GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS
Suggested Reading: Jeremiah 33-34
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
In the lower parts of what was The High Priest Caiaphas' house is a dungeon. This is the area where Jesus would have spent the night after He was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. In today's reading, we find Jeremiah is "still shut up in the court of the prison" here in Jerusalem. Above the dungeon, the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu ("the cock crowing") now sits.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 33:3
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
God spoke the words of our key verse to Jeremiah while he was in prison. Whatever our circumstances, we just need to “call,” then listen and watch! God hears and answers pivotal prayers. The pivotal word, “behold” (33:6), turns our eyes from the judgment we bring upon ourselves to God’s promises of healing, abundance of peace and truth, return, rebuilding, cleansing from sin, joy, praise, honour, goodness and prosperity. It’s no wonder that Jeremiah quotes the often-repeated words of King David, “His mercy endures forever!” The fact is that King Zedekiah is the last of the line of Kings descended from David to reign in Jerusalem until the Roman authority, Governor Pilate, places these words over the head of Jesus as He hung on the cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:27-37). Jesus said to Pilate, “My Kingdom is not of this world, if My Kingdom was of this world then would My servants fight” (John 18:36-38). It is estimated that by the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D., at least half of the people of Jerusalem, and many of the priests, had made Jesus, the Messiah King, their Lord and Saviour.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for grace sufficient to truly repent, so that I consistently do the right thing, not as the leaders of Jerusalem who seemed to repent but then reneged on their decision to free the slaves (Jeremiah 34:8-16). Lord, I sing the chorus, “Keep me true, Lord Jesus. Keep me true. There’s a race that I must run, there are victories to be won. Give me power every hour to be true.” I pray this in and through the Name of the only 100% consistent One, the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Jeremiah 34:22 tells me that “The host of Heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured.” The inspired-by-God Scriptures, while not a scientific document, when it contains a statement concerning natural science, does not contradict truth. Around 200 B.C. the first textbook on astronomy was written by Hyparchus, a Greek. He claimed that he had counted the stars and there were 850 in total. Some claim that Hyparchus counted 1,022 stars. Of course, 1600 years later Galileo discovered the stars were numberless. At any rate, when even modern texts are different than the clear statement of fact in the Bible, I take my father’s advice on this. When I came home from a grade seven class and reported that I had been embarrassed in front of my science class by a teacher who mocked me for believing that God created man, Dad said, “Just wait, David, you’ll find out that the Bible is right when all the facts are in.” I’m pointing this out with several examples during this two-year journey through the Bible. For example, the Babylonian wise men, advisers to Nebuchadnezzar, believed, according to their records, that we humans, animals, etc., were vermin on the hide of a great giant. In spite of 70 years in captivity in Babylon, the Jewish writers of the Bible never wrote such nonsense. They had God’s revelation of Himself, the Holy Scriptures.
Yours for a wait-and-see approach to current “scientific” texts, which are always changing and in many cases the scientists are at odds with each other,
David
Yesterday morning I got up earlier than usual so that I could do my blog and at 5:15 pick up my friend Ollie and 4 university students, including my grandson, for a fishing trip to the fishing pier south of St. Petersburg here in Florida. When I got home I reported to Norma-Jean that we had caught at least 50 fish, all of which measured over 12 inches long. Well, I got the "over 12 inches" part right, but according to Ollie's wife, who dropped over to our place last night, there were only 30 fish that Ollie filleted. She brought a number of them for our freezer. O.K. I exaggerated. Honestly, I didn't mean to (mea culpa). I tell you this to emphasize to you that God's Word, as compared to mine, is totally reliable! Amen!!! I'm not exaggerating when I show you the proof of two mackerel fish caught on two of the three lures that I had on my line! YEAH!!!
I like the historical information you provide in your blog, especially helpful when reading a book like Jeremiah. I also like the scenes and stories from Florida…a perfect winter destination for us older Ontarians. I’ve been to the St. Pete’s area and it is just beautiful. I’m not quite a snowbird yet, but hopefully in a few more years. Have a wonderful Sunday, and I pray our churches hear and preach the true Word of Life!
Whoever may have tried to contradict Hyparchas’ count of the stars could only have been further confounded as if to count earths grains of sand! Better to stick with the biblical truth! I imagine some great fish fry’s on the horizon! On a more serious note, I too sincerely pray your prayer for strength and honesty with God and ourselves, to move steadily forward in our walk with our Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:5-7
King James Version (KJV)
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Will be thinking of you at worship today in Prescott, Ontario.
Hope you are able to meet up with many followers of Jesus after your service in Florida this morning as previously advised!
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
Awesome fish, David! Praise the Lord!
Keep Me True, Lord Jesus, Keep Me True
Jabu Hlongwane Gospel
Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true.
Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true.
There’s a race that I must run,
There are victories to be won,
Give me power, every hour, to be true.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqaLuchjXj8
Blessings fellow saints, as we sing praise and worship to our King, today!
Thank you Beverlee for sharing the link to that inspiring song “Keep Me True”. I’m sure our fellow bloggers will agree with me when I say that I always look forward to reading the encouraging words that you share with us on this daily blog.
Thank you, Allan, and fellow saints. You have no idea how special this is to me when I needed cheering up, after just getting home from church, followed by a society meeting and lunch. Physical pain has gotten the better of me, today, as I am certain fellow saints suffering along with me feel attacked in their bones from this cold. Your comments continually encourage and inspire me. I feel so blessed to be part of this blog with you!
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief to bear. I love that song.
Good on your dad David Mainse for standing up for Jesus against your ignorant teacher. Many, many poor soles just don’t know.
Jeremiah was certainly a trooper.
My son would be green with envy if he saw your pic of you holding the fish.
Thanks for today’s study and please keep up the great work.
Shalom to all.
This is my kind of prayer Beverlee too, thank you for shering.Jesus keep me true
Blessings to All
Maria
I also thank you Beverlee for your encouragement,prayers and the link you shared we all need to do that
Lianne Hogg
hi David
i was inspired by your fishing story we are in south Florida most of January and February and have never gone fishing because i cannot pay those fishing boats the money they want and you caught all those fish from a pier I will have to look into it more seriously on another note I started and continued following your daily reading in November and for the first time i thing i will complete the reading of the bible it in two years in the past i have started many times the one year on New years my pray time and relationship with the Lord has greatly improved
Dear Rev David M,
Thank You Lord for the radiant smile of your obedient servant. We are so grateful for Your Gift of Healing. Let us bring You glory until Your return.
Have a blessed day everyone as you go and worship our Savior, our King Jesus.
xxxx Carole
Great photo, David and message. Thank you Beverlee for the song; it truly blessed me and yes for your contributions. God bless all of you on this day of worship.
Good to see you looking so well David. The fish will nourish your body too. A great message again today. Thanks for the music Beverlee.