Friday, October 4, 2013

AWESOME

Suggested Reading: Psalms 64-66

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

 

The Mediterranean beach and distant ruins of Caesarea Maritima.

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

 

Key Verses: Psalm 65:5, 66:1-3

By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us,

O God of our salvation,

You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth,

And of the far-off seas;

…Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!

Sing out the honor of His name;

Make His praise glorious.

Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!

Through the greatness of Your power

Your enemies shall submit themselves to You…

 

Teens went through a phase a while back when it seemed that everything was “awesome!” In today’s reading the word “awesome” is appropriate. It’s used three times!!! Is it any wonder that we are encouraged to “Make a joyful shout to God!”

Meditate and wisely consider Psalm 64:1 & 64:9b. These are daily instructions for us all. God’s deeds are surely worthy of the utmost AWE!!! Consider the following facts – (1) Victory over enemies (66:3) – our enemies are not nations around us, but self and sin within us. Jesus is our AWESOME Deliverer! (2) The Lord rules, therefore we can trust Him always (66:7) – verse 66:5 assures us that “He is AWESOME in His doing toward the sons of men!” (3) In an AWESOME way God has brought us out to rich fulfillment! (66:12b) – God is AWESOME in His answers to prayer! (66:19).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You Lord God that You have “not turned away my prayer,” and You have not turned away Your “mercy from me!” (66:20). I know that the reason I can come before You in prayer and know that You hear me is not because of any righteousness in me, but only because of Your Son and my Saviour, Jesus Christ. I confess my sin before You! I have Your assurance that You have heard my confession and that I’m forgiven. I believe You when You spoke these words about Yourself through Your Apostle John, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Amen! Amen! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Again first thing this morning I confessed my confidence in the Lord Jesus by quoting Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” The gift of faith from God that allows me to truly believe this statement also allows the truth of this statement to be lived out throughout the next 24 hours.

Yesterday I decided to check for mistakes in my recent book, “This Far By Faith.” I found several misprints, etc. Because of a deadline the book was rushed into print before I had a chance to critically read with care what I had typed into my laptop computer. For example I read that I had given my life to Christ in December of ’52, been filled with the Holy Spirit in June of ’53, and called into the Christian ministry in August of ’53. But there was a wrong date in print. I had mistakenly typed that I had lost my temper in the Fall of ’53 and punched out a football player on the opposing team. Doesn’t sound like a teenager who had already been saved, filled with God’s Spirit and called to be a minister, does it? The fact is that I was kicked out of the game for unnecessary roughness (fighting) in the Fall of ’52. This was one of the reasons I knew I needed God in my life, and why I was desperate for God’s help. In the fall of ’53, the next time I met that player on the field, I Asked for and received his forgiveness. If you don’t have a copy of “This Far By Faith,” here’s how you can get a copy sent to you. After reading my confession here, my fellow bloggers may have lost interest in reading my book.

Yours for honesty and getting my words typed here in my blog correctly,

David

33 thoughts on “Friday, October 4, 2013

  1. “The modern Christian has lost a sense of worship along with the concept of majesty [of God] … It is this that makes Christianity, and we have all but lost it. Added numbers yes, but lost fear. Tons of literature being poured out, of course, but no consciousness of the divine Presence. Better communication, certainly, but nothing to communicate.” (The Attributes of God by A.W. Tozer)

  2. I do not think people will stop reading your book because of your last statement. We remember “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

    I once again could shout out my praise to The Lord while reading the Psalms this morning. I am so very grateful for our blog and the encouragement from you Pastor David and our fellow bloggers. Then tuning into Huntley ST adds icing on the cake!!!

    I am burdened for our fellow blogger Janet since she has not posted after her serious health concerns. Praying for you Janet and all those touched by health concerns.

  3. That thing that happened sixty years ago does not disqualify your book. As Paul instructed Timothy, the leadership of the church should be a good example to the church. I know you qualify for your work.

