Thursday, August 4, 2016

THE WORD AND THE POWER

Today’s Reading: Mark 12

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).

Through a passage off the north side of the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) of the platform on which the Temples of Solomon, Ezra and Herod were built, is a collection of Jewish holy books. This man is reading an ancient scroll protected by glass. A Torah scroll is a handwritten copy of the Torah or Pentateuch, the holiest book within Judaism. It must meet extremely strict standards of reproduction. Written entirely in Hebrew, a sefer Torah contains 304,805 letters, all of which must be duplicated precisely by a trained sofer or scribe. This is an effort which may take as long as 18 months.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Mark 12:24

Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?…”

 

Jesus taught that we learn about God by knowing both the Scriptures and the Power of God. There are those who concern themselves with one or the other, and who fail to have both the Word of God and the working of the Holy Spirit in a balanced Christian life. Failure to give attention to both will produce a lopsided and ineffective believer. Therefore, we should take quality time reading God’s Word in a systematic way (this blog will help), and after we’ve heard from God, take time to pray fervently for the infilling of the Holy Spirit for the new day of service. This chapter begins with the parable of those who were unwilling to recognize the servants that the owner of the vineyard had sent to them. With a diligent effort to balance the head and the heart with Scripture and the experience of God’s Spirit, we will not fall into error or fanaticism.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, Your Son and our Saviour showed us how a Christian should live in balance. May He live fully in me so that Your Word and Your Spirit will produce daily the fruit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit in a balanced way (Gal. 5:22-25 and 1 Cor. 12:4-11). I pray this through the Person of Jesus Christ, in whom I live. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Before I write this blog, I know that in order to communicate as I should, I must spend time reading God’s Word, meditating on that Word, and an equal time in prayer. I try to spend the same amount of time on my personal devotions as I do writing these words. This discipline goes back to my earliest days in witnessing for Jesus. I really messed up a great opportunity to win a man for Christ by a lack of wisdom (“He that wins souls is wise” Proverbs 11:30), and a failure to keep filled with the Holy Spirit. I watched this man turn away from God. I cried out to God in my private time and was taught the reason for my failure…the lesson of today’s blog. One other lesson from today’s reading: When God counts the amount of our giving of offerings to Him, He counts the size of our gift by how much we have left over after we’ve given, not the actual cash value of our gift. Think about it the next time you give.

Yours for both the Scriptures and the Power of God,

David

 

8 thoughts on “Thursday, August 4, 2016

  1. Thank you Geraldine and Beverlee for praying for little Lena, the op went very well. However, I just had a message from my daughter, Lena had a bad night and her back is very sore and she is feeling nauseated. They have put her on a lot of medication and is now sleeping. I am very thankful that the op is over PTL.
    I prayed your prayer Pastor David, thank you for this blog it is so appreciated. God Blessings to all. Eleanor M.

    • Ahhh. She is feeling sick from the surgery. My heart breaks for her. Lord, God, our Heavenly Father, Saviour Jesus Christ, and to the sanctity of the Holy Spirit, we bring little Lena before You, now–to the grace of Your throne. And we pray that Your touch upon her will heal, renew, and strengthen her little body. Give her rest and peace and comfort, Lord. For You alone are most worthy. And we give You all the thanks and praise for little Lena being made well. In Jesus’ precious Name, amen, amen, and amen.

  2. Thanks for the message and prayer, David. Praying for you, today. For all saints who need to be lifted, call on the Lord and He will strengthen you. Rely on the power of the Word, for it will never fail you. Amen.

    The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
    Psalm 18:2 NIV

    Hillsong – Sing to the Lord – This Is Our God
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB4e03hl1LI

    • “Sing To The Lord” by Hillsong

      Righteous Ruler of the heavens
      Holy, holy, our God
      Sovereign Lord of all creation
      Holy, holy, our God

      Every tribe and tongue
      Lift your voice as one
      He is greatly to be praised

      Sing to the Lord, oh my soul
      Let the heavens shout for joy
      Great is our God
      Great is our God

      Nations come and bow before Him
      Holy, holy, our God
      Angels sing now and forever
      Holy, holy, our God

      Every tribe and tongue
      Lift your voice as one
      He is greatly to be praised

      Sing to the Lord, oh my soul
      Let the heavens shout for joy
      Great is our God
      Great is our God

      The heavens shall declare
      The glory of our great God

      The heavens shall declare
      The glory of our great God

      The heavens shall declare
      The glory of our great God

      Jesus King, let us adore Him
      Holy, holy, our God

      Sing to the Lord, oh my soul
      Let the heavens shout for joy
      Great is our God
      Great is our God

      Great is our God
      Great is our God

  3. I Joined with you in prayer David!! The importance of living in balance.

    Heavenly Father hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done in me as it is in Heaven. In the Mighty Name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

    Thank you Father for this Day Your day, I will rejoice and glad in You, for the Joy of the Lord is my strength.

    Word of praise in that song Beverlee…thank you for sharing.

  4. Amen Beverlee and Eleanor for little Lena. Oh Lord Jesus surround and be with that little child and may she rest in your love and mercy.

  5. Enlightening message today David about the need for balance of the knowledge of the Scriptures and the Power of God. Also the need to recognize the servants the Lord sends us. Always pray your prayers as well. Thank you.

  6. I love you David Mainse.
    Thank you for giving me so much about learning more about Our Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ.
    This is my 3rd time going through the bible with you and I never cease to be amazed at how Great Our God is.
    I was born again through Crossroads 100 Huntley.
    Thank you. Jenny Smith
    .

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