TAKE HEED, OBSERVE, POSSESS
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 4
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 father walks his child from a time of studying holy books in a Jewish library located in Jerusalem at the foot of the Temple Mount, beside the Western Wall. This Jewish father is obviously taking heed to Moses' instructions.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 4:9
Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and grandchildren.
Words repeated in a chapter stand out to me. “TAKE HEED” (3 times), “OBSERVE” (3 times), and “POSSESS” (4 times). I believe God wants us to pay attention to Him, carefully scrutinize His Word and our response, and then assimilate (make part of our being) what we are learning. This will equip us to pass on our stories to the next generations, and for us personally, “That you may live” (vs 1)…also, “Lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life” (vs 9). Another reason to TAKE HEED, OBSERVE, AND POSSESS is…”Lest you act corruptly” (vs 16). How about “Lest you forget?” (vs 23). The result of our diligence is found in verses 29-31. This is so important that I’m going to type those verses here for extra emphasis, “BUT FROM THERE YOU WILL SEEK THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND YOU WILL FIND HIM IF YOU SEEK HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL. WHEN YOU ARE IN DISTRESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS COME UPON YOU IN THE LATTER DAYS, WHEN YOU TURN TO THE LORD YOUR GOD AND OBEY HIS VOICE (FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS A MERCIFUL GOD), HE WILL NOT FORSAKE YOU NOR DESTROY YOU, NOR FORGET THE COVENANT WHICH HE SWORE TO THEM.” Amen!!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I can’t do this on my own, nevertheless I’ll give it my best. My best won’t be enough Lord. Therefore, I ask you for sufficient grace to fully “Take Heed,” “Observe,” and “Possess.” Through the Person and work of Jesus, the One who did it right, I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Telling my stories to my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren is a joy for me (I’ve written a book of my stories. Interested? – click here to order a copy). Besides, when I do this I’m being obedient to God’s instructions given to us through Moses. As I ponder what story I should tell here, in my mind’s eye I see a framed front page picture from the National Post that I have at home. It’s of Stephen Harper in 2006 (who would be elected Prime Minister in 3 days’ time) holding my great-granddaughter, Noelle Neilson (I’ll put a copy of that picture below). His campaign bus stopped right in front of Noelle’s townhome in Waterdown, Ontario. Meanwhile, I had a book of photographs from the 1948 Stanley Cup Champions, the Toronto Maple Leafs, that I thought Stephen Harper would enjoy, knowing that he’s a BIG hockey fan and was working on a book about hockey. I had prayed, “Lord, I have no idea how to get these historic pictures into Stephen’s hands; can You help me?” Now back to that surprise street visit…Mr. Harper asked Noelle’s Mom, my granddaughter Sheryl, “Who is this child.” She answered, “This is David Mainse’s great-granddaughter.” He responded, “Tell David I’m going to call him next week.” The day after the election, as I was walking into a nursing home to get the “okay” from the elderly couple who had given me the hockey photographs, my cell phone rang. Guess what? It was our new P.M. I travelled to Ottawa and presented him these amazing photos on Thursday that week. No one could tell me that God does not have a hand in even small events if we ask Him to. Hebrews 11:6 says, “He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” So that’s another story for my great-grandchildren. Noelle is now nine, and eight more great-grandchildren have arrived since!…And one more scheduled to make her debut on Valentines Day with the help of mother Elena. Elena is our miracle Russian princess. Be sure to check out her miracle story in my book. It comes complete with pictures.
Yours for passing on stories of God’s love and grace,
David
P.S. Prime Minister Harper gave deeply-felt words yesterday regarding the murders of the children of Pakistan by the Muslim Islamic group known as the Taliban (click here for a video from Global News).
Here is the photo from the National Post which I referred to above. It was from January 20, 2006. You can click on the photo to enlarge it.
Today’s post brought tears to my eyes, David–thank you fine sir!! What a wonderful God we serve and how vividly He shows us His graces, love, and that He is with us–making things happen, that are special, that matter, between us–amen! Indeed, “He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” Heb 11:6. Blessings dear saints!
My heartfelt sympathy to every person affected by the tragedy of the assault and murder of the Pakistan children and teachers, yesterday. As Canadians, we cry out with you.
Thank you David, Beverlee, and Donna for your keen insight into yesterday’s blog question I put forth. One can certainly get a different perspective of God when one doesn’t believe John 3:16
(NIV) 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Orthodox Jews and other faiths such as Islam believe the Old Testament, but not the new. Our God in the Old Testament waged war against any peoples who believed in Idolatry. God hates Idolatry. The old way wasn’t working effectively… Enter Christ Jesus…
Thank you Lord for showing us how to live in Christ. Amen!
“Enter Jesus Christ,” Amen!
Indeed! Thank You Jesus! Amen and amen!
My prayers go out to all those affected by the murder and aussault its hard
to believe people will do such awful things
Lianne Hogg
God is interested in every minute area of our lives a few Christmas s ago J was praying for a gold cross to give my husband but it would have to be a reasonable price so later that week I was helping z friend who owned an appartment building to take out the old carpet and underpad for she was putting in laminated flooring so we continued ripping out the carpet came to the underpad she had to go out and so I continued to fip away the underpad this building was 80 years old and there it was a solid gold cross it was a large size so Praise God and just yesterday I gave my daughter 40.00 to buy herself a give for her birthday so she went into a consignment store and found her answer to prayer a Michael Kors leather purse for 39.00 so God is intrested in every detail
PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME God Bless your Christmas shopping and grant you vlods of His favor in Jesus name Amen ♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♡♥♡♥♡♥☆☆☆★★★☆☆★★♥
I loved the picture from yesterday which reminded me of a question I have wondered about for a long time. Do you know why God specified that the Ark of the covenant be made from Acacia wood?
Special pics today. I’m so proud to tell people Stephen Harper is our Prime Minister whenever I travel outside Canada.
So sad Moses was unable to enter the promised land.
A friend sent me this cute tendition of The Christmas Story :https://www.youtube.com/embed/kWq60oyrHVQ?rel=0
Blessings on all.
Cops do more than write tickets:
http://faithtap.com/2195/lowell-police-give-christmas-surprises/
Where is God in the Pakistan/Australian tradgedies?http://www.denisonforum.org/global/1275-tragedies-in-australia-and-pakistan-where-is-god
Lynda, that is an adorable and cute Christmas story played by children. Thanks for posting
Amen Beverley. Heinous acts against innocent children. Praying for the parents and all affected. Good to be reminded David how God gives us the desires of our heart in His will and is concerned about every detail. Blessings!
I am so glad to be a child of The Most High God. Thank you Jesus for the gift if salvation and off the wonderful example you are to us, to love ANC see others as You see them.
Heartbroken with the news in Pakistan and praying God will comfort those hurting.
P.S. Gift of salvation
To love and see others
I love your blog coming in every morning and this morning the pictures of some of your family as well.
That this time of year many people will take time to ponder on why Jesus came to earth, and not alone about gifts but the true reason for this so beautiful season of the year.