Sunday, April 12, 2020

LISTEN, O EARTH! (Micah 1:2)

Today’s Reading: Micah 1-2

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

 

Here you can see a row of homes in the region of ancient Pergamos. All seven churches of Revelation (Pergamos is one) are in modern day Turkey. The book of Micah, like the Revelation, is God’s attempt to communicate with people where they take shelter, eat, sleep, and go about their daily lives.

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

 

Key Verse: Micah 2:1

Woe to those who devise iniquity,

And work out evil on their beds!

At morning light they practice it,

Because it is in the power of their hand.

 

Micah reveals the compassion of God for people who suffer social injustice at the hands of a powerful corrupt elite. Micah strongly condemns rulers, false prophets, and ungodly priests who exploit the poor for their own gain. He declares that both the Northern Kingdom, Samaria, and the Southern Kingdom, Jerusalem, will be overthrown because of their iniquity, evil, covetousness and oppression of those who are disadvantaged.

When Christ returns to earth to rule as Messiah, His statement to all the nations of the earth will be, “I was hungry and you gave Me food” (Matthew 25:31-46). Jesus makes it clear that care for needy people will be His #1 priority when He sets up His earthly Kingdom. He will judge all nations by His standards of justice for all. In the meantime, as our key verse says, evil “is in the power of their hand.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You have given me a free will. Because of the example of Jesus, and Your grace You freely give me, I pray that I will decide to do good and not evil all the days of my life. I ask this in the Name of the One who always cares for others, Jesus Christ. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

At the tail end of the Great Depression of the 1930s, when so much poverty was evident, I can remember men that society called “tramps” (homeless people) knocking on our door asking for food and shelter. Mother would prepare some food, but as my father was away, they would usually sit on the porch. I would sit and watch. I couldn’t think of anything to say, but I knew mother had done something important. I also knew that she was keeping an eye on me for my safety. When I entered high school in the late 1940s, I learned that my all-time favourite teacher had been one of those homeless in the 30s. This gave me a new perspective on helping others.

As a young Pastor in the late 1950s and 1960s, I encouraged the congregations to support the Salvation Army, and I think it was in 1965 that World Vision came to our city with a Korean orphan choir. Our people got involved as childcare sponsors. Our television ministry got involved directly as a result of my son’s (David Reynold, our photographer for this blog) prayers every evening at family devotions for about a month. He was just a little guy, but somehow he encountered human need. He would pray, in an mournful voice, “O God, please help Daddy to help those poor children in India.” God answered his prayer and within another month we had raised, through the TV ministry, monthly childcare support for about 1,000 children, and we turned the names and addresses over to World Vision Canada for the cause, which was the ministry of Mark and Huldah Buntain in Calcutta, India. Crossroads has consistently encouraged support of ministries of compassion and has for decades now been directly involved (click here for Crossroads’ current missions projects).

Yours for being moved with the compassion of Christ toward those in need,

David

23 thoughts on “Sunday, April 12, 2020

  1. Happy Easter! Christ is risen. Christ is risen. Christ is risen, indeed!! Wishing you a blessed day celebrating our Christ Messiah. Wonderful message, today. Our greatest gift is in giving to others. May our God in heaven see all that we do to help our neighbours, this blessed Easter morning, because we are ever thankful for His undying sacrifice and love for us. God bless you, fellow saints in the Lord! May your day be filled with hope, peace, love and joy!

    He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee. Luke 24:6 ESV

    He Lives!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpJfT4_COzY

    Lyrics: He Lives, Alan Jackson

    I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today
    I know that He is living, whatever men may say
    I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
    And just the time I need Him He’s always near

    He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
    He walks with me and talks with me
    Along life’s narrow way

    He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
    You ask me how I know He lives?
    He lives within my heart

    In all the world around me I see His loving care
    And though my heart grows weary I never will despair
    I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast
    The day of His appearing will come at last

    He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
    He walks with me and talks with me
    Along life’s narrow way

    He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
    You ask me how I know He lives?
    He lives within my heart

    Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian Lift up your voice and sing
    Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King
    The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find
    None other is so loving, so good and kind

    He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
    He walks with me and talks with me
    Along life’s narrow way

    He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
    You ask me how I know He lives?
    He lives within my heart!

    Source: LyricFind
    Songwriters: Alfred H. Ackley
    He Lives lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Songtrust Ave

  2. David’s words resonate with what is going on in our World today. Many people are suffering and dying, others suffering because of loss of jobs etc. I believe their is hope in Christ for our future, we must never give in to fear.
    Hope you all have a Happy Easter watching Church services on line or TV.
    Ger praying for your brother Vinal, that he is comforted knowing that he has the hope of Eternity, when he is called Hone. 🙏🙏
    Jesus Paid it All

  3. I remember when David came in to World Vision (35 employees @ that time), and arranged for sponsorship of the children. It GREATLY increased our workload! Hallelujah. My daughter went overseas for WV & a son & his wife still work there. Just loved the sing-along music – thank you Beverlee. Hymns following the one you posted are great & I will go back for more! Many church ⛪️ programs are available today. Enjoy folks. Blessings.

  4. He is risen! He lives forevermore and so will we who put our trust in Him! I am so thankful and grateful for what our Lord did for us.
    Despite the darkness of this time there is light and hope in Christ – let’s keep spreading the Good News, the greatest message of all!
    A Happy and Blessed Easter to all!

  5. Thank You, Lord God, for coming for the hopeless, the broken, the needy and the sick. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Thank You for the Queen’s message today, her first Easter message. We pray that people hear Your voice, calling them, like Lazarus, from death to life. In Jesus’s great name, amen

  6. Happy Easter saints. Yes he is risen indeed! Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice that we may have eternal life. Thank you Eleanor for your prayers for my brother. Yes, wonderful message today and thank you for all the songs posted. Watched a lot of messages on tv today which were all good and Dr. Michael Youssef spoke another anointed message.

  7. HAPPY and blessed Easter to Norma-Jean Mainse and to all her family.

    Happy Easter to all you saints. Have a blessed day

    Yes HE IS RISEN INDEED, AND HE LIVES FOREVERMORE!!

  8. A blessed Easter to all!
    I am so thankful for all that Jesus did for me. I want to live a life that honours Him. I can only do it with the help of Holy Spirit Who is our helper.
    Enjoyed different Easter services on tv and online. Thankful that they were available through technology and all the efforts of those who worked hard to make it possible. Also enjoyed reading all your comments. God bless you, all.
    Thank you Jesus that no matter what is happening around us, we always have hope in You!

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