OFFERING WILLINGLY
Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 29
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Dome of the Rock is a shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. The structure has been refurbished many times since its initial completion in 691 AD. Many believe the Temple of the Jewish people will be rebuilt just to the left of the gold and blue structure, directly inside the Eastern Gate.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 29:9, 14
Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly… But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You.
“Offered willingly” is repeated three times in our key verses, plus twice more in this chapter. There is a message here for us to do the same in our support of God’s work. The focus of this book shifts here to God Himself. Twenty times God is addressed directly. We are treated to a foretaste of the Psalms of King David. Let us worship with David by reading out loud, if possible, verses 10 to 15 (click here). We exalt You Lord! Blessed be Your Holy Name forever!
Tomorrow, God willing, we start reading the second book of Chronicles. Thirty-six chapters later we will move back into the New Testament book of Philippians, known as the “Epistle of Joy.” Then we move back again to the book of Ezra. Ezra is believed to have compiled the books of First and Second Chronicles. He was God’s man to build a new Temple. The Temple of David and Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonian conqueror Nebuchadnezzar. If we take a look ahead to Ezra, we will see a similarity in style of writing, and in Ezra 6:11-28, we can learn more about the author of Chronicles who was a priest and a scribe. God is never without someone who is faithful in His service.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that I will “offer willingly” my life, my service, my resources, and my all! As David prayed, “All things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.” I am Yours Lord! You have given me a free will, and I willingly present myself to You for Your purposes. The Lord Jesus did this and I follow Him. In His name I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I want to invite every blog partner to read the story of the present Archbishop of Canterbury. Along with Queen Elizabeth, he leads the Church of England. It was at Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London that I had my most powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit. The current Archbishop was a member there when he entered the priesthood. Cannon Andrew White, who is quoted in the article, has been a guest on the 100 Huntley Street telecast several times. God always has someone for His purposes (click here for the story of Justin Welby, the first Archbishop of Canterbury who has Jewish roots.)
Yours for “offering willingly” our lives in service to God,
David
WOW!
What an uplifting story about Archbishop Justin Welby. I understand that it was the Archbishop who requested recently that Canon Andrew White (aka The Vicar of Baghdad) move to relative safety in Jordan. I always enjoyed the Moira interviews with the Canon and often pray for his ongoing protection.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
Found the blog so interesting as my family tree goes back to England; my maternal grandparents around 1900 from Cambridge and Norfolk respectively and my paternal ones earlier than that around St. Allbans near London. I have had the privilege of visiting there three times last time in 2007 and a cousin here twice who has since deceased. Been one of the joys of my life and I owe my Christian heritage to my maternal grandparents. What a story of Archbishop Justin Welby.
Fascinating article about Justin Welby, the first Archbishop of Canterbury! So moved by David’s praise and blessing to God:
“Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all.
Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.
“Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name.
But who am I, and who are my people,
That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?
For all things come from You,
And of Your own we have given You.
For we are aliens and pilgrims before You,
As were all our fathers;
Our days on earth are as a shadow,
And without hope.” 1 Chronicles 29:10-15
Prayers for all the saints!
Amen and Amen!! All things are Yours O God, for ever and ever!!!
it’s frustrating some days I can get the videos and some days nothing comes through…I’m going on line to find out about Justin Welby…..