1,000 GENERATIONS

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 7-8

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 mother and daughter share a meaningful moment at Nazareth Village in Nazareth. My son-in-law, Rev. Nizar Shaheen, ordained 30 years ago in the Nazareth Baptist Church, was one of the visionaries who helped create this re-creation of Nazareth at the time of Christ. Many have come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord in this place.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 7:9

Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments…

What are the emphasis words? Twenty-three times the phrase, “the Lord your God” is repeated. It’s a good idea to check whether or not Jesus quoted from His Hebrew Bible. He did! In Matthew 4:3 Jesus gave us a Moses quote: “Man shall not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3b). Particularly because of Jesus’ quote, we who believe in Him have every right to claim God’s promise to His people. In today’s reading, Moses reviews all God has done for the people, and then takes the very long view which reaches far beyond our present generation. The Apostle Peter picks up on Deuteronomy 7:6 from his Bible and tells us that we, too, are God’s special treasure. We might want to read now 1 Peter 2:9-17. There are serious obligations, as well as exciting blessings, to being God’s people. Think about it and click here to read Peter’s words.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, Your “little rock,” Peter, has challenged me to live my life in a way that will cause other people to glorify You. Please bestow on me grace and power to good works. I know that people will observe me today. May I represent You well. In Your strong Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

It’s still dark outside as I write. The first thing I did this morning was to plug in the Christmas tree lights. The tree is visible over my laptop computer. I’ve just counted 100 little LED lights on the tree and prayed that this blog will light up the lives of at least 100 precious people.

Two years ago today, I was in the Canadian Space Centre in Montreal to join the Canadian Governor General and others to celebrate the lift off of he Soyuz rocket carrying Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield to the International Space Station. After his return, he told me of the send-off blessing by a Russian Orthodox Priest. With joy he said that the priest, as he prayed for each astronaut, hit them with some force on the forehead with a large metal cross. We reflected on the amazing turnaround in Russia from the communist government which declared, “There is no God,” to this remarkable very public official prayer broadcast across Russia and made available to news organizations around the world. As far as I know, the Canadian News Media ignored that part of the story, but not 100 Huntley Street and YES TV. The light of Christ is shining through thousands of TV sets, computer screens, iPhones and iPads because those who support these ministry opportunities make it possible. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I encourage us all to make a special year-end gift to Crossroads (click here for easy ways to help keep the lights on!).

Yours for the good of God’s people for 1,000 generations,

David

P.S. On yesterday’s blog, I put pictures of four of my great-grandchildren (four generations of that “1,000”). I must treat all of my great-grandchildren without favouritism. So below are photos of the others. Three are the grandchildren of our daughter Ellen and her husband Nizar Shaheen. Their parents are Sarah, their oldest daughter, and her husband Jordan. Aliyah, James, and Kaylin, ages 8, 5, and 2, are my treasures. Then there is Jadice, who is the granddaughter of our son Ron Mainse and his wife Ann. Her parents are their daughter Andrea and her husband Jason Patterson. Jadice turns 2 on New Year’s Eve. Frankie Norma-Jean lives in California and is just 1 year old. She is the granddaughter of Elaine and Bruce Stacey and daughter of Christopher and Diane. Chris is our oldest grandson. Please forgive me for going far beyond 100 words, but Norma-Jean and I, our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren represent 4 of those 1,000 generations God promises to bless!!! And besides, it’s Christmas time!!!  There is one more scheduled to make her debut on Valentines day. We don’t have a name yet, but God already knows her (the ultrasound picture is below). Her Mom and Dad are Elena and Justin Gilmour. Elena is the youngest daughter of Bruce and Elaine Stacey. Merry Christmas EVERY ONE!!!

James, Aliyah and Kaylin Stowell

Jadice Patterson as a "flower girl."

Frankie Norma-Jean Stacey

Ultrasound of Elena and Justin's baby at 20 weeks.