1,000 GENERATIONS
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 7-8
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).
A mother and daughter share a meaningful moment at Nazareth Village in Nazareth. My son-in-law, Rev. Nizar Shaheen, ordained 32 years ago in the Nazareth Baptist Church, was one of the visionaries who helped create this re-creation of Nazareth at the time of Christ. Many have come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord in this place.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 7:9
Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments…
What are the emphasis words? Twenty-three times the phrase, “the Lord your God” is repeated. It’s a good idea to check whether or not Jesus quoted from His Hebrew Bible. He did! In Matthew 4:3 Jesus gave us a Moses quote: “Man shall not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3b). Particularly because of Jesus’ quote, we who believe in Him have every right to claim God’s promise to His people. In today’s reading, Moses reviews all God has done for the people, and then takes the very long view which reaches far beyond our present generation. The Apostle Peter picks up on Deuteronomy 7:6 from his Bible and tells us that we, too, are God’s special treasure. We might want to read now 1 Peter 2:9-17. There are serious obligations, as well as exciting blessings, to being God’s people. Think about it and click here to read Peter’s words.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, Your “little rock,” Peter, has challenged me to live my life in a way that will cause other people to glorify You. Please bestow on me grace and power to good works. I know that people will observe me today. May I represent You well. In Your strong Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Four years ago today, I was in the Canadian Space Centre in Montreal to join the Canadian Governor General and others to celebrate the lift off of he Soyuz rocket carrying Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield to the International Space Station. After his return, he told me of the send-off blessing by a Russian Orthodox Priest. With joy he said that the priest, as he prayed for each astronaut, hit them with some force on the forehead with a large metal cross. We reflected on the amazing turnaround in Russia from the communist government which declared, “There is no God,” to this remarkable very public official prayer broadcast across Russia and made available to news organizations around the world. As far as I know, the Canadian News Media ignored that part of the story, but not 100 Huntley Street and YES TV. The light of Christ is shining through thousands of TV sets, computer screens, iPhones and iPads because those who support these ministry opportunities make it possible. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I encourage us all to make a special year-end gift to Crossroads (click here for easy ways to help keep the lights on!).
Yours for the good of God’s people for 1,000 generations,
David
P.S. On yesterday’s blog, I put pictures of seven of my great-grandchildren (four generations of that “1,000”). I must treat all of my great-grandchildren without favouritism. So below are photos of the others. The first three are the grandchildren of our daughter Ellen and her husband Nizar Shaheen. The parents are Sarah and her husband Jordan Stowell. Their children are Aliyah, James, and Kaylin, ages 9, 7, and 4. Then in the second photo is Jadice and Declan, who are the grandchildren of our son Ron and his wife Ann. The parents are Andrea and Jason Patterson. Jadice turns 4 on New Year’s Eve and Declan is 4 1/2 months. The last picture is of 15-month old Ruby, granddaughter of Reynold and Kathy Mainse, who are missionaries in Africa. Ruby is the daughter of Elizabeth and David Lee. Please forgive me for going far beyond 100 words, but Norma-Jean and I, our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren represent those 1,000 generations that God promises to bless!!! And besides, it’s Christmas time!!! Merry Christmas EVERY ONE!!!
Kaylin, Aliyah and James Stowell.
Jadice and Declan Patterson.
Ruby Lee.
Dear David,
Merry Christmas to you, Norma-Jean, and all of your family and to those who work with you. What a wonderful blessing they are!! May the Lord bless you and yours with a happy and healthy 2017. Thank you for all that you do to bring the message of the Lord to us.
God’s richest blessings for a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2017 to all the blog family as well.
Precious great-grandchildren, David! Thank you for the photos! Amen to God’s Word, today, for we shall not perish. Thank You, Jesus, for being our living example, and instilling our faith. Wishing all saints, a blessed day in the Lord.
“Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:32b-33 NLT
I Am Not Alone – Kari Jobe – Worship Video with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow4OfW4DP9s
Wishing you a blessed Christmas Pastor David and Norma Jean, as well as your whole family.
Thank you for the family pictures!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. What a Godsend you are to the world! I start my day every day with your blog and try my best to live as per the word of God. God bless you and all your family and staff for the coming year. May many more come to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and be ready for His return! Have a wonderful 2017 with good health and happiness!
For all who are struggling, today… find strength in knowing Jesus loves you. Go into His Presence through prayer and by meditating on His Word. For those whose family members have rejected Jesus and know not His salvation… keep praying for them and have hope. Be reassured in knowing that Jesus loves them as much and the same as He loves you and I. For all who are in pain, physical and/or emotional… look to the face of Jesus and feel His loving arms wrap around you. Read the Psalms, to be uplifted and trust in knowing that He is with you. We do not understand life’s perils but we do know Jesus is real and alive in our hearts and that we have eternal life to look forward to because of Him. Have peace at Christmas because of the blessing of His loving grace bestowed upon us. All for His glory. Amen!
Amen! Beverlee Kay. Thanks for sharing.
Wishing everyone a BLESSED MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Beverlee…Thank you for your uplifting and encouraging message!!!! I love reading your comments, I think The Holy Spirit works through you!!!
And thank you to Douglas as well, your kindness lifts my spirits!
Yes..you are right…Jesus is real!!!!
Amen ! Thank you Beverlee.
Precious great grandchildren. A Merry Christmas to you David and Norma Jean and all the family. It has been a good journey through the Scriptures this year as always and May God bless you for making it possible. A Merry Christmas to you also fellow believers and your families. Ger
Christmas blessings from our hearts in Prince Albert to yours.
What beautiful great-grandchildren! You are both very blessed. May God’s Leading and Perfect Will continue to guide you and the family.
Your Great -Grandchildren are just beautiful Pastor David. A remember a few years ago when Noelle Neilson sang with her mother Sheryl on 100Huntley Street. What a good little singer she is with such a sweet voice. What a blessing all children are!
I didn’t get my 100words for today, twice in the past week.
Huntley Street is still short of their $200,000 goal (I believe it is around $135,500)
It would be great if there is a final push before the year end to achieve the intended goal. It motivated me today to increase my monthly donation. Even though I am a senior and funds are limited, the Ministry of Crossroads is a huge voice for the Lord in this Country as Christ is lifted up and many are requesting prayer and turning their lives over to God.
I also thank God for the Arctic Project which was an “over and above” response. It just shows that Canadians do care and want to have some tangible way to serve the people up North with the Gospel and meeting human needs.
As a suggestion, I think having “Giving Tuesday” right in the middle of the Giving Project for the $200,000 is a bit of a mix message and you may consider separating these two fund raising projects so individuals can focus on one or the other project. I am happy to support both.
I pray many more will rally around and help out in these final days of 2016 to help increase the income from $135,500 to $200,000. We only need 64,500 people to give $1 more to reach the goal, or 6,450 to give $10 each or 3225 to give $20. each
or whatever we are all able to do.
Many blessings to all during this Christmas Season.
“He came right down to me, to condescend to be my friend.
He came right down to me.”
Thank you Pastor Samuel, for posting this. I will send another donation for year’s end. God bless you!
A Blessed Christmas to you David and Norma-Jean and all of your family.
You are Blessed with those beautiful great grandchildren, thanks for sharing them with us.
Blessings and a Merry Christmas to all
Christmas blessings to you Pastor David, Norma-Jean and all the family and may GOD continue to bless each one of you throughout 2017. (especially your beautiful Great-grand children)