The Day of Atonement reminds us that:

We have a great need to deal with our past sins, putting them behind us, and securing our communion with the Lord.  We are to enter into a New Year of service humbly and in submission to the Lord’s will and way for our lives.

The motive for both of these should be His great sacrifice on our behalf.  When we consider what He has done for us shouldn’t we desire a close walk with Him, not hindered by unconfessed sin?  Shouldn’t we desire to be in submissive to His desires for us?  After all, aren’t both of these “our duty to do”?

We cannot over emphasize the absolute importance of communion and submission for the coming year ahead.  To deal with sin in our lives and then be submissive to will for the future is essential to living a victorious life in the coming year.

The Feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:34-44, Nums 29:12-40)

The Feast of Tabernacles was an eight day observance (beginning on the 15^th of the month and concluding on the 22^nd day of the month).  During this eight day celebration, the Israelites were to give sacrifices unto the Lord and dwell in booths (tents).  It was observed to remind the Israelites of their dwelling in tents during their wilderness journeys following their release from Egyptian slavery.

The Feast of Tabernacles helps us to remind us that:

We are currently on a pilgrimage here on earth.  This is not our permanent home, like the Israelites who were traveling through the wilderness waiting for the Promised Land.  We are only strangers and pilgrims on this earth, waiting for our permanent, heavenly home.

When trials enter our lives this coming year we need to always keep in mind, our heavenly home awaits… our greatest need is to rely on our Lord and keep looking for our heavenly home.

Please note in all of these three celebrations, no work was to be done on these days, emphasizing the need to concentrate solely on the things of God.  We should take a break from all the distractions the world has to offer and take time to simply commune with our Lord.  What better way is there to start the New Year?

Also, in all three celebrations we find a command to convene (assemble) was issued, this would allow for a time of worship and also a time of encouragement to be passed from one Israelite to another as they prepared to face their New Year.

We, as well, should learn from this principle.  Take time to worship at a Bible- believing church and try to encourage other Christians to prepare for the coming year.

THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION

For the Christian….

To summarize our preparation for the New Year:

1. It is by the Lord’s grace that we are entering into a New Year which can be a new beginning for us all.  (Phil 3:13-14)
2. putting past failures behind us
3. looking forward to a new set of opportunities and responsibilities and victories in our service to Him.
4. Entering into a New Year of service humbly and submitting to the Lord’s will and way for our lives.  (James 4:7-8)
5. Recognize His great sacrifice on our behalf. (Luke 17:10)
   1. When we consider all He has done for us shouldn’t we desire a close walk with Him, not hindered by unconfessed sin?
   2. Shouldn’t we desire to be in submissive to His desires for us?
   3. After all, aren’t both of these “our duty to do”?
6. Realize we are currently on a pilgrimage here on earth. We are waiting for our permanent, heavenly home. (Heb 11:13-16)
   1. When trials enter our lives this coming year we need to always keep in mind, our heavenly home awaits, our trials will only last for a season.
7. We should take a break from all the distractions the world has to offer and take time to simply commune with our Lord.  What better way is there to start the New Year?  (Psa 63:1-7)
8. Take time to attend a Bible- believing church  (Heb 10:24-25)
   1. We can worship the Lord
   2. We can encourage other Christians to prepare for the coming year.

For those who have never trusted in Christ…

Now is the time for you to put your life of rebellion against God and His Word behind you and begin the New Year as a new creature in Christ (2 Cor 5:14-21).    None of us know what the New Year will bring into our lives, however, the greatest insurance for the future is being a child of God (Gal 4:4-7).  He promises to His children that He will never leave nor forsake His children (Heb 13:5-6) .  If adopted into His family, you can be assured of His love, care, communion and intervention in your life, as well as a glorious eternity awaiting you. (Matt 6:25-24)

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Throughout my lifetime I have heard the promises of Christ’s second coming and the end of the world repeated over and over again. (The latest example of this was yesterday’s (Dec 21st) expectation of the end of the world.)

During this same period of time, we have seen “signs of the times” come and go all seemingly telling us that Christ is coming soon…. and, so far, with no results.  With an absence of His coming after 5000+ years of promises, what are we to think?  Why should we continue to believe He is coming again?

The Lord helps us to understand this very issue in 2 Pet 3:1-9…. In this section of Scripture He defends the promise of His second coming by giving us undeniable proofs of His coming.  Within this text, He also gives us basic principles on to handle the denials and doubts that the world may possess, as well as  dealing with the questions that may enter our minds…

THE SCRIPTURES:

2Pet 3:1-9 (KJV)

1) This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in [both] which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2) That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3) Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.
5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8) But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

THE STUDY:

2Pet 3:1-9 (KJV)
This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in [both] which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Peter describes to us the purpose for his writing of Second Peter.  He tells us that he is writing this to remind Christians of the teachings of the Old Testament prophets, as well as the responsibilities that had been placed upon them by the Apostles.  Both the OT prophets, and the NT Apostles, presented to the world teachings concerning Jesus the promised Savior.  It is this same Jesus who was King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the One we are all responsible to follow and serve.

