Thursday, February 1, 2018

FIRE IN MY BONES

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 20-21

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

 

Underneath the Convent of the Sisters of Zion, pilgrims can visit stone pavings which are believed to be the “Pavement,” “Gabbatha,” (Lithostrotos). Nearby, Pilate had his judgment seat (John 19:13). This place is considered the second station of the Via Dolorosa (the path that Jesus took while carrying His cross on His way to be crucified). The Roman soldiers’ game in Lithostrotos pavement can still be seen as shown in the picture. Markings in the paving stones indicate a dice game known as, “The King’s Game.” It may be that this was where Jesus was mocked by the placing of a crown of thorns on His head, the old robe of royal purple, and the words, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (John 19:2-3).

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

 

Key Verse: Jeremiah 20:9

Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him,

Nor speak anymore in His name.”

But His word was in my heart like a burning fire

Shut up in my bones;

I was weary of holding it back,

And I could not.

 

Jeremiah considered being “politically correct” and keeping quiet about God’s Word of judgment which the people were bringing upon themselves. However, regardless of the pressure to be silent, he continued to shout God’s message of warning, calling for repentance! Is it possible that we could be so consumed by the fire of God’s Spirit that holding back makes us “weary,” and we open our hearts and out of our mouths comes God’s Word to our generation? What does Jeremiah’s level of commitment look like in the lives of the first generation of those who followed Jesus? Read of the example of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:1-11. Paul wrote, “O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open!” Jesus describes a good man as recorded in Luke 6:45. He says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good…out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks!” This blog’s main purpose is to make sure that our hearts are full of God’s Word daily! Amen! So be it!!!

Jeremiah’s prophecy about King Zedekiah was 100% accurate. Read 2 Kings 25:6-11 and 2 Chronicles 36:11-21. How tragic it was that the leadership of Israel failed to act on the message of Jeremiah 21:8, “Now you shall say to this people, ‘Thus says the Lord: behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death.'” Moses said, centuries before when he presented the same challenge to Israel, “THEREFORE, CHOOSE LIFE!!!” (Deuteronomy 30:14-20).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I choose life! I pray that I will never falter in that choice, giving in to the pressures of political correctness. You, O Lord, are the Judge, not me. I know that my job is to speak Your Word to those with whom I come into contact. Holy Spirit, I pray that Your breath will blow on the embers of my heart daily, causing fire, as Jeremiah experienced, to burn in my bones so that I feel helpless to contain Your Word for my own benefit only. I ask You for the boldness of Peter and John who said, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve stood several times on the “Pavement” pictured above and tried to explain how the Roman soldiers would use the game engraved on the stone to mock their prisoners. During my first visit in 1968, a Roman Catholic Nun took us down to the level of the ancient street below her convent and explained what happened. She was quite distant, lacking any passion when she explained the place. The next time I visited, the same sister took us downstairs. This time she passionately described how Jesus’ claims to be King were mocked, and then she began to sing, “He is Lord. He is Lord. He is risen from the dead and He is Lord! Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!” I said to her, “Sister, the last time we were here you just gave us cold facts. Something has changed. What has happened?” She answered, “O, I know Him now!” In further conversation I discovered that she had begun attending a charismatic prayer group’s meetings in the Old City of Jerusalem, and she had come into the assurance of her salvation, and been baptized with the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4!

I ask my readers, “Do you know Him?” If you have any doubt about this and would like an introduction to Jesus in Person, please, please call 1-866-273-4444 toll free and ask one of our prayer partners to introduce you to Jesus Himself. They, like the Nun in Jerusalem, “KNOW HIM NOW!” The person who will answer the phone is filled with God’s Spirit. They are non-judgmental, loving, caring friends of Jesus! Go ahead, call as soon as possible. It’s available 24/7! If you get a busy signal, please don’t give up! Try until you get through.

Yours for “Knowing Him!”

David

9 thoughts on “Thursday, February 1, 2018

  1. So thankful for this ministry!!! Lord, I also pray that I will not be selfish with Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. Help me and all of Your people to share what You have given us. In Jesus’s truly great name, amen!

  2. What a special story, the nun in Jerusalem ! David’s words are so precious each day.Thank you family for continuing his blog !

  3. Ironic, really, that David was praying about not giving in to political correctness the very week we were squabbling over political viewpoints. God looks down on us and says, relax – I’ve got it covered.
    One thing we must remember is the States is a very free society, even moreso than Canada, so a lot of the supposedly offensive language we hear coming out of the U.S. is because they stand on strong foundations of freedom. If we in Canada don’t stand up for godly values here, we’re going to lose them.
    Remember the early church praying for boldness?
    Lord God, please forgive us Canadians for our pride, apathy, laziness, and wishy-washiness, and give us boldness to stand for You in all the places You have put us. In Jesus’s humble yet great, zealous, loving, all-powerful, and polarizing name, amen

  4. God bless the nun!
    What a PRAISE MOMENT FOR HER amen amen amen!
    I know that God knows everything that is happening in our world! He knows every heart! I believe He is cleaning house! All the sexual misbehaviors coming to the front, being found out, I PRAISE & THANK THE LORD FOR THE EXPOSURE!
    God has a good plan for all mankind; He always has; sin came into the world and man is a sinful human being! I am so proud for all who have come forward and exposed the truth; I pray that all will be healed and they can live a Godly life from here on…PTL!
    I pray that the young people in our country, in our world, will look closely at their behaviours and they may affect others who they meet and deal with in their lives!
    I pray that Christians will also realize that people are hurting and need a non-judgmental listening person.
    The 100 Huntley Street program this morning had a beautiful person who is a Christian talk about their mental illness; I found it very interesting and good listening and very honest…..
    every person on this earth has a mental illness or a chemical imbalance; how do I know this! BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE HORMONES!
    This is nothing to be ashamed about; if you deal with a chemical imbalance talk about it with others; explain what you go through; pray for others and ask others to pray for you also….
    if we called it a chemical imbalance, there would be no funding, so the label is a MENTAL ILLNESS and even then the funds are very scare……..
    if you are a voter in Canada, consider a talk with your local MP about funding MENTAL HEALTH services….
    Blessings to all…

    anyone heard from Beverlee Kay—–

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