GOD BLESS YOU!

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 15-16

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).

It would appear that this man sitting among the ruins of ancient Philippi is in need of encouragement. Let's find someone today who may be discouraged and give him or her a lift.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 15:7

If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother…

The generosity mentioned in our key verse will be rewarded. We will be blessed when we open our hands wide to anyone who has need. There is ample evidence that God keeps His promise to the giving person. In verse ten of this chapter it states, “for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.” This exhortation is repeated in chapter 16:17, “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.” The Apostle Paul refers to the instruction given by the “Pillars” of the Jerusalem church. “They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do” (Galatians 2:10). To practice this as Jesus did, we may want to read Matthew 5:38-48.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, by the Holy Spirit and the reading of Your Words, please grow in me a generous spirit. You are the greatest Example, by far, when it comes to giving. You gave Your very life for poor humanity. For starters, I give my life to You by giving my life for others. Please bring across my pathway, every day, someone I may help. In Your generous Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’m meditating just now on God’s promises found in the Words of Jesus: “Give, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over…” (Luke 6:38). When I read from the Hebrew Scriptures, I recognize that, in His humanity, Jesus is Jewish. No doubt He read the words of today’s reading as a boy. Jesus, as no one else, practiced generous and sacrificial giving. I’m thinking about what Jesus has received as a result. Amazing!!!!! IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE GREATEST POVERTY IS TO LACK THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS AS SAVIOUR AND LORD!!!!! Dr. John Hull, our Crossroads Chief Executive Officer, told me the other day that he wants to see an invitation to viewers and listeners to receive Jesus as Saviour and Lord IN EACH HALF HOUR of the 100 Huntley Street telecasts. There are two half-hour shows back to back every day. When I was hosting 100 Huntley Street, I called for a minimum of one invitation in every hour. I’m thrilled with John’s decision to double the calls for personally receiving Jesus. John was led to Christ by his evangelist father as a boy with his Dad opening God’s Word and praying with him. I happen to know that our brother in Christ, our leader, John, is deeply concerned about the year-end shortfall of funds in our general operating budget. He doesn’t know I’m writing this. I have a burden of prayer for John. Will you help me do something to lift his heavy burden by sending a sacrificial year-end offering to Crossroads? The quickest way to do this is to make a toll-free call to 1-800-265-3100 with a credit card in hand (or give online HERE). Yesterday I received a call from my son Ron who informed me that a cheque just arrived for $5,000 from another man named John that Norma-Jean and I know personally. Bless you John! The need for the year end is many times that amount. I know my blog readers are doing their best.

Yours to help us all to give as God has blessed us,

David

Please forgive me for going way over my goal of 100 words. I just had to share the burden with you for your prayer and support. I’m asking Ron to find a picture of John Hull on the set of 100 Huntley Street and put it below.