Sunday, March 30, 2014

ROAR

Suggested Reading: Hosea 11-12

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

 

The "Lion's Fountain" in the Peoples Square in Piazza Del Populo, Rome. Jesus Christ, known as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, said, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water!" (John 7:37-38). The "roar like a lion" statement in today's reading symbolizes the power of God's Word to communicate God's desires for His people.

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

 

Key Verses: Hosea 11:8, 10

“How can I give you up, Ephraim?

How can I hand you over, Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?

How can I set you like Zeboiim?

My heart churns within Me;

My sympathy is stirred”…

“They shall walk after the Lord.

He will roar like a lion.

When He roars,

Then His sons shall come trembling from the west.”

 

A prophet represents God to people. A priest represents people to God. In today’s reading Hosea reveals God to us as One whose great heart “churns” because of His love! God is moved to action and He roars like a lion, thus getting attention for His call to return. About 6,000,000 of the children of Israel, who were scattered throughout the world, have come to the land of their ancestors. Israel is now a nation state once again. God has not given up on His ancient people.

But what about the rest of the human family? He has not given up on us either. The Apostle Matthew, a Jew, quotes his prophet Hosea referring to the fact that as a child Jesus was taken to Egypt to protect Him from the murderous rage of king Herod. “Out of Egypt I called My Son!” (Hosea 11:1). Let’s read Matthew 2:1-15. Jesus Christ, as no other, revealed the compassionate, longing heart of God for all people. He roars with the Words that come from His mouth. God’s final Words in the Bible through John, who ministered as the final Bible prophet, says to the entire human race, “I, Jesus, have sent My angel [messenger named John] to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” John goes on to proclaim, “And the Spirit and the bride say ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him come and drink of the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:16,17).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Yes, Lord, I tremble at Your Word, and I do come to You every morning! You roared from the cross the most powerful communication ever, and You have gotten the attention of at least 2 billion people on earth. You did not give up on the human race, and You continue to call to us to come to You! I thank You that I heard You and responded the day I received You as Saviour, and I remain in Your holy presence. I pray that Your “Roar” will be heard around the world today. May many more come to You! In the Name of the One who has gotten the attention of more people throughout the centuries than any other person, Jesus Christ. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Yes, I know that God also speaks in a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-13). Whatever it takes for God to communicate to me, bring it on! I need to hear from God daily. I do so by consistently, without fail, listening to God as I read His Word. I’ve heard Him this morning as I meditated on Hosea’s prophetic call to “Come!” I’ve heard Him as I searched the Scriptures for God’s voice in other books of the Bible which amplify today’s reading. I must confirm anything I’ve heard, or think I’ve heard, by checking it out in the written Word!

I may have mentioned this before, but I’ll never forget hearing a Vancouver pastor of Chinese extraction “Roar!” (he made a noise like a lion). I said to Gideon Chu, “What are you doing?” He answered, “The serpent has had my Chinese people for far too long. The ‘Lion of Judah’ roars against the serpent!” It was a prophetic gesture. We have many examples in Scripture of the prophets making various gestures to illustrate their points. Pastor Gideon is so on fire for God, that sometimes when in his presence, I feel backslidden. I am not backsliding. It’s just that by comparison to Gideon, I need to stoke the fires of my fervency more and more.

Yours for making ourselves available daily for God’s communication to His human family through His written Word!!! That’s a “Roar!” Are we listening?

David

P.S.

I came across some pictures of lions roaring (one is below). When a lion roars, we’d better listen!!!

11 thoughts on “Sunday, March 30, 2014

  1. I am LISTENING !!! Lord, we come to you in reverence and awe!!! Stand with us this coming week as we face it’s challenges, I pray. Amen!

  2. Yes Lord lead us as we may follow you open doors you want us to ho through and close doors that you don t want us to enter show us so we can be in the centre of your plan for our lives we want to serve you as your humble servants give us boldness of a lion to speak through us in Jesus name Amen

  3. Your first two comments about prophets and priests are so much appreciated Rev. Mainse. They make such a difference in my understanding of the bible. Simple but true.
    Love the lion pics.
    We can all relate to God and his hurt feelings when we know our children are going down the wrong path. Parenthood is a chore and an honour.
    May God bless you Rev. Mainse and your helpers for this daily study.

  4. Oh, David Mainse, you have spoken so eloquently!! Amen!! Let us be on fire for You, oh Lord our God. Let us roar like lions with intense passion for You, our mighty and majestic King!!!

    I have mentioned this before on the blog, and I remember fellow saints who have replied they have the same gift from Crossroads Ministry adorned on their wall–the picture of the waterfall and scripture of John 7:37-38: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water!” Oh, Lord, God, You are the refreshing stream whereby we take a drink of Your living Word!! We praise You, God, we worship You, we adore YOU, Jesus. We are nothing without YOU. We are everything with YOU!!! It is all for YOUR glory!!!

    Stay safe on this blistering and stormy day, dear fellow saints!

  5. Yes Lord I am listening !! Speak to me, speak to us all, in what ever voice and frequency we can hear. God bless us all, one by one, with your Holy Spirit and collectively, as your people. Guide our every step. Amen.

  6. Just look at that lion. So beautiful and majestic. You almost want to stroke it’s lovely fur and feel the pink tongue give you a lick. But that expression, those piercing eyes, and those teeth! Amazing creature. One day, the lions will lie down in the same field as the lambs…

  7. Yes, we need to keep listening to your “still small voice” Lord as we are nothing without You. Also, Lord please keep all our family and friends safe in this latest storm. Amen!

  8. Thank you David for sharing your story about Mickie Rooney. I also saw him at the O’Keefe Centre. I always enjoyed his energy and smiling face. It is good to know he is with The Lord and will look forward to seeing his exuberance in Heaven.

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