Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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GOOD DECISIONS

Suggested Reading: 2 Kings 18

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

 

Hezekiah's capital city...Jerusalem. This present-day photo is a northeast view looking toward the Temple Mount area.

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Kings 18:5

“He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any who were before him.”

Among all the good and evil kings, Hezekiah stands out as a shining light. He served the Lord completely, destroyed false religion in the land, even to breaking up the image of the serpent that Moses had set up because the people had begun worshipping it as an idol. Read Numbers 21:4-9 (click here). Jesus referred to the serpent in John 3:14 when He spoke of being lifted up on the cross. To understand the significance of Jesus’ statement we may consider 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Hezekiah’s own father had been one of the most evil kings of Judah. Somehow, in one generation, God changed the direction of this family and of Judah. God found a young man, 25 when he became king, who made a life-long decision to turn from the wicked ways of his father, live a holy life, and lead his people back to the God of Israel. Our decisions change us for the better or the worse. One decision we may want to make would be to volunteer to teach Sunday School or to mentor a younger person. What a great difference such a decision can make for time and eternity!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, please hear my prayer when I ask for Your help in making the right decisions for my life and for my testimony to others. Thank You that I can change from the past, moving into a glorious future because of Jesus, Your Son and my Saviour and Lord, in whose Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Two days ago the life of Elijah Harper was celebrated in a memorial service in Winnipeg. Elijah was a First Nations leader who made great decisions. As the son of a Pastor in Red Sucker Lake, Manitoba, Elijah gave his life to Christ. I had the honour of ministering there for a week with his dad, Rev. Allan B. Harper.

As a Manitoba Member of the Legislature, and a Cabinet Member, Elijah stopped what is known as the Meech Lake Accord, an effort to bring Quebec into the Canadian Constitution, because of the failure to recognize the fact that God put the native people on this land long before the Europeans arrived. He took this fame and called, “The Sacred Assembly,” a prayer gathering in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa which was attended by the Prime Minister at the time, the Rt. Hon. Jean Chretien. This event began the movement which eventually resulted in the present Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, asking, on behalf of the government of Canada and its people, for the forgiveness of the Aboriginal Peoples for all the injustices they had suffered. Elijah had gone on to become a Liberal party member of the Canadian Parliament for Churchill, but at the time of the apology was once again a private citizen. He spotted Norma-Jean and me sitting near him in the balcony of the House of Commons as the Prime Minister, with the approval of all the Members, asked forgiveness. As soon as adjournment was announced, Elijah rushed over to us, taking me by the hand with a strong grip, and leading us down to the floor of the House of Commons and then to the bench in front of the Speaker’s Chair. He pulled me down to my knees with him and began to pray with a loud voice approximately the following: “I declare that this bench is Your Altar, Lord God. Please Lord Jesus, receive this act of repentance by the Prime Minister, the Government and this House of Commons.” I was weeping profusely.

Over the years I spent much time with Elijah. He’s visited in our home, and I’ve visited in his home in Ottawa. Thank you, Elijah, for being a man of the stature of King Hezekiah. You have changed Canada! By the grace of The Great Creator, I expect to see you again soon.

Yours for God-inspired decisions which make positive changes in our lives and in the lives of others,

David

P.S. Here’s a clip from yesterday’s 100 Huntley Street program where my son Ron interviewed me about the passing of Elijah Harper. It includes a clip of Elijah addressing the Sacred Assembly in 1995, as well as a portion of Prime Minister Harper’s apology in 2008.

 

17 thoughts on “Wednesday, May 22, 2013”

  1. “According to the Scripture, virtually everything that qualifies a person for leadership is directly related to character. It’s not about style, status, personal charisma, personal

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    • … clout or worldly measurements of success. Integrity is the main issue that makes the difference between a good leader and a bad one.” (John MacArthur)

      (oops … sorry for the split screen here folks. Have a blessed day!)

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  2. I saw you on 100 Huntley Street yesterday, David. You looked great! The video clip was moving when the Aboriginal natives of Canada received the apology that was long overdue. Elijah Harper was an incredible inspiration. So grateful for your prayer with him at the altar in the House of Commons–truly empowering!

    In terms of the reading and message, this morning, I was so moved that Hezekiah was a good leader who made the right choices–finally! Yes, an example for us to follow. The connection between Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14 is incredible. How could anyone doubt the truth and validity of the Bible as the Word of God?

