BE PREPARED
Today’s Reading: Exodus 31
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).
The priest is before the Altar of Incense and the Veil, behind which is the Holy of Holies. This is in the full-sized replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle which was on display at the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario, during the summer of 2012.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Exodus 31:3
And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.
In order to be prepared for all God desires, we must do our part. Yes, God will give us gifts, enabling us to do our part. God created gold, silver, copper (out of which bronze was made), jewels, and silver. Bezaleel, grandson of Hur, who lifted the hands of Moses, was prepared with his gifts to co-operate with God for God’s purpose. He was the chief artisan of the Tabernacle. God gave Moses the details but never intended that Moses would do it all by himself. We need the leadership of our Pastors, and our Pastors need us. As God has filled us with His Spirit, given us gifts “in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,” let’s show up and say, “I’m here Pastor. What do you need done?”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, by Your grace given to me, I will show up at the Pastor’s study and ask, “Is there anything I can do to help you fulfill God’s call?” Lord, may I be willing to do a small task which no one else but You and the Pastor will know about, or a big task which the whole congregation notices. May I not expect recognition or honour. I want to be Your loyal servant. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen (so be it)!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The motto of the Boy Scouts is “Be Prepared.” I had the opportunity to be a Cub, a Scout, and at 18, a Scout Leader for a year. I had those two words drilled into me. I love to work with my hands, as well as my heart and mind. Norma-Jean loves to serve too. A couple of years back, she took on a project of knitting toques for AIDS orphans in Africa. It gets cold in the highlands of Africa, particularly at night. I watched her for days as she knitted 55 of them. Many others joined her as our Crossroads Missions promoted the “Toques for Africa” challenge. We received over 10,300 knitted toques by our 100 Huntley Street viewers! Our missions partner in Swaziland booked the National Stadium, filled it with AIDS orphaned children, and handed out these treasures, along with many other blessings. What joy this service brought to the heart of God and to the hearts and heads of the children. (Our mission partner for that project was Heart for Africa…www.heartforafrica.org).
Yours for service for the Lord,
David
What a joy to be felt when the children in Africa received their hand made toques!! Stories like this, warm heart and soul. When an opportunity to help arises, let’s do our best to fulfill the need. Amen, so be it!
Amen Lord show us how we can show Your Love to the Lost and Dying World prepare their hearts to recieve You in Jesus name Amen
Serving our heavenly Father is such a joy.
Blessings fellow bloggers.
The lost & dying world is also right around us & they are distracted by so much around us. We cannot all go but we can “stay by the stuff” and, most importantly, serve right where we are planted! I would love to go & help with the orphans but age & health prevent that. Oswald J Smith was turned down by missions (poor health)? But he wrote amazing, numerous, hymns, poems, books, had the greatest misions funding ministry in the world AND was an amazing preacher AND on & on & on. So many “fields” are ripe. Lord send forth laborers here& abroad.
Yes, we are each called to give in the way the Lord has designed us to, Doreen. Amen!
Amen Lynda
Service and prayer are different sides of the same coin. Prayer prepares our hearts for service and service prepares our hearts for prayer. But both are the means we experience God, it is how get to know His heart, His love and His desires.
If you wish to serve, check your prayer life. The more you pray for others, the more God will stir you heart until serving doesn’t feel like an option, but rather a deep need of your soul. And if your trying to serve without praying then you are in danger of burning out.
The most fruitful Christians seem to be those who understand how service and prayer are connected and how God works through both to reveal Himself to World.
Anyway, ironically on a day we called Labour Day I hope all of you enjoy your day of rest on this last holiday weekend of the summer.
AMEN! What a privilege to serve the Lord at home and abroad. I remember your project Norma-Jean and two ladies from our group knitted toques but you had already received your quota so they were sent to Haiti where children also wear such things. I covet your prayers fellow saints as I prepare to go to Bulgaria in a few weeks to help pass out Bibles. Thanks and love to all.
Wow! Will pray Ger. God prepare the hearts of those who will receive them. Open their eyes, their ears, and their understanding. Direct Ger’s footsteps. Guide, protect, provide, & help, in Jesus Name. Thank you Lord for what You are going to do. Amen.
