WWJD
Today’s Reading: Numbers 15
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
Orthodox Jews (perhaps the successors of the Pharisees) at the Western Wall or “Wailing Wall” of the Old City of Jerusalem. This wall is part of the retaining wall around the peak of Mount Moriah on which the Temples of Solomon, Ezra, and Herod once stood.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Numbers 15:41
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God.
Religion vs. relationship!! There is a very big difference. Jesus brought us into a living and loving connection with God. The Pharisees, one of the denominations within Judaism, is still present. This movement, according to Jesus, practised an intricate observance of a multitude of details. We might do well to read now Matthew 23:1-33. According to Jesus, the Scribes and Pharisees claimed to “sit in Moses’ seat.” Today’s reading from Moses would’ve made them feel so “holier than thou.” Moses wrote of the man who died from stoning. Jesus said, “Let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone” (John 8:7). James, the first Pastor of the Jerusalem Church, wrote, in James 1:26-27, what true religion is.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
I’m ever so thankful, Lord Jesus, for the “great exchange,” as Martin Luther put it. I have given You my sin in confession and repentance, and You have put Your holiness, Your righteousness, on my account with God. Please give me Your grace so that I may live in a constant state of repentance and, as a result, a consistent assurance of my salvation. You’ve given me peace and joy. I’m eternally grateful. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I believe in what James called “pure religion.” The word “religion” comes from the same root word as “ligament.” Ligaments are essential in order to keep our body together. I sought to identify what “religion” is in a presentation I made to the Radio and Television Commission a number of years ago. That hearing resulted in Crossroads being granted licenses for TV stations. “One’s religion,” I said, “is what a person holds as their highest value in life.” If that is true, James, who was also known as “the brother of our Lord,” nailed it right on. Perhaps we could sum it up with the WWJD campaign, What Would Jesus Do? What would He say and do with the man picking up sticks on the Sabbath in today’s reading? I’m thinking about it. I think He would probably lend him a hand. Jesus changes everything!
Yours for rejoicing in the fact that Jesus came to live as One of us,
David
P.S. Below is a photo at the place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus, after His resurrection, asked Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” Each time Peter affirmed his love, and Jesus followed up with “Feed My sheep” (John 21:15-17).
Father, May you be blessed today with our worship , the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart. May many turn to you in repentance and be saved.
Help us to practice “ true religion “ by extending love and compassion to others.
Agreeing with you Luisa. Jesus please guide our decisions and paths. Amen. Have a great day with the Lord.
Agreeing with you Louisa. Father, in Jesus Name, please guide us in our decisions and lead us according to Your Perfect Plans. Amen
Amen Luisa and Doreen. We praise and glorify You Lord Jesus. ✝️
Thank YOU Lord, for hearing our prayers.
Amen
Agreeing with Luisa and Doreen. Praising the Lord for his guidance.
I’m asking for prayers today for my granddaughter and her friend. Please pray for them and I would appreciate any advise on how to pray for this situation. We live in a rural area where these girls are ‘neighbours’ live about 7 miles apart but there are no others in their age group close
My granddaughter has attended a Christian school until covid then continued with homeschool. The other girl attended the public school. She has had several issues and has been put into counseling. It is one of those situations as a parent, grandparent, we want to say stay away from her but on the other hand we would like to have her come to the Lord. She came to Youth Group with my granddaughter and on the way home was overheard saying I think I shocked the pastor with my comment. That usually gets me a call to the school and my counselllor my counsellor tells me I shouldn’t be making comments like that.
I keep praying that she will come to the Lord and that Satan will not reach my granddaughter through her.
Jesus, You know this world is not easy – You went through the worst of it, having Satan target You over and over again. Yet You overcame even the worst of it. You promise strength, wisdom, counsel and even joy as we go through this vale of tears, looking to You, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Thank You for the prayers of faithful ones – thank You also for praying for us – those prayers, for grandchildren, for others, are heard. Father, save these young ones, give their parents wisdom in the decisions they make, and be glorified even in these farflung places You know about, in the matchless name of Jesus, amen
Lord God, You already know that it grieves our heart and soul, so very much, when our kids and grandkids seem separated from You, and affected by their peers, and the ways of this world. Father, Lead and Guide them- in all ways. I pray that You give us Your Wisdom and Love and an outpouring of Your Spirit, so that YOU may be glorified in all we do and say.
Lord, protect and guide HJR’s Grand-daughter from the evil one.
WWJD?
We praise You and trust You and know that You Love each of us and are working out Your Plan and Purpose as You Will.
See-Ephesians 3: 20,21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
Amen to your prayer Beverlee.
I join Beverlee and all the others who are praying for HJR’s granddaughter and her friend.
He hears all our prayers and he will answer them, it might not be right away but I know they will be answered by Him, who loves those a- girls and all of us. Love never fails 1Cor.13 first part of verse 8. 🙏🙏
Amen to your prayer Laur.
May our Lord Jesus’ Will be done, in His Holy Name, Amen.
HJR,
We will all be praying for angels to surround and for God to protect your granddaughter. As well that you will have a sense of peace about her. All you can do is pray and keep your faith in God to intervene. Trust in Him and your Bible for strength. He will guide you and your granddaughter.
4 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:1-2 ESV
Father, in Jesus Name, I ask for doors to open for children of all ages, to be able to attend Christian functions and Sunday Schools. Thank You for the programs that are available. May many more return. Give enthusiasm and guidance to all who work with them. Amen