UNDERSTANDING GOD’S REASONS
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 9-10
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).
The Jordan River normally is a slow meandering stream, but when the Israelites went across, it was at the time of year when the “Jordan overflowed its banks” (Joshua 3:15b).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 9:5
It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
There were three reasons as to why God took the Children of Israel into the Promised Land. First, because of the wickedness of the nations already there. Second, because of His promise to His friend, Abraham. Third, because Moses fasted and prayed for forty days and nights for God’s purposes to be fulfilled in their lives. Fasting, along with our prayers, does not win brownie points with God, but it does indicate the fervency of our prayers. “The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). God, through Moses, as well as through Paul, made it very clear that, “It’s not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5a). This makes an important distinction between salvation by works and a faith that works.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, grant a greater level of fervency to me as I pray. May I underline and put exclamation points behind my prayers more often by fasting along with my prayers. Thank You for saving me through the greatest work of all time, Your death and resurrection. Now, I’m asking You for a greater measure of faith that works in every area of my life and for the good of others. Amen!!!!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The Bible reading suggested here in “100 Words” is my morning reading. However, my New Years’ resolution is to raise my time meditating on the Person of Jesus. Raised in a believing, synagogue-attending family, Jesus would have read the portions from His Bible which had been selected by a council of Jewish Rabbis. Our 2-year journey through the Bible, as presented in my blog, goes from the Old Testament to the New and back again, covering every verse, every chapter, every book. I’m asking every reader to join me in this new-year commitment to learn to be more like Jesus.
Yours for knowing God’s Word more thoroughly,
David
Amen thank you for continuing to post these messages every day, the Lord bless you.
“Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. Your ancestors who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.” That scripture just blows me away. Does it do the same for you, fellow saints in the Lord? Wishing all a blessed day!
And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31 NIV
Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel (with lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4iyJqrPvY
Amen Beverlee for your faithfulness to post this wonderful song! Be blessed this Christmas and in the coming year!
You are so sweet, Irene. God bless you, too, and Merry Christmas, dear sister-in-Christ!
Thank you for this daily vitamin of the word. Reflecting and understanding our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Each time I go through this I learn more about Jesus.
Knowing that through God’s grace we are saved. Thank you Father.amen!!!!!
Thank you Ron,Ann and Reynold for your efforts in spreading David’s blog.Has anyone ever considered collecting this two year journey into a book??Have a Merry Christmas everyone.God bless
They Call Me St.Nick
They call me ‘St Nick’ in my land,
Because I practiced love to all,
But then it quickly got out of hand;
The lie became my life’s downfall.
I am not Christmas,nor a saint,
But am promoted only to sell,
I detest that they made me quaint,
So they could make their money swell.
If you love Christmas,give it back,
To the true King,Lord of all lands,
Only He can replace what we lack;
You’re right beside where He stands.
So if you truly love Jesus,the Lord,
Welcome Him into your humble abode;
He is the Gift we can all afford,
He keeps giving but is never owed.
G W (Bill) Marshall / Dec 2,2012
PS:Winter begins tomorrow.I don’t know if this qualifies as an oxymoron but here it is:
” Winter 2018 in Northern Hemisphere will begin on
Friday, December 21
and ends on
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
All dates are in Atlantic Time.”
right on William! thank you for sharing you beautiful poems! Have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Yes, it’s sad to see all the children flocking to Santa w/o realizing that he’s just a caricature.
Good idea William of making a book of this great bible study. Not sure if I have the two years but started printing it out and putting it into a binder for my dear grand children for when gramma is gone to live with Jesus (or maybe before:-).
Thank you Ron, Ann and Reynold for posting this manna daily; I pray the Lord continue to give you the strength to continue doing so in the New Year; may your New Year be Joyous and Prosperous.
Have a Blessed and Glorious Christmas all you saints!
A friend sent me this email so wanted to share, so touching and true: Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/embed/zf_0jzPQ8lo?rel=0
Thank you Lynda, yes this was lovely, and so true indeed!
How wonderful, Lynda–thank you for sharing–blessed my heart.
sssoooo true thank you Lynda for sharing!!
Blessings to all…..need prayers please….having difficult time with shorter days;praying for the right person to rent the back room,I know that the Lord knows exactly what is happening;
I am praying for snow and lots of it; the hills/mountains are bone dry;creeks are empty;pray the Lord will bring down lots of moisture;
Praying for those recovering from surgery or drug abuse, that they heal completely;; giving thanks to the Lord for all His Blessings of this day…amen
Praying for a sun lamp to come to you, Sah, for the winter. Bless you!
Amen and yes, that might be the answer for sure. God bless.
Well said Beverlee that’s a great prayer for Sah!