A NEW BEGINNING

Today’s Reading: Genesis 9-10

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

Two friends, actors at the “Nazareth Village”, are having fun with an olive picked from a nearby tree in Nazareth. In today’s reading, the dove sent out by Noah returned to the ark. A “freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth” (Genesis 8:11). Ever since that time, the olive branch has been a symbol of peace and safety.

Key Verse: Genesis 9:1

So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”

So God is a God of second chances. Instead of giving up on humanity, the Lord saved Noah and his family. The great flood happened because people, who were given dominion over the earth by God, rejected Him, and thus cut Him off from exercising His creative maintenance of the earth. The people, with the exception of Noah and his family, rejected God, excluding Him from their lives. It’s not that God ran out of mercy and love. It’s that when God is not invited, not welcome, to be an integral part of human life, nature erupts into chaos. Society disintegrates, and the human race brings judgment on itself.

Today there is much that separates people from God, but I believe that there are at least one billion precious souls who love and serve God, not just eight people, as was the case in today’s reading. These people, by their prayers and right living, hold back the consequences of the great divide between a Holy God and an unrepentant world. Next time, before a worldwide catastrophe, Jesus, the Ark of Salvation, will lift His family of believers to safety in what has been called “The rapture of His Church!” (read 1 Thess. 4:13-18).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord, thank You for giving me a second chance. I pray fervently for Salvation to come to at least another billion people. Grant me grace, boldness, wisdom and sacrificial giving of myself and the resources that You have put in my hands, so that the most glorious work of  winning people to Jesus will accelerate. We, the human race, will once again bring disaster upon ourselves, but I thank You, Lord God, that You have another plan. At Christ’s return, You shall lift Your people as in an Ark of safety. In Jesus’ powerful saving Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I cannot begin to express my gratitude to God and to special people in my life for leading me to Salvation. I had prayed to be saved as a child, but my mother died of cancer when I was 12 years old and I turned my back on God, blaming Him for mother’s death. I now know that it was the separation of the human race from God that allows the twisting of human cells called cancer. It’s not God’s fault; it’s our fault. My Dad went back to his mission work in Egypt and I was put into a boarding school and was eventually kicked out. In a regular high school (grade 12), I encountered followers of Jesus who became my friends. My boss at work coaxed me to give my life to Jesus. He succeeded in convincing me to attend a Youth for Christ rally by asking me to drive his Chrysler New Yorker from Pembroke to Ottawa to pick up Evangelist Jack Wyrtzen. That night, when the invitation was given to accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord, a friend, Homer James, came beside me and offered to walk to the front of the high school auditorium with me. I did it! I’ve never turned back from Jesus since that time. I’m in Him (the Ark of Salvation) and I’m kept by His power! How about you? Unsure? Call 1-866-273-4444 and ask about your salvation. You too can have a “New Beginning!!!”

Yours very truly,

David

P.S.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA! The founders declared Psalm 72:8 as Canada’s motto, “He shall have dominion from sea to sea.”

NOAH’S ARK

Today’s Reading: Genesis 7-8

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Did you know that the Bible notes 80 species of mammals, 25 kinds of birds, 8 reptiles and 12 insects?

Key Verse: Genesis 7:1

Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.”

According to the dimensions given by God to Noah, the Ark was about 450 feet long (the length of 1-1/2 football fields), 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. There were only eight human passengers. I’m told that the Chinese character for “safety,” which was passed down from ancient times, depicts eight people in a boat. According to the Bible, the world as we know it will again be destroyed. Next time, the Ark will be big enough to hold many more than eight people. God has provided a way, through Jesus, whereby all who receive Him as Saviour and Lord will be saved. Noah must have wept as he considered the fate of others, but there was nothing he could do. There is something we can do! It’s our job to invite everyone into the Ark. Jesus is the Ark of safety!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, again and again You invited people to come to You and You promised that You would receive all who come (John 6:37). Please Lord, grant me the honour of telling someone today about Your invitation, and may I urge people to decide today to come into the eternal safety that You have provided. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

