PROLONG YOUR DAYS

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 17-18

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).

A young man studies Scripture in a Jewish library situated against the ancient Western Wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. This blog is designed to help us do likewise!

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 17:19

And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes…

Moses predicted that one day Israel would have a king. The first three were Saul, David and Solomon. It may be that they failed to read the Word of God every day, and the direct result was that they multiplied wives, silver and gold for themselves, and more and more power for themselves. Early in their lives, they served God faithfully and from that time of faithfully fearing the Lord, we have many Psalms and Proverbs. God made one of His “exceeding great and precious promises” (read 2 Peter 1:3-14). Peter writes, “be even more diligent.” Diligence in reading the Word, fearing the Lord, and being obedient to Him will have results… “He may prolong his days….he and his children” (Deuteronomy 17:20).

Then there are the orders to stone certain offenders. We should be glad that Jesus changed the stoning procedure. He said, “Let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone” (John 8:7). Stephen was killed by stoning, and Saul, later Paul, supervised the stoning (Acts 7:58). Paul was, himself, stoned in Lystra (Acts 14:19), but survived. In Heaven, Stephen and Paul have likely discussed their experiences of being stoned. They are, I’m sure, rejoicing that Jesus changed things concerning stoning.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You, Jesus, for Your pure love for the woman who was about to be stoned. You gave her a new beginning in her life. You gave me a new beginning too. Please help me to reaffirm again my commitment to Your instructions to us all, and in particular to leaders. I ask You to give me the grace of faithfulness in reading Your Word, as highlighted in our key verse. Amen!!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Frankly, I’m looking forward to getting into our next book, Romans. We’ll arrive there, God willing, on January 6th. The writer, Paul, was a highly educated intellectual. He took all those things we are reading in the Torah and presented the Law in the Jesus way. Hallelujah!

Concerning the temptations of leadership, I did not multiply wives. Thank You Jesus! Nor did I multiply gold and silver. However, I did multiply horses! At one point, the ministry of Crossroads had over 400 horses at 11 Circle Square Ranches, where horsemanship was the main activity. Crossroads has donated most of the Ranches to Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, where they are being carried on today, along with their existing Pioneer Camps. I would encourage my “100 Words” readers to send children and teens to camp next Summer. Christmas Day is tomorrow. What a great idea for a gift. Check out Inter-Varsity’s camps here.

Yours for “prolonged” days for each of us and for our children,

David

P.S. Here is a link to one of a series of fascinating Christmas videos from 100 Huntley Street programs. Moira Brown recorded these on location in Israel with renowned New Testament scholar, Dr. Craig Evans. The series is called “Unwrapping the Christmas Story” (click HERE for an example recorded at the Church of the Nativity).

GOD BLESS YOU!

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 15-16

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).

It would appear that this man sitting among the ruins of ancient Philippi is in need of encouragement. Let’s find someone today who may be discouraged and give him or her a lift.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 15:7

If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother…

The generosity mentioned in our key verse will be rewarded. We will be blessed when we open our hands wide to anyone who has need. There is ample evidence that God keeps His promise to the giving person. In verse ten of this chapter it states, “For this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.” This exhortation is repeated in chapter 16:17, “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.” The Apostle Paul refers to the instruction given by the “Pillars” of the Jerusalem church. “They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do” (Galatians 2:10). To practice this as Jesus did, we may want to read Matthew 5:38-48.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, by the Holy Spirit and the reading of Your Words, please grow in me a generous spirit. You are the greatest Example, by far, when it comes to giving. You gave Your very life for poor humanity. For starters, I give my life to You by giving my life for others. Please bring across my pathway, every day, someone I may help. In Your generous Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’m meditating just now on God’s promises found in the Words of Jesus: “Give, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over…” (Luke 6:38). When I read from the Hebrew Scriptures, I recognize that, in His humanity, Jesus is Jewish. No doubt He read the words of today’s reading as a boy. Jesus, as no one else, practiced generous and sacrificial giving. I’m thinking about what Jesus has received as a result. Amazing!!! IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE GREATEST POVERTY IS TO LACK THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS AS SAVIOUR AND LORD!!! I try to watch the 100 Huntley Street telecast daily, sometimes twice a day.  While I was in hospital, I would watch online at 100huntley.com. It is a lifeline for many people. Will you help me do something extra as a sacrificial, year-end offering to Crossroads? The quickest way to do this is to make a toll-free call to 1-800-265-3100 with a credit card in hand (or give online HERE). I know that you, my blog reader, are doing your best.

