Saturday, January 23, 2016

“GOD’S CALL”

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 1-2

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

 

A wild donkey (Somali Wild Ass) at a nature reserve in Israel’s Jordan Valley. In Jeremiah 2:24 the people of Jerusalem are likened to this creature at mating time. It is said that the wild donkey cannot under any circumstances be domesticated for service to people as regular donkeys are. Jeremiah uses this animal as an illustration of Jerusalem’s determination to do its own thing in opposition to serving God.

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

 

Key Verses: Jeremiah 1:4-5

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

Before you were born I sanctified you;

I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

 

When Moses was called by God, he believed that he was unequipped to do the job. When Isaiah was called, he felt unworthy. When Jeremiah was called, he felt too young to accomplish God’s purposes (Jeremiah 1:6). When God calls us to do a work for Him, He always equips us to fulfill the assigned tasks. Otherwise, why would He bother calling us? All that is required of us is OBEDIENCE to His call! Jeremiah began his ministry when good king Josiah reigned over Judah. Jeremiah served as an advisor in helping Josiah initiate reforms which were in line with God’s revelations to His people as found in the Scriptures. Reforms? Yes! But the hearts of the people needed to be transformed, and that did not happen. Josiah was succeeded by ungodly kings who rejected Josiah’s message and led their people deeper into sin against God, persecuting Jeremiah for his stand for the truth of God.

Jeremiah’s first recorded sermon is in chapter 2. Jeremiah is called, “The Weeping Prophet.” His heart was broken with those things that break the heart of God!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, it could’ve been so different for Your people if only they had followed Your ways. I pray that I will pay attention to those who have genuinely been called by You to preach Your Word. Please grant me grace to obey Your Word! May I not break Your great heart of love by turning my back on You as did Your people in Jeremiah’s time. I pray this in the Name of the One who always obeyed You, Jesus the Messiah (Christ). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Our message should be one of total support for the Jewish people’s right to have a state, which hopefully will ensure that never again will there be a time of the destruction of Jews, this most persecuted people in all history, as has happened in the past. At the same time, while supporting the Jewish state, we should be pro Arab as well. We are told in Scripture to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). Let’s pray fervently for the leaders of the western world, the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and for President Abbas of Palestine.

Yours for praying for all who are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2),

David

P.S. Our past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Crossroads Ministries, Don Simmonds, travelled to Israel in 2014 with our then Canadian Prime Minister, along with several Federal Cabinet Members and other leaders from various segments of Canadian life. Below are some pictures that help tell the story of this significant journey.

In Saint Catherine’s Church in the Palestinian city of Bethlehem. Left to right, a security officer, Dr. David Wells, leader of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nainaimo, former Prime Minister Harper, David Sweet, Member of Parliament, James Moore and John Baird, former Cabinet Ministers. Perhaps the infectious joy of the birth of Christ which happened right next door has touched their hearts. They look like they are thoroughly enjoying their time and no one had to say “cheese.” Well – -maybe someone said, “Say Jesus!”

A happy moment in this church built right next to the cave/stable where Christ was born. Rev. Dr. David Wells, The Honourable Stockwell Day, former Leader of Canada’s Official Opposition Party, Don Simmons, former Chairman of our Crossroads Board, Don Hutchinson, legal counsel to the Centre for Faith and Public Life, and the Honourable John Baird, Canada’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs. I’d like to know what was said that brought those big smiles to their faces.

14 thoughts on “Saturday, January 23, 2016

  1. Yes, David, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem and God’s protection over the people in Israel. You are our forever light, oh Lord, our God. In You, we hold our claim to life–to worship, adore, and serve You–here on earth, as it is in heaven, amen! Blessings fellow saints–stay warm!

    We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image… —2 Corinthians 3:18

    “Although the path be all unknown?
    Although the way be drear?
    Its shades I travel not alone
    When steps of Yours are near.”

    Passion–My Beloved, Crowder
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUwXo0jgORI

  2. Amen! Very significant journey and I pray our country always shows this support for Israel. Yes we need to pray for both leaders. Love this book of Jeremiah and but not the actions of God’s people and their treatment of Jeremiah. What a prophet Jeremiah was, weeping for his people! Just heard last night another 40 refugees drown on the way to Turkey, mostly children and 4 were shot in Saskatchewan. This is a time of great sorrow like Jeremiah’s time. Thank you David for your faithfulness. Blessings saints!

  3. Beverlee Kay I was wondering how do you find the music and how do you get it on your blog? if you can share I would appreciate it very much,
    Praying for safety for those in enduring the storms,
    praying for the families in Saskatchewan whose children were in the shooting in a school, Lord God help us all, bring comfort to the families and friends and I pray that those who did this will get help!
    Lord I pray that You will keep our young people safe! Help those who need to seek Mental Health counselling! I pray that those in Health care will advocate for more support for our young people.
    Lord I pray that communities will come together and support our families, pray that people will realize their need for God’s love and that they would attend a Christian church and come together to pray for one another.
    Lord help me to speak words of comfort to those who are hurting, help me to listen more and help to pray more

    • Sah, go to http://www.google.ca, and type in: Amazing Grace, song, youtube or Amazing Grace, Chris Tomlin (if you have a particular singer you want). Press enter; then click on the video or link to the video that comes in front of you; often a full list of various singers with that song comes up; click on one, press enter. If there is a tune playing in your head, just type in partial lyrics; as I did, today.
      Then, in the address bar at the top of the screen, click your cursor on the link to highlight it in full (click cursor at beginning, left side, of link, hold down shift key and cursor key and scroll over to the right). Then, hold down ctrl and c together at the same time (copy) to copy the link, go back to your comment in 100words.ca and click your cursor there, press ctrl and p together (paste) and that link pastes into the comment section. Type the name of the song and singer above it, so people know what the link is for. Sorry I didn’t do it for you, yesterday, for Amazing Grace, but here it is now, for you. It is easy. You can do it, Sah! God bless you!

      Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkAZteruVAw

  4. Father, in Jesus Name, I humbly ask that You put Your Words into my mouth also (for those who come across my path in daily life). Give me Wisdom also. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

  5. Thank you for including the 2 pictures of the delegation of Christian and political leaders who visited Jerusalem and showed their support for the nation of Israel back in 2014. How we need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the surrounding area in these difficult days
    May God’s will be done, and may many more come to experience His peace.

  6. Great pictures of the Christian politicians in Israel showing Canada support for that Nation…Hopefully and prayerfully that support will continue…Jesus I pray it will be so!! Amen.

  7. My heart is broken, broken, broken, may God have mercy on us all. May He work into us true humility and deliver us from religiosity.

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