ARISE

Today’s Reading: John 5

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

In the Old City of Jerusalem are the ruins of the Pool of Bethesda. This is where Jesus healed the paralytic man who had been waiting for his healing for 38 years (John 5:1-15). Here you can also see ruins of a Roman temple to the god of medicine and the remains of a Byzantine church built over the temple.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: John 5:24

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

In yesterday’s reading we moved from “PERISHING” to “EVERLASTING LIFE.” Today, Jesus teaches that by believing we move from “DEATH INTO LIFE.” Seven times in John 3, 4, & 5 Jesus repeats His eternal or everlasting life promise. He really wants us to know the facts about our future as believers in Him. Since the sin of our first parents, we, as a human family, have moved in the opposite direction. We’ve gone from life to death. But in Jesus, that direction of destruction has been reversed, both in this life and in the hereafter. The example of the man with the 38-year-long infirmity shows us the “DEATH INTO LIFE” principle at work in our physical bodies in the here and now. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day failed to understand that Jesus came to turn what was the normal process around 180 degrees. By believing in Jesus, the new normal is “LIFE.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I believe in You. I give You my entire life for both time and eternity. I believe You for the healing of my body, my soul and my spirit, a complete turn around from death to life. Please continue to give me the gift of faith to believe, 24/7, that this is a fact and that nothing will ever change this fact. This assurance fills me with joy. Thank You, Jesus! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When I served as a Pastor I was requested to lay hands on a newborn baby and pray for his healing. Marina Cooper’s little one was born with a hole in his heart. The very next day, I received a call that the hole had closed and her baby’s heart was perfect. I believe that Jesus did this!!!  He promised that these signs would follow them that believe. He said, “…they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover” (Mark 16:18b). Every believer qualifies to do this. Just do what the Scripture says and leave the rest up to God. For some reason I have begun to sing words from one of the children’s songs from the GodRocks ministry, “Not a doubt! Check it out! Better believe it!” My eldest daughter, Elaine, and her husband, Bruce Stacey, have given me t-shirts with those words on them, plus an additional t-shirt with another line from the same song, “Not ashamed to shout it!” Here is one of their scripture songs online.

Yours for believing,

David

THE FOUNTAIN

Today’s Reading: John 4

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

This photo was taken in Caesarea Philippi, also known as Banias. The water originates from Mount Herman then flows into underground springs. It then makes its way down to the Galilee, into the Jordan River, and eventually to the Dead Sea. The water provided life to ancient Israel and still does today for modern Israel.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: John 4:14

…but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.

In the last nine verses, Jesus is back in Cana. Jesus said, “Go your way; your son lives,” and a fountain of healing water burst forth on the north shore of Galilee, about 18 miles away. The man’s son was healed. The woman Jesus met at the well in Samaria had been doing her best to quench her spiritual thirst for love and purpose in life. She’d had five husbands and currently was living with a man who was not her husband. When she believed in Jesus, an artesian well bubbled up with such satisfaction and joy that she left her water pot and rushed to tell others about Jesus, bringing many to Him. What began here in Samaria was continued later by Philip. Philip had four daughters who were prophetesses. Revelation 19:10 tells us that “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Philip and his girls were exercising New Testament prophecy, telling everyone about Jesus. Fountains of living water were springing up all over the place! Please read the sequel to Jesus’ visit to Samaria in Acts 8:5-17. Everywhere Philip and his girls testified for Jesus, there was new life. This is the primary ongoing sign of keeping filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter quoted the prophet Joel about this kind of prophecy. It was the birthday of the Church (Acts 2:16-18). Let the living waters erupt. Drink deeply and bring others to the fountain.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I drink of You. My thirst is quenched. May I not keep this living water to myself. That would be so selfish. May I offer a drink to everyone I meet. Jesus, You are the “Fountain opened in the house of David for sin and uncleanness.” Amen! Thank You, Jesus, for fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 13:1.

