PEACE, PEACE

Suggested Reading: 1 Chronicles 12-13

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

Stone carving of two gladiators in battle found at the Colosseum in Rome. Wars fill the pages of our history books. King David was a man of war, and by God's grace upon him, he ushered in a long period of peace in the entire region.

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

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 12:18

Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said: “We are yours, O David; We are on your side, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, And peace to your helpers! For your God helps you.” So David received them, and made them captains of the troop.

“Peace through strength.” We heard this statement from President Ronald Reagan. We witnessed the end of the cold war and the collapse of atheistic communism. In today’s reading we learn of David’s strength. First of all, David himself was strong in God! We know this from reading the Psalms. Check out Psalm 105:1-15. In spite of some failures, David was strong in character for most of his life. His unselfishness, his humility, his faith, and his overall attitude made him someone God could work with to bring peace, internally ending a period of civil war in Israel and also bringing peace internationally. King Solomon, David’s son, reaped the rewards of David’s legacy. There was “great joy in Israel” (12:40b).

Just as great people rallied to David’s side, let us rally to the side of Jesus, another Son of David, and Son of God. Let us accept His cause as our own. What an honour to share in His triumph, His peace, not just for time but for eternity! There is “great joy” in the earth because of the reign of King Jesus!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, thank You that I share in the peace and triumph of Jesus! I come to Him, pledging loyalty and constant service. Grant me grace to be focused on Jesus’ cause. He said, “I will build My Church.” Keep me true to Him 24/7. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

“Pax Romana,” the peace of Rome, was built on strength, but without the “peace of Christ” under-girding that strength. The communist world was also built on strength which, like Rome, eventually crumbled into the dust of history. But not the Kingdom over which Jesus is King. His Kingdom is forever! (Revelation 11:15-19).

As a result of writing my new book, “This Far By Faith,” I’ve recalled some happenings in which our Crossroads ministry was involved that may have had an impact for Christ’s Kingdom in the Soviet Union (Russia and 14 other republics), as well as eastern Europe.

(1) The release on state TV across the entire region of the “Crossroads Creation Series”… 13 half-hour episodes designed to create doubt in the minds of atheists. The Russian language was recorded over the English words. This was the first ever Christian-produced TV series carried by Soviet state TV in prime time. It happened as a result of smuggling in thousands of video tapes of the series during the 1980-85 years.

(2) Shortly thereafter, our “Kingdom Adventure” children’s TV series drew over 1,000,000 letters from Soviet children and their parents. They were asking for colouring books that not only presented the animated and puppet characters but also presented Jesus as Saviour and Lord.

(3) Crossroads graduated students from our Broadcasting Academy from the communist countries who, in turn, began producing thousands of hours of Christian TV in their own languages with huge responses from millions of people. A book should be written on these exciting international developments.

(4) Bruce Stacey’s “Peace” song, the closing theme for Expo ’86, Vancouver, produced by Crossroads, was sent around the world into every country by the United Nations to be played on every TV and radio station. This was an amazing miracle from God as a result of our “Pavilion of Promise” at the World Exposition in 1986.

All these things happened because of the loyalty, unity, prayers and support of God’s people here at home. As in our reading today, there is “joy” in much of Europe and Asia as a result of God’s blessing in these ways, as well as in the contributions of many other people. I believe that Crossroads did its part in the overall picture of “peace.” I’m involved in supporting Crossroads every month. Great things continue to impact our world. Check it out and join me in prayer and in giving (click here).

Yours for helping to bring the world to love and serve King Jesus,

David

A modern floor is built where the Colosseum floor once was.

RIGHT DECISIONS

Suggested Reading: 1 Chronicles 10-11

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Around 1100 BC, the Canaanite city, Beit She'an, was conquered by the Philistines, who used it as a base of operations for further penetrations into Israel. During a battle against King Saul's army at nearby Mount Gilboa in 1004 BC, the Philistines prevailed. 1 Samuel 31 states that the victorious Philistines hung the body of King Saul on the walls of Beit She'an. Portions of these walls were excavated on Tel Beit She'an recently. King David was able to capture Beit She'an in a series of brilliant military campaigns that expelled the Philistines from the area, pushing them back to their coastal strongholds of Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath, Gaza, and Ashdod.

