BEHOLD
Suggested Reading: Malachi 3-4
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Just east of Jericho, beside the Jordan River, is a church that commemorates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. The first verse of today's reading was fulfilled by John 400 years after it was written. This is also the area where the Children of Israel crossed into the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua following 40 years of wilderness wanderings.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Malachi 3:8, 16
Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,
“In what way have we robbed You?”
In tithes and offerings.
…Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another,
And the Lord listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the Lord
And who meditate on His name.
In yesterday’s blog we considered Malachi 3:8 concerning tithes and offerings. The paragraph (3:6-12) begins with God saying through the prophet, “I am the Lord, I do not change.” We can, therefore, assume that God has not changed His laws on financial matters with the establishment of the New Covenant, nor had He changed in His challenge, “‘Prove Me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of Heaven and pour you out such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.'” (3:10).
Malachi 4, the final Words of the Old Testament, refer to the coming of one who, in God’s eyes, is a prophet like Elijah. That prophet is John the Baptist. Matthew 17:10-13 states this fact. John the Baptist, as the one who prepares the way for the coming of Jesus Christ, God with us, prophesies of a new relationship between parents and children, and most importantly, between the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and us, His children. Today’s reading begins with the word, “BEHOLD.” It’s obvious that God wants us to pay close attention to what He has to say to us here!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, change me, I pray. According to 2 Corinthians, I am being “transformed.” I am being changed “by the Spirit of the Lord.” I ask that, as I continue faithfully reading Your Word and praying each day, I will become more like You. In Your Name, Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m excited to know that in this blog exercise, I am being recorded in a special book of remembrance being written as I type these words. I’ve just read again Malachi 3:16-18. You and I who are reading this qualify to have the Lord listen to us. According to Malachi’s words, we are the Lord’s jewels. I find myself singing a song from my childhood, “When He cometh, When He cometh, to make up His jewels, all His jewels, precious jewels, His loved and His own. Like the stars of the morning, His brightness adorning. They shall shine in their beauty, bright gems for His crown.” Â Perhaps I can find this on Google. Here it is with the Gaithers and group singing (click here).
Tomorrow, God willing, we will move into the final book in our two-year journey, Revelation! I plan to do the first three chapters with a one-day stop at each one of the churches.Then I want to invite some special friends to help me. Back in the mid-1990’s, Crossroads published a series of eight books called, Day Unto Day. Jim and Kathy Cantelon wrote the New Testament commentaries in that two-year journey through the Bible. Recently I read through their words on the last 19 chapters of Revelation. They have done well! I’ve asked their permission to place their teachings here. They said “Yes!”
Revelation is a very challenging book! I remember my Doctor of Theology father telling me that he visited a library in London, England, which had over 1,000 different books which commented on the book of Revelation. He was told by the librarian that none of these books agreed on every point of interpretation. I don’t suppose the keeper of the books had read every one. Nevertheless, the statement may be true. However, God, through the Apostle John, promises a special blessing on all who take the time to read it (Revelation 1:3). Let’s be blessed!
Yours for the actual completion of the reading of every Word in the Bible. God willing, we’ll start all over again with refreshed readings in Matthew and Genesis in June,
David
A father and son work in a wood-shop in Nazareth Village...a first century re-enactment attraction for tourists. Today's reading speaks to us of a special relationship between fathers and children.
Wonderful readings. The Lord be praised! That prayer stands out, it’s just the prayer that I want to be praying everyday. Thank you sir for this everyday morning bread. May our good Lord continue to inspire and strengthen you, Amen! I ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives and that of our families. Amen. Stay blessed my blogg family and may His Perfect Will be done in our lives . Amen
Great news that we will be using Jim and Kathy Cantalone’s insight for the Book of Revelation. It has been quite a journey! Thank You Lord for all who are participating! Enjoy the day!
What great news that we will have the commentaries of Jim and Kathy Cantalone on the Day Unto Day books. There are dozens of books I want to read but life keeps getting in the way. These books are some of the ones I’d love to read so to have them come to my tablet on our daily study will be a delight. Thank you DM.
Yesterday I sent out the info about the TWU law school to as many people as possible in my address book. May God inspire them to vote.
Nice pics as always in today’s blog. Blessings on us all today, in Jesus name.
Another blessed morning has begun here in the beautiful Fraser Valley, BC.
I too look forward to Jim and Kathy Cantalone’s insight for the Book of Revelation.
