Sunday, July 21, 2013

THE DECREE

Suggested Reading: Ezra 5-6

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

 

Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem on the slope of the Mount of Olives. On his first visit to Jerusalem, Boris Yeltsin ordered that the onion-domed spires on this Russian Orthodox church be reguilded with golden paint.

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

 

Key Verse: Ezra 6:14

So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying [preaching and teaching] of Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, and they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes King of Persia.

In yesterday’s reading we were introduced to Kings Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes of Persia. It seems that they ruled between Cyrus the Great and Darius. In this interim period construction on the new Temple was stopped. A holocaust threatened the Jews until Queen Esther came on the scene (read Esther 3:12-14). Also we may want to read Esther 4:15-17 and Esther 7:4-6. In just over two weeks we’ll be reading the entire book of Esther.

Let us persist in our readings. The history of this period can be confusing. Hang in there! The Jews in the province of Judea held on to their vision. Two preachers made a big contribution to lifting the spirits of the people. Let’s read from the first preacher today, and the second tomorrow (Haggai 1:13-15 and Haggai 2:1-9). In spite of Haman’s threat to have all the Jews killed, they kept the faith. God had His Esther, and her uncle Mordecai, in the Persian Palace.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I understand that You do not violate human free will, but I thank You that You do put people in place and You do create circumstances that cause people to be willing to do, of their own free will, what is right. Please Lord, I pray that You’ll continue to do this in our world today. I volunteer for service, Lord, if I can be of any help in Your cause. In the Name of Jesus, the greatest Volunteer, I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

President Ronald Reagan called the Soviet Union and her satellite countries, the “Evil Empire.” But even there God was at work. In 1984 Crossroads made it into the Soviet Newspaper, Pravda, with the story of our unusual contract with Prague for the creative content of our “Pavilion of Promise” at Expo ’86 in Vancouver. I have lots of stories out of this period as to God at work in these officially anti-God countries.

Yesterday I wrote of the deliverance of many Jews from the USSR. Today I have a Christian story. I was speaker on two evenings during the first ever gathering of Christian leaders from all 15 republics of the USSR. This invitation resulted from the 1989 release of our Crossroads Creation TV series in prime time. Friends from Finland had translated it and made it look like we were speaking Russian. One morning I sat at breakfast with five Pastors. One of them, I thought, had the worst case of arthritis ever. However, it appeared to be in only one hand. I had to ask about it. The Pastors knew what was coming and they laughed. The man with the twisted fingers said, “I was teaching my children about God and was ordered to stop. They put me in prison and broke my fingers one at a time. With each finger they offered to stop if I would sign a paper admitting my guilt and promising to stop my teaching. Each time I refused. Now, however, they have called me in and offered to re-break my fingers, this time under anesthetic, and said I could continue my teaching as I pleased. But I said, “No!” I get a lot more attention when I preach using this hand to help make my points.” Loud laughter broke out amongst the Pastors. I felt like crawling under the table. I was not worthy to be in the company of such strong followers of Christ. Here I was, the guest speaker, and I was learning much more from them than they would ever learn from me. That evening, after my message on “The Church After Persecution Ceases,” I was kissed (Russian men kiss other men on the lips) at least 500 times. I’ve got to report that I simply tolerated it with the grace God gave me, but at the same time, I rejoiced with them because we all knew that the “70 years of the dark red night of atheistic rule,” as they called it, was almost over. They likened it to the 70-year Babylonian captivity of Israel.

Yours, like Esther, wanting to be at the right time and the right place in order to serve God and people,

David

P.S. We brought one of our Mobile TV production units over to Moscow from Leningrad (the name had not yet been changed back to St. Petersburg) and videotaped this conference. A news report was carried on 100 Huntley Street. If I can find that video, I’ll attach it to the blog, perhaps next week some day. In the meantime, the picture below shows doors continuing to open.

1992 - Prime Minister Brian Mulroney told Boris Yeltsin about the Crossroads ministry and our Russian students studying television at our School of Broadcasting and Communications. To me, this was a confirmation of God's will being done over the years since my first visit to Moscow in 1968. After 70 years, the captives to atheistic communism were set free. Yeltsin's first trip outside Russia was to Jerusalem to walk where Jesus proclaimed freedom to people everywhere.

13 thoughts on “Sunday, July 21, 2013

  1. Todays reading is a reminder of the power of politics and the need for us to to be aware and ever vigilant in paying attention and prayer.
    “Father, You guide and govern everything with order and love.
    Look upon the assembly of our national leaders
    and fill them with the spirit of Your wisdom.
    May they always act in accordance with Your will
    and their decisions be for the peace and well-being of all. Amen.”

  2. I see RESTORATION in today’s reading and thank God He is always waiting to return us to Himself when we falter or fall off His path.

    Amen to your prayer David for governments all around the world.

    Thank you Pastor David for once again expounding the Word and your sharing of uplifting stories. Blessings to all as we go to worship this morning.

  3. Everyone should be made aware of today’s blog. Great history and blessing from God to be aware or recall this event. You said, David M, to hang on. I hang on to every word! Thank you.

  4. Praise you, David Mainse–you are indeed, a saint! God Bless you, fine sir!

    Praise the Lord on this glorious day, fellow saints!

  5. Isn’t it amazing how God can use one soul to bring about a mighty change? I pray the Lord gives us strength to endure difficult situations in our lives, be they political or otherwise. God’s Word is truth and He will give us sufficient grace in that time of trial to stand for His truth. There is victory in Jesus!

    • ‘Amen’ to your comment, Scott. I think of David Mainse, as I read your words, for God has used, (and is still using) this one soul over the years to bring changes to so many lives; giving him whatever strengths he needed to overcome challenges, difficult situations, and/or obstacles, including the present health challenge he is facing. Living proof that there IS victory in Jesus!!
      Thank you David M. for being such an unfaltering example of how a man/woman of God can and should be.

  6. Dear David M Once more you’re testomonie is a model of what God can accomplish through us if we remain focused and anchord on His Word. Rev.David Mainse is a title so very appropriate for you.
    Blessed day eveyone let us go and worship Our Savior JESUS!…
    xxx Carole

  7. Thank you each one for your comments. I know I tend take for granted the freedoms I enjoy. Thank you David M. for sharing that inspiring and at the same time humbling story.Please keep Sheryl in your prayers, that the Holy Spirit will reveal Himself to her. Thank you and God Bless each one!!!!

  8. My computer decided to scare the living daylights out me about one week ago. Iturned the computer on and I got the day befores blog.whichI had already read. No Suneday blog. Immediately assumed the worst. Ignore the mistakes (please). It reminded me of your heart surgery. The first time in 80 years that I have fasted and Prayed, I am ashamed to say. The next day after a restless night, I had two days to read, God is good. I realized how much I would your blogs David M. Computers have a mind of their own I have found out. I had left the computer on, thinking I’d watch some of the videos. It had turned off without my help. Bye for now I think I may live.

  9. I may relate a lot to today’s reading and your thoughts since I was born in the Soviet Union. I remember that great time when God gave us freedom to preach and listen and share the gospel freely, God is so great his ways are perfect and amazing

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