“100”

Suggested Reading: Psalms 98-100

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

Here are some of the beautiful mosaics inside the Church of Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. This church is located in Lower Galilee, Israel, at the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley, 11 miles (18 km) west of the Sea of Galilee. It is believed by many Christians to be the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus. It is also known as the Mount of Transfiguration.

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

Key Verses: Psalm 100:4-5

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 98 is another “NEW” song! The word “NEW” is one of the most powerful words in the English language. We are attracted by that which is “NEW!” What “NEW” insights, “marvelous things” has God done? Our response to Him should be exuberant praise!

Psalm 99 takes us to a most serious consideration. God’s “Justice,” “Equity,” “Righteousness,” and the fact that “He is holy” should cause us to “Exalt the Lord our God.” He answered the prayers of Moses, Aaron and Samuel and forgave their sins, but they still suffered the consequences of their sins. What can we learn from their mistakes? Check out Numbers 20:7-13 and 1 Samuel 8:1-5.

Psalm 100 gives us reasons why we should “Make a joyful shout to the Lord!” (1) “The Lord is good.” (2) “His mercy is everlasting.” (3) “His truth endures to all generations.” This includes the generations alive here in the 21st century! Our key verses sum up why we have every reason to be excited about the Lord and why we must not keep this good news to ourselves. We must find and support every effort to reach “the ends of the earth” with our message that “The Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves!”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I have received a new understanding of Your mercy and faithfulness. How can I do less than give You all of me? I do enter Your “gates with thanksgiving.” I come into Your “courts with praise.” I pray for Your continuing grace to worship and serve You as I should. I pray in the Name of the One who always pleased You, the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I believe we were in the perfect will of God when Crossroads moved in 1977 from the weekly telecasts, called Crossroads and Circle Square for children, to the daily 100 Huntley Street telecast, originating from a building in downtown Toronto with that address. On the very first program, as well as subsequent live daily telecasts, I proclaimed that Psalm 100 was our official ministry Psalm. In the light of this fact, I encourage the hosts and producers of the variety of our present television and internet productions to use Psalm 100 as a template in order to make sure we are continuing the original purpose of God for the ministry, which is officially incorporated by the governments of Canada and the United States as “Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.”

I wrote the story of how the number “100” impacted my life in my latest book published in June, “This Far by Faith,” on pages 135-137. On several occasions, when decisions were required, this number played an important role in God’s directions for me and for the Crossroads ministry. I’d be delighted to arrange for my book to be in the hands of many more. The toll free number to call is 1-800-265-3100. A donation to help cover costs and support the ministry would be appreciated. The current book offer, “What Are You Afraid Of?” can also be ordered.

Yours so that we may together “SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS!”

David

In front of the big "100" at our prayer lines on the set of "100 Huntley Street" in the mid-eighties in downtown Toronto.

Here is the exterior of the Church of Transfiguration on Mount Tabor.

COME

Suggested Reading: Psalms 95-97

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

Israelis love their trees...Here in the Jordan Valley, you can see how the bulldozers moved the soil around the precious Acacia trees.

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

Key Verse: Psalm 96:7-8

Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

Give to the Lord glory and strength.

Give to the Lord the glory due His name;

Bring an offering, and come into His courts.

Psalm 95 is God’s invitation to “COME!” What do we do when we “COME!”… We “SING!” “SHOUT JOYFULLY!” offer to Him “THANKSGIVING!” “WORSHIP! BOW DOWN! KNEEL!” 95:7b invites us to hear His voice. We hear with our inner voices as we read or we can hear by clicking on the above scripture link and hear the Words being read out loud.

Psalm 95 was sung as the national anthem of Israel. In Psalm 96 we move beyond Israel to the whole world. All nationalities are invited to “COME.” By modern technology, Crossroads is inviting all peoples to “COME” and to “WORSHIP” the Lord in the beauty of holiness! What does crossroads360.com say to over 200 nations? “The Lord reigns!” (96:10-12a). The result will be that even the trees, including those Acacia trees in Reynold’s picture, will “REJOICE!”