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

Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 10:4b, 13-14

Saul took a sword and fell on it…So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord.

Suicide! What a tragic end of life for a man called of God to serve and anointed with holy oil by the Prophet Samuel as King over Israel. Through his own choices this once humble and faithful man of God reduced himself to a defeated, moody, unhappy shell of his former person. The warning must be sounded! For anyone who gives his or her life to God, God-informed and Scripture-based choices must be made and followed. There should be absolutely no consultation with any form of the occult or persons who, under the guise of spiritual gifts, would seek to take the place of direct guidance from God and the Word of God. Emotional stress and mental anguish will result. With Saul, his bad temper had taken control, as evidenced by his jealousy of David. The prelude to Saul’s death, and that of his sons, was that He had forgotten the key rule of battle…keeping in close touch with the Commander of the Lord’s hosts, as Joshua did.

Every person who makes a decision to serve Jesus must consult Him daily. Jesus, Himself, gave us the example of consulting His Father in prayer early every morning. Failure to keep in close touch will result in poor decisions, and we will flounder as Saul did. Hope and the desire to live and to continue to serve the Lord will evaporate. Let us all take everything of any importance to Jesus in prayer. He will guide and we will follow!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

“What would Jesus do?” Lord Jesus, I want to be like Peter, James and John, the three who, because of their fervency of spirit, were closest to You. Like these three, may I always keep the eyes of my spirit focused on You, so that I won’t miss anything You are doing and want me to do. I pray that I won’t struggle with this challenge, but rest in Your nearness. If there is any gap between us Lord, help me to close that gap right now! In Your Name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My latest book, “This Far By Faith,” is now available from Crossroads (click here). I’ve been reflecting on one of my stories that is not in the book. I’m thinking about this because I expect to meet Canada’s present Governor General on July 1st, Canada’s birthday. The last time I spoke with the Rt. Hon. David Johnson was on the day of the launch of Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield into space where he took command of the International Space Station. The Governor General is on one of the eight documentary DVD’s which are also available from Crossroads (click here). The first Governor General I met was the Rt. Hon. Jeanne Sauve. In her former role as Minister of Communications back in the 1970s, Glen Rutledge, host of our Circle Square children’s telecast, presented her with a large study brief which we had prepared on violence in children’s TV and its detrimental impact on children’s lives. This document was the direct result of guidance I know I had received from the Lord. Madame Sauve was dying with cancer the last time I met her. We had time alone together before going out on the stage of the Convocation Hall at the University of Toronto. I remember approximately her words to me. She wept freely at her memory, “I could never dispose of that study brief. It has remained on my shelf near me ever since I received it from your children’s host about 15 years ago. I knew that as Minister of Communications at the time, I should be able to do something. However, the will of the broadcasters and society in general was not there to enable me to take action. I’m so sorry.” A political leader in a democracy is unable to act without the support of the majority of those involved as stakeholders in the cause. My heart was heavy and I did my best to pray with her and comfort this precious person. She bravely went on stage and represented Canada with strength and dignity. She passed away several months later, and I wept over the loss.

Yours for guidance from God and for showing up when we need to exercise our rights as Canadians to influence the course of our country. We pray every time we sing our national anthem, “God Keep Our Land.”

David

MORNING BY MORNING

Suggested Reading: 1 Chronicles 8-9

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This is the ancient Hippodrome at Jerash, where today tourists can enjoy re-enactments of chariot races and fighting. Recent excavations show that Jerash was already inhabited during the Bronze Age (3200 BC - 1200 BC). After the Roman conquest in 63 BC, Jerash and the lands surrounding it were annexed by the Roman province of Syria and later joined the Decapolis cities. In 90 AD, Jerash was absorbed into the Roman province of Arabia, which included the city of Philadelphia (modern day Amman).

