RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
Today’s Reading: Joshua 19-20
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).
These are the ancient walls of the main city of the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:40-48), located in northern Israel near the base of Mount Hermon and the source of the Jordan River. When Lot had been taken captive, Abraham and 318 of his servants pursued him as far as the city of Dan (Gen. 14:14). The Canaanite city of Laish had existed on this site over 5,000 years ago. Joshua had led his troops through this area, and sometime after Israel captured this city, the name was changed to Dan. It became the northernmost city in the nation of Israel.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Joshua 19:49 & 20:4
When they had made an end of dividing the land as an inheritance according to their borders, the children of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun…When he flees to one of those cities…and declares his case…they shall take him into the city as one of them, and give him a place…
Two facts stand out to me from our reading. First, Joshua put others first and did not ask anything for himself. The general agreement of the people resulted in Joshua’s inheritance. Our Joshua, Yeshua (Jesus), has put us first. We could ask ourselves the question, What is His portion? Imagine the joy Joshua felt when the people came together after the distribution of land was settled, and the people honoured him. We read of our Yeshua, “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). He put us first. How can we do less than put Him first?
Second, when the avenger was chasing the one who accidentally had killed someone, the one being chased could flee to a safe city. When the accuser (Satan) or anyone else is out to deliberately do us harm, we flee into the refuge of the strong arms of Jesus and we are safe. Read Hebrews 6:17-20 and flee for refuge.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You’ve provided for my life now and, in the age to come, eternal life. You put me first before Your own rights as God’s Son. I can do no less than determine to put You first at all times and places. You’ve also given Yourself to me as a refuge into which I run in times of trouble. I ask for grace to give myself to You 24/7, holding nothing back. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Back in 1992, when we were about to open our new state-of-the-art, 143,000 square foot television production centre, a reporter interviewed me and wrote in his prominent magazine approximately the following: “David Mainse is hanging on to his sanity by his fingernails” (not true – I was standing on “The Rock of Ages” and He was holding me. At least this secular reporter admitted that I had sanity! Ha!). The costs had gone far above original estimates, and then there were commitments to our pavilion at World Expo ’92 in Spain, where we had built and were operating a Christian pavilion which was bringing thousands to Christ. We were in trouble, humanly speaking. Many, many prayed for Crossroads and for me, and thousands gave sacrificially, but I want to single out two that come to mind just now. Dave Toycen, President of World Vision Canada, came to see me and prayed personally and fervently for me. Brian Stiller, at that time President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, also came to my aid. They helped me flee into the refuge of God’s love and grace. Brian declared with certainty, “The people of Canada won’t let you down!” He then offered to travel with me across Canada to meet hundreds of Pastors in various cities. Many Pastors, as a result, voiced their conviction that Crossroads/100 Huntley Street was essential to our country and prayed for us in their church services. Offerings flowed in. The crisis was resolved. Needs were met. God and His people are my City of Refuge. Thank You to all who opened the gates of a City of Refuge, caring for Crossroads and for me at a time of crisis. Yours for opening the gates of our hearts to those who are running our way for refuge,
David
P.S. Here are pictures of the Crossroads Centre and “La Pabellon de la Promessa” in Spain.
The front of the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario.
The “Pebellion de la Promesa” (Pavilion of Promise) at Expo ’92 in Seville Spain.
Ask and so shall you receive–for the kingdom and glory of God–amen! Holding fast to the promise and hope of Jesus that has been set before us and never letting go of His cloak. God ‘s abundant blessings are through His counsel, and are confirmed by an oath and the truth and the way. We find sure and steadfast safety and lay hold to the hope set before us, that anchors our souls, in Jesus’s name! We love You, our Saviour, our precious Redeemer. It’s all for Your glory. Amen and amen!
God bless you, David Mainse and family, and dear fellow saints!
Thank you Beverley for those links yesterday. They are beautiful! I have bookmarked all of them. I don’t usually leave comments anymore but I am still following every day – have been since Day 1. Blessings to you sister in the Lord!
Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5PAW2lMqs0
It is 4:35 a.m. in the west: Rev. David it is so great to read this blog and pray the prayer together with you.
Thank you for the photos of Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ont. and the Pavilion of Promise in Seville Spain.
I remember when the Crossroads Centre was being built; you being in the midst of it with your “hard hat” on; during the time it was being built.
Thank you Reynold for today’s wonderful picture! which affirms scripture and the land allotted to the Tribe of Dan.
For some reason this did not come through as an e-mail…I was only able to receive by coming through the January 30th blog.
Thank You Lord that your are my Refuge and my Strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, safe and secure from all alarm!!! Thank you Jesus!!!
beautiful words Irene! Thank you! It’s 4:26 a.m. and I am not asleep yet! My whole sleep pattern turned ujpside down! It’s odd, I go to sleep at 6 a.m. and wake up around 2 p.m. I feel great! It just takes some work to adjust to the day and what I can do! I am not complaining! I am thankful! Today I was thanking the Lord over and over for swimming, for taking smokes/alcohol from me, all 20 years ago this April! I am truly thankful! the Lord spoke to me about something I did 2 days ago, something really stupid, He told me to retract my letter and I did today and I am thankful for what God has done! I would have been very embarrassed! I am just thankful I had time to do this! But that’s our God, we can make mistakes and sometimes we can change those errors and it truly is God doing His thing in our lives! He showers us with abundant gerace and mercy! Blessings to all!
Amen Beverlee
Lianne Hogg
David I did not get to go to the pavillan in 1992 but I got a graduation present in
1996 and went to Expo in Vancouver I’ll never for get my trip
Lianne Hogg
Thank you David for bringing this bible study and inspiration to us each day. Also for the beautiful photos Reynold. Studied the tribes and their position in Israel this morning. Joshua reminds us of Abraham and his selflessness. Your songs and scenery yesterday are a welcome site today Beverlee as January is going out like a lion today but thank God for the refuge in our homes. Blessings on all of you.
David, I love 100words.ca, and read along faithfully. Thank you so much for doing it, and thanks to all your family, and all those involved in prayer and support.
One question though:how do you know Laish was on that site 5000 years ago? Wasn’t that before the flood?
A friend sent me this lovely poem and I do tend to whine a bit. Great study today Rev. Thank you and for all the pics.
THE WORLD IS MINE – Author Unknown
Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman and wished I were as beautiful.
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and used a crutch. But as she passed, she passed a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two legs; the world is mine.
I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad. If I were late, it’d do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me, “I thank you, you’ve been so kind.
It’s nice to talk with folks like you. You see,” he said, “I’m blind.”
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two eyes; the world is mine.
Later while walking down the street, I saw a child I knew.
He stood and watched the others play, but he did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said, “Why don’t you join them dear?”
He looked ahead without a word. I realized, he couldn’t hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two ears; the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I’d go..
With eyes to see the sunset’s glow.
With ears to hear what I would know.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine
I’ve been blessed indeed, the world is mine.
Thank you Lynda and worthy if forwarding to bless others. Bless you. Catherine
This blog each day is such a blessing and even though it is my second time around, there is something new to learn and bless me. Thank you Pastor David
And Reynold for the pictures. Blessings to all.
It is wonderful to feel safe in the arms of Jesus.