Let’s not forget our key verse. When we come we give the offerings listed above, but we must not miss the exhortation, “BRING AN OFFERING!” Jesus watched as the widow placed her offering in the receptacle, and He announced that she had given more than all the others. When Jesus counts the giving of His people, He counts the level of sacrifice involved (read Mark 12:41-44). Psalm 97 carries on from Psalm 96.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

O Lord God, Your Name and Your message must be communicated more effectively to all the nations. I pray for Crossroads’ new Global Chief Executive Officer, Dr. John Hull, and the entire team of up-front people and those who make it all possible by working skillfully and by giving offerings sacrificially. Bless and strengthen us all in Jesus’ name! Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

It’s Sunday morning and I’m expecting to hear a message from God’s Word by our Pastor. As well, I’m listening to another message online. Our grandson-in-law, Rev. Jason Patterson, is preaching a message on “Overcoming the Giant of Fear” in the pulpit of The People’s Church, Oklahoma City. I’ll cut my personal words short so that there will be enough time for Jason’s message (click here).

Yours for living as Psalms 95, 96, and 97 encourage us!

David

P.S. Please write me a note regarding Jason’s message. I’ll pass your comments on to him. Also, please indulge a proud grandpa and great-grandpa. Here’s a picture from this past summer of Jason and our granddaughter Andrea, who is a PhD student at the University of Oklahoma, and our precious little great-granddaughter, Jadice Elizabeth Patterson. She’s now almost 10 months old.

Jason, Andrea and Jadice Patterson.

A PALM AND A CEDAR

Suggested Reading: Psalms 92-94

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

Date Palm trees flourishing in Israel's arid Jordan Valley.

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

Key Verses: Psalm 92:12-14

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,

He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord

Shall flourish in the courts of our God.

They shall still bear fruit in old age;

They shall be fresh and flourishing…

Flourish! Flourish! Flourishing! We can choose to be like this as we grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Like the Date Palm tree, we can produce really good fruit (dates). Mmmm! Are we hungry yet? Like the Cedars of Lebanon, we can be the building materials for the Temple of God here on earth! We are the temples of the Holy Spirit! We are God’s dwelling place on earth (Read 1 Corinthians 6:15-20).

Psalm 93 describes God as the eternal King over all creation!

Psalm 94 is an antidote to fear. “If I say, ‘My foot slips,’ Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul!” (94:18-19). Overcoming fear is the theme of the 100 Huntley Street telecasts this past week and next week. If we can’t see these programs on TV, we can find them on Crossroads 360 (click here).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, in my prayer today I want to present before You everything that causes me to be anxious. (I’m listing now privately at least three things that concern me deeply). I’m quoting the Apostle Paul now, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). In His Name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

The palm tree produces fruit from a young age to old age. I sincerely want to be like that! It’s a reason for this blog! (I want everyone to know that they can start reading with me at any time and, God willing, in two years they will complete the entire Bible). The giant Cedar trees of Lebanon are always green (evergreen). They grow tall and are rooted very deeply, so that they can withstand any storm that comes, without being toppled. I sincerely want to be like that too! These blessings are from God, who grows, strengthens, and makes flourish all who surrender to Him as Saviour and Lord. As Psalm 92:2 tells me “To declare Your lovingkindness every morning” (the blog posted at 6:00 a.m.), and “Your faithfulness every night,” I try to do that also! As I retire at night, I read the Scriptures for the next morning, so they can percolate in my spirit overnight. Then I read the same portion the next morning, praying about what God is saying to me through His Word as I prepare to type these words.

Yours because of God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness!

David

P.S. Please pray for Ron, Moira, and Jerry as they host for another week the annual membership campaign on the 100 Huntley Street telecast. It’s so very important that all of us who have joined the Crossroads Family of Ministries remain faithful, committing to monthly giving and increases, if possible, and that we encourage others to join us. Many older members are passing on to their reward. For example, three of our long-time faithful Crossroads members have gone on to their heavenly reward this past week. Cal Bombay’s Mom, Olive, Jim Cantelon’s Mom, Shirley, and Jean Ambrose, mother of Ginny, who has often sung on 100 Huntley Street. Ginny and her Mom sang in the People’s Church choir during the years Dr. John Hull was Pastor there. 100 Huntley Street viewers will remember Cal and Jim, as Cal gave daily commentaries and Jim often hosted the daily telecasts. Cal can be contacted at cal@calbombayministries.org, Jim at jim@visionledd.com, and Ginny at ginnylynn@rogers.com. I’m sure they would appreciate any words of encouragement.

