GOD SPEAKS
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 1
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 photo is taken from Israel looking towards Jordan. This is the Gulf of Aqaba (some call it the Gulf of Eilat). It is located at the northern tip of the Red Sea.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 1:21
Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.
This book is essentially a reminder for the Children of Israel of events and laws already covered in Moses’ first four volumes (Genesis through Numbers). Moses’ final book is called the Deutero-Nomos, the second law. It restates God’s laws and purposes in order to impress the message on hearts and minds.
Moses tells the people in verse 6, “You have dwelt long enough at this mountain” (it may have looked just like the mountain in Reynold’s picture above). It’s a fact that we are often comfortable where we are and don’t want to confront the mountain. God has delivered us from the past, and now He wants us to move forward into the land flowing with milk and honey which He has promised us. But there is this mountain. Jesus said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed (enough faith to obey), you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20b).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, give me the courage to speak to (not about) this difficulty facing me. I do so now in Your Presence. MOVE!!! Now, I need the grace to move forward. Thank You for the grace You are giving me to obey Your instructions. Here we go Lord! Hallelujah! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
One of the great people God sent to work with me in ministry is Fred Vanstone. He first introduced me to these words in business matters…”moving forward.” He was the son of a miller in Bowmanville, Ontario. He became the #2 man in the bank of British Columbia, then CFO for the Pattison Group. He took on the administration of a University, owned a Vancouver business, and then as we traveled together down a mountainside in the Rocky Mountains, we both knew God had spoken to us that we were to work together as a full-time team. Tears come to my eyes as I think of the amazing administrative gifts Fred brought to Crossroads. The mountain of debt on our 143,000 square foot TV production centre disappeared. The “promised land” of the CTS (YES-TV), a network of several over-the-air TV stations, was licensed by the federal government. Fred continued after he left Crossroads to run a company based in Philadelphia with several thousand employees. Thank you, my friend Fred, and thank you Jim Pattison for sending Fred to us initially. “Moving forward,” the mountain moved out of the way. What God has done on the business side of Crossroads, He is doing constantly in my personal day-to-day life.
Yours for “moving forward”,
David
Moving forward with you, David, and dearest saints.
Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God (Deut 1:16). “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you (30)…. you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son…. Deut 1:30-31. Let us not be afraid and move forward with the strength of JESUS to proclaim His undying love for us! Amen!
Good morning David: Thank you for the words that God has given you regarding the mountain. I too am facing a mountain that needs to be moved. With God’s help, it will be gone.
The God of the valleys is also the God of the mountains! He will remove ALL obstacles! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Beautiful pic of the water and mountain. Thank u Reynold.
Thanks so much for sharing your personal journey thru Crossroads Rev. DM. So obvious God has helped u and blessed u for spreading His Word.
It must have saddened God to turn his back on his children knowing it was the only way to get their attention. Moses had a tough job as the middle man too.
As a child I used to love the words “Merry Christmas”. To me it meant lots of presents and family around our house. Now “Merry Christmas” has a whole different meaning to me since this blessed bible study. It means peace, joy and salvation!
Merry Christmas fellow saints! Merry Christmas to all!
Merry Christmas Lynda and everyone !
Diane 🙂
Time to celebrate this day in Christ. Amen. Fun to start another book!
Our Pastor David Filsinger has spoken about “the Journey Isreal” a group in our church went there just last year so everything about christmas seems alive in a new way to because to him and everyone else who went. He wants to go again I wish I could. It must feel the same with you as well David and Norma Jean
I love your pictures Renold.
Merry Christmas everyone!
How sad that due to constant complaining and unbelief; and rebelliousness; So many who were delivered from slavery in Egypt, ended in separation from eternal life with God!! and did not enter the Promised land.
Lord, keep my heart and mind tuned in to you; surrendered to your plans and direction: and Faith to Move Forward in You.
Yes, help us to move forward in you Lord Jesus!
This is a very difficult time for us. We have palliative care people coming into our home many times a week. I keep up with the blog but my head is all over the place right now. I haven’t really prepared for Christmas. I hope I will be able to hold up for the family’s sake.
I am so sorry, Doreen, knowing what you are going through. Holding you, your husband Ross, and all your family in my prayers, as are all the saints. The Lord be with you, to give you comfort and strength.
Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
In Jesus Name I pray that that Mountain be REMOVED.
Mathew 11:28 Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
I pray that “The Peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesu”.
sorry that should be: Christ Jesus.
Adding my prayers to Beverlee and others who are praying for you Doreen and Ross.. He knows exactly what you need at this time. Find your comfort and strength in Him, He loves you so very much.
Moving forward in God’s strength Pastor David.
Blessings to all.
In Mr Mainse’s blog he said that the new guy Fred?????became a partner; the debt disappeared! How did that happen? something sounds odd to me, please someone explain. thank you….I get nervous when TV pastors talk about money….we’ve had some pretty harsh things happen in th past and I jsut wonder I just would like some to explain that phrase for me thank you
sah: Please read over David’s 100 words comments carefully again. As I see it Fred Vanstone was hired to work at Crossroads as he was a very smart business man with much experience in banking, etc. David says he had “amazing administrative skills“ so with God given wisdom he was able to have Crossroads pay off their debts in time, I am sure it was not over night. How exactly this was done I don`t know as I have never looked into it. Perhaps someone else could explain it better.
I PRAY FOR A COUPLE IN SHAUNAVON, SASKATCHEWAN THAT THE ‘OBSTACLE’ IN THEIR WAY BE REMOVED AND THAT THEY BE AWARDED WITH 1 MILLION DOLLARS FROM A LOTTO MAX THEY PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 2013 THEY LOST THE TICKET BUT HAVE THE RECEIPT AND IT WAS CHECKED PRAY THAT CBC GO PUBLIC INVESTIGATION WILL BRING FORWARD THE TRUTH PRAISE THE LORD WHAT A WONDERFUL SURPRISE FOR THIS COUPLE
thanks Betty Yes I have read the blog I was wondering if people donated money to get rid of the debt. It does not say anything like this and I am wondering how this debt disappeared. I think it’s normal to question what happened. I am hoping someone will give afurther explanation. Thank you
COME TO THINK ABOUT IT I BELIEVE WE ALL HAVE MOUNTAINS THAT NEED TO BE MOVED EITHER IN OUR OWN LIVES OR THOSE OF PEOPLE WE KNOW AND LOVE OR PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THE GREAT COMMISSION IS TO GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS BAPTIZING AND TEACHING AND THEN THAT WONDERFUL PROMISE; I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS TO THE CLOSE OF THE AGE AMEN