Yours to help us all to give as God has blessed us,

David

A HOLY PEOPLE

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 13-14

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).

A camel is there to greet tourists at the “Sea Level” sign when you descend from the hills of Jerusalem (2,500 feet above) to Jericho (1,200 feet below). Jesus often made that 24 km journey, as did the “Good Samaritan” in Jesus’ parable.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 13:3

You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

“A camel is a horse put together by a committee,” someone jokingly said. At any rate, it may not be good for us to eat camel…it’s definitely not good for the camel! Moses was concerned with the physical health of the people as well as with their spiritual and moral health. The Elders in the Jerusalem church decided that non-Jewish believers should observe only these food prohibitions: “Blood, things strangled, and meats offered to idols” (Acts 15:20). The entire Jewish Kosher system of eating is derived from the last sentence of Deuteronomy 14:21.

Our key verse gives a prohibition which is just as valid today as it was then. There are false teachers and fraudulent prophets everywhere. Second Peter chapter 2 (click here) warns us of the danger, the destruction, and the description of those who would seek to turn us away from the truth of God’s Word. This is why we need to affirm the historical understanding of doctrine, for example, the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed (click here). On the internet there are often side-bar items that ought to be ignored. False prophets, cult leaders, are trolling for a certain kind of fish. Let us not be suckers. These people, who are themselves deceived, will do their best to draw us into their heresies.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, keep me true to You and in solid Bible teaching. You promised, Lord Jesus, that, “When He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Guide me, Holy Spirit, I pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My all-time favourite course in Bible College was “Doctrines of Salvation.” I took it twice, not because I failed the first time, but because I had a job for a year before college to earn some money, and during the night shift I was required to check the equipment every 15 minutes. That gave me time (with the blessing of my boss) to take some studies by correspondence. The courses I took that way may have had a greater impact on me than the lectures on the same subjects later at college. You may want to do as I did; they now call it “distance education” via the internet. Check it out here with a link to my alma mater.

Yours for learning sound doctrine, and sticking to it,

David

GOD CARES

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 11-12

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).

Photographed from Migdal you can see Mount Arbel on the left and the Valley of Doves, which is on the west side of the Sea of Galilee. Just beyond are the Horns of Hattin where on Saturday, July 4, 1187, the war between the Crusader kingdom of Jerusalem and the forces of the Ayyubid dynasty was fought. The Muslim armies under Saladin captured or killed the vast majority of the Crusader forces, removing their capability to wage war. As a direct result of the battle, Islamic forces once again became the eminent military power in the Holy Land, re-conquering Jerusalem and several other Crusader-held cities.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 11:11b & 12

A land of hills and valleys which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.

Migdal, mentioned in the picture caption, is the home of Mary Magdalene, the one to whom Jesus first appeared after His resurrection (John 20:11-18). She is a great example of the care Jesus has for people. God also cares for the land. We’re almost at the year end. Canada’s official motto is, “He shall have dominion from sea to sea,” “Ad mare usque ad mare” (Psalm 72:8). As we approach the new year, we may want to reflect on the motivation for our obedience to God. Are we motivated by fear or love? For Mary of Migdal, out of whom Jesus had cast demons, it was love that brought her back to the garden tomb. Because of love she stayed close to Jesus as He carried His Cross. Psalm 103:13 & 14 tells us that, “as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear [hold in awesome reverence] Him. He knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust.” Are we, like Mary, confused and sorrowful? Peter writes, “Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, in these days leading up to the New Year, I ask You to increase my faith, so that I am totally confident that You care for me every day of the year. As I look back over this past year, You have cared for everything about me! Thank You! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

It was on this day in 2012, according to the Mayan calendar, that the world was supposed to end. Remember that? Ephesians 3:21 says, “…world without end. Amen!” Yes, there will come a time of cataclysmic change. For Peter’s perspective on the Mayan prediction I’ve just read 2 Peter 3:1-18. I know God cares, and He’s also in charge of whatever happens to this world. The last few words of our key verse are worthy of repetition… “The eyes of the Lord are always on it [the land] from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.” As we approach the end of the year, I’m living in total confidence in the providential care of our Creator, Sustainer, Provider, Healer, Saviour, and Lord of All.