THE SECRET PLACE

Suggested Reading: Psalms 90-91

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

Goreme is a town in Cappadocia, an historical region of Turkey. The people who settled here built their homes within these unusual, cone-shaped hills. This area was first settled during the Roman period. Christians were persecuted and for protection they dug subterranean dwellings into the rock hillsides. The believers in Christ were literally dwelling in a secret place as our key verse says. When Christians became the majority in the region, many churches were carved out of the solid rock. These amazing structures can still be seen today. Cappadocia is mentioned several times in the New Testament, including Acts 2:9 and 1 Peter 1:1.

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

Key Verses: Psalm 90:1 & 91:14

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom….

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 90 is unique in that it is the only one composed by Moses. He probably wrote this during the wanderings in the wilderness for 40 years, when they had no place to call home. They could not fortify themselves against enemy attacks. Moses learned that their only safe dwelling place was in the Lord. Considering the shortness of our days, 70 to 80 years approximately, we need to pack in all the wisdom we can gain so that “the beauty of the Lord will be upon us, and the works of our hands will be established” (90:17).

Psalm 91 teaches us that the secret place with God every day (it could be this blog) is the place of security. The world can be shut out and a sense of belonging to God is ours. We’re at home in the presence of the Lord! This is true protection!!! The warmth of God’s love is here!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, here I am, dwelling in Your secret place. I pray that I will learn more and more to relax and dwell constantly in Your presence.Thank You for this peaceful place of complete security, for now and for eternity! This is only because of Jesus in Whose Name I ask this great mercy. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I have personally experienced the fact that God “is my refuge and fortress.” As an evangelist who has shared the message of Jesus on the streets first, and then for decades on television, I’ve had attacks on my personal integrity which had no substance, and attacks on the effectiveness of the ministries which I’ve led. I felt totally unworthy when I received an award in 2008 for “Integrity in Life and Ministry,” along with Billy Graham, who received the same honour that year, presented by the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. I believe the secret of honouring God in honesty and love to all is that consistent “secret place” time with God early every morning. My meditation contained in this daily blog happens in that “secret place.”

I have three years to go before I reach the big 80! I’m claiming the last verse of Psalm 91! God writes to me through the Psalmist and says, “With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation!”

Yours because of the Lord’s promise to “establish the work of our hands!”

David

P.S. God is truly establishing His work! He works through all of us. I’m so thankful that He continues to establish His work through Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. Rev. Ron Mainse, our Spiritual Director, Don Simmonds and the Board of Directors, and our new Global Chief Executive Officer, Dr. John Hull, along with the entire team at Crossroads, with the foundation of all who pray for us and support financially, work with God to maintain, grow, and establish a strong and effective work…a work of GOD!!! Here’s another clip from one of the days in this week’s telecasts on the theme of “Fear Not!” (click here).

In another part of historic Cappadocia, the city of Kaymakli was created by persecuted Christians who excavated the relatively soft rock deep below the ground with the access opening well hidden. This is one of the below-ground rooms, and the round stone was likely a kitchen table. While this underground city consists of 8 floors below ground, only 4 of them are open to the public today, in which the spaces are organized around ventilation shafts. Archeologists think that there could have been up to 3500 people living in this city. So far 36 underground cities have been discovered in Cappadocia.

HOW LONG O LORD?

Suggested Reading: Psalms 89

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

This mosaic outside of St. Gabriel's church in Nazareth (also known as the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation) depicts the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary the news that she would bear a Son who would rule over the throne of David forever.

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

Key Verses: Psalm 89:1, 15

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;

With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations…

Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!

They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.

First of all, how about a spiritual lift? Click here to join in singing “of the mercies of the Lord forever!” After all, the intention of Ethan, the composer of this hymn, is that we should sing the words of our key verse. According to verse 15, we are a blessed people because we “KNOW THE JOYFUL SOUND!” The choir and orchestra may well have been intended to build to a crescendo from verses 1 to 15. Ethan’s faith is strong. He believes that God will keep His promise that the dynasty of King David will continue (read 1 Kings 8:22-26). He believes this in spite of the fact that the last ruling monarch of David’s line had been taken captive into Babylon. The last 15 verses of this Psalm seem to show that it was written prophetically or that Ethan lived and wrote after the events of the destruction of Jerusalem. Ethan, in his emotionally-charged poetry, cries out, “How long, Lord? Will You hide Yourself forever?”