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

Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 9:27-28

And they lodged all around the house of God because they had the responsibility, and they were in charge of opening it every morning. Now some of them were in charge of the serving vessels, for they brought them in and took them out by count.

Names, names and more names are found in our readings. Perhaps this is tedious for some, but not for God. Every person is of infinite and eternal importance to Him, including each of us! The Chronicles are not written with a specific timeline in mind; rather it moves back and forth with the stories of various families. The key verse is not about the Temple of Solomon but about its successor built under the leadership of Ezra. This was the Temple which was extensively renovated and enlarged by King Herod, in which Jesus would have worshipped. Notice the care given to the management and operation of the Temple.

Consider our responsibility to the sanctuary in which we worship. This is not the earthly building built for the purpose of meeting together as believers to worship corporately, to learn the Word of God, and to have fellowship one with another, but rather the Tabernacle, “not made with hands.” The earthly building was a copy of that which exists in Heaven. It is to the heavenly building, the Church in the heavenly place, in which each one of us have the responsibility to serve every day. “Morning by morning” with consistency is so very important. Let us take the time, if possible, to read from Hebrews 9:1-28. Let us meditate on our place of service in Christ’s Church.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, even as those who served You in Your earthly building called the Temple, so I desire to take responsibility in serving in Your eternal building of Your Church. Please show me my specific responsibility, and I pray for grace to faithfully do my job. In the Name of the One who carries out His responsibility with total faithfulness, the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Everyone reading this blog has a job to do, as did those who lived around the Temple in Jerusalem. While I have some responsibilities currently at the Crossroads Centre here in Burlington, and every morning to write this blog, and of giving top priority to my wife, my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, my over-arching job is to serve in that Tabernacle “not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1). Faithfulness in prayer, in meditating in God’s Word, in bringing others and their needs before God daily is my first job every morning before most people are up. It is a quiet time before the morning rush hour traffic begins on the street outside. The telephone does not ring and this present age does not intrude with a newscast, today’s newspaper, or a knock on the door. My human life, and my responsibilities for today, come into focus as I meet God in His Sanctuary into which He welcomes me.

Yours for faithfully carrying out our responsibility to God and to people,

David

Dubbed the "Pompeii of the East," ancient Jerash is a Greco-Roman city located 80 miles north of Amman Jordan. The impressive, beautifully preserved ruins of Jerash include places of worship and other buildings from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and early Muslim periods. In this photo you can see the full length of the Hippodrome. The ruins of earthly buildings can be contrasted with the eternal importance of the true Temple "not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1).

VALIANT

Suggested Reading: 1 CHRONICLES 7

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Camels in Petra, Jordan.

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

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 7:2

“They were valiant men of might in their generations.”

Five times in today’s reading we are reminded of the number of those who were, as the last verse of chapter 7 says, “fit for battle.” They were also called “choice men.” We are coming up to Father’s Day shortly. In today’s battles, we need many more “choice men” who are “fit for battle.” Perhaps the key word here is “valiant.” According to the dictionary, valiant means, “boldly courageous, brave, or heroic.” Our reading numbers over 150,000 such men. In church this Sunday here in Canada, there will be many times more men than that. Let us rise up as “valiant” men of God. The women and children can pray for us that we will be men of character, fighting, not with human weapons, but with the “Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I ask for the working of Your Spirit in me so that I may be “valiant” for You. Keep me faithful in the discipline of prayer and the reading of Your Word, so that as I exercise and practise with that weapon, Your Word, You’ve given me, I may be “fit for battle.” May I today rise up, getting out of the trench and into the face of the enemy, where by Your might I will win in the battle of life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

One of the names mentioned in today’s reading is Joshua, the son of Nun. What a valiant man! Joshua is the Hebrew equivalent of “Jesus.” Joshua met the “Commander of the army of the Lord.” This was likely an appearance of Jesus prior to His birth in Bethlehem (see Joshua 5:13-15). The spiritual song, “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” comes to my mind. I’m singing it quietly so as not to wake up Norma-Jean.

