JUBILEE
Suggested Reading: Leviticus 25
(click scripture link to read online)
Jewish children celebrate with dance at a presentation in Jerusalem.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Leviticus 25:17
Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God.
Here is a truly revolutionary economic system. This dealt with the poor on a long-term basis. The land belonged to God; man was a temporary caretaker. If a person fell on hard times, he might have to sell his possessions, but the sale was only temporary. First, his land would be returned to him, or in the event of his death, to his children in the 50th year of Jubilee. Second, the man or a relative could, at any time, buy back, or redeem, the lost holdings. This is a beautiful picture of our older Brother Redeemer, Jesus Christ. With His suffering and death He has redeemed us, restoring all that was lost through sin. Care for the stranger, immigrant, and those in need among us is still a priority for the one who owns everything. Most of us have been blessed financially by God. Let us reach out to someone today, making every year a “Jubilee.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, please show me someone I can bless today and every day. I know that You are my Source of blessing. When I am the one in need, I can trust You to meet that need. You promised through the pen of Your servant Paul that You shall supply all my need according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
When our children, Elaine, Ellen, Reynold and Ron, were around 8, 9, 10, and 11, a precious family blessed us with the gift of a pony, and we kept our pony on their farm at no cost to us. What a joy to load everyone into the car on a Saturday, drive out to the country, and enjoy each other’s company, along with the pony. We named her “Jubilee,” and we would sing the song as we travelled, “Jubilee, Jubilee, we’re going to that happy Jubilee” (check out the lyrics and video of the song here and sing along with us). We arranged to have our little Jubilee visit another pony on a neighbouring farm, and the children named the new little arrival to our family “Sparky.” This gave Norma-Jean and me the opportunity to teach our children about the Jubilee in the Bible and about God’s care for the poor and needy.
Yours for our education in God’s economy, based not on hoarding, but on giving,
David
P.S. This is Crossroads’ “Jubilee Year.” God has done wonderful things throughout 50 years of TV/media ministry! (www.crossroads.ca). Also the picture below brings back a flood of happy memories.
The Mainse kids in 1971 with Jubilee's colt "Sparky." From left to right...Ellen, Reynold, Elaine and Ron.
P.P.S. One more thing…in the responses to yesterday’s blog, someone sent me Amanda Todd’s video…the BC teen who committed suicide this past Wednesday. I wept many tears as I watched her give her story on camera. She posted it on Youtube just a month before taking her own life. You may want to prayerfully watch this video here and pray for other teens who may be in similar situations. Over and over I said, “O Amanda, if only I or someone could have introduced you to Jesus.” To learn how to reach out to needy teens, get Crossroads’ latest book, “Why they die.”
David, what a heart-warming story about Jubilee (the pony), Sparky and your family; thank-you for sharing.
In God’s economy, there is no room for oppression, degradation or greed. God wills that we share with our brothers and sisters who have not; and give out of a bountiful heart. David, you are so right, Jesus has blessed us immeasurably in Canada with Jubilee (whether justified or not is another issue), how can we Christians ignore others in their plight?
We are Blessed Indeed to Overflow to others..it all belongs to the Lord as He Blesses us ….
The picture of the Kids & pony is awesome…Thank you Lord for our Memories that carry us through….
Blessings David on your Day as we Journey knowing the One who Knows the Way….
Thankyou
those memories are good to hold on to I loved your story and the song.
My prayer is the same as yours
Have a good day
Lianne Hogg
Hi David I also was saddened when I watched the video that Amanda made and I too wished that she had someone to lead her to Jesus. I signed an online petition to find the people who encouraged her to kill herself and bring them to justice. This won’t bring Amanda back or bring her to Jesus but make others think twice about bullying other people.
You also talked in her blog about giving back to people in need God has put on my heart so strongly since doing this blog with you to give Him my time, talents and resources to Him and to make cards for people who are facing health problems or ones in need of a touch of love. I make cards and then I give them to people to either distribute themselves or if I find that address of someone or have been given to me I send them a card. It warms my heart to know that I can show God’s love in this way and I want to continue to serve God this way.
I was also deeply anguished about Amanda Todd’s video and how bullying led to ending her life. I’ve heard that bullying is only second to substance abuse among teenage problems, both resulting in depressed and suicidal behaviour. It occurred to me that each of Amanda’s cards, which she held for others to see, needs to be examined and discussed, to help us understand the impact and intervention necessary. In many way’s, these cards touch at the core of many problems teens are facing spiritually and emotionally.
Thank u David for being so obedient to God’s calling on your life in everything that u say and do.
I will be purchasing the book offer and sharing with all family and friends that I can think of.
Jesus is the only answer.
I do want to do more and I know that if I humble myself and step out in obedience He will show me what to do.
One step at a time.
In Christ
Mellany
His Love is so great He taught us what to pray. Pray the Lord’s Prayer every day. Keep it fresh and vibrant and read and memorize it if you haven’t already, in several different Bible versions. Jesus is our Lord! “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” Make the Lord’s prayer your prayer as well! Wonders will happen! God’s faithful Love abides forever!
Hallelujah, Amanda Todd.
http://www.godvine.com/Alexandra-Burke-Sings-Hallelujah-with-So-Much-Passion-867.html
Good day, everyone. Regarding the death of Amanda Todd; I understand that she had posted various items affecting her life on line for weeks prior to her death. This was out there for everyone to see but no one intervened. The authorities stated that support mechanisms were available but, Amanda still died. Now there is this tremendous public outcry about bullying but, this same public that knew what was happening either never took it seriously or didn’t care or whatever and now are coming forward. Well, It’s too late and her death was SO preventable. She was a child and overwhelmed with all this abuse and saw no other way out. Every time an tragedy such as this occurs, the authorities say: we should have done this or we should have done that! All of this infuriates me to the point of making me ill!! I don’t understand what is wrong with people? Open your eyes and be vigilant, people. The signs of distress are everywhere. Last week I encountered a group of boys skateboarding and 1 boy commented: life is getting more boring all the time! Danger signs? In any case; Amanda was very young and Jesus loved the children most so I pray that, due to the extenuating circumstances surrounding this OH SO SAD loss, the Saviour will bestow all of his mercy upon her and accept her into His Kingdom. We all pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Thanks for your time everybody!