  4. God is so Wonderful, I can’t explain. The last two days have been very hard for me. I am P.O.A. for my only sibling who is totally handicapped in a nursing home. I was so upset (unexpectedly so) when I visited for a short moment and found out that she had broken her glasses again. (second time in a few days). She is without her dental appliance because it was run over by wheelchairs on two occasions. I could not believe how low and defeated I felt. I found it so hard to praise God at the time but I cried out to him telling him how I felt – it seemed so unfair that I go through one thing after another with her. I had pre-arranged to take her to the mall in the Handivan the next day but told the staff I would not be taking her. I couldn’t even visit with my friends (also pre-arranged). The next day I decided to take her out anyway as the van had been arranged. I went into Lens Crafters eye glass store and asked them if they could make a pair of glasses out of the 2 pr broken. The fellow gladly worked for 1/2 hr on them and returned a pair of usable glasses FREE of CHARGE. The weren’t even from that store! I walked around outside to wait for the van to pick us up and I started singing, “God is So Wonderful”! I haven’t heard or sung that song in years. I believe it was the Holy Spirit that prompted my spirit to sing that. My sister loved the song. Put “God is so Wonderful” in a Google search. It is a wonderful heartfelt song.

  5. David, your “humanness” admitting error in behaviour (then correcting it) by sincerely asking forgiveness, makes your strength in spirit and faith more real to the rest of us! Your life’s journey has been “awesome”! I was recently asked if I am still reading your blog. My wife answered before I did, that I have been reading it every morning (for a few days without access to internet, I followed by reading the scriptures and caught up later as many others have). It was an opportunity to say how life changing it is and how much wisdom you have shared with us all. You point out today how our enemies are not nations around us but self and sin. These truths/concepts have been invaluable to reflect upon. Your book “This Far By Faith” gave much history and insight into your life and ministry work. I encourage others who do not have a copy, to get one. Have a great day, to allL

  6. Oh yes we all have shortcomings but God always helps us
    I have to share a exciting event in my life afterr 22 years of losing my 5 grandchildren to cas my daughtrr hot a phone call last night at 11.30 it was her daughter now 18 calling and asking if she was her mom , oh what joy floods our souls and also her son michael having his 21 st birthday on October 8 th and Kendra a
    L living in montreal oh how ee praise Hod gor his love and his forgiveness and bringing corrinas children back into hrr life as well as her 5 sistrrs and my life being their grandma .God is do great our prayers have been answered praise God we love you Lord and thank you for bringing the family together again
    Our praise is always on our lips thank you Jesus amen

  7. Well good morning to all of you. I am so excited for today as I am ready to share God’s love for us to anyone. Look like a fool, don’t care. A victory report. “How awesome are your deeds!” His grace is enough. Thanks to you my party, praise, prayer, pals, God answered us. My friend who I asked prayer over a few days ago received unexpected news Wed. and Thurs. After 3 radiologists reviewed a CXR and CT the suspicious shadows were not diagnosed as cancer. They will review it again in 2 weeks. On Thurs. she received the news that if all clear of cancer, they will proceed to do life saving surgery on her heart. Amen! I told her that I called upon a network of people to pray for her. Needless to say there was a pile of tears shed. Thank you Pastor David for exlpaining to me that enemies are the sin and selfishness that we carry. I always thought that David was talking about his human enemies and thereby could never relate to him and what he was writing. This is a big piece of the puzzle. I might have to restart psalms (with great excitement). I always felt sorry for the poor guy. I couldn’t figure out why everybody hated this gifted human being. Talking about missing the boat on that one! That’s why we need you, Paster David. Your teachings are precious! If I don’t order your new book to inspire me about our God, I may miss the boat again! Have an amazing day everyone! God will bless everyone of us, we just have to open are eyes and hearts!

  8. I think people will still read your book. I have the book but have not read it yet. My intentions are to do so in the near future. I don’t read very fast due to a disability, but I don’t let that hold me back. I also read your blogs everyday. So don’t worry, everyone is still here and still reading!

  9. WOW….thank you for your faithfulness David and family…scripture is coming so alive and truth is bringing HIS joy and thankfulness to hearts….this work is needed…..may HE continue to lead ,guide and bless…..please keep up this wonderful ministry…..

