SHAME!

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 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).

This is the ancient mosaic floor in the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, located in the ancient Moabite city of Madaba. It is the oldest map of Jerusalem and biblical locations. Madaba is a Christian city, today located just east of Mt. Nebo in the country of Jordan. Amman is the capital city of Jordan. This is the area occupied by Israel before their conquest of Canaan. The Bible spelling of these names in today’s reading is Medeba (19: 7) and Ammon (19:9).

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

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 19:4

Therefore, Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, at their buttocks, and sent them away.

King David’s first choice for Ammon was kindness and peace. However, when these were refused, war was practically inevitable. Even today, the war option should be absolutely the last resort. War should be avoided almost always. The shame inflicted on David’s ambassadors of kindness was too much for Israel to bear. It was war!

The key verse makes the point that shame is often considered in some cultures to be much worse than an honourable death in battle. David’s instructions to his ambassadors was for them to come half way to Jerusalem (Jericho) and wait there for further instructions. In 19:19, as we saw in an earlier reading, David brought about peace through strength. This was President Reagan’s approach to end the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

When we recognize that Almighty God is all-powerful and that all we have is human strength, we should make an intelligent choice and say to God, “I surrender.” Oh yes, we can persist in our own will. We are made in His image and likeness, and we have the right to say “no” to God. We must not blame God when we bear the consequences of our own decisions. God, Himself, comes to us with offers of kindness and peace.

We may want to read from the New Covenant Colossians 1:19-22. Like David with the King of Ammon, God took the initiative in sending to us ambassadors of kindness and peace, Jesus and the Apostles.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I know that in rebelling against You, I will bring disastrous consequences upon myself and others. Therefore, I pray that in all things I will be Your subject, a citizen of Your eternal Kingdom. You are my forever King! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Here’s a “loss of face” story. In the orient, “loss of face” is particularly offensive. A TV crew from America arrived in Seoul, Korea. They were met by a delegation on behalf of Pastor David Yonggi Cho and driven to their hotel. When they asked about their TV production equipment they were told, “We’re looking after that for you.” Later that evening they met Pastor Cho and they asked about their cameras and TV gear. The pastor said, “As you leave Korea, your equipment will be restored to you. It’s locked up safely in a room at the airport. I will not allow you to use our Korean church to raise money for yourselves in America.”

About two years earlier, Cho had been a guest on that particular American show, where the host had raised a great deal of money to build a TV studio for Cho in Korea. Cho had gone home and told everyone what this generous U.S. TV host had offered. However, not a cent was ever sent to Korea. About a year after the American TV crew was sent home, Cho was a guest on 100 Huntley Street in Toronto. The entire telecast was on the theme of forgiveness. The moment we were off the air, Cho said, “God has just given me the grace to forgive ______.” He headed straight for the airport, changed his flight to one flying to the city where the promise had been made to him, and asked the forgiveness of ______. Cho did what God required of him. Cho had lost face with his Korean people and felt deeply shamed, a most serious issue. I wondered how I would have reacted in a similar circumstance…and still wonder. Cho, in my opinion, is one of the truly great Christian leaders of our time. Since that time, God has blessed Cho in an unprecedented way. His church building now seats about 40,000 people and is located on Yeouido Island, next to the South Korean Parliament. He has several services every Sunday in order to accommodate their massive congregation. It was called “The Full Gospel Central Assembly” and in the 1990’s was renamed, “Yoido Full Gospel Church” (click here).

Yours for learning to avoid causing anyone to be shamed or to lose face,

David

The altar area of the Church of Saint George, located in the ancient Moabite city of Madaba.

The outside view of the same church.

THE FOREVER BUILDING

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 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).

Here is a view of the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. Above the Western Wall (or Wailing Wall), where you now see the trees and the golden Dome of the Rock, was once the location of Solomon’s Temple.

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

Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 17:4

Go and tell my servant David, “Thus says the Lord: You shall not build Me a house to dwell in.”

What if David had gone ahead and built God’s house? Chaos would’ve resulted and, because of disobedience, the favour and the presence of God would be gone from David and Israel. We must make absolutely sure we’ve heard from God, and then we must move forward boldly, trusting that if God is not in the move, He will stop us if we are willing to listen and obey.

