GOD’S CHOICE
Today’s Reading: Numbers 17-18
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).
Evening sets on the Eastern Gate, or Golden Gate, of the Old City of Jerusalem.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Numbers 17:10
And the Lord said to Moses, “Bring Aaron’s rod back before the Testimony, to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put their complaints away from Me, lest they die.
King David wrote, “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4b). The “rod” was the shepherd’s aggressive weapon. With this, leadership was established, both with the sheep and an attacking animal or person. This instrument of authority, the rod, was God’s choice as a sign of His authority. The dead stick, Aaron’s rod, sprouted buds, blossoms and ripe almonds. By putting this in the Ark, the leadership issue was settled once and for all. Chapter 18 has to do with the remuneration of those who served full time in the work of God on behalf of the people. It’s not so long ago that Pastors and Evangelists serving in farming communities were paid with a side of beef, vegetables, chickens, etc. During the 1930’s and into the Second World War, cash was hard to come by. No doubt it was the same in Israel’s case.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord, if necessary to stop murmuring, give Your people a sign which confirms Your call on the lives of the leaders You have chosen. Enable me, O Lord, to have that inner witness of Your Spirit with my spirit, that my leaders are Your choice, whether or not I have a physical manifestation such as a dead stick that springs to life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I was born in 1936, the height of the depression, and our family lived by the gifts of meat and other produce given by those great people called “Farmers.” Every evening from about ’41 to ’45, I would run over to Mr. White’s farm across the field. I would carefully walk back as I was carrying a pail of fresh milk, still warm from the cow. The White family were of a different denomination than we were, but it made no difference. A portion of the tithe of the milk went to our family while my father served as a missionary in Egypt. Our family stayed behind in Canada because of the danger of the war raging in North Africa and Europe. When Daddy arrived home in December of 1944, Mr. White, Chairman of the local School Board, asked my Father to take over teaching the 52 pupils from grades 1 – 8 in our one-room schoolhouse. He did, and believe me, there was absolutely no murmuring, particularly from me, about Dad’s authority and leadership.
Yours for obedience to God’s directions and loyalty to those He has chosen,
David
P.S. Over the past few days I’ve been participating in a conference in Jerusalem that has drawn several thousand of our Christian leaders from all over the world. Yesterday I gave a link to “Watchmen for the Nations” and its President, David Damien. Today I want to introduce you to a great Pastor whose leadership is an example we can all follow. His name is Rev. Dr. Gideon Chiu. He has been one of the primary reasons for my 100% support of the “Watchmen” movement (click here). Below is a photo of a time of prayer at Caesarea Philippi, where Peter responded to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” Find Peter’s answer in Matthew 16:13-26.
The strength of our Lord God being in control is a comfort. May He watch over you, David, Norma-Jean and the tour group, today, and be at your right hand, dear saints. Nothing is too great for our God when it comes to moving mountains and making miracles.
He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
P.S. I love the majesty of today’s photo, Reynold–thank you!
I have been blessed especially with the worship at 822Call.
It has been really wonderful to watch and enter into.
God bless everyone. Please pray for me today as I have a difficult funeral to go to, a very unexpected sudden death of a man totally on fire for the Lord. It is hard to understand as we feel he was needed here, but someday we will know. I also ask for prayer for sleep as I am not able to get to sleep and get a good nights rest. Thank you for your prayers.
I pray for peace for your soul Elizabeth. God works in mysterious ways and you can have faith that it is always for good. As you say, some day we will know the answer to many ‘whys’.
Am reading a good book right now which u have probably heard of, The Daniel Plan. In it Rick Warren tells us to “worry about nothing and pray for everything”. Since following this advice, sleep has been no problem for me. I pray this helps you strengthen your faith and peace of mind. May God bless you.
I was born after the end of the second world war and yes, remember when food was a payment for services rendered even by doctors. My parents had food stamps issued by the government which we found in an old grandfather clock many years later. My dad was a farmer but not on a grand scale. He had 14 children and a devoted wife to feed as well as many, many relatives. Gives a whole new meaning to ‘those were the days’.
Love the pics today. What a wonderful opportunity to visit such ancient grounds.
God bless you Rev. and all fellow saints.
A friend sent me this video. So moving. Elvis was a man of God but got caught up in human pitfalls.
Fascinating to watch and sad in many ways,but nobody will ever take his
place
Elvis Presley – ‘Unchained Melody’:
When Elvis Presley hit the road in June 1977, he was an absolute mess.
He was only 42, but years of prescription drug abuse and horrifying dietary
habits had left him bloated, depressed and near death.
He had an enlarged heart, an enlarged intestine, hypertension and incredibly
painful bowel problems. He was barely sleeping and should have probably been
in the hospital, but he was still a huge draw on the concert circuit and the
money was too good to turn down. It had been over a year since Elvis last
released a studio album, and manager Colonel Tom Parker was determined to
get more product into the stores. Despite Elvis’ horrid shape, Parker
arranged for a camera crew to film the June 19th show in Omaha for a planned
TV special and live album. It eventually aired on CBS two months after Elvis
died, and has yet to resurface in any official capacity. This isn’t the
Elvis that his estate wants the fans to remember. Two days later, the
cameras were still rolling when the tour hit Rapid City , South Dakota. It
was another weak and sad night until Elvis sat down at the piano near the
end to deliver a spellbinding rendition of ” Unchained Melody .” As
guitarist Charlie Hodge held a microphone, Elvis dug deep and poured his
heart into the song. His body was falling apart, but his voice remained
almost as powerful as ever. Without any doubt, it’s the last great moment of
his career. The tour limped along through five more shows, wrapping up June
26th at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis , Indiana. The show ended
with “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” He died less than two months later.
http://www.flixxy.com/elvis-presley-unchained-melody-with-never-seen-before-intro.htm#.U_iNvpmsJuw.gmail
Father God
I pray for Elizabeth that you will give her peace, strength and energy
to go through this time of grief as well for all who know this man.
in Jesus name
Amen
Lianne Hogg
truly a Majestic photo Reynold!
I grew up on a farm and thank God for the healthy food Mother prepared from the provision that the land provided, and the animals were not “fast fed”, and the vegetables and grain was not covered with all kinds of pestilence.
Love the picture of you sharing the word to the group sitting around attentively.
Dear Reverend David, I am very grateful for your daily blogs…everyday I learn a new lesson…it jumps off the pages and talks to me. Thank you Reynold for the beautiful photography. Visiting Jerusalem has been a goal of mine for years. Your photography takes me there everyday. Thank you.
Your family has become my family…my thoughts and prayers are with you every day. Bless you.
Please pray for the healthy recovery of my husband Riley and peace and patience for me.
Dear Penny …I agree it prayer for your husband for “God’s Highest and best for him”…and extend to you Jesus’ words in…
“John 14:27: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
as you rest in His peace…His patience enfold you!