CONSIDER
Suggested Reading: Hebrews 12-13
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A statue of Peter stands at the entrance of the ancient ruins of Capernaum where he once lived with his family. You can see the depiction of the Key to the church that he holds in his right hand. The fish at his feet represents that he was a fisherman...of both fish and man. Peter considered Christ Jesus and decided to follow Him. The result was that his life and the world was changed forever!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Hebrews 12:3, 13:8
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Back in Hebrews 3:1, we are invited to “consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.” Now we are again asked to “consider Him!” Why does He endure such opposition from sinners? Before we answer this question, let us remember that the Apostle John teaches us that “if we say we have (present tense) no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us!” (1 John 1:8). Also note, just in case our human pride or a misunderstanding of Scripture makes us want to claim to be sinless, John included himself in using the word “we!” “We,” you and I, stand in opposition to Christ! Sin is anything less than the perfection of a holy God as revealed in Jesus! To the extent that we come short of God’s glory, purity, and holiness, Jesus is enduring “opposition from sinners.” We are called, not just to a one-time action called “repentance” (a godly sorrow for sin, such as causes us to quit the sin for which we are asking forgiveness), but to live in an attitude of constant repentance. 1 John 1:7b teaches us that “the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” The word, “cleanses” indicates a constant 24/7 cleansing!!! Day by day, as we grow into the likeness of Jesus, we are less and less in “opposition” to Him and more and more living a life pleasing to him!
Now, why “Opposition?” It’s because we, the human family, are sinners. We need to acknowledge this and move on to “consider…Christ Jesus!” What will be the results of considering Him every day? (this blog should help). Instead of becoming “weary and discouraged” in our souls (the persons we really are), we will continue becoming the opposite to “weary and discouraged,” full of life and encouraged!!! To “consider” Jesus will definitely do for us as Hebrews 1:12 says, “Strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, etc.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I pray that more and more I will consider You, read of You, meditate on You, dwell in the consciousness of Your presence, praying without ceasing, and in everything giving thanks! Therefore, my hands are not hanging down in discouragement, but they are raised in praise to You, and I do not have weak knees! I am strong in Christ!!! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Last Friday I received a response to my blog for the first time from my first cousin, Rev. Roy C. Kenny. Here’s what he wrote…Your blog is so well done. Your insights helpful. You are a great student of Scripture, bringing out insights not often mentioned. I’m reminded I was named after your Dad and Rev. J. Caldwell Black. -Roy
Roy served as a missionary to Haiti and Brazil during most of his years. God gave him a great harvest of precious souls as he planted several churches. Roy’s mother, my Dad’s older sister, my aunt Myrtle, was a great woman of prayer, and in my mind she exemplified the person who “prays without ceasing,” a person who constantly considered Christ Jesus, and as a result her hands were strengthened and her knees were not feeble. If Aunt Myrtle were here on earth today she would be 125 years old, as it is she is now ageless! I called Roy yesterday to say Hello and to thank him for his kind response. He gave me a powerful insight into Jesus words to Peter, “Follow me and I will make you a fisher of men.” He said that at 82 years old he faces big challenges as he follows Jesus, but that to “follow” means that Jesus has gone before him and his wife Doris, and therefore Jesus has worked it all out. In effect he was saying that there is no need to worry, just follow! That’s a powerful thought that has ministered to me over the past few hours.
Yours to “consider” and “follow!”
David
P.S. On Christmas Day, God willing, at 9:30 p.m. on the Crossroads Television Network we’ll visit the shepherds fields near Bethlehem, where I’m standing in the picture below. Beginning tomorrow night, right after 100 Huntley Street, the first of five shows I hosted last month from Bethlehem will go to air. But just for us on this blog, click here for #2 of those five Christmas shows. For those who received yesterday’s e-mail of the blog, you may want to click here to watch the christmas show I intended to post as the first release of the five. Sorry and thanks.
Many encouraging and sound words of advice today from Hebrews, David Mainse and Roy C. Kenny! Much to think about and act upon. The concept of following Jesus and His leading the way, certainly calms the spirit and allays anxiety. Faith, gratitude, trust and hope, this Christmas season. Blessings and cheer, to all!
In order to follow one needs to trust the person they are following. If you don’t trust the one who is leading the way chances are eventually you are going to seek the path you think is correct, instead of trusting in your guide.
Scripture and experience tells us our Lord is completely trustworthy; we should have no fear in following Him. And the more certain we are of the promise that our Lord will never lead as astray, the easier it is to let Him lead us without question or fear.
I hope everyone who was affected by the ice storm last night is safe and if driving about today,may the Lord protect you all. And in case I don’t get a chance later, wishing everyone on this blog a very Joyous Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
Wonderful message, this morning, David! I have been blessed by Roy and Doris Kenny. Doris used to lead the lady’s bible study at our church. I was at their home (I believe the summer of 2011) for a birthday party for Doris. Roy gave me the gift of one of his la hoya plants and it is thriving to this day–an absolutely splendid plant!
Thanks for the links, David. I look forward to watching the first two of the five Christmas shows you have arranged. I would like to send out a special prayer, today, for everyone dealing with the snow and ice storms across Canada and the United States. Lord God, and heavenly angels, please watch over and protect everyone dealing with these storms. Please grant traveling mercies to those who are trying to get home to spend Christmas with their families. We pray for warm and calm weather to empower everyone over the next few days! In Jesus precious name, amen, amen, and amen.
