THE MANY AND THE FEW
Suggested Reading: 1 Samuel 14
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This is an Akkadian cuneiform writing clay tablet piece and is the oldest document to mention Jerusalem. It was discovered in the south wall area of the Old City of Jerusalem and is dated at 14th century BC.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 14:6b
For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
…It is now 5:20 a.m. and I’m invigorated to face a new day which, God willing, will include the mid-week prayer meeting at our church. Pray this with me…
Lord Jesus, as I type these words and pause often to worship You, I’m conscious that I’m partaking of the sweetness of Your provision for me. Like Jonathan, my countenance has brightened. I pray that this energy level will continue in order that I may “fight the good fight of faith,” as I’ve read earlier this morning. In Jesus’ conquering Name I pray, Amen!
(I suggest 1 Timothy 6:11-16 as a New Testament reading for today).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
In selecting the key verse for today, I thought of God’s provision over the years for the financial well-being of the Crossroads ministry. Sometimes God has used the many and sometimes the few. Without the participation of thousands of precious partners, this ministry, that has brought many to a saving knowledge of Jesus, would have shut down years ago. But the Lord has also used the few. Our former bank manager at the TD bank in downtown Toronto (gone to be with the Lord in Heaven now) knew the day that our lighting package for the new TV production studios arrived. I needed cash in order to have the shipment released. A line of credit had not been authorized. One of the “few,” whose name I do not know, sent through $50,000 directly to the bank, telling the manager that he could arrange a charitable giving receipt, but that I was not to know who it was that gave this money. The only information I was given was that it was someone from Ottawa who did not know of the need to pay for the shipment that very day but felt led of God to transfer the money. There are few who could give such a gift. Perhaps you are one of those God has blessed. We should perhaps read on in 1Timothy 6:17-19. One thing I’ve learned is that God uses BOTH the MANY and the FEW to support His work. When we sold the farm in which Norma-Jean, my wife, was born, we got to be one of “the few” one time, but every month we are one of “the many” that keep the ministry winning spiritual battles every day. That monthly offering, and the offerings of many more, are absolutely essential to the great cause to which God has called Crossroads. More of “the few” would also be a big help right now. God is leading the Ministry in new initiatives for the Gospel that need us all to take up the challenge of giving sacrificially. The funds are not sitting there in the bank to meet these new commitments. Crossroads continues to be a faith ministry. Click here to see a video clip of Crossroads’ CEO, Don Simmonds, sharing the vision for God’s work as we entered 2013.
Yours to encourage us all to be “the many,” and some of us to be “the few,”
David
God bless you, David and Norma Jean (and all who support the Crossroads ministry); for without you, it never would have been, and thousands of souls would never have come to know Jesus. The power of prayer will bring everyone to give what is needed.
Philippians 2 1:17
“If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling: for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling of disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights of the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.”
Wishing all saints a most blessed day in serving our loving and gracious Lord!
P.S. Thanks, Reynold, for today’s photo of the Akkadian cuneiform writing clay tablet–an amazing testament to the people of ancient Mesopotamia and early history of recorded writing between the king of Jerusalem to the pharaoh of Egypt.
Thank you Beverly for quoting Phil. 2: 1-17 a great reminder and encouragement!
Sorry Beverlee and God bless!!
Thanks David for your wonderful words today. May the variety of gifts reflected in and through our lives of God’s children both please and honour Him and be a blessing to to one another and to Church. Amen.
Not aware of his fathers earthly curse, Jonathan ate some honey and was nourished. Thankfully, he was saved from the death sentence imposed upon him by his father! He had shown great strength against the Philistines. I pray for such circumstances in our lives, that we may serve God in ways where we are gifted, finding further nouishment and strength as we navigate through life’s battles and victories.
Amen, David and I rejoice with you over your fresh strength in the Lord. Time for dancing!
Thank you David every day for your words of comfort and encouragement from The Lord .How uplifting ! Colleen
Hi David, When l read your story of the money you needed arriving at just the right time,it reminded me of a time during transition that we had $500 of the Lord’s money to give. We asked the Lord where to give it and the name of a Pastor pioneering a new work came to mind, so we tucked the cheque into an envelope and sent it to him. Later he contacted us and said when the money arrived he was very excited and encouraged as they were in very great need and feeling a little defeated. Praise the Lord, bills were paid and it was a faith builder that God knew exactly the need and was their provider!
Dear David
I thank God for you and mention you in my prayers daily. I will endeavour to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, gentleness and patience with God’s help. Thank you so much for this daily blog it is a real blessing to me and I love it. The energy the Lord has given you is contagious. Yes let us all dance together for His glory. God richly bless you and all my fellow bloggers. Amen