RELIGION AND TRUTH
Suggested Reading: 2 Kings 15-16
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
In Rome stands a national monument known as the Altar of the Fatherland, honouring Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy. It is a very impressive sight to see. As in today's reading, the kings of history come and go, but not the King of Kings. He remains forever!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Kings 16:14
He also brought the bronze altar which was before the Lord, from the front of the temple–from between the new altar and the house of the Lord–and put it on the north side of the new altar.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I pray for a daily illumination of truth from the Scriptures I am reading. Grant me that I may always find Your Person revealed clearly to my understanding. Keep me true to You in my thoughts, words, and deeds. In Your Name I ask these mercies, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I mentioned yesterday that I would tell the story of what happened to my Arab son-in-law, Nizar Shaheen, in Gath Hepher, modern day Mishad, the ancestral home of the prophet Jonah. Today, it is a Muslim village, located between Nazareth and Cana.
Nizar’s brothers are stone masons from Cana and are much in demand. Nizar was a student at the University of Haifa while his oldest brother had the contract to build a new mosque in Mishad. While helping his brother, Nizar fell from the top of the mosque and should’ve been killed. He said that he felt that he was being turned as he fell, by unseen hands. He landed on his hands and feet in the only place on the ground which was clear of stones and pieces of steel bars. His brothers loaded him in the back seat of their car and rushed him to the hospital in Nazareth. As he went he says that he heard a voice speaking to him saying, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are Mine.” He was unaware at the time that these were words from Isaiah 43:1. This was one of the major factors in Nizar’s decision to become a believer in Jesus Christ.
Check out the ministry of “Light for all Nations.” Nizar and his wife, my daughter Ellen and their team, are reaching the entire Arabic-speaking world with the message of Jesus (click here).
Yours for following Jesus more closely than ever,
David
Inside Rome's Altar of the Fatherland is another altar that appears to be a small walk-by chapel.
It is so good to hear someone like yourself write what you did David. What a poor testimony the church has made everytime someone was offended and created their own new “brand” of Christianity. This has been such a distraction to winning souls and changing lives. Thankfully God’s grace is bigger than our ego’s.
When in Prague last September, I sat in a large Cathedral beautifully appointed with sculpture and symbolic artwork. So much to take in visually, until a large pipe organ began to resinate its sound which I could feel deep within. Emotion overwhelmed me as I felt the presence of Christ and His Holy Spirit. Religious practice which denies an abiding relationship with our Lord can offer no more than the silent pipes of a grand organ. Yet, when Christ is at the centre, “Christianity in religion” or “denomination” can be very much alive and spiritually inspiring. I too pray for no more sectors which seek to differentiate, but harmony among believers in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessings to all!
Isaiah 24:13 “Throughout the earth the story is the same – only a remnant is left, like the stray olives left on the tree or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest.” (NLT)
Praise God, Praise God, Praise God! David, your son-in-law Nizar, was miraculously saved by the hands of God and had the wisdom to know that what happened and what he heard had been divinely spoken. Subsequently, he followed the right path to serve his Lord through Christian ministry in Israel! God chose Nizar to serve Him and knew he had the strength and determination. Your son-in-law did not fail the opportunity to serve, that was put before him. What a blessing his and your daughter’s ministry is to the people of Israel to come and know the Lord! Praise God! God’s plans are unimaginable, inexplicable, and incomprehensible. There are no words that can describe the depths of His greatness, mercy and love.
“Do not fear; for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Is 43:1b. Such strength that is felt in those words of our Lord–what an absolute message of hope for us all! The Lord created us and formed the nations. It is in His hands that we prevail as Christians in a darkened world hampered by sinfulness and the strings of evil used by the devil to try and snare us away. Let us rejoice in the strength of this passage. For our God is lovingly calling us to know and serve Him.
Taking today’s reading from that perspective, made me see 2 Kings 15-16 beyond the obvious disgust of the violence and horror that prevailed; and lack of the rulers to do better. God’s faith in us is divine! We have the power to change every bit of our world for the better through our service to Him. Thank you, David Mainse, for having shared the inspiring story of your son-in-law, Nizar. Giving thanks and praise and all the glory to you, Lord. Praying that we are able to plant many seeds in the gardens of our own neighborhoods to bring others to come and know you. In Jesus Holy name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen!
Be blessed fellow saints on this Monday!
“…Nizar fell from the top of the mosque and should
God saved Nizar for His prepace and is using to this very day PTL I believe this
his preaching amongest his people is Gods orientation praise God indeed…R…
Hi David: I’m the exact same age as you! LOL.. Bless you for your love and commitment to my dear Saviour. I do enjoy these pictures of Israel and your “100 Words”. I notice some people do end their prayers like you do (including a relative of mine) with “In your name”. But I think of the scripture that says “there is one mediator between God and man-the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus said”if you ask anything in my name, I will do it. I believe as humans, we have little concept of the holiness of God and how blessed we are to have the hope of being in His presence one day. Apart from being cleansed by the blood of Christ we have no hope. I therefore approach God on the merits that I am in Christ and ask for things in the name of the Lord Jesus, God’s son. Just a thought. Norris
Thank you David M and fellow bloggers for your comments and Scripture references. May each one hear and heed the voice of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Psalm 92:1 and 2 say It is good to praise Yahweh, to sing praise to Your name Most High to declare Your faithful love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night.
Glory to God is the Highest and our Lord Jesus Christ!!!!!
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”(2 Corinthians 9:15). The gift of Jesus and his salvation. And we thank God for His gift of ministers to the world as Nizar is. Thanks, David for sharing his testimony which always blesses me. Have a good holiday everyone.
Dear David M.,
What an extraordinary testimony of your son in law pastor Nizar . So much obedience from Nizar and Ellen in doing Gods work . Let Jesus light shine constantly in every step and every mission of their ministery empowered by the Holy Spirit .
Amen and Amen.
Have a blessed day to all the fellow bloggers.