A former 100 Huntley Street TV host, Lorna Dueck, reminded me, as she helped me learn how to do a blog, that I had instructed her, “We must never let a day go by on television without giving an invitation for people to respond to the call to be saved.” All those wonderful people who answer our Prayer Line at 1-866-273-4444 are prepared to lead people to assurance of their eternal salvation. June 15th, 1977, was the first day we had telephones available for immediate response. Don Osborne signaled to me from across the studio that the first person had just given their life to Christ on one of our 30 telephones. I said, “Everything is paid for now, because one soul is worth more than the whole world!”

Yours very, very, very truly,

David

THE TEACHER

Today’s Reading: Genesis 5-6

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The heavens are gloriously ablaze above the Eastern Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem. Some of those whose bodies are buried in front of the gate died hoping someday to walk through that gate following the general resurrection of the dead. Like Enoch, those who walk with God now can expect to walk with God throughout eternity.

Key Verse: Genesis 5:24

And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

The way out of the “rat race” is simply to walk with God. Obviously, God wants your company. God wanted to walk with Adam and Eve every evening. Enoch’s time with God was so precious and consistent that, no doubt with his full consent, God took Enoch directly to Heaven without him experiencing death. Enoch’s name means “teacher” in English. He must have shared with others those things he learned in those long walks. Noah was Enoch’s great-grandson and was likely the recipient of Enoch’s sharing. Remember Noah? He is the one who found favour with God. The result was that he knew how to hear from God in building an ark to save his family. You’re on your daily walk with God now as you read His Word and talk with Him in prayer. Listen as God talks with you today.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, as I walk with You now, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may experience “walking in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Like Enoch, I have children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I’m always telling them stories. I’m convinced that from his childood, Noah heard what Great-Grandpa learned on those long walks with God. It was probably the reason Noah turned out so well. I had a Sunday School teacher by the name of Miss Johnson when I was 10 & 11. She explained Enoch’s going to Heaven without dying like this: “One day, as God and Enoch were walking together, God said, ‘Enoch, we’re much closer to My place than we are to yours, why don’t you just come on home with Me’?” For some reason I’ve never forgotten her story.

Let’s go for a walk,

David

THE BLAME GAME

Today’s Reading: Genesis 3-4

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On the lower slope of the Mount of Olives is the Garden of Gethsemane. It is claimed that some of the olive trees here are over 2,000 years old – perhaps these trees were the ones under which Jesus’ disciples slept during the night of His arrest. Like Adam and Eve, no doubt they had excuses for their failure to obey. Jesus had told them to “Watch and pray!” The building  you see in the background is “The Church of All Nations”.

Key Verse: Genesis 3:12

Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”

A most important Word that Jesus used over and over is “Repent.” Adam and Eve provide us with examples of what repentance is NOT! They attempted to blame others for their sin. Adam blamed both God and Eve. Eve blamed the serpent. The message is, “STOP THE BLAME GAME!” Pray the sinner’s prayer which Jesus guaranteed would make a person right with God: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). In the two verses following the key verse, God, Himself, gives the first prophecy. He speaks of a most unique event to come. All through the Bible in procreation, it’s the seed of the man, e.g. Abraham (Galatians 3:29), but Jesus is the “Seed of the woman” (Genesis 3:15), pointing forward to the virgin birth of Jesus where no man was involved. He crushes Satan. Satan comes in many forms to tempt us. Remind him that his head is crushed by Jesus. Jesus gives us power (authority) to join Him in trampling on the serpent and “Nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). Confess it! Believe it!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You and I are “trampling” on the serpent. James wrote,”Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). I do this now, Lord Jesus. The devil has no power over me. In Your authority, Lord Jesus, I pray. AMEN!

