2021 – New Year, New Verse

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“Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.” These words were a promise given to Abraham. All he wanted in life was to have just one son. For the sake of one son, he left everything and followed God. He went through thick and thin. In times of challenges and losses, he found strength to endure when he thought about his future son. In times of success and victories, he gave away the plunder. There was no room in his heart for fame or fortune because his heart was reserved for the son God promised him. But after remaining childless for so many years, he had trouble holding on to God’s word.  

At that time, when he was at his lowest, God prepared the galaxy for Abraham. He filled it with stars of all kinds – some brighter than others, some larger than others – all unique, but each one proclaiming the glory of God just the same.

Once it was prepared, God took Abraham outside on a walk and told him, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be.” Wow! Abraham asked for one son and in return became the father of all believers.

When putting this picture together, I was amazed by this message. What was Abraham thinking as he counted each star? Who would have known that, about 4000 years later, so many stars would rise through a small church in Gardena?

When I made the first draft of this picture, about 45 shepherds and sheep had provided their verses. But then three more appeared, and then seven more, and another five – until we had over 70. Now I understand why God said, “If indeed you can count them.” Maybe it would take another month to add everyone who’s in the church. Praise God! May God continue to fulfill his promise to Abraham through our ministry and through the whole world.

I was also encouraged reading each person’s key verse. Many are about love, faith, and obedience. Some are about drawing near to God and others are about growing up as servants. May we all hold on to our key verse this year and see it being fulfilled in our lives by the grace of God!

Enjoy browsing through all the verses! (You can click on the stars to see the image better)

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iDantuma
January 24, 2021 9:53 pm

What kind of magic is this? It’s so cool……

I’m having so much fun reading these new year’s key verses. It might take a while, but I will definitely go through every single one of them.

One tip: You can click on the names, and it’ll open up a new window with larger text.

Sabaaa
Member
Reply to  iDantuma
January 27, 2021 1:12 am

Ah yes tis a magic plugin. Praise God it exists! I keep coming back to read these, but can never get through every star in the picture. Imagine how it might look in 10 years!!

shepalexandra
Reply to  Sabaaa
February 4, 2021 3:55 pm

It will be multiplied like the Israelites in Egypt!

Sabaaa
Member
January 24, 2021 10:36 pm

Wow I just noticed that these stars are all glowing when you zoom in. Such a wonderful picture!! And it’s crazy to think about…Abraham not only became the father of the Israelites, but also the father of all believers, and after so many years down the line, we now count him as our father today and strive to walk in his footsteps of faith. So inspiring!

Nez
Nez
Member
January 24, 2021 10:42 pm

LEGIT!!

Sabaaa
Member
Reply to  Nez
January 26, 2021 10:54 pm

Yeeeeee!!!!

Nez
Nez
Member
January 24, 2021 10:48 pm

But seriously tho…I was holding back tears as I read about Abraham’s struggle and God’s glorious work in his life. God made him the father of, not just one son, but of all believers! That’s what God is doing through each and every one of us.

And the graphics/effects are superrr cool! Great job, Brian!

Tania
Member
January 25, 2021 12:29 am

So encouraging and so coooool! Sometimes we might feel discourage for something so insignificant while God is preparing a Galaxy full of beautiful stars for us. So amazing! This is one of the verses who draw me near God. Thanks for the message and the graphics. Nice job!!!

Nez
Nez
Member
Reply to  Tania
January 27, 2021 9:28 pm

Wow, that’s an amazing perspective. It reminds me to look up and not down 🙂

Sabaaa
Member
Reply to  Tania
January 26, 2021 9:50 pm

Praise God, it seems this verse really touched you a lot. What was it like for you when first encountered those words? It’s amazing – God has made you one of the shining stars in the world! Also welcome to the blog 😀

Jsheep
Member
January 25, 2021 4:40 am

This was very eye opening! It’s cool to touch or click on the stars to see each person verse of the year. At the same time I can see that each star has been touched by one word of God. It is God’s words that make us shine bright amidst the darkness. I pray for God’s words to touch many more hearts in Gardena and beyond so that many multitudes of stars that contain God’s word will fill up this dark world. Thank you Brian for the post and your efforts in doing the graphics, may God be with you my brother. 😊😁

Sabaaa
Member
Reply to  Jsheep
January 26, 2021 1:10 pm

Whoa that’s a profound point you brought up: “Each star has been touched by one word of God.” Without it, where would we be right now? Just lost in the darkness forever. Dannng D: Thank God He doesn’t leave us that way!

Andrew
Member
January 25, 2021 8:45 am

The key verses embedded in the stars is so cool! Dope.

enCRISTOJESUS1
Member
January 25, 2021 8:59 am

Wow I love this. Very creative 😀. May we all proclaim the glory of God continually!

Nez
Nez
Member
Reply to  enCRISTOJESUS1
January 27, 2021 9:30 pm

When I read your comment I was reminded of Daniel 12:3 – Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

remfeng
Member
January 25, 2021 11:10 am

Wow, very beautiful image! This is a piece of art! Praise God!

Berto200
Member
January 26, 2021 3:52 am

What amazing insight about God arranging the stars to be bright for Abraham to see them. Great job on the making many of our names and key verses as stars in the sky. Very creative indeed!! God really sees us as stars in the sky!! That’s so cool!!

meliburd
Member
January 26, 2021 11:40 pm

Wow!!!!!!! This is the coolest thing ever!!!!!! This image is so special. Each and every star on there is God’s work of art. It’s not only a testimony of what God has done, but what he is always doing. Thank you for posting this. I really needed the encouragement to look up at the heavens and count the stars.

Sabaaa
Member
Reply to  meliburd
January 27, 2021 11:12 pm

“It’s not only a testimony of what God has done, but what He is always doing” – that makes me see Bible studies so differently. Who knows what’s going on in our students – it might be hidden from us for many years, and even from themselves, but once it’s finally revealed clearly, we will certainly be amazed and praise God at His astounding work of salvation. Looking back, I can’t believe how I possibly missed it in my life (I was so blind and clueless), but now I finally understand what He did and how it happened…I am so glad and excited to see the same thing happen in others!

Nez
Nez
Member
Reply to  meliburd
January 27, 2021 9:23 pm

Wow! Every star, every person, is a work of art! 😀 That’s sooo true. I can’t wait to get to heaven and see the fullness of what God has done for each person there

Sarah L
Member
January 29, 2021 2:15 pm

Beautiful graphics, beautiful reflection!

ikovalen
February 4, 2021 12:29 am

I thank God for this post! I think this is the best post so far!!! It is great to see everyone’s aim for this year. May God help everyone to see great fruit from these verses. I think I can start working on my key verse to meditate on the words of God by reading all of the other verses.

shepalexandra
February 4, 2021 3:53 pm

This is absolutely wonderful! There is some essence so ethereal and mysterious about all the galaxies way up there and all the stars. I even heard from someone that the stars sing out a song of praises to our Holy God way beyond us in the distance. Perhaps in the same way, all of us will be like those shining stars – singing out pure and original songs of loving worship to our Creator and Lover of our souls forever and ever. I want to be like Abraham. Never giving up even after 25 years of waiting and waiting. Now all brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ – the persecuted and all nationalities of all kinds from every tribe and tongue of all generations are counted as his kids. Truly, a father of many nations. God bless you!! -Alexandra