Hayes Press: Golden Bells Calendar

Friday, 3rd September 2010

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:00:00 +0100

And the LORD was sorry that he had made
man on the earth, and he was grieved in
his heart.
Genesis 6:6

But he sighed deeply in his spirit
Mark 8:12

Genesis 32

How sad to think that the great creator was grieved when He looked down
and saw the sinful behaviour of mankind whom He had created. When Jesus
was on earth He too was troubled by the behaviour of those around Him.
There is no doubt that in our world today dreadful things happen around us
and we grieve in our hearts. We are assured and comforted by the Lord who
knows exactly how we feel.

Thursday, 2nd September 2010

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:00:00 +0100

...and all of them conspired together to come
and attack...Nevertheless we made our prayer
to our God, and because of them we set a watch
against them day and night.
Nehemiah 4:8, 9

Genesis 31:22-55

The work that Nehemiah and his co-workers were doing rebuilding the walls
of Jerusalem was threatened by conspirators. What did the workers do? First
they prayed! Then they acted! Sometimes we need to pray and in faith leave
the problem entirely with the Lord. At other times prayer needs to be followed
by positive action. The Holy Spirit will direct us so that we know when action
on our part is needed!

Wednesday, 1st September 2010

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:00:00 +0100

"When leaders lead in Israel, when the people
willingly offer themselves, bless the LORD!"
Judges 5:2

Genesis 31:1-21

A willing voluntary spirit on the part of both godly leaders
and those being led will always lead to the LORD being
blessed and the blessing of the LORD. When fighting for
our God in any sphere there is no room for apathy or laziness.
"Cursed be the one who does the LORD'S work negligently"
(Jeremiah 48:10 NASB).

Tuesday, 31st August 2010

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:00:00 +0100

And he who does not take his cross and
follow after me is not worthy of me. He
who finds his life will lose it, and he who
loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:38, 39

Genesis 30, 1 Corinthians 13:3, John 12:25

What does it look like in your life to take the cross of Jesus and
follow Him? It will sometimes look very different from your
neighbour. It is hard to think about how we can do this because
our comfort and our needs are paramount in our thoughts. Even
our prayers ask for things for us. What would it look like for you
to lose your life? Start to live like this today.

Monday, 30th August 2010

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:00:00 +0100

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3

Genesis 29, James 3:8

James tells us that we cannot tame our tongues ourselves. All the
more appropriate that we join in David's prayer. As a shepherd,
watching the door of the sheepfold was to keep out that which would
harm the sheep. But it was also to keep in the sheep that wandered.
The shepherd himself was the watch over the door. How appropriate
that our good shepherd perfectly guards and watches over the door of
our lips!

Lord's Day, 29th August 2010

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:00:00 +0100

"I create the fruit of lips: Peace, peace
to him who is far off and to him who
is near," says the LORD, "and I will
heal him."
Isaiah 57:19

Genesis 28, Hebrews 13:15

Where were you looking for it? The fruit of lips, that is.
The Lord the Spirit is the source and He brings it to us
through the word of God. David's appreciation of the
word ranked it above fine gold and resulted in thanks
and praise. My appreciation might be measured by my
thanksgiving this morning.

Saturday, 28th August 2010

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 01:00:00 +0100

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast,
immovable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in
vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58

Genesis 27

The Hebrew word for vanity (hebel) is also the word for a
breath, a vapour, futility, fraud, for no good purpose. The
believer rejoices today that work for the Lord faithfully
carried out, no matter how small (e.g. a cup of cold water in
the name of a disciple) is not without reward. Solomon
describes much else in this world as vain (Ecclesiastes1:2).
It's a relief to be working at something worthwhile.