LOST AND FOUND
Today’s Reading: Luke 19
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).
This is a model of the Temple from the time of Jesus, where it was situated on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The Temple was destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans. Today, a Muslim mosque, known as the Dome of the Rock (seen in the background), is located on that same Temple Mount.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Luke 19:10
…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Why did Jesus come to earth? To teach? To heal? To set a fine example? Yes, to all these things. But His top priority is to seek and to save all who are lost! He seeks for us by His Holy Spirit and by the power of His Word which is proclaimed in the Gospels and which we share every day (check out 100 Huntley Street – click here). His God-sized death on the cross is big enough to save all of us from eternal death. Jesus was seeking the lost from the beginning of His public ministry. He found some mending their nets, another at the tax collector’s desk, others going about their business in Galilee, Zacchaeus up a tree in Jericho, and now, He has found you and me. Jesus has not changed. The difference is that He seeks the lost through us. We cannot save anyone, but we can bring precious lost people to Jesus, pray with them, give them Jesus’ Word, and He will save them.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, I thank You for those who found me and introduced me to You. Thank You for Your Words which were given to me, “The one who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). I believed Your Words and I know You cannot lie. You do not cast me out. Therefore, You receive me. Help me today, and every day, to do for others what was done for me. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As a boy, the game known as “hide and seek” was a favourite. Can you remember the excitement of the search and the joy of discovering the hiding place of a friend. My first effort at serious seeking lost people involved creating a hockey team in the village of Haley’s Station in the Ottawa Valley where my Dad was a minister. I was 17 then. The men created an outdoor rink every winter. I pulled together several boys and offered to buy hockey sweaters with the name “Haley’s Comets” splashed across them. We formed a league with three other small villages and played several games. My main motive was not to win at hockey, but rather to win my friends to Christ. I arranged to take the team to the nearby city of Ottawa to hear Evangelist Hyman Appleman. That night they went forward and Jesus saved them as they believed His Words. The next Sunday, my Dad’s church had a row of teens sitting at the front, worshipping God. Since that time, my greatest thrill is in finding creative ways to bring the lost to Jesus.
Yours for sparking initiatives to help find the lost and introducing them to Jesus!
David
P.S. In this space for a few days, we’ve considered the historical accuracy of the Holy Bible. Here’s a story from an Israeli tour bus. I was leading 100 pilgrims for two weeks, walking and riding through the pages of the Bible. Our well-educated Jewish tour guide said that the story in Luke about the Roman census and taxation under the Governor of Syria could not be historically correct because Quirinius did not become Governor until eight years after the birth of Jesus. I immediately called from the bus on my cell phone Dr. Paul Maier, a PhD professor of ancient history at Western Michigan University. Dr. Maier is recognized by many news organizations as the world expert on the first century. I put the tour guide on the phone and here’s what Dr. Maier said, ” We know for a fact the Roman census of Gaul (France) took twenty years to complete. The census in the province of Syria, which included Palestine, probably took a similar amount of time and indeed Quirinius was Governor of Syria when the census results were delivered to Caesar in Rome. The Romans dated their census taking from the time of completion. Therefore, Luke’s record is correct. The Jewish guide ate a little humble pie and admitted that Dr. Maier was right. There is no bad history in the Bible! Check out Dr. Maier here.
David
That is my prayer as well and for those who have guided me the right
church that speaks about God
God Bless you and all our blog buddies
Lianne Hogg
Thank you so much! blessings, Veronica
God is SO good. He gave us Himself and, as a BROTHER, sticks closer than a human brother. We will follow You. Direct our feet Lord.
This is the first bible study I’ve tried in my life so I’m sorry for a stupid question but in today reading in Luke 19:43, has Jesus just had a vision of the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD? That would be incredible, the siege and destruction of the temple wouldn’t occur for almost another 40 years and that’s a historical fact (I’ve seen the arch in Rome the Romans built to commemorate their victory).
God bless,
Hi Robert, you are correct. Jesus understood the consequence of His people’s rejection long before it happened, and as you can see from the scripture, it broke His heart.
It was the Holy Spirit that revealed this to Him. He was in constant communion with Him.
Robert when it comes to understanding the Word of God– there is no such thing as a stupid question
My parents were Christians and thankfully instilled God’s precepts into my little life. It took many, many years though for God’s will to grab onto me. We must be so patient with people before they see the light.
I love your guests on your tv program. How great that your programming is in the States.
Blessings.
GOD BLESS YOU FRIENDS. Please pray for a safe flight today. THANKS.
Lord Jesus I pray for a safe and enjoyable flight for Ger.
Amen.
Lord Jesus we bring Ger and the others who will fly to Bulgaria today. Be their co pilot and give them a safe flight, and prepare the hearts of those who will be given a Bible. Thank you that Ger is able and willing to go. Blessings Ger.
Thank you David so much for the historical background facts you’re giving us as we journey through the gospel of Luke. Blessings everyone!!!
I am thankful for a home that made sure we received a Christian upbringing but like others it did not take hold until later, but God had His hand on me since I was 9 years old. My Sunday school teacher Muss Spears gave me a New Testament with John 3:7 written on the first page ” Marvel not that I say to you, you must be born again.” I still have it now, and just turned 70.
I think if we all think back to when God first had His hands on us we would be amazed.
Thanks for the link to Dr. Maier will try to get some of his books.
So far I haven’t been able to get Lorn Matthews CD, Healing Atmosphere. Not on Crossroads E store or Family Christian Bookstore. When I tried to order it from Lorn’s site, it won’t take my Canadian information, i.e. Province and Postal Code (right near the end of the order form).? Anyone been able to get it somewhere? Thanks.
Dear Doreen,
My personal email address is ,
meunier.m@bell.net.
Please give me your email address or a home address and I will be happy to send you and your husband , a copy.
God bless you both.
xoxoxo Carole
Thank you so much Carole for your generosity. Please enclose you address as well. Amazing you are!
Doreen
Thank you Mr. Mainse for the link on Dr. Maier.
I really enjoy this daily blog with all the teachings, information, and your family narratives.
Blessings to you and yours and to all of our blog family.
Diane 🙂
Thank you Lord Jesus, that Your word is true!! I can depend on it. Mostly I can trust in You for You are faithful and true. There is none like You, Jesus, there is non like You. Faithful and true. I lean on You and not on my understanding, I lean on Your everlasting arms, safe and secure forever. AMEN!!!
Thank you Pastor David, you did not attempt to correct the man, but humbled yourself and called, on Dr. Maier, a knowledgeable person, to affirm the truth.
Vivienne and I were just two of the 50 pilgrims on the yellow bus in 2012 when tour-guide Val made his comments which you challenged by contacting Dr. Paul Maier using the wi-fi available on the bus. We were impressed with your commitment to verify the historical accuracy of the Bible at that time.
I have now read virtually every one of Paul’s books and particulary enjoyed the novel on Pontius Pilate which taught me so much history in an enjoyable fashion.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
Oct 02,2014 With respect to Mat. 5:17,18 I understand Jesus fulfilled the OT Law. Should we still observe or acknowledge all the Feasts/Celebrations and special occasions from the OT just as we do with sabbath. Thinking about recent book Mystery of the Shemitah which started Sept 24 @ sundown till Sept 2015.. Jonathon Cahn does a great job telling the reader how nothing we possess is ours, we are stewards. He also gives a good presentation of salvation in the last chapter but does pay attention to this year of Shemitah.