GOD’S WILL

Today’s Reading: Mark 3

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).

Capernaum has many traces of earlier societies. Found among its ruins is this grinding wheel which could work even today.

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

Key Verse: Mark 3:35

…For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.

In the first three chapters, the word “immediately” is used 11 times. Peter told the stories to Mark, who wrote them down. Peter was an “immediately” man. He believed in “do it now.” Jesus mentored him in this.

The healing of the withered hand united three religious groups in opposition to Jesus. An unclean “religious spirit” motivated them. Even “His own people” (probably relatives) thought Him “out of His mind” (verse 21). The warning against the one who “blasphemes against the Holy Spirit” (verse 29) is most serious. The primary work of God’s Spirit is in bringing people to Jesus for Salvation. Rejecting Jesus until death is unforgivable because one never asks for forgiveness.

Finally, how do we do “God’s will?” We live our lives as a true “brother, and sister, and mother” to Jesus (Jesus’ true Father is God and Joseph had passed away). All I must do is follow Jesus ever so closely.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray fervently that I will do Your will, acting “immediately” on that which You’ve taught me through Your Word. May this daily blog light up “God’s will” so that I may see You with insight and live accordingly. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My blog photo from two days ago is of the synagogue in Capernaum. It’s a 3rd Century structure, but you can see the original foundation from the time of Jesus. If you have the opportunity to visit the Holy Land, it will bring the activities of Jesus alive in an amazing way! My mother and father visited Israel on their honeymoon in 1924. They were missionaries next door to Israel, in Egypt. I lived as a child on these stories and over and over I looked at their pictures. Miss Brown, a missionary in Jerusalem, loaned my parents her Model T Ford car. Dad said he backed up the hills of Palestine (before Israel became a modern state), because the car’s gas supply was gravity fed, and if the tank was lower than the engine, he’d run out of gas. Well, that’s not really important, but I enjoy telling these stories.

Yours to help us all do “God’s will,”

David

SINNERS WELCOME

Today’s Reading: Mark 2

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).

Ruins from Capernaum. In the background you can see a church that is built over what is thought to be the home of Peter.

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

Key Verse: Mark 2:15

Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.

SINNERS WELCOME!…this could be the sign in front of Jesus’ Church. Four men (could’ve been Peter, Andrew, James and John) brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith (the four looking down through the hole in the roof), He said to the man on the mat, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” The four could be named, Compassion, Co-operation, Confidence & Courage. Ask yourself, “Do I have three friends with whom I could work to bring someone to Jesus today?”

Does Mark 2:13-17 sound like a Church supper in your Church? If not, should it? Jesus spent almost all His ministry time with sinners and with the outcasts of society. Let’s be unconscious of class, uncaring of economic success, and colourblind. Jesus is an equal opportunity Saviour.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Jesus, thank You for the time I first heard You speak to me through Your Word and say, “Son (or daughter) your sins are forgiven.” Thank You for coming to my place and meeting me there, and meeting others there too. Help me to throw a party, the purpose of which is to introduce You, Jesus, as my Guest of honour! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Jesus did the most important miracle first. He forgave the sins of the paralyzed man. Secondly, Jesus healed him. That first and greatest miracle happened to me when I was 16. I took Jesus at His Word when He said, “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). Later, when I was 19, I also experienced a miracle of healing. I had such a high fever with raging infection shutting down my body that the doctors said I would likely die, or, at the very least, be a mental case for life. Well, I didn’t die, so now you’ve guessed which prediction happened to me…..Here I am, 19 days away from my 80th birthday. My wife thinks I’m in my right mind. For that I’m truly thankful!

For all who started reading with me June 3, we’re into the third time through the Bible now. I’m amazed to still be here on earth. You see, I was given two years to live on March 15th, 2012. Let’s go for another two years!!! Of course anyone can start with us and complete reading every Word two years from the date they begin. Pray for me as I record 31 more Vlogs (video blogs) this week, two minutes each. These are being used for TV network commercial breaks daily on “YES TV.” Here’s a link to my Vlogs!

