Saturday, August 23, 2014

NO FEAR

Today’s Reading: Exodus 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 on the right-hand side).

 

A road winds through the Negev Desert/wilderness. There was no such highway for the wandering Children of Israel.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

 

Key Verse – Exodus 20:1-2

And God spoke all these words saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

 

Again God declares Himself as the “I AM.” Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). Make no mistake about it. Jesus claimed over and over to be the Lord God, the same One who delivered Israel from Egypt. What a contrast between these revelations of the “I AM.” Here there were thunderings, lightening flashes, trumpet sounds, the mountain smoking and thick darkness. And 1500 years later, there was the Baby in the manger, Jesus taking the children on His lap, Jesus weeping over the needs of people, and Jesus allowing human hands to crucify Him. From time to time in Genesis we saw God walking with Adam and Eve, walking with Enoch, becoming a friend of Abraham, but also driving Adam and Eve out of the Garden and judging the human race with the Flood. How can we ever understand this stark contrast? The answer is “The Cross.” God’s anger against sin, and His love for the sinner came together in Jesus. There was thunder, lightening, an earthquake, and darkness at noon as Jesus was dying. There was also the greatest manifestation of love in history!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, great “I AM,” I’m overcome by Your awesome Person. I can do nothing right now but worship You. The words of the living creatures who are before Your throne come to mind; “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” Also, the words of the 24 elders who fall down before You and say, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” I praise You, Lord, and will do so for ever and ever. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I tried but failed to put my commentary into 100 words. Not only the books of the Bible, but thousands of other books have been written to help us understand Who the “I AM” is. I remember reading a story while still a teenager – This eminent naturalist was walking in his garden when he accidentally stepped on an ant. He thought, “How can I let an ant know that I really don’t mean him harm?” Then it occurred to him that he would have to become an ant to communicate with other ants. I remember thinking that when God became man, His condescension was greater than a man becoming an ant. The fact is that there is no illustration that can adequately portray what really happened when Jesus became one of us. All I could do was to bow down and worship the great, “I AM.”

Yours so that together we may worship the “Lord God Almighty,”

David

P.S. Here is a link to an interview I had with Dr. John Hull, our Crossroads Global CEO, on yesterday’s 100 Huntley Street telecast (click here and fast-forward to 17:05 into the program for my interview). Please, if you can find the time, let John know that you are joining me in supporting the vision God has given him (click here for info on supporting Crossroads).

 

13 thoughts on “Saturday, August 23, 2014

  1. Thank you David for revealing the scriptures to us In the old testament there were a lot of killings and selling slaves and men having more than one wife im grateful for Jesus laying down His life for us sinners and his saving Grace without Him we can do nothing
    Jesus Woryhy is the Lamb We praise You The Great I Am Amen

  2. The pic of the desert looks so civilized with the highway running through it.
    I’m getting older; just had another birthday. Did we study how Israelites came to be slaves of Egyptians?
    Blessings and keeping in mind, WWJD or say on this fine Sat.

  3. I suggest changing the name of this blog to “www.100wordsormore.ca” so you won’t have to keep feeling sorry for going over 100! I would be very surprised if anyone objected. I look forward to the blog every day and, want more. (Sorry for that). God’s blessings to all today.

  4. I AM MERCY
    I AM GRACE
    I AM LOVE
    I AM RACE
    I AM FOREVER
    I AM NOW
    I AM UP
    I AM DOWN
    I AM WISDOM
    I AM TRUTH
    I AM WITH YOU
    I AM PROOF
    I AM MORE
    I AM LAMB
    I AM MYSTERY
    I AM WHAT I AM

  5. GIVE HONOUR TO GOD’S NAME AND WORD

    Give honour to God’s Name and Word,
    With fear and reverence seek The Lord,
    He came to earth for us to die,
    The King of Kings, our Lord Most High.

    Our God is Holy, Just and True,
    But still He came to rescue you!
    Give praise and thanks to Him above
    For all the blessings of His love.

    The great I AM upon His throne,
    Bow down and worship Him alone,
    Tell all the world His glorious worth,
    For He is Lord of Heaven and Earth.

    I wrote this some years ago, and it can be sung to the tune of
    “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”
    Blessings on all who create and read this blog. Mary

  6. Rev. David Mainse: What a powerful prayer of Praise and Worship to the Lord, and what a blessing to join in with you in Prayer and Praise and Worship this morning. PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS COME!!! THE GREAT “I AM”!!! HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!!!

  7. Today marks 40 years since my Mother went to be with Our Lord, and my sister and I are going to her gravesite in remembrance of her and her love for us.

    Thank you MAMO for your love and care.

  8. Dear Rev David M,

    Doreen is right. Let’s change that title to ”100wordsandmore”! We want to enjoy everyday the surprises and positive thoughts and often humour that comes true from your words.

    We serve an amazing God! I agree with you that fear of the Almighty is actually good fear. Thank You Lord, Thank You Jesus that we can turn to You 24-7 in times of trials. Amen.

    Happy Birthday Lynda!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OROFfLYQ0b0

    Frank Sinatra – Young At Heart Lyrics

    Fairy tales can come true
    It can happen to you if you’re young at heart
    For it’s hard, you will find
    To be narrow of mind if you’re young at heart

    You can go to extremes with impossible schemes
    You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams
    And life gets more exciting with each passing day
    And love is either in your heart or on it’s way

    Don’t you know that it’s worth
    Every treasure on earth to be young at heart
    For as rich as you are
    It’s much better by far to be young at heart
    And if you should survive to a hundred and five
    Look at all you’ll derive out of bein’ alive
    And here is the best part, you have a head start
    If you are among the very young at heart

    (Don’t you know that it’s worth)
    (Every treasure on earth to be young at heart)
    (For as rich as you are)
    (It’s much better by far to be young at heart)

    And if you should survive to a hundred and five
    Look at all you’ll derive out of bein’ alive
    And here is the best part, you have a head start
    If you are among the very young at heart
    Songwriters: JOHNNY RICHARDS, CAROLYN LEIGH
    Young At Heart lyrics © JUNE’S TUNES LTD. PARTNERSHIP

    And for all my bloggers including our dear Rev David Mainse and Norma Jean, as grandparents and great-grandparents and Judy who is now a recent grandparent of 2. I’m giving you this wonderful worship song:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxgw6pbW59E

    Have a blessed weekend everyone!

    xxxx Carole

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