Two days ago, Jerry Johnston interviewed Rev. Mel Mullen of Red Deer, Alberta, on the 100 Huntley Street telecast. Mel challenged me to be a “valiant” man of God (click here for that interview).

As a boy I would read daily the comic strips in the newspaper. There was a character called “Prince Valiant.” He was a knight of great courage and of sterling character. I remember thinking that when I grow up I want to be “valiant.” Here I am at almost 77 and I still want to be “valiant” (click here for a look at that comic strip).

Yours for becoming a person of valour,

David

GAD

Suggested Reading: 1 Chronicles 5-6

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A Camel from Petra, Jordan, ready and waiting to give tourist a ride through history...

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

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 5:25

And they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers, and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.

“Unfaithful!” To be full of faith is to be true to God in every aspect of our lives. No compromise with anything that would draw us away from God. Today’s reading shows us that even though we are not always faithful, when we are in trouble, we can still call upon the Lord in earnest prayer, and He will step in as we invite Him to do so. Chapter 5:20b tells us that, “They cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.” Imagine, they captured 50,000 camels, along with other live stock. God remains faithful!

In Chapter six we learn of the importance of “the service of song in the house of the Lord.” In Psalm 100:2 we are told to “serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.” Just a few days ago in our reading in Ephesians 5:18-19, we were told to “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with our hearts to the Lord.” This is important to God. Therefore it should be important to us!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You Lord for hearing and answering the prayers I offer to You each day. I cry out to You in the heat of the battle, and also when all is at peace. Please give me more grace so that I may be constantly faithful to You. I make melody with my heart to You! This is a time for singing and music. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I find that the thoughts that come to my mind (I confess to wandering thoughts in these chapters with so many hard-to-pronounce names) are, as they say, “off the wall.” When I read about the tribe of Gad (5:11), I thought of my minister when I was 6 or 7. His name was Rev. Stuart Woodland. My Dad was away because of the war, and the minister felt some responsibility to do what he could to help my mother to raise me well. He would threaten me by saying, “David, you be a good boy or I’ll take the gad to you.” I never found out for sure what a “gad” was, nor did I want to know. There was a twinkle in Rev. Woodlands eye when he said this, but I still took him seriously. I did learn well from the Bible stories we read every day that God does send punishment for wrongdoing. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10a).

One of my favourite scenes in “Journey to Christmas,” a Crossroads documentary production, is when our travellers rode the camels through the desert, experienced a sand storm, and spent the night in a Bedouin tent. Click here for a taste of life as it may have been back in the days of 1st Chronicles.

Yours for continuing to read and learn, in spite of 1000+ strange names,

David

BLESS ME INDEED

Suggested Reading: 1 Chronicles 3-4

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

A shepherd directs his sheep along a ridge in Sardis, Turkey (a region of one of the seven churches of Revelation).

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

Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

In the midst of names, names, and more names, our key verses are like discovering gold. Remember 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is…for instruction in righteousness.” Let’s mine the prayer of Jabez. (1) He prayed for something besides wealth and worldly acclaim. (2) He asked for greater responsibility. (3) His petition to God was for God’s hand to guide him. (4) While his name actually means, “pain,” Jabez now prayed that he would not be the cause of pain to others.

What is our “instruction in righteousness?” (1) God said “yes” to Jabez’ prayer. (2) God recognizes an honourable person when He finds him. (3) It’s not selfish to pray for God’s blessing on our lives. (4) We must never be jealous of the advantages that others have. (4) Have no fear; we are not being cheated. (5) Our main goal should be to be the best we can be with God’s help.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I join Jabez in his prayer…(I’m praying now the prayer in our key verses for today, not just reading them)…AMEN!!!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In fact, I’m praying that prayer several times with increasing fervency. I’m reminded that “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” That’s found in James chapter 5 (click here for James 5:13-20). This is NOT self righteousness; it’s the righteousness of Christ which has been deposited in my account with God (Romans 4:1-6).

