A HOLY PEOPLE

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 25-26

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).

People praying at the rock in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed all night before he was arrested. The church that now covers it is called the Church of All Nations.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 26:19

…and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.

We are a “holy people.” Believing in Jesus and following Him makes this a fact. Ephesians 2:21 calls us, “a holy temple.” To see how special we are in God’s eyes, read Ephesians 2:11-22.

Two practices stand out in today’s reading. First, the sandal and the kinsman redeemer. Note Deuteronomy 25:9 and then turn to a wonderful love story, Ruth chapter 4. Note verse 7 (click here). Second, paying the tithe, 10% of our increase. To read more about this practice, we may want to read Malachi 3:6-12. This last book in the Hebrew Scriptures has much to say about giving. The Greek Scriptures, our New Testament, speaks of giving in many places. The one that comes to mind is 1 Corinthians 16:2, where Paul encourages us to set aside our offerings on the first day of each week. It seems that the early believers in Jesus paid the tithe (they were all Jews) and then did much more in offerings above their tithe. Remember the words of Jesus to the rich young ruler. Jesus was asking for his all (Mark 10:17-22). Our question should not be, “How much should I give?” but, “How much of that which You, Lord, have given me should I use for myself?” Let’s meditate on that thought.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, please give me the grace of disciplined consistency in listening to You as I read Your Word each day and in faithful fervency as I talk with You in my prayer time. May I see spiritual input in my life to be even more important than physical food and drink. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Because of the practice of giving produce to God, I asked my son, Reynold, for a garden picture. The Garden of Gethsemane was the place where Jesus gave everything back to His Father.

I find it interesting that throughout this present age, the age of the Church, a wide variety of giving practices has been employed. For example, my Father, Rev. Dr. Roy Mainse, in his ordination commitments, was not to own property personally. He was 40 when I was born in 1936, and he wrote that while his brothers received an inheritance, such as the family farm, he would not receive an inheritance. He was in the ministry (Methodist/Holiness Movement) and his needs were provided by the congregations, college, and missionary society which he served. During my time as a boy living at home, the residence, complete with old furniture from the 19th century, was provided. I remember the red-letter day when Dad came home with a new fridge. We actually owned it. Things changed along the way, and Dad and my step-mother owned a home when Dad retired. He passed away 42 years ago next month. I’m older now than he was when God took him home. He was removing the snow from his driveway and steps when his heart simply stopped. My memories of his total dedication to the cause of Christ are a motivation for me in my service to God and people.

Yours for learning how to give back to God that which He has given me,

David

DON’T DELAY!

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 23-24

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 mill stone found in Capernaum. Today’s reading points out the absolute essential nature of the top and bottom stones in the preparation of food for survival.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 23:21

When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you.

Family life, societal life, personal and corporate health practices, financial matters, justice issues, and care for the poor are all covered in our reading. We might do well to follow some of these instructions today. For example, as the photograph illustrates, there are upper and lower millstones needed to grind wheat, corn, etc. The creditor is not to deprive the miller of his means of income (Deuteronomy 24:6). What if we followed the instructions here for a honeymoon lasting a full year (Deuteronomy 24:5)? This practice is recommended to bring happiness to a new wife. Interest-free loans and not entering someone’s home to repossess borrowed items are all good ideas. And our key verse is so important. An unpaid pledge is serious business. It is a betrayal of our word. The old saying is, “Our word is our bond.” Then there is the last verse of our reading and the word “remember.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, please bring to my remembrance those experiences from the past that I need to think about. May I have grace to learn from my mistakes and from my successes also. May I also learn from the experiences of the Children of Israel. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I well remember the occasion when Norma-Jean and I made a pledge to the building fund of Bethel Church in Hamilton, Ontario. I had been Pastor there several years before, and when I went full time as an itinerant Evangelist, Norma-Jean and the children continued to participate in the life of that congregation. It was time, by vote of the people and the leadership of the Pastor, to build a new church building. Our pledge was a significant amount. Our date for paying up, Dec. 31, 1976, came and went and I had not paid the pledge. At the same time, our house was for sale, as we knew we must move to Toronto in order to facilitate the move from the weekly Crossroads and Circle Square telecasts to daily live television. But it was not selling. Finally, in desperation, my wife and I went to the bank, borrowed the money, and made an appointment to visit the Pastor to present our cheque, almost two months late. As far as we can calculate, unknown to us, at the very time I laid the cheque on the Pastor’s desk, Ray Edwards, our realtor, closed the deal to sell our house. I don’t believe the timing was accidental. I learned that God takes pledges very seriously.