Yours for a renewed confidence in God’s care,

David

UNDERSTANDING GOD’S REASONS

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 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 on the right-hand side).

The Jordan River normally is a slow meandering stream, but when the Israelites went across, it was at the time of year when the “Jordan overflowed its banks” (Joshua 3:15b).

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 9:5

It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

There were three reasons as to why God took the Children of Israel into the Promised Land. First, because of the wickedness of the nations already there. Second, because of His promise to His friend, Abraham. Third, because Moses fasted and prayed for forty days and nights for God’s purposes to be fulfilled in their lives. Fasting, along with our prayers, does not win brownie points with God, but it does indicate the fervency of our prayers. “The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). God, through Moses, as well as through Paul, made it very clear that, “It’s not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5a). This makes an important distinction between salvation by works and a faith that works.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, grant a greater level of fervency to me as I pray. May I underline and put exclamation points behind my prayers more often by fasting along with my prayers. Thank You for saving me through the greatest work of all time, Your death and resurrection. Now, I’m asking You for a greater measure of faith that works in every area of my life and for the good of others. Amen!!!!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

The Bible reading suggested here in “100 Words” is my morning reading. However, my New Years’ resolution is to raise my time meditating on the Person of Jesus. Raised in a believing, synagogue-attending family, Jesus would have read the portions from His Bible which had been selected by a council of Jewish Rabbis. Our 2-year journey through the Bible, as presented in my blog, goes from the Old Testament to the New and back again, covering every verse, every chapter, every book. I’m asking every reader to join me in this new-year commitment to learn to be more like Jesus.

Yours for knowing God’s Word more thoroughly,

David

1,000 GENERATIONS

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 7-8

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).

A mother and daughter share a meaningful moment at Nazareth Village in Nazareth. My son-in-law, Rev. Nizar Shaheen, ordained 32 years ago in the Nazareth Baptist Church, was one of the visionaries who helped create this re-creation of Nazareth at the time of Christ. Many have come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord in this place.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 7:9

Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments…

What are the emphasis words? Twenty-three times the phrase, “the Lord your God” is repeated. It’s a good idea to check whether or not Jesus quoted from His Hebrew Bible. He did! In Matthew 4:3 Jesus gave us a Moses quote: “Man shall not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3b). Particularly because of Jesus’ quote, we who believe in Him have every right to claim God’s promise to His people. In today’s reading, Moses reviews all God has done for the people, and then takes the very long view which reaches far beyond our present generation. The Apostle Peter picks up on Deuteronomy 7:6 from his Bible and tells us that we, too, are God’s special treasure. We might want to read now 1 Peter 2:9-17. There are serious obligations, as well as exciting blessings, to being God’s people. Think about it and click here to read Peter’s words.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, Your “little rock,” Peter, has challenged me to live my life in a way that will cause other people to glorify You. Please bestow on me grace and power to good works. I know that people will observe me today. May I represent You well. In Your strong Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Four years ago today, I was in the Canadian Space Centre in Montreal to join the Canadian Governor General and others to celebrate the lift off of he Soyuz rocket carrying Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield to the International Space Station. After his return, he told me of the send-off blessing by a Russian Orthodox Priest. With joy he said that the priest, as he prayed for each astronaut, hit them with some force on the forehead with a large metal cross. We reflected on the amazing turnaround in Russia from the communist government which declared, “There is no God,” to this remarkable very public official prayer broadcast across Russia and made available to news organizations around the world. As far as I know, the Canadian News Media ignored that part of the story, but not 100 Huntley Street and YES TV. The light of Christ is shining through thousands of TV sets, computer screens, iPhones and iPads because those who support these ministry opportunities make it possible. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I encourage us all to make a special year-end gift to Crossroads (click here for easy ways to help keep the lights on!).

