LIBERTY
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 61-62
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
An actor at Nazareth Village in Nazareth talks to a group of men and boys in the synagogue. This amazing effort by Nazareth believers in Jesus is worth the trip to Israel all by itself. God willing our children will be hosting tours of Israel this Fall. The group often sits together in this very replica of a first century synagogue to read the words of Jesus’ sermon to the people of His hometown (from today’s key verse).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Isaiah 61:1-2a
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
Yes, that’s a comma after our key verses, not a period. When Jesus read this prophecy in His hometown synagogue, He stopped in the middle of a sentence and closed the Book; then He proclaimed, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Obviously He deliberately left out reading the rest of verse 2 which speaks of “the day of vengeance,” since the “Day of the Lord” would not take place until His second coming. He made it clear in this way that we are now in the day of grace, not vengeance! (2 Peter 3:8-10). Consider the statements of Jesus recorded in Luke 17:20-37. The judgement day is coming, but in this age the operative words are “the poor,” “healing the broken-hearted,” “deliverance to the captives,” “recovery of sight,” and “set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Jesus identifies Himself as the One who is fulfilling this prophecy. There is no guess work here! This verse powerfully confirms the Trinity…Father God, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, thank you for revealing to Your prophet the text on which Jesus would preach in His first recorded public message. I pray that I will be more like Jesus in ways that I, as His follower, can be and do. In His Name I ask for grace to share His love more and more. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
One of my heroes in christian ministry is Rev. Homer Cantelon. It was in 2014 that he departed this life and went to stand before his Lord and Saviour in person. He was a World War II veteran who fought in the liberation of Holland. I remember seeing pictures of this big man as he walked down the streets of the town he had helped liberate on the 50th anniversary of the surrender of the Nazis. The people were cheering the Canadians loudly. I write about Homer on pages 129 &130 of my book, This Far by Faith. In my opinion, there is no one I know that exemplified the ministry of Jesus, as stated in our key verses, more than Homer Cantelon. He literally participated in bringing “Liberty to the Captives” in Holland, and throughout his life of Christian ministry he has brought eternal “Liberty” to many, many more (Homer was interviewed on the 100 Huntley Street telecast a few years ago by his son Jim. Click here for part one of the interview…and click here for part two).
Yours for carrying on the ministry of Jesus,
David
We will sing with the spirit, and we will also sing with the understanding. We praise You Lord God, our King of Kings. Blessings upon fellow saints, today. Stay warm.
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 NIV
Psalm 63 – Better Than Life – Shane & Shane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlWLvJB1Q58
Love their music.Thanks,Beverlee.I’m off to a Camp Council meeting.The children are our ministry and we have much of the staff already in place.We could use more volunteers though.God will provider.I love Isaiah.Gotta run.Yall have a great day.(Minus 4 F now.)
Very interesting interviews with the Cantelons. Snowing now in Hamilton/Ancaster, quite heavily. Stay safe all. I pray people will get to their positions in hospitals, nursing homes, & emergency situations today & tomorrow.
Praying for a peaceful and restful day to all Christians this Brrrr day. Love the pic of the boys and men listening to their teacher. How exciting it would be to visit Israel.
-30 here this a.m. in west central Alberta. In 13 days will be able to say “next month is Spring”! Praise the Lord now and always.
One Pair of Hands, Elvis Presley:
https://youtu.be/sjT-r2wUo8o
Thank you for posting this song Lynda, love it and Elvis !
Happy New Year to all.
I so enjoyed listening to the two part interview of Homer Cantelon by his son, Jim
Cantelon. Very heart-lifting and encouraging. (By the way, I miss having Jim on 100 Huntley Street).
As you are probably aware that I am not making many comments on 100 words blog but continue with the two year plan.. for the past 3 or is it the fourth round of the two year Bible Reading Plan. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105)
Blessings to all.
Sam
Miss hearing from you as often Pastor Fame but know you are in our prayers. Yes, it is the fourth time around. God bless you.
Thanks for that song Lynda
Its still cold out hear in Alberta
But I pray that the snow storm in Newfoundland will end sooner than later
Bless your day saints of the Lord
Thank You, dear Lord God, for loving even frail and fallen man. Without You, we are lost, but with You, we are more than overcomers in You who overcame even death.
We pray for all your workers, your children throughout this world; those who are in prison, in difficult situations, and ask that You send help to them. We have so much here; help us not to trust in our comforts, but in You. Help those who are desperate find that You are the ever-present help in times of trouble, that You are faithful, and that You keep your Word. Thank You for that, Lord. You are worthy of all our praise!
Thank You for sending rain to Australia. Thank You for Godly people in Iran, in Colombia, in North Korea, in Egypt and Syria, in Nigeria. We commit all your people into your mighty hands, Lord, and ask You to protect them, provide for them, and use them as mighty witnesses to your Truth and Grace, Lord. Have your perfect way in all this world, we ask in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen Rob.
Yes, Amen Rob
Blessings to everyone; so enjoy this site; don’t know exactly what to say other than everything has gone sideways in my life! What a mess! I am rebuke the devil in all ways; he is nothing;
I PLEAD THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB OVER MY HOME,CAR,ME,FAMILY;NEIGHBOURS;COMMUNITY; IN JESUS NAME I PRAY FOR PEACE; PRAY FOR THE MEAL COMPANY TO DEVELOP A BETTER SYSTEM;PRAYING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SPEAK TO THE LEADERS OF OUR GOVERNMENTS AND HAVE THEM REALIZE THAT THEY NEED TO PUT CHILDREN,SENIORS,DISABLED PEOPLE,FAMILIES;WORKING PEOPLE;BUSINESSES ON THE TOP OF THE AGENDA IN ALL AREAS;
God speaks about taking care of these individuals and everything else will fall into place; so we pray for good decisions by our governments;we pray they see the shortfall of pensions and will increase by several hundreds of dollars; also; when people’s pensions are more than enough for their life, these loving people will help their families and then others; they realize they are greatly blessed by the Lord God in Jesus Name we Pray amen amen amen
Lord we pray You will put out the fires in Australia; we TY Lord for doing this for the people; Lord we pray You will speak to the various levels of government and put on their hearts to increase the pensions; when people have good pensions they will always reach out to help others; their families; Thank you Lord;
in Jesus Name we Pray amen