    “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.’ So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.” Nu 21: 8-9

    “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” Jn 3:14-15

    “The Lord will go through with His covenant engagements. Whatever He takes in hand He will accomplish; hence past mercies are guarantees for the future and admirable reasons for continuing to cry until Him.” C. H. Spurgeon

    “Consider, My Child, how often you have provoked Me, and how often I have forgiven you. Consider how bitter is the fruit of your nature. Do you wonder at the alienation of others? Consider, My child, how often you have tried My patience and sown discord into your life and the lives of others.

    “Let the pain of these memories help you make better choices–against your own discordant self. Seek peace and pursue it–with yourself and with those around you.” Echoes of Eternity, Hal M. Helms, May Twenty-second, p. 107.

    I read John 17, this morning. The Truth of Jesus connecting us with Him and His Father in heaven are made real: “… that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us…” Jn 17:21

    Amen! All the glory to Jesus–that we are made free because of Him!
    Be blessed, today, fellow saints!

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  4. The readings lately have been difficult to some extent but those who “stick to the schedule” will be blessed. I tell my prayer line callers about 100words.ca and they are so appreciative of hearing about it. It is so convenient – gives th geography and history of Israel with pictures, a Bible reading that can be viewed and/or heard (or both at the same time) and in your choice of Bible version also! We are blessed. Thank you all – especially you David and your dedicated helpers, and, of course, our blogger family.

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  5. I was truly moved by Elijah Harper. I admire his passion and love for First Nations and their culture, history and heritage. His relationship with our Creator, and conviction to firmly establish and preserve First Nations rightful place as native to this land, was paramount in his life. I pray for strength in leadership and harmony in this land we so proudly call Canada.

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  6. Hi David
    I saw intertview yesterday with your son Ron You look great and again great message for all of us.

    Thank you again

    Zeljko

    AMAZING GRACE

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  7. Good morning David,

    Maybe some bloggers, as well as volunteering to teach Sunday School or mentor a younger person as you suggest, might also be interested in becoming prayer partners for 100 Huntley/Crossroads?

    Shalom,
    Graham.
    2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.

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  8. A moving video of you and Elijah Harper today and you look great, David. Lord, we thank you for men such as these who have a passion for our country, and we pray for all those in leadership in our land today. Amen. Encouraging to see a great turnaround in Israel’s leadership as well in today’s reading. From a map I was surprised to see how extensive the Assyrian Empire was, hence the boasting. Have a good day everyone.

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  9. Good morning David…I teach Grade 5 at a Christian school here in my city of Medicine Hat. It is my privilege to teach about Canada all year long in Social Studies. I will be sharing this clip with my students because they need to know that we, as people of God, can be history-makers. Elijah Harper was certainly one of them, and so was Prime Minister Stephen Harper in his historic 2008 apology. I believe that you are a history-maker as well, David, and I want to thank you for your incredible passion for this nation of Canada that I love. Your example of humility and love is one that I cherish and want my students to appreciate as well.
    It was so good to see and hear you on television once again, alongside your son Ron. God bless you and yours!

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  10. I was moved to tears as I watched the video and like others today David, you look great!!!

    You have shown a humility and love for all to come to know our Lord Jesus and I am constantly amazed at how you have served our country of Canada
    With compassion and Christ’s love.

    We mourn with you in the passing of Elijah Harper and what a reunion is waiting for us when we are all called home!

    Blessings and thanks for everyone’s input today!

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  12. Dear David and all the blggers I agree with you all ,wonderful words by you all
    including Elijah Harper’s speech,and P.M.Harper s words never ever heard
    from any other Pm inCanada praise the Lord for our Godly leaders…R..

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  14. Dear David , thank you soo much for that behind the scenes Govt information. that would never show up on CBC!! God is in control and i pray for Our Mr.Stephen Harper he has a difficult asignment . May our lord give him much Godly wisdom- to stand for the truth ,even when misunderstood by the media that is always looking for only the Sensational
    Amen to all the bloggers, God give you strength to continue
    love in Christ.- Kathy

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  15. I don’t comment very often,but I so appreciate this daily blog. The teaching and all the comments are so helpful and mean so much to me.
    Thankyou David and fellow bloggers

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