EPIPHANY • 1

How do we move with Christ in 2021?

Our readings this week show us what we need to move in strength for 2021.

reading for: 6 JANUARY

Mark 1:4-11

Why Jesus needs to be the Centre of Our Lives in 2021

  • READ

According to Jesus, John the Baptist is the greatest who has been born of any woman (Matthew 11:11). What a statement to be said about a human being! Yet despite his greatness, we’re told that there is someone mightier and greater than he. Someone so great, that he is not even worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. (Mark 1:7)

This person is Jesus, the Son of God (1:1), of whom John was sent to be a messenger and prepare the way for (1:2). And one reason that allows Jesus this status of greatness is that he can baptise with the Holy Spirit (v. 8). Yes! John might baptise with water but his baptism “merely” proclaims the repentance that is necessary for sins to be forgiven (v. 4). 

This is why Jesus needs be the Centre of our lives and why we are called to move and grow with Him! This was the message for us on 31st Dec 2020 watch night service and our first service of 2021. Growth in Christ can only come from God (1 Cor 3:6-7)! Jesus is the light of the world and only those who follow Him will have the light of life (John 8:12). And as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, neither can we, unless we remain in Jesus (John 15:4). 

  • REFLECT

    The beginning of a new year is when we usually make plans - they could be financial plans, work or family plans. But how about our growth in Christ? As we often hear, “those who fail to plan, plan to fail”. And unfortunately as good Singaporeans who have been trained to make retirement plans, marriage plans or work plans, we often miss out the foundation of all of these areas - our growth and movement with Jesus. 

    In CNL, January 2021 has been set aside for us to seek the Lord for how He is wanting us to grow in 2021. Take some time to commit yourself and open your heart for Him to speak to you. Consider 1 thing you can do this month to track this in your own life.

reading for: 7 JANUARY

Genesis 1:1-5 

The Spirit of God Will Light our 2021

  • READ

    Is 2021 filled with uncertainty for you? And as hard as you try to be “hopeful” for 2021, do all your efforts seem to be “a stab in the dark”? 

    There is good news for us all! Amidst the ongoing pandemic and darkness that the world is going through, we can be assured that the Spirit of God is also hovering over the face of our waters (Genesis 1:2).

    Not so long ago, the earth too was formless and empty, with darkness all around. Yet we’re told that the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters (1:2).

    This is this same Spirit that came alive to work and sprung into action as God spoke (1:3). As he spoke into the darkness, “let there be light”, light came. And darkness was separated from light. (v. 4) Darkness became night and light became day (v. 5). 

  • REFLECT

    Are you seeking for light in your uncertain 2021? Or are you fearful of the things you cannot see or how dark your situation at home or work is? 

    The Spirit of God is not absent from your circumstances. As God’s people, we can look to God in the darkness and ask for His light to enter. Pray and ask for the Spirit of God to bring light to your strained relationships at home or at the workplace. In this month of consecration, keep praying for His light to shine there!

reading for: 8 january

Acts 19:1-7

Tongues and Prophesy to Grow Strong and Strengthen Others in 2021

  • READ

    Do you desire to grow strong in 2021 and also enable others to grow strong in 2021? Then you need be baptised in the name of Jesus and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:5-6)!

    Paul in his letter to the Corinthians explains the significance of these 2 spiritual gifts - speaking in tongues and prophesying. In 1 Cor 14:2-4, speaking in tongues is really about strengthening our ourselves. Because we are speaking to God and uttering the mysteries in the Spirit. However, prophesying is for strengthening others! To encourage and comfort them. 

    And as Paul encourages us to pursue love, he also asks that we earnestly desire these spiritual gifts (1 Cor 14:1). To seek for these gifts that will strengthen and build up the church (1 Cor 14:12).

  • REFLECT

    To grow strong in 2021 and move with Christ is impossible without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. And though there are many gifts we can ask for, as Pentecostals, we believe in the Spirit who can enable us to grow strong and strengthen others. 

    The first thing we can do is to come before the Lord and ask for Him to fill you with the gift of tongues and prophesy. 

    The second thing you can do is to ask your LG leader, kampung leader or pastor to journey and pray with you for this gift.

    Be assured of Jesus’ promise in Luke 11:13:
    “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

reading for: 9 january

Psalm 29

The Voice of the LORD that Strengthens us in 2021

  • READ

    How important is God’s voice in your life? How crucial is His voice in your decisions and upcoming decisions for 2021? 

    Do we give priority (honour and ascribe) to His voice as the Psalmist does (v. 1-2)?

    The voice of the Lord is over the waters and chaos (v. 3).

    The voice of the Lord is powerful and full of majesty (v. 4).

    The voice of the Lord breaks the strong cedar wood (v. 5).

    The voice of the Lord makes mountains like Lebanon and Sirion skip (v. 6).

    The voice of the Lord even makes the deer give birth and forests become bare (v. 9).

    The voice of the Lord also shakes the wilderness (v. 8).

    Simply put, the voice of the Lord has such authority and power because our Lord is ruling over the flood and as king over all (v. 10).

  • REFLECT

    There might be some critical decisions that you will be making in 2021, will you give priority to the voice of the Lord? Will you make space for His voice to strengthen and lead you?

    As we go into Consecration month in January, your critical decisions can also be set apart for Him. We do this first by surrendering our own plans and desires to the Lord and asking Him to speak and lead you.

    Remember also that the voice of the Lord also is heard through the Body of our Lord Jesus (your LG leader, Kampong Leader or Pastor), ask to meet with one of them so that you can share and together, hear the voice of the Lord.

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