Friday, June 19, 2015

LOYAL HEARTS AND WILLING MINDS

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 28

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Zedekiah’s Cave, an extension of Solomon’s Quarries, is a 5-acre underground meleke limestone quarry that runs the length of five city blocks under the Old City of Jerusalem. It was carved over a period of several thousand years and is a remnant of the largest quarry in Jerusalem. Here is the path that leads down into the depths of the quarry.

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 28:20

And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God — my God — will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord…”

 

Young Solomon must have been overwhelmed by the challenge facing him. God had called him to follow his father as king. His first task was to oversee the building of the Temple in Jerusalem on Mt. Moriah. But, along with the calling, God gave Solomon instructions and a promise.

First, Solomon was to know the God of his father and to “serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind” (28:9).

Second, Solomon was encouraged to “Be strong and of good courage and do it” (28:20a).

Third, his father assured him that God would be with him and that God would not leave him or forsake him (28:20b).

When God calls us to do His work we must do it without fear, knowing that He will accomplish His purpose through us.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I need Your provision in order to accomplish Your purpose. Here I am, Lord, at Your service. Please grant me a loyal heart and a willing mind. With heart and mind focused on doing Your will, I know I will succeed. In the Name of Jesus, the One who did Your will 100% of the time, I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When I saw the number “100” on the front of the building on Huntley Street downtown Toronto, I knew without a doubt that God wanted Crossroads to renovate and occupy that building. Recently I walked down that street and marvelled at God’s provision back in 1977. The building where the 100 Huntley Street telecast originated is gone now and the head office of the cable TV and telecommunications giant, Rogers Communications, is there. Our lease on the building at 100 Huntley Street ended and, like Solomon might have been with the Temple, I was almost overwhelmed at the building challenge that faced us. I marvel at God’s call and His provisions! In the Spring of ’92, we dedicated to God the new 143,000 square foot building known as the “Crossroads Centre” in Burlington, Ontario. God has done amazing things through the faithful support of His loyal people, our partners in ministry. If you have not had the opportunity to visit the Crossroads Centre, we would love to see you.

Yours because of God’s gift of loyal hearts and willing minds,

David

Another view inside Zedekiah’s Cave/Solomon’s Quarries.

You can see the walls of Jerusalem above the bedrock of the Quarry. Here is one of the entrances to Zedekiah’s cave. Just to the south is the area where the Temple was built, and to the north on the other side of the quarry is the rock wall considered by many as the Place of the Skull. This is Mt. Moriah where Abraham was about to offer Isaac as a sacrifice when God said that He would provide the sacrifice. Jesus, the Son of God, was that Sacrifice offered on this mountain (Genesis 22:1-18).

 

10 thoughts on “Friday, June 19, 2015

  1. David thank you for your prayer , and the scripture today I really needed it.
    My friend passed away this week , and the funeral is tomorrow her name
    is Bethnee . I don’t know if she knows the Lord or not. Part of me says to
    me that I should go but the other doesn’t . Pray for me, and her family.
    Lianne Hogg

    • You may feel better afterwards if you go to the funeral, as Bethnee was a friend. I too found today’s reading an encouragement, especially how Our Lord guides and supports us when we follow in His paths. Blessings, Lianne and to all!

  2. Dear Lianne, sorry for your lost, I pray that the Lord will comfort you and give clear direction as to whether you should go to the funeral or not. Dear Lord wrap your arms around Lianne help her to feel your presence at this sad time, in Jesus name Amen.
    Thank you Pastor David I have printed your prayer as a reminder to myself that I prayed it along with you. I have been constantly praying that my mind would be focused on The Lord. So may things happening in my life, that at times it is very hard to focus, however, I am praising My Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that my body is healing after my fourth operation in the last two years. I exalt you Oh Lord.

    • Praying for you and others in your time of healing, may our minds be focused on the Lord’s will in our lives. Strengthen our faith when doubts try to creep in. You are in control Father, and have a plan to give us a hope and a future, and not to harm us. May you bring a song of joy to our hearts and show us how we may worship and serve you even in our times of trouble and healing. Jesus, may your light shine through us, for the glory of the Father. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

  3. Good morning blog friends.To age with conviction in Christ as one’s saviour continues to give meaning and purpose. As our physical attributes wear through the passage of time, other skills manifest themselves and come to life…

    If we keep our eye on Christ we will continue to be blessed and in turn be a comfort to others who are less fortunate. Have a great weekend… and God Bless…

  4. Yes Lord, “please grant me a loyal heart and willing mind, focused on You to do Your will”, I pray in Your Name which is above all Names. Thank You Lord. Amen!!!

    Thank you Rev. David for this blog!

    Have a God Blessed Day all!!!

  5. Amen! Thank you Lord for your gift of a loyal heart and willing mind. Sorry for your loss Lianne and my the Lord direct you. Thank you Lord for a “super fantastic” trip to Israel. God is so good!

  6. Great pictures…thanks for sharing!!!

    This Sunday we remember fathers…King David’s blessings and encouragements for Solomon…a good example for fathers everywhere.

    Oh Lord I pray Your Blessing on all fathers as we remember them this Sunday…not only this Sunday but always; I pray this in Your Name Jesus, the Name above all names. Amen and Amen!!!

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