Thursday, January 1, 2015

THE POWER OF WORDS

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 29-30

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).

 

At Timna Park, 20 miles north of Eilat, a life-sized replica of the biblical Tabernacle has been constructed. While no original materials (e.g. gold, silver, bronze) have been used, the model is accurate in every other way based upon the biblical description. This "Holy Place" of the Tabernacle housed the golden lampstand, the altar of incense and table of showbread. The lampstand (menorah) was beaten and fashioned out of a single block of gold and had three branches coming out of each side of the central shaft. The seven lamps on top of the branches were likely round saucers with pinched rims which held the wick and olive oil.

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

 

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 30:14-15

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil…

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR to my blog friends…May God bless you in amazing ways in 2015!!!

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). When God first called Moses to lead the Children of Israel out of slavery, Moses tried to avoid the task by telling God that he had problems speaking (check out Exodus 4:10-16). In our readings over the past few days, it’s obvious that after 40 years of leadership, Moses no longer had a problem speaking. Four times in today’s reading Moses stresses, “Keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do” (Deuteronomy 29:9).

The Apostle Paul quotes our key verse in Romans 10:8 and then gives us some powerful words of assurance of our eternal salvation. Romans 10:8-15 tells us that when we speak our faith in Jesus, who is Himself “the Word of God,” we truly have “life and good.” Amen!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, thank You for the gift of speaking. Please grant that we will never speak “death and evil” by gossip, slander, half truths, and other destructive words. May my words always speak life and good in this New Year of 2015. I pray In the Name of the One whose words are most powerful, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In Grade 10 high school I was given a book of words. The title on the cover was “WORDS ARE IMPORTANT.” The student sitting next to me changed the title to read, “WORDS AREN’T IMPORTANT.” Learning new words every day was truly important, I discovered. When God made it clear to me that my vocation (calling) was to become an ordained minister of Christ, I realized that a large part of carrying out my responsibilities was my use of words. Words are my trade, my means of communicating God’s message to precious people. One of the greatest communicators during the 20th century was Malcolm Muggeridge. On the BBC, he debated such people as Bertrand Russell, the noted agnostic. In my opinion, Muggeridge won the debates. He and his wife Kitty appeared on 100 Huntley Street to give their witness for Christ. He also was our narrator for The Scroll, a musical masterpiece composed by Bruce Stacey, which was the centrepiece of our Crossroads sponsored pavilions at several World Expos. The epitaph on Muggeridge’s tombstone reads, “HE USED WORDS WELL.”

Yours for God’s Word to be communicated clearly,

David

P.S. During our webcast Tuesday night, we held up to the camera the Superman pyjamas which Norma-Jean gave me for Christmas, and we had a good laugh. I know it’s silly, but we need to laugh more in 2015. There are so many things to cry about in our world. Let’s cry and also laugh. Therefore, Ron took my picture on New Year’s Eve and his son, Adam, doctored it up a bit! Check out the picture below and have a good laugh!!! Technology is amazing! We tend to live up to our confession, verbally and with body language! Also, here are some comments from several people who watched the webcast Tuesday evening:

“The ministry of Crossroads is truly worthwhile to support financially. I have not found it to be, “Giveme, Giveme.” In fact I find it totally opposite to that. I trust that tonight God will give people who can give with a generous heart so that they will give cheerfully to this great work of God.” – Don

 “David, Love this podcast thank you lets do it more often in 2015! I wanted to call in but was working.” – David

“WOW! So pleased to watch tonight’s narrowcast with a Superman who represents our Super God so well. Looking forward to reading Dr David Jeremiah’s latest book and pray for success in the current fundraising endeavours. Shalom.” – Graham

“I have just donated & I join in prayer for over & above what you need. I am honored to be able to to give to such a worthy cause. I know many people have come to know JESUS so that is why I give. I have been blessed reading the WORD with you I appreciate you getting up early to prepare the WORD our daily manna. This is the first time I have kept going & I find I want to learn more.” -Deane

“The webcast last night was directed to the followers and supporters of this ministry and puts it on a much more on a personal level. It was like we were there with David and Ron. My hope is that this narrowcast is the first of many. A great way minister to, and bless my fellow 100words bloggers and others that care about the ministry of Crossroads. Thank you David and Ron, I was blessed.” – Allan

Having fun with a Christmas gift from Norma-Jean...Superman onesie PJ's!

 

18 thoughts on “Thursday, January 1, 2015

  1. Happy New Year, everyone! God’s continued blessings, David, Norma-Jean, the Mainse family, Crossroads Ministry, 100 Huntley Street, and to all the saints in 2015!

    January 1 – Between the Years

    “Our Lord and our God. We joy in Thee. Without Thy Help we could not face unafraid the year before us.

