Thursday, December 19, 2019

FOREVER

Today’s Reading: Hebrews 7-8

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

 

Just outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls is the Garden Tomb area. It is thought that this could be where Jesus was laid after His death. The hymn comes to mind, “Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph o’er His foes.” Another line says, “Death could not hold its prey, He tore the bars away.” YES!!!

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

 

Key Verses: Hebrews 7:24-25

But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.

 

The words, “EVER LIVES” in our reading stand out as does “FOREVER,” and “ENDLESS LIFE!” Rev. Jim Cantelon writes in Day Unto Day, published by Crossroads in the 1990s, these words about Hebrews 7: “The writer speaks of Melchizedek as ‘without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life…’ (7:3a). What is he telling us here? If he intends us to take it at face value, he’s telling us that Melchizedek is God (for only God has no parents, no genealogy, no beginning or ending).” Jim is founder of the great “King of Kings” congregation in Jerusalem. Many scholars believe that Melchizedek was Jesus trying on the garments of humanity in a relationship with “The Friend of God,” Abraham. There are eight volumes in the Day Unto Day series. They are long out of print, but some used copies can be found on Amazon.ca here. These books and others published by Crossroads over the years have served a high purpose for God and His people, but they do not claim to be exhaustive commentaries on Scripture. Such works as those of Matthew Henry, 1662-1714, are exhaustive, having many 3-inch thick volumes with tens of thousands of pages of detailed teachings on every verse of Scripture. Check Matthew Henry’s commentary on Hebrews 7 online here. The publishing efforts of Crossroads, including this blog, are for 99.9% of people who are not full-time seminarians or Bible teachers.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I do want to study Your Word faithfully. Help me in my commitment to read Your Word every day without fail. I may not be able to read exhaustive commentaries, such as that penned by Your servant, the ordained Presbyterian Minister Matthew Henry, but I intend to, at the very least, take some time daily to spend with You in prayer and in study. I ask You for grace to be consistent! In the Name of the totally consistent One, Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

About 57 years ago my Dad gave me a set of Matthew Henry’s commentaries, and I used them for years in my sermon preparation, but not for my daily devotions. I came to the conclusion that preachers and Bible teachers who stand before congregations need both a rich devotional life and an in-depth study of God’s Word. These are not the same. One is for personal daily spiritual strength and the other is for the accurate impartation of Truth to others. Back In 2005, when we sold the farm, the home in which Norma-Jean was born, I invited our children to raid my library first. They probably helped themselves to about 100 books each. Then I contacted the Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, Ontario, and invited the students to do the same. Books are still a priority in our family budget, but I tend to give them away after I’ve read them. I thank all for taking the time to join me each day with this blog. You are very special to me!

Yours for the glory of the One Who is Forever, and ever, and ever. The indestructible One!!!,

David

17 thoughts on “Thursday, December 19, 2019

  1. Yes, Lord God, thank You for this ministry and for all those who give, work, and pray to further your Kingdom. Bless all your workers, Lord, wherever they are. Guide them in what they do and say, Lord, and may the influence of Godliness grow everywhere.
    Father, You are the commander of Heaven’s armies. The great battle belongs to You. We commit all to You, Lord. Be exalted throughout all creation, Lord, and open people’s hearts to You, we ask in Jesus’s name amen

    • Thank you Rob.We need to keep praying for Ann…and for the strength that Ron may need in all his responsibilities.May God bless them richly.Amen

      This statement stood out to me today as an important distinction by David:
      “….preachers and Bible teachers who stand before congregations need both a rich devotional life and an in-depth study of God’s Word. These are not the same. One is for personal daily spiritual strength and the other is for the accurate impartation of Truth to others. ”
      I just ordered 2 of those books,one by David and one by Nizar and Eileen.There are still others available.
      This is a beautiful reminder for us:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQr4udSiEew

      • God bless you William; thank you for your posts; they are very inspirational;
        we are having tons of snow in British COlumbia today; nice to see; need the water for the forests; thank you Lord; bless our Country Canada and all the leaders;
        bless all who post prayers on this site;

  2. Please pray for my niece Samantha.
    She is in the hospital and dosen’t want to take medicine.
    She is see devils and angels.
    God heal Samantha In Jesus Name Amen

  3. In Jesus Name, we command Satan to depart – remove his hand and his presence from Samantha. We ask Jesus to be her Great Physician, Defender, Protector. Praying for God’s Perfect Will. May He guide any therapeutic treatment & medication that may be needed. Amen. Praying for Ann as well and for Ron & the family. Amen

Leave a Reply to Blessed Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.