Saturday, April 8, 2017

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FOREVER

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 7

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

This is a full-sized replica of an ancient synagogue located in Nazareth. Even when the Temple in Jerusalem was operating in the time of Jesus, local synagogues were used for schools, reading of the Scriptures, commenting on the Scriptures, and the worship of God. However, as useful as they were, they were always considered as temporary. The Temple of God is forever.

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 7:16

And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.

Let’s fast forward to Luke 2:1-7. Jesus, the Seed of David, is born in “The city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he (Joseph) was of the house and lineage of David.” The “forever” King has arrived. No doubt, as the assistant to Paul, Luke had at least two years to research the material for his Gospel during Paul’s custody in Caesarea. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was still living. Bethlehem is only five miles south of Jerusalem. This careful physician, Luke, would have no doubt interviewed shepherds who were now 60 or 70 years old. Their memories of when they were 15 or 30 would still be sharp. It’s worthwhile to notice that no one, not even those who were enemies of Christ Jesus, questioned, in any writings, the truth of these reports. The promise of God to David through the Prophet Nathan has been fulfilled, and because “He ever lives” (Hebrews 7:25), it continues to be fulfilled. God promised that David’s son would build the Temple in Jerusalem, but David’s greatest Son would build the eternal Temple.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You are building a Temple of “living stones.” I thank You that I have the faith to believe I’m one of those stones. I pray for grace to always be strong and in place as part of the mighty eternal structure You are building. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When I drive north on Highway 69 into the city known as the nickel capital of the world, Sudbury, Ontario, I can’t miss the church building known as “Glad Tidings.” It’s on the left just across from a number of high-rise apartment buildings. The former Glad Tidings, where I was pastor during its construction, is there on the right atop the next high rock. It’s now “All Nations Baptist Church.” Every time I pass that structure, I see the large retaining wall which keeps the parking lot from falling down onto the highway. I arranged to strengthen that wall with steel rods from the rolling mills of INCO, the International Nickel Company. In the process of grinding the ore into a powder, these rods, which helped do the job, were ground down from a four-inch diameter to about a one-inch diameter, and then discarded. Of course I got them free, and along with volunteers from the congregation, we placed hundreds of them into the concrete retaining wall. That was in 1966. The building was dedicated to God on July 1, 1967, as a centennial project celebrating Canada’s 100th birthday. The emblem of the maple leaf is chiseled into the granite cornerstone. To make me as strong as I can be, I believe that, like the steel rods, God has put the steel of His strength up and down my backbone. David, in Psalm 16:8, wrote, “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” Amen! Happy 150th Canada 2017,

Yours for an unshakable, absolutely solid confidence in the eternal Son of God and Son of David, the Lord Jesus Christ!

David

P.S. Here is a powerful testimony from 1998 of a First Nations man from northern Ontario…much further north than Sudbury! You can watch it HERE.

10 thoughts on “Saturday, April 8, 2017”

  2. Oh amen, David, amen! Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord!!

    “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
    John 8:32 ESV

    Sorry saints; having computer difficulties and cannot download a song at present. Rob or Donna or anyone interested–could you fill in a song or two for everyone? Bless you!

    Reply ↓

  5. What a great testimony by Rev. James MacDonald; thank you Pastor David for sharing it with us!!
    Thank you Father for Your Son, Jesus Christ: Praise You Jesus that You came to save us; Thank you for Your obedience to Your Father; Praise You, You fulfilled the Promises of The Father; Praise You Jesus!!!

    Reply ↓

  6. Thanks,David (and Ron) for this video.Rev.MacDonald was given that ‘peace that surpasses all understanding’ and once this gift is given to you,you will never doubt His existence again.In the grieving sites I was told numerous times that I had a gift with the messages my poems delivered so I reminded them,in all truth, that I was just His pen so give Him thanks.I have attached notes that explained it.(“If the holy Spirit is real….” ) Below is how they appear in my files:

    ” This is the first poem describing what was still mild,my first inkling of what was to come,written nearly a year apart:
    June 3,2011, 4:59 ”
    Entity

    What is this entity in my head
    That types the words that can’t be said,
    Painting pictures happy and sad,
    Bringing some smiles for which I’m glad.

    He takes my hands for his own;
    I reap the seeds he has sown,
    For his words are also mine,
    I know him well with every line.

    What things he will write remain
    Still hidden safely within my brain,
    And he is the one holding the key,
    Releasing the words making them free.
    GW(Bill) Marshall
    I did not know,then,who was ‘knocking’ but I was on the right path.I think I was beginning to suspect but did not dare think I could be worthy enough.(Boy,that memory is so very humbling !)

    “This will give some perspective of ‘my’ poems and their true source:In late April 2011,I was struck by the urge to again write poetry,dormant since high school,save for one occasion.I had already commited myself,the previous fall,to being baptized in the ocean when the waters warmed up.Perhaps,just perhaps,He already knew I was His and decided to bless me.I did not know what was going on,I began to think I was having emotional problems until I realized the emotions were all positive and only manifested themselves when I was writing poems.I then went to my deacon friend,mentor and neighbour.My pastor concurred with him.The poem explains the rest.I am a skeptic but know beyond doubt that the holy spirit is real.If the holy spirit is real then so is the rest of His wonderful truth.God bless ”

    The Gift (Written in early may 2012)

    A year ago I had met his spirit
    While writing but had to fear it,
    For I did not know it was Him,
    I thought sanity was growing dim.

    Several times I had been fearful,
    Why should writing be so tearful,
    Then I asked my spiritual mentor,
    He said it’s the Spirit of our Creator.

    My pastor smiled while concurring,
    I said I’m nobody,why’s it occurring,
    He said that’s why He chose you,
    You have His gift to share too.

    I fell on my knees surrendering all,
    Asking Him to lift me when I fall,
    His love grew more with each word,
    I typed the message that I heard.

    Over months my fear then abated,
    I felt extreme love that He created,
    But lingering doubts held me back
    I feared Satan was on the attack.

    Then one day right out of the blue,
    Knowing my doubt of sanity grew,
    He split my feelings from His own
    So I’d realize the love He’d shown.

    The Holy Spirit has been my friend,
    And shown me life has no end
    If you will choose to follow His path,
    But choosing sin incurres His wrath.

    So all who doubt what I now write,
    When you have to behold His sight,
    What will you say before the Judge
    If He condemns and will not budge.
    G W (Bill) Marshall

    Reply ↓

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