Saturday, February 1, 2014

FIRE IN MY BONES

Suggested Reading: Jeremiah 20-21

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

 

Underneath the Convent of the Sisters of Zion, pilgrims can visit stone pavings which are believed to be the "Pavement," "Gabbatha," (Lithostrotos). Nearby, Pilate had his judgment seat (John 19:13). This place is considered the second station of the Via Dolorosa (the path that Jesus took while carrying His cross on His way to be crucified). The Roman soldiers' game in Lithostrotos pavement can still be seen as shown in the picture. Markings in the paving stones indicate a dice game known as, "The King's Game." It may be that this was where Jesus was mocked by the placing of a crown of thorns on His head, the old robe of royal purple, and the words, "Hail, King of the Jews!" (John 19:2-3).

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

 

Key Verse: Jeremiah 20:9

Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him,

Nor speak anymore in His name.”

But His word was in my heart like a burning fire

Shut up in my bones;

I was weary of holding it back,

And I could not.

 

Jeremiah considered being “politically correct” and keeping quiet about God’s Word of judgment which the people were bringing upon themselves. However, regardless of the pressure to be silent, he continued to shout God’s message of warning, calling for repentance! Is it possible that we could be so consumed by the fire of God’s Spirit that holding back makes us “weary,” and we open our hearts and out of our mouths comes God’s Word to our generation? Consider the words of John the Baptist about Jesus, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and FIRE!” (Matthew 3:11b). What does Jeremiah’s level of commitment look like in the lives of the first generation of those who followed Jesus? Read of the example of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:1-11. Paul wrote, “O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open!” Jesus describes a good man as recorded in Luke 6:45. He says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good…out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks!” This blog’s main purpose is to make sure that our hearts are full of God’s Word daily! Amen! So be it!!!

Jeremiah’s prophecy about King Zedekiah was 100% accurate. Read 2 Kings 25:6-11 and 2 Chronicles 36:11-21. How tragic it was that the leadership of Israel failed to act on the message of Jeremiah 21:8, “Now you shall say to this people, ‘Thus says the Lord: behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death.'” Moses said, centuries before when he presented the same challenge to Israel, “THEREFORE, CHOOSE LIFE!!!” (Deuteronomy 30:14-20).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I choose life! I pray that I will never falter in that choice, giving in to the pressures of political correctness. You, O Lord, are the Judge, not me. I know that my job is to speak Your Word to those with whom I come into contact. Holy Spirit, I pray that Your breath will blow on the embers of my heart daily, causing fire, as Jeremiah experienced, to burn in my bones so that I feel helpless to contain Your Word for my own benefit only. I ask You for the boldness of Peter and John who said, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve stood several times on the “Pavement” pictured above and tried to explain how the Roman soldiers would use the game engraved on the stone to mock their prisoners. During my first visit in 1968, a Roman Catholic Nun took us down to the level of the ancient street below her convent and explained what happened. She was quite distant, lacking any passion when she explained the place. The next time I visited, the same sister took us downstairs. This time she passionately described how Jesus’ claims to be King were mocked, and then she began to sing, “He is Lord. He is Lord. He is risen from the dead and He is Lord! Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!” I said to her, “Sister, the last time we were here you just gave us cold facts. Something has changed. What has happened?” She answered, “O, I know Him now!” In further conversation I discovered that she had begun attending a charismatic prayer group’s meetings in the Old City of Jerusalem, and she had come into the assurance of her salvation, and been baptized with the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4!

I ask my readers, “Do you know Him?” If you have any doubt about this and would like an introduction to Jesus in Person, please, please call 1-866-273-4444 toll free and ask one of our prayer partners to introduce you to Jesus Himself. They, like the Nun in Jerusalem, “KNOW HIM NOW!” The person who will answer the phone is filled with God’s Spirit. They are non-judgmental, loving, caring friends of Jesus! Go ahead, call as soon as possible. It’s available 24/7! If you get a busy signal, please don’t give up! Try until you get through.

Yours for “Knowing Him!”

David

P.S. Yesterday I watched the trailer for the 20th Century Fox movie which premiers in theatres on Friday, February 28, 2014. Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel) and Mark Burnett, her husband (creator of Survivor,The Voice, The Apprentice, and Shark Tank) have produced what may be the finest movie ever on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus! (click here for a look inside this labour of love, including a trailer and resources to help spread the word). I think Mark and Roma have a “fire in their bones” to put their talents and resources into getting God’s message out to the whole world!!!

16 thoughts on “Saturday, February 1, 2014

  1. Thank you David for opening our eyes and hearts of Gods word I ve accepted Jesus as my saviour through 100 Huntley Street in july oc 1977 just before my son was born and died 6 weeks later of paratanitis but the dr said he would live and be fine , the last time I seen him alive he looked up at me through the incubater those pictures remain in my mind till this day he was my only son and I know hes in heaven but I dtill miss him dearly but God has a purpose and a plan for each one of our lives take my life Lord and use it for uour praise honor and glory in Jesus name Amen God Bless David Mainse and his family and thank uou gor his complete healing in jesus name Amen

    • God bless you, dear Brenda! When the day comes for you to go home to God’s Kingdom in heaven, how joyful it will be to reunite with your beautiful and precious son! Until then, may you blessed with the continuous abundance of God’s love!