Peter now begins to share some encouraging words to these Christians who were facing persecution from an unbelieving world…

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.
Christians living in the times between Christ’s first and second comings will always be faced with those who deny and mock the promises of God.

Of these Divine promises, one of the greatest is the assurance of Christ’s second coming to this world in judgment.  A chief argument of scoffers is that since the second coming has not happened during the generations of our ancestors, why should we believe it will happen in our generation, or the next?

The promise of His second coming extends back well into the Old Testament times of the prophets. If after 5000+ years He has not come back, why should we think anything will be different now?

For this they willingly are ignorant of,
Peter now begins a list of truths that these scoffers refuse to acknowledge as truth (“willingly ignorant of”).  Although these truths are displayed plainly to man, they choose to disregard them as they continue in their denial of His second coming.

that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 
Truth #1 – The same powerful, reliable Word that was the instrument of the creation and continuance of this world, is the same steadfast Word that guarantees His second coming. 

In Gen 1: we are told that this world was spoken into existence by our Lord.  Further, we are told that it is this same Word that is used by God to hold everything in its place (Hebrews 1:3).  If we understand these principles, we also understand that the consistent existence of creation is an unceasing proof of the power and reliability of the Word of God.

Therefore, using the perpetual continuance of this world to deny His second coming is faulty reasoning on the part of scoffers.  In actuality, the enduring presence of this world is proof that the promises for his second coming come from an absolutely reliable source… the Word of God, thus ensuring the occurrence of His second coming.

Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
Principle #2 – In His reliable Word, we find that the world was universally judged due to mankind’s sin.  If the world was historically judged in this way, it is reasonable that a Just God is obligated to judge an equally sinful world in the future.

The Lord judged a sinful world with a world-wide flood in the days of Noah (Gen 6:-8).  The sinfulness, scoffing and unpreparedness that is taking place in these latter days is characterized as being similar to the unbelief and unsuspecting attitude of the coming judgment of Noah’s time (Luke 17:25-30)

Based upon the sinful condition of the unsuspecting world and its continual rejection of the truth obligates the second coming of Christ to judge the world for its sin.  The justice of God renders certain His second coming and the judgment that is to come.

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Peter once again reminds us that the latter days in which we are living continue on simply because the heavens and earth are being “kept in store”.  In other words, they are held in reserve until God’s judgment arrives.  At that time the wicked will stand before God, a verdict of “guilty” will be rendered by the Almighty (judgment), and then the lost will be permanently consigned to an eternity of punishment for their sins (perdition).

This judgment will also affect the earth and will be by fire as the Lord consumes and purifies this creation from the sin that has filled it. (2 Pet 3:10)  This will then make way for the new heavens and new earth that will be our eternal dwelling place (Rev 21:).

Note that His judgment is said to come at “the day of judgment”.  In other words, God has a set time for his second coming and the following judgment of the world to take place.  It is the “day” that has been appointed (Acts 17:31) for His righteous judgment to fall.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Principle #3 – In the Lord’s perspective there is no such thing as time.  Based upon the absolute certainty of the fulfillment of His eternal counsels His second coming has already taken place.

Another very important point to remember is that, from our perspective, His second coming seems to be delayed and that much time has elapsed between the OT prophesies and their fulfillment at His second coming.  However, from God’s perspective this time delay is a non-issue.

In God’s view, the second coming is already a completed act.  In the counsels of God, what He has decreed is already accomplished…. NOTHING can stop His plans from attaining fruition, they are “as good as done”.  Much like His decree to save us renders us already “glorified” in His sight because of the certainty of its occurrence (Rom 8:29-30).

In the same way, believers in the Old Testament are saved from their sins through the shed blood of Christ although He had not yet died (Heb 9:11-14).  In God’s counsels the death of Christ was already accomplished and therefore, its merits could already be had by men in the Old Testament days (Rev 13:8. 1 Pet 1:19-20).

From God’s standpoint, in actuality, the second coming has already taken place. It is done.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But from man’s perspective, why has there been such a long “storage period” for this world?  Why is His second coming delayed for such a long period of time?   As a part of his eternal counsels, He has placed a long time period between prophesies of His second coming and the second coming itself so that His chosen people can come to repentance and belief in Him.  Remember, He will not lose any of His chosen ones (John 6:38-40, John 10:27-30 John 18:9).   He is working during this time period of delay to bring all of his elect to repentance and faith.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

For those who have trusted in Christ.
What wonderful, loving, merciful and PATIENT Lord we serve!  What a wonderful blessing to know without a doubt that this same Lord is coming again to take His people home to live with Him for an eternity.

For those who have never trusted in Christ.
What a solemn, sure warning we have of His coming time of judgment against sin.  What a wonderful act of God’s grace in giving us this forewarning of His coming judgment.  In response the great needs of our life is to change our attitude about our sin and Christ, turn from that sin and turn to Christ for forgiveness, salvation and a sure eternity with Him.

If you have any questions about salvation you are welcome to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com.  I’ll be more than happy to answer any question you may have.

Also, if you look at my blog page “How To Have A Relationship With God”.  On this page, you will find several blog entries explaining the way of salvation.

Please visit the “Settled In Heaven Ministries” homepage –