Crossroads has the powerful life-changing book called, The Prayer of Jabez in our e-store (you can order it here). When the author, Bruce Wilkinson, appeared on 100 Huntley Street television, it created quite a stir. I began to notice signs appearing around the Crossroads Centre building with that prayer on them. It was one of our monthly book offers and thousands of copies were ordered. It’s not too late to get a copy. I gave my copy away and I intend to order another for my personal “instruction in righteousness.”

When I meet an author, I want to know if their writings changed their personal lives. Bruce Wilkinson’s life was dramatically changed. He launched a powerful ministry in Africa and beyond. His territory was truly enlarged! He is blessed indeed! Here’s a video of one of Bruce’s appearances on 100 Huntley Street (2001) regarding his Prayer of Jabez book (click here).

Yours for blessing from God, enlargement of our territory, God’s hand upon us, to be kept from evil, and to not cause pain,

David

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Suggested Reading: 1 Chronicles 1-2

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

Photos – (top) The rose red rock city of Seir, Petra (1 Chronicles 1:38) in Edom, carved into the rock by the descendants of Esau, son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham. Also my great-grandfather’s tomb stone (below). His name on that stone is of great importance to me because his conversion to Christ changed the direction of my family 180 degrees.

The rose red rock city of Seir, Petra (1 Chronicles 1:38) in Edom, carved into the rock by the descendants of Esau, son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham. This building is now called Ad Deir (Arabic for "The Monastery"). It is one of the monumental buildings carved out of the rock. It measures 50 metres wide by approximately 45 metres high. To understand the magnitude of the Monastery, look closely to see the man standing in the entrance. Although this structure may have been later used as a church, it was probably a temple. It may have been dedicated to the deified Nabatean king Obodas I, who reigned in the 1st century BC.

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

Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 1:1-4

“Adam, Seth, Enosh, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth.”

It’s a challenge to read with enthusiasm these chapters which seem to be simply a list of names. But this is more than that; this is a genealogical map of God’s plan for His human family.

(1) God knows our names and values us as individuals. Imagine the infinite value that God places on each person. Revelation 21:27 tells us of “Those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (read Revelation 20:11-15). Jesus will read out loud from the Book of Life before His Father and the angels (Revelation 3:5). Paul tells in Philippians 4:3 about his fellow workers whose names are written in the Book of Life. Our names are important to God.

(2) There is an amazing compound-complex sentence that can be made from the Hebrew meanings of the 10 names in our key verse. Those meanings are on the internet. Check it out and try to make a sentence out of them. It’s amazing! Write it out! (click here).

(3) In 1979 Dr. Arthur Custance was a guest on the 100 Huntley Street telecast. He was an historian with the Federal Government of Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs. His book, “Noah’s Three Sons,” was published by Moody Press (several copies are available on Amazon – click here). In it he traced the names of the children of the last three men mentioned in our key verses to present day places all over the world. This is a most amazing proof of the accuracy of the Scriptures and the story of Noah, his sons and their wives.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I thank You for the inner assurance that I have that You have written my name in “The Lamb’s Book of Life.” I pray that today I will have the opportunity to introduce someone to You, Lord Jesus, and then as they confess You openly, You will confess that name before Your Father and the Angels! (Revelation 3:5b). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

It was the Summer of 1968 when I first learned of the meanings of the names of the ten ancient patriarchs. I was the youth speaker at a Sylvan Lake, Alberta, camp meeting. The Rev. Edward Menaldino of Philadelphia, the adult camp speaker, shared this with me. He said that the myth of the ten gods of the Romans and the Greeks may have originated from the stories of these men mentioned in Genesis 5. I was intrigued and wrote out the following sentence: “Man of earth, chosen, nominated, appointed by God, struggled to no avail, became weak and sickly, and the Glory of Elohim (God) descended, brought teaching, suffered death, and now brings rest and comfort.” The meaning of Noah’s name is the only one given to us in Scripture. The others come to us from the ancient Hebrew language (click here for Genesis 5).

