“LIFE”
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 37-38
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The ruins of the School of Aristotle is a short distance from contemporary Naoussa, Greece. This is the place believed to be where the renowned philosopher of antiquity taught classical Greek thought and the ideals of Platonic philosophy. His students included the son of the King of Macedonia Phillip II, Alexander the Great, and the other nobles of the Macedonian court. The encounter of these two most prominent personalities of the ancient world, Aristotle, the scientist, with the great military commander, Alexander, would definitely affect the future of mankind.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Jeremiah 38:20b
Please obey the voice of the Lord which I speak to you. So it shall be well with you and your soul shall live.
Today’s reading tells of Jeremiah’s ministry during the siege of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans/Babylonians. It seems that the reason King Zedekiah did not do as the Lord said through Jeremiah was that he was a weak leader who could not stand up to the strong, ruthless and ungodly leaders around him. They believed that an alliance with Egypt would save them, preserving the sovereignty of Judah and Benjamin. The Babylonians left their siege of Jerusalem to go and fight the approaching Egyptian army and the people thought they were safe. This was not to be the case. Jeremiah was imprisoned, released and imprisoned again because of his message. Our key verse is Jeremiah’s final call to King Zedekiah. Zedekiah feared men more than God, and the final result was disaster. All Jeremiah’s prophecies came to fulfillment.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for strength to obey Your Word rather than the words of those opposed to You. I ask for grace so that it will be well with me, with my family, and with those for whom I bear the responsibility to communicate Your Word. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My photographer son chose a picture for today which speaks to me of the rising of another great world empire, Macedonia/Greece. Israel/Judah and Jerusalem are located on the land bridge between Europe (Greece, Rome), Asia (Assyria, Babylon, Persia), and Africa (Egypt, Ethiopia). The armies of these nations crossed back and forth again and again through Israel. This is why the British began referring to the region as the “Middle East.” This small piece of our planet is still the focus of world news and the attention of the world’s great powers. God’s original creation of the human family happened in this area, and people then spread out to all points of the compass. The same was true for the Message of Jesus in the first centuries of the Church of Jesus Christ. The Greek language of that time was like the English language of today. English is everywhere as a result of the former British Empire and of the world’s super power of today, the United States. Because of this, our online communications service (Crossroads360.com) could potentially be accessed by far more people outside Canada, U.S.A., and other places where English is the majority language, than inside these countries. The teachings of the philosophers, as highlighted by today’s photo, have had great influence, but the teachings of Jesus, His life, death and resurrection, has brought life to billions of people (read John 1:1-18).
Yours for communicating the message as to how, as Jeremiah said, “It shall be well with you and your soul shall live!” (click here for Crossroads presents, “THE LIFE!”),
David
I am always in awe of the pictures! They are real pictures taken exactly as the area is and it’s gives a tingling feeling to see these pictures and to realize that Jesus walked in some of these areas! He talked to the disciples in some of these areas! He ate, prayed in some of these areas! It is very comforting and very interesting! Thank you Reynold Mainse and thank you David Mainse for listening to God to start this blog and to share with people around the world!
Amen, Sah!
yes, Amen Sah!
The photo accompanying today’s scripture and message is especially appealing. Jeremiah was a man of strength hope and fortitude, indeed. Praying for world peace, hope and healing, for all who face burdens that seem too heavy to bear. We lean on the rock and salvation of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and love and support of fellow saints in our lives. To everyone on the blog, wishing you an incredible day!
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
It Is Well With My Soul, Matt Redman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygH1BXuP7Gs
thank you Beverlee…”it is well with my soul”
I was hoping someone would post a link to this, I too thought of this great hymn!
“Behind him lay the gray Azores,
Behind the gates of Hercules;
Before him not the ghost of shores,
Before him only shoreless seas.
The good Mate said: “Now we must pray,
For lo! the very stars are gone.
Brave Admiral, speak, what shall I say?”
“Why, say, ‘Sail on! sail on! and on!'”
“My men grow mutinous day by day;
My men grow ghastly wan and weak!”
The stout Mate thought of home; a spray
Of salt wave washed his swarthy cheek.
“What shall I say, brave Admiral, say,
If we sight naught but seas at dawn?”
“Why, you shall say at break of day,
‘Sail on! sail on! sail on! and on!'”
They sailed. They sailed. Then spake the Mate:
“This mad sea shows its teeth tonight.
He curls his lip, he lies in wait,
With lifted teeth, as if to bite!
Brave Admiral, say but one good word;
What shall we do when hope is gone?”
The words leapt like a leaping sword:
“Sail on! sail on! sail on! and on!”
Then, pale and worn, he kept his deck
And peered through darkness. Ah! that night
Of all dark nights! And then a speck–
A light! A light! A light! A light!
It grew, a starlit flag unfurled!
It grew to be Time’s burst of dawn.
He gained a world; he gave that world
Its grandest lesson: “On! sail on!””
~Joaquin Miller~
“Faith that goes forward triumphs.”
Amen…HOW TRUE…A faith that goes forward Triumphs!!
Amen for the message, and for technology that carries it far. Thanks for geographical explanations. All settled . Jeannine
Thank you for that powerful prayer David…yielded to God’s desire! Your commentaries and wisdom open and affirming the Word for the day.
Thank you Reynold for that clarity in your pictures of ancient history, to correspond with our daily manna. A gift of the Lord in you.
Oh that we, as Jeremiah would stand strong in all circumstances and challenges of each day. Not only to listen, but to hear and obey. Our ears attune to His Holy Spirit.
Appreciate all the message, history and photo today. Having been to Macedonia twice on a mission trip, it is very meaningful to me. Thank you Beverlee for posting my song yesterday and for your postings today. Also to you Dale. Blessings!
Amen! Sah & Beverlee Kay.