          • sorry but my texting did not take all my comment! Like you, i am looking forward to being reunited with my love ones. All that is made possible because of GOD’S AMAZING GRACE , THE CROSS OF CALVARY AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS OUR SAVIOR,OUR REDEEMER,OUR KING.

            xxx Carole

  2. Powerful reading, today! The extremity of Jeremiah’s feelings were heard in the readers’ voice. Indeed, David, the weight we are carrying falls off us when we shout our love for the Lord and proclaim His Name. Jeremiah and Paul are omnipotent examples. Jeremiah cried, “his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot” (Jer 20:9). Paul shouted to the Corinthians to be holy. “O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open” (2 Cor 6:11). This reminds me of the utter joy and connection I feel when praising our King in song. The harmony of the entire congregation at church is so powerful and connected. We cannot hold back from expressing the magnitude of our love for God’s Kingdom!

    Thanks for the link to the trailer of the upcoming movie, David! I cannot wait to see it!

    Thank you, dear saints, for your prayers, yesterday. They made all the difference! Without listening and following God’s instruction to start this blog a year and a half ago, David, we would not be sharing the gift of praying for one another and spreading the seed of Jesus. Thank you, fine sir!!!

    Early this morning, I awoke with these words:
    Do not be discouraged when people are not who you want them to be. For I am with you. I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

    As we cling to the cloak of Jesus, we are mothered by reading His Word. The Spirit will feed us and breathe through us. We are covered with an armour of protection. No attack against us can permeate the love of Christ within our hearts. God’s continued blessings, dear saints!

  3. No starker contrast can be made in today’s reading between choosing a life without God to one choosing life in relationship with Christ! John 14:16b “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Have placed the movie “Son Of God” in our calendar. Looks like a great night for dinner and a movie! His blessings and strength, to all!

  4. WOW!
    You asked Vivienne and me “Do you KNOW Jesus?” during our evening meal in Tiberias in November 2012.
    We can both say with confidence – YES!
    We saw the interview with Eric Metaxas on 100 Huntley Street yesterday and look forward to the movie and will help spread the word as you suggest.
    Shalom,
    Graham & Vivienne.
    2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.

  5. What a difficult, to say the least, situation Jeremiah was stuck in. If he kept quiet, he was burning inside to speak God’s warnings. If he spoke God’s word, he was persecuted by the people It was aimed at. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Surely God gave him the strength, courage and will to put himself in such danger.
    Thanks David M. for having many of the qualities of Jeremiah.
    Praise the Lord for our bible.
    So happy a movie is coming out to spread the word of salvation.
    I pray for Brenda and all those who suffered the loss of a loved one.

  6. Thank you David for all the time and effort you are putting into this Blog, even directing us to cross references that plump out and balance what we are learning.You are a gem! Brenda, my heart goes out to you, some things in life are so difficult to bear! l am so glad that your son is safely home with our Father and Jesus in Heaven. He has likely been spared a difficult life here and was taken home quickly to be blessed forever in the presence of our Lord. God is Love. l’m sure you will be rewarded Brenda when you get to Heaven yourself and see it was the best plan. God Bless You for trusting and keeping the faith, you are a real soldier!

  7. Powerful reading today and your prayer too Pastor David. Yes I know HIM!

    Did not post yesterday but was in prayer for Lianne and Beverlee.

    Thank you for sharing Brenda and my heart goes out to you, as you remember your son, but knowing he is safe in the arms of Jesus, I trust brings you comfort, and as you go on in the faith, you will indeed bt rewarded.

    Blessings to all today.

  8. We have children in heaven also. What a privilege to know they were called into the presence of God. I can hardly wait, (and I have a dream), of seeing my sister running toward me with a sound mind and a wonderful working body. She is excited, running toward me with a big smile and a hug. I have never seen her that way. As for the Movie, I was wondering if anyone knew where the Movie will be playing. I don’t understand how to buy tickets when we don’t know where it will be playing. It would be great to go with a group.

  9. Yes, powerful message and prayer, David. Jeremiah paid a price to be God’s prophet but what glory awaited him! What compassion he had for his people and nation. May God renew our passion and fire to speak when we feel what Jeremiah felt in his bones and could not stay. Pray we all are delivered from what holds us back physically as well. Am keeping up and praying your prayers, David. God bless you saints of God!

  10. Dear rev. David M.
    As i was about to thank you for anather precious teaching of Gods Word and comments of my sisters and brothers in Christ I was interupted by the phone call
    of m,y care giver Aisfan who through tears told me about her mothers dying a few hours ago in Pakistan .I did my best to console her and ask her if she wanted me to pray with her, and we did.Inmy prayer I thanked Our Lord Jesus for giving her mother a chance to repent and surrender her life to Him.
    Since june the third 2012 Aisfan from monday to friday has been reading your daily 100 words and typing for me my personel comments .
    May I request from you and my fellow brothers and sisters prayers for her that Jesus in this time of great sorrow fill her with His Love and may the Holy Spirit give me His Guidence His Power in Jesus Name Amen.

    Have a blessed day everyone
    Keeping you all in prayer with my heart on fire

    XXXX Carole.

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