Rob and I continue to find our tribe and worship with them on Sunday morning. We walked to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church where the the sermon focused on being the first Sunday of the New Year. We have a fresh start. What is the plan?
Be Thou My Vision was a well chosen song.
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art
High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all
Greeting
We were encouraged to stay put and wave to one another. This felt a little strange but surely is a hold over from COVID.
Prayers
I was especially moved by the organization of the prayers. There is SO MUCH to pray for:
The World
The Country
The Church Family
The Lord’s prayer.
Scriptures from Isaiah
Sermon: Make each day this new year count for the kingdom.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. knew early on his God-given assignment. He felt that it was rude to accept the notion that it was all about racism. It was hope for the downtrodden.
Martin Luther King used words from Isaiah in his “I Have a Dream” speech as well as in his acceptance speech for the Noble Peace Prize.
From Isaiah 40:4-5, Dr. King said, “I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa brought good news to the poor, the unwanted and unloved. She knew what God wanted her to do. She believed that He would clear all obstacles.
Jesus
Jesus knew HIS assignment. He had a purpose. It is spelled out in the Old Testament, the inspired Word of God, and put into action when he read from the scroll in Isaiah 61:1-2a in the synagogue as recorded in Luke 4.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord anointed me
To bring good news to the poor;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.
The poor: who are they, why are they poor, and what can be done about it?
The Jews were oppressed due to imperial rule. They were broken-hearted, in despair, and had heard so much bad news. Their city and temple had been destroyed and they were exiled. They were watching and waiting for their good news to come.
Good news is like rain after a long drought. All dreams of all generations past, present and future are coming true today.
Jesus was good news wrapped in a baby.
Luke 2:10 And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.
His feet are beautiful.
Isaiah 52:7-10 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of one who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen raise their voices, they shout joyfully together; for they will see with their own eyes when the Lord restores Zion. Be cheerful, shout joyfully together, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, so that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God.
Anna and Simeon saw it too and quoted from Isaiah in Luke 2:29-30.
Now, Lord, You are letting Your bond-servant depart in peace,
According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all the peoples: A light for revelation for the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”
Luke 4:43 Jesus said to them, “I must also preach the kingdom of God to the other cities, because I was sent for this purpose.”
My Response
I have a dream … for this year. God’s dream by God’s way in God’s timing.
This year many of our dreams will not come true. We all have shards of shattered dreams. However, we can have a purpose. We can have BEAUTIFUL FEET. We are the instruments of God’s creative plan.
What is HIS purpose for me? What is the need of the people? Cross the aisle, cross the street, and cross the culture. There is good news to be shared.
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