Wow, wow, wow, Ger!! God bless you, dear sister-in-Christ. As you prepare to set forth on your journey to Bulgaria to hand out Bibles, know you are covered with his feathers and blessed by your faithfulness. The gift of love to the people in Bulgaria receiving God’s Word is an act of spreading his seed as a faithful servant. They will be so blessed!! Amen, sister!
The apostle Paul wrote, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:1-2, New KJV). Oh good and faithful servant, you are following the example set by Paul and Barnabas by serving the Lord. Praise God through whom all blessings flow!
Dear sister in Christ
It is so fabulous that you are doing such a mission.
May The Holy Spirit guide you as you give God’S Precious WORD to all in need of salvation IN JESUS’NAME Amen Amen
Will be adding you’re name Ger
on Wednesday with my sisters and brothers in Christ and keep you in prayers with all our missionaries here and around the
world at Fairview Alliance church.
God bless you,
xoxo Carole
AMEN! Norma Jean certainly started a wonderful thing in knitting toques and I am so very glad that a number of people came forward to help. It is amazing how something starts small and grows into a large thing. Amen!
Amen Doreen I join with your pray for Ger, and for the Lord’s protection over Ger in the preparation and travel
Thank You Holy Spirit as You lead and guide me through this day for the Glory of Our Father in Jesus Name I pray, Amen
Ger, Stay safe, God Bless you in you work for the Lord and the
people in Bulgaria ….Rose…
Joining with the others Ger that The Lord will give preparation and safety in travel to Bulgaria in service to The Lord. So glad you are feeling well enough to travel and serve.
Praying for receptive hearts to receive The Bibles. Love in Jesus
Struck by the words in Exodus 31:18: And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.
Yes, they were written with the finger of God. The scene reflected in the movie ‘The Ten Commandments’, comes to mind. The power of our God is so great and all powerful. Amen!
Have a blessed day, dear saints!
as one gets older the energy level reduces Canadian Lutheran World Relief does alot of work in regards to missionaries, blankets, vests, touques, mitts, and so much more God bless all the organizations and people who make time to serve others cheerfully. My church we have had many people go to countries to serve the Lord re Bibles, medicine, clothing, care kits for women, children and men, we have had people go to Guatemala, Africia, Brazil, Vancouver, The Pas, and Habitat for Humanity…Thank the Lord people are willing to serve in whatever area that needs attention. Of course everyone can pray, others can donate financially, and a good lsitener is always welcome. Blessings to all.
I wold also like to mention other churches in my commumnity have opened up relationships in other countries the latest being Japan. A group went one week and now 3 weeks and next year will be 6 weeks. they share the gospel with music and they went to the area where the BIG STORM HIT and will be helping rebuild. They build sturctures, and take much needed supplies. Of course the people on this hand are donate $$$ and supplies. It takes alot of planning to make such a trip happen. Permission from all levels of government and so on….Praise the Lord for this who serve with gladness!!!!
Thank all of you dear sisters who pledged your prayers of support for my trip. I am joining a mission group of 17 and very good leadership. I am strengthened when I think of all your faithful prayers for me and we can accomplish it together. I would like to post one of my special poems for you by Sandra Goodwin.
Traveling on My Knees
Last night I took a journey
To a land across the seas;
I did not go by boat or plane,
I traveled on my knees.
I saw so many people there
In deepest depths of sin,
But Jesus told me I should go,
That there were souls to win.
But I said,”Jesus, I cannot go
And work with such as these.”
He answered quickly,”Yes, you can
By traveling on your knees.”
He said,”You pray; I’ll meet the need.
You call and I will hear,
Be concerned about lost souls,
Of those both far and near.”
And so I tried it, knelt in prayer,
Gave up some hours of ease;
I felt the Lord right by my side
While travelling on my knees.
As I prayed on and saw souls saved
And twisted bodies healed’
And saw God’s workers’ strength renewed
While laboring on the field.
I said, “Yes, Lord, I have a job,
My desire Thy will to please;
I can go and heed Thy call
By traveling on my knees.”
This is written in seven stanzas of four verses each. God bless you.
Thank you Ger for this great poem, worth printing and reading often. Catherine
Dear Ger:
Yes thanks from me also for the poem are the Bibles printed in their language do you speak their language just wondering I am thankful for all those who go outside the box and share the Gospel God be with you on your journey to Bulgaria