BENEDICTION
Today’s Reading: Numbers 5-6
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).
In 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in these caves in the region known as Qumran, next to the Dead Sea. The scrolls are a collection of 972 texts, consisting of Biblical manuscripts from the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament). It has been considered the greatest archaeological discovery of the 20th Century. Many of the Scrolls date back to the first century and earlier. They attest to the accuracy of the Biblical text through the centuries.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Quarantine for communicable disease is an example of the care God had for His people. God gave instructions for physical blessings. Restitution for wrongs committed is an example of the social care God has for His people. God blesses His people by love and mercy, and because He cannot and will not tolerate sin, He makes provision for forgiveness through atonement. In this way He provides for restoration of relationships. “At-ONE-ment” is gained through restitution and a sacrifice for sin. Jesus provides all this for us through His life and death.
We might want to read an example of the “Nazirite vow” in Judges 13:5, the story of Sampson. Let us also consider giving someone today a benediction. The meaning of benediction is to “say a blessing.” Our key verses are magnificent words of blessing.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You promised that “When He the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you into all truth.” I’m reading from an English translation of Your Hebrew Bible. I have difficulty understanding all You are saying to me, Lord, so I ask for Your Holy Spirit to teach me. Thank You for speaking such a marvelous blessing over me as found in the key verses. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I was honoured to be the Pastor of a wonderful congregation in the northern city of Sudbury. I was blessed to find the great strength of love and unity among the people. This strength produced in me a confidence that God could and would do big things in Sudbury. I have lots of stories of “big things” that God did. Throughout the next two years in this blog, I’ll probably be sharing some of those stories. My predecessor was the late Rev. Homer Cantelon. His ministry produced that strength I experienced. I was thinking of him as I read the Sampson story. Homer was not only strong spiritually but also physically. I was told lots of stories such as Homer picking up one end of a Volkswagen beetle. The men were suitably impressed. At one time, Homer worked in the nickle mines after returning from Europe as a WWII veteran. A miner came to our church looking for Homer to perform the marriage of his son. He reflected back on his former workmate and said, “The men would tease Homer about his faith. Homer was so strong that he could’ve beaten them easily in a fight, but he was kind to them instead.” He then said, “Homer is the only real Christian who is a minister in Sudbury.” I explained that Homer had moved away and offered my services. Against his better judgement, he agreed for me to do the marriage. Later, the whole family gave their lives to Jesus. Thank You Jesus, and thank you Homer.
Yours to help us all “say a blessing” on others,
David
P.S. I leave this Sunday for Israel where I’m participating in a special gathering of Christian leaders from around the world. Norma-Jean will lead a tour group to Israel leaving this coming Thursday. I’ll meet, God willing, these wonderful friends at Ben Gurion Airport and we’ll have two great weeks together walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Starting Monday morning I’ll do my best to share in my blog what’s happening in Israel.
‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
God bless you David and Norma-Jean Mainse, as you head to Israel this Sunday and Thursday, respectively. Praying for your protection and peace.
It is difficult to fathom Numbers 5-6 other than to know God was teaching by example. Thank You Jesus, for forgiving us of our sins. We are so blessed by Your sacrifice and love for us. Amen.
Amen Beverlee 🙂
Amen!!
How well I knew and loved Homer. A huge man of stature but gentle in heart. He was a dedicated man in The Lord. I am so thankful for his influence in leading me to Jesus. Now I am so proud to be in the midst of his son Jim’s ministry, a man who followed in his father’s footsteps in ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thank you, David, for the time you spent in Sudbury. As a child I was thrilled with your ministry and received many blessings through it. God bless you!
Praying protection for you both and that God’s purposes be fulfilled
Will be looking forward to your blog from Israel Blessing be on you from the Lord today and while you are travelling God bless
Dear Lord bless every blogger and heal their bodies as well as their family and friends bring many souls to Jesus and keep David and Norma Jean safe God Bless them in Jesus name Amen
Amen!
Amen!
Amen!
May The Lord continue to Bless and protect you and those fortunate to be with you…am looking forward to your communications from The Holy Land….wishing I was there with you!…
We have been praying for Peace in Jerusalem at our local church for several months and we will be thinking of you all for the next two and a half weeks in Israel.
I can just imagine you saying “Fear not” to your lucky new charges on the 2014 Holy Land Tour Group!
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land yellow Bus.
In my younger years when I wasn’t working weekends, I used to faithfully watch “The Hour of Power” with Reverend Dr. Robert Schuller. If memory serves me correctly – most often he would close with the following benediction:
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May He make His Face to Shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May He give you peace in your going out and your coming in, in your rising up and your lying down, until that day when you stand before Jesus – in that day when there is no dawning and no sunset. Amen!
Have a blessed day blog friends…
“Something in the water” by Carrie Underwood:
http://jesusdaily.com/carrie-underwood-something-in-the-water/?utm_source=FACE&utm_medium=JD&utm_term=carrie-underwood-something-in-the-water11072014&utm_campaign=LINK
Thank you for giving us this blog every morning. It has enriched my morning dedications and really helped me to focus on my daily readings. Amen.
Looking forward to hearing all about Israel!!!!
Wondering if any Jews still practice the ceremonies mentioned in today’s reading.
One of my brothers lived in Sudbury many years ago and worked in the nickel mine there. Seemed like the whole town was built on rock.
Have a blessed tour of God’s holy land Rev. DM et al. May God be with u all.
This Monday I’ll have the world’s greatest grandson, except for the reader of course, and hope to hold a newborn baby boy in my arms once again.
Blessings dear fellow bloggers. Blessings.
May The Lord gather you under His wings,give you safety in travel and a wonderful time of fellowship as you tour The Holy Land.
Bless and keep all of my fellow bloggers and give them a sense of The Lord’s presence throughout the day.
Thank you Lily I needed your prayer today . I pray for protection for David and Norma Jean on your trip to Isreal
Lianne Hogg
May you have a wonderful trip David, I am leaving on Sunday for Haiti to the Grand Opening of the new Technical School and Medical Clinic at HAITI ARISE.
Since the earthquake they have built a new, bigger Tech school and a new large clinic…Gods Blessing on you and Norma-Jean.
Love you guys……..from Claire
the Blue Bus of 2012
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
PS Vivienne and I enjoyed spending time with you including your camel riding expertise!
God keep you safe David and Norma Jean God Bless you both ….R….
Amen! Lily May Philippon.
I pray a Blessing on your Pastor David as you travel…that angels guard over you and the vehicles in which you travel. Blessings and love as you travel. In JESUS NAME, I pray.
Thank for the blessing from you!
Thank you Reynold for your excellent photo of the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found.
Praying for a safe trip for you all. (I have 2 granddaughters in university in Sudbury).
Thank you for the words and scriptures you place in my inbox each day.. Safe travels and God bless and keep you and your family in the coming weeks.. I was Israel 3 years ago and am excited to read your blog over the coming weeks. I have a wonderful testimony of Gods grace in my life and I want you to know that “you” and 100 Huntly St ministry have visited my life since on and off many times and in many ways since 1990.. Praise God.
Thank You Jesus for Your healing power in David’s life and for the inspiration in which You lead him. Let the prayers of these faith filled leaders bring changes to Israel and our world. Amen
WOW! in today’s blog it mentions giving somone a “blessing” in my neighbouring community they started the day with random acts of kindness, they passed out cards and people did various kindessses to others today! Apparently the whole town took on a “glow” people seemed to be more friendly! I think that is AMAZING GRACE!
May The Lord continue to Bless and protect you and Norma-Jean and all those with you on this trip.