Yours for financial integrity,

David

P.S. A year end is here again, and while Norma-Jean and I don’t have any unpaid pledges, we want to give sacrificially to help Crossroads Christian Communications with a year end gift. Here’s my question to all my blog partners. Will you join Norma-Jean and me in giving a much-needed extra year end gift to Crossroads? Your cheque must be dated and your envelope post marked before midnight December 31st or you can give online by clicking HERE…or call toll free 1-800-265-3100 with credit card in hand. God bless you with His loving care. David and Norma-Jean.

HE WAS CURSED, WE ARE BLESSED

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 21-22

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).

Two men, along with many others, present their prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. This is the retaining wall for the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus would have worshipped in the Temple courtyard just above and to the east. This is the closest Jews today can come to the actual Temple site. This is the reason the Wailing Wall is another name for this Herodian structure. Orthodox Jews consider themselves to be in mourning ever since the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 22:4

You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again.

When accused by religious Jews of breaking the laws of the Sabbath by healing a man, Jesus referenced our key verse and exposed their double standard by reminding them that they would indeed pull their animal out of the ditch on the Sabbath (Luke 14:1-6). If we want to discover what Jesus thought of the efforts to keep all the Mosaic laws, read the entire 23rd chapter of Matthew (click here). We might also consider Deuteronomy 21:22b & 23b where our reading points us forward to the One who hung on a tree. It may be valuable for us to read Galatians 3:10-14. Jesus was executed in the worst possible way. Not only did He endure the tortures of the Cross, He also carried the stigma of being “accursed.” The people observing knew well that anyone hanged on a tree is accursed of God. Jesus took on Himself the curse imposed on the human race because of the sin of our first parents. By faith, and because of Jesus, we are not cursed; we are truly blessed.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, as I’ve just read from Matthew 23 and Galatians 3, I realize more than ever how blessed I am. Please help me to never take Your blessings for granted, presuming on Your grace by doing those things which I know have resulted from the “curse.” You forgive my sins and You also give me the grace to stop sinning. Thank You, Jesus! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

An old friend and mentor, the late Rev. J. H. Blair, walked the final steps with the last man hanged for murder in the Barton Street Jail in Hamilton, Ontario. In 1953, Harry Lee was hanged for the crime of first-degree murder. Pastor Blair told me that this man repented before God for all of his sins while maintaining that he was innocent of murder right to the end. I believe I will see Harry Lee in Heaven. The Scripture says that “Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”  I am on a one-way street to eternity. There are no U-turns. Over 1,000 people call the Crossroads/100 Huntley Street prayer lines every day. Many calls are about getting right with God. Kind, loving, non-judgmental people are waiting for those calls. The toll-free number is 1-866-273-4444.

Yours for knowing the salvation for which Jesus hung on a tree,

David

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 19-20

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).

In the ancient city of Corinth, a stone platform was constructed to support the Bema Seat (judgment seat) of the local officials. The seat was used to give out awards to athletes for their competitive performances (usually a crown wreath of leaves), but also to address legal charges brought against individuals. The Apostle Paul was quite familiar with this seat. This is where he was brought before Gallio, who was the proconsul of Achaia at the Bema seat (Acts 18:12). This Bema Seat was also used by Paul as a symbol of the “Judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:9-11). In this context, Paul explains to us that this is where the Believer will receive an evaluation for works done in this life, whether good or bad.

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

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 20:3

And he shall say to them, “Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them…”

In today’s reading there are at least two points to make: (1) The rule of Law (illustrated by the above picture), and (2) God’s presence and protection. In our courts today, “manslaughter” is the charge that may be brought against someone who accidently kills another person. While we don’t have “cities of refuge” today, there is a strong tradition of taking refuge in a church building. In recent years there have been examples of this, particularly when immigration law requires a person to be deported back to their original country.