    “I stand between the years. The Light of My Presence is flung across the year to come – the radiance of the Sun of Righteousness. Backward, over the past year, is My Shadow thrown, hiding trouble and sorry and disappointment.

    “Dwell not on the past – only on the present. Only use the past as the trees use My Sunlight to absorb it, to make from it in after days the warming fire-rays. So store only the blessings from Me, the Light of the World. Encourage yourselves by the thought of these.

    “Bury every fear of the future, of poverty for those dear to you, of suffering, of loss. Bury all thought of unkindness and bitterness, all your dislikes, your resentments, your sense of failure, your disappointment in others and in yourselves, your gloom, your despondency, and let us leave them all, buried, and go forward to a new and risen life.

    “Remember that you must not see as the world sees. I hold the year in My Hands – in trust for you. But I shall guide you one day at a time.

    “Leave the rest with Me. You must not anticipate the gift by fears or thoughts of the days ahead.

    “And for each day I shall supply the wisdom and the strength.”
    God Calling, Edited by A. J. Russell

    I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk
    in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

  2. So funny. Amazing! May the Lord give you the strength of Super Man to continue in the work he has called you. The reading and the picture make it much easier to leave for work today. Happy New Year, although we do not comment often, we are reading the blog.Thank You.

  3. Dear David & Norma Jean and your entire family:

    A Happy, Holy, Prosperous and Healthy New Year to all of you. You look like the super-duper man in the sky. God bless you all for these wonderful blogs, which I send to my friends and relatives all over the world. My husband Reg and I attended a wonderful life-giving service from 6 p.m. – 2 a.m. . at St. Don Bosco’s School, Etobicoke. We were 700 Catholics bringing in the New Year with Praise & Worship, talks, by evangelists, healing service, by Hazel D’Souza from the Divine Retreat Centre in Bombay, and over here by Rev. Fr. Joby from the Divine Retreat Centre in Weston, dinner and Mass was said at midnight by the Rector of St. Augustine;s Seminary, Toronto by Rev. Fr. Edwin Gonsalves. Skits were put on by the youth and even the music was incredible. It is awesome to bring in the New Year giving Thanks – our attitude with gratitude, instead of the dance floor. Amen

  4. Moses is telling the Israelites that obeying God is not difficult…..not beyond our reach. Therefore we have no excuses for feeling lost or abandoned.

    Norma Jean has a great sense of humour and what a good sport u r Rev. A merry heart is a gift from God.
    The new year is as bright as the promises of God.
    Rich blessings to all fellow saints this new year.

    • These verses struck a chord with me also.
      Deuteronomy 30:11-14
      “11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”

      Lord, inscribe your words on our hearts so that we may love you with all our hearts and souls. In Jesus name Amen!

  5. David your look very funny in your new super man gift we need laughter it
    is the best medicine to have besides thinking and speak positive words
    Happy New Year to all at Crossroads Mininstry and to our many bloggers !!

    Father God
    Speak your words from my mouth when I am around others. Take away any
    idols you see that you don’t want me to have I want to speak life and not
    death.
    In Jesus Christ name
    Amen

  6. Hi David, What Fun! The photo of you in your Superman outfit is so cute, and as l looked at it, l imagined our Father God’s large hands under you, holding you up! Isn’t the Lord amazing! Happy New Year Everyone!

  7. The photo is so funny and also an inspiration David. Gleaned a lot from the message and all the blogs this morning. Much to mediate on. As Moses required that the Israelites renew the covenant with their God, the new year is a good time to renew vows to the Lord as well. Happy New Year to all!

  8. We have much to be thankful for here in Canada. Thank you Lord Jesus. A great land with a great people. I also was unable to make the webcast as was working ’till 6:45 PST which is 9:45 webcast time…

    “Laughter is the best medicine” – used to enjoy those jokes and others in “Readers Digest”… Great pic David… and I am looking forward to reading and laughing with you and our fellow blog friends throughout 2015.

    Happy New Years blog friends! May 2015 be a year of continued blessings not only for our blog friends, but for everything our Lord has challenged the producers and participants in 100 Huntley Street. God Bless… Amen!

    • Amen! It has been a great year reading scripture and the wise insight provided by David Mainse. Wondering if that was your comment, David? All the best to you and yours in 2015, as well as everyone here!

      • That was another David. There appears to be a few of us Davids participating in this blog… I thought that it was probably you…

        Hey my friend, thanks for the best wishes. All the best to you and yours in 2015 as well.

  9. Thankyou all for your input on the blog every word is meaningful,
    Love to all and a happy new year to all…R…

  10. Enjoyed 2014 with you Pastor David and am looking forward to spending 2015 in the Word with you each day. Such a funny picture couldn’t stop the laughs. All blog friends I wish you health and happiness in the days that are before us. I ask The Lord to be with those who are sick and also those who are grieving a loved one. Love to all.

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