A HOLY PEOPLE
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 25-26
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).
People praying at the rock in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed all night before he was arrested. The church that now covers it is called the Church of All Nations.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 26:19
…and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.
We are a “holy people.” Believing in Jesus and following Him makes this a fact. Ephesians 2:21 calls us, “a holy temple.” To see how special we are in God’s eyes, read Ephesians 2:11-22.
Two practices stand out in today’s reading. First, the sandal and the kinsman redeemer. Note Deuteronomy 25:9 and then turn to a wonderful love story, Ruth chapter 4. Note verse 7 (click here). Second, paying the tithe, 10% of our increase. To read more about this practice, we may want to read Malachi 3:6-12. This last book in the Hebrew Scriptures has much to say about giving. The Greek Scriptures, our New Testament, speaks of giving in many places. The one that comes to mind is 1 Corinthians 16:2, where Paul encourages us to set aside our offerings on the first day of each week. It seems that the early believers in Jesus paid the tithe (they were all Jews) and then did much more in offerings above their tithe. Remember the words of Jesus to the rich young ruler. Jesus was asking for his all (Mark 10:17-22). Our question should not be, “How much should I give?” but, “How much of that which You, Lord, have given me should I use for myself?” Let’s meditate on that thought.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, please give me the grace of disciplined consistency in listening to You as I read Your Word each day and in faithful fervency as I talk with You in my prayer time. May I see spiritual input in my life to be even more important than physical food and drink. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Because of the practice of giving produce to God, I asked my son, Reynold, for a garden picture. The Garden of Gethsemane was the place where Jesus gave everything back to His Father.
I find it interesting that throughout this present age, the age of the Church, a wide variety of giving practices has been employed. For example, my Father, Rev. Dr. Roy Mainse, in his ordination commitments, was not to own property personally. He was 40 when I was born in 1936, and he wrote that while his brothers received an inheritance, such as the family farm, he would not receive an inheritance. He was in the ministry (Methodist/Holiness Movement) and his needs were provided by the congregations, college, and missionary society which he served. During my time as a boy living at home, the residence, complete with old furniture from the 19th century, was provided. I remember the red-letter day when Dad came home with a new fridge. We actually owned it. Things changed along the way, and Dad and my step-mother owned a home when Dad retired. He passed away 42 years ago next month. I’m older now than he was when God took him home. He was removing the snow from his driveway and steps when his heart simply stopped. My memories of his total dedication to the cause of Christ are a motivation for me in my service to God and people.
Yours for learning how to give back to God that which He has given me,
David
P.S. Yesterday I wrote that I wanted to see all my blog readers on a webcast show I’m hosting tomorrow night along with my son Ron (how I wish TV was two-way, so I could actually see you!). This webcast will be a first for me. It’s known as “narrowcasting” as opposed to “broadcasting,” because it will be streamed live just to those who we invite to visit the web address. I don’t have the address myself yet, but God willing I’ll be able to give it to you on tomorrow’s blog, and I hope and pray you’ll tune in Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard time. (That goes from 5 p.m. on the west coast to 8 p.m. for my Florida friends and 9:30 p.m. for my friends in Newfoundland). God willing we’ll open the phone lines, and I hope to hear from every time zone across the continent. If you didn’t get to read yesterday’s blog, I’ll explain the purpose in the first 5 minutes of the live webcast. Happy New Year…almost!!!
Was wondering about the statement “a land that flows with milk and honey”. Can understand the honey part of it but where would the milk come from? Have never been to Israel so would the milk come from cows, goats, camels or what was God refering to? Was raised on a mixed farm so always drank cows milk in Ontario.
Your webcast sounds amazing Rev.
May God richly bless all fellow saints today and in the next year.
Just got connected to my internet again; was out yesterday so just read about your husband’s passing Doreen. May the Lord comfort you and give you peace dear sister.
Thank you Ger. It is sure a busy time. I’m just now reading 100 Words! A busy week for me. Happy New Year all.
May the Lord give Dr. John Hull strength as he cares for his aged parents and your live webcast show sounds interesting David.
Hi David, I have looked to you for years (decades actually) for your teaching. I enjoy the teaching and follow your 100 words blog. When the format for 100 Huntley street changed I soon became discouraged (no more teaching) and quit following the program. The teaching was gone. I am concerned with the constant request for financial support on your blog. I was always taught that you live within your means. Forgive me if this is offensive. I crave the learning so much & I freely give as god directs me.
I love the key verse for today’s readings:
…and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken. Deut 26:19
Some of the deuteronomy readings are so difficult to absorb. Thanks, David, for helping us to dig deeper and get more meaning from scripture. The Word of the Lord our God is so good! Amen!
speaking of tithes and so on I would like to know how does a pensioner who lives on the OAS an d GIS in Canada which totals around $1,427 a month go about tithing! Living expenses which are very sparse total $777.00 per month and then there is food! There is no smokes/alcohool/gambling, nothing, would apreciate some words of widom!
Tithing means giving back to Him first (to the church, to the kingdom so that it grows) without questioning what is leftover or wondering what we will receive in return; it is built on putting our faith and trust in Him alone. As Christians, we believe–more than that–we KNOW–that everything comes first from God. Everything we are blessed with is because of God. When we put that faith in God, first, and give back to him via tithing, we glorify Him and trust in Him for everything. Joyce Meyers gives a great sermon on tithing if you google it. The more we give, the more we receive. When we are limited financially, we can still tithe by giving via volunteering at the church, giving others rides to church, visiting seniors, donating our baking or buying coffee and donating it to the coffee hour after service–there are many ways we can give that are acts of tithing. Many Christians believe that is a valid part of tithing; others believe in giving 10% at the first of the month of one’s gross monthly income. The point behind it is that we put God first because He puts us first. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We are nothing without Jesus. We are everything because of Him. Amen.
p.s. should read “wisdom” thanks.
A couple of days ago the reading indicated that women should not wear men’s apparel. I would love to wear a shirt of my husband’s because we both loved sailing and he has a sailing shirt which would give me comfort. He has a classic car shirt too which I love. If I wear them, is it wrong? I don’t want to be
a man but just enjoy our memories.
and feel his presence.
You need not question anything, Doreen. Wear his shirts, smell him, feel his presence, let it comfort you–his way also, of being with you.
thank you Beverlee Kay,. I do almost all those things you mentioned have done them for years and I LOVE TO SERVE THE LORD totaly different subject:
Please pray the Holy Spirit speak to those involved in ISIS! Speak to their hearts Lord that they may be moved to lay down their weapons, repent of their evil ways, turn to the Lord for mercy, grace and forgiveness and may their entire households be moved to come to the Lord and receive Jesus as their personal Saviour! I urge everyone to pray and fast for the rest of this week! WithGod all things are possible for those who believe! Also please pray that ebola is contained within a hospital in British Columbia and will not spread any further. Again I ask for prayer and fasting for this very serious situation. AMEN