GOD CARES
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 11-12
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).
Photographed from Migdal you can see Mount Arbel on the left and the Valley of Doves, which is on the west side of the Sea of Galilee. Just beyond are the Horns of Hattin where on Saturday, July 4, 1187, the war between the Crusader kingdom of Jerusalem and the forces of the Ayyubid dynasty was fought. The Muslim armies under Saladin captured or killed the vast majority of the Crusader forces, removing their capability to wage war. As a direct result of the battle, Islamic forces once again became the eminent military power in the Holy Land, re-conquering Jerusalem and several other Crusader-held cities.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 11:11b & 12
A land of hills and valleys which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.
Migdal, mentioned in the picture caption, is the home of Mary Magdalene, the one to whom Jesus first appeared after His resurrection (John 20:11-18). She is a great example of the care Jesus has for people. God also cares for the land. We’re almost at the year end. Canada’s official motto is, “He shall have dominion from sea to sea,” “Ad mare usque ad mare” (Psalm 72:8). As we approach the new year, we may want to reflect on the motivation for our obedience to God. Are we motivated by fear or love? For Mary of Migdal, out of whom Jesus had cast demons, it was love that brought her back to the garden tomb. Because of love she stayed close to Jesus as He carried His Cross. Psalm 103:13 & 14 tells us that, “as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear [hold in awesome reverence] Him. He knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust.” Are we, like Mary, confused and sorrowful? Peter writes, “Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, in these days leading up to the New Year, I ask You to increase my faith, so that I am totally confident that You care for me every day of the year. As I look back over this past year, You have cared for everything about me! Thank You! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
It was on this day in 2012, according to the Mayan calendar, that the world was supposed to end. Remember that? Ephesians 3:21 says, “…world without end. Amen!” Yes, there will come a time of cataclysmic change. For Peter’s perspective on the Mayan prediction I’ve just read 2 Peter 3:1-18. I know God cares, and He’s also in charge of whatever happens to this world. The last few words of our key verse are worthy of repetition… “The eyes of the Lord are always on it [the land] from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.” As we approach the end of the year, I’m living in total confidence in the providential care of our Creator, Sustainer, Provider, Healer, Saviour, and Lord of All.
Yours for a renewed confidence in God’s care,
David
From Michael Youssef’s Leading the Way devotional for today:
“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born.”
“This Christmas, how will you live in response to the greatest act of love the world has ever known? As you come before the Lord this week, ask Him to reveal more to you about His precious Son, His costly sacrifice, and His great gift of salvation.”
“Prayer: Heavenly Father, open my eyes to the magnificence of Jesus’ birth. Teach me about the power of Your sacrifice and show me the depths of Your love this Christmas season. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
“”The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).”
Amen Rob. I am encouraged to remember that He has His eyes on the world from the beginning of the year, and to it’s end. Family of 6 has already travelled to France to be with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins, for Christmas. I have plans to travel to another city here in Ontario. Weather predictions say that travel may be challenging. I’m asking the Lord for His guidance. Have a Wonderful Christmas all. May the Lord keep you safe and close to Himself. Amen
Beautiful comment Rob and as the young people say, Ty.
May God bless each and everyone of us this special time of the year.
Merry Christmas!
Amen to the above comments. Merry Christmas everyone.
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:32-33 ESV
Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) (Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4IeOjpe2p8
Merry Christmas to everyone and a happy and prosperous and healthy New Year 2023 🎉🙏✝️
I prayed David’s Prayer for Today.
Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year 2023. To God be the Glory and Praise forever, Amen.
Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and a better 2023.
May your travels be safe, here’s hoping we will all be able to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, with family and friends.🙏🙏🙏
Eleanor M.