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I was 18 years old when I rented a hall for Sundays and began a Sunday School. I realized that I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t do everything I could to give “the testimony of Jesus,” as I mentioned above. I would deceive myself if I claimed to be filled with God’s Spirit, even though other gifts of the Spirit were evident, if I were not a personal soul winner. That Sunday School has grown to become a fine congregation in the area today. I’ve learned that when the fountain flows in and through me, I have unbounded energy for service. Jesus had been hungry and sent His disciples to buy food. When they returned, He was no longer hungry. The flow of the fountain of God’s Spirit is physically strengthening. As the woman we read about was bringing the people of her community back to the well to see Jesus, He said words I am taking to heart every day. I believe Jesus pointed to those streaming toward Him, and that’s when He said to His disciples, “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest” (John 4:35). I make a new commitment to Jesus now…as long as I live, I will offer the living water to thirsty souls and work to bring lost souls, the harvest, to Jesus.

Yours for the full, free flow of the Living Water,

David

P.S. Norma-Jean, as a little girl, lived in the village of St. George, Ontario, for a time. She would tell me about the artesian well in the village to which people would come from as far away as Toronto to fill up their containers. When we moved to the area as a family, we often did the same. One day, I came to the well and found it was covered with concrete. Some government official declared it a health hazard. For 150 years people drank from it and no one ever reported illness. Throughout the centuries, religious bureaucrats have shut down the free flow of Jesus’ Fountain. For me, I’m going to keep digging new wells. How about you?

EVERLASTING LIFE

Today’s Reading: John 2 – 3

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

Here is a panorama of the modern-day city of Cana (John 2). The population at the time of Jesus would have reflected more the size of a small village.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Jesus repeated the John 3:16 truth again in 3:18, and in 3:36 He restates this fact. We should watch for when the Holy Spirit inspires the writers of Scripture to record these repeats. Jesus would not waste words, but would make sure He got His point across. In this case, eternal destinies are at stake. The words “believe in” make all the difference. We can believe about Jesus, or believe maybe, and go through all the motions of religion, but nothing will change. Believing “in” Jesus changes everything! This is what a bride does when she walks down the church aisle and says, “I will” and “I do.” She is giving her very life to her beloved. According to Jesus, in marriage, the two become one. We are one with Him. Jesus, as in the wedding in Cana, literally becomes the LIFE of the party. Our celebration of our union with Him goes on forever. We should celebrate together with others as often as possible. Going to Church and enjoying the company of others in Christ’s Bride is a natural expression of our union.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You gave Your life to me, and I’ve given my life to You. I believe in You. I pray for grace so that I won’t take You for granted or bring any disgrace to You. You love me and have told me over and over that You do. I love You too, with all my heart. I delight in Your presence! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

A few blogs ago, I mentioned a live Canadian Broadcasting Corporation TV interview where I was asked about money. In that same show, the host, who was a one-time ordained minister, said that Jesus only spoke of being “born again” once. I answered, “Charles, have you been reading your Bible faithfully lately?” Jesus said that twice for a stronger emphasis. The Apostles taught this in several places such as in 2 Corinthians 5:17. Saint Paul taught that if we are in Christ we are new creations. Old things have passed away and all things have become new. What an amazing opportunity to boast in the Person and work of Jesus.

I can’t let this blog pass by without mentioning that in 1983 our second daughter, Ellen Jean, married a young man named Nizar Shaheen, whose home town is Cana of Galilee, where Jesus performed His first miracle (John 2). His culture says that the groom’s family puts on the wedding, not Ellen’s family. Nizar’s arrival at the church in Cana was spectacular. He was dressed in white and rode on a highly decorated white horse with hundreds of men dancing around him. The bride, on the other hand, simply slipped out from the background to stand before the pastor for the ceremony. Experiencing a Middle-Eastern wedding helped me to understand the coming of Christ for His Bride in a new way (Revelation 19:11 & 21:9). I’ve taken the time just now to thrill to the reading of the last chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22. I recommend it. Also, I encourage everyone to check out what God has done with this Cana marriage by visiting the website of Nizar and Ellen’s ministry to the Arab world called Light For All Nations.

