Friday, February 8, 2013

MIGHTY MAN OF VALOUR

Suggested Reading: Judges 6

(click scripture link to read online)

 

Some of the excavations from the tel of Jericho show the foundation of an old tower and walls. The Tower of Jericho is an 8.5-metre-tall (28 ft) stone structure. Regular readers will remember "The Palace of Eglon" and the fact that Jericho was rebuilt by the Midianites who were still settled here at the time of Gideon.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Judges 6:12

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour!”

When God calls a person to service, He chooses someone who is humble and has a heart to serve others. That person, genuinely called of God, will be sensitive to God’s leading day by day. It has been said that God is not looking for ability, but availability. He often equips the most unlikely people for His purposes, great and small. God uses people who are willing to risk everything for the cause of God. Gideon did this when he destroyed the altar of Baal and the image which his own father had built. When Gideon built an altar to the Lord and burned the wooden image under the sacrifice to the true God, he established his leadership. He was also very human and needed confirmation from God. The sign of the wet and dry fleece gave him additional confidence.

The God-called leadership of the Church was confirmed with signs of God’s presence. In Acts chapter 2:42-47 we read of God’s confirmation of His call on the lives of the Apostles. The sign which indicated God’s call on Gideon was that the people supported him. When we recognize the call of God on someone’s life, we need to support that person in any way we can.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, help me to find ways to support those You have genuinely called into some form of leadership in Your cause. I know I can’t support everyone, therefore guide me in knowing where to put my support. Bless my Pastor and in particular those who are effective in bringing new people into a relationship with You, O God. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When the Roman Catholic Bishop of Calgary, Bishop Henry, took a strong stand in favour of “one man, one woman” marriage, he was maligned terribly by those who opposed his stand. I called him on the telephone and my first words were a quote from the angel who appeared to Gideon. I quoted the old translation of the words found in Judges 6:12, “Hail, thou mighty man of valour.” He laughed and so did I. He encouraged me in my campaign to see marriage retained as it had been throughout human history. We lost that battle in the House of Commons and in the Senate of Canada. I received a call from the then Prime Minister, Paul Martin, who wanted to thank me for a book I had sent him. It was kind of him to call. However, the conversation went downhill when I said something to this effect. “Sir, you have led Canada in a direction which will eventually prove to be most destructive to the human family…one man, one woman, and the children to whom they give birth.” I believed then and still believe that to be true. I love people and therefore I want only what I believe would be best for everyone. I believe I’m following Jesus in this. Check out Matthew 19:4-6. I believe that the greatest evil is the unspeakably cruel act of tearing a little life apart in the womb. It’s called “abortion.” Millions of little lives are being destroyed. May God have mercy on us! Amen!

Yours to encourage all who serve the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to take a stand for what is right in God’s eyes,

David

 

Here is a view from the tell of Jericho and some of the modern town of Jericho and in the distance is the Mount of Temptation.

Here is a view from the tel of Jericho showing some of the modern town of Jericho. In the distance is the traditional Mount of Temptation, where Jesus was tempted by Satan following His baptism in the Jordan, not far east of here.

19 thoughts on “Friday, February 8, 2013

    • Hello David:
      I’ve copied the quote from the former Prime Minister Paul Martin from today’s blog. I’ve read it over several times and it appears that he is condemning the work that you had done. Is that what is intended here?

  1. Good snowy morning to all. May God keep those safe who MUST travel.
    Thank ou David for today’s reading and may we all be reminded that obeying and listening to what and where the Spirit leads is the only way to abide in THE LORD.

    Our GOD is so faithful and never leaves us even when we falter on our journey.when we cry out o Him He hears!

  2. Yes, MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US, Same sex marriages, abortions, children being sexually abused by family members, by leaders, mothers abandoning their children, there is just no end to the madness. Why don’t people see that this is not GOD’ S work this is Satan and we must rebuke him. I pray that you will continue to speak God’s word, especially to people that are in power, that you will be successful in making HIS light shine. Bless you David.

