Saturday, January 1, 2022

PERFECT PEACE

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 26-27

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

An older woman in Nazareth Village teaches a young girl how to make a blanket from sheep wool. In our modern world where we are equipped with all kinds of supposed labour saving devices, we are too busy to take time to do such things. At least this is the case with most of us. Let us create an atmosphere of “Peace” in our homes by slowing down our frantic activities and by spending time with children and young people in order to pass on the knowledge of the good things of the past.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Isaiah 26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

 

Chapter 26 is a good example of what a “Happy New Year” should be! Our key verse speaks of “perfect peace” (literally in Hebrew, “Shalom shalom – peace peace”). A double peace to all our blog participants!!! In this New Year let us take “the way of the just!” (26:7). Let us say to the Lord, “I will seek You early!” These daily blogs posted early each morning should help make the New Year the best ever!!!

Chapter 27 tells that God will be victorious over Satan. This is symbolized by “The fleeing serpent…the twisted serpent!” (27:1). Let us determine to “Resist the Devil and he will flee!” (James 4:7 – read James 4:7-10) Jesus said to His followers, “I give you authority to trample on serpents…” (read Luke 10:17-20). Let’s trample on the fleeing serpent this New Year! The result? “Peace…peace” (27:5)

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You, Lord God, for the blessings of the past year. In the New Year I ask for Your power and authority to back me up as I resist the Devil. I know he is not continuing to harass me but he’s fleeing away at full speed. I take authority and order him to stay far away! I pray in the Name of the One from Whom Satan flees, Jesus Christ! Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Our eldest son, David Reynold, was featured on yesterday’s blog as he reported from Haiti. Just before he and Kathy left for Africa, they hosted Norma-Jean and me for breakfast at 7 a.m.; we had fish-shaped pancakes and read all the Scriptures where Jesus spoke of fish. At 8:30 we visited the magnificent new Toronto aquarium, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Reyn took pictures (check out one of Norma-Jean and me below). At noon we ate at a fish diner, and then in the afternoon we went to the Ontario Science Centre with its “Under the Sea” Omnimax theatre production. Our kids said the theme of the day was inspired by our commitment to follow Jesus and to let Him make us “fishers of men!” They are now fishing for men, women, boys and girls in Uganda, Africa (click here for an update).

HAPPY NEW YEAR from me to you!!!

David

Norma-Jean and me at the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Aquarium in Toronto. This day gave me constant reminders of Jesus’ Words, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt 4:19) This may be the best New Years Resolution ever! All I have to do is follow Jesus and He’ll “make me” all I should be!!!

8 thoughts on “Saturday, January 1, 2022

  1. JANUARY

    Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak
    Frances Ridley Havergal, 1872

    Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
    In living echoes of Thy tone;
    As Thou has sought, so let me seek
    Thine erring children lost and lone.

    Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
    The wand’ring and the wav’ring feet;
    Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
    Thy hung’ring ones with manna sweet.

    Oh, strengthen me, that while I stand
    Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
    I may stretch out a loving hand
    To wrestlers with the troubled sea.

    Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach
    The precious things Thou dost impart;
    And wing my words, that they may reach
    The hidden depths of many a heart.

    Oh, give Thine own sweet rest to me,
    That I may speak with soothing pow’r
    A word in season, as from Thee,
    To weary ones in needful hour.

    Oh, fill me with Thy fullness, Lord,
    Until my very heart o’erflow
    In kindling thought and glowing word,
    Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.

    Oh, use me, Lord, use even me,
    Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
    Until Thy blessed face I see,
    Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.

    Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIal7BunHRw

    • Frances Ridley Havergal, English poet

      Frances Ridley Havergal was an English religious poet and hymnwriter. Take My Life and Let it Be and Thy Life for Me are two of her best known hymns. She also wrote hymn melodies, religious tracts, and works for children.
      Born: December 14, 1836, Astley, United Kingdom
      Died: June 3, 1879, Caswell Bay Beach, United Kingdom

      Happy New Year, fellow saints in the Lord. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

  2. “But one thing I do, forgetting those things
    which are behind … I press toward the
    goal for the prize of the upward call of
    God in Christ Jesus.”
    (Phil. 3:13–14)

    Thank You, Father, for this new day, even this new year. We commit ourselves, our families, friends, work, neighbours, and our country to You. May many, many hear Your Word and turn to You this year. Bless all Your children and Your workers in Jesus’s great name, amen

  3. Amen Rob and thanks Beverlee for your inspiring poetry. May God bless each and every blogger and help us to spread the word and invite others to Jesus. I pray for the health of all, especially for those in need of special healing. Please Lord, take us forward into 2022 with blessings from you for all. Happy, blessed, new year.

  4. A great poet/hymn writer, Beverlee. A good friend of mine growing up went to Havergal College in Toronto after completing elementary school. I visited her there occasionally. A very nice school. An amazing work Reynold and Cathy are involved in. Bless them and their family. It is a real sacrifice to work in a foreign land, far from your roots. Blessings all. Praying for God’s direction in this New Year.

  5. Amen to every comment and prayer above.
    Thank you Lord Jesus for all the blessings You send us,
    teach us Your Way so we can draw more souls to You,
    in Your Holy Name I pray, Amen.

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