Hayes Press: Golden Bells Calendar

Saturday, 4th February 2012

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Do not all go to the same place?
Ecclesiastes 6:6 (NIV)

1 Peter 5

The short answer is "No". At the return of the Lord the dead in Christ will go with Him to be forever with the Lord. In the meantime a common destiny might be the grave, for it is appointed unto men once to die. But the happy outlook for the believer in Christ is heaven; the unbeliever can claim no such destiny. Therefore the believer prays and witnesses the more. Perhaps the gracious Lord will give you some soul today.

Friday, 3rd February 2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:00:00 +0000

A word fitly spoken is like apples
of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:11

1 Peter 4

Solomon appreciated a good word, a word of encouragement or a kindly reproof. Both speaker and hearer alike should enjoy such today as well. We are more likely to enjoy being the speaker than the reproved, but the real blessing comes when we are corrected. Often a word from Scripture is most fitting and we are doubly enriched as we meditate upon it.

Thursday, 2nd February 2012

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:00:00 +0000

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
from this time forth and for ever.
Psalm 125:2

1 Peter 3, John 10:28, 29

Surrounded! But in a good sense! As disciples of His we are in Christ and in the Lord. Nothing can touch us apart from His permission. No evil can approach without going through Him first. This is the ultimate security. This is supreme safety. Men might march over mountains, but divine protection surpasses mountain tops. What touches us is for our good (Rom. 8:28).

Wednesday, 1st February 2012

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:00:00 +0000

The righteous shall flourish like a palm
tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those who are planted in the house of the
LORD shall flourish in the courts of our
God.
Psalm 92:12, 13

1 Peter 2

Fruitfulness! Vitality! The characteristics that should accompany plantings that flourish in the house of LORD. Feel like you are flourishing? Still bearing fruit? Some bear fruit in old age. Others especially in old age! Giving thanks to the LORD and singing praises to the Most High, declaring His loving-kindness and speaking of His faithfulness are very much a part of that fruitful way of life.

Tuesday, 31st January 2012

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Thus prepared, each young woman...
was given whatever she desired to take
with her...[Esther] requested nothing but
what Hegai...advised.
Esther 2:13, 15

1 Peter 1

Humble, selfless, submissive, obedient, pleasant, Esther teaches by her demeanor just what we should be like in prayer and in life. If we could just satisfy ourselves with what our Lord desired for us rather that with our selfish longings, we would be exceedingly happy and bring great joy to the giver of every perfect gift!

Monday, 30th January 2012

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

...twelve months' preparation...
six months with oil of myrrh, and
six months with perfumes and
preparations for beautifying women.
Esther 2:12

Titus 3

We learn from Esther as we consider meeting our King, both weekly and in person eventually. Myrrh, in Scripture, is associated with death and burial, bitterness and sadness. Perfume and aromatic oils reflect the beauty and fragrance to be found in the One we consider. Time often spent reflecting on His death and sorrow, mingled with hours considering His beauties will prepare us for both weekly and eventual meetings with the King of kings.

Lord's Day, 29th January 2012

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

And Saul said to him, "Whose son are
you, young man?" And David answered 1 Samuel 17:58

And Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Matthew 16:16

Titus 2

"But who do you say that I am?" That is the vital question. Our answer to that decides our eternity for us. God acknowledges Him as His Son and delights to be known as His God and Father. Saul was afraid of the son of Jesse; he was of the proper tribe to replace him as king. Christ has made us thankful worshippers, kings and priests to God. He is God the Son and He loves us. Through the Holy Spirit's guidance we express our love in turn to Him.