I have heard a couple of interpretations on “the mark of the beast”. Did you know that the computer has a favorite number? Did you know that the bars in the bar code on every item in the store where you shop designate a number? Most bar codes in use today start with a double bar. This same double bar is in the middle of the code and at the end of the code. You guessed it. The computer interprets this as a 6.
7th day Adventists have a totally different interpretation… I look forward to hearing Jim and Kathy’s interpretation…
Have a wonderfully blessed day blog family…
Interesting information, thanks!
Thank you Reynold for your creative photo’s…the one today of the Church beside the Jordan river which commemorates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist is especially beautiful!!!
What a powerful message the prophet Malachi gives us on tithes and offerings!!
Thank you David for presenting these scriptures to us daily and for your insight into them. I too am looking forward to reading “Revelations”.
Praise God for the wonderful journey we have almost taken through the Bible with you David! Have been reading, “Day unto Day” right along and has been so informative. Great pic to end the O.T. with, the God ordained family and the song. God bless all you saints!
One book left – Revelation!!!! It is the most difficult to interpret so I look forward to the commentaries of Jim and Kathy Cantelon. I remember those Day unto Day books back in the mid 1990’s. It will be refreshing to revisit them again. God bless you Pastor David for this 2 year journey and it has been quite a journey – to see what God has done for you in bringing you from a bed of sickness to a healed body, PTL!!!!!!!!
God bless each one today!!!
Good morning I so look forward to this blog every morning it truly is a labor of love david. What I especially love are all the scripture links and links to various other things like the one about bigotry against christian law students. I learn so much and its always so interesting. We are all so blessed to have such marvelous resources. Didnt it say in revelation in the last days knowledge would be greatly increased?God bless you all and have a blessed day
Having 2nd cataract surgery May 6. I have a Tablet that Ron Mainse adjusted for me to be able to make the blog print larger. I’m so thankful for that. It takes 6 weeks for the eyes to adjust. I pray that the Lord will open my eyes, help with understanding and memory, as we go through Revelation. GOD bless you all.
Wow, it’s hard to imagine we are almost finished reading through The Bible.
Thank you Pastor David and fellow bloggers for the wonderful journey and looking forward to beginning our new journey.
Revelation!!! Looking forward to the Cantalone’s study to go along with our blog.
I pray many more will join us day to day. Blesings to all.
Also looking forward into Revelations with comments by Kathy and Jim C
God bless you all bloggers , what a beutiful spring day P.T.L..
We are so blessed by your blog David and so look forward to a new journey in June . May His Spirit enlighten us each day as we partake of His Holy Word. Looking forward also to teaching on Revelation. Went though the series on Day to Day but His Word brings new revelation each time we read it.
Blessings everyone, and let’s get more people involved in going through this blog. It’s a wonderful blog, thanks to your faithful witness and commitment DM.
WOW!
So encouraging to think that, with God’s help, we have now all reached the book of Revelation.
Thank you David for your wonderful dedication to this daily blog, even during your difficult health treatments.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
Dear Rev. David M.
These past few days including today have been quite challenging , many of us have been very clearly attacked by satan , even though two of us who are newly reborn christians , through your precious daily blog and the support and prayers of all the blog buddies have been able to turn to THE ONE AND ONLY JESUS CHRIST, us being covered by His blood , letting THE HOLY SPIRIT guide us letting Gods Word fill us feeling His Precious Arms carry us through. So we are very grateful that The Lord has given us the strength , the courage to let go whatever comes to us. So thank you Lord , thank you Jesus. Amen.
Looking very much forward for your wise teaching through this blog on Revelation.
PS…I have sent yesterday the petition on my personal facebook and making sure my church do the same , this is not acceptable. We definitely have to take authority on this.
Have a blessed day every one.
xxxx Carole.
The time is near, indeed! We are so very blessed! So looking forward to studying the book of Revelations, with Jim and Kathy Cantelon’s leading. Thank you, David Mainse, for such a joyous prayer, message, and two years shy of one month’s guidance in studying the Bible. It has been such a delightful deliverance! The song Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest has been playing in my mind all day.
“Hosanna”
I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes
Yeah
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing
[Chorus]
Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest [x2]
I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We’re on our knees
We’re on our knees
[Chorus]
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity
[Chorus x2]
Hosanna in the highest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoM0AT8fBvs&hd=1
AMEN, SAINTS!!!! 🙂
I have been hoping for teaching re. Last Days as the pace is picking up rapidly….and am really excited about Revelation and what we will learn! I love the photos from Israel. So hard to believe I was actually at those places. God is good!