COME
Today’s Reading: Psalms 95-97
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Israelis love their trees…Here in the Jordan Valley, you can see how the bulldozers moved the soil around the precious Acacia trees.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Psalm 96:7-8
Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come into His courts.
Psalm 95 is God’s invitation to “COME!” What do we do when we “COME!”?… We “SING!” “SHOUT JOYFULLY!” offer to Him “THANKSGIVING!” “WORSHIP! BOW DOWN! KNEEL!” 95:7b invites us to hear His voice. We hear with our inner ears as we read or we can hear by clicking on the above Scripture link and hear the Words being read out loud.
Psalm 95 was sung as the national anthem of Israel. In Psalm 96 we move beyond Israel to the whole world. All nationalities are invited to “COME” and to “WORSHIP” the Lord in the beauty of holiness! “The Lord reigns!” (96:10-12a). The result will be that even the trees, including those Acacia trees in Reynold’s picture, will “REJOICE!”
Let’s not forget our key verse. When we come, we give the offerings listed above, but we must not miss the exhortation, “BRING AN OFFERING!” Jesus watched as the widow placed her offering in the receptacle, and He announced that she had given more than all the others. When Jesus counts the giving of His people, He counts the level of sacrifice involved (read Mark 12:41-44). Psalm 97 carries on from Psalm 96.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
O Lord God, Your Name and Your message must be communicated more effectively to all the nations. I pray for Crossroads and other Christian ministries who are called by You and work skillfully, and for those who make it all possible by giving offerings sacrificially. Bless and strengthen us all in Jesus’ Name! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My son Reynold and his wife Kathy lead one of those ministries that’s communicating the Word of God to other nations. They live in Uganda, East Africa, and have a unique ministry called World Embrace. This is an apostolic work that seeks to answer Jesus’ prayer in John 17 where Jesus prayed just hours before His crucifixion “…Father, may they be brought to complete unity so that the world will know that You love them and have sent Me…” (John 17:21-23). Their web site is www.worldembrace.org. You will see it is an exciting one-of-a-kind missions outreach. They have no mission society or denomination supporting them, and though they have been full time in various Missions activities for over 15 years, this calling is relatively new. “Unity” is God’s call on their lives…and in reality, according to Scripture, we are all to have a heart for unity with other followers of Jesus. At the foundation of God establishing His kingdom on earth is “Unity” within His church…His church made up of every nation, every tribe, every people, and every language. And yes, man-made walls are coming down and bridges of relationship are being built. Praise God!!!
Yours for living as Psalms 95, 96, and 97 encourage us to live!!!
David
As Psalm 97 says,
“Light shines on the godly,
and joy on those whose hearts are right.
May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord
and praise his holy name!”
Thank You, Lord God, that You care about all Your creation, about all people all over the world. Break through the barriers, Lord, so all will hear You calling them to You. Give Your people boldness, compassion, opportunities to share Your Word, so all will hear the good news that You save! In Jesus’s great, great, great name, amen
P.S. When I pray this, I realize that I am weak, … but also that God is strong. … His Word also says that He delights in making us strong. Praise Him for that!
Absolutely Amen Rob.
Please God make us all strong so we can
follow You and do Your Will, in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
That really is an amazing ministry in Uganda! Blessings on all who embrace the church and the outreach there. Blessings on Reynold and Cathy. God cares for His children everywhere. I love the Psalms and today’s reading brings back memories of singing many choruses with words from this portion. I have an unspoken request for today as I need a door to be opened that is quite important. I’d appreciate your prayers. Thank you and have a great day. Amen
Doreen, remembering you in prayer that
our Heavenly Father will open a door for you
and meet your special needs, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Knowing of you dear Doreen I will pray for your request in Jesus name.
My sister-in-law has gone to be with the Lord and she will be dearly and sorely missed. Elburna had a long and difficult life as we all are having in these days of trials and tribulations but praise the Lord she confessed to loving our Jesus. I too love the Psalms and the messages they impart to us.
“I am not suggesting that we should not grieve for those who are in heaven today. If Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus, we can weep at their graves (John 11:35). But I am suggesting that we do not “grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We have not lost them—we know precisely where they are and we know that we will join them. In fact, we are one day closer to that great reunion than ever before.” by Jim Denison.
Blessings as always on Christians worldwide as well as dear Reynold and Cathy. Thank you Jesus for the dearly departed David Mainse and all those who illustriously teach and preach your word. Praying for all the missionaries trapped in Haiti by a group of lost souls waiting to be saved. Please bring the Americans and the Canadian home dear Lord or at the very least free them from not being able to spread your Word to a nation in desperate need.
Praying with you all, in the ways that have been expressed. Lynda, you are a shining light. May you be a beautiful reflection of His Peace and Love and Hope and Faith for all your family.
Amen Laur.
Amen,Rob.
I was shocked to read this about the (Christian?)owner of the Nuvo Building would also own the Woodbine Raceway (Gambling) and The Woodbine Casino.I don’t like the smell emanating from this document.Note tab 2 paragraph 8 (The Loan).
May God help us.We can not and must not hide the truth.God bless
https://www.richter.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/18-application_record.pdf
I wouldn’t say they are Christian owners just because it was a Christian building. They changed the chapel to a non religious event room holding weddings.
Amen to all
Thank you Jesus for your hand over all