War is a sad commentary on the human condition. The most difficult moral decision is choosing the lesser of two evils. If we fail to choose the “lesser,” the “greater evil” will win. Had Israel not fought, the surrounding nations would have destroyed God’s people by attacking, killing all, or by converting them to false religion. In the context of our lives today, let us take heart from the promise found in our key verse. As followers of Jesus, our enemies, if they are people, are to be loved (read Matthew 5:38-48). Our most destructive enemy is sin. We are constantly in a state of war. Identify the enemy (read Galatians 5:16-21). Now, prepare for battle, equipped with the knowledge gained from our key verse, and we will win not only a battle but the war itself. Amen!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You are God’s Word made Flesh. You, as the Light of the world, illuminate truth to me. Please help me to always examine the written Word in the light of Your person and work. In Your brilliant light I see, I perceive, I understand, and I conquer evil in Your strong Name. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

While a state may wage war (if I support a war, I must be convinced it is a just war. e.g. WW2 against Nazis who killed millions of Jewish people and many others), in my personal life I do not “fight…against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12). I find that this fight can be downright scary. To counteract fear, I’ve just read Ephesians 6:10-18. I must learn this lesson over and over again. For emphasis I’ll type out Ephesians 6:18, the secret to winning the war: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” The dictionary definition of “supplication” is “humble prayer, entreaty or petition with pleading fervently.” Having done this, I will no longer fear, but I will truly be a brave heart in every circumstance of life. YES! SO BE IT!!!

Yours for winning each battle and eventually winning the war,

David

P.S. Here is an additional photo that Reynold took in the ancient ruins of Corinth. The feet of that great warrior, the Apostle Paul, likely walked this very street.

This is one of the main streets in ancient Corinth.

THE WORD

Today’s Reading: Matthew 1:18-25/ Matthew 2:1-12/ Luke 1:26-56/ Luke 2:1-20

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).

Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity is built over the place traditionally considered the birthplace of Jesus. A silver star in the floor is said to mark the very spot where Christ is believed to have been born. The olive oil lamps are like those that provided light in the Temple at Jerusalem.

Key Verse: John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

The “Word” is one of the many names given for Jesus of Nazareth. God has essentially one “Word” to say to humanity: “JESUS.” Yes, we have many words in Scripture, but the Person and work of Jesus, the Christ (Messiah), sums it all up. “WE BEHELD HIS GLORY.” Pilate, the Roman Governor, said to those gathered in his courtyard, “ECCE HOMO!”…”BEHOLD THE MAN” is the translation of Pilate’s Latin tongue. Behold Him in the word pictures contained in today’s readings. Let us make this Christmas Day in 2016 A.D. (Anno Domine, the “Year of our Lord”) a day when we “Behold” Him with new insight. Almost 1,000 years ago, the 14 point star pictured above was placed on the floor of the cave, 17 feet below the level of the floor of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The points of the star represented the 14 Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem, which were marked for middle-ages pilgrims to remind them of the passion of Christ. We cannot separate the birth of Jesus from His suffering and death. The prophet Isaiah made this clear. Isaiah 7:14 (a virgin shall conceive), Isaiah 9:6 (a Child is born, a Son is given, and another of His Names, Mighty God), and then it’s well worth the time to read Isaiah chapter 53 (click here). These Scriptures will help us to “BEHOLD the MAN.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I am beholding (gazing at intently) You now with a fresh comprehension of Your Glory! Surely You are the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth!!! I ask for an ever-increasing flow of grace so that I “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height…to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge…” (Ephesians 3:18-19). Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve taken the liberty to go well over my goal of 100 words to comment on today’s Bible reading, so I’ll just take this time to lift my heart and hands in worship. I believe I’m beholding His Glory. Hallelujah!

Yours for a truly Merry Christmas,

David

P.S. Here’s an extra photo for today from Bethlehem….and here’s another one of the interview videos on Christmas locations in the Holy Land with Moira Brown and Dr. Craig Evans (click here).

A man in Bethlehem carving olive wood. He creates these figures for those who want to buy mementos during their visit to the birthplace of Jesus.

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