Over the years I’ve shared the significance of the meanings of these Hebrew names with Jewish friends as a way of introducing Jesus and God’s plan of salvation hidden away in those names. Of course the most effective way I found to share Jesus is to take the time to identify the personal pronouns of the book of Isaiah, a prophet of the tribe of Judah, a descendant of King David, who wrote his book some 700 years before Jesus was born. Having found dozens of personal pronouns, I ask, “Who ever lived whose name could be substituted for those pronouns?” I’ve never had any answer to that question other than “Jesus.” I’ve often wondered why Isaiah is the only book that was preserved as a complete manuscript in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Could it be the providence of God? Isaiah is known as the Gospel of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Yours for the assurance that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man (and woman) of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17),

David

THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT

Suggested Reading: Ephesians 6

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

In ancient Ephesus, the Pollio Fountain was located to the south of the State Agora, across the Odeion. It was built in 97 A.D. by the rich Ephesian C.S. Pollio and his family. The water was brought to the fountains of Ephesus from three main sources through aqueducts and distributed from fountains by a branching system of baked clay pipes (note the pipe at the bottom of the picture, which is now at ground level). The water sources were Kencherios (42 km) at Kusadasi, Camlik village stream of Marnas (15 km), and the Cayster River (20 km). This was an example of excellent engineering. Water was free of charge by the city in the public fountains. This fountain has a high arch facing the temple of Domitian and is known to be decorated with a number of statues. One of these statues of Roman gods and goddesses is the Head of Zeus which is on display in the Ephesus Museum today. Please note the caption written below the second photograph.

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

Key Verse: Ephesians 6:10

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

There was a very moving reading from Ephesians 6 during the funeral service of the former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Margaret Thatcher (click here to hear her granddaughter read this most powerful Scripture). Our Executive Director of Crossroads U.S.A., Dr. Jerry Johnston, has written a book on spiritual warfare based on Ephesians 6. It is available for a donation to Crossroads of any amount (click here to order your personal copy). This message is so important that I strongly urge every blog reader to read this book. Dr. Johnston came to Canada’s Acadia University in Nova Scotia to study and receive a doctorate at the Divinity College there. His thesis had a very high sounding academic title. However, he summed it up for me with these words, “Why some clergy crash and burn!” “Spiritual Warfare” is real, and all of us need desperately to study and implement in our daily lives the principles Dr. Johnston teaches us.

Having assimilated (made part of ourselves) these powerful facts, let us then be channels of God’s power to win battles and eventually the war by preparing for battle every morning, or throughout the day as we make quality time available, in which we concentrate on God! How do we do this? “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all PERSEVERANCE AND SUPPLICATION!” (Ephesians 6:18).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You modelled for me “all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Your intensity in prayer the night of Your arrest, when Your disciples fell asleep again and again, is truly my example of “being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication!” O, how far short of that I fall! The spiritual song I sing and pray with great fervency is as follows, “O to be like thee, blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art. Come in Thy sweetness. Come in Thy fullness. Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.” Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My son-in-law, who preaches in the Arabic language all over the world on several satellite channels, Rev. Nizar Shaheen, has said to me over and over, “Be strong Dad!” Norma-Jean, if she is in hearing range, always adds the words of Ephesians 6: “…in the Lord and in the power of HIS MIGHT!” (verse 10). Then she preaches a little bit for my benefit. I need lots of reminders that It is only “HIS MIGHT” that makes me strong. It’s my job to make sure that I have the whole armour of God in place over my head, my heart, and my will. When I’m properly dressed for battle, then I’m absolutely confident that God is giving me “the power of His might.” I can wield “the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” with devastating effect against the lords of the underworld and the “wiles of the devil.” The hosts of the wicked one are no match! I am more than a conqueror!!! (Romans 8:37).

Following the reading of this final chapter of Ephesians and before we begin 1 Chronicles tomorrow, I would like you to join me in reading the story of the final meeting of Paul with the elders of the Ephesian Church (Acts 20:16-38). As I read this, I too am weeping freely as they did. I’m praying fervently for all who read my blogs!

Yours for becoming stronger each day “In the Lord and in the power of His might!” Amen!!!