David

FOLLOW ME

Today’s Reading: Mark 1

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 synagogue in Capernaum, the town where Jesus lived and taught. This late fourth century A.D. “White Synagogue” was built upon the remains of the earlier “Synagogue of Jesus.”

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, Click HERE.

Key Verse: Mark 1:17

Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

The word “immediately” is repeated seven times here. Do you think that God is seeking our attention and wants to motivate us to ACTION? From the moment Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John met Jesus, their priorities were radically changed. Number one is Jesus! And Jesus, Himself, takes on the job of MAKING these fishermen “fishers of MEN.” “IMMEDIATELY they left their nets and followed HIM” (Mark 1:18). “What Would Jesus Do?” became most important to them (“WWJD”). Jesus delivered a man from an unclean spirit; He emphasized Peter’s family as a priority by healing his mother-in-law; Jesus healed people and cast out demons; Jesus rose early to pray privately; Jesus preached; Jesus recognized the role of the Jewish priest, and much more. Follow Him and He makes us all He desires us to become.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You promised to “make me” as long as I follow You. Here I am, Your follower. Reading this blog daily is one way I’m following Your Word and Your work. I pray that You will live in me and work through me today. There are immediate needs all around me. Please help me not to procrastinate but to act today with all the love and power with which You are loving and acting. I pray this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’m receiving feedback from blog readers that the two-year program of reading through the Bible is working so far. Many have said that they’ve tried a one-year program, but found they failed to comprehend well what they were reading. The two-year plan allows us to assimilate (make part of ourselves) God’s thoughts as expressed in His Words. One of the advantages is that anyone can start on any day and complete the Bible reading two years from that day. I find that by moving from Matthew to Genesis to Mark and back and forth from the Greek Scriptures to the Hebrew Scriptures brings not only variety but balance.

“Immediately” speaks to me. At age 18, while working as a public school teacher, I began to preach, as I simply could not wait until after my theological education to start fulfilling my calling to preach. The opportunity was there and following Jesus means stepping out of my comfort zone and working for Him. Eventually, by following Jesus in this way, a new congregation was planted in the Chalk River/Deep River area of Ontario. That Church is still thriving today.

Yours for WWJD and action “immediately!”

David

A PROPHETIC VOICE

Today’s Reading: Genesis 49-50

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

The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut is located beneath the cliffs at Deir el Bahari on the west bank of the Nile near the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo click HERE.

Key Verse: Genesis 49:10

The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes;
And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

Judah is the name from which the term “Jew” is derived, and all of the descendants of Jacob are now known as Jews. Judah was the fourth son of Jacob. He became the ancestor and a type or picture of Jesus. From his father Jacob, Judah received a prophetic word which can only fit the Person of Jesus. His brothers will praise Him. Verse eight also indicates that He will judge the world (John12:31). Romans 14:10 tells us that, “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Judah is given the names “Lion” and “Shiloh” (peace). Only in Jesus is this fulfilled. Jesus both wins ultimate victory over His enemies and establishes eternal peace. Judah is told that others will bow to him; this prefigures the worship due to Jesus Christ. Jacob goes on to say, “He washed his garments in wine.” Jesus took the wine and said, “This is My blood” (Matthew 26:28). To whom, other than Jesus, could the personal pronouns in the book of Isaiah refer? If you find time, please check this out by reading Isaiah 63:1-3.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I worship You. May I live in Your victory and in Your peace. Thank You for Your blood which cleanses me from all sin (1 John 1:7-9). Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I had the honour of being graduation speaker at Southeastern University in Florida. One of the professors approached me and said that He was teaching religion and they were studying the prophet Isaiah. He went on to say, “Now, if I could only get my students to read Isaiah.” I suggested a mandatory assignment which would be graded upon completion. I said, “Require them to identify every personal pronoun in Isaiah and try to find any person who ever lived whose name could replace those pronouns.” Some months later, he communicated to me that they did this and the only name they could come up with was “Jesus.” God willing, when we arrive in the book of Isaiah, I’ll tell you about the Regina, Saskatchewan, Jewish M.D. who became a believer in Jesus as a result of an hour I spent with him going through the personal pronouns in Isaiah. Tomorrow, God willing, we jump into the Gospel of Mark. Please do your best to encourage your friends to follow along with us in this daily blog.

