Saturday, May 4, 2013

JUDGMENT

Suggested Reading: 1 Kings 13-14

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

You can still see the enormous cut rocks that were thrown down onto the street from the upper walls of the Temple Mount by the Roman soldiers during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Kings 14:22

Now Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked Him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, more than all that their fathers had done.

“Here we go again.” This was a defining line spoken by candidate Ronald Reagan to President Jimmy Carter in an election debate in 1980. As President, Reagan used the word “evil.” The chattering class was incredulous. An American President had actually used that word to describe the relationship between North Korea and Iran. He also used that word to describe the Soviet Union, calling it “the evil empire.” As Governor of California and before that as a young actor, he had benefited from the outstanding Bible teaching of a solid evangelical by the name of Henrietta Mears, as well as one of those she mentored, Reagan’s Pastor at the Bel Air Presbyterian church, Rev. Don Moomaw. Another one she mentored well was Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ. Reagan learned to tell it like it is, as the Bible does. In our reading today the “here we go again” cycle begins. But let us not be discouraged; every once in a while we’ll read stories about kings like Asa, who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” Imagine, a man with the fortitude to remove his own grandmother from the position of Queen Mother because she had created and erected a pornographic image of a pagan goddess. We’ll keep watching for the good guys in upcoming readings.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, the wheels of justice grind our deeds, as the saying goes, “exceedingly fine.” As Job 23:10 tells me, when You have tested me, may I “come forth as gold.” Grant me the grace to obey You as Job did, and most of all as Jesus, who lives within me, did. In His all-sufficient Name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’m working on “This Far By Faith,” a book of stories which cause me to marvel at God’s grace. One story in the book is about my last grandson, Nathaniel Shaheen, though the account is longer than I have space for here. He was born in the Hadassah hospital on Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem. A serious bowel restriction almost took his life at birth, but his Dad, Nizar, and his Grandma, Norma-Jean, took a handkerchief, poured oil on it, and had our tour group, who were visiting Israel at that time, lay hands on the cloth and pray. At least one of our group touched God, because as the hanky was laid on Nathaniel, he began to improve. Five months later, his mother Ellen travelled to Canada to visit us, and Nathaniel was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis. He was dying. He was rushed to McMaster children’s hospital for emergency surgery. As the surgeon came into the waiting room following the operation, I said, “Doctor, just before you tell us the results, take a look at the TV. There on CTS was a repeat of 100 Huntley Street. The children in the studio audience were joining me in prayer for Nathaniel and his surgeon. Doctor Walton’s first words were, “Well it worked! I was able to remove the dead bowel tissue, and connect perfect pink tissue. He will be fine.” Click here to see that video from 2001 (I want to thank Joan Rock of our Crossroads/CTS team for digging out the video from our archives).

Yours for knowing a personal God who cares about us all,

David

P.S. Below are photos of Nathaniel Shaheen as a baby and as a 12-year-old boy today.

 

19 thoughts on “Saturday, May 4, 2013

  1. Amen! Your prayer with the children for your grandson was precious, David! Praise God for Nathan and His healing touch sustaining him until he could travel here for surgery as a baby; working through the hands of his surgeon, Dr. Walton; and providing excellent medical care in Canada. He has grown into a fine young lad! Through God, all things are possible; through prayer all things can be healed with God’s blessing. He wants us to come to Him through prayer and be united in spirit as we bring our concerns to Him.

    Again, I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Mt 18: 19-20 NKJV

    Blessings fellow saints!

  2. How can we not see Gods hand in Nathaniel’s healing, given such prompting for prayer by all the children and the final result. Answer to prayer! I believe God answers all prayers, and this was a favourable result. As for our reading today, it is becoming clearer evil encounters the world in cyclical ways, but has now power over our Almighty Father. We need only stand in His shelter and endure times of adversity knowing the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth and peace of mind. Enjoy this wonderful spring day, in His presence and glory!

  3. Hi David

    Thank you– its AMAZING GREACE again

    Just come back– from a short bike ride — here at Braeside

    Love and prayers to you and family

    Zeljko

  4. Thank you David for sharing about Nathaniel and God’s healing touch.
    Our prayers reach he ears of a Loving and Holy God and those previous children praying uplifted me today. He is a fine young man.
    Monday and Tuesday are crucials days for our son and his family and we are praying for God’s righteousness to prevail. He has an amazing story to tell of God’s provision and how The Lird brought him through a suicide attempt and is l

  5. Sorry did not finish. And how God has restored him to Himself and his family.

    Today’s reading was sad but I am rejoicing in what The Lord had for us collectively for our family. PRAISE HIS HOLY NAMEp.s. Shouldbe how THE LORD brought him through. Blessings to all

  6. Hi David, What a wonderful testimony of the healing of your precious grandson.In other cases we all wonder how it is that sometimes little ones are taken home to be with the Lord. l have wondered whether as in the case of Jeroboam’s son, they are being spared of terrible times ahead of them, should they live. It would seem that God’s mercy and grace comes into play, and he rescues them, by bringing them home to him, because of their sweet nature, and his marvelous love.

  7. David, you and Norma Jean must be very proud grandparents! What a blessing as a result of God’s wonderous healing power!

    As a note to what you said about Ronald Reagan, I know this isn’t a political forum, but I always had a great amount of respect for this President, I’m only too pleased to hear that he had solid Christian teaching in his life. Whatever one might think of his years in office, he always said it like it was and seemed to always follow through on what he said. I believe his leadership showed wisdom, something rare in political leadership in any era. He was a good man who also appeared to have walked with his Lord.

  8. PRESIDENT REAGAN UNFORTUNATELY IN HIS LATER LIFE BECAME TOO DEPENDENT ON HIS WIFE’S ADVICE—–AFTER NANCY CONSULTED THE HOROSCOPES!
    HIS DECISIONS BECAME MORE FLAWED AND A RAPID PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DECLINE SET IN—–A WARNING TO GOD.S CHILDREN NOT TO SEEK WISDOM IN THE OCCULT REALM!!!
    AS AN EX-BERLINER I AM GRATEFUL TO HIM FOR DISMANTLING THE
    IRON CURTAIN AND CONSEQUENTLY THE BERLIN WALL.
    HARTWIG

  9. Just lost previous blogs. Praise God for the wonderful healing of Nathaniel and for working through the surgeon and all the prayers and the children. Jesus still heals! What encouragement! Enjoy the beautiful sunny day everyone. Thanks David for this blog.

  10. Thankyou for your report on what happened after that great surgery and prayer by yoy and all those adorable children. I just got a note in the mail about the hymen “Because He Lives” by Bill and Gloria Gathers. That applies today as it did when they wrote it. I pray for you every day. God is the same yesterday today and for ever. Thank you for these daily words. Elaine

  11. Can anyone tell me whether you have to type your name and e-mail address in above your comment now in order to have your comment posted? Thanks.

  12. With God all things are possible, praise the Lord ,I have to keep reminding my
    He is in charge of our lives, so what ever HE decides its ok with me .Have a
    blessed and a happy day….R…

  13. Dear David , Once more you and Norma-Jean show us so clearly your deep and profound understanding of Gods healing power especially when fervent prayer and complete surrender is present. What an extraordinary Heavenly Father we serve . God bless you all and have a blessed day. XXXX.

  14. Thank you David for sharing your grandson’s story and pictures. Thank you fellow bloggers for your comments. May we learn from our mistakes and turn our eyes and hearts towards Jesus Christ. God bless each one today!

  15. Dear David,

    I am praying for healing for you. You have given us so much in ministry and I know God has more for you to do. Thank you for Crossroads.

    Blessings,
    Ruth

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