Sunday January 1
ALPHA MAAMA (AM)
(First Light)
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord,
“who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” - Revelation 1:8
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men – John 1:4
Alpha - the
first letter of the Greek alphabet
(Α, α), transliterated as ‘a.’
Light - the
natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.
AM - stands
for
“ante meridiem”, which means “before noon” in Latin
First Light
- time when light first appears in the morning; dawn
Welcome to ALPHA MAAMA
(AM) Youth Devotional. This devotional is a result of many conversations with
young people and leaders of our fellowship about the need for a devotional for
young people and young adults. Our “Taukapo” has served our adult population
well and with the English translation, I’ve attempted to bridge the language
gap. The translation was received very well in the beginning but just like many
things in life, the interest has tapered off. Spiritually speaking, our greater
need for righteousness and maturity is not due to a “language” gap, but a
“longing” gap.
If you’ve struggled with your affection for the things of God, no amount
of devotional books, Apps, posts and or preaching will get through to you. Only
the Spirit of God can reach you and break you and mold you into His image. This
devotional and the hundreds more available to you, will only guide and assist.
My hope and prayer will always be that you will allow God’s Spirit and His Word
to speak and work to “will and to do of His good pleasure in you” (Philippians
2:13).
The name of this devotional is self-explanatory. Just as we might reach
for our phones in the morning to turn off the alarm and check social media,
hopefully, we will be reminded that “First” thing should always be first. His
“light” is what we desperately need most (Psalm 119:105).
As we embark on a new year, let us “resolve” together to “Seek first” His
Kingdom and allow His “Light” to guide us into all truth in 2017.
The format is straight forward and laid out as follows:
1) Theme/heading (kaveinga)
2) Scripture (Folofola)
3) Explanation of topic (fakamatala)
4) Challenge (pole/fekau)
5) "This day" is Christian history
6) Memory verse every Sunday
7) Bible Reading Plan (52 weeks; 5 days)
Challenge: Set practical boundaries for yourself in
order to ensure "first" things are first; example: "when I turn
off my phone alarm; I will click my Devotional App FIRST." Build healthy
habits.
This Day in Christian History:
Jan 1, 1484 - Birthday of Ulrich
Zwingli. Swiss Reformer. First to teach the Bible “verse-by-verse” in Jan
1, 1519 – Genealogy of Jesus, Matthew 1
Memory Verse:
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you – Matthew 6:33.
Ka mou kumi mu‘a ki hono pule‘anga, mo e mā‘oni‘oni ‘a‘ana, pea ‘e ‘atu
mo ia foki ‘a e ngaahi me‘a ko ia kotoa – Matiu 6:33
Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)
Week 1 - Genesis 1-2; Psalm 19; Mark 1
