WHO’S WHO IN GOD’S BOOKS!
Today’s Reading: Psalms 119:1-72
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A woman takes time to meditate on the cityscape of Athens from the Acropolis. In Athens, the Apostle Paul quoted, “certain of your own poets.” He was a well-educated man with a brilliant mind. Paul’s next stop was Corinth, where history tells us there were at least 5,000 prostitutes who served thousands of sailors who spent about a week each in Corinth. To the people of Corinth Paul wrote, “I determined to know nothing among you except Christ Jesus, and Him crucified!” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Paul spent three years there and eventually Corinth was transformed. It’s this message that has transformed the native communities of Northern Quebec (I’ll tell that story below). The Cree people own the airline, “Air Creebec,” and so they can police and destroy the source of much trouble…alcohol consumption…which has been reduced to almost zero. A statement I’ve made often here on this blog is, “Jesus changes everything!”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalm 119:9, 50
How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
…This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life.
Here we go into the Bible’s longest chapter, 176 verses, three days for the blog!
It is a perfect acrostic, having 22 stanzas of 8 verses each,1 stanza for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Amazing! Every verse with the exception of verses 90 and 122 mentions the Word of God or one of its ten synonyms. e.g. precepts, statutes, etc. The message here for us is unmistakeable! What we are doing in our two-year journey in this blog is of ultimate importance!!!
The question asked in our key verse about cleansing our ways is answered by the Scriptures. Psalm 119:11 assures us that if we hide God’s Word in our hearts (not just our heads) we will be kept from sinning against God! A New Testament statement in this regard is Ephesians 5:25-27 where we are told that we are cleansed by the “washing of water by the Word!” We are having our daily heart, soul and spirit bath right now as we read the “Word of God” here on 100words.ca. Amen!!!
Tomorrow, God willing, we will consider the way President Abraham Lincoln applied the Psalms to his life and presidency.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
O God, You have provided for washing in the pure water of the artesian spring of Your Word. I pray for the grace to be consistent in having a daily shower in the living water of Your testimonies, Your ordinances, Your judgments, Your law, Your precepts, Your statutes, YOUR WORD!!! I ask these blessings in the Name of the One who, in Himself, is “the Living Word,” Christ Jesus!!! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Ancient Athens is known as the intellectual, educational centre of the ancient world. I’ve discovered that during the first centuries, many Greek philosophers studied the Hebrew writers and discovered ultimate truth through God’s Word. I’ve often made the statement, “Never confuse education with intelligence.” Here is a story of Grand Chief Billy Diamond of the northern Quebec Cree Nation (photo below).
He did not have a long formal education (he attended one of the infamous residential schools), but the former Minister of Indian Affairs, Labour, and Health, the Hon. John C. Munroe, told me that in governmental negotiations, Billy Diamond was the most intelligent man he had ever met! I took John with me to Northern Quebec after he had left politics, and here’s what happened. This former Indian Affairs Minister walked around the town of Waskagenish in astonishment. He said, “The last time I was here, this was a totally disfunctional community because of the abuse of alcohol. At 30 below zero there were blankets stuffed in where windows had once been, the children were outside without proper clothing.” He asked, “What has happened here? Now, every home is properly cared for and there are many new homes, beautifully painted. The children are dressed warmly (it was early March). There are shiny snowmobiles.” John’s jaw dropped open several times. I showed him the new factory where they were making the large fibre glass Hudson Bay Canoes which they sold to the Japanese fishermen for their ocean voyages, etc., etc. That night I took this former 1960’s, 70’s and early 80’s government Minister to Church. When Billy Diamond made the call to receive Jesus as Saviour and make Him Lord, the first one at the altar was the Hon. John Munroe. John was struggling with difficult issues in his own life at the time. All the members of the Band Council gathered around him, laying their hands on him and welcoming him into the new life in Christ, which had transformed their lives and the entire community.
I was the preacher at John’s funeral several years ago now. “Who’s Who” of the Liberal Party filled the front pews. I told this story! Prime Minister Jean Chretien honoured John by naming the Hamilton, Ontario, airport “The John C. Monroe International Airport.” Grand Chief Diamond acknowledged boldly everywhere he went that “Jesus is my Chief!” Billy would call me regularly. He always had a quote for me from “the Word of God,” the source of his wisdom! I’m confident that John and Billy are there now in the immediate presence of the God they served and loved.