Yours to tell the stories of the past, an old man’s joy, and to teach that we can be confident that God will put the final period to the stories of how His Bride and He have done God’s will on earth as it is in Heaven,

David

THE WORD

Today’s Reading: John 1

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

Here my son Reynold is sitting at sunrise on the edge of a cliff that overlooks the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea. You can also see the mountain of Masada and the Roman seige ramp to the right. Jesus is “The Word.” Jesus is God’s primary way of communicating to us. A secondary way is in the wonder of creation.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Could we take the time now or later to read, along with John 1, Colossians 1 and the first chapter of Hebrews? This will let us know, once and for all, who Jesus of Nazareth is. If we have decided to believe those who knew Jesus best, like John, or those who were educated and elite Jewish scholars, like Paul and the writer to the Hebrews, we are NOT left with the option of believing Jesus is ONLY a prophet or ONLY a great teacher. He is all of these and MUCH MORE. Intellectual honesty demands that we confess that God communicated His message to the human race in one “Word,” Who “dwelt among us,” One who showed His glory to many of His contemporaries, “The glory as of the only begotten [not created] of the Father.” We’ve just completed reading Leviticus, Moses’ revelation of God, and now it would be helpful to read again John 1:17-18. The transition from Moses to Jesus is clear. This was so evident in the first century that thousands of Jews believed it, including many of the Jewish priests who were truly open to the “Word” of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You are, in Your Person, the fullness of the communication of the Great “I Am” to the human family. Bless me, Lord, I pray, to be able to communicate to others the fact that You, Jesus, are 100% God, as well as 100% Human. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My eldest son, David Reynold Mainse, as just a boy, said to me one night as we gazed at the stars, “God did that.” We marvelled at His creation. I can’t remember my exact response, but I know that I tried to never miss an opportunity to point out that this great Creator was born in Bethlehem as One of us. The Angels in the night sky sang to the shepherds of God’s Glory and instructed them to find this Child. The shepherds did so and worshipped Him. Just now, I’m overwhelmed with the need to worship Him. Norma-Jean would always sing to our grandchildren (and now great-grandchildren) at bedtime, “All hail King Jesus, all hail Emmanuel, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, bright Morning Star.” This has always been her “tucking in ritual.” In case you don’t know this song of worship, I’ll ask our son, Ronald Wesley Mainse, to try to find it on the Internet so you can join in the rapture of worshipping Jesus, King of the universe. [Found it…here]

Yours to help us to be among those who receive Him and thus have the right to become children of God through believing in His Name (John 1:12),

David

REMINDER: If you wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and click on the “Comments” bubble (which is next to the date). Then scroll to the bottom, where it says, “Leave a Reply.”

TITHES

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 27

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

Jay and Meridel Rawlings are long time personal friends, as well as friends of Crossroads. Now residents of Jerusalem, these Canadians have lead an effective ministry in Israel for over 25 years. They are standing near the Golden Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 27:30

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.

Our reading today is the last chapter of Leviticus. Tomorrow we move to the Gospel of John. Remember, if you are just beginning (new readers join every day), two years from today, God willing, you’ll finish reading the entire Bible.

