Text: Deuteronomy 30:6
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023!
Introduction: Shoes that do not fit. Do you change the size of your foot? Or replace your foot? No. We look for another shoe that fits our feet. Likewise, New Year offers the following perception: transition, change, renewal, and a better year. But it is not the year we change; it is our hearts, attitudes, and choices.
Deuteronomy 30:6 “The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live!”
Contextual Background: Deuteronomy 28; deuteronomistic principle: obedience and curses; Deut 29 states renewal of the covenant; then, Deut 30 offers prosperity, restoration, and promises
Main Idea:
The Predicament
- Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. But we are worse because we prioritize shallow, worldly things over God!
- Google and Amazon, among others, can process our behavior to know what we want before we know it ourselves.
- We cannot change our hearts by ourselves. We need someone to do it. And that someone is God. (Like creating a new year’s resolution).
The Promise
- “conditional statement” in verses 1-5 of Deut 30. Ask God to change your heart.
- The Maker of hearts also knows how to remake hearts.
- I trust the next chapter because I know the Author.
Conclusion: Press Pause (from Daily Bible Devo)
10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 11 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. (NLT) ( Psalm 46:10-11 )
This week, take time to pause to remember who God is and what He has done for us. When our lives are hurried, we only have the chance to focus on our to-do lists. Making space in our schedules for prayer and meditation helps us to better see God at work in our lives and in our world. In our moments of reflection, we can begin to understand how God has shown up on our behalf throughout our life. We can see how he has acted as our fortress in times of stress or danger. We can thank him for who he is when we read the Bible and learn about his character. Press pause so you can begin to know God better.
Ptr. John Paul Arceno
UCBC New Jersey
January 1, 2023