THE COVENANT
Today’s Reading: Genesis 16-17
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This spectacular view looking across from the Mount of Olives toward the Eastern Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem is taken from the Dominus Flevit (Latin for "the Lord wept") Church which is built on the traditional spot where Jesus wept over the city (John 11:35).
Key Verse: Genesis 17:1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless…”
Chapter 17 contains the articles of the covenant between God, on the first part, and Abram, on the second part. A covenant is the most legally binding agreement into which two parties can enter. This covenant was sealed with blood, Abram’s in circumcision and God’s in the shed blood of Jesus. Our key verse provides the introduction to the long-range purpose of the covenant. It is a covenant of grace, which God continues to implement for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In making Himself known as “Almighty God,” we are told what we may expect God to be to us; namely, God Who is Enough: an all-sufficient God. Our part is to walk in integrity. God, as recorded in 1 Samuel 2:30, tells us,”Those who honour Me, I will honour!!!”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, I am blameless in Your eyes because of the blood of “Immanuel,” “God with us.” Father, I am confident that according to Your Word, “The Blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Thank You for initiating the covenant and thank You for the grace You’ve given me to say “Yes” in response. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Yesterday I introduced my son, Reynold, who provides pictures each day which he photographed in Israel. I’ll never forget the afternoon when, in our rec room, God baptized him with the Holy Spirit. This was a powerful encounter with God which he experienced at eight years of age. God did Acts 2:4 (please it look up) after school that day before I arrived home from work. Just as I entered the room, I saw him holding up a kleenex tissue and saying, “Lord Jesus, You’ve made me whiter than this kleenex by Your blood.” This was also the first long sentence I had ever heard him make without his usual stutter. His public school teacher called us the next day to ask, “What has happened to Reynold?” His whole life was transformed by an act of God. God initiated a similar encounter with Himself for me when I was 16. God said “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy” (Joel 2:28). Peter quoted this in his message on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:17).
Yours because of God’s covenant!
David
P.S. Jesus as “The Good Shepherd” wept over the condition of the human family. Yesterday on 100 Huntley Street television I heard the best reason ever for memorizing the “Shepherd Psalm 23.” I suggest that every reader watch and listen to Pastor Robert Morgan’s brief message (click here), and then call 1-800-265-3100 or click here and order his newest book (for your Crossroads ministry donation). Please don’t miss this most encouraging message. Pass it on to others! You’ll bless them!!
Help us Lord to daily walk blameless before You through the Lord Jesus Christ Our Lord and Saviour because without Him we can do nothing in Jesus name Amen
God Bless all my fellow blog buddies and grant them floods of Favor
Amen and Amen! I receive it in Jesus name! Amen
Thank you for sharing that clip on the 23rd Psalm David! It seems lately the Holy Spirit has been prompting my heart back into memorizing Scripture & here yet again. My parents conducted devotions at 6 am each morning growing up & memorizing Bible verses was a part of that time. We memorized many verses & even whole chapters of the Bible to earn stickers in Sunday School. Many of these verses remain branded on my mind & heart. Taking the Navigator’s ‘2:7’ Discipleship course had us memorizing 60 verses from the Bible as part of the requirement for passing the 2 year course. Now when reading over even the first word or two of any of these verses the whole verse jumps back into my mouth to recite. Funny how being an actor for many years I was always memorizing lines for the next play, however, there are very few lines we remember to this day as they are not important to life. Again, it is time for me to put aside some other things & get back to memorizing more Scripture. Thank you for this encouragement David!
Poweful testimony, Michelle! Amen, sister-in-Christ!
So glad to be your sister-in-Christ Beverlee Kay! I just happened to go back into the blog today to show my husband the clip on Psalm 23 & to my surprise, saw your comment! I have been taking more time to go back & read through the posts of others on this site & thought about another post you wrote mentioning your daily pain. Love your posts Beverlee! You are a ministering sister! I also remembered something about the 23rd Psalm from away back in my childhood. My Great Auntie Vera had a major stroke which left her paralyzed on her left side, unable to speak or think well & bed-ridden for many years. Every other Sunday we would drive from Milton to Galt to see her. The one thing she could make her way through while holding our hands was the 23rd Psalm. It gave her such deep comfort & peace in a time when everything had been stripped away from her. She had been an exceptionally gifted & artistic person in music, art, cooking, gardening, you name it. But above all – the 23rd Psalm – God’s words through his servant David to her heart & back to God’s ears : ) God’s blessings to you!
Wow, Michelle! That is potent! I believe that is the Holy Spirit connecting with you–your intense childhood memories of Great Auntie Vera, and connection to Psalm 23. What an incredible reflection! It would be interesting for you to go even deeper and write about the feelings that come up. When I listen to the Holy Spirit urging me to write or paint, in a similar manner, the result is beyond description–a God given expression from the utmost of His Highest.
Thank you for your loving kindness, Michelle. May the bounty of God’s fruitfulness fill and bless your heart and life with peace, warmth and love. God’s continued blessings to you, dear sister-in-Christ!
Thank you for your insights & words of encouragement Beverlee Kay! Are you an artist too? Do you have a blog or website for your art? You can email me also collinsjm@vianet.ca
Had my son circumcised before taking him home from the hospital but didn’really know why…it’s a long story. Now I know why Thank you Jesus.
Blessings
Abraham experienced a “sometimes God makes me laugh” moment when he tried to comprehend God’s Word that he and Sarah they could and will give birth at their late stage in life. So often, the possibilities and rewards Our Lord has in store for us go beyond the scope of our reality and press our faith, even to the point of thinking to sabotage the outcome. Lord, like Abraham and Sarah, may we be open to every possibility You have in store for our lives and be faithful to Your plans. His Strength and Blessings, to all!
