OFFERING WILLINGLY
Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 29
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Dome of the Rock is a shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. The structure has been refurbished many times since its initial completion in 691 AD. Many believe the Temple of the Jewish people will be rebuilt just to the left of the gold and blue structure, directly inside the Eastern Gate.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 29:9, 14
Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly… But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You.
“Offered willingly” is repeated three times in our key verses, plus twice more in this chapter. There is a message here for us to do the same in our support of God’s work. The focus of this book shifts here to God Himself. Twenty times God is addressed directly. We are treated to a foretaste of the Psalms of King David. Let us worship with David by reading out loud, if possible, verses 10 to 15 (click here). We exalt You Lord! Blessed be Your Holy Name forever!
Tomorrow, God willing, we start reading the second book of Chronicles. Thirty-six chapters later we will move back into the New Testament book of Philippians, known as the “Epistle of Joy.” Then we move back again to the book of Ezra. Ezra is believed to have compiled the books of First and Second Chronicles. He was God’s man to build a new Temple. The Temple of David and Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonian conqueror, Nebuchadnezzar. If we take a look ahead to Ezra, we will see a similarity in style of writing, and in Ezra 6:11-28, we can learn more about the author of Chronicles who was a priest and a scribe. God is never without someone who is faithful in His service.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that I will “offer willingly” my life, my service, my resources, and my all! As David prayed, “All things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.” I am Yours Lord! You have given me a free will, and I willingly present myself to You for Your purposes. The Lord Jesus did this and I follow Him. In His name I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I want to invite every blog partner to read the story of the present Archbishop of Canterbury. Along with Queen Elizabeth, he leads the Church of England. It was at Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London that I had my most powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit. The current Archbishop was a member there when he entered the priesthood. Cannon Andrew White, who is quoted in the article, has been a guest on the 100 Huntley Street telecast several times. God always has someone for His purposes (click here for the story of Justin Welby, the first Archbishop of Canterbury to have Jewish roots).
Yours for “offering willingly” our lives in service to God,
David
P.S. My son Ron posted a video on Facebook that his wife Ann recorded from our family’s Father’s Day celebration [2017]. I took the time to share some thoughts with my precious children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren…as well as sing a duet with Norma-Jean. You can watch it by clicking HERE (a Facebook account may be required to view it).
King David’s prayer:
“O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
“O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.
“O Lord our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you! I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.
“O Lord, the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make your people always want to obey you. See to it that their love for you never changes. Give my son Solomon the wholehearted desire to obey all your commands, laws, and decrees, and to do everything necessary to build this Temple, for which I have made these preparations.”
Amen Rob. Happy Father’s Day!
Amen Rob HAPPY FATHER’s DAY! !
Amen Rob
Happy Father’s Day to all fathers on this blog and fathers who are part of the family of all blog members
May God bless you all !
To all the dads who participate in this blog I want to wish you all a happy and blessed Father’s Day 🙏😃
“Prayer Map of Canada” for the 20th:
1. Pray for the children of Canada, that they would come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. (Matthew 19:14)
2. Pray that Christians will recognize that our struggle is not against the natural world but against invisible spiritual forces. (Eph. 6:12)
Had some computer problems today. I think it is fixed now. Happy Father’s Day to you fathers & grandfathers! We have 3 new fathers & grandfathers this time!! Hopefully I will get to see them in person soon. Have a great day all.