 PERSONAL WORDS:

Every day before going live to air with the daily 100 Huntley Street telecast, I would state in front of the other hosts, the on-air guests, and the studio audience, words something like this…”We trample on Satan in Jesus’ Name! We pull down the ‘strongholds’ of the enemy” (2 Corinthians 10:4). On the human level we do not defend ourselves. No defence! No offence!  We are to love one another, whether friend or enemy! “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Throughout over 10,000 telecasts, Jesus, our production and administration team, our financial supporters, our on-air guests, our telephone prayer partners (over 10 million phone calls) have confirmed the crushing of Satan’s head, and have watched God accomplish mighty works for time and eternity in the lives of infinitely precious people.

To the current Crossroads team and every reader of my blog, KEEP TRAMPLING!!!,

David

THE BEGINNING

Today’s Reading: Genesis 1-2

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A couple sits watching the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea from under the remains of an ancient Roman aqueduct in the area of Caesarea, Israel.

Key Verse: Genesis 1:27

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

“In the beginning, God created,”…”Elohim bara” (Hebrew). This Name for God is always plural, yet in the Hebrew language it always takes a singular verb (Genesis 1:1). Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one and at work to make something out of nothing. In the rest of the creation account the verb is “Asah,” which is what a carpenter does when he works with material already in existence. Chapter two is an expansion of what God did in chapter one. We are made in His Image. We are not just physical beings. We have a capacity for a life beyond, for communication with God, and God with us. Like God, we are intended to live forever! Because we are made in His image, we can come to know Him more as we daily read from the revelation He has chosen to give us, the Bible! We have a free will, the freedom to choose. We can ignore Him and even reject Him, or we can learn of Him, opening our hearts and minds to Him as our God, believing in the great Creator God!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I’ve decided to believe in You. Thank You for enabling me to find this blog. Your Thoughts are expressed in Your Holy Word. Help me to maintain the committment of reading Your Word daily, getting to know what You think of me and of everything you have created. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I marvel at God’s creation. On land we once owned, according to someone who knows, there is a 300-year-old cherry tree. Amazing! Recently a large red fox decided to have a sleep on our driveway. Norma-Jean thought it was dead, but it jumped up and ran off, it’s long fluffy tail floating in the breeze. God must love variety. In meditating on creation, my heart and mind are lifted up to contemplate the Creator God, and Jesus Himself. John writes, “Without Him (Jesus) nothing was made that was made.” The mystery of it all astounds me. There are many things I do not understand. It would be the height of arrogance to claim to know it all. However, I can claim to know a great deal more than I did when I first heard Bible stories as a child. Almost every day, as I study the suggested reading, I’m learning more. I imagine reading Genesis 1 & 2 in eternity and asking Moses, “What have you learned here in Heaven from God about creation that you didn’t know when you wrote Genesis? When God spoke the cosmos into existence, was there a ‘big bang?’ Is that how it happened, Moses?” I expect to have a greatly increased intellectual capacity, even understanding quantum physics.

We’ve just completed reading the first book of the record of Jesus of Nazareth, Matthew’s Gospel, and we’re now beginning a book which Jesus would’ve read as a Boy in the Synagogue. Remember, at any time we or someone we know can begin this journey and in two years, with breakfast-sized readings, God’s thoughts expressed in Words will be ours, and the Spirit of God will bring to remembrance what we need to know (if we are consistent in our reading) when we need to remember for ourselves and for others.

Please feel free to post your comments, and I thank you for your input. Attend church this Sunday. Speak with a teacher there if possible, asking any questions you may have. Beware of false teachers. For a New Testament reading for today, I suggest the little book of Jude (only one chapter).

Yours for learning to think some of God’s thoughts,

David

HE IS RISEN!

Today’s Reading: Matthew 27-28

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The Garden Tomb, Jerusalem. “He is not here!”

