THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN
Today’s Reading: Psalms 114-116
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The “Red Basilica” (Turkish: Kizil Avlu), also called the “Red Hall” or “Red Courtyard,” is a monumental ruined temple in the ancient city of Pergamos, one of the seven churches described in Revelation 2 & 3, now Bergama, in western Turkey. It is one of the largest Roman structures still surviving in the ancient Greek world. The temple is thought to have been used for the worship of the Egyptian gods, specifically Isis and/or Serapis.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalm 116:14-15
I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His saints.
Psalm 114 – What magnificent poetic imagery! We can let our imaginations soar when we consider that nature itself responds to the presence of God…”The mountains skipped like lambs!”
In Psalm 115 the question is asked by Gentiles of the Jewish people, “Where is their God?” The gods of this world were visible, as we see in the carved idol pictured below. They could not understand the worship of the God of Israel who could not be depicted by an image. Five times we are reminded here that we are blessed by our God! Let us rejoice and bless Him in return! Here’s a New Testament reading about idols – Romans 1:20-25.
Psalm 116 encourages us to personalize the message. It is written in the first person singular. Here are at least four reasons as to why we need to pray: (1) God hears us! Amen! (2) We need salvation and rest! Amen! (3) God promises great benefits throughout our lives. Prayer activates those benefits! Amen! (4) Our key verse reminds us that even our deaths are precious to God. Therefore, we call upon the Name of the Lord! And we will keep the promises (vows) which we have made to the Lord! He keeps His promises to us and on that basis we pray! Amen! Amen!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, Your Word teaches me that I must not bow down, worship and pray to any idol! I promise You that I will never do that. I pray by Your grace given to me that I will not make an idol of anything or anyone that would draw my attention away from You. I pray that I will forever worship You and You alone. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Often when someone we know dies, my wife Norma-Jean will send to a loved one left behind the Words, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” These are the faithful believers in Jesus and not just the few who are officially called “saints.” The word “saint” comes from the Latin word “sanctus” (holy). I find that the Scriptures teach me that by faith the righteousness of Jesus Christ is put on my account in God’s sight. Romans 3:22a tells us “The righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe.” Objectively, in God’s eyes I am promised, as a believer, the righteousness of God for me and on me! Subjectively, I have a long way to go, but I’m on my way to truly holy living! Amen!!! Writing this blog is helping me in that direction. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 is God’s truth well worth reading in regards to being seen as holy in God’s sight!
So….I greet all my fellow bloggers who are believers in Jesus by saying, “Have a saintly day, saints!”
David
Here you can see the stone-carved idol of one of the Egyptian gods that has been excavated and put on display outside of the Red Basilica in Pergamos. Many great buildings housed images as described in Psalm 115:4-8.
Praying for you today, Beverlee and committing you into the Lord’s hands for His strength and peace.
With nine brothers and four sisters I’ve never been called a saint before and I love it!! Thank you for this daily study Rev. Mainse.
Noticed a book about the Shemitah is for sale on your programming. My sister-in-love lives down in the States and sent me this video about the Shemitah. It is long but so interesting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rkELgi6EkNo
Have a blessed day fellow saints.
Continuing to bring you before the Lord Beverlee. Rest in His care and I pray easement if pain. You are loved. Blessings dear sister in Christ
With God, all things are possible. We are called to believe that He is able to make deeply flawed mortals Holy. No wonder we tremble before Him. I pray that the holy blood of Jesus, that flows on the Mercy Seat, sanctifies us continually – for Jesus’s sake. And I pray for Beverley that ‘by His stripes, Beverley is healed’.
Forgot to say Thank You David for your blogging so faithfully. I profit so much from your words. Don’t ever think 100 is too many!!
Amen! Ger.
Claiming that verse,David, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” for the one who prayed this week. I remember Rev. Charles Price saying that it’s a changed life that really shows salvation not just a prayer. Love these psalms and blog. God bless you.
“Oh Worship the Lord, in the Beauty of Holiness, Serve Him with gladness all ye saints” Psalm 96:9
Great pictures!!!
Thank you Pastor David for the scripture links and your anointed prayer!!
So good to worship together through this blog!!
Praying for you this morning Beverlee, for the Lord’s intervention during and through the surgery, and for a complete healing Jesus I pray. Amen and Amen!!
Amen. God’s best for you, Beverlee.
Amen and agreement…in HIS faithful care!!!
Praying for the Lord to guide the surgeons hands this morning for Beverlee. Also pray for a speedy recovery. God bless you. Also thank you all for prayers for my husband.
there are 2 new treatments for cancer,
the first is a Vitamin C, Zinc and Magnesium given intravenous to go directly into the blood stream, this is given by a Naturopath and is given after chemo and stops the need for radiation
I have known people in my town who did this, and it is amazing how it works and it is so much easier on the people, it seems to reduce the side effcts of chemo…..the people are up and active, in the pool, feeling very good
the other is called Personalized Onco-Genetics.this is a method whereby some drugs are put together that fit the patient, not everyone needs chemo for instance, this procedure is from the British Columbia Cancer Agency, and it appears to replace chemo and radiation and also I have met a person who had this done and the difference in their lives was like day and night!
I pass these on for others to investigate……..
I pray for all who needing the TOUCH OF GOD’S HAND on their lives and they will be completely healed, in body and spirit! Amen