Yours to exalt Jesus together,

David

BLESSING

Today’s Reading: Genesis 47-48

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

There have been 138 pyramids discovered in Egypt as of 2008. The most famous are those found at Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo. The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid. It is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence. The Great Pyramid consists of an estimated 2.3 million limestone blocks.

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

Key Verse: Genesis 47:10

So Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.

At this time, Egypt was at its zenith and Pharaoh may have been the most important ruler on earth. Two verses in today’s reading (Gen. 47:7,10) tell us that Jacob (Israel – Prince of God) blessed Pharaoh. This is an act of sharing the grace of God that was given again and again to Jacob, passed down from Abraham and Isaac. This may have been a simple prayer for Pharaoh, or it may have been the laying of Israel’s hand on Pharaoh. In Genesis 48:14 Israel blessed Joseph and his two sons by laying his hands on them. God gave Israel a prophetic word for them. To qualify to bless others (please don’t make a big scene, you’ll hurt people rather than bless them if you do) you must be a believer. We have these words in Mark 16:17-18, “These signs will follow them that believe… they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.” What a blessing! Acts 19:6, “And when Paul had laid his hands on them, they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” Go ahead and bless someone today!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, please inspire me to look for opportunities to bless someone today. You have blessed me through others who have prayed for me; now give me grace and willingness to pass on the blessing. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve been blessed by so many. At 19, two teachers at Bible College laid hands on my head and, according to two doctors, I was healed of a life-threatening condition. At 23, I was ordained by the laying on of hands into the ministry of Jesus Christ and His Church. At 25, I was blessed by a gift of $300.00 for the start up of the Crossroads TV ministry. One time, when I was under an attack of the enemy, a lady in her eighties laid hands on me and gave me a special word from God. Every night when Norma-Jean was carrying our four children, I would lay my hand on her tummy and bless the little ones inside and pray for Norma-Jean too. Over and over, too many times to count, I’ve been blessed by others. As I lay my fingers on the keyboard of this computer, I pray that I will bless you with this daily blog.

Yours for God’s richest blessing on you who read this,

David

GOD SENDS

Today’s Reading: Genesis 45-46

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Inner sanctuary of the Temple of Edfu, Egypt. The ancient religions of Egypt were well established by the time Joseph came to prominence. It is believed by many that Joseph’s influence helped to bring about the worship of one God in Egypt for many years, but then, as the Scripture says, “There arose a ruler who knew not Joseph” (Exodus 1:8, Acts 7:18).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo click HERE.

Key Verse: Genesis 45:5

But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Joseph was sure that God used even the cruelty of his brothers in order to send him to Egypt. This knowledge helped Joseph to forgive. Imagine the bewilderment and the renewal of guilt the brothers felt. Psalm 76:10 tells us that, “Surely the wrath of man shall praise You.” The anger of the brothers could not thwart God’s plan to preserve life. God forgives our sins. We accept that as a fact based on God’s promises. But forgiving ourselves is another matter. Joseph urged his brothers to forgive themselves. If they failed to do this they would never rise above the slave mentality they had shown. Their dad was “Israel,” “Prince of God.” They, too, were members of God’s royal family. It’s important to know who we are in God’s eyes, and to live up to His view of us!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, I forgive myself for the sin and wrong I’ve done. By the gift of Your grace I realize that I am Your precious child. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In 1922 my Dad began his ministry in Egypt. My Mother and he were married in 1924 in Cairo. My childhood days were filled with imagination about ancient Egypt. Dad had a black granite carved head of an ancient official of Pharaoh’s court. This was the opinion of an Egyptologist at the University of Toronto. I would wonder, “Could this be Joseph?” My photographer son, Reynold, has this head now. Reynold’s pictures of ancient Egypt are magnificent. I believe that these temples were an attempt by the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4) to get the worship he desired when in Heaven. This fallen Archangel inspired the closest thing he could get to the architecture of the centre of the worship of Almighty God in Heaven and then inhabited these temples to receive the worship of man. The temples are in ruins, as are the efforts of our enemy who desires to keep us from worshipping the true God.

