LISTEN, O EARTH! (Micah 1:2)
Today’s Reading: Micah 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Here you can see a row of homes in the region of ancient Pergamos. All seven churches of Revelation (Pergamos is one) are in modern day Turkey. The book of Micah, like the Revelation, is God’s attempt to communicate with people where they take shelter, eat, sleep, and go about their daily lives.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Micah 2:1
Woe to those who devise iniquity,
And work out evil on their beds!
At morning light they practice it,
Because it is in the power of their hand.
Micah reveals the compassion of God for people who suffer social injustice at the hands of a powerful corrupt elite. Micah strongly condemns rulers, false prophets, and ungodly priests who exploit the poor for their own gain. He declares that both the Northern Kingdom, Samaria, and the Southern Kingdom, Jerusalem, will be overthrown because of their iniquity, evil, covetousness and oppression of those who are disadvantaged.
When Christ returns to earth to rule as Messiah, His statement to all the nations of the earth will be, “I was hungry and you gave Me food” (Matthew 25:31-46). Jesus makes it clear that care for needy people will be His #1 priority when He sets up His earthly Kingdom. He will judge all nations by His standards of justice for all. In the meantime, as our key verse says, evil “is in the power of their hand.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You have given me a free will. Because of the example of Jesus, and Your grace You freely give me, I pray that I will decide to do good and not evil all the days of my life. I ask this in the Name of the One who always cares for others, Jesus Christ. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
At the tail end of the Great Depression of the 1930s, when so much poverty was evident, I can remember men that society called “tramps” (homeless people) knocking on our door asking for food and shelter. Mother would prepare some food, but as my father was away, they would usually sit on the porch. I would sit and watch. I couldn’t think of anything to say, but I knew mother had done something important. I also knew that she was keeping an eye on me for my safety. When I entered high school in the late 1940s, I learned that my all-time favourite teacher had been one of those homeless in the 30s. This gave me a new perspective on helping others.
As a young Pastor in the late 1950s and 1960s, I encouraged the congregations to support the Salvation Army, and I think it was in 1965 that World Vision came to our city with a Korean orphan choir. Our people got involved as childcare sponsors. Our television ministry got involved directly as a result of my son’s (David Reynold, our photographer for this blog), prayers every evening at family devotions for about a month. He was just a little guy, but somehow he encountered human need. He would pray, in an mournful voice, “O God, please help Daddy to help those poor children in India.” God answered his prayer and within another month we had raised, through the TV ministry, monthly childcare support for about 1,000 children, and we turned the names and addresses over to World Vision Canada for the cause, which was the ministry of Mark and Huldah Buntain in Calcutta, India. Crossroads has consistently encouraged support of ministries of compassion and has for decades now been directly involved (click here for Crossroads’ current missions projects).
Yours for being moved with the compassion of Christ toward those in need,
David
a BIG thank you to everyone who prayed for me! I shed many tears! I only just found out that some of my family members were sexually abused when they were young by other young family members! I am so full of guilt, anger, revenge, all those horrible thoughts! I am going to ask everyone not to post any prayers to allow others to post prayers. I would ask that you would pray behind the scenes and, I guess, to ask God what do I do and how do I do it and should I do anything? I am just stunned! I find myself telling myself what I have told others……there is a reason for all of this……I don’t know what it is…..I know many families have experienced this situation…..I am just so sorry for my family, and all I can say is God please help me and help my family to move on…..forgiveness will come of that I am sure BUT it will take time and……..we are left with memories…….
I wish everyone a good day today, I pray the Lord will heal where healing is needed, I pray the Lord will give strength to those in need and I pray that grace and mercy will abound! Blessings to everyone!
Hope you read the scripture reading for today, Sah; it just made me think of you. Read the Word of God, everyday, noon, and night, and it will develop a strength of backbone to help you through.
Yes. Amen Beverlee.
Agreeing with Beverlee, Sah. Also, if you can watch Joyce Meyer (on YES TV @ 8 a.m. eastern), you will see how God delivered her from similar abuse, and is using her in an amazing way. She HAS BEEN delivered! Thank you, Lord.
Blessings to you Sah.. and emotional healing for your family members through the Great Physician, Jesus Christ Our Lord!!
Thanks dear David, for sharing your personal story, today; which models such love compassion and development of character; very much appreciated. Wishing all saints in the Lord, a blessed day.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Rom 12:2, NKJV
Your Praise Will Ever Be On My Lips, Bethel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9AarM9w5lU
Amen!
Thank you David for sharing some family stories today and I agree with you and the Word whole heartily. I think of my own Mother who when we sat down to eat, she would say, “I never sit down to eat without thinking of those little children who have nothing to eat,” and we would give as much as possible when I was caring for her. Praying for you Sah.
I am confused!! April 8 was Amos 9 April 9 was 2 and 3 John w
Where is First John??
1 JOHN Chapters 1, 2 , @ 3. was on our blog on March 24th/16
I am confused!! April 8 was Amos 9 April 9 was 2 and 3 John w
Where is First John??
Thursday, March 24th, 1 John 1-3.
Thank you for sharing your story Pastor David. For your input and expanding on the scriptures. Also providing the link as an emphasis and complement of the Word for this day.
My mother was a widow during the depression…but she did not turn any one away as they came to our home, not only were they fed. But were welcome to sleep in the barn…we had a large barn and the hayloft kept them warm.
I was working at World Vision on Consumers Road in North York and saw you come and go. There was a staff of 35 then! A much larger organization now and two of my children became part of the ministry. (One is still there and his wife is there also). I remember the remarkable work of Dr. Buntain and his wife. The little plastic milk bottle for coin collection, I believe, was your idea, was it not?