Monday, April 8, 2013

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FOREVER

Suggested Reading: 2 Samuel 7

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

This is a full-sized replica of an ancient synagogue. Even when the Temple in Jerusalem was operating in the time of Jesus, local synagogues were used for schools, reading of the Scriptures, commenting on the Scriptures, and the worship of God. However, as useful as they were, they were always considered as temporary. The Temple of God is forever.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 7:16

And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.

Let’s fast forward to Luke 2:1-7. Jesus, the seed of David, is born in “The city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he (Joseph) was of the house and lineage of David.” The “forever” King has arrived. No doubt, as the assistant to Paul, Luke had at least two years to research the material for his Gospel during Paul’s custody in Caesarea. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was still living. Bethlehem is only 5 miles south of Jerusalem. This careful physician Luke would’ve no doubt interviewed shepherds who were now 60 or 70 years old. Their memories of when they were 15 or 30 would still be sharp. It’s worthwhile to notice that no one, not even those who were enemies of Christ Jesus, questioned, in any writings, the truth of these reports. The promise of God to David through the Prophet Nathan has been fulfilled, and because “He ever lives” (Hebrews 7:25), it continues to be fulfilled. God promised that David’s son would build the Temple in Jerusalem, but David’s greatest Son would build the eternal Temple.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You are building a temple of “living stones.” I thank You that I have the faith to believe I’m one of those stones. I pray for grace to always be strong and in place as part of the mighty eternal structure You are building. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When I drive north on Highway 69 into the city known as the nickel capital of the world, Sudbury, Ontario, I can’t miss the church building known as “Glad Tidings.” It’s on the left just across from a number of high-rise apartment buildings. The former Glad Tidings, where I was pastor during construction, is there on the right atop the next high rock. It’s now “All Nations Baptist Church.” Every time I pass that structure, I see the large retaining wall which keeps the parking lot from falling down onto the highway. I arranged to strengthen that wall with steel rods from the rolling mills of INCO, the International Nickel Company. In the process of grinding the ore into a powder, these rods, which helped do the job, were ground down from a four-inch diameter to about a one-inch diameter, and then discarded. Of course I got them free, and along with volunteers from the congregation, we placed hundreds of them into the concrete retaining wall. That was in 1966. The building was dedicated to God on July 1, 1967, as a centennial project celebrating Canada’s 100th birthday. The emblem of the maple leaf is chiseled into the granite cornerstone. To make me as strong as I can be, I believe that, like the steel rods, God has put the steel of His strength up and down my back bone. David, in Psalm 16:8, wrote, “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” Amen!

Yours for an unshakable, absolutely solid confidence in the eternal Son of God and Son of David, the Lord Jesus Christ!

David

 

20 thoughts on “Monday, April 8, 2013”

  2. Amazing connections were made in today’s reading, especially how if it were not for God’s chosen people Israel and David’s lineage, we would not be worshiping, for we would not know for Whom to do so. Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, true God of true God!! What a significant and true prophetic message today from Nathan! Praise our Almighty Father!! Thank you, Jesus!!

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  3. A great analogy today David. As a Carpenter, I enjoy my work and desire that long after I am gone, some of work will remain and live on. Much like the rods in that sudbury concrete, because of the passion and dedication that you and Norma Jean have taken with your labours over the past 50 years with the church, there are many “projects” like myself that have been established and rooted deeply because of your work together over the years and if you could see a map of the world and a pin for every spiritual “rod” you placed, it would probably light up the world. That is a great thing to know in light of our journey through this life and a legacy that will last for generations. Thanks.

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  4. Amen, Yuergen! Before I read this blog this morning, I was singing in my spirit, “I shall not be, I shall not be moved, just like a tree that’s planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.” Just like the house and lineage of David, I believe God has set this network of readers and bloggers together with you, David, Norma-Jean, Reynold and Ron. I pray that we will use it for the glory of God. “The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream;and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully…”(Jeremiah 23:28). Also that which has been planted in the hearts of our loved ones will endure forever, as well as the world. Do great things from God, do great things for God and this blog is part of it. Thanks David and fellow bloggers! Have a great day!

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  6. On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand
    All other ground is sinking sand,
    All other ground is sinking sand.

    Great comments this morning, fellow bloggers. Have a great day!!

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  7. Dear David…My son David called last night. His voice was very raspy and I asked him about his esophus, he said in a very discouraged voice that it hurt really badly. My heart broke, I have been praying so hard for God, in Jesus name to heal him. You come first then my precious son. You prayed for my youngest son not to have to get glasses and he never had to wear glasses. Thankyou again. may I ask you to please pray for David. We are all praying for you. I feel confident that you will be healed, maybe not until you are finished with this bible study, it is meaning so much to us all. Bye for now.

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  8. I agree with everyone–today’s reading was incredible. It left me re-reading it, listening to the audio over and over, and studying some commentary on-line. The promise and future founding that God establishes is evident. However, I am left with questions, and would love to receive feedback.

    1. How could the Jewish people not believe Jesus is the Messiah after reading 2 Samuel 7:12-16, when it is evidently clear to us?
    2. What does God mean when He says in verse 14: “when he commits iniquity” ?
    The rest of verse 14 is clear, historically, but what iniquity is God referring to, that Jesus would commit?
    3. As a result, some have interpreted verse 14 to mean Solomon, David’s son, not Jesus.

    It would help for clarity, here.

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    • 1. I was blind and now I see- non believers see and read Scripture differently than non-believers. The Holy Spirit gives us insight that non-believers just cannot see right in front of them. Praise God
      2. I think it depends which version of the Bible you are reading, my translation NKJV has the Scripture read “if he commits iniquity–not when- but if the word is when, if it is about our Lord, I assume the iniquity is ours, when he takes our sins on Himself, the His Father will chasten Him for our iniquities
      3. I find Scripture has many layers, sometimes it is talking about one thing, but it can also have a prophetic or supernatural layer to it. So it is possible this verse is referring to Solomon and our Lord at the same time.
      I don’t know if that helps, because I am not a Bible scholar, just a lover of the Word.

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    • Hi Beverly Kay and Donna I looked in my Macarthur Study Bible and In regards to “when he commits iniquity” John Macarthur says it is refering to the intermediary seed until Messiah’s arrival (ie) any king in David’s line from Solomon on until Christ. I pray that helps.

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      • Thanks Donna and Colleen; just read your comments. More to ponder on this subject. Have a blessed day! 🙂

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  9. Elaine I will definitly pray for your son David, may God’s healing touch be on
    him and also may He give you peace ,His peace that is never ending.R…

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  10. I meant to say, do great things for God, expect great things from God. I need to take my own advice too. Will pray for your son too, Elaine.

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  11. I have to say that most of David’s blog posts have had special importance to me over the past week and today is no exception, except that it hit home something that I had never thought of. David’s comments about a steel rod for a backbone! I literally have a steel rod holding my back in place from a bone disease called Scoliosis. I have had it there for over 30 years now! I have always wondered why God did not heal my scoliosis when I prayed with all my heart the night before surgery. I know He has plans for us all and there is a reason for what happened to me. Looking back, I have accomplished the impossible which would not have been so impossible had I had a normal back. God’s power has shone through because of this burden. So…I am still thankful for the steel rods in my back. They helped many see what God can do with the deformed and broken. By His power alone…not mine.

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