Yours, as a forgiven sinner who has also forgiven himself, and who is a worshipper of the “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

David

My Mother and Father shortly after they were married in Egypt in 1924.

JOSEPH AND JESUS WEPT

Today’s Reading: Genesis 43-44

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

Rows of pillars from the great Hypostyle Hall in the Karnak Temple complex just 2.5 km north of Luxor, Egypt.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo click HERE.

Key Verse: Genesis 43:30

Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there.

Joseph is a type, or picture, of the Lord Jesus Christ. Both Joseph and Jesus were rejected by their brothers, sold for the price of a slave, considered to be dead, yet later declared alive. Both wept over people and circumstances, their hearts tender for others and their sin. Both were tested severly.

Joseph, I’m sure, faced the temptation to be angry and bitter against his brothers. Have you, like Joseph, been betrayed, treated cruelly, lied about and forsaken? Because of actions taken and lies told, have you lost the beautiful experience of God’s love? Or have you retained a soft, trusting heart? God honoured Joseph highly because of his magnificent attitude. He’ll do the same for you.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, I need Your grace constantly. May Your Holy Spirit fill me so that the Person of Jesus Christ will be seen through me. Like Joseph, may I be tender-hearted, forgiving any and all who have sought to do me harm. I pray this in the Name of the One who prayed, “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As children in Sunday School, we would be asked to quote a Bible verse by memory. I would often be the first to quote “Jesus wept,” the shortest verse in the Bible (John 11:35). We’d laugh, and even the teacher would manage a grimace. We, as immature children, did not understand the tears of Jesus. The only times we wept were out of self pity. As I grew older, I stopped crying for that reason. It was often reported to me that people would say, “Let’s turn on 100 Huntley Street and watch David cry.” So be it! I wear, as has been said, “my heart on my sleeve.” Sometimes I felt sheepish about my tears. I remember being encouraged when I read that the tough General Schwarzkopf, leader in the first Gulf War, said, “I never trust a man who can’t cry.” I felt better about my tears after that. I’m not ashamed to cry. Jesus and Joseph are my kind of men.

From my heart,

David

REMEMBER

Today’s Reading: Genesis 41:38 – 42:38

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

The Temple of Edfu is an ancient Egyptian temple located on the west bank of the Nile in the city of Edfu. It is the second largest temple in Egypt after Karnak and one of the best preserved. The temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, was built in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BC. The god of this world, Lucifer, has sought worship for himself ever since the war in Heaven and his defeat there.

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

Key Verse: Genesis 42:9

Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!”

Years had passed since Joseph shared with his father and brothers his dream of being a ruler and of them bowing down to him. Joseph had gone through really rough times: the pit, slavery, false accusations, prison. But through it all, he never forgot the dream and he was confident that God had not forgotten either. The message to us is this…God has a plan for our lives. He has not forgotten you. Jeremiah wrote, “‘I know the thoughts I think toward you,’ says the Lord, ‘thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me, and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you'” (Jeremiah 29:11-12). Paul wrote, “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to His PURPOSE” (Romans 8:28).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Once again, Lord, I ask that I will think Your thoughts. I want only what You want. Therefore, please grant me the gift of Your chosen future for me and, like Joseph, for all my family too. I pray this in the Name of Jesus, the One who knew clearly His future and was obedient, even to the “point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Like Jacob (Israel), I, too, love and desire the best for my children. You see the daily photos by my oldest son, David Reynold, and I want to commend my youngest son also. Ronald Wesley helps me daily with this blog by making sure the technical procedure of posting the blog is correct. I’m not really computer savvy.