Yours for the good of God’s people for 1,000 generations,

David

P.S. On yesterday’s blog, I put pictures of seven of my great-grandchildren (four generations of that “1,000”). I must treat all of my great-grandchildren without favouritism. So below are photos of the others. The first three are the grandchildren of our daughter Ellen and her husband Nizar Shaheen. The parents are Sarah and her husband Jordan Stowell. Their children are Aliyah, James, and Kaylin, ages 9, 7, and 4. Then in the second photo is Jadice and Declan, who are the grandchildren of our son Ron and his wife Ann. The parents are Andrea and Jason Patterson. Jadice turns 4 on New Year’s Eve and Declan is 4 1/2 months. The last picture is of 15-month old Ruby, granddaughter of Reynold and Kathy Mainse, who are missionaries in Africa. Ruby is the daughter of Elizabeth and David Lee. Please forgive me for going far beyond 100 words, but Norma-Jean and I, our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren represent those 1,000 generations that God promises to bless!!! And besides, it’s Christmas time!!!   Merry Christmas EVERY ONE!!!

Kaylin, Aliyah and James Stowell.

Jadice and Declan Patterson.

Ruby Lee.

GOD IS “COMMANDER”

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 5-6

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).

The High Priest in the Holy Place of the replica of the Tabernacle which was erected behind the Crossroads Centre for the Summer of 1997 and again in 2012. Many thousands have understood the powerful symbolism as a result.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 6:24

And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.

Let us keep in mind the reason for God’s laws, “FOR OUR GOOD ALWAYS.” There are 15 repetitions of words that “COMMAND” us to obey. That’s not too popular in today’s “I-did-it-my-way” culture. The challenge for Moses, and for us, is in the first verse of today’s reading: “Learn them and be careful to observe them.” As I’ve mentioned before, when God desires to emphasize something, He inspires the writer to repetition. For example, in Deuteronomy the word “hear” is repeated 30 times, the word, “learn” 7 times, the word “keep” 30 times, and here’s one I like…”do” 100 times.

Chapters 5 & 6 summarize the Ten Commandments given first back in Exodus 20. Jesus was asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus quoted Moses from Deuteronomy 6:5 as His answer, and then added an additional quote from God’s laws of social order, “And the second is like it; you shall love your neighbour as yourself” from Leviticus 19:18. Again, the reason for God’s laws? “FOR OUR GOOD ALWAYS.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I thank You that You have written Your laws on my heart and not just on tablets of stone. I ask for insight into keeping Your commandments in the light of the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. In the Name of the One “Who kept all the law,” the Name of Jesus, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In yesterday’s blog I shared a picture of my great-granddaughter in the arms of our Canadian Prime Minister. When her brother heard about her picture in my blog, his body language told me I had to pay some attention to him too! I’ve always done my best to not show favouritism. Therefore, I plan to put pictures of my other great-grandchildren in upcoming blogs.

Frankly, I feel that I don’t deserve the joy which fills my heart. I’ll watch again the movie “A Christmas Carol.” I identify with Scrooge who knows he is not deserving of such happiness. But Scrooge exclaims, “I can’t help it” as he dances for joy. I may do the same after this is posted on the world-wide web. Modern technology…to think God built all this into the building blocks of the universe, and just now mankind has discovered more of His physical laws. As are the moral and spiritual laws, God intends them all to be “FOR OUR GOOD ALWAYS!” God forgive us for twisting these natural laws for our own purposes that are not for “our good always.”

Yours for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven,

David

P.S. As I mentioned above, over the next few days, I will post photos of my great-grandchildren (I can’t help it…it’s the Christmas season!). I’ll start with my daughter Elaine & Bruce’s grandkids below…

Todd & Sheryl Neilson’s children: Myles (9), River (2), Autumn (6), and Noelle (11).

Chris and Diane Stacey’s children: Frankie Norma-Jean (3) and Memphis (7).

Justin and Elena Gilmour’s daughter: Chelsea (21 months).

