SPEAK UP
Today’s Reading: Judges 19
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Via Dolorosa (Latin for “Way of Grief” or “Way of Suffering”) is a street in two parts within the Old City of Jerusalem. This is believed to be the path that Jesus walked, carrying His cross, on the way to His crucifixion. The winding route from the Antonia Fortress west to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a distance of about 600 metres (2,000 feet). Jesus suffered for our sins as well as the sins of “the perverted men” in today’s reading.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Judges 19:22
As they were enjoying themselves, suddenly certain men of the city, perverted men, surrounded the house and beat on the door. They spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, “Bring out the man who came to your house, that we may know him carnally!”
Perversion, rape, and murder — The moral disease of sin is death! It’s difficult to understand how God, in Christ, took sin into Himself and became the embodiment of all that is evil, all that is destroying the human family. But He did! The words in 2 Corinthians 5:21 assure us that God “made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us.” For encouragement we may want to read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
Our key verse gives us a picture of people enjoying relatively “small sins” inside the house when they were invaded by more dramatic sins from the outside. Actually, there are no pastel shades of sin. Sin is sin. It’s all as dark as the pit of hell. We must live in a state of repentance for our sin, trusting that, as 2 Corinthians tells us, we are a “new creation.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I want to keep on thanking You throughout all eternity for taking my sin into Yourself and bearing the separation from all that is pure, all that is loving, and all that is holy. Grant me grace to live my life here and now in such a way that I do not add to Your sufferings by more and more sin. Amen! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I may have many questions for the Lord in eternity, but perhaps not, as I may be so taken up in worship that I forget my questions. One question that comes to mind concerns a family I knew before I knew my wife, Norma-Jean (we’ve been married almost 59 years). I won’t use their real names. This story comes to my mind frequently. It made such an impact on my young life.
I was still a teenager when I rented a hall and began preaching the Gospel. I was also a public school teacher then and met people who needed Jesus very much. One Sunday, as I gave an invitation to receive Christ as Saviour and Lord, I noticed that Barbara (not her real name) was gripping the back of the chair in front of her so tightly that her knuckles were white. She refused to give her life to Christ. The following Saturday night after a party where there was heavy drinking, she and her husband were driving home drunk and Barbara was killed in an accident. I was asked by the police if I would be the one to tell her husband that she had passed away (he was in the hospital). As a result of this experience, he gave his life to Jesus and was a new man from then on. The following summer, while Barbara’s two children were visiting their grandparents, there was a house fire and both children died. The children had given their lives to Jesus at a summer Vacation Bible School. I may have been 20 years old when I stood beside Barbara’s grave and led in a prayer as the children were buried, their caskets resting on top of their mother’s casket. I weep as I type this. I am still perplexed! I have so many questions. I know one thing that I do not question…God’s overall purposes are good. In the light of eternity, all is well.
Yours for understanding fully God’s purposes some day,
David
Here is Station #7 of the Via Dolorosa. Tradition says that Jesus fell the second time here. However, the Bible does not confirm this.
Inside Station #7 of the Via Dolorosa.
Difficult reading today but I am so very grateful I am a sinner saved by the precious blood of my saviour Jesus. Thank you for today’s blog and continued prayers for you Pastor David and all those who have asked for prayer. Mary praying your surgery goes well and your dear husband is improving. God bless everyone.
The reading was very hard David you are in my prayers as well
Yes, sin is cruel and hard to receive; however, God’s Word is true in all details, including the evil of sin.
Thank you Pastor David for sharing your story. Praise God, He is in control of all things. Praise God for the children who received salvation, and are with the Lord and for the husband’s salvation.
Appreciate the photo’s, It brings back memories while walking there during my visits in Israel. The link was encouraging, thank you!
! Corinthians 15:56-57 “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
“O Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever, He sought me and He bought me by His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood:”.
Thank you David. We really do need to look to the Father as little children, don’t we; acknowledging that we do not understand but trusting He is good, and what He does is good (Psalm 119:68)? In Him, Alan
You remember the old good days. You got your friend Father Bob off the drink.
And you received recognition for this by the Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops.
Fast forward to today, Huntley Street is liberal. They believe in abortion and divorce and whatever is next. Those who usually voted Conservative didn’t, a big sin of omission.
They will destroy the country and the family and go after the individual. Don’t let this happen.
That is just not true, Paul. 100 Huntley Street does not believe in abortion or divorce or whatever is next. I don’t know where you got your information from but it is absolutely incorrect.
Ron thank you for doing the vlog…always appreciate your input…God Bless you and Ann for your Marriage ministry “Heart to Heart” which is so desperately needed at this time!!!
really? Huntley Street favors abortion, divorce, ?????? really?
wondering how the situation with Motion 103 is going? anyone heard anything yet?
Yes we are all sinners! No one is greater or lessor! We are children of God!
He put a plan in place starting at creation of how He, God, would save His children!
There is a song, Written in Red, the words are very moving………
I love you, I love you, that’s what Calvary said! I love you, I love you, written in red! Google the song and listen to the words……
we are greatly blessed because we are all sinners and saints, God so loved the WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son…….
Praise and thank God that He didn’t choose certain people, He loves ALL HIS CHILDREN,
yes, we all have a choice! we can accept Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour or we can reject Him………
That’s our God, He gives us the choice! That really, really scares me…..That’s why we all need to talk to people about their salvation….where are they going when they die?
David Mainse’s blog has shared stories of how people did or did not ask Jesus Christ into their hearts and how life happened…….we never know what is going to happen from second to second…..
If you wish to go to Heaven, just ask God to come into your heart and to guide you and give you wisdom what to do next. Find a Christian church and talk with a Pastor or someone who is a leader and tell them of your decision and they will pray with you……
Lord thank you for all those who have asked You to come into their lives, fill their hearts with over flowing love for others, thank you for granting forgiveness to all who have sought forgiveness…..thank you Lord for every breath we have, for every day we are alive, for friends, family, neighbourhoods, communities, towns, cities, where the Holy Spirit seeks to dwell, we thank you for everything we have and for who we are and where we are! Thank you Lord for walking with us every day! Thank you Lord for granting unconditional love to everyone……in Jesus Name we Pray AMEN