It would be approximately 500 years later that the permanent occupant of David’s throne would be born of the Virgin Mary. Let us read about the “Anointed One.” Those words, “Anointed One” are the English translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” Let us all read from Luke’s Gospel 1:26-33. Luke picks up on the words from Psalm 89:36-37 and quotes from the Angel who appeared to Mary with this message concerning the Child she was about to conceive, “The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David… of His Kingdom there will be no end!” Amen!!! Amen!!! Amen!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You are my King, my forever Sovereign. You rule over my heart and mind. I recommit to this fact every day as I meditate on this blog’s Scripture portion. I pray that I will live today, and every day, as Your ambassador, representing You well! Thank You for grace to do this. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As a boy in school here in Canada, a former colony of Britain, I would sing heartily, “God save our gracious King” (George VI). On the main street of the village of Brighton, Ontario, back in 1959, while Queen Elizabeth II passed by in an open convertable car, Norma-Jean played the accordion and I led approximately 5000 people crowding the sidewalks in singing, “God save the Queen” (for this story and dozens of others be sure to get my latest book – click here for information). The difference with the King who sits on David’s throne is that He saves us when we call on Him! The Bible declares that, “Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved!”

Yours for the Glory of the King who does not need to be saved, but who Saves!!!

David

P.S. Here’s another video clip in the current series with Dr. David Jeremiah on 100 Huntley Street. His book, What Are You Afraid Of? is available here, or by calling 1-800-265-3100.

O CITY OF GOD

Suggested Reading: Psalms 87-88

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

These graves that line the hillside of the Mount of Olives can be seen from the southern wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives, or Mount Olivet, is a mountain ridge east of, and adjacent to, Jerusalem's Old City. It is named for the olive groves that once covered its slopes. The southern part of the Mount was the necropolis (large cemetery) of the ancient Judean kingdom. The Mount is central to Jewish tradition since it has been used as a Jewish cemetery for over 3,000 years and holds approximately 150,000 graves. Several key events in the life of Jesus, as related in the Gospels, took place on the Mount of Olives, and in the Book of Acts it is described as the place from which Jesus ascended to Heaven.

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

Key Verse: Psalm 88:3-4

For my soul is full of troubles,

And my life draws near to the grave.

I am counted with those who go down to the pit;

I am like a man who has no strength,

Psalm 87 may be an expansion of Psalm 86:9, which prophesies a day when “all nations which You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name!” Zion (Jerusalem) is not just a city, the capital of Israel, but the capital city of the Kingdom of God.

Psalm 88 may be a prophetic utterance fulfilled by Jesus when He was put in the pit after His arrest. This Psalm has been printed on a laminated card and placed there on the altar in that pit for all visitors to read who descend into it (below the ancient ruins of the High Priest Caiaphas’ house — see the photo in a previous blog here).

Heman, the composer of this psalm, seems to be without hope. While David wrote songs of deep despair, he always at some point expressed hope and praise to God. In spite of the fact that Heman did not express his confidence in God to deliver him, he did “cry out day and night” to God. Heman must have had faith in God or he would not have called on God to hear his cry.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I am blessed! I may not be able to identify with Heman in his prayer of lamentation for myself, but I can identify with others who are going through deep troubles. I cry to You, Lord, for Your intervention in the lives of hurting people who are being crushed by tragedy. I believe that when Jesus descended into the pit, just before His death and resurrection, that He put His all-powerful arms under people in deep despair in order to lift them out of their pit. I pray that I will be used of You, Lord, as Your arms to lift others into the experience of Your peace and love. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

God willing, I expect to stand on the Mount of Olives this November where I will view the scene of these graves in the photos. The Jewish people place small stones on top of the graves of those they wish to remember. The bodies are buried with the feet pointing to the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem in expectation that when Messiah comes; they will stand up in the resurrection and will see the Messiah enter. In His prophetic entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus rode the donkey through these graves and into the city’s Eastern Gate. I’ve just read John’s account of Jesus’ ride (John 12:12-22), and Luke’s record (Luke 19:28-44).

I am excited every time I lead a group of God’s people to the top of Olivet and view this scene. In Acts 1:9-12, I read about Jesus’ return to this very mountain. I think, “Lord, it could happen while we are standing here.” Amen! and Amen!

Yours in the great hope of the coming of the Messiah and the resurrection,

David

P.S. With the theme of “Fear Not” currently on 100 Huntley Street (this week and next), I want to share some video links from Crossroads360.com over the next week or so, regarding overcoming our fears. Here’s one for today with Dr. David Jeremiah discussing one of the chapters in his book, “What Are You Afraid Of?” (click HERE).