TAKE HEED, OBSERVE, POSSESS

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 4

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).

A father walks his child from a time of studying holy books in a Jewish library located in Jerusalem at the foot of the Temple Mount, beside the Western Wall. This Jewish father is obviously taking heed to Moses’ instructions.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 4:9

Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and grandchildren.

Words repeated in a chapter stand out to me. “TAKE HEED” (3 times), “OBSERVE” (3 times), and “POSSESS” (4 times). I believe God wants us to pay attention to Him, carefully scrutinize His Word and our response, and then assimilate (make part of our being) what we are learning. This will equip us to pass on our stories to the next generations, and for us personally, “That you may live” (vs 1)…also, “Lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life” (vs 9). Another reason to TAKE HEED, OBSERVE, AND POSSESS is…”Lest you act corruptly” (vs 16). How about “Lest you forget?” (vs 23). The result of our diligence is found in verses 29-31. This is so important that I’m going to type those verses here for extra emphasis, “BUT FROM THERE YOU WILL SEEK THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND YOU WILL FIND HIM IF YOU SEEK HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL. WHEN YOU ARE IN DISTRESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS COME UPON YOU IN THE LATTER DAYS, WHEN YOU TURN TO THE LORD YOUR GOD AND OBEY HIS VOICE (FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS A MERCIFUL GOD), HE WILL NOT FORSAKE YOU NOR DESTROY YOU, NOR FORGET THE COVENANT WHICH HE SWORE TO THEM.” Amen!!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I can’t do this on my own, nevertheless I’ll give it my best. My best won’t be enough Lord. Therefore, I ask you for sufficient grace to fully “Take Heed,” “Observe,” and “Possess.” Through the Person and work of Jesus, the One who did it right, I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Telling my stories to my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren is a joy for me. Besides, when I do this I’m being obedient to God’s instructions given to us through Moses. As I ponder what story I should tell here, in my mind’s eye I see a framed front page picture from the National Post that I have at home. It’s of Stephen Harper in 2006 (who would be elected Prime Minister in 3 days’ time) holding my great-granddaughter, Noelle Neilson (I’ll put a copy of that picture below). His campaign bus stopped right in front of Noelle’s townhome in Waterdown, Ontario. Meanwhile, I had a book of photographs from the 1948 Stanley Cup Champions, the Toronto Maple Leafs, that I thought Stephen Harper would enjoy, knowing that he’s a BIG hockey fan and was working on a book about hockey. I had prayed, “Lord, I have no idea how to get these historic pictures into Stephen’s hands; can You help me?” Now back to that surprise street visit…Mr. Harper asked Noelle’s Mom, my granddaughter Sheryl, “Who is this child.” She answered, “This is David Mainse’s great-granddaughter.” He responded, “Tell David I’m going to call him next week.” The day after the election, as I was walking into a nursing home to get the “okay” from the elderly couple who had given me the hockey photographs, my cell phone rang. Guess what? It was our new P.M. I travelled to Ottawa and presented him these amazing photos on Thursday that week. No one could tell me that God does not have a hand in even small events if we ask Him to. Hebrews 11:6 says, “He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” So that’s another story for my great-grandchildren. Noelle is now eleven and more great-grandchildren have arrived since!.

Yours for passing on stories of God’s love and grace,

David

Here is the photo from the National Post which I referred to above. It was from January 20, 2006. You can click on the photo to enlarge it.

STICK WITH THE PLAN

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 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).

This photo looks east across the Jordan Valley to the mountains of Moab in Jordan. An acacia tree is seen in the foreground.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 3:22

You must not fear them, for the Lord, your God, fights for you.

In today’s reading, Moses recounts how the Children of Israel were a few short weeks from entering the Promised Land. En route there they won several battles. For Moses personally, the big battle was within himself. He made an impassioned plea to be allowed to enter the land. God answers his prayer with an adamant “NO.” He tells Moses to never speak of the matter again. God sends Moses to the peak of Mt. Pisgah to view the Promised Land, and He tells him to commission Joshua as the new leader. God tells Moses to use his authority to “command” Joshua. Moses was still God’s leader, and his “commands” were a source of encouragement and strength to Joshua moving forward.

