Friday, July 31, 2020

UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES

Today’s Reading: Mark 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).

This is the traditional location where Jesus fed the 4,000, on the east side of the Galilee just below the Golan Heights. This was primarily a Gentile crowd. It is thought that the large crowd may have gathered as a result of the demoniac who was delivered and likely witnessed to his entire village, returning with thousands to meet Jesus. The rock pictured on the left has an inscription, “Here Gentiles gave glory to the God of Israel.” – Matthew 15:32

GOOGLE MAPS – See where Reynold took the photo Click HERE.

Key Verse: Mark 8:6

So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude.

 

Again the disciples faced circumstances over which they had no control. As Reynold pointed out in his photo caption above, the region where this miracle took place was a non-Jewish area. Jesus reached out to all people everywhere, including the mainly Gentile population. Notice that Jesus “gave thanks.” He thanked His Father even before any miracle had been performed. He knew that He could trust His Father, and His Father would never fail Him. There was no desperation with Jesus when He addressed the Father. I don’t read that He begged, cried loudly or took out the prayer book. We need not panic. Instead, in every circumstance, GIVE THANKS!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Heavenly Father, please be honoured today by my trust in You. I “GIVE THANKS” now for Your grace given to me to trust You in all things. I want to live above the circumstances and not under them. I thank You that with Your presence, all things are possible. I pray this through the Person of Your Son and my Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My brother-in-law, Ralph Rutledge, heard me say on one occasion, “under these circumstances,” and he said, “David, what are you doing under there?” I’ve never forgotten that question. Faith and obedience lift me up, and I see the challenges from a higher place. God’s Word changes my perspective completely. In the reading for today, the story is told of the blind man that Jesus took by the hand and led out of the village where He laid hands on him twice for healing. With Jesus, once would’ve been sufficient, I’m sure. I’ve had to pray for the same person three or more times, and eventually I’ve seen miracles of healing from time to time. Over this two-year daily journey through the Bible, I may share with you stories of miracles I’ve seen. I hesitate to do this because it may point to me instead of to Jesus. I want to be very careful that He alone is seen as the Source of the miracle. On the 100 Huntley Street telecast, there is a policy that no miracles are shared without ample documentation, medical records, etc.

Yours for living above the circumstances,

David

24 thoughts on “Friday, July 31, 2020

  1. Great photo of the rock symbolizing Jesus feeding the 4,000 at the Sea of Galilee. Proof of our Miracle Maker, and Saviour Jesus Christ, as He was on earth and is in heaven. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord. Praying for all in the USA.

    Ye that revere Yahweh, praise him, All ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him, And, stand in awe of him, all ye seed of Israel. Psalm 22:23 EMB

    I Stand in Awe of YOU
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejv9L8V9xOE

  2. This is for tomorrow, August 1st, just in case I don’t get the chance to post it:

    Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, Alone
    By Fanny Crosby (19th Century)

    “Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, alone
    Can turn our hearts from sin;
    His pow’r alone can sanctify
    And keep us pure within.

    Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, alone
    Can deeper love inspire;
    His pow’r alone within our souls
    Can light the sacred fire.

    Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, can bring
    The gifts we seek in pray’r;
    His voice can words of comfort speak,
    And still each wave of care.

    Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, can give
    The grace we need this hour;
    And while we wait, O Spirit, come
    In sanctifying pow’r.”

    Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, Alone Hymn
    https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/275

    • Thanks for the blessings for tomorrow Doreen and Bill; much appreciated. I covet your prayers and wish you all a blessed day tomorrow, as well.

  3. Dear Lord Jesus, I often think of Your words to Peter when You told him that Satan was going to sift him, but You prayed that Peter would be strong. Lord, help us to be strong in You; strong enough to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow You. Help us to be real and honest and true followers of You; to do what pleases You.
    We pray, Lord, for Your protection and provision for all Your people. We pray for good and Godly leaders. We pray for wisdom for all those in power, that Your will is done throughout this world. We pray that You are lifted up and glorified; that Your ministry is magnified and multiplied all over the world; that Your Word will go out freely; for Your workers everywhere. We pray that many will come to You today. And we thank You and praise You, Lord, for You are worthy of all the best we have to give. In Jesus’s great name, amen

  4. Satan knew Jesus could turn ‘stones into bread’ but it seems to have escaped His disciples’ notice.Perhaps most of them were still expecting Him to be a ‘earthly’ rebel leader?His impending execution/martyrdom would change their hearts on the first Easter Sunday.
    David learned from his brother-in-law… to live in faith ‘above’ his circumstances;a small ‘grammatical’ error ? but a big correction in faith.God bless
    The Open Tomb

    As I now stand in the open tomb,
    I see the world that brought My doom,
    When every heart was filled with gloom;
    That’s why I must prepare them room.

    I taught enough to give them sight,
    That they will know that truth is right
    And in this truth shall shine My light
    Until My return with Heaven’s might.

    The love I felt in this world of hate
    Is too strong for mere words to state,
    But for some it’s now not too late
    To follow Me through Heaven’s gate.
    G W(Bill) Marshall /April 01, 2013

  5. Thank you to all the beautiful saints who have been holding me up in prayer, for tomorrow. His blessings be upon you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!!

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