In this solo devotional video recorded on New Year’s Eve at Franklin Falls Flow Pond in the Adirondacks, M.T. Clark shares a written devotional from Dr. Neil Anderson, originally sent by Freedom in Christ Ministries. Clark explains the postponement of his regular Bible study due to the author’s flu, then reads Anderson’s reflection on John 15:5, emphasizing total dependence on Christ. The devotional includes a series of doctrinal affirmations covering Christ’s authority, the believer’s victory over Satan, the Bible’s authority, the need for obedience, and the renewal of the mind. Clark concludes with a prayer invoking these truths for the coming year, wishes viewers a Happy New Year, and encourages continued walking and talking with God throughout 2024.
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To see today's photo, go to mt4christ.org or follow me, M.t. Clark, on Facebook or Twitter. Good morning. Today's photo of evergreen trees and a partially frozen pond in the distance comes to us from yours truly as I decided to capture the view from my front door here at Franklin Falls Flow Pond in the Adirondacks after checking into our New Year's Eve accommodations yesterday afternoon. Well, it's Sunday, and I don't normally do a message because we usually share our Bible study with the Sankatis. But our Bible study author, Arthur Sankati, has come down with the flu, and so our Bible study has been postponed again until we are on the other side of 2024. But we don't call the podcast M.t. for Christ 247 for nothing, and even though I toyed with the idea of just taking a break I felt compelled in my spirit to share something, and the devotional email I get from Freedom in Christ Ministries seemed to provide a perfect message to say goodbye to 2023 and to put us into the right frame of mind for 2024. So I'm sharing, uh, uh, this message from Dr. Neil Anderson, uh, to remind us all who we need to depend on in the new year ahead. Dr. Anderson writes, Apart from Christ, I can do nothing. John 15:5 says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. Apart from me, you can do nothing." Add the following statements of doctrinal affirmation to those you began reading yesterday. Allow the truth of God's Word to saturate your heart and guide your steps in the coming year. I believe that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. And that he is the head over all rule and authority. I believe that Satan and his demons are subject to me in Christ because I am a member of Christ's body. I therefore obey the command to resist the devil, and I command him in the name of Christ to leave my presence. I believe that apart from Christ I can do nothing, so I declare my dependence on him. I choose to abide in Christ in order to bear much fruit and glorify the Lord. I announce to Satan that Jesus is my Lord, and I reject any counterfeit gifts or works of Satan in my life. I believe that the truth will set me free and that walking in the light is the only path of fellowship. Therefore, I stand against Satan's deception by taking every thought captive captive in obedience to Christ. I declare that the Bible is the only authoritative standard. I choose to speak the truth in love. I choose to present my body as an instrument of righteousness, a living and holy sacrifice, and I renew my mind by the living word of God in order that I may prove that the will of God is good, acceptable, and perfect. Father God, I affirm that my life and sustenance come from you, and apart from you I can do nothing. In Jesus' name, Neil Anderson prays. Amen. So let's do what the good doctor prescribes and trust in the Lord to help us accomplish what he has for us to do in 2024. And let's, and let's keep walking and talking with God. Happy New Year to you all, and God bless you all. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
