THE POWER OF WORDS
Suggested Reading: Deuteronomy 29-30
(click scripture link to read online)
At Timna Park, 20 miles north of Eilat, a life-sized replica of the biblical tabernacle has been constructed. While no original materials (e.g., gold, silver, bronze) have been used, the model is accurate in every other way based upon the biblical description. This "Holy Place" of the Tabernacle housed the golden lampstand, the altar of incense and table of showbread. The lampstand (menorah) was beaten and fashioned out of a single block of gold and had three branches coming out of each side of the central shaft. The seven lamps on top of the branches were likely round saucers with pinched rims which held the wick and olive oil.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 30:14-15
But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil…
HAPPY NEW YEAR to my blog friends…may God bless you in amazing ways in 2013!
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). When God first called Moses to lead the Children of Israel out of slavery, Moses tried to avoid the task by telling God that he had problems speaking (check out Exodus 4:10-16). In our readings over the past few days, it’s obvious that after 40 years of leadership, Moses no longer had a problem speaking. Four times in today’s reading Moses stresses, “Keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do” (Deuteronomy 29:9).
The Apostle Paul quotes our key verse in Romans 10:8 and then gives us some powerful words of assurance of our eternal salvation. Romans 10:8-15 tells us that when we speak our faith in Jesus, who is Himself “the Word of God,” we truly have “life and good.” Amen!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, thank You for the gift of speaking. Please grant that we will never speak “death and evil” by gossip, slander, half truths, and other destructive words. May my words always speak life and good in this New Year of 2013. I pray In the name of the One whose words are most powerful, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
In Grade 10 high school I was given a book of words. The title on the cover was “WORDS ARE IMPORTANT.” The student sitting next to me changed the title to read, “WORDS AREN’T IMPORTANT.” Learning new words every day was truly important, I discovered. When God made it clear to me that my vocation (calling) was to become an ordained minister of Christ, I realized that a large part of carrying out my responsibilities was my use of words. Words are my trade, my means of communicating God’s message to precious people. One of the greatest communicators during the 20th century was Malcolm Muggeridge. On the BBC, he debated such people as Bertrand Russell, the noted agnostic. In my opinion, Muggeridge won the debates. He and his wife Kitty appeared on 100 Huntley Street to give their witness for Christ. He also was our narrator for “The Scroll,” a musical masterpiece composed by Bruce Stacey, which was the centrepiece of our Crossroads sponsored pavilions at several World Expos. The epitaph on Muggeridge’s tombstone reads, “HE USED WORDS WELL.” While I do not plan such an epitaph for myself, I pray that I, by God’s grace, will “use words well.”
Yours for God’s Word to be communicated clearly,
David
P.S. Last night, on New Year’s Eve, our family had an extra reason to celebrate. We welcomed a new great-granddaughter for Norma-Jean and me (our 7th great-grandchild!). Her Name is Jadice Elizabeth Patterson, the daughter of Andrea and Jason Patterson. Andrea is the daughter of my son Ron and his wife Ann (who are now first-time grandparents). Below are a couple of pictures. God is so good!
Jadice Elizabeth Patterson...a New Year's Eve addition to our family!
Andrea, Jason, and baby Jadice...less than an hour after entering the outside world!