THE RUNNERS
Suggested Reading: 2 Chronicles 30
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Arch of Titus in Rome was constructed in 82 AD by the Roman Emperor Domitian shortly after the death of his older brother Titus to commemorate Titus' victory in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The Arch of Titus has provided the general model for many of the triumphal arches erected since the 16th century, including the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 30:26
So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon, son of David, King of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.
Today’s reading is such an encouragement. The sequence of events that resulted in the “joy in Jerusalem” is as follows. (1) Letters were sent to both the northern tribes of Israel and the southern tribes of Judah. They were carried by “runners” who functioned like the town criers who brought the news before newspapers, radio, TV, and the Internet. In New Testament times these newscasters were called evangelists. So those who took the Gospel everywhere and announced the news of Christ were called Evangelists. (2) These “runners” refused to be discouraged in spite of the fact that in some places “they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.” (3) “Many people, a very great congregation, assembled at Jerusalem.” (4) In spite of the compromise with the world, which was very evident in the culture, a powerful remnant of faithful people remained true to the Word of God and followed the lead of the man of God, King Hezekiah. (5) Hezekiah prayed for the people that, in spite of the fact that some people were ignorant of the proper preparation for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur in the present Jewish calendar), the good Lord would provide atonement for everyone. This atonement is ours today through the passover sacrifice of Jesus as the final Sacrifice as the Lamb of God.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, please make me a more effective runner with the Good News of the message of Jesus’ passover feast in Jerusalem. As was the case with Hezekiah, I pray that everyone (the whole world for whom Jesus offered His life as the final Sacrifice for atonement) will hear the message and come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord. I pray for Crossroads Family of Ministries. May every team member burn with a holy unquenchable flame to bring people to Jesus. May winning souls to Jesus continue to be the #1 priority. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen and Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The greatest example of a true Evangelist to masses of people in our time is Billy Graham. The greatest motivator for personal evangelism in our time is the late Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. In Billy Graham’s appearances on the 100 Huntley Street telecasts, without fail he turned to the camera and gave an invitation for people to come to Christ. Bill Bright did the same in his appearances with me on television. I took Bill Bright to lunch several times and without fail he witnessed for Christ to the waiter or waitress serving us. I made sure to leave a larger than usual tip in order to underline the love with which Bill spoke of Jesus.
I can never be content to maintain the status quo in ministry. If TV programs, camping ministries, World Expos, etc., in which Crossroads has been involved are not winning souls to Christ, I get more and more desperate in the fervency of my prayers until I see results in more people coming to Christ. I pray with all my heart that Crossroads Christian Communications will produce more soul-winning telecasts than ever and that the leadership will continue to be filled with a passion for souls until the moment of Christ’s return.
Yours for running with the Good News throughout the world (check out Crossroads’ seven channels on the worldwide web with our newest outreach at www.crossroads360.com),
David
It is certainly inspirational to see how King Hesekiah brought renewal to the Passover. What a change in a short period of time, even to the extent that the Passover celebrations were extended for another week! I would love to have been there to hear the musical instruments and the joyous sounds of all the many people. And, to think it didn’t start by authoritarian rule but runners sharing the good news. People were ready, perhaps because of disappointment and apathy. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16) Amen!!
Yes we are all to be runners for Jesus the saviour of our souls and Lord make opportunities to tell our testemonies of what you have done for us and be harvesters in the harvest field , you have given us the Lamd of God Lord to take away the sins of the world draw all by your Holy Spirit to bring them in to the fold in Jesus precious holy name Amen
Uplifting reading today, as King Hezekiah restored the people to worship THE ONE AND ONLY KING. It would have been awesome to be there David and rejoice with the people. But we too can rejoice in the fact we are children of The Most High God.
Thank you Lord Jesus for your great gift of salvation and may we too be runners for the gospel to spread to all people.
Enjoy the day The Lord had given us.
Well I am certainly glad I “RAN” into you and Huntley Street back in the late 80’s, because it I hadn’t I might not have every known Jesus.
I was raised Roman Catholic, but by mid twenties I knew my life had hit a dead end. I realized all the emptiness inside of me wasn’t because I was not loved as I thought, but because I didn’t know how to love. So I remember praying — God if you are real teach me what real love is and how to love. And shortly after that I “discovered” your program and bit by bit, you and the guest and other hosts, convinced me God was love, and the only way I could love was to invited Jesus into my heart, so God could live in it.
So I can’t speak for anyone else, but you definitely lead this soul to Christ, for which I have no words to say thank you for being obedient to the call on your on life.
