Saturday, May 20, 2017

RELIGION AND TRUTH

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 15-16

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

 

In Rome stands a national monument known as the Altar of the Fatherland, honouring Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy. It is a very impressive sight to see. As in today’s reading, the kings of history come and go, but not the King of Kings. He remains forever!

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Kings 16:14

He also brought the bronze altar which was before the Lord, from the front of the temple–from between the new altar and the house of the Lord–and put it on the north side of the new altar.

King Ahaz of Judah made slight changes in the pattern of worship in the Temple of Solomon, as our key verse shows. He was impressed by an altar he saw in Damascus, and brought the design home with him to Jerusalem. Through the centuries, customs, patterns, and traditions have developed which may be useful in the worship of God, or may be distractions leading us away from God. Jesus, Himself, participated fully in the worship at the Jerusalem Temple, and while the Temple is no more, the customs, liturgies, etc., live on, after a fashion, in churches today. These traditions were brought into Christian practices by Jewish priests who became followers of Jesus (Acts 6:7). These priests were scattered over the world by the persecutions in Jerusalem and the destruction of Herod’s Temple in 70 A.D. They brought their robes and temple liturgies right into their Christian gatherings as we would expect, as the early Christians were almost all Jews.

Just as in the times of Ahaz, and much later in the times of the Apostle Peter, and in our day also, there are those who mess with the truth of God, turning people away from the true worship of God. Please, please let us not start another denomination or another congregation unaffiliated with an existing fellowship of churches. Let us seek the widest possible connection of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We may want to think about the words of 2 Peter 2:1-22. Don’t be discouraged. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I pray for a daily illumination of Truth from the Scriptures I am reading. Grant that I may always find Your Person revealed clearly to my understanding. Keep me true to You in my thoughts, words, and deeds. In Your Name I ask these mercies, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I mentioned yesterday that I would tell the story of what happened to my Arab son-in-law, Nizar Shaheen, in Gath Hepher, modern day Mishad, the ancestral home of the prophet Jonah. Today it is a Muslim village, located between Nazareth and Cana.

Nizar’s brothers are stone masons from Cana and are much in demand. Nizar was a student at the University of Haifa while his oldest brother had the contract to build a new mosque in Mishad. While helping his brother, Nizar fell from the top of the mosque and should’ve been killed. He said that he felt that he was being turned as he fell, by unseen hands. He landed on his hands and feet in the only place on the ground which was clear of stones and pieces of steel bars. His brothers loaded him in the back seat of their car and rushed him to the hospital in Nazareth. As he went he says that he heard a voice speaking to him saying, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are Mine.” He was unaware at the time that these were words from Isaiah 43:1. This was one of the major factors in Nizar’s decision to become a believer in Jesus Christ.

Check out the ministry of “Light for all Nations.” Nizar and his wife, my daughter Ellen, and their team are reaching the entire Arabic-speaking world with the message of Jesus (click here).

Yours for following Jesus more closely than ever,

David

Inside Rome’s Altar of the Fatherland is another altar that appears to be a small walk-by chapel.

 

9 thoughts on “Saturday, May 20, 2017

  1. Thank you for the reference to Nizar and his ministry. I felt very blessed to listen to his message posted. This is a valuable ministry!

  2. Praise God for Nizar being saved and used so powerfully by our God. Amen, and thank you for sharing his testimony with us, dear David. Praying for you, this morning, and all saints. Wishing all a blessed day in our Lord.

    And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 12:11 ESV

    Lion And The Lamb // Leeland // Have It All Official Lyric Video (WOW!)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9ujBoud26k

    • I bought a little lamb and a lion at Easter. Problem is the lion has a cute face – not a majestic face with strength and authority! The Lion And The Lamb music with lyrics is wonderful. I do wish they would put the lyrics in red when the background is so variable. They would be easier to see. Thanks for the posting, Beverlee. I knew the story of Nizar and Ellen and am still impressed as to how God uses them today. Strength today to all who may need it and, especially to David and Norma Jean.

  3. Thank God for Nizar’s testimony and will be watching his program more on here. Praise God for his ministry. God bless you and all fellow bloggers today!

  4. Your input, prayers and the wonderful photos as always, enhanced the reading for this day Pastor David, and are much appreciated.
    Thank you Ron and Reynold, and all who participate in bringing this precious word to us daily:)
    Praying for fresh anointing and peace of mind for you Pastor David, Norma-Jean and every member of your family.

    Have a blessed day all participants…may the Joy of the Lord be your strength!

  5. Thank you for posting Nizar’s story…a refreshing. Having attended his conference every time it is in this area, it is good to hear all that the Lord is doing through their ministry.

  6. I absolutely believe Nizar and how he heard God’s voice! I have had those experiences also! I know those experiences I have had come from God; they did not come from man! AND even more thrilling was that I did what God’s
    Word told me to do! I have found that when God does the leading, I feel good about life and feel comfortable in doing what He has told me to do! amen

    I was somewhat disappointed when I woke up today! I fully expected a call to tell me that my name was picked and I have a BIG financial windfall coming to me! However there was no call today! I pray the call comes soon!

    i pray for safety for all who are dealing with floods in their areas, homes, town, I pray that the people are safe and that they receive all the help they need to carry on in their lives! I pray they give thanks to God for His grace and mercy and forgiveness AMEN

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