NO OTHER GODS
Today’s Reading: Judges 17-18
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Dan is a city mentioned in the Bible, described as the northernmost city of the Kingdom of Israel, belonging to the Tribe of Dan. The city is identified with the tel known as Tel Dan, or Tel el-Qadi in Israel. Following the division of the kingdom of Solomon in 930 BC, Jeroboam established a cult at Dan as an alternative to the Temple in Jerusalem. He placed a golden calf in the city and built a house of high places and an altar. The metal frame pictured here has been recently set up to help visitors imagine how Jeroboam’s altar might have looked.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Judges 17:6
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
The book of Judges was probably edited from manuscripts written during the years when the Children of Israel still held to the belief that the God of Abraham was their King. It would appear that there was a godly king in Israel at the time this record was finalized. There was no revision of history which might have made the people look better. The good, the bad and the ugly are all here. These last five chapters of Judges are the most depressing in the entire Bible. This was because, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” When the human family turns away from an objective standard of moral behaviour, disaster always follows. How often do we hear, in our time, statements such as, “If it feels good, do it” or, “I have my own beliefs,” etc. If we read these stories with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other, one cannot help but notice a similarity in human behaviour.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I realize more than ever that I need to follow Your unchanging standards for my behaviour if I am to truly live my life pleasing to You and as a good influence on others. I know that I need the prayer of the man of whom Jesus spoke who prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” It’s so very true that, “All [including me] have sinned and come short…” Please lift me up higher in my conduct so that I may glorify You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve just read a great book which shows the amazing benefits which have come to the human family as a result of having firm objective standards as opposed to “everyone doing what is right in their own eyes.” The book I highly recommend to all my blog readers is “How Christianity Changed The World” by a Lutheran pastor and scholar named Alvin Schmidt. The forward is by Dr. Paul Maier, a man well known to long-time 100 Huntley Street viewers. It shows us what the world might be like if Jesus had not come. It deals with the value of human life, sexual morality, the freedom and dignity of women, charity and compassion, hospitals and health care, education, labour and economic freedom, science, liberty and justice for all, and other areas of life in which, as I’ve often said, “Jesus changed everything.” It’s published by Zondervan and has 442 pages. Are you ready to tackle reading a book which will show to the world that “YOU NEED JESUS!!!” I’m not sure what it costs, as I borrowed my son-in-law, Bruce Stacey’s copy. I intend to buy my own copy no matter how much it costs. It’s just that important a book (click here to order).
Yours to take a stand for God’s standards and for life,
David
Stairs to what was the Bema – the High Place – in the ancient city of Dan.
Let us stay centered in You, oh Lord, always centered in You! Holding you David, and all saints, in prayer, on this crisp morning.
“Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Eph 5:14 NKJV
Jesus at the Center by DARLENE ZSCHECH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8HOOfTXmlg
Amen, Beverlee “Jesus is the Center”
“God does not give us overcoming life; He gives us life as we overcome. When the inspiration of God comes, and He says – “Arise from the dead,” we have to get up; God does not lift us up. Our Lord said to the man with the withered hand – “Stretch forth thy hand,” and as soon as the man did so, his hand was healed, but he had to take the initiative. If we will do the overcoming, we shall find we are inspired of God because He gives life immediately.”
My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers, February 16
Amen! Have my own copy of the book you mentioned Pastor David and read it. Is a very enlightening book. Thank God for Jesus that He came as salt and light to this old world. My dear mother passed away 16 years ago today after we had devotions and we were going out in the car before we left the garage. The verse we read that morning was, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”(Psalms 118:24).
Amen Beverlee
May God’s comforting arms be around you & Norma Jean, David. You are so special. God greatly bless you and all members of your large family.
Amen, Doreen!!
Yes, amen, Doreen!! And amen, Irene!!
a number of years ago, shortly after my “born again, in the Lord” . I was sharing my joy with my sister…
her response was “you have your way, and I have mine” . She is of the Catholic faith….In recent years, she has become more open, and asks me to pray before a mealtime. I”m trusting the Lord for her salvation. Thank you Jesus!
Thank You Lord for Irene sharing her joy in being “born again, in the Lord” with her sister! Lord You know the heart of this sister, we pray You will keep leading this sister into the place where she will have a “born again” experience. Thank you Lord for this day! amen
Appreciate the Great photo’s and the story behind them…Thanks Reynold…and thanks for posting them Pastor David!!
I had a wonderful day on Thursday! I attended the community supper, good friendship with other Christians, and then went swimming! Very enjoyable!
We had Wanda as an instructor and the class was very good, very good music to exercise with and lots of laughter!Thank you Lord for giving me swimming from a broken leg 22 years ago!
Jesus, Jesus!
Didn’t receive 100words.ca this morning. Trust you are well Pastor David.
likewise here…
Praying all is well this morning, especially with you Pastor David. Received yesterday’s blog again today.
Blessings fellow saints.
Praying fervently for you David for comfort and healing from the pain. lifting up all your loved ones in prayer especially Norma Jean .
Everything you kept adding to,your blogs In your personal notes was so valuable.since it’s your history and becoming richer all the time.
So thankful for 100 Huntley , Lorna Dueck ,all the devoted staff ,workers and supporters.
With love and blessings
Margarethe