Key Verse: Matthew 28:6

He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

The resurrection of Jesus is the most thoroughly reported fact of ancient history. The tough battle-hardened Roman guards “shook for fear.” According to Roman military manuals, a “guard” consisted of at least eight soldiers, and if one fell asleep on duty, the others were supposed to kill him on the spot. Those who deny the facts of the resurrection must answer some questions: Where’s the body? What would turn a man like Peter, who could not stand up to a waitress, into a bold, fearless man just 50 days later? What about the over 500 people who claimed to have seen Jesus alive after His resurrection? Many of these were still alive when the Gospels were written. What about the over 5,000 Jerusalem Jews who became believers (including many of the Jewish priests) after Peter preached in the Temple? (Acts 4:4 and Acts 6:7). No official source has ever been able to deny this history in an effort to prove that the resurrection is only a myth, nor has anyone in authority denied the amazing growth of the Jewish Church of Jerusalem. We have the Mishna, the minutes of the Sanhedrin (the ruling religious body) for that period of time. These contemporaries of Jesus and the Apostles knew the facts. HE IS RISEN!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You raised Your Son and our Saviour from the dead. He’s ALIVE! I worship Him! Amen and Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In the early 1960’s, Norma-Jean and I worked at establishing a congregation in Deep River, Ontario, the residential community for Atomic Energy of Canada at Chalk River. I found that some senior nuclear physicists were humble believers in Jesus. One told me that a change in the molecular structure of Christ’s body could enable Him to appear and do all that He did in His post resurrection appearances. One Easter Sunday morning, the parents of a baby named Tim Laronde presented him before the Lord at the altar of our church. Tim was born with a club foot. As I held him up before the congregation I was filled with God’s Spirit and said, “Either Jesus is alive and still does the same miracles today, or the soldiers were right when they said, ‘While we slept His disciples stole His body.’ Jesus is alive and when Tim is old enough to walk, He will walk normally.” The next morning, Tim’s mother, Marilyn, burst into our home carrying Tim and showed us both feet completely normal. Just over two years ago, I met Marilyn in Pembroke, Ontario, and we rejoiced in the fact that Jesus is alive and that He is the Healer.

Serving a risen Saviour,

David

P.S. In yesterday’s blog I mentioned actor Bruce Marchiano, who played the part of Jesus in the four-hour film production of The Gospel of Matthew. My son, Ron, has since found online that entire movie. What a blessing it has been for me to watch and listen to this film, which includes all of Matthew, word-for-word (the New International Version). If you only have time to watch the last few chapters of Matthew, you can fast-forward by dragging the little dot on the bottom left of the screen approximately 90% of the way across (the chapter and verse appear on the screen). Click here.

RAISED

Today’s Reading: Matthew 26

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Looking east from the south end of the Old City of Jerusalem you can see the Mount of Olives. The graves of thousands of Jewish people who await the general resurrection dot the hillside. The tower to the left is said to mark the spot from which Jesus ascended into Heaven (Acts 1:9-11).

Key Verse: Matthew 26:32

But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.

It’s difficult to choose a key verse as this chapter is filled with crucial truth for all people. The death and resurrection of Christ is the focal point of all history. It is His story! Once again Jesus states the fact of His death and resurrection and once again His disciples failed to comprehend. This time they were too sleepy to take in truth. Are you wide awake? Are you ready to understand? Understand that when Jesus gives a promise, its fulfillment is absolutely sure! It is impossible for Him to lie! He knew He must die and He also knew He must rise again. This was the reason He came. He also knew the humanity of His followers. They would remember His instructions about meeting Him in Galilee after the resurrection, and they would obey Him.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, as I read Your Words, grant the grace to make those Words an integral element in my spiritual DNA. Please grant me full comphrehension and obedience. I pray this with sincerety and faith that You will do this in me for Your Glory and for the fulfillment of Your plan for my life. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I have been reading your responses to 100words.ca. Thank you for letting me know that you are there with me daily. As an old-timer I’m not always sure anyone would bother reading my blog. I don’t really understand the new social media. Come to think of it, I didn’t understand television back on June 2nd, 1962 either. I do know, however, that God gave me the grace of obedience then, and He’s doing so now. If you are blessed and encouraged, or if this blog helps you in the daily discipline of reading the entire Bible in meal-sized portions over two years, then God’s purpose is being fulfilled. Amen and Amen!