Yours for the glory of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Billy and John! Some of those in God’s Who’s Who books!
David
P.S. Sorry… I couldn’t begin to tell that story in 100 words…
Billy Diamond was the Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees in Quebec from 1974-1984. He also was Founder of Air Creebec. He went to be with his Lord on September 30, 2010.
The view of Athens from the Acropolis towards the southwest. The Saronic Gulf of the Mediterranean Sea can be seen in the distance. Under the shadow of the Acropolis where the ruins of the Parthenon sits, the Apostle Paul spoke on Mars Hill. There he declared to the Athenian parliamentarians the same Jesus that transformed a Northern Quebec community, its leaders, and also the heart of a former federal Minister of Indian Affairs. Read Acts 17:16-34.
NOVEMBER
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
John Greenleaf Whittier, 1807-1892
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise.
In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word,
rise up and follow thee.
O sabbath rest by Galilee,
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee
the silence of eternity,
interpreted by love!
Drop thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.
Here is the music for this hymn:
http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh358.sht
This is beautiful and so skillfully written.God spoeaks in so many different ways.I posted the words and this video on my FB page.Thank you Beverly.God bless
https://youtu.be/neAdT1SLR10
Bev
I found that song
on you tube this
morning and was
listening to it.
Awesome, Carol!
Lovely story, today. It is amazing how much we can be moved by other people’s transformations from Jesus Christ. It is never old but always new. Praying for all the lost who have yet to see Jesus as their Saviour to have their eyes hearts and minds opened to receive Him into their lives. OH, for all souls to be saved. Amen! Blessings fellow saints in the Lord for a wonderful day that the Lord has made. We shall rejoice and be glad in it.
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4 NLT
Good Good Father, Chris Tomlin with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBmwwwiHrOk
Beautiful story!
Amen Beverlee, I had tears flowing after I read Pastor David’s comments this morning. Then I thought of my unsaved loved ones. Jesus CAN change everything and everyone. Little Judah is on his second round of chemo, which he gets every Friday. I think he will be one in January, it is a lot for such a little one to bear, BUT God is faithful and He will not leave him not forsake him. Blessings to all. Eleanor M.
Yes, I, too, was thinking of my unsaved loved ones, this morning, Eleanor. Holding baby Judah in prayer, that he not be too sick from the chemo, and that it heals him, indeed.
Agreeing in prayer for Judah….Lord, keep Judah in the Palm of Your hands, comfort him, and keep him in all Your ways. Jesus I pray! Amen!!
Thanks Irene and Beverlee for your prayers for little Judah. I will update as I get information.
I met Billie Diamond @ a native presentation in Toronto years ago along with my Ojibway son. I am also a friend of a lady from Billie’s reserve. She lives in Burlington! Billy was an amazing man who, as Chief, benefitted the people under his care. Amazing!
I read Billy’s story before and it is so inspiring.Here is another Billy with an amazing testimony.He is a member of the Christian Motorcycle Assoc (as was David)God bless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-ASlwe9zbs
I met him and his wife 2 years ago on his first visit to Canada at Atlantic Motocade in Moncton.
Correction.That should read “Atlanticade in Moncton”.
God bless your day all you saints!!!
Beautiful testimonies and postings today. Thanks everyone. Lord I agree in prayer for little Judah that you will give him strength to endure. Was praying in tears for my unsaved family tonight before I read this blog. Thank You Jesus that you can save all of these mentioned today. Amen.
And Amen!
Thanks, love and blessings to all of you bloggers and readers.
Lord You are stronger than any illness in this world! You must have a very special plan for Judah and his life! Give him the strength to fight, he wants to live and he will proclaim Your Glory to all…..
The Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies in the One True Spirit….
we pray the Holy Spirit calls and that everyone would hear and come to know the Lord Jesus Christ….it isn’t a big mystery, you simply say Lord, I have sinned against you and others, I am sorry, please forgive me, I want to be Your Child for ever more…thank you
A blessed evening to everyone…..Lord TY for all the wonderful bloggers who encourage and help each other with their thoughts and prayers……yes Lord, we all want people to be saved and to know You as their Lord and Saviour!
TY Lord for sending Jesus to the lost and lonely; TY for the complete forgiveness of all our sins, TY Lord amen