David

Temple of Hadrian is one of the best preserved and most beautiful structures of ancient Ephesus. It was built before 138 A.D. by P. Quintilius and was dedicated to the Emperor Hadrian, who came to visit the city from Athens in 128 A.D. The facade of the temple has four Corinthian columns supporting a curved arch, in the middle of which is a relief of Tyche, goddess of victory. The side columns are square. Inside the temple above the door, a human figure, probably Medusa, stands with ornaments of acanthus leaves. 100 years after the death and resurrection of Christ, the religion of Rome was still the state religion. These and other gods and goddesses were the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places against which Paul said we fight! (Ephesians 6:12).

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

IGNITION

Suggested Reading: Ephesians 5

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

The ancient Ephesus Commercial Agora (shopping mall) is in the form of a square, each side 110 metres, and surrounded completely by columns. The Agora has three entrances, one from the front of the theatre on the northeast, one opening to the harbour on the west, and a third from the Celsius Library. The north side of the Agora is left open, and the other three sides are surrounded by a portico in which there were rows of shops.

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

Key Verse: Ephesians 5:18-19

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

In an earlier reading from Ephesians, we noted that the words “in Christ” (or its equivalent) are repeated 35 times. Interestingly, there are also 35 directives given!…one for each reminder of our position “in Christ.” Do we need another reminder that good behaviour is determined as a result of being “in Christ” and not a factor in getting us into the body of Christ. We are there only by grace in our faith, a gift of God, not of ourselves (Ephesians 2:8-9). We’ve considered this fact before, but it needs to be repeated to make sure we’ve got it in the right order.

Our reading begins with the directive, “Walk in love as Christ also has loved us.” His love is a sweet-smelling aroma. There is a sign on a Kingston shop that says, “Aroma Therapy.” We may never go in to check it out, but we do breathe deeply of the aroma of Christ every day. It’s the cure for whatever ails us. Then having been saturated in His fragrance, we will carry that fragrance with us for at least 24 hours. We mentioned this in our reading from 2 Corinthians 2:14-17. Christ definitely passes the smell test! Do we? There are at least 35 ingredients in the content of the fragrance, according to Paul. Please don’t list them and put them on the wall like the Ten Commandments. We need to relax in the knowledge that we are “in Christ.” His constant presence in us will exude His fragrance through our behaviour. We may or may not have ever been drunk with wine (I don’t ever intend to find out what it’s like), but be assured we cannot ever drink too much of the Spirit of Christ. Just hand Him our lives and say, “Fill ‘er up!”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord God, may I receive grace from You to be like Jesus, speaking as He would speak, and doing as he would do. May the fragrance of Jesus permeate my person so that others will know I’m “in Christ,” and He is in me. As our key verses tell me, Lord, may I not be under the influence of wine, but filled with Your Spirit and under Your strong influence at all times. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

At 19 years old, 3 years after I made my lifetime commitment to Christ, I said to God in a time of discouragement, “I can’t live the Christian life as I should. I might as well quit!” God’s response was unmistakable. I heard that still small Voice of the Lord say, “Good, go ahead and quit. Now perhaps you’ll let Me live the Christian life in you and through you.” Suddenly I felt totally free just to go ahead and LIVE! I can’t begin to describe the feeling of elation, joy, strength, and courage I began to experience. I knew beyond any doubt that my life would be lived “in Christ” and that Christ lived in me. My life was not “of works, lest anyone should boast.” I was totally confident that I was “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:9-10). I was the proud owner of a 1947 Plymouth. I did not have to move each piston up and down to move the crank shaft which moved the transmission which moved the drive shaft which moved the wheels. All I had to do was to connect to the power by my free will decision to connect to the battery. Believe me…I knew from that time forward that I needed to connect with God first thing every day. That spark connected me to the power of the gasoline in my internal combustion works, and power flowed to every part of me so I could live, move, and get to where I need to be.

