RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
Today’s Reading: Joshua 19-20
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).
These are the ancient walls of the main city of the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:40-48), located in northern Israel near the base of Mount Hermon and the source of the Jordan River. When Lot had been taken captive, Abraham and 318 of his servants pursued him as far as the city of Dan (Gen. 14:14). The Canaanite city of Laish had existed on this site over 5,000 years ago. Joshua had led his troops through this area, and sometime after Israel captured this city, the name was changed to Dan. It became the northernmost city in the nation of Israel.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Joshua 19:49 & 20:4
When they had made an end of dividing the land as an inheritance according to their borders, the children of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun…When he flees to one of those cities…and declares his case…they shall take him into the city as one of them, and give him a place…
Two facts stand out to me from our reading. First, Joshua put others first and did not ask anything for himself. The general agreement of the people resulted in Joshua’s inheritance. Our Joshua, Yeshua (Jesus), has put us first. We could ask ourselves the question, What is His portion? Imagine the joy Joshua felt when the people came together after the distribution of land was settled, and the people honoured him. We read of our Yeshua, “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). He put us first. How can we do less than put Him first?
Second, when the avenger was chasing the one who accidentally had killed someone, the one being chased could flee to a safe city. When the accuser (Satan) or anyone else is out to deliberately do us harm, we flee into the refuge of the strong arms of Jesus and we are safe. Read Hebrews 6:17-20 and flee for refuge.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You’ve provided for my life now and, in the age to come, eternal life. You put me first before Your own rights as God’s Son. I can do no less than determine to put You first at all times and places. You’ve also given Yourself to me as a refuge into which I run in times of trouble. I ask for grace to give myself to You 24/7, holding nothing back. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Back in 1992, when we were about to open our new state-of-the-art, 143,000 square foot television production centre, a reporter interviewed me and wrote in his prominent magazine approximately the following: “David Mainse is hanging on to his sanity by his fingernails” (not true – I was standing on “The Rock of Ages” and He was holding me. At least this secular reporter admitted that I had sanity! Ha!). The costs had gone far above original estimates, and then there were commitments to our pavilion at World Expo ’92 in Spain, where we had built and were operating a Christian pavilion which was bringing thousands to Christ. We were in trouble, humanly speaking. Many, many prayed for Crossroads and for me, and thousands gave sacrificially, but I want to single out two that come to mind just now. Dave Toycen, President of World Vision Canada, came to see me and prayed personally and fervently for me. Brian Stiller, at that time President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, also came to my aid. They helped me flee into the refuge of God’s love and grace. Brian declared with certainty, “The people of Canada won’t let you down!” He then offered to travel with me across Canada to meet hundreds of Pastors in various cities. Many Pastors, as a result, voiced their conviction that Crossroads/100 Huntley Street was essential to our country and prayed for us in their church services. Offerings flowed in. The crisis was resolved. Needs were met. God and His people are my City of Refuge. Thank You to all who opened the gates of a City of Refuge, caring for Crossroads and for me at a time of crisis.
Yours for opening the gates of our hearts to those who are running our way for refuge,
David
P.S. Here are pictures of the Crossroads Centre and “La Pabellon de la Promessa” in Spain.
The front of the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario.
The “Pebellion de la Promesa” (Pavilion of Promise) at Expo ’92 in Seville Spain.
Oh dear saints, praying for the innocent Muslims who lost their lives in Quebec after the slaughter there. Praying for strength and comfort from the loving arms of Jesus to the families and friends of the innocent victims who did not deserve what they suffered. And for those remaining victims, who are fighting for their lives in hospital, now, and overcoming surgery. Lord God, come into their bodies to fill them with a healing strength comfort peace and sense of Your love.
The perpetrator, Alexandre Bissonnette, was inspired by hatred and a love for Donald Trump. I am really tired of this hatred caused by Donald Trump and the negative effects it is having in Canada. I understand the biblical positions related to Israel, and his support against abortion, which is why US Pastors and now some Canadian ones, support him. But we are Canadians living here on Canadian soil. We are not Americans living in the US. Trump is not a peaceful man and has only caused division and hatred and the effects are negative as this slaughter of innocent Canadians in a Quebec Mosque has revealed. Hatred is of the enemy not of Jesus. We focus on YOU, Jesus and ONLY YOU because that is what real Christians do. You are our rock and our salvation. Please come into the lives of those in Quebec who need You now, the most. In Jesus precious Name, we pray, amen, amen and 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.
Elevation Worship – Here As In Heaven (Acoustic)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR-7O57IQUA
Sorry, Psalm 18:2 NIV
Amen Beverlee!
Amen, Beverlee, Sad situation regarding the shooting. Your comments on why Christians voted for Trump is truly understandable. But, so much of the other stuff, has the world in an uproar… adding to the turbulence already so noticeable. How important to keep looking to our Lord. Praying that God will use all these things to burden our hearts and pray for a mighty Spiritual Awakening around the world before the Lord returns.
Amen Beverlee !
Thank you David that lesson on today blog touched my heart deeply.
yes my heart is deeply touched as well!
Hebrews 6,17-20, is beautiful… our hope in Jesus is an anchor for the soul!!!!
Yes, thank you David for your inspired thoughts which come from the Lord. Many years ago I heard a brother pray, “Lord, take away my thoughts and give me Your thoughts each minute of each day.” Your messages every day are the result of your prayers, for which we give God the glory for the lessons learned and the example set.
Yes, Amen, Helen!
Eternally grateful, David, for your leadership and mentorship over the years, for pointing us to the strong refuge we have in Jesus. We need to fix our eyes on Him – he is the only one who will lead us to safety.
May God bless and keep all you who pray and contribute to God’s work throughout the world. Jesus is still building his church, and will keep on doing it until He returns to take us to our true home with Him.
Please, Lord, help us to be faithful, and to diligently and passionately do the work You have prepared for each of us. Please help us to surrender all the things that hold us back from Your purposes, to commit them into Your care, please forgive us for our sins, wash us clean in Your precious and cleansing blood, and fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so we will live for You. in Jesus’ Name, amen
Amen!
Amen! Anna.
Amen
Please Send to me 100 words to my Email because I send it to my
friend ,she is reading through the Bible with us , so
please ,please send it to me so Ican send it to her ,
Thank you so much i am so thankful for this …R…
Agreed in prayer with you Pastor David. Appreciate your way of enlightening the scripture and bringing out the “meat” of them.
Great picture of Crossroads Centre!
God has been faithful to you Pastor David and we all rejoice with you. It saddens my heart to see the latest turmoil in the world and I pray we will see the need for a Spiritual Awakening as you said Samuel and be on our knees.