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Today’s Reading: Judges 21
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Mount of Temptation above Jericho is said to be the hill in the Judean Desert where Jesus was tempted by the devil. The devil, who had been banished to earth, like Napoleon was banished to St. Helena years ago by the European powers, had direct access to Jesus to tempt Him to act contrary to His Father’s will. How much more would the enemy of all that is good, kind, loving, and true, tempt and attack the people described in the book of Judges.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Judges 21:3a & Judges 21:15
“O Lord, the God of Israel,” they cried, “why has this happened to Israel”…And the people grieved for Benjamin, because the Lord had made a void in the tribes of Israel.
It is gratifying to find that, after the violent war between the tribes, there came a return of tender feelings, efforts at reconciliation and peace. It must have felt like gentle rain after the hurricane of war. Human tears, as they well forth on behalf of others, reveal the existence of the love of God expressed in acts of compassion. There is an old saying that, “Those who act in haste repent at leisure.” In other words, the process of godly sorrow for sin and for the foolish decisions, which sin produces, often takes years to heal. Israel is a case in point.
Following our next readings in 1st and 2nd Corinthians (which start tomorrow), the blog will return to the book of Ruth. Here we will find the most tender feelings, even involving people from Moab, former enemies of Israel. After Ruth, the blog moves into the years of the Prophet Samuel. He is one truly bright star of righteousness who shines for God in his leadership.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, as we are soon to discover in 1 Corinthians, some people are still in a moral mess, even after they have believed in Jesus as their Saviour and been baptised as Christians. Help me to learn and communicate the difference You have made in their lives compared to the people we’ve read about in Judges. Teach me, I pray, right from wrong, and teach me how to keep filled with Your Word and Your Holy Spirit, so everything will be better. In Jesus’ Name! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
God always answers prayer!! However, I heard a guest on the 100 Huntley Street telecast say, ” God’s answer may be as follows: NO, GROW, SLOW, and GO!” If it is “No,” that’s God’s absolute right to have other plans and to carry out those plans. If His answer is “Grow,” it means that I must grow in my Christian life before he says, “YES.” If He says, “Slow,” then circumstances must change in order to accommodate His full plan. If He says, “Go,” it’s obvious. I believe that true faith does not try to manipulate God into a “Yes;” it is simply a matter of obedience. Having prayed according to the Scriptures, I now live in God’s will and fully expect to continue living in His perfect will. Whatever happens is OK, because I’m not living according to my own understanding. I’m acknowledging Him in all my ways, and therefore His promise is activated. He directs my paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Yours for “Godliness with contentment which is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6),
David
The Monastery of the Temptation is an Orthodox Christian monastery located in the West Bank, along a cliff overlooking the city of Jericho and the Jordan Valley. It is built upon the summit of the Mount of Temptation, rising 350 metres above sea level. It currently serves as a tourist attraction and its land is under the full jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, but the monastery is owned and managed by the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem.
Peace, love and forgiveness are always the answer. At times we are wrapped up in anger and unable to be calm. But the Lord always restores us and the Holy Spirit anoints us. Thank You Jesus, for Your love, that sets us free. Looking forward to 1 Corinthians, tomorrow. Stay strong and safe today, fellow saints in the Lord. His blessings, upon you.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Just As I Am, Without One Plea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxA0TFe3-Uo
“Just as I Am” is a well-known hymn, written by Charlotte Elliott in 1835, first appearing in the Christian Remembrancer, of which Elliott became the editor in 1836. The final verse is taken from Elliott’s Hours of Sorrow Cheered and Comforted (1836).
Original Poem by Charlotte Elliott
“Just as I am – without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am – and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am – though toss’d about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am – poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am – Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am – Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am – of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
-O Lamb of God, I come!”
Just as I am was my father’s favourite. Thank you so much for the website and all you contribute and all you contribute to this blog.q
Father God, bless all Your people today. Help each one to trust in You. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen.,ROb
Amen, Beverlee and Rob.
Amen Beverlee and Rob. Good to read all the verses of “Just as I Am.”
Dear saints,
Please continue to pray for my husband, Joseph. He’s undergoing chemo treatment and had a seizure last night. (He’s never had seizures before). He was taken to hospital and they have admitted him. It’s very difficult not being able to visit him. apparently in some cases, they allow visitors. Please pray for favor so that they will let me see him.
Thank you for your prayers and God bless you all!
Our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and to the sanctity of the Holy Spirit, we come before Your throne, in united prayer for Joseph and Luisa. May Your Will, Lord God, be done. May Your grace bring them together in physical proximity. And may it be a time of kindred peace and love for them. Lord God, hold Joseph in the palm of Your hand, to bring the seizures to an end and shrink his cancer. Protect Luisa as you bring her clearance to visit him in the hospital, that they may be reunited. Give her the strength she needs, Lord, by leaning on You, her beloved Saviour. May she feel the prayers and love from her fellow saints. In Jesus’ mighty Name, we pray for our sister-in-Christ and her husband. Amen, amen, and amen.
Luisa, my heart goes out to you and i am continuing to hold yourself and Joseph before God in prayer. Your situation is so real to myself, as I watched my son Sheldon, at 25 years of age go through 21 chemo treatments last year. One of the verses God gave me was :
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring to you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14: 13-14
God was directing me through the battle to: 1. not to fear and 2. be still. Through some of the valleys when fear started to arise, I would go back to this verse and be comforted with God’s promise. I too, could not visit my son except for a period before his second surgery and believe i have an understanding of what you are feeling.
Peace I leave with you: My peace i give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
God Bless.
Amen Charlene.
Amen, indeed, Charlene! Beautifully said and wonderful scripture to hold onto!
Luisa: I am praying for you and your husband Joseph. I know it is so hard to be apart from him right now. I am asking the Lod to open doors so that you can spend some time with Joseph. Also I will continue to pray that they will get to the bottom of what is causing his seizures. Know that you are loved with an everlasting love by God and we on this blog care deeply about your situation as well.
Blessings Eleanor M.
Agreeing with Eleanor, for Luisa and Joseph. Amen.
Amen…..Praying along with Beverlee and Charlene and Eleanor and everyone for Joseph!
Dear Lord may Joseph feel your loving presence and healing power all around him and may Luisa also feel your comfort and reassurance that all will be well. Give the doctors and nurses wisdom and insight!
God is the great healer!
Agreeing with all the prayers for Joseph & Luisa. When my sister was in similar circumstances a few months back I placed her into God’s Hands asking Him to take over. His Love is so great. Father God, in Jesus Name, may Your greatest blessings be upon Louisa and may You open a door we’re there is no door. Guide all medic staff & give Drs Wisdom & skill. Touch Joseph mightily & bring glory to Your Name. Amen
Thank you Beverlee, Charlene, Eleanor, Anne and Doreen for your prayers. I am praying a blessing on all of you.
They have agreed to allow me to visit my husband , praise God, but I must first provide proof of a negative COVID test. I was able to have my test done this afternoon..now waiting for the results
We need a miracle for Joseph.
Thank you so very much!
Agreeing with all prayers above. Prayed my prayer for him as well.
My heart is with you Luisa.
God heal Joseph and be with Luisa In Jesus Name Amen.
Agreeing with all your prayers.
Agreeing with all the prayers for Joseph and Luisa as well. God bless both and bring them through victoriously through Joseph’s seizures and cancer and Luisa’s peace through it all. In Jesus Name. Amen!