When God says “No,” He has other plans underway. We need to learn that God’s purposes are His #1 priority, not our plans which we may seek to implement. God’s will be done!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, help me to always be totally obedient to You, never questioning Your authority. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I identify with the Apostle Peter who, on one of the occasions when Jesus spoke of His impending death, said to Jesus, “Far be it from You, Lord, this shall not happen to You!” (check out Matthew 16:21-26). I’ve learned from this that the word “no” and “Lord” must never be found in the same sentence! If Jesus is not “Lord,” then I can say “no.” I have the free will. But if He’s my “Lord,” and He is, I can never say “no” to Him. From time to time I’ve sought to put my own plans in place. They never succeed. I’m 80 now, and I look back over 8 decades. I’ve learned some hard lessons. This blog is one way to pass onto others the wisdom of those lessons. God willing, in another 18 months, I’ll complete this current two-year blog journey through the Bible. You can start anytime and 24 months later you’ll read the Bible’s last word. Therefore, stick with me and we’ll be equipped for living life God’s way. I’ve said to Norma-Jean many times, with a smile on my lips and a twinkle in my eye, “Stick with me, baby, and I’ll give you diamonds as big as your eyes” (I’m sure that’s a quote from some scriptwriter). Of course, I gave her a little diamond upon our engagement (a magnifying glass would have come in handy – my excuse was that I was a student). Then in a burst of enthusiasm, I bought her a larger one about 30 years later when I spotted a bargain in a foreign country. Unfortunately, when I had it checked at a local Canadian jeweller, it was flawed. It wasn’t a bargain after all. I know she still loves me, and I also know that she’ll stick with me. I’m a blessed man!

Yours for “sticking” with the plan,

David

P.S. Norma-Jean also has her mother’s engagement diamond, and she is blessed and content!

TRUDGING INTO JOY

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 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).

A rock formation in the wilderness located in the Jordan Vally near the Dead Sea in Israel. During the desert wilderness wandering of the Children of Israel, the landscape would have looked much like this.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 2:7

For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.

“Trudging”…a word that describes most of the days of our lives. When God brought His people through the Red Sea, there was dancing. They started off toward the Promised Land with excitement, then came the trudge. Our key verse was spoken to people who repeatedly failed the Lord. God had provided for them to move within a short time into the Promised Land. They refused to go in. God provided food and water in the wilderness. They grumbled. While there were some awful consequences along the way, God continued to care for them and to guide them. His presence remained among them. God was ready to restore them and give them success whenever they were ready to believe His promises and move into His plan for their lives. Guidance from Scripture is important for us moving forward! Did you know that Deuteronomy is quoted at least eighty times in 17 of the New Testament books?

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I seem to be trudging a lot. In these times, please help me to keep putting one foot in front of the other, moving forward and not backward. Thank You for those times when I walk with a determined stride, and even run and dance. I ask for grace from Your Spirit in the trudging times. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Norma-Jean and I are 77 & 80. So…while we may trudge sometimes, we also plan to dance a bit this evening, whether I feel like it physically or not! (try it when you’re alone if it embarrasses you). I am so blessed! I’m already dancing in my spirit this morning!!! In the story Jesus told of the son who returned home, He said there was, “music and dancing.” God’s Son has returned home to His Father, having completed His work for our salvation. Surely we have the greatest of all reasons to celebrate.

I suggest a New Testament reading which I have just read, Luke 15:11-32. Let’s pray for all our loved ones to come home to Father God. Christmas would be a great time for that to happen. Also, here’s a great rendition of “Joy to the World” (click here).

Yours for joy in the journey and for grace in those trudging times,

David

P.S. Below is a photo of my son Ron and his wife Ann (Ann checks my blog for punctuation, etc. and Ron makes sure it’s posted properly daily at 6 a.m.). They visited Petra in Jordan a few years ago, leading a Crossroads tour group. The city is carved into the solid rock! This was the area inhabited by “The descendants of Esau who live in Seir,” as mentioned in today’s reading (Deut. 2:4). You can click on the picture to enlarge it.