What about the tithe? God owns everything, therefore, it is only reasonable that we pay rent, board and room, etc. We need to recognize that 10% of our gross income, whether in cattle, produce, or money, belongs to Him. In fact, if we don’t pay this sliding scale, depending on our gain, we rob God, according to Malachi 3:8-12. That final book of the Old Testament also gives God’s promises to those who faithfully pay tithes and give offerings (over and above the tithe). New Testament believers not only paid their tithe, but on average gave much more back to God. Why emphasize the tithe when many early  followers of Jesus gave 30% or even 100% (Acts 2:42-47)? Of course, in today’s reading, under the Law, if someone wanted their gifts back, they paid one-fifth more.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I thank You for the freedom of Grace. We give as You have prospered us with joyful and generous hearts. I’ve just read again, Lord, 1 Corinthians 16:2, where the example of the believers was to give every first day of the week for the needs of others. What a blessing You’ve given us, to partner with You for Your great cause. Keep me faithful, I pray. In the Name of the One who gave all, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Reynold has provided a picture of two of our beloved friends who live in Israel. Jay and Meridel Rawlings exemplify the New Testament teaching on giving to God. At the end of the 1960’s, as a young couple with a little son, they gave up everything to follow the Lord’s leading. I was their pastor, and I saw it happen. Jay was assistant administrator of a Hamilton, Ontario, general hospital and Meridel was a nurse there. They drove a sparkling “Sting Ray” sports car. They sold everything and left for the mission field of the Philippines. From there, they were called of God to go around the world to minister with the Jewish people. There’s too much to tell here. Why not check out their website here, and pray for this precious couple?

Yours for joyous and liberal giving,

David

GOD REMEMBERS

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 26

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

In Egypt, hieroglyphics can be found on many pillars and walls, telling the history of the ancient Egyptians and of the gods they worshipped.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 26:45

But for their sake I will remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am the Lord.

Today’s reading is exhilarating for the obedient believer, but it should strike fear into the hearts of the disobedient. In our two-year journey through the Bible, we will shortly come to the book of Judges, and the books of 1 & 2 Kings. Over and over, the truth of this 26th chapter of Leviticus is proven. Repent, call upon the Lord, obey, and we are blessed. Rebel, turn away from God in disobedience, and we lose out in every area of life. Paul quotes from Leviticus 26:12 in 2 Corinthians 6:16. Read a New Testament lesson which confirms the eternal truth of God’s Word (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Yes, God remembers His first covenant with Israel, and He remembers His New Covenant with believers in Jesus. The old hymn says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” Check out all the words of this hymn here.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You’ve laid it out so clearly. When I obey You, I am blessed, and when I disobey, I remove myself away from Your protection. It’s not Your fault Lord; it’s my fault. Please grant me the grace of obedience, I pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Pattie Mallette is the mother of the extremely popular singer, Justin Bieber. As a teen, Pattie ended up in a hospital in Stratford, Ontario, following a failed suicide attempt. There she was visited often by a local pastor, and one day he brought her a rose, telling her, “God sees you beautiful like this rose.” It was exactly what she needed to hear. Her life was turned around. Later, this teen turned back briefly to the old life, became pregnant with Justin, and then returned permanently to the Lord in repentance and faith. Pattie has testified several times on the 100 Huntley Street telecast (here is a link to her most recent interview – note that it’s in two parts).

Yours to encourage us all to “Trust and Obey,”

David

JUBILEE

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 25

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

Jewish children celebrate with dance at a presentation in Jerusalem.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 25:17

Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God.

Here is a truly revolutionary economic system. This dealt with the poor on a long-term basis. The land belonged to God; man was a temporary caretaker. If a person fell on hard times, he might have to sell his possessions, but the sale was only temporary. First, his land would be returned to him, or to his children in the event of his death, in the 50th year of Jubilee. Second, the man or a relative could, at any time, buy back, or redeem, the lost holdings. This is a beautiful picture of our older Brother Redeemer, Jesus Christ. With His suffering and death He has redeemed us, restoring all that was lost through sin. To care for the stranger, immigrant, and those in need among us is still a priority for the one who owns everything. Let us reach out to someone today, making every year a “Jubilee.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, please show me someone I can bless today and every day. I know that You are my Source of blessing. When I am the one in need, I can trust You to meet that need. You promised through the pen of Your servant Paul that You “shall supply all my need according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When our children, Elaine, Ellen, Reynold and Ron, were around 11, 10, 9, and 8, a precious family blessed us with the gift of a pony, and we kept our pony on their farm at no cost to us. What a joy to load everyone into the car on a Saturday, drive out to the country, and enjoy each other’s company, along with the pony. We named her “Jubilee,” and we would sing the song as we travelled, “Jubilee, Jubilee, we’re going to that happy Jubilee” (check out the the song here and sing along with the Gaither homecoming crowd!). This gave Norma-Jean and me the opportunity to teach our children about the Year of Jubilee in the Bible and about God’s care for the poor and needy. We arranged to have our little Jubilee visit another pony on a neighbouring farm, and the children named the new little arrival to our family “Sparky” (see photo below).

