Nina Smit - Everyday a New Beginning

EVERY DAY A NEW BEGINNING

Compiled from Liefde in oorvloed (1993), Liefde sonder grense (1995), n Renboog van genade (1997) and The Nina Smit Collection (2003) published by Struik Christian Books, Cape Town 8001.

Published in 2013 by Struik Inspirational Gifts

New Holland Publishing (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd

(New Holland Publishing is a subsidiary of Times Media Group)

First Floor, Wembley Square

Solan Street, Gardens

Cape Town 8001

Reg. No. 1971/009721/07

Text Nina Smit 1993, 1995, 1997, 2003

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible,
New International Version 1984, International Bible Society.
Scriptures marked NLT taken from the The Holy Bible, New Living Translation 2003, Tyndale House Publishers.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Project management by Reinata Thirion Compilation by Lana Coetzee

Translation of 1 January to 14 August by Marissa Robson

Translation of 15 August to 31 December by Danl Hanekom

DTP design by Monique Botma

DTP by Sarah Butler

Cover design by Monique Botma

Images from Shutterstock

978-1-4153-2391-5 (Print)

978-1-4153-2180-5 (epub)

978-1-4153-2181-2 (PDF)

www.struikinspirationalgifts.co.za

January

1 JANUARY

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

EPHESIANS 5:1516

G od has given you this day and it is the only thing under your control. Yesterday is gone, and there may not be any tomorrows ahead of you, but you still have today to in which to live a full life doing Gods will. Today is a one-time opportunity. You will never get it back, and you may not get a chance tomorrow, to do the things you put off today.

2 JANUARY

The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me a prayer to the God of my life.

PSALM 42:8

T he psalmist was really miserable when he wrote this psalm, but he still put his faith in God. He thinks of all the times in which God helped him through critical situations and asks the Lord to make it possible for him to sing his praises through the dark night of the soul. Are you in trouble right now? Ask the Lord to make it possible for you to sing his praises through the night, no matter what your circumstances.

3 JANUARY

Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food... Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

HABAKKUK 3:1718

I ts very difficult to praise the Lord when you are surrounded by darkness. It can feel as though He has forgotten you; as though He is not hearing your prayers ... but it is possible to praise God, even when everything is going wrong. The secret is to keep hoping and trusting in Him, even when there is darkness all around you, even when you cannot fathom the mysteries He sends your way.

4 JANUARY

Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.

ACTS 13:13

T he impulsive John Mark really wanted to do the right thing, but he had a tendency to give up too easily. When Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane he ran away so fast that he left his clothes behind (Mark 14:5152) and when Paul and Barnabas took him on their first mission, he abandoned them in Perge (Acts 13:13). Barnabas, however, patiently stood by him despite his initial failure as a missionary. And through Barnabas patient involvement, he became a powerful collaborator in Jesus kingdom. Jesus turns absconders into allies.

5 JANUARY

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.

2 TIMOTHY 4:11

S ometimes you want to do the right thing, but you find it very difficult to persevere in the Lords work. Maybe youve started a mission enthusiastically, only to lose heart and abandon it when you didnt see immediate results.

If this sounds familiar, then you can learn from your mistakes, as Mark did. You can get excited about Jesus again as long as you let Him turn your life around.

Wouldnt you love to do something meaningful that will show the people around you how wonderful Jesus is?

6 JANUARY

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it, When you have it with you.

PROVERBS 3:2728

H eavenly Father, thank you for giving me the chance dedicate myself to using every opportunity You give me, to the best of my ability. Show me what You want me to do for You today and Lord, if there is something I can do for someone else, help me not to put it off. Teach me to use my time wisely and to adjust my priorities so that I can make the best of every hour of every day I ask this in your Name. Amen.

7 JANUARY

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

PSALM 143:10

A friend of mine spent four days with a Quaker family when she visited America. Their simple lifestyle made a huge impression on her. They live modestly, according to the guidelines given in Gods Word. They prioritise family and God. Material possessions are meaningless to them. Why not try making this your motto so that your family can become a living picture of Gods grace?

8 JANUARY

Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

1 TIMOTHY 6:1819

W e so seldom perform random good deeds for one another that everyone is astonished when it does happen. Lets make a point of sharing an indiscriminate act of kindness with a friend or stranger today. Lets do it without thinking about it; without expecting financial gain or any other kind of benefit. Lets just do it because we feel like doing it. God has asked us, in so many words, to be rich in good deeds, generosity and compassion ... dont procrastinate!

9 JANUARY

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

MATTHEW 5:16

T he impressive Roman Catholic cathedrals around Europe and Britain all have places where believers can buy candles to light while they are praying. But the world would be a much better place if Christians lit spiritual candles by praying for each other. In fact, Jesus wants his followers to be willing to serve and pray for each other, just as He was. That is how we ourselves become candles; candles that burn brightly for the God who loves us. Candles that attract peoples attention and show them the way to the light of the world.

10 JANUARY

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

MARK 11:24

A re you struggling to get your prayers answered at the moment? Trust God. He can answer every one of your prayers; and He wants to ... but there are also two things that you can do: First, make sure that your personal relationship with Him is good, and then guard against putting your own desires above Him. He always hears his children when they speak to Him ... hears and answers. And He moves while you are still praying, even if He makes you wait for an answer.