January, 2002 "Peace in the New Year"

My prayer for you, and for myself, for this year, 2002, is for peace and rest for your soul. I have really been seeking the Lord on how to enter into this rest and peace that He talks about so much in His word. In this troubled world, with unrest and violence and turmoil all around us, I have asked, "How, Lord is it possible?"

He has taken me to His Word over and over again not only to find the answer in His Word but to know that His Word is the answer. Jesus is the Living Word of God. He is the answer. And He said it is possible to have peace in the midst of tribulation, if we listen to His words, because He has overcome the world. (John 16:33)

I am going to try to be very disciplined and diligent this year to spend more time in the Bible - reading it, studying it, meditating upon it. In Luke 21:33 Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away." My heart cries along with Peter in John 6:68, "To Whom shall I go Lord, You have the Words of eternal life."

I really feel an urgent need to feed on the word of God this year. I want you to let that same hunger be stirred in you and that same fire be lit in your soul. That is the only place of peace and rest in the Lord - to know His word and trust Him and believe Him and Who He is.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in (wait on, trust in) the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31)

What a wonderful promise! If we wait upon Him, get to know Him and His will and ways through His word, we will be strengthened and renewed in Him and be at peace and abiding in His rest.

Isaiah 26:3 says that the Lord will keep in perfect peace, the one whose mind is stayed upon Him. In other words, if we constantly are thinking upon God and His word He will keep our hearts in peace and we will have rest for our soul.

Do you need life in your spirit and refreshment to your soul. Jesus said in John 6:63, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." Well, if that is what Jesus said His words are, then I know that I had better be reading, eating, sleeping, memorizing and meditating upon them because I need life.

I know that I also need direction for my life. Psalm 119 is all about the value of knowing and living the Word of God. I would recommend that you start your year off by reading it and letting God stir up within you a hunger for His Word. Verse 105 says, "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." How can we expect to carry on in these times without clear direction from God? There is a lot of aimless activity in the world today. We must make every moment count.

This world is getting darker day by day
I must have the Word of God to light my way.
To take the time for Him throughout the day
Is my desire, and for this alone I pray -
That I might be a student of the Word
And come to know the depths of Him, my Lord.

For He is gentle, good and kind
And knowing His word renews my mind.
Oh, how I long to trust and obey
As I follow Him along life's way.
And I know that as His child I will be blessed
With everlasting love, joy, peace and rest.

May you enter into His love, joy, peace and rest in 2002 as you hide yourself in His word and hide His word in your heart.

Blessings and L.O.V.E. for the New Year,
Patty

---

Go Back to What We Offer Archives