The COHEN FAMILY
Today’s Reading: Joshua 21
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).
Petra is one of the Ancient Wonders of the World and is without a doubt Jordan’s greatest tourist attraction. It is a vast, unique city, carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled here more than 2,000 years ago, turning it into an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome. Entrance to the city is through the Siq, a narrow gorge over one km in length, which is flanked on either side by soaring, 80 metre high cliffs. Just walking through the Siq is an experience in itself. The colours and formations of the reddish rocks are dazzling. As you reach the end of the Siq you will catch your first glimpse of Al-Khazneh (Treasury). In ancient times, this was in the area of Edom, mentioned several times in our recent blog readings. Edomites were descendents of Esau, who was the brother of Jacob (Israel).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Joshua 21:45
Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.
When we come across the Jewish name “Cohen,” we know they are from the line of Kohath, who was the second son of Levi (Joshua 21:20). They are hereditary priests. Moses and Joshua did not give the priests land like the other tribes in order to ensure the distribution of God’s priestly representatives throughout the land in an evenly placed manner. This may have served to retard Israel’s embrace of pagan cultures.
God’s Word will not fail. It may take time, but be assured of eventual fulfillment. Israel failed, not God’s Word. When God promised victory, they ran away in defeat. When God promised prosperity, they broke His rules so that God could not bless them as He wanted to. When God promised to be their leader, they begged for a king like the surrounding nations. When God promised to protect them from their enemies, they made their own unsuccessful battle plans. Are we as foolish as they were? Let us remind ourselves daily that God is totally committed to the fulfillment of all His good promises. Amen!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I’m well aware that there are promises of judgment as well as blessing. Help me to key in on the blessing promises, obeying You in everything that applies to me as a follower of Jesus. I promise to do this, “So help me God.” Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Norma-Jean and I are going, God willing, to the land we’ve been reading about here in the book of Joshua. Our son Ron and his wife Ann are the leaders. It seems that my wife and I can’t stay away from His Land!!! At the end of the journey in the footsteps of Jesus, there is a great conference in the new 10,000 seat arena in Jerusalem. I’ve been asked by the organizers of the event to represent Crossroads in receiving a citation for the part Crossroads has played in reaching the world for Christ. That honour belongs not to me but to all of our partners who made it happen through prayer, regular financial support and hard work. PLEASE JOIN US!! Click here for information. I would love to spend two weeks getting to know you who participate in my 100words.ca blog. Please come to Jerusalem if at all possible. It may be the best investment ever for time and eternity!!!
Yours for trusting God and obeying God,
David
P.S. I’ll be sharing several of Reynold’s stunning Petra photos over the next few days!
Reynold walking through Petra’s dim, narrow gorge, which winds its way approximately 1.2 km and ends at Petra’s most elaborate ruin, Al Khazneh (The Treasury). Reynold is a one-man crew, so he must have his camera on the tripod functioning automatically. Some believe that Petra is the fortress where God will hide and protect the remnant during the apocalypse.
Amazing pictures!
I praise God for your daily blog which helps me to keep in touch with our Father. Thank you for posting these photographs of Petra and many of the other sites in the Holy land. I am not able to afford travel to the most blessed place on earth but thanks be to God for your contribution.
Yes, great photos, indeed! Congratulations on the upcoming citation for Crossroads, in Jerusalem, David Mainse! So wish I could meet you there! Blessings to all who can go!
Our God is great! Amen! Thanking the Lord for all His blessings that flow! Wishing all saints a joyful day!
In the Garden
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain
C. Austin Miles 1868-1946
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUjQACyD8uk
Today, at this moment, I thank God that He called you, David Manse, and that you followed His calling, and that you have so faithfully brought Christ to our nation and around the world through Crossroads. This honour is a perfect example of the ‘blessings’ that follow ‘obedience’ . I know I join with you and Norma Jean in saying ‘To God Be The Glory’
Thanks Reynold….great pics.
http://youtu.be/Nw2piDRYk1g
I also want to say I’m so glad to hear that you are getting rewards this side of heaven for your many faceted works at leading people not only in Canada but in USA and many other places around the world to know and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. My husband, Dave, and I were fortunate to have been on the Yellow Bus in November 2013 on the tour of Israel with you and your family.What a double blessing that was to be with the person who was so instrumental in my committment to Christ and to be in Israel walking where Jesus walked. I am so grateful to God to have made this happen. Your committment to doing God’s will has multiplied….both of our kids and their spouses and their 3 little ones[so far] are all committed Christians. God is so good! I have always been intrigued by Petra. So I love the pictures Ron. Thanks for this blog. I enjoy reading this daily devotional and bringing it to God. Thanks for everything, Mainse family. Have a wonderful, blessed trip to Israel and Jordan Everyone.
First of all I want to say “WOW”!!! the pictures are tremendous Reynold!.
Once again, the Faithfulness of God as affirmed in Joshua 21:45 All He spoke, “All came to pass”!!.
How comforting to know, we can trust Him in all our ways, if we lean on Him not our own understanding; He will guide us on “paths of righteousness” if we would only follow and obey.
Lord, may it be so, that I would lean on You in all my ways, not on my own understanding; but follow you in obedience to your ways , Your plans and purposes for my life. I pray this in Your Holy Name Jesus, AMEN!
Although I would love to be on this trip! to once again visit the Holy land, it does not seem like a possibility at this time. Especially would love to be there there when you receive your citation. Hopefully will see it televised.