Continuing in obedience,

David

P.S. Yesterday I mentioned my first two times preaching. Someone said to me, “I’ve heard you talk on TV, but I’ve never heard you preach.” Well, here goes! Below is a link to a message I delivered in the mid-90’s at Compass Point Church, which is located next door to the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario. My opening remarks will seem odd unless I tell you that actor Bruce Marchiano, who played the part of Jesus in The Gospel of Matthew movie, had been quoting Jesus’ words as he walked down the stairs between the pulpit and the congregation. Unfortunately Bruce tripped and fell, but recovered quickly. I was scheduled to preach immediately after Bruce’s last line. That evening we were celebrating the 5,000th 100 Huntley Street telecast. It was some years ago, and now we have have celebrated the 10,000th telecast. If you have the time to handle some preaching, click here (it’s only about 13 minutes long). If you think that this message might touch someone, bringing them to Christ, please pass it on! Thank you!!!

THE LORD’S JOY

Today’s Reading: Matthew 25

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“Mr. and Mrs. Goat” on the West hillside of the Galilee. One never knows when a goat will decide to “butt.”  These two have caused me to think that if I am to be a “good and faithful servant” I should never say “But” to my Lord! The response should always be, “Yes Sir!”

Key Verse: Matthew 25:21

His Lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

God has given you at least one gift and perhaps many more. With His gifts come responsibilities. Never hide a gift. Invest in others. You grow what God has given you. What has God given you? Think about it. Talk to your Pastor and a trusted friend about it. Call the Crossroads toll-free Prayer Line and pray with someone (1-866-273-4444). Of course, pray about it yourself. Make decisions and move on those decisions. Ask God to stop you if you are moving in the wrong direction. God is Faithful. He’ll guide you. Move forward with your decisions.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord God, Give me the grace to invest in my family, my community, my church, my friends and aquaintances, and even in far off places. Keep me faithful over the “few things” You’ve given me. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I was 16 the first time I tried to preach. I had given my life fully to Christ about two months earlier. The youth leader, Greta O’Brien, asked me to bring the message at a youth service.  As I spoke, they said my face got red, and I lasted all of five minutes. Several months later, I was baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). The next time I preached I studied the Word of God diligently, reading my text and the surrounding verses over and over. I prayed for a long time, making sure I was filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit. The words flowed from my heart, mind and mouth. There was no struggle or embarrassment. I knew that God had given me a gift of preaching His Word!

Thanking God for His gifts,

David

P.S. I’ve tried to keep to that number of “100 words” in each section of my blog, but I couldn’t help but notice that as I reviewed my hundreds of blog postings, my comments were becoming longer. Patient, loving readers wrote to me saying things like, “Don’t worry David if you go over.” So I relaxed and each morning between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., I just typed what I believed God had given me. Most days I will revise and refresh what I have previously written. Let’s remember to keep the “main thing the main thing”…that is the faithful daily reading of God’s Word, not necessarily my words about God’s Word!

COME LORD JESUS!

Today’s Reading: Matthew 24

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

A watchman stands on the wall in “Nazareth Village” …a special attraction in modern-day Nazareth that re-enacts life from first-century Nazareth.

Key Verse: Matthew 24:42

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour our Lord is coming.

