STICK WITH THE PLAN
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 3
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 looks east across the Jordan Valley to the mountains of Moab in Jordan. An acacia tree is seen in the foreground.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 3:22
You must not fear them, for the Lord, your God, fights for you.
In today’s reading, Moses recounts how the Children of Israel were a few short weeks from entering the Promised Land. En route there they won several battles. For Moses personally, the big battle was within himself. He made an impassioned plea to be allowed to enter the land. God answers his prayer with an adamant “NO.” He tells Moses to never speak of the matter again. God sends Moses to the peak of Mt. Pisgah to view the Promised Land, and He tells him to commission Joshua as the new leader. God tells Moses to use his authority to “command” Joshua. Moses was still God’s leader, and his “commands” were a source of encouragement and strength to Joshua moving forward.
When God says “No,” He has other plans underway. We need to learn that God’s purposes are His #1 priority, not our plans which we may seek to implement. God’s will be done!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, help me to always be totally obedient to You, never questioning Your authority. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I identify with the Apostle Peter who, on one of the occasions when Jesus spoke of His impending death, said to Jesus, “Far be it from You, Lord, this shall not happen to You!” (check out Matthew 16:21-26). I’ve learned from this that the word “no” and “Lord” must never be found in the same sentence. If Jesus is not “Lord,” then I can say “no.” I have the free will. But if He’s my “Lord,” and He is, I can never say “no” to Him. From time to time I’ve sought to put my own plans in place. They never succeed. I’m 78 now, and I look back over 7 decades. I’ve learned some hard lessons. This blog is one way to pass on to others the wisdom of those lessons. God willing, in another 18 months I’ll complete this second blog journey through the Bible. You can start anytime and 24 months later you’ll read the Bible’s last word. Therefore, stick with me and we’ll be equipped for living life God’s way. I’ve said to Norma-Jean many times, with a smile on my lips and a twinkle in my eye, “Stick with me, baby, and I’ll give you diamonds as big as your eyes” (I’m sure that’s a quote from some scriptwriter). Of course, I gave her a little diamond upon our engagement (a magnifying glass would have come in handy – my excuse was that I was a student). Then in a burst of enthusiasm, I bought her a larger one about 30 years later when I spotted a bargain in a foreign country. Unfortunately, when I had it checked at a local Canadian jeweller, it was flawed. It wasn’t a bargain after all. I know she still loves me, and I also know that she’ll stick with me. I’m a blessed man!
Yours for “sticking” with the plan,
David
P.S. Norma-Jean also has her mother’s engagement diamond and she is blessed and content.
I’ve mentioned this before: when the blog starts again for the 3rd time I would ask that it happen 5 days a week: I know a person can start anytime but it is very nice to be able to blog with others each day and I really appreciate that part of this study. I mention 5 days because it is alot for a person to absorb when it is happening every day and I’ve talked to some people in my town and they loose interest after awhile and I just want the Ministry to consider 5 days next time…..God bless and thank you to all who read and take part in the discussion
Sah, the point of the blog is to read the Bible and come into relationship with God through His Word, everyday.
Yes, I agree.
So, it sounds like this blog will be extended another two years after completion, for those starting now in order to complete the bible.
Amen!
Amen.
thank you for sharing the wisdom God has given you that causes us to think on different things as we read the scriptures each day..and it’s my opinion that the person who wrote ‘diamonds are a girls’ best friend’ was wrong…but we do enjoy our hubby’s attention!!!
yes I agree but I really like Bible studies and people can come into a elationship with God in a variety of ways! I would not be near as interested in this blog if there was only one person involved. I like the idea of others involved, and as I mentioned I tell many, many people about his “Bible study” and many do follow but some of the comments mentioned about a 5 day blog….just an opinion…..someone is thinking about doing this blog as a Bible study, I’m hoping they will, that will mean another perspective on the Word of God!
Thanks, David, for being so humble with your honesty. Praying for God’s continued blessings to all saints, today, and in the week ahead. How blessed we are by our Heavenly Father’s love for us!! Praying for God’s will to be done in our lives. Amen!!
I agree with you Beverlee and say Amen to it
as well
Have a great day sister, and brother bloggers I am
this afternoon I am off to a christmas party.
Lianne Hogg
It is difficult to read about the violence of war in todays chapter. I too was struck with how clearly God said “No” to Moses. The commentary by David Mainse shed helpful insight. Hope everyone is doing well through this CHRISTmas season, as it can be difficult for some. His joy and strength to all!
Lovely picture Reynold. Hope the acacia tree isn’t in leaf.
Too funny Rev….every husband if he loves his wife wants a big diamond ring for her. We just want your love. Read the book, Love and Respect, for husbands and wives and it made a tremendous impression on me. So simple and yet so profound. There are some wonderful God-guided souls interviewed on 100 Huntley St. Thank you for such great programming.
