STARS & SAND
Suggested Reading: Genesis 22-23
The sands from the Mediterranean have blown through the aqueduct arches at Caesarea
Key Verse: Genesis 22:17
…blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.
After a long period of testing, Abraham and Sarah had their own little son. How they rejoiced! How they loved him! But now a new test confronted Abraham. He probably spent the whole night in tears, wrestling in prayer. Would God really make such a request? Finally, as the sun began to rise, Abraham obeyed, took Isaac up Mt. Moriah, and placed him on the altar. Then God gave the boy back to his Dad and promised great blessing on Abraham and his descendants. God is faithful! He has provided the sacrifice of His own Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Abraham said to his servant, “Stay here and I will go yonder and worship, and WE will return.” He knew God would be faithful to His promise about Isaac. He also knew that the highest expression of worship is OBEDIENCE!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, here I am to worship You. Yes, I worship with words of praise and thanksgiving; I worship You with songs; I gather with other believers to worship You in public gatherings; but grant me the grace to always worship You through my obedience to Your revealed will. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Since 1968, Norma-Jean and I have taken groups of our friends to Israel. This year again, God willing, we invite you and others to join us for two whole weeks, November 8 – 22. In the picture above is one of the sand beaches. I love to take my sandals off and run barefoot through the sands of the Sahara, which the currents of the Mediterranean have deposited on Israel’s shore. When in Jerusalem on Mt. Moriah, where the Temple once stood, I’m filled with strong emotions as I speak to our brothers and sisters in our group about the sacrifice of Jesus on the very place where God said to Abraham, “Because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, in blessing I will bless you.” Tears fill my eyes as I type this, for God did not withhold His only Son, but gave Him as the final Sacrifice. No wonder Abraham was called the “friend of God” (James 2:23).
In Christ’s love and service,
David
P.S. Please check out the info about our November tour to the Holy Land by clicking here. You can download a tour brochure as well. Or call 905-332-6400, ext. 4024. This is Norma-Jean’s telephone. Leave a message if she’s not in and someone will get back to you.
REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”
Thank you for your words today, David. It is interesting to hear how obedience is such a powerful form of worship. I am reminded of Christs words, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my father and I too will love him and show myself to him.” Hoping you and Norma-Jean have a wonderful time in Israel this November!
This morning I’m reminded of my wife’s knitting project as she knits-away. At hand she has the tools to knit .. knitting needles, yarn, a design and an idea. As she puts the tools of the trade to work, she weaves a wonderful knitting creation which is not only beautiful to the eye, but will one day be used in a practical manner for warmth. God gave her this talent, the idea and the tools … she had the obedience to follow-through to create the finished product. Likewise, our Christian walk is also a walk of obedience. God gave us the gospel, God gave us His word, God gave us the ability to learn and to grow to become more Christ-like day by day. Like the faithfulness produced in Abraham, God is creating in us something great, through the Holy Spirit. All we need do is to act with an obedient heart for Him … and He will take care of the rest.
Thank you David for today read.. i can just feel the sand between my toes as well… Thank you Jesus….because its all about You …as i decrease and you increase in me… for i can not do this …but because Jesus is in me and i am in Him…. the supernatural takes over and because of Jesus i am able…its a choice to be made…Lord you are Sovereign…as we follow you…Jerem 33.3 is a challenge and a daily one for me…as i head towards Home…..soon and very soon we will see you….what a wonderful day that will be…Have a blessed day in His Presence…as we soak with Him….
David, could you please tell me how and where I can find “Canada Heart and Soul?” I can’t find it in the TV listings and would love to watch it. Thanks. Blessings!
Julie
You can contact Rob Sheppard, who is the program manager for CTS television, and ask him when the next scheduled airing of the documentary might be. His email is rsheppard@ctstv.com.
God bless you.
about a statue of St. Paul in her home cruchh, If Paul himself were in my cruchh, I would want to hug him and show him appreciation and thanks. He’s not, but this statue is. That to say, Christ is the true image of God. What difference is a silhouette from an image? Should we not adore Christ as the Son of God? If it’s something you’re backed up against a wall about, I’d encourage you to do some research on icons in the Eastern cruchh. What we’re missing in the west that they have is an unbelievable adoration and worshipful appreciation of God. We’d rather be logical, linear, and positive that we’re staying within commands. We could learn a lot from them.
Thank you God for sacrificing your son on the cross snow I can give myself to you increasing with your help daily
Lianne Hogg
Good Sunday to you all!!
If only I was stronger, more in love
With Jesus ,more obedient and had some real character and integrity….
THEN perhaps I could buffet my flesh and feed my spirit ..instead of the other way round….He stands with me offering me life and I wilt in His presence because of my choices and sins…Is there a time limit on Grace David???
Rose
Thank you David(!) I am so happy that you started this blog. I have always wanted to read the bible but never knew how to so I would read it for a while and stop. Since you started this I have learned so much and now I can follow along when I can with my schedule and habits. I have always loved Jesus Christ since a child and I pray everyday but I did not know Abraham or a lot of other things that happened that I have read so far. I am so very excited to check my email everyday to read what you have posted. I love the picture, suggested reading, your prayer for today, your 100 personal words and the opportunity to say thank you to you David. 🙂 I realllly needed this. I look forward to the 2 year journey as well. Maybe some year my family and I can join you and your lovely family on your journey in November to the Holy Land. That is so wonderful you offer that. Thank you for posting the information. God bless.
Dear David,
Reading saturdays blog it made me think of the sacrifice abraham was called upon to make and then God sent us Jesus. I feel such grief in my heart today as soon our loved only daughter and her family will move to Africa. I feel God knows all about that kind of sacrifice. when you love someone you want to keep them close to you forever, so sending them is so hard. Pray.