Amen and Amen:)
Amen!
Amen amen!!
I am thankful for 100 Words and how it has touched my heart, helping build up my relationship with our Lord, after feeling “torn down” for so long. The photos bring to life, the words you write, and God’s words to me. I attended church for 25 years , growing and learning, but have since made a heartwrenching choice to stop after much prayer and anguish, and not wanting a bitter root to grow, so I have pressed on in my walk, in solitary devotion, ( I am also “spiritually single) ;and your daily words and photos have helped bring new life in my devotional time. Thank you so very much. I truly, truly appreciate it, and you, for what you share with the world.
This morning David referred to his Aunt Myrtle as a great woman of prayer. The the link below shows a video of her leading in prayer at church in 1985. A Godly and kind woman that always considered others first. Grandma once told me that she spent 5 hours a day with the Lord in prayer. She knew the power of prayer. My Father, Osborne is Myrtle’s eldest son. He is also now ageless in heaven. He spoke so highly of his first cousin David Mainse. I feel so blessed to have such a Godly heritage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgUyOincHic
I look forward to reading God’s Word the first thing every morning and reading David’s comments with my fellow bloggers. What a great way to start the day. I admire you David!!
Thank you for that link! I so enjoyed listening to her prayer and was blessed by it.
Yesterday the fascinating question was raised about Isaac being sacrificed by his father, Did he object strenuously or comply willingly ? To find the answer we must look at the most quoted verse about Abraham’s faith. Abraham believed God and He counted it to him as righteousness. See Gen15:6, Romans 4:3. Gal.3:6 and James 2:23. Abraham sacrificing his son is found in Gen.22: 2-14
His responses are totally amazing in vs.5 We will worship and we will return
He called offering his son: Worship. How did he know. We will return ? Look at Gen.18:17 where the “Lord” says; Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing ?
Abraham understood perfectly well Gen 22:;8 My son, God will provide Himself the Sacrifice. ( which is better than God Himself will provide the Sacrifice )
What did Jesus say about Abraham’s faith. See John 8:56 Abraham rejoiced to see My Day and he saw it and was glad. Wow. 2000 years ahead,
Even more about this: Isaac was a type of Christ. Compare Gen.22 with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, which is the exact fulfilment of Isaac’s Sacrifice. Jesus also rode on a donkey, never spoke one word, See Matt.21.
He entered the Sheep’s Gate into the Temple where all the animals to be sacrificed were examined for 4 days to prove they were perfect. See Ex.12:6
That is why Palm Sunday is 4 days before Good Friday. We may rest assured that father Abraham shared his perfect understanding of God’s great Plan of Salvation with Isaac and also his absolute assurance of the Resurrection and could say without a doubt; We will worship and we will return. Is that overwhelming truth that the Holy Spirit will show you things to come. I find Gen 22 so awesome. Hope this is helpful. Wishing you all a most blessed Christmas . Bill Lensink.
A great answer re: Isaac. I would love to print it off but I’m not sure how to do that from Face Book. I will give it a try. Today I saw the “treasury of ice” that is mentioned in scripture. God said, have you considered my treasury of snow.? I thought, yes, snow is beautiful. Then it mentioned the treasury of ice. I could not understand that but today I have see it in the trees. We are surrounded by trees in the Dundas Valley area and they are all coated in ice. They are beautiful (but dangerous, I think). Merry Christmas all.
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness all I have to do is FOLLOW!!
Thank you for all you do, David, in getting this blog out to us every morning. It has become a part of my daily routine and what a great routine it is! Routine but always new and fresh. Have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones.
I keep saying i enjoy this blog it lifts me up, higher and higher, much more so
now , I’m so lonely with out my husband here he has gone to heaven and it is
not a real Christmas with out him , wishing you all a blessed and merry
Christmas……R….
We enjoy you being a part of this blog, Rosemarie. We pray and lift your name up to the Lord at this time, that He might bring you a special word of comfort and joy to your soul this Christmas. God’s richest blessings! Amen.
Amen, and amen!! Praying for you Rosemarie, that you won’t be so lonely, and that you are especially blessed this Christmas, dear sister-in-Christ!
We love you Rosemarie and pray God will send you a Special Angel to comfort you this Christmas.
He is holding you in His Everlasting Arms. Rest in Him.
Wonderful….wonderful! All of this blog is wonderful!
Thank you David
Dido to the prayers
love and prayers to all and have a very Merry Christmas!
Marla
Dear Rosemarie
It greives me to hear you are lonely, if you would like to talk some time or have a prayer I would love to hear from you. I am hear.
My phone no. is 613.387.3443 I can be reached most evenings.
Dear lord I just lift up Rosemarie and I ask for you to surround her with your love and presents, that she will no longer feel lonely but instead she will feel contentment and peace . In Jesus Name AMEN!
Your sister in Christ !
Marla 🙂
Loved the Crossroads programs and look forward to the next three. This blog makes the Bible come alive so meaningfully for me. Thank you and God bless your whole precious family!
Loved the Crossroads programs and look forward to the next three. This blog makes the Bible come so alive for me. Thank you and God bless your whole precious family!