Yours for our education in God’s economy, based not on hoarding, but on giving,

David

P.S. This picture below brings back a flood of happy memories.

The Mainse kids in 1971 with Jubilee’s colt “Sparky.” From left to right…Ellen, Reynold, Elaine and Ron.

CONTINUALLY

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 24

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

A rebuilt olive press from Bible times. This was discovered amidst the ruins of Hazor, about 10 kilometres north of the Sea of Galilee. Hazor is mentioned in several Old Testament books such as Joshua and Judges.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 24:2

Command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to make the lamps burn continually.

The word “continually” is repeated four times here. The emphasis is obvious. Oil is a symbol for the Spirit of God, as is fire which produces light. By this light we see the Show-bread on the table and the Altar of Incense, both of which are in the Holy Place in the Tabernacle (see extra photos below). To keep God’s Light shining brightly in our lives, we must have a daily fresh supply of Oil. This can only be experienced by a fresh daily life of prayer, the source of the Oil, and the study of Holy Scripture, the Bread. Our praise and worship in the midst of our prayer and study is like the Altar of Incense, a sweet fragrance ascending to God.

The man taken in blasphemy is punished by death. Jesus died in our place, so that we, like the thief who hung beside Jesus and repented, could be forgiven and have eternal life. Thank God for the age of grace, which Jesus began. We rely continually upon that grace. I remember some sermons which my Dad preached. One was on 1 John 1:1-10. Click on it and read with me. Dad particularly pointed out that, in the original Greek, the verb “cleanses” is in a tense meaning the cleansing is continually happening, non-stop. Dad taught Greek and this truth burned its way into my understanding.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, as the Apostle John wrote, I can never claim to be sinless. I’m totally dependent on the continuous cleansing in the Blood of Your Sacrifice. May I ever be conscious of my sin, and may I hide Your Word in my heart continually “that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). Through the grace Jesus gives, I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I also remember that after school one day, when I was 10 or 11, I walked into a classroom at Annesley College in Ottawa and watched my Dad write the Greek lesson for the next morning on the blackboard. I knew that the original language in which the New Testament was written was Greek, and, therefore, an understanding of Greek was important. When I attended Bible College, I signed up for two years of Greek study. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much. The reason? I rely on a lexicon (like this online version here) which enables me to work in English and find all the shades of meaning from the Greek. One day, on live national television, I was being translated into Greek by the Host of our Greek language TV series, and I mentioned the word “cartoon.” I was amazed to hear my interpreter, Bazil Zetas, say, “Mickey Mouse.” It stopped me in my tracks. I turned to him and said, “Did you just say Mickey Mouse?” “Yes,” he said, “That’s Greek for cartoon.” We had a good laugh. Bazil arranged for Reynold’s photographic trip through Greece, so that when our readings speak of Greece, beginning in January, we’ll have some great pictures on the blog for you.

Yours for light as we eat of the Bread of God’s Word, and as we offer the incense of prayer and worship,

David

P.S. Below are pictures from the replica of the Tabernacle which was on display at the Crossroads Centre during the Summer of 2012.

The High Priest in front of the Golden Lampstand in the Holy Place, where fresh daily oil kept the light burning continually.

The High Priest performing his duties in the Tabernacle. Pictured are the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand, and the Ark of the Covenant.

FEASTS

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 23

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

All along the Old City walls of Jerusalem you will see bricked-in windows which gave a good defensive vantage point for soldiers. This window is at the walk-in entrance at the Jaffa Gate.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 23:5

On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover.