Here is a view of many Jewish graves from a hole in the wall of a walkway that leads down the Mount of Olives.

THE MEETING & THE KISS

Suggested Reading: Psalms 84-86

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

Golgotha (meaning "skull" in Aramaic) also called Calvary (from Latin calva, meaning "bald head" or "skull"), may be at this skull-shaped hill in Jerusalem. It is an ancient quarry through which a main road passes just outside the Damascus Gate. The prophet Jeremiah wrote in Lamentations 1:12, "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which the Lord inflicted on me in the day of His fierce anger." Thousands of people "pass by" each day here at the Arab East Jerusalem Bus Station. Without exception, the Romans always crucified people beside the most busy roads in order to show an example to as many people as possible.

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

Key Verse: Psalm 85:10

Mercy and truth have met together;

Righteousness and peace have kissed.

Our key verse found fulfillment at the cross of Christ! God’s mercy to the entire human race was made available at the cross! God’s Truth and righteousness, for which Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, was satisfied. The Apostle Paul, a Jewish Rabbi, wrote, “Having made peace through the blood of His cross…” (Read Colossians 1:15-22).

Psalm 84 should cause us to ask of ourselves this question: When is the last time we longed to go to church with such an intense desire?

Psalm 85 is a cry to God for revival, a hymn to be sung in the house of God! After such a fervent prayer, confidence fills the heart and mind of the writer. “YES, the Lord will give what is good!” (Psalm 85:12a).

In Psalm 86, King David gives reasons why he believes that the Lord will hear his prayer, preserve him, save him, show mercy, teach him, deliver him, strengthen him and give him a sign. When we speak out our confidence in God, our faith is increased.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You help the helpless. That’s me! I’m confident in Your salvation because You are my God and I trust in You! “You, Lord, are good and ready to forgive” (86:5a). “You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (86:15). Therefore, O Lord, I’m filled with faith in You as I kneel in Your presence to call upon You for this new day. I pray in the Name of the One who brought mercy and truth together, and through Whom righteousness and peace have kissed each other, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

The eternal, all-powerful, all-loving, all-wise God has provided a way for His unchangeable “rule of law” to be satisfied. God’s Son, fully God, took upon Himself the punishment which I deserved, so that eternal justice has been satisfied. That “kiss” referred to in our key verse presents a picture of what happened as Jesus, fully God, suffered in my place.

I can do no less than give myself again to God for this new day and for the rest of my life. Again this morning I am quoting my daily confession, “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” (Galatians 2:20).

Yours in celebration of “the meeting and the kiss”! I’m amazed that with the help of the Lord, I’ve actually done 500 of these blogs. Thank you for your prayers for me!!! The two-year journey through the Bible will take 730 blogs. Keep praying for this unworthy preacher.

Yours for another 230 blog postings,

David

P.S. Here is a link for important information on how to get Dr. David Jeremiah’s book on overcoming our fears. Please don’t miss getting your very own copy. I believe that all my blog partners should read this book and pass it on to someone else (click here). Also, here’s a word from my son, Ron. Every evening before he retires, he prepares the outline of this blog for me to fill in with my content the next morning. Thanks Ron! Click here for a message from Ron about the current 100 Huntley Street programming.

GALILEE OR DEAD SEA

Suggested Reading: Psalms 81-83

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

The Dead Sea, also called the Salt Sea, borders Jordan to the east and Israel and Palestine to the west. Its surface and shores are 423 metres (1,388 ft) below sea level...Earth's lowest elevation on land. The Dead Sea has attracted visitors from around the Mediterranean basin for thousands of years. Biblically, it was a place of refuge for King David. It was one of the world's first health resorts (for Herod the Great), and it has been the supplier of a wide variety of products, from balms for Egyptian mummification to potash for fertilizers. People also use the salt and the minerals from the Dead Sea to create cosmetics. As the Jordan River flows south, it picks up salts and other chemicals which eventually kill all life by the time the waters reach the Dead Sea. There is no escape from the Sea except by evaporation, which concentrates the deadly chemicals even more. Likewise, throughout the years in the flow of Israel's history, the people absorbed the sins of the surrounding nations and death spiritually was the result (Psalm 83).

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

Key Verse: Psalm 81:13

Oh, that My people would listen to Me,

That Israel would walk in My ways!