Amen, David!
The covenant between human being and God, as our example rests with Abraham in this last chapter, is vital to our ability to hold integrity. In human relationships, being validated is important; some may not thrive without it. However, our God sees everything and knows everything from our heart. He has established a covenant with each of us through the sacrifice of His beloved Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Let us remind ourselves of it, each and every day. Our lights will shine brighter in this fallen world.
Acts 2:17:
‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.’
Acts 2:17New King James Version (NKJV)
Praying for your rest, comfort, and ease from illness after the chemo, Bobby. The saints’ prayers have given you more restful sleep. Let the power of our prayers continue to bless you as you recover from the chemo and gain renewed strength, hope, and peace. In Jesus’ name, we lift you up, and high! God bless you, Bob!
Amen sister Beverlee!
Wonderful testimony of Reynold. Our God is able. May His (God’s) Goodness and Mercies be upon every member of this blog and our families, friends and loved ones, in Jesus Name! Amen
…Just as I entered the room, I saw him holding up a kleenex tissue and saying, “Lord Jesus, You’ve made me whiter than this kleenex by Your blood.” This was also the first long sentence I had ever heard him make without his usual stutter. His public school teacher called us the next day to ask, “What has happened to Reynold?” His whole life was transformed by an act of God. God initiated a similar encounter with Himself for me when I was 16. God said “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy” (Joel 2:28)…”
As in the life and times of Christ Jesus when He walked the earth in flesh and blood… He not only lives today and forever, but He can cleanse us and heal us of any and all afflictions. Pastor David and your son Reynold are living examples of Jesus’ testament. Amen! and Amen!
I think of the centurion whose faith was so strong… He recognized the power and authority that Jesus had over everything on Earth. All Jesus had to say was “…go your servant is healed”… and it was so… Amen! and Amen!
Blessings fellow bloggers…
The 23rd Psalm is one I often pray and what a blessing it is, thank you Lord that You are My Shepherd and my guide, but most of all you are my Lord and My Redeemer. Praise Your Holy Name, Amen and Amen!
You lead me on paths of righteousness for Your Name’s sake, and I trust You and desire to obey you with all my heart.
The faith of Abraham is a great example, and yet it reveals his humanity. I enjoyed the part where he laughed at the thought of bearing a child in his old age. Praise God nothing is impossible with God!!!
Rev. David thank you for sharing about your son Reynold’s conversion and “Victory in Jesus” at such a young age.
My youngest son Emil received the baptism in the Holy Spirit at age seven at a CFO family camp; my son Peter was nine and my oldest son David 12 also at that same camp.
However, I would appreciate pray for each of them that they would return to their first love, included their wives and their children.
My prayer for each of them is for the Holy Spirit of God to draw them into the Kingdom of Light.
Thank you and God continue to bless you all.
Irene
The following poem by Emil Ochotta – Age 12 at CFO family camp 1977:
“In a garden on an evening fair
We were alone but He was there
How we missed Him I’ll never know
But His face never did show.
He was our God named Jesus Christ
And for our sins His life he sacrificed
But through death with it icy grip
Jesus made an astounding trip
In 72 hours Christ made it through death’s maze
And came to life again to live
’till the end of all days
And when we came out of the garden
on that evening fair
We knew we had met Jesus Christ there.”
correction it should say “its icy grip”
also another of Emil’s writings:
“The church is not a building
which can be made of bricks or mud
its cornerstone is Jesus
its room His precious blood.”
Prasie the Lord and thank my parents and a Bible teacher MissSnowball I have written about her before she came to the one room school house every Friday by horse and buggy at 3 until 5 this was part of our edcucation all children (30) stayed we learned and memorized Bible verses and they come to me especially when anxiety arises I am so thankful my knees are weak Thank you dear Lord for putting putting all this in my life when I was young and now I remember fond memeories. I was greatly blessed even though I lived with alcohol/verbal/emotional abuse. didn’t know what it was but it happpened and yes, we went to church and prayed but as a child I was very confused HOWEVER God was there and I waded through life and made TONS TONS TONS of mistakes BUT the Lord God Almighty was with me, yes I even rebelled BUT HE DIDN’T and I am still here dealing with a mental illness, and praying and enjoy this Bibile Study and so THANKFUL FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF AL MY SINS. The Lord led me to forgive all the hurts from the past, forgave parents, so thankful for this! PRAISE AND THANK THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.
I have so much to be thankful for – the Gift of Salvation being # 1. This week, a healing! My left knee suddenly started to pain me. Had to get a brace (couldn’t walk far). Watched a Christian TV program with prayer for healing. I got it immediately. Praise God.Blessed
Praise God for all these testimonies and He can still heal as He did for Reynold and Doreen, do miracles as He did for Abraham and Sarah and baptise in the Holy Spirit. I know it is real as I received my baptism in 1972. The Holy Spirit spoke through me intensely through the gift of tongues in the Sunday service before the shooting of the RCMP in Moncton on Wednesday and I knew something cataclysmic was going to happen. I do not say this to boast but to show that the Holy Spirit is still speaking today when we listen to His voice. Ordinarily I would not say these things but this blog is teaching me to be more open hopefully for the Glory of God and the furtherance of His Kingdom. As in the key verse He says, “I am ALMIGHTY GOD…” I love Psalm 23 as well and one which I love to recite in distress. Am taking note of those who requested prayer. God bless you all!