I wonder if Moses could have even rebelled when God told him not to enter the promised land. He was so spirit-filled he probably never thought of denying God’s will.
Blessings and Merry Christmas fellow saints!
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and for your honesty.
WOW!
I am so impressed with Rev David’s daily commitment to read, pray and meditate on the holy word at 4 am, and then to prepare daily “bread” for us all to consume at 6 am with the editing help of Ron and Ann. A remarkable family affair with the help of Reynold’s relevant pictures.
Rev David does this, even when he is under the weather from earlier chemo treatments and also recent flu influences!
This commitment, even with travel time zone considerations, is most admirable.
Looking forward to Rev David’s wisdom on the mysteries concealed in the Book of Revelation in due course.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
Amen!
Amen!
How blessed and privileged we are to have you share your life’s lessons,wisdom and heart with us David with the technical help of Ron and Ann and enjoy your photos Reynold. Also bringing us in fellowship with other dear fellow bloggers. All right in the comfort of our own home through computer. Thank you so much! Trust you both are over the flu. I wonder how many mg’s those Vit. D3 pills should be. I hear they help you to live longer. I remember that tree in the photo as our guide, an older home soldier saying he did some fighting there on those grounds. What a tragedy again today in Pakistan. Brings us to our knees to as, “Lord, what would you have me to do?” or what is YOUR will as you said, David. Blessings everyone as we prepare for Christmas. Bon Voyage, Irene.
Vitamin D3 1000..and this program works very well and no harmful substances in the body…good old Vit D3,
p.s. Vit D3 1000 units – it makes a difference if you get the real vitamins – by that I mean – I buy mine at a Naturopath, I am assured of getting a true vitamin and no additives….my fomula is 10 D3 a day for 3 days;, than 3 D3 a day for 10 days than one D3 at least 3 times a weeek (MON WED FRI) I do a batch in October and than in March…this was prescribed by the Naturopath for me …when i was a kid we took cod liver oil in the winter starting October until the spring…..
Amen fellow bloggers thanking Mr. Mainse and his family for their time and effort for this daily blog !
Merry Christmas !
Diane 🙂
When one reads this passage of scripture today and one knows that EVERY human life on planet earth is of more value to Christ Jesus then the entire cosmos… and that our God is a Triune God… to me it is like reading 2 completely different personalities…
Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated…
That’s a touchy one David. I suppose we need to look at all scripture in its entirety to understand without any ambiguity.
From the old testament to the new, God has evolved, or rather, his love has evolved; that is reflected in scripture and also in his relationship with people on earth. He sent His Son to renew His love affair with us. The Spirit is the gift that connects and lives and breathes through us. There is so much more to it than we could possibly imagine. That time will come when we depart from this earth and reunite with our Maker in heaven. Until then, I don’t believe we will ever have it figured out, other than to know His love. We can only imagine what it will be like when we walk by His side….
God has evolved? God is the Alpha and Omega. We evolve, God has/does not.
I am not disputing that we evolve; of course we do. God is alpha and omega, from beginning to end.. but I still believe he is showing us his change from the old testament to the new. The OT is all about people needing to obey God and following his order and trusting and obeying him. He showed anger and wrath. The NT is God giving us His Son as His gift of love and forgiveness to us.
I believe we need to try and synthesize and discern the many aspects of Our Lord between the Old and New Testaments. Most importantly, to know within His Spirit, all is Love.
Amen!
God is the same yesterday today and tomorrow. What has altered is not God’s personality but our understanding. What we know of God is what He has revealed–and as human history marches forward God has revealed more of Himself and His plan. We always must remember God’s ways are not our ways and it would be foolish to try to judge God’s motivations by human standards. Sometimes a doctor has to cut off a person’s leg in order to save a person’s life, would we judge the doctor as being cruel because he cut off the leg? If a child were nagging a parent for a toy in a store and the parent said no, but the child kept nagging until the parent said firmly no don’t ask me again– would we judge the parent as being harsh or loving their child so they learn their limits and learn no means no? When we read Scripture we have a tendency to read our own voice into what is being said, meaning how we would have spoken in those circumstances, and we simply cannot know how God spoke those words.
I don’t know if these insights help but I offer them based on my experiences with our Lord.
Thank You Lord…”The Lord will fight for me” …in all my ways I acknowledge Him and He will direct my path!! AMEN and AMEN!!!
The Lord’s Blessings and Love to all you bloggers…may This Season Truly be a Merry one!! filled with the Joy of the Lord!!
We know that a wife is a husband’s other half, so when I thank you David, that also includes you Norma Jean for your great contribution of support to this work. We love you both and appreciate you.
Thank God it is not how big the diamond is…it is what comes with it…and Norma-Jean received the greater gift …your Love for her David…one that has lasted through all these years. May Our Lord Jesus Christ continue to pour out His Love and Blessing upon you and your loved ones.
Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year!