Psalm 82:5b tells us, “All the foundations of the earth are unstable.” The Bible is not a textbook on natural science, but when a statement is made on the subject, it is correct. The people could not have known about the great tectonic plates that move continents, causing earthquakes and opening up huge chasms such as the Jordan Valley. Geologists have calculated the increase of the salt in the Dead Sea, and a formula has been developed. If the formula is reversed to figure out the decrease of salt, it is possible to guess at the time when no waters flowed down to the lowest place on earth, and no salt was washed into that sea, which has no outward flow. This was not millions of years ago, but in the time from the flood of Noah to the fire and brimstone of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 7:11-24 & Genesis 19:24-29).

Our key verse tells us that God longs for His people to return to Him. If they had maintained their relationship with God consistently, they would have enjoyed the river of constant blessings instead of curses, defeat and death over and over again.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray for consistency every day to draw from Your river of life as Your presence and purpose flows through time. Please grant me sufficient grace that I may not pick up the corrosive death-producing culture of this world. I yield my stubborn will to the current that flows from my daily meditation on Your Word and on the Person and work of Jesus Christ! In His Name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I love the description of the “pure river of water of life,” which the Apostle John shared with us from his vision of the “Throne of God (Revelation 22:1-2). That river flows through Jesus Himself (John 4:7-14) and also John 7:37-39, where I’ve just read that Jesus cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures have said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” There are several places in the Hebrew Scriptures to which Jesus referred. I’ve just looked up one of those and read Isaiah 43:19-21.

The upper Jordan flows from the pure sources at the base of Mount Herman in the north down to the fresh, life-filled Sea of Galilee. Then the water proceeds to descend down through that deep scar in the earth’s surface, known as the Rift Valley, into a place where no life can exist. I’ve tried to swim in the Dead Sea. It was very awkward, given the water’s unusual buoyancy (10 times more salty than the ocean). When I tried to swim, the tendency was for my head to sink under the surface and my feet to rise as I floated. At another time, after a long horseback ride along the upper Jordan, with my muscles aching and sore, my sons, who assist me in this blog, and I plunged into the waters for the most refreshing swim of our lives. The difference between the pure waters flowing from the mountains toward the Sea of Galilee and the eventual destiny of those waters (the Dead Sea) was enormous! Life and death is in those waters. I must stay constantly in the Living Waters, not picking up the death-producing contamination of this world as I travel through it.

Yours for choosing LIFE!!! HAPPY CANADIAN THANKSGIVING!!!

David

P.S. Pray for Ron and Moira as they host the Fall membership campaign over the next two weeks on the 100 Huntley Street daily telecast.

The shorelines of the Dead Sea are covered in some areas by massive salt deposits, as seen in this photo.

GOD’S FACE AND FAVOUR!

Suggested Reading: Psalms 79-80

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

Date palms flourishing in the Israeli heat of the Jordan Rift Valley.

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

Key Verse: Psalm 80:14-15

Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts;

Look down from heaven and see,

And visit this vine

And the vineyard which Your right hand has planted,

And the branch that You made strong for Yourself.

Psalm 79 pictures Jerusalem destroyed by surrounding nations. Yet at the time of Asaph Jerusalem was in the process of building the Temple. Under David and Solomon they experienced a period of safety and prosperity. Therefore Asaph was given a prophecy of a time to come when the Babylonians, the Greeks, and the Romans would, at various times, fulfill this prophecy. Approximately 1/3 of the Bible is prophecy. Therefore we would do well to be aware of what will come on the earth in our future or in the future of our children.

Three times in Psalm 80 we’ve read the prayer, “Restore us O God!” Our key verse cries out for God’s return and reminds God that He has planted His people as a vineyard. Three times also Asaph prays for God’s face to shine upon them. Without the sunshine the vineyard cannot be healthy. We need to cry out for God’s favour on our land, repenting for our sins and the sins of the people of this world.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You Father God, that You have restored me and others in our time by sending “The true Vine,” our Lord Jesus Christ! May I see Your face in Jesus today. I pray for Your continuing grace, Your favour, making Your face to shine upon us all. I ask with faith in the One who said, “I am the true vine,” Jesus Himself. Amen!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve just read Isaiah 5:1-7. This is a song sung by Isaiah about the vineyard of God’s people hundreds of years after Asaph’s song and just before the fulfillment of Asaph’s prophecy by the army of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. I’ve also read John 15:1-11, where Jesus, the true Vine, shows us the way to live so that, as Jesus said, “Your joy may be full.” The key words are: “Abide in Me (as a branch abides in the vine) and My words abide in you.”