  10. Thank you for all your prayers, it is so good to know I have brothers and sisters in Christ who will pray for me.

    My Awesome God

    My Awesome God is the God of grace.
    My Awesome God is my hiding place.
    My sins forgiven, I am at rest;
    Sheltered, at peace, forever blessed.

    My Awesome God is the Lord Most High.
    To my Awesome God I will draw nigh,
    Trusting in Him, I am free from fear,
    He guides my steps as I draw near.

    My Awesome God is the God of Love.
    With my Awesome God I shall dwell above,
    Then home at last I shall see His face,
    For Heaven shall be my dwelling place.

    I do sing this, but I cannot remember the name of the tune. When I remember I will post it.
    God is so Awesome, He forgives our sins, He gives us peace, He gives us faith to believe His Word. It’s all Him, and truly without Him we are nothing and can do nothing.
    Lord we praise You this morning, and give You thanks for another day. Bless all who read David’s blog, and especially David and his family, they have been so faithful to You and to us. It is in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen and Amen.

  11. David…it is ‘awesome’ what God has done in your life & many of us can relate to your stories….we thank the Lord for your integrity……

  12. Yes, What an AWESOME GOD HE IS!

    Thank you Lord for Your armor that I have on…for the Breastplate of
    Righteousness, for the Belt of truth; for the Gospel of Peace; for the Shield of Faith; for The Sword of the Spirit (Your Powerful Word); for the Helmet of Salvation…thank You for that provision! and all that You are, and all You have provided for us.
    Thank You for this day for it is the Day You have made and I WILL Rejoice and be Glad in it.
    YES, AWESOME GOD!!!AMEN and AMEN!!!

  13. Jesus’ double edged sword is always there. David M speaks the heart of it, but if I say my enemy is sin and not repent, and also preach sinfulness, I must be of God’s enemy. Better to try to repent.

  14. When we were servants of sin we were free from righteousness but now that we are servants of God we are free from sin (Romans).

  15. Dear Rev. David M.
    Your book This far by faith is such a treasure and I am sharing it with all those that are in need of a true example of someone actually walking by faith every second of their life giving Him all the Glory all the Praise .
    For Janet I pray for her healing and for all those that are facing different challenges and trials in Jesus name Amen Amen.
    Psalm 66:16-20
    Praise be to God
    who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me .

    Come and hear all who fear in God .
    Let me tell you what he has done for me.
    Have a blessed day
    xxxx Carole.

  16. Praise God for all the answered prayer and for all the transformed lives as we cannot partake of all of this and not be changed. Thank you David and family for all your faithfulness.

  17. Rev. David, on the contrary, I read that part of your book and it gave me hope! Hope that one day by the grace of God, I will overcome my hot temper and live the most simple life, love everyone the same and just serve God. You are my role model Sir, I cannot think of any other person here on earth that has inspired me any more than you have:) God bless you:) I have a request to make fellow bloggers. I am a HCA, I started working about 3 months ago at the current facility that I am at. It’s a facility for seniors, I regard them all as family and I love them dearly:) one of them was very cheerful, independent and loving. I even remembered one day that I offered to dance with her, she gave me a tight hug afterwards and said a big “thank you”, I was happy because I believed I made her day. About a month or two ago, she fell down she had to stay in the hospital for awhile but by the grace of God she rejoined us at the facility a few weeks ago. I am happy that she is back, I am just sad about her present situation and I believe my God can make a change in her life. She is in so much pain, doesn’t remember what exactly happened sometimes and cannot walk on her own anymore. She mourns half the time and her pain is so visible. She is not herself anymore. I spoke to her yesterday and asked if she believed in God, she said, “yes!” I asked if she believes that God can make her well again, she said “maybe”. I asked if she would like me to pray with her, she accepted, so we prayed together. Just like on a verse I read on Mathew a day or two ago, when the blind man said to Jesus, ” Lord, if You are willing I know You can make me well”. I BELIEVE SHE CAN BE WELL AGAIN IF GOD WILLING. And I ask you all to please pray for her, God knows her by name and nature. Please pray specifically for HEALING and a STRONGER FAITH IN GOD. God bless you all

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