Sunday, June 23, 2013

ARISE

Suggested Reading: 2 Chronicles 6

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

This is the High Priest at the life-sized replica of The Tabernacle of Moses that was on display at the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario, during the summer of 2012. In Solomon's Temple, the altar was of larger dimensions (2 Chronicles 4:1) and was made wholly of brass, covering a structure of stone or earth. Because this altar was larger than the one used in the wilderness Tabernacle, it had a ramp leading up to it. A ramp was used because the use of steps to approach the altar was forbidden by the Torah: "Do not climb up to My altar with steps, so that your nakedness not be revealed on it" (Exodus 20:26).

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 6:10

So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke, and I have filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised; and I have built the temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel.

“The Lord has fulfilled His Word!” God keeps His Promises! When He charges one or more of His people with a task, He provides the wisdom, the strength, and the means to proceed with the job right through to completion. We still have an unfinished task. Jesus said to His followers, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). For another version of Jesus’ commission to us read Matthew 28:16-20. Let’s keep at it every day. Soon the job will be complete. Imagine the celebration we’ll have at Christ’s return when the last living stone is placed in the building of His Church.

In today’s reading there is a warning of the dire consequences of sin against God. As a young man, Daniel experienced being taken captive to a faraway land. But while there, he prayed three times a day for God to restore Israel. Read again 2 Chronicles 6:36-42 to discover what may have been the content of Daniel’s prayer, and then check the book of Daniel 6:10-18. As we proceed, we’ll find that God answered the prayers of Solomon, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and many others for restoration. We can count on God! In the last book of the Old Testament, God says, “For I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord Jesus, grant me the grace I need to be an industrious and faithful worker in doing my part in the building of Your great Temple, Your Church, glorious and triumphant. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I read each morning from one of the later translations of the Bible from the Hebrew and Greek languages known as “The New King James Version.” As this translation was being done, I would often have the scholars charged with the translation work on as my guests on television to explain certain passages and why they were translating a particular portion as they did, making changes from the 19th century translation on which I was raised. There has been a new translation roughly every 100-150 years since the original King James authorized version was completed in 1611, and the 20th century brought us many more English translations. A spoken language is constantly changing the meanings of words, hence the need for new translations from the original languages which are no longer spoken, biblical Hebrew, biblical Greek, and the first complete Bible translation language, Latin. The New King James translation was done by scholars from various denominations looking over each other’s shoulders to make sure there was no particular denominational bias coming through. I’m confident that this translation is true to the original divinely inspired Word of God.

Yours for consistently reading and meditating on the Scriptures, and then applying the Word to our lives,

David

12 thoughts on “Sunday, June 23, 2013

  1. When Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, lord, save me. Mt 14:29-30

    “Peter had a little faith in the midst of his doubts, says Bunyan; and so with crying and coming he was brought to Christ. But here you see that sight was a hindrance; the waves were none of his business when once he had set out; all Peter had any concern with, was the pathway of light that came gleaming across the darkness from where Christ stood. If it was tenfold Egypt beyond that, Peter had no call to look and see.

    “When the Lord shall call to you over the waters,’Come,’ step gladly forth. Look not for a moment away from Him. Not by measuring the waves can you prevail; not by gauging the wind will you grow strong; to scan the danger may be to fall before it; to pause at the difficulties, is to have them break above your head. Lift up your eyes unto the hills, and go forward–there is no other way.

    “Dost thou fear to launch away?
    Faith lets go to swim!
    Never will He let thee go;
    ‘Tis by trusting thou shalt know
    Fellowship with Him.”

    Streams in the Desert, Cowman, June 23, p. 200

    Holding up in prayer, those we hold dear, who need healing and strength; and divine protection and intervention. May your pain be decreasing, and your faith be increasing.

    Blessed be thee, oh saints, on this splendid day; as we worship with thanksgiving and praise to our Lord, most high.