The winter I was 20, I remember being out front of the railway station in Chalk River with my car and booster cables, trying to start a friend’s car at almost 50 degrees below zero. It took patience and I persisted. Finally there was ignition and he was on his way. Leading others to Christ may be a challenge, but with persistence and the right connection, it will happen. I will seek to give someone a boost in coming to life in Christ today.

Yours for being connected to Christ and for connecting others to Him,

David

Ancient public toilets in Ephesus - All I can say is that I appreciate modern dividers. These were part of the Scholastica Baths, built in the 1st Century A.D., around the time Paul was in Ephesus. They were the men's public toilets of the city. There was an entrance fee to use them. There was a running water drainage system under the toilets. These bathroom toilets could accommodate up to 36 men at one time. This was a place to talk to your neighbour and perhaps shake hands on a business deal. It's possible that Paul witnessed for Christ to his neighbour here. This picture was my photographer son's idea (as was the shaking hands suggestion).

EQUIPPING SAINTS

Suggested Reading: Ephesians 4

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

Today's photos feature the two impressive ancient theatres in Ephesus. The one pictured above is the Odeon (Bouleuterion) - This building has the shape of a small theatre. It had a double function in use. First, it was used as a Bouleuterion for the meetings of the Boulea or the Senate. The second function was the Odeum - a concert hall for performances. It was constructed in the 2nd century A.D by the order of Publius Vedius Antonius and his wife Flavia Paiana, two wealthy citizens in Ephesus. It had a capacity of 1500 spectators. It had three doors opening from the stage to the podium. The podium was narrow and one metre higher than the orchestra section. The stage building was two-storied and embellished with columns. The podium in front of the stage building and some parts of the seating were restored. The Odeon used to be enclosed with a wooden roof.

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

Key Verse: Ephesians 4:13

“Until we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

In the first three chapters of Ephesians, we are taught that God “has made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). We’ve been enjoying “the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8-9). “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.”

In the last three chapters, we make a rapid descent back down to earth. Like the astronauts, there is danger in re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere and danger in the landing. Here on earth, (1) we must learn to get along in unity with each other, (2) pay attention to those to whom God has given leadership responsibilities, (3) grow up and be “no longer children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive.” (4) we must “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man, which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” (5) we must “let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away.” (6) we must learn to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” This list of what to do and what not to do goes on and on throughout the rest of the book. Let us remember that while we seek to behave in a godly way, failure to be perfect does not change in any way the message of the first three chapters. Our position “in Christ” is secure forever. Don’t get it backwards. We do our best to obey because we are “in Christ,” not in order to get the favour of God by our good deeds.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, here on earth it’s sometimes hard to always do what is right. Forgive me for the wrong I have done and will probably do again. According to Your Word, I pray for constant cleansing from sin. I thank You for Your promise in 1 John 1:8-9, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I remember clearly my father preaching from 1st John, chapter one. He focused on verse 7b, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” As a Greek language teacher, my father pointed out that the Greek verb translated “cleanses” denotes something that has happened, is happening, and will continue to happen all the time. Isn’t that comforting to know this fact, that God always sees us as clean because He sees us under the blood of Jesus! Hallelujah! Note that John, the Apostle who was most often the closest of all the disciples to Jesus, included himself when he used the word “we,” as I quoted in my prayer for today. We can never say, “We have no sin.” So I’ve learned to relax, sitting in heavenly places, with my feet placed firmly here on earth. I do not live only here on earth, but with Christ in heavenly places as well. Like my muscles which have a ligament on both ends, there is a healthy tension here that keeps me moving forward.

Yours for our “one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:5 & 6),

David

This theatre is the most magnificent structure in the ancient city of Ephesus. The Great Theatre is located on the slope of Panayir Hill, opposite the Harbor Street, and easily seen when entering from the south entrance to Ephesus. It was first constructed in the Hellenistic Period, in the third century BC during the reign of Lysimachos, but then during the Roman Period, it was enlarged and formed its current style that is seen today. It is the largest in Anatolia and has the capacity of 25,000 seats. It is thought that here the near riot took place as a result of the preaching of Paul.

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