Sunday, March 21, 2021

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THE MANY AND THE FEW

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 14

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

 

This is an Akkadian cuneiform writing clay tablet piece and is the oldest document to mention Jerusalem. It was discovered in the south wall area of the Old City of Jerusalem and is dated at 14th century BC.

 

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 14:6b

For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.

As King Saul’s son, Jonathan had probably learned from observing the interaction between his father and the prophet Samuel. Our children often learn more from being in our presence, and in the presence of our visitors, than from our efforts at direct teaching. Obviously Jonathan had come to believe in God and in His power to equip a man for victory in battle. By just two brave men, the rout of the enemy of Israel began and confusion reigned in the ranks of the Philistines. Jonathan seemed to have more common sense than his father. Saul’s foolish edict to not eat robbed the men of the energy they needed, and resulted in the eating of blood forbidden by Moses’ Law. There are those in our day who burden God’s people in ways that rob us of spiritual vitality, rather than encouraging us to partake of the “honey” that God has provided. This has been particularly true when it comes to man-made prohibitions regarding the experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Those who teach that the experience of the first believers, as recorded in the book of Acts, is not for today and prohibit the exercise of the Gifts of the Spirit have done serious damage to God’s plan for His Church. Go ahead, have some honey! Be refreshed today by the life-giving sweetness found in God’s Word and in the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Victory is ours!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, as I read these words and pause often to worship You, I’m conscious that I’m partaking of the sweetness of Your provision for me. Like Jonathan, my countenance has brightened. I pray that this energy level will continue in order that I may “fight the good fight of faith,” as I read in 1 Timothy 6:11-16. In Jesus’ conquering Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In selecting the key verse for today, I thought of God’s provision over the years for the financial well-being of the Crossroads ministry. Sometimes God has used the many and sometimes the few. Without the participation of thousands of precious partners, this ministry, that has brought many to a saving knowledge of Jesus, would have shut down years ago. But the Lord has also used the few. Our former bank manager at the TD bank in downtown Toronto (gone to be with the Lord in Heaven now) knew our need the day that our lighting package for the new TV production studios arrived. I needed cash in order to have the shipment released. A line of credit had not been authorized. One of the “few,” whose name I do not know, sent through $50,000 directly to the bank, telling the manager that he could arrange a charitable giving receipt, but that I was not to know who it was that gave this money. The only information I was given was that it was someone from Ottawa who did not know of the need to pay for the shipment that very day but felt led of God to transfer the money. There are few who could give such a gift. Perhaps you are one of the few. We should perhaps read on in 1Timothy 6:17-19. One thing I’ve learned is that God uses BOTH the MANY and the FEW to support His work. When we sold the farm in which Norma-Jean, my wife, was born, we got to be one of “the few” one time, but every month we are one of “the many” that keep the ministry winning spiritual battles every day. That monthly offering, and the offerings of many more, are absolutely essential to the great cause to which God has called Crossroads. More of “the few” and more of “the many” would also be a big help right now. God is leading the Ministry in new initiatives for the Gospel that need us all to take up the challenge of giving sacrificially. The funds are not just sitting there in the bank doing nothing for Jesus! Crossroads continues to be a faith ministry. Please pray asking God for His instructions (click here for giving instructions).

Yours to encourage us all to be “the many” and some of us to be “the few,”

David

P.S. My granddaughter Elena has a beautiful baby girl named Chelsea (below is a photo of her at two years old). A few years back, 100 Huntley Street did a feature on the amazing story of how Bruce & Elaine Stacey adopted Elena and her brother Alex from a Russian orphanage in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Click here for the video.

Our great-granddaughter, Chelsea Gilmour, and her birthday buddy!

11 thoughts on “Sunday, March 21, 2021”

  1. Praying David’s prayer, this morning. That video is a wonderful reminder of God’s love in David’s family. Such a testament to our Saviour’s love for us. Worshiping online, then in person at church, this morning. May you all be blessed to do the same, fellow saints in the Lord. Holding you all in prayer. Amen.

    “Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
    C. T. Studd

    30 Greatest Hymns with Lyrics
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGLVPtOYRgM

    Reply ↓

  2. I remember the beautiful story well of Alex & Alana. We have 2 God selected children in our family also. It is amazing how God brings these life changing events into our lives. Sad time for me just now as my close friend Edna had a massive stroke. I found her on the floor of her apt. They have removed life support now. I see her everywhere I go. Even to pushing the wrong elevator button! Hard when you don’t get to say goodbye and they are just gone. She is leaving for a much better home. God help her faithful family. Amen

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    • That was a beautiful story of adoption.I remember it too….Long before I became a Christian (I had no teaching) I got down on my knees to pray with tears on my cheeks for a child to be given us.We were on the adoption list.About 3 months later my,then,mother-in-law phoned to say one of their cousins who was putting he newborn up for adoption,wanted us to have him.He was born New Year’s eve,86.The rest is history.
      Doreen,I hope you see this poem and feel some comfort from it:God bless
      Bygone Days

      May you dream of bygone days
      When happiness was in the air
      And may you in all ways
      Remember the love there,
      Then as the dawn brings the day
      You will remember loved ones gone,
      As you smile along your way​
      With nothing to fret upon.
      (GW)Bill Marshall/08 Feb, 2016

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  3. Thanks Donna for the link to the poem:

    If Tomorrow Starts Without Me
    By David Romano

    When tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not here to see,
    If the sun should rise you find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
    I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today,
    While thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say.

    I know how much you love me, as much as I love you
    And each time that you think of me, I know you’ll miss me too.
    But when tomorrow starts without me please try to understand,
    That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand.

    He said my place was ready, in heaven far above
    And that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
    But as I turned to walk away a tear fell from my eye.
    For all my life I’d always thought, I didn’t want to die.

    I had so much to live for, so much left yet to do.
    It seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
    I thought of all the yesterdays the good ones and the bad.
    I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.

    If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while,
    I’d say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.
    But then I fully realized that this could never be,
    For emptiness and memories would take the place of me.

    When I thought of worldly things I might miss come tomorrow
    I thought of you and when I did my heart was filled with sorrow.
    But when I walked through heavens gates I felt so much at home.
    When God looked down and smiled at me from his great golden throne

    He said, “This is eternity and all I’ve promised you”
    Today your life on earth has passed but here life starts anew.
    I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last
    And since each day is the same there’s no longing for the past.

    You have been so faithful so trusting and so true.
    Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn’t do.
    But you have been forgiven and now at last you’re free.
    So won’t you come and take my hand and share my life with me?
    So when tomorrow starts without me don’t think we’re far apart,
    For every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart.

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  4. Thank you folks for the lovely poems. I’m still in the adjustment stage. I’ve lost significant others through this year and I was doing okay. For some reason the loss is feeling a bit overwhelming this time – probably because of the numbers. Take care. Beautiful day.

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    • Things are much harder because of this pandemic, Doreen. Knowing Edna is no longer suffering and will be reunited with Jesus is a wonderful thing, but it is still hard missing your friend when she brought so much joy. Hang in there and know we are praying for angels to be with you.

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  5. Sending my love and prayers to you, Doreen. May you find God’s comfort as He holds you close at this difficult time. May He comfort Edna’s family, also. This past year has been so difficult for so many. I personally know of many people who have lost loved ones. The Lord is close to the broken hearted. May He wrap each one with the blanket of His perfect peace!

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