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.
Thank You Lord for Your great love and protection over us. We pray for strength for those who are suffering under the coronavirus. We pray for those struggling financially due to the pandemic. We pray for those separated from their loved ones at Christmas because of this virus. We pray for Your Hand to be upon all who find themselves in need, Lord. We pray that they call out to You, Lord God! Wishing all saints a blessed and peaceful day. In the precious Name of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler; For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:4, 11-12 NIV
I am not a country music person but a lot of people quite like it:
Country Christmas Songs 2020 – The Best Classic Country
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uySCFk16DRY
Amen
Amen Beverlee to your prayer.
I read Psalm 91 morning and night. Whenever I come to the verse you wrote, I always say to God, I pray this over Beverlee. Then you wrote it out , cool!
God is so good! May He bless you all today. Take care and keep warm.
That is so sweet of you, Nan. God bless your day, too!
Beverley one of my favourite verses is Psalm 91:4.
Gavin age 19, my grandson in Texas has Covid-19, just found out yesterday. Daughter Janeen is a nurse, so she had to leave work and will be off for 2 weeks. Lena 16 was doing school online she Stijl will be isolated as well. Please pray for them they are on their own.
I prayed David’s prayer. I also want to represent the Lord well. Blessings to all Eleanor M
Amen… I shall and have prayed for you and family
Amen to Beverlee’s prayers. I too, read Psalm 91 daily and I always re-read those verses. They are such a blessing and bring peace to me.
Also thanks to Beverlee for the Country Music list. I am definitely a country music fan.
God Bless
The music posted by Beverlee is very nice. I’m saving it for Christmas eve /day. It brings back memories! I lost a cousin last week from Covid19. She had surgery and was recovering well but contacted the virus in the hospital. Praying that the Lord will keep us all under His Wings during this unusual Christmas. Praying for Eleanor’s family and for mine. My daughter and family are overseas just now and in areas that are high in Covid19 counts. Blessings all.
I shall keep you and family In my prayers.
Thank you. Doreen sorry for your loss, I will pray for your family.
So sad to hear of your cousin, Doreen, and family away from you at Christmas. They will be sheltered under His wings. Amen.
Dear Lord God, help all in this world turn to You. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen Rob.
Amen Rob.
Amen to all the prayers posted today. And Holy Spirit may you comfort Doreen in the loss of her cousin and help Eleanor’s grandson Gauvin to recover from this covid 19 virus in Jesus precious Name. Amen! Yes we need to cover our family and ourselves with the Word of God everyday. God bless you saints!
Beautiful great grandchildren of David and Norma Jean Mainse.
Thank you everyone for your prayers. You are truly wonderful saints. Amen. ❤️
Agreeing and praying with you for Gavin and his family. Also praying for Doreen in the loss of her cousin. Sad indeed that she was recovering nicely from the surgery and then contracted the virus. May God comfort her family!
Agreed also with Beverlee’s prayer for all the needs mentioned. There are many hurting people all around us. May we be compassionate toward them, show kindness and pray for them.
God bless you all!