  2. Todays reading contained a wonderful prayer by King Solomon, especially about restoration and hope. The acknowledgement all have sinned, experienced the consequences of sin and how God listens and provides restoration. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” Have a great day to all in worship and praise!

  3. Solomon’s prayer reflects a humble heart of a faithful servant who walked closely with his Lord. Solomon knew and believed in the promises of God and had a vision of what that relationship would look like with His people Israel. He knew this relationship would be everlasting, but he also knew that it would have it’s moments of testing and trial. In retrospect we can now see how true Solomon’s words truly were, as they were quite prophetic, as revealed in the prayer of Daniel for example.

    This prayer of Solomon is somewhat of a template for the life of the Christian. We as Christians worship a Holy and personal God who only wants the very best for His people. Although Solomon worshiped at at temple built with stone, we worship from the temple built in human flesh and bone, and we pray towards God in the Spirit. As Solomon trusted in and believed upon the promises of his God, we too trust in and believe the promises of God through the continuing story of the Old Testament which was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, who physically came to dwell with His people to show them a better way. A way not fulfilled through the righteousness of trying to fulfill laws, but a new and better way accomplished through ‘self-sacrifice’ and ‘love for others’ through faith in His name. Jesus came that we might know God and to stop striving for self-righteousness which could never be accomplished on our own. Live, love and trust in Jesus for your salvation; simply believe upon Him and rest in your salvation. Jesus is sure to fulfill His promises, for Jesus is Lord.

  4. Good morning fellow bloggers and thanks for all your comments. Bringing those in need before The Throne.

    Hebrews 10:23. Let us hold firmly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for GOD can be trusted to keep HIS promises.

    Thanks for all your comments and encouragement.

    Blessings as you worship today.

  5. Yes, there are many translations and paraphrases of the Bible out there today. Personally, I still memorize from the original King James Version but I read the New International Version. Interesting to see that the audio scriptures use the NIV but if you don’t go to the audio version, the New KJV is what you read.

    Remembering and praying for our fellow blog-buddies and friends to have had recent surgery and also those who need His Touch of Healing in their bodies today. May each one feel His Presence today and have their spirits lifted as they think on Him.

    Have a great Lord’s Day everyone!!!

  6. Dear David M and precious fellow bloggers
    Rushing off to worship our Lord and Savior
    Keeping all of you in my prayers
    Have a blessed day

    Xxxx Carole Ray

  7. Didn’t the Lord Himself ordain the King James vetsion as the only authourised version?

    Just joshin folks! 🙂

  8. Hi all of Ger’s fellow bloggers, my name is Kathy (Ger’s sister) and I am writing this on her behalf to inform you all that she has come thru the heart surgery wonderfully, and is looking great! She asked me to thank you for your many prayers/support for her during this time..so again thank you. It’s such a blessing to her to have you lending your support..blessings from Ger & Sis Kathy

  9. Soloman’s prayer was very wise indeed. It was as though he had thought of every circustance in which his people might sin. As if he was trying to cover all the bases for the people, all people. It shows ,not only how wise Solaman was but how considerate and careing he was.

    Thank you David for reaffirming your faith and trust in the KJV bible.
    I have recently seen a study that a merried couple did comparing the KJV vs the
    NIV version they said it was a shock and an eye opener.They are very young. They said they use to think that people who were so addimant about the KJV bible were a little over the top and well … nutty! , but not any more they said from now on they will only use the KJV .

    Same For me, from now on, it’s only the KJV Bible.I have many other translations that now are just keep sakes like a peice of history . If your inspired to check it out for your selfpray about it and seek out the knowledge and God will direct your path to the truth and it will appear effortlesslty.

    We are in the end of days …so… we must be careful to adhear to sound doctrine.
    God said just before his return there would be a famine in the land ,but it wasn’t for the food we eat. He is referring to the lack of sound doctrine , his un alterd holey word. In Revelation God said” you shall not add nor take away
    any words from this book. That’s plain enough for me.
    M. 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.