In about three hours Norma-Jean and I will head out to our Sunday morning church service. I’m confident that through Jesus’ words, which I expect our pastor, Rev. Kevin Shepherd will preach, our joy will be full! This coming week, as branches abiding in the Vine, we’ll hang out with our neighbours and bear good fruit to share with them. Amen!

Yours to bless my blog partners and to try to keep my words closer to 100,

David

LIMITING THE HOLY ONE

Suggested Reading: Psalms 78

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

A teacher brings a class of boys to visit the En Gedi Nature Reserve and loses control, as they jump fully clothed into the water! Here David took refuge from Saul. Perhaps David refreshed himself in this very waterfall. In the Jewish schools of Israel, the teachers do as our key verse says. In Israel the students are called Talmudim (translation = disciples).

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

Key Verse: Psalm 78:4, 41

We will not hide them from their children,

Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,

And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done…

Yes, again and again they tempted God,

And limited the Holy One of Israel.

Asaph, The senior worship leader of Israel, composed this beautiful poetry and put it to music. Our reading for today puts emphasis on the responsibility we must carry in making sure that the children, the next generation, know the stories of God’s faithfulness. We must not neglect to also point out the people’s unfaithfulness. This teaching method has often inspired the next generation to rise above the older generation’s level of knowledge to experience God in new and powerful ways.

Words put to music often have a greater impact on our lives than words alone. Bruce Stacey, our Crossroads Chief Content Officer, is like a modern Asaph who has put hundreds of Bible verses to music for the children. Check it out at the Crossroads e-store (click here). Place an order and share the Scriptures in this way with the children, the next generation.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You work within human free will because You made us in Your image and likeness. I pray that I may not limit You by my failure to communicate Your stories I read in Your Word. May I also teach the next generation by recounting, in an effective manner, the experiences of my life. In the Name of the One who at 12 years of age listened to the teachers and asked them questions, Jesus of Nazareth. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve asked our Crossroads Spiritual Director, Ron Mainse, to tell all of us who are blog partners why we should keep supporting the ministry of the Crossroads Family of Ministries. For the next two week beginning on Monday’s 100 Huntley Street telecast, the content will feature those reasons and encourage monthly membership! I want to urge us all to participate in the membership drive in some way. I want to see God do BIG things moving forward under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps our company name should be “GOD AND PARTNERS UNLIMITED!” Here’s Ron…

Our two-week series (and membership drive) is simply entitled “FEAR NOT!” Canada’s Thanksgiving Monday is a great time to kick it off, because that command from the Lord is certainly something to be thankful for, as we all battle issues of fear in our lives. Our special guest for this series is Pastor and best-selling author Dr. David Jeremiah. He says “As Christians, we have been given all we need in order to face down even the most frightening, unexpected, and overwhelming obstacles in life.” Dr. Jeremiah will be teaching us from his new book, WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?: Facing Down Your Fears With Faith.

By your financial support, you give us the privilege of ministering every day to people who are feeling defeated by their fears. And so many are responding to our programming via our prayer line or email, asking for help and prayer. People are reaching out to us with words like: “I have become overwhelmed by fear…” ~ P. T. and “The fear is so strong that it keeps me trapped.” ~ C. W. Our prayer line receives over 1,000 calls every day, giving our telephone prayer partners the joy of sharing the Truth of God’s Word and praying for those who are struggling with challenging life issues, questions and fears. And callers are always presented with an opportunity to meet THE ANSWER…Jesus. Unprecedented opportunities are on the horizon for Crossroads to reach out to a hurting, fearful world with the HOPE of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! HERE’S how you can give a support gift or monthly pledge, as well as request the book by Dr. David Jeremiah. You can also call toll free 1-866-273-4444.

God bless you, Ron

P.S. (By David) I committed to publishing dozens of magazines back in the 70’s and early 80’s encouraging the reading of the Bible over two years. Ron has taken us down memory lane by inserting below some pages from an old “New Direction” magazine from 1981, including today’s reading from the Psalms. Between these “New Direction” magazines and the beginning of this blog, we’ve published ten books with the same purpose. Unfortunately, they are out of print and unavailable. All the commentaries were fresh bread, and were not copied from the many previous trips through the Scriptures. Now, 100words.ca is prepared just for you, my blog buddies! Thanks for joining me faithfully.

David