Wednesday, December 21, 2016

GOD CARES

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 11-12

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).

 

Photographed from Migdal you can see Mount Arbel on the left and the Valley of Doves, which is on the west side of the Sea of Galilee. Just beyond are the Horns of Hattin where on Saturday, July 4, 1187, the war between the Crusader kingdom of Jerusalem and the forces of the Ayyubid dynasty was fought. The Muslim armies under Saladin captured or killed the vast majority of the Crusader forces, removing their capability to wage war. As a direct result of the battle, Islamic forces once again became the eminent military power in the Holy Land, re-conquering Jerusalem and several other Crusader-held cities.

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

 

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 11:11b & 12

A land of hills and valleys which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.

 

Migdal, mentioned in the picture caption, is the home of Mary Magdalene, the one to whom Jesus first appeared after His resurrection (John 20:11-18). She is a great example of the care Jesus has for people. God also cares for the land. We’re almost at the year end. Canada’s official motto is, “He shall have dominion from sea to sea,” “Ad mare usque ad mare” (Psalm 72:8). As we approach the new year, we may want to reflect on the motivation for our obedience to God. Are we motivated by fear or love? For Mary of Migdal, out of whom Jesus had cast demons, it was love that brought her back to the garden tomb. Because of love she stayed close to Jesus as He carried His Cross. Psalm 103:13 & 14 tells us that, “as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear [hold in awesome reverence] Him. He knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust.” Are we, like Mary, confused and sorrowful? Peter writes, “Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, in these days leading up to the New Year, I ask You to increase my faith, so that I am totally confident that You care for me every day of the year. As I look back over this past year, You have cared for everything about me! Thank You! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Four years ago today was the day, according to the Mayan calendar, when the world was supposed to end. Remember that? Ephesians 3:21 says, “…world without end. Amen!” Yes, there will come a time of cataclysmic change. For Peter’s perspective on the Mayan prediction I’ve just read 2 Peter 3:1-18. I know God cares, and He’s also in charge of whatever happens to this world. The last few words of our key verse are worthy of repetition… “The eyes of the Lord are always on it [the land] from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.” As we approach the end of the year, I’m living in total confidence in the providential care of our Creator, Sustainer, Provider, Healer, Saviour, and Lord of All.

Yours for a renewed confidence in God’s care,

David

 

10 thoughts on “Wednesday, December 21, 2016

  1. Stunning photo of God’s majesty! Let us do what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord and grow in the grace and knowledge of Him, our precious Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. Merry Christmas, David, Norma-Jean, family, and blessed saints of the living blog.

    They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12 NLT

    What Child Is This? Chris Tomlin (Live/Lyrics And Chords) ft. All Sons & Daughters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jroBAl3WW8

  2. Thank you again for God’s word to us daily. Merry Christmas to you and your family. My prayer to-day is “More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee.”

  3. What a gloriously, spectacular photo!! thank you Reynold!!

    Yes, our hope and our trust is in Him, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
    Our Lord and God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth and all that is in it. He knows the beginning from the end and I can trust in Him always. He is Faithful and True!!
    I LOVE YOU LORD!!!! GLORY AND HONOR TO YOUR HOLY NAME!!!

  4. Amen Brother, such wonderful words for today and every day. Christmas blessings to all. We keep you and yours in our prayers continually .Hugs.

  5. “Every point of battle to which you come, where you must draw your sword and fight the enemy, has a possible victory which will prove a rich blessing to your life. Every heavy load that you are called to lift hides in itself some strange secret of strength.”
    —J. R. Miller

    “I cannot do it alone;
    The waves run fast and high,
    And the fogs close all around,
    The light goes out in the sky;
    But I know that we two
    Shall win in the end, Jesus and I.
    “Coward and wayward and weak,
    I change with the changing sky;
    Today so eager and bright,
    Tomorrow too weak to try;
    But He never gives in,
    So we two shall win, Jesus and I.
    “I could not guide it myself,
    My boat on life’s wild sea;
    There’s One who sits by my side,
    Who pulls and steers with me.
    And I know that we two
    Shall safe enter port,
    Jesus and I.”

    Streams in the Desert, December 21
    Lettie Cowman

  6. I don’t understand why so many people young and old do drugs that takes their lives IMMEDIATELY! the situation is so critical, Imagine so many families will not have their loved ones with them this Christmas!
    Lord God forgive the leaders in CANADA! They need to hear from You Lord, they need to hear wisdom in ruling this country! It does not make sense that this country says it’s ok to have an abortion, and now communities are building safe injection sites to allow addicts to come in and shoot up in the presence of someone who will help them come back to life if they over dose….
    in one day in a community on the news, 2 social workers walking down a main street and on the side were many people sitting on the sidewalk, doing drugs and leaning over and pronounced dead right where they are sitting! FORGIVE US LORD!

    Lord I do not understand but YOU DO! I ask that You would send the Holy Spirit into the hearts of people have addiction problems and removing these addictions completely from each person and instilling in them the desire to help others be free and clear from drugs!
    Lord You removed drugs and alcohol from me 21 years ago; Eva spoke these words “we have the Holy Spirit that enables us to do more than we ever dreamt!”

    Help us Lord! I don’t know what else to say! Please help us!

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