Of course it has not been all sunshine and lollipops since accepting Christ and being born again. In fact I discovered although knowing love and being able to love is joy in its purest form- love involves a lot of suffering at times. And finding that out was a bit of a shock, but C.S.Lewis said it best when he said.
“The only place outside of Heaven where you can be safe from the danger and perturbations of love is Hell.”
So thank you for boldly committing to love, even though it is not an easy path to follow and I am sure you suffered for it. May God continue to bless you and your ministries to love those who are lost and never give up trying to give them the me good news.
(I posted to yesterday’s blog and again over here just in case you didn’t get to read it)
Hi Catherine,
thanks for asking and remembering. I had the ultrasound and CT scan yesterday done but not yet seen my oncologist till this coming Thursday. Thanks for praying. I will update you and others then.
Pastor David, thanks for your years of faithfulness in the Lord and your genuine love for the needy and the lost, your sheep assigned by the Lord to you. Your early rising to worship and pray to God set a firm example and leave sounding impact not only to your children, confirmed by Ron, but also to all your sheep. I counted my tremendous blessing in reading your blog and learn from your teachings in the Bible and your walk with God.
Thank you also to my fellow bloggers and all your love and prayers and your contribution to this blog , allowing me to experience and
witness the fullness of the body of Christ.
THANK You and Hip Hip Hooray to you all.Praise our Lord!
Janet
Praise God that King Hezekiah boldly takes the corrective route not only to build his own relationship with the Lord, but also to carry out a detailed plan starting from the foundation building/ rooting the faith of his country(getting ready the temple for worship and sacrifices). He also went out for the full length, acting out his faith to the extreme (180 degree) opposite of what his father did, taking up spiritual leadership for both Judah and Israel, sending out “runner” / “evangelists” to call the people to repent and return to the Lord.
I pray to be a humble runner for the Lord in spreading His good news.
But at the same time, I also pray for our nation’s leaders, that God will appoint God-fearing individuals like King Hezekiah to take up leadership to effectively and consistently gather our country to humble, repent and return to our Lord.
(2 Chron. 7:14) “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Dear Lord, may you revive us like King Hezekiah to humble and return to you, to be your faithful “runner” to bring the lost to you, and to inspire others to be faithful “runners” as well, may you also appoint true “King Hezekiah”s as your faithful servants in our nation to lead Canada to return to you. May you hear from heaven, and forgive our sin and heal our land.
Amen!!
Wonderful words and prayer Janet…my prayers go with you for Thursday and that you will feel the presence of our Lord and Saviour Love you sister!
Yes, soul winning is the key. We need to have a passion for souls.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have Everlasting Life”
God does not want anyone to perish. It is our duty and calling to be examples to the world. Let our testimony be pure and genuine and may we reach out to this lost and dying world.
Amen Ruby! Great words of truth.
Hi everyone..I am Ger’s sister & am posting this note on her behalf as she is still in the hospital after having surgery last month. She is doing well & thanks you all for your prayers. Hopes to get home soon, then will be in touch thru 100 words, in the interment, will follow along with scriptures reading after returning home..love Ger
Thank you sister, please give Ger a big hug from her fellow bloggers, and tell her we miss her and still praying as she gains strength each day. May Jesus be glorified in her healing.
Great to hear that Ger is on the mend! Praise the Lord!! Please let your sister know that she has been in our prayers and on our hearts. This is wonderful news!!!
Dear David M . and precious fellow bloggers
Like Donna explained being a christian does not mean that it is always a bed of roses but the great news is the power of our Saviour Jesus Christ has given us through the Holy Spirit .
My greatest and deepest desire is to bring everyone that I meat to Christ and even though I often will hesitate to approach strangers I pray the Lord to give me his wisdom to go way beyond my comfort zone for it is not about me but all about Him our Saviour OUR KING in Jesus name Amen and Amen.
Blessed day everyone.
xxxx Carole
OOPS
I am definately French and yet MEAT IS MEET.
But you know what I just realised the mistake so thanks for bearing with my english.
xxxx Carole.
Carole your English is better than my French 🙂 It is late or early how ever you look at it on July 9th .Oh thank heavens I’m cought up with the blog. I fell far behind and was determined not to skip even one day of this bible study.
Personally I like the Idea of a bold cry to warn the people to return to the Lord, not as in one place but every whereat one time , on television radio and internet .Similar to the way it’s done on New Years Eve .Only more boldly.
It should be done through the emergency broadcast system 🙂 Mayby then some
Mockers might just take it seriously.
In the mean time lets keep on praying , Amen!
Blessings to all 🙂
M.