STICK WITH THE PLAN
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 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).
This photo looks east across the Jordan Valley to the mountains of Moab in Jordan. An acacia tree is seen in the foreground.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 3:22
You must not fear them, for the Lord, your God, fights for you.
In today’s reading, Moses recounts how the Children of Israel were a few short weeks from entering the Promised Land. En route there they won several battles. For Moses personally, the big battle was within himself. He made an impassioned plea to be allowed to enter the land. God answers his prayer with an adamant “NO.” He tells Moses to never speak of the matter again. God sends Moses to the peak of Mt. Pisgah to view the Promised Land, and He tells him to commission Joshua as the new leader. God tells Moses to use his authority to “command” Joshua. Moses was still God’s leader, and his “commands” were a source of encouragement and strength to Joshua moving forward.
When God says “No,” He has other plans underway. We need to learn that God’s purposes are His #1 priority, not our plans which we may seek to implement. God’s will be done!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, help me to always be totally obedient to You, never questioning Your authority. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I identify with the Apostle Peter who, on one of the occasions when Jesus spoke of His impending death, said to Jesus, “Far be it from You, Lord, this shall not happen to You!” (check out Matthew 16:21-26). I’ve learned from this that the word “no” and “Lord” must never be found in the same sentence! If Jesus is not “Lord,” then I can say “no.” I have the free will. But if He’s my “Lord,” and He is, I can never say “no” to Him. From time to time I’ve sought to put my own plans in place. They never succeed. I’m 80 now, and I look back over 8 decades. I’ve learned some hard lessons. This blog is one way to pass onto others the wisdom of those lessons. God willing, in another 18 months, I’ll complete this current two-year blog journey through the Bible. You can start anytime and 24 months later you’ll read the Bible’s last word. Therefore, stick with me and we’ll be equipped for living life God’s way. I’ve said to Norma-Jean many times, with a smile on my lips and a twinkle in my eye, “Stick with me, baby, and I’ll give you diamonds as big as your eyes” (I’m sure that’s a quote from some scriptwriter). Of course, I gave her a little diamond upon our engagement (a magnifying glass would have come in handy – my excuse was that I was a student). Then in a burst of enthusiasm, I bought her a larger one about 30 years later when I spotted a bargain in a foreign country. Unfortunately, when I had it checked at a local Canadian jeweller, it was flawed. It wasn’t a bargain after all. I know she still loves me, and I also know that she’ll stick with me. I’m a blessed man!
Yours for “sticking” with the plan,
David
P.S. Norma-Jean also has her mother’s engagement diamond, and she is blessed and content!
Good morning blessed saints in the Lord! May we sing praises to His Holy Name for the gift of life and God’s amazing grace. Let us rejoice in Him and give thanks for the blessings of forgiveness and salvation. Our God is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. He is the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings and the Great I Am. We are nothing without Him but everything with Him. We shout to Him with hearts of thanksgiving! Wishing all a blessed day!
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
Carols and Hymns for Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxz4GNY_AYc
Amen Beverlee!
This is the day that the Lord has made. As we gather in His Name all over the world on this Lord’s day, may He be exalted and glorified! May our hearts be filled with joy and thanksgiving for all that He is and all He has done for us!
May His Glory be manifested over All The Earth! May signs, wonders and miracles follow those of us who believe!
Let every heart prepare Him room!
Ohhh!! Amen, Luisa!!!! 🙂
Yes, Amen Luisa!!
Thank you and Merry Christmas to the Mainse family. May our Lord bless you all.
Thank you Beverlee Kay for your words of praise and the wonderful music. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Sally!
AMEN AMEN AND AMEN BEVERLEE KAY
Amen, Sah!!!
Amen Beverlee! I joined in worship with that beautiful carol!!
Thank you all for wonderful words each day.You are a blessing to us each day,Beverlee.God bless you all and Merry Christmas to all !
It always bothers me that the bible mentions the words “other gods” when there are no ‘other gods’,just demons who are ‘wannabe-gods’.
Idols
If only we could see
What our idols truly be,
For blind are the eyes ne’er free
Until they have called out to thee.
GW(Bill) Marshall (2015)
Merry Christmas, Bill.
GIll’s Exposition on other gods:
Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Ye shall not go after other gods,…. To serve and worship them, and swear by them; and which indeed are no gods, only nominal and fictitious ones; idols which are nothing in the world, and ought to have no veneration and adoration given them; to go after them is to worship them, and this is to depart from the true God, and go a whoring after false deities:
of the gods of the people which are round about you; the gods of the Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, Philistines, and Egyptians; all of which had their peculiar deities.
Bill that’s why it is a small “g”
anything that takes our time away from God and His Word is a “god”
I have to be very firm about doing my devotions first thing when I wake up or else, time goes by and “WHAM” forgot to do the devotion! HOWEVER I can tell God I am sorry and do my reading then……..for me it is always a struggle to do other things…
I ask for prayers please….the devil has been a jerk again and tries to discourage me BUT the Word of God says, Our Father Who art in Heaven, Hallowed by thy name….
so thankful to everyone who participates on this prayer site…I look forward to the reading from David Mainse and all the responses…
God bless each and every one today……..IJNWPA
This is THE day that the Lord hath made but it is not Sunday all over the world. Our granddaughter was born on June 2nd in Thailand but we were informed on June 1 and told our church family that we have a new granddaughter born tomorrow!
Amen Doreen! Isn’t it a miracle?
the same thing applies to the Winter Solistice! It is not the same around the world, in some places it happened 4 days ago, some it will happen 4 days from now…….I find it so interesting and then to remember that God created the world…AWESOME!
He’s Got the Whole World in His hands….
Funny that David would mention his dear wife in today’s study. I woke up this a.m. thinking about Norma-Jean and her maiden name for some unknown reason. Was raised in a small town in Ont., Kenmore, and one of our neighbours was the Pritchard family. One of my brothers was good friends with their son, Nick. Wondering if Norma-Jean was a relative. I’ve long since moved to the western part of our beautiful country in Alberta but still wonder about childhood acquaintances and how they are doing.
So sorry that Moses was unable to go into the promised land but yes, we have to follow God’s guidance in our lives. No truly does mean no. Blessings on all dear saints this close-to-Christmas day:-).
https://youtu.be/6PtZsYsBbsI
Amen saints!
As usual, loved David’s personal words.What a blessing his blog has been ! ????????
This has been an amazing day, thank you Lord!
Lord God keep me on the straight and narrow path!
Agreeing with David, God’s plans are higher than ours’ its important to follow God’s way, His Plans! Amen!
Interesting story and humorous re the diamond ring:) Praise God for\
Norma-Jean, how special to have her Mother’s diamond ring; an heir-loom!
I pray on this Lord’s day you had the privilege to worship the Lord of Lord’s and King of Kings, together with your sisters and brothers in Christ within your congregation,
Have a Blessed day!
1