GOD’S WILL
Today’s Reading: Acts 21
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).
The three sealed-up arches (top middle) in the southern wall of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount mark the location of the ancient Huldah (“Triple”) Gate. At its base was a 200-foot-wide staircase that once carried pilgrims up to the Temple Mount at the three annual pilgrim festivals, Passover (Pesach), Pentecost (Shavuot) and Tabernacles (Sukkot).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Acts 21:8-9
On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
“Paul….entered the Temple” (21:26). The three blocked up arches, seen faintly in the background of the photo above, accessed the Temple in Jesus’ day. In the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D., these were covered with debris and were found in preparing the foundation for the Al Aksa mosque, built just above the northern Temple wall. It’s hard for us to imagine what it was like 2,000 years ago. Paul and the Jerusalem church leaders were determined to remove any stumbling blocks (the matter of Paul’s Jewishness) which would hinder Jews from coming to Christ. Regardless of the consequences, we must do all in our power to take away anything that would keep others from coming to Christ.
It’s all about bringing others to the saving knowledge of Jesus. Philip’s four daughters are a great example of a family committed to winning the world for Jesus. Recently we considered Revelation 19:10b, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” These girls testified for Jesus there in Caesarea where they lived. Think of how excited they must have been as Paul, Luke and others stayed in their home. The stories they heard encouraged them to continue their New Testament prophecy, testifying for Jesus. As we read those same stories, let’s share them with others.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, may I serve You, doing the right thing. Help me to do this, regardless of the consequences to me personally. Help me, like Paul, to submit to those who are in leadership in the church. Amen! (check out 1 Peter 2:11-25)
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve been blessed with people who exercise Godly and strong leadership in seeking to do the will of God in ministry. I’ve sought to move forward in harmony with the wisdom which is found in a “multitude of counsellors” (Proverbs 11:14). Having received counsel, I learned that they were not called of God to do the work…I was. Therefore, I had to commence and follow it through to its completion. I was ordained by the laying on of hands by my brothers back in the Spring of 1959 (1 Timothy 4:11-16). This was in the fellowship of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. The day came when those same leaders encouraged me to move into a ministry on behalf of the whole Church. I had no desire to be “independent.” I’ve never found that word in the Bible. Nevertheless, at the counsel of my brothers, I incorporated a separate ministry in order to do New Testament prophecy in the broadest way possible, bringing on a team of clergy from several different denominations. God honoured this move and a great many people have come to know Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. To God be all the credit and glory.
Yours for the glorious calling of winning all people to Jesus,
David
It was so wonderful back in those early days of 100 Huntley Street when we had several denominations on air with David. All wonderful pastors. Anglican, United Church, Catholic, Pentecostal. That has stayed continuously in my spirit. I enjoy visiting other churches as long as Jesus is lifted up as Lord & Saviour. I remember a cousin who was watching the program with me and in surprise she exclaimed, “what kind of Church is this “? The TRUE CHURCH.
Amen.
Amen, indeed!
Amen Doreen, that was a blessing to watch every day!!
Amen!!
Deanna I enjoyed your interview very much , what an amazing God we have.
I also liked listening to those programmes that had different denominations on.
Blessings to all. Eleanor M.
Hi Eleanor, I thought I had sent a reply but it doesn’t show for some reason. Thank you so much – we sure do have an amazing God! Bless you!
Amen, Doreen !
same here Doreen, as long as Jesus Christ is Lord, Saviour, Creator, I enjoy the service…….
Amen
I love David’s clarity in seeing through the denominational walls and going through their open doors.It reminds me of the Romanian (?) priest who had good contacts in government since his days as the leader of a communist ‘entity’.He had his counterparts arrested and put in prison ‘with himself ‘ because he could not get them to meet with him any other way.Afterwards they stopped ‘competing’ and began cooperating with each other for the good of ‘The Church’.When Jesus returns we will find that no denomination has it right.
Our mens’ choir (Oxford Area Mens’ Club) is ‘interdenominational’ and has been going for 39 yr. to area nursing homes.Nuff said.
Yall have a great day and may God bless
Can’t Be Bought
May happiness be yours to share
And joy be your constant kin,
So you have peace beyond compare
As He cleanses the temple within
And as the world sees your face,
Will be seen what they have not,
For this gift is an unearned grace
From a Love that can’t be bought.
GW(Bill) Marshall 24 Aug, 2015
Merry Christmas
Such beautiful words, Bill!
Thank you for sharing and God’s blessings on your day, and all the saints!
So blessed by the Apostle Paul’s journeys that had to read over to the end of ch. 26 in my Messianic Jewish Family Bible and it became clearer to me. Paul was so earnest and had such a love for the Lord that it helped him endure whatever came his way. Say Amen to David’s and all your posts today. Enjoy your poems Bill. Cold but sunny here today. Blessings!
What an example Paul was, for the Glory of God!!