We who live in the so-called “new world” have trouble imagining anything really old. The walls pictured above are old, but really old are the establishment of the seven feasts of the Lord. They began 3,500 years ago and continue in the lives and homes of observant Jews today. The early Christians were all Jews, at least until the conversion of the Roman army officer, Cornelius (Acts 10). They continued faithfully celebrating these annual feasts, and in the past year, thousands of believers in Jesus who are Jewish are still celebrating. Many of us who are Gentiles have joined them from time to time (the Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated this month). Jews who believe that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour describe for us with great joy how Jesus is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Some who read “100 words” are Jewish! Here’s an assignment for the rest of us. How do we see Jesus in all seven feasts? Here is a good summary article for you.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, as a Jewish Man, You celebrated the feasts. What a joy it would’ve been to live in a booth made of branches for a week with You during the Feast of Tabernacles! May I celebrate who You are for 52 weeks every year. I rejoice in Your constant Presence. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

On Norma-Jean’s night table for several weeks I noticed a book she was reading. It’s “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence. Her book mark was in his “5th Letter.” I read there, “This King, who is full of goodness and mercy, doesn’t punish me. Rather, He embraces me lovingly and invites me to eat at His table. He serves me Himself and gives me the keys to His treasury, treating me as His favourite…This is what being in His holy presence is like.” You can find this classic book online in a variety of versions here or you can read it online for free here. Recently I read again a timely book published by our Crossroads Ministry on the current epidemic of teen suicide by Dr. Jerry Johnston and our former Crossroads CEO, Don Simmonds, entitled, “Why They Die: Curing the Death Wish in Our Kids.” Please, please get this book. It will motivate you to loving action on behalf of our teens. Every parent or grandparent needs to understand what is going on in the minds of today’s youth. You can request your copy here.

Yours for celebrating His Presence, and for ministering as His representative,

David

FREE WILL

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 22

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

Just outside of Dan, Israel, one of the sources of the river Jordan begins to make its way from the mountains of Hermon to the Galilee.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 22:19

…you shall offer of your own free will a male without blemish from the cattle, from the sheep, or from the goats.

This reading begins with the requirement for the priests to separate themselves from the holy things until they were cleansed. The holy things were made from the offerings of silver and gold given by the people to God. When the gifts of God’s people are placed for service in our hands, we must be very circumspect in the way these gifts are used. We must never misuse those offerings. In the New Testament, we understand the teaching of the priesthood of the believers (1 Peter 2:4-10). We, as believers, have a unique calling within the human family to represent others before God. We need to take this responsibility most seriously. Our key verse drives home the point that we must make our own offerings unto God, not just expect others to do this for us. In fact, we are to present our bodies “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, thank You for Your powerful instruction found in Romans 12:1-2. As I repeat those verses before You, I ask that I will not be conformed to this world, but be transformed for this new day, by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. I pray through the Person and work of Jesus, the One who got it right 100% of the time. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Whether in a local congregation or in the ministry of Crossroads, I refused to handle the offerings myself which were given by people to God’s work. I sought strong and upright people for the various Boards of Deacons, Elders, Directors, and they, in turn, appointed Treasurers or Chief Financial Officers whose responsibility it was to administer the offerings according to the approved budgets. I was interviewed live on Canada’s national television network, the CBC, back in 1978. The interviewer threw the charge at me of being wealthy from the offerings given to the ministry. I came prepared. I drew my T4 slip (the government approved form showing income) from my pocket and handed it to him. I said, “I have the union booklet which determines what these fine camera operators here in your studio are paid. As you can see, I make less than they do.” He immediately changed the subject. I have sought, by the grace of God, to be most careful to “have a good testimony among those who are outside” (1 Timothy 3:7a). I have learned from the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 3:1-13) and from other great men and women of God in my generation.

Yours for a “good testimony” to all people everywhere,

David