This chapter contains one of the most detailed descriptions of events that lead up to the second coming of Jesus. Jesus even gives us a copy of His statement to the world immediately after His return. World leaders and reporters are anticipating those first Words. They are, “I was hungry and you gave me food,” and so on. They ask, “When?” He answers, “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it unto Me.” How important is this, visiting the sick and the prisoners? You decide! Obedience to Christ is “watching.” What will you do today to “watch?” Reading the Word is watching. Daily prayer is watching. Be ready!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, please grant me Your amazing grace to live constantly expecting Your return. May I show my expectation by my service to You and by serving others. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My wife, Norma-Jean, reminds me every day, “Jesus may come today!” Throughout the years in the leadership of an international ministry, when it came to establishing the budget, I would ask the team for their spending estimates. I required them to categorize all their needs under three categories – “Absolutely essential” (without these needs the ministry would die), “Essential” and “Necessary.” If funds were not there we would cut the “Necessary.” If still the money was not there we would cut the “Essential.” Please join me now in deciding what is “Absolutely essential” in that most practical matter of “Watching” for His return. Don’t be deceived by date setters. Jesus said, “Only the Father knows.” For what and for whom should we watch? Thoughtful Biblical answers to that question can be found in a series of teachings from the 100 Huntley Street telecast when the guest was Dr. Mark Hitchcock, a pastor who was a practicing attorney before entering the ministry. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the Dallas Theological Seminary. I would encourage you to watch some of his short teachings on Bible prophecy by clicking HERE.

Yours for watching and serving Christ today,

David

P.S. Can I ask a favour? If you think that my daily blog would be a blessing to a friend or family member, please email to them the link www.100words.ca or perhaps post it on your Facebook wall. Thanks for helping to spread the Word!

OUTSIDE AND INSIDE

Today’s Reading: Matthew 23

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Here you see the Western slope of the Mount of Olives covered by thousands of Jewish graves facing toward the Temple Mount and the Eastern Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem. Those buried here desired to be first in the resurrection. The valley between is the Kidron Valley. This slope of the Mount of Olives has been used as a Jewish cemetery for over 3,000 years and holds approximately 150,000 graves. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection but Jesus said that by their traditions they caused the Scriptures to be ineffective in their lives.

Key Verses: Matthew 23:25b & 26

“Inside they are full of extortion and self indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.”

Learn to see as God sees and think as God thinks by making the Word of God a daily part of your thinking process. This is the eternal value of what we’re doing together in this blog. Over 3,000 years ago the prophet wrote, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). It’s true; we do look on the outward. Therefore, it’s important to groom our appearance so we do not draw undue attention to ourselves and hinder the shining forth of the inner beauty of Christ. Cleanse the inside in two ways: The washing of God’s Word (Ephesians 5:26) and by confessing our sins, “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, thank You for washing me inside with Your Word which I’ve just read, and thank You for washing away my sin by Your precious blood. I believe Your promises. You cannot lie. Therefore, it’s done. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

A few blog entries ago, I mentioned a woman named May, who asked me, a public school teacher, to conduct her husband Win’s funeral, even though I was not an ordained minister at the time. May had been born and raised in Northern Ontario. As a young man, Win, who was a railroad engineer, on almost every trip across that most northerly section of the tracks would notice a young girl running out of the bush, standing beside the tracks and waving at him. Eventually they met at the water tank (steam engine), and later Win and May married. May’s usual stance was hands on her hips and normally a cigarette was dangling from the corner of her mouth. She was probably 65 when I met her. Win was in his eighties. It would’ve been easy to see May only from her outward appearance; but there was a deeper May. One day I asked her why she would not allow an ordained minister or priest to conduct Win’s funeral. She said, “I knew what you were doing out in that boat with Win besides fishing. He told me you prayed with him and he became a believer in Jesus and was not afraid to die anymore.” I had the great honour of leading May to Christ also. The inner beauty of Jesus was evident as she lived to serve others. Sorry, I’m well over 100 words!

Love,

David

P.S. People see the outside, God looks inside! Do we just appear to be religious or do we have a genuine inner experience with God which shines out through ordinary looking people who have the reality of God’s Holy Spirit within.

Jews praying, no doubt very sincerely. Jesus, a Jew Himself, spoke of those who “Love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:5b & 6).