MORNING BY MORNING
Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 8-9
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This is the ancient Hippodrome at Jerash, where tourists can enjoy re-enactments of chariot races and play fighting. Recent excavations show that Jerash was already inhabited during the Bronze Age (3200 BC – 1200 BC). After the Roman conquest in 63 BC, Jerash and the lands surrounding it were annexed by the Roman province of Syria and joined the Decapolis cities. Jesus ministered here. These were non Jewish cities. He cares for us all!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 9:27-28
And they lodged all around the house of God because they had the responsibility, and they were in charge of opening it every morning. Now some of them were in charge of the serving vessels, for they brought them in and took them out by count.
Names, names and more names are found in our readings. Perhaps this is tedious for some, but not for God. Every person is of infinite and eternal importance to Him, including each of us! The Chronicles are not written with a specific timeline in mind; rather it moves back and forth with the stories of various families. The key verse is not about the Temple of Solomon but about its successor built under the leadership of Ezra. This was the Temple, which was extensively renovated and enlarged by King Herod, in which Jesus would have worshipped. Notice the care given to the management and operation of the Temple.
Consider our responsibility to the sanctuary in which we worship. This is not the earthly building built for the purpose of meeting together as believers to worship corporately, to learn the Word of God, and to have fellowship one with another, but rather the Tabernacle, “not made with hands.” The earthly building was a copy of that which exists in Heaven. It is to the heavenly building, the Church in the heavenly place, in which each one of us have the responsibility to serve every day. “Morning by morning” with consistency is so very important. Let us take the time, if possible, to read from Hebrews 9:1-28. Let us meditate on our place of service.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, even as those who served You in Your earthly building called the Temple, so I desire to take responsibility in serving in Your eternal building, the Church which You, Jesus, said You would build. Please show me my specific responsibility, and I pray for grace to faithfully do my job. In the Name of the One who carries out His responsibility with total faithfulness, the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Everyone reading this blog has a job to do, as did those who lived around the Temple in Jerusalem. I have some responsibilities currently at the Crossroads Centre here in Burlington. Every morning my job is to make sure you who read this blog actually receive it. I’m determined to give top priority to my wife, my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. My over-arching job is to serve in that Tabernacle “not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1). Faithfulness in prayer, in meditating in God’s Word, in bringing others and their needs before God daily is my first job every morning before most people are up. It is a quiet time. The telephone does not ring and this present age does not intrude with a newscast, today’s newspaper, or a knock on the door. My human life and my responsibilities for today come into focus as I meet God in His Sanctuary into which He welcomes me.
Yours for faithfully carrying out our responsibility to God and to people,
David
P.S. On Wednesday this week I’m scheduled to be a guest on the 100 Huntley Street telecast along with Ron and Ann. Please watch over the air, cable, satellite or “on line” at www.100huntley.com.
Dubbed the “Pompeii of the East,” ancient Jerash is a Greco-Roman city located 80 miles north of Amman Jordan. The impressive, beautifully preserved ruins of Jerash include places of worship and other buildings from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and early Muslim periods. In this photo you can see the full length of the Hippodrome. The ruins of earthly buildings can be contrasted with the eternal importance of the true Temple “not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1).
AMEN to your prayer this morning David! This has been the theme of my heartfelt prayers lately. SHOW ME the good works that you have for me to do. Show me my specific responsibility and with Your grace I will do MY JOB faithfully! I patiently await your answer Lord. Thank you Jesus!!! A glorious day IN CHRIST to all!!
Amen! To your prayer Kathie.
How Deep the Father’s Love For Us – Stuart Townend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV2zMZ-nZ7k
Oh, how this song comes to mind after reading today’s message. “His wounds have made my ransom,” indeed. We carry our crosses grudgingly at times, and yet are ever so reminded by the faithfulness of your blog, David, sagely wisdom, and guidance by the life you have lived by example, to stand tall in the face of adversity, and claim Jesus Christ as our ever loving and faithful Saviour. He is the marker by which we claim freedom through forgiveness, and righteousness as saints on earth. We look beyond to eternal glory in the Kingdom of Heaven by the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father, who lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen, amen, and amen. Blessings dearest saints.
That music link is wonderful. If you wait after it plays through, it takes you to other wonderful worship pieces. Loved it. Thanks Beverlee. Thanks for the blog folks. I find the recorded names hard to cope with! Hope we move on soon.
Phillips, Craig & Dean Lyrics
“How Deep The Father’s Love For Us”
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.
Thank you for your daily devotions, you have brought me closer to what matters most in my life, is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, thanks for your daily encouragement.
Yours in Christ,
Maureen
Horses are so beautiful!!! thank you especially for that picture with the horse in it!
Although I sometimes do not post a comment in the a.m….I do read the scriptures on this blog with you Rev. David…in the a.m. and together with you pray the prayer. I do this shortly after spending personal time in prayer and the word upon rising earlier.
This blog is a strengthening and affirming of God’s Love and desire for me. Thank you for taking the time to present it to us, providing your wisdom and manana to chew on. May God continue strengthen you and your loved ones this day and always!!
Thank you Beverlee for that song!
I pray is for a Blessed Day of the Lord to all as you partake of this manna.
“His wounds have paid my ransom”
Hallelujah what a saviour! Blessings.
“His wounds have paid my ransom.” I had a typo “made” is “paid.” Amen!
Thank you Beverlee I love the beautiful music
Lianne Hogg
Dear David , Glad to see you looking so well today on 100 Huntley and thanking Jesus for His healing stripes
Appreciated clips of “Empower 21” on 100 Huntley Street…looking forward to tomorrow’s showing.
Amen! Loved it and felt like I was right there again. Looking forward to tomorrow. Speaking of meaning of names, I like the meaning that you gave to mine, sah and hope to live up to it. Thank you for your encouragement David to perform our responsibilities to God and man. Blessings to all.