  3. A young teen who has been violently raped and becomes pregnant, detesting the very growth inside her. Yet, this growth is an unborn child. A young boy who grows into a young man and has absolutely no sexual interest in females, but is inclined sexually towards males only. He becomes severely depressed and at risk by his orientation. May they experience a loving relationship with our Saviour, aided by loving Christians who are helpful and understanding of the conflict they are experiencing.

  4. Thank you for your courage as well David in standing up for what/ who we believe in
    If you do have to travel today I pray for protection and saftey. As well as healing.
    Lianne Hogg

  5. This chapter of Judges is a great encouragement chapter. Following your blog causes me to read scriptures that i haven’t read for years, in some cases. Thanks be to God for your courage, which i’m sure comes from many years of faithful following. May God empower you to keep up the good work in Jesus’ name

  6. I, too, loved this chapter in Judges.The Angel of the Lord, with Gideon shows, when the Lord has called us, we must simply trust in Him to lead us. The Lord is with us, oh mighty women and men of valor!

    Thanks, David, for another great message. Wishing everyone a warm, cozy, and safe day!

  7. As I sit here in my warm kitchen, looking outside at the snowstorm we are having, I am glad I do not have to travel anywhere today. For those who must travel, may the Lord be with you and keep you safe.
    Excellent thoughts today Pastor David and very thought provoking – we must individually take a stand for what is right!!!
    Everyone have a great day today and God Bless

  8. Thank you for your courage, David and your love for Canada and its people. We, as Christians were supporting you in prayer at that time. God also called two courageous people, Deborah and Gideon during this dark side of Israel’s history. God bless you all.

  9. Happy SNOW DAY everyone! I am so pleased to receive your blog every morning, David. So many nuggets of truth that you dig up and bring to us. The more time you spend with God, the better you get to know Him. It is evident that you have spent much time in HIS PRESENCE and I pray that would be true in my life as well as in the lives of your fellow bloggers. Many of us are housebound today because of the snow so this is a perfect time to spend in His Word and His Presence!

  10. Our prayers and our hearts lift you up daily, Pastor David. May God’s hand of healing and blessings be with you and through you and your family. WE truly love you and the work of God in you and through you and the team of Crossroads360.
    How many gods we have in our great country, Canada. What would happen to us today if we went around as Christians, destroying “baal” idols as Gideon did? Our forefathers knew to study daily as families, the living Word of our God. Their thoughts and actions were of a Godly lifestyle. Isaiah 26:16-20 sadly and truthfully tells us: “Lord, they came to You in their distress; when You disciplined them, they could barely whisper a prayer. As a woman with child and about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain, so were we in Your presence, O LORD. We were with child, we writhed in pain, but we gave birth to wind. We have not brought salvation to the earth; we have not given birth to people of the world. But Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.
    Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until His wrath has passed by. See, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed upon her; she will conceal her slain no longer.” We who are Christians can not stay silent any longer. We must follow the Holy Spirit as He leads us in His paths of righteousness. This country must remain Godly, until He comes for His Church. Thank you so much for 100Words, Pastor David.
    Bill

  11. Hi David, You may remember me from your visit to First Assembly Church in Calgary, Alberta in May or June. My last name is Bray and you asked if we were related to someone at 100 Huntly Street with the same last name. What perfect timing for todays blog. I was at a luncheon at South Calgary Community Church today and the speaker was Bishop Henry. I spoke to him about your blog, and he laughed, when I said “Mighty man of Valor”, and I mentioned your name. He is an excellent speaker. We are enjoying your daily blog and are continuing to pray for you. Blessings, Albert and Julia Bray

  12. The Bible is full of examples of men and women of God’s choosing who were called to step-up to the challenges of the day. I pray that the Holy Spirit continues to touch and to influence those who He calls, and that they seek His voice and wisdom in all they say and do. In Jesus’ name. Almen.

  13. Thank you David for your words of encouragement, we need to stand tall and strong for the word of God today. Always with love and understanding and staying true to the precious word of God . Your life and this blog are a great inspiration David.
    Praying always for your health and strength and for family.

  14. Thank you to Bishop Henry, yourself, and many mighty men and women of valour who fought to retain the definition of marriage, even though that battle was lost in the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada. God bless Crossroads Communication for their love of God and their love of people. – Shirley Falconer

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