SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER
Suggested Reading: Joshua 15
(click scripture link to read online)
Here is Reynold examining the Bell Cave at Beit Guvrin with its beige-coloured limestone walls. There are about 800 bell-shaped caves located in the area. Many of these caves are linked via an underground network of passageways that connect groups of 40-50 caves. The town of Beit Guvrin replaced the city of Maresha, one of the Judean cities mentioned in the Bible as a city fortified by Rehoboam (Joshua 15:44 and 2 Chronicles 11:5-8).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Joshua 15:19
She answered, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
Joshua 15:16-19 is repeated in Judges 1:12-15. This is evidence of good history. Othniel and Achsah, husband and wife, were first cousins. This arrangement is not uncommon in modern times amongst the indigenous people of the middle east. What was uncommon in ancient times as it is today, is that a woman would own property. Men of God, such as Caleb, have always recognized women’s rights. In Jesus’ time, women were not allowed to be witnesses in court. Yet, the first witness to the resurrection of Jesus was Mary Magdalene, God’s choice as a witness in the court of human history.
There is an archaeological excavation 13 km southwest of Hebron. There they found two spring-fed chambers, upper and lower, each chamber tapped by a well. The experts believe this is Debir, mentioned in our reading. This is desert land and Achsah needed the blessing of these springs. God has promised to supply our needs. Ask! (Philippians 4:19). Jesus cried out, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink” (John 7:37-39).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I’m asking You for a blessing. Caleb was an example of Your generous heart. I praise You for Your gift of the wells of Salvation. Please give me grace to drink deeply of the Springs You provide. In Jesus’ Name, Amen! (for worship today, we may want to read several times Isaiah 12).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Today’s reading and our key verse cause me to think of the woman at the well. Jesus gave her “living water” (full story in John 4:1-42). Also, today I’m in Arizona, USA, for examination and treatment at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Research Center. I have appointments at 9:30 a.m. with an M.D. and at 2:30 p.m. with a research scientist. Arizona, in many areas, resembles the desert area of the Negev, where Achsah received the springs of water. I’m expecting the blessing of Isaiah 55 (entire chapter click here). I want the blessing of God’s thoughts. How can this be? Want to get wet? Isaiah says to go out in the rain. He’s giving a picture of soaking in God’s thoughts, which are expressed in God’s Words. Because I’m soaking every day in God’s Words as I do this blog, I’m confident that I’m thinking God’s thoughts after Him. The result is that God’s purposes are being accomplished and as Isaiah 55:12 tells me, I “shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing.” This is a great blessing!
Yours for being greatly blessed,
David
Another view inside the Bell Cave at Beit Guvrin.
Our prayers are with you David. Like the well waters which keep providing in Dabir, may God overflow you with the blessings of the Holy Spirit and bring you comfort and encouragement as the doctors begin treatments.
Reynold, awesome pictures!
Thank you for sharing your blessing and these scripture verses, as I too feel blessed. As our Father has placed you where you are, and appointed those who have been blessed with knowledge and insight, I pray your mind, body and soul be receptive to the many blessings to follow.
May the presence of THE LIVING GOD be with you today and a renewal of your body as you go through the treatments today. The same as we are renewed each day by reading your blog.
Prayers are with you and Norma-Jean today.
May we all drink of HIS springs of Living Water.
Yes, to all the above!
Our hearts are with you, David, Norma-Jean and all your family.
I pray especially for you today, Norma-Jean, as you strengthen your sweetheart,
David, with the warmth of your presence.
May the blessings of Is.55:12 wash over you and David throughout your stay in
Arizona.
Amen
mine is the same as all the blogers
Lianne Hogg
Thank you Lord for your continued love and strength overDavid!
Hi David
and Norma -Jean
Mine prayers and His Blessings with other blogers in JESUS name
Amen
AMAZING GRACE
Zeljko and Hilda
I too, agree with all the other bloggers this morning. May the presence of the Holy Spirit fill you and Norma-Jean today and bring both of you encouragement as you go through this examination and treatment in Arizona
Dear David and Norma-Jean,
I pray God’s blessing, comfort, strength, peace, and truth on you both today.
In Christ’s love. Amen
Love and prayers to you and Norma-Jean David .Not a day goes by that you both are not in our prayers. Dear God, please poor out special blessings and healing powers on the Doctors and Nurses at the Mayo clinic today. Let today be a day
where through Davids case and his presents the staff at the Mayo clinic see you.