Yours for God’s thoughts being our thoughts,

David

A WISE MAN

Today’s Reading: Genesis 40-41:37

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

This 60-foot high colossal statue of Ramses II, carved from limestone, once stood upright but now lays on the ground in a pavilion for display. This statue had adorned the great temple of Ptah in Memphis, Egypt. Ramses the Great ruled for more than 60 years (circa 1279 to 1213 B.C.)

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

Key Verse: Genesis 40:8

And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.”

Joseph had a living and daily relationship with God. Therefore, no matter what happened to him or where he found himself, he always had the consciousness of God’s enabling Presence. When the butler and baker told him of their troubling dreams, he was able to say with confidence that God would reveal His message to these imprisoned servants of Pharaoh. “The Spirit of God” lived in Joseph. The two gifts of the Holy Spirit exercised by Joseph were, “the word of wisdom,” and “the word of knowledge.” Check out 1 Corinthians 12:1-8. These gifts were not just for the Church in Corinth, Greece, but for all people of all time who faithfully serve the God of Abraham and who “pursue love and desire spiritual gifts” (1 Cor. 14:1).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I believe Your Spirit lives in me. Please reveal to me Your thoughts so that I may respond with wisdom and knowledge for others, as well as myself. As I read and think Your thoughts as expressed in Your Word, may I be given the grace to express those thoughts when the opportunity presents itself, particularly in winning precious people to Christ. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In preparation for this blog, I spend approximately half an hour reading the Word and meditating upon the thoughts expressed therein. Then I match that time in prayer and praise to God. A daily request is for “wisdom.” In James 1:5 it says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” I ask in faith without doubting and I know I receive from Him. A while back, at a time of some frustration, I attempted to correct a grandson in front of others. That was not wise. I contacted him as soon as I could reach him and asked forgivness, not for the correction, but for a lack of wisdom in not doing this privately, just between the two of us. This blog is challenging me. The Holy Spirit is still giving gifts of “wisdom.” I need all the help I can get.

Yours, praying for “Wisdom” for myself and for you also,

David

DOWN TO EGYPT

Today’s Reading: Genesis 38-39

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

The Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza are among the most recognizable symbols of the civilization of ancient Egypt. Joseph and the Midianite slave traders may well have passed here.

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

Key Verse: Genesis 39:9

…There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Chapter 38 is such a contrast with chapter 39. Immorality vs. morality. Judah was wrong. Joseph was right. Joseph faced a temptation that is glorified today – the temptation to sin sexually. Therefore, it’s important that we take to heart Joseph’s response. He refused to “do this great wickedness and sin against God.” Joseph proves that we can, if we will, stand firm in doing right, recognizing that to do otherwise is to act against God. His is an example we should follow. Ultimately, Jesus is our supreme Example of holy living…moral steel down His backbone. Joseph paid a price for his righteous stand. Jesus paid the infinite price as the sinless Sacrificial Offering for the sins of all people.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, please put steel down my backbone. Please give me moral strength as You did for the Apostle Paul who wrote Your words to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You live in me and I in You. Together we are strong. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

For years I quoted Galatians 2:20 each morning: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” I have recommended many times to all who struggle to live a Godly life that they memorize this verse as I have done and quote it daily. There is such power in God’s Word. “Your Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). I found that memorization plus daily quoting moves the Word from my brain into my heart. The Word is pumped throughout my entire being all day long. Joseph is a hero of mine, but my ultimate Hero is Christ…and “Christ lives in me!” I have failed many times, but “Jesus never fails.”

Yours for holy living,

David

Here’s Norma-Jean and me with the former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (the Queen’s representative), The Hon. David and Ruth-Ann Onley. They have been guests on the 100 Huntley Street telecast many times. Click here to watch one of those interviews.

Norma-Jean and me with the Honourable David C. Onley and his wife Ruth Ann, following his farewell dinner. He served 7 years as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

The official portrait of David C. Onley was unveiled at his farewell dinner. It will hang at Queens Park, along with the paintings of all of Ontario’s past Lieutenant Governors. Note his Bible in the painting.