Lord God you are a great God and a God of miracals. Lord God we humbly ask for a miracal. In JESUS name Amen!
M. and J
I agree with all the bloggers, in Jesus Name. Amen!
Dear David and Norma-Jean, First of all thank you for this blog and what it is accomplishing through Jesus in our lives. I pray that you both will be soaked in God’s presence at this time and know him in an even deeper way to His honor and glory.
It’s raining here in Phoenix right now but the sunshine is coming!!! 🙂
David and Norma Jean my thoughts and prayers join with my fellow bloggers!!!!
“Haven’t I told you Be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!!!! Joshua 1:9. May all those who come in contact with you see Christ and BELIEVE!!!!!
Amen to all the prayers above. I too, continue to cover you in prayer David. You are dearly loved by many, but none as much as your Father loves you. He know all the details. Keep on ‘soaking’ David!
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God in Him, I will trust.’
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall gives His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands, they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample under foot.
‘Because he has set his love upon me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.'”
Psalm 91 NKJV
David, the scriptures you referred us to, this morning, were incredible. I prayed and prayed and prayed to God for your healing, wellness, peace and comfort; and gave thanks and praise and worship to our Christ Jesus for the blessing you are in all our lives.
I also join with the other Bloggers in Prayer for you & Norma Jean.
David we are blessed by your blog. The choice of scripture and the remarkable pictures teach much. As you record your blog daily, please consider publishing all these pictures and writings in beautiful coffee table book so they might be shared with friends for generations to come. This daily fresh manna is food for my soul. Thank you!
God Bless.
Good morning to you both……I am praying for you today, that everything will be well…………I am only 3 hours south west of you at Yuma, here for 3 months from AB. Todays blog brought back memories of when I was with you in Israel last Nov…..Our guide told us he was married in that cave…..May Gods Blessings be with you both today and come away from the hospital feeling and being great.
Love you both………Claire
David you are such a blessing to us all!! I am learning still more all the time!!
How I love my Lord Jesus!! I’m enflamed by your blogs all the time!!
Thank you!! Nancy
My prayers are with you and your family.
I hope you smile about this.
Yesterday,Jan.27 when I read YOUNG AT HEART,I smiled. I am sure Jesus smiled,too.It was like a birthday card from Him.
You see today,Jan.28 I turned 80.
Your messages are such a blessing each day. Thank you.
Pastor David and Norma Jean, Love and Prayers sent out to you and may Gods healing hand be upon you.
If you only knew how much closer you have brought me to the Lord,through your blog, and many more bloggers. God will continued to use you and your family.
Dear David and Norma Jean: Thanks for your excellent and inspiring blogs David – Reynold’s pictures are also excellent. My heart goes out to you during this time, and along with other bloggers I’m praying for God’s healing for you – we know “nothing is too hard for God to do” and “He is the same yesterday, today and forever”. May our loving heavenly Father flood your hearts with His peace and comfort as you depend on Him.
Love does stand alone and does not allow anything unlike itself to enter. There is no greater physician we can turn to than God! The healing love of God is phenomenal in realms of mental and physical challenges. To release burdens from any situation, we turn to the Divine love within. Present problems are released “through Love. ” The love of God heals. “God’s faithful Love abides forever..”
Hello David,
You and Norma Jean continue to be in my prayers. Like all the other bloggers here I so much appreciate your daily writings, insights and sharing of personal experiences. I have learned so much since you began this blog and look forward to reading it on a daily basis. This is my first time to send in a message. We know that God can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. Your son Reynold does a wonderful job with his pictures. We are very fortunate to have his input as well. Thank you for setting aside the time and energy to provide this blog for us especially as you deal with your own personal health challenges.
Carolynn
Prayed for traveling mercies as you made your way to Arizona and pray for wisdom for the doctors and grace and strength for you and Norma Jean! This blog has brought the Bible to life in a new way! Thank you so much for obeying God and writing it. Thanks to Ron for all the wonderful links and thanks to Reynold for the amazing picture! Love to both of you!!!
Your posts are appreciated each and every day David and Ron’s photos are so awesome and enjoyable. Know that we all love you and are praying for your complete and miraculous recovery. Also praying for Norma Jean to be given the strength and abundant courage while going through this journey with you. What an amazing blessing you and your family have been throughout the years. We praise God for sending his son Jesus to die on the cross for our salvation and that we may have everlasting life.