David’s son, Solomon, built the Temple. Solomon composed Psalm 127 in which he writes, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it” (verse 1). The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed twice, the first time by the Babylonians and the second time by the Romans. How do we understand the word “forever,” which is repeated five times in our reading? According to Nathan the prophet, God desires a place in which to dwell. The Apostle Paul informs us that, “In Him [Jesus] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] bodily” (Colossians 2:8-10). God promised David that his dynasty would be “forever.” Only in the Son of David, Jesus, is that true. Because of Jesus, we, as believers in Him, are the building in which God dwells. Ephesians 2:19-22 tells us that we are “built together for a habitation of God.” Rejoice!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, grant that I may ever be conscious that my fellow believers and I are Your dwelling place, Your temple. May I never dishonour Your temple, which is my spirit, soul and body. Also I pray that, like King David, I will know when to take initiatives and when to stop. Lord Jesus, great Builder of Your Church, use me for Your building, and also use the next generation. In Your Name I ask these mercies, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Looking down from my bookshelves are five faces. Three of them are on books. There’s Wilberforce, who led the heroic campaign to end slavery in the British Empire. There’s Lincoln, who took the lead in ending slavery in the United States. And there’s John A. MacDonald, a builder of Canada. I believe that all of these were servants of God to accomplish His purposes. The other two faces I see are peeking out from two wooden shoes. The shoes were presented to me in the Netherlands (Holland) on the occasion of a speaking tour, sponsored by a TV station. Inside the shoes are Caspar the Cop and his Uncle Jasper, puppets I used for years in ministering to children. Both Caspar and Jasper are very old now in puppet years and they’ve lost their hats somewhere. However, in their time they did a fine job of grabbing the attention of children so I could share the story of Jesus in a way that was not boring and that they would remember for a lifetime. Caspar and Jasper do not have the stature of Wilberforce, Lincoln, and MacDonald, but they did their job. All of us have a place in God’s grand purposes. I recognize that all I have to do, like the puppets Caspar and Jasper, is to be available for God’s hand to use me at all places and at all times, and God’s will shall be done in and through me. Amen!!!

Yours to learn to obey God, being willing to build with Him as He directs,

David

P.S. Below is a photo of the bookshelf view that I described, including the puppets Caspar and Jasper. The mark on Jasper’s forehead is the glue that held his hat in place. Under the wooden shoes is the Bible. I deliberately placed the shoes there as a message to me every morning as I do this blog. My understanding is that Holy Scriptures are the foundation of my life. This picture symbolizes the solid Rock of God’s Truth on which we take our stand every day in 100words.ca, as well as our daily walk with God; it also symbolizes a variety of methods of sharing God’s Word. The message never changes, but the methods do.

PURPOSE

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 16

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

The most recent excavations in David’s City are just to the south of the Temple Mount. If only these stones would sound an echo from David’s time, we would have a tune as well as the words of David’s songs, which we have in today’s reading.

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

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:29

Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

King David blesses the people in the Name of the Lord! (verse 2). He declares, “‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel…’ and all the people said, ‘Amen!'” (verse 36). “David returned to bless his house” (verse 43). Webster’s dictionary says that bless means, “invoke divine favour; approve; make happy; praise.” Let’s take our pick of those meanings and “bless” people, our house, and God! David’s words and music accomplished this. He was good at it! Everyone is good at something. Let us bless others with our abilities whatever they are. We can all bless God (receive His approval and make Him happy) as our key verse says, by giving Him glory, by bringing an offering, coming before Him, and worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness. Being holy is to consecrate oneself to God for His purposes. This is true beauty!

We see the purposes of God in verses 23 & 24…First, “Sing to the Lord.” Second, “Proclaim the Good News of His salvation from day to day.” Third, in verse 29… “Give the Lord the glory due to His Name.” Fourth, “Bring an offering.” Fifth, “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Sixth, in verse 31b… “Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns.'” Seventh, in verse 34… “Give thanks to the Lord.” We bless God by fulfilling His purposes! “And all the people said, ‘Amen!’ and praised the Lord” (verse 36 b).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God I praise You! Hallelujah! Amen! Please grant me the grace to consistently fulfill Your purposes for my life. I pray these mercies in and through the One who fulfilled all Your purposes, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen and AMEN!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve often made up songs for the Lord’s ears only. I would sing them when I was all alone with the Lord. I felt that He appreciated my effort. Once only did I venture to sing one of my songs in front of my college buddies, and it did not go over too well. I gave up on the idea of ever being a songwriter for other people. However, it was not so with my wife, Norma-Jean. She has had many songs published, which have been sung by her and others. I’ll never forget when, about a year after we were married, she went to the piano in our little church building in Brighton, Ontario, and here are the words I heard her sing:

Verse 1: “Oh Saviour hear my prayer– and make me more like Thee– to walk this narrow way– to higher heights in Thee, Oh Lord I want to shine– forth with thy love sublime–Oh make me more like Thee…That those who are blind might see.

Chorus: Christ in me–and Christ in you—we will a witness be–as He shines through–Let self not darken –His radiant face—Let Christ shine through–in every place.

Verse 2. Oh Saviour hear my cry–and help me e’re I die–to walk with Thee each day–and never stray away. Oh Lord I want to speak–though in my flesh I’m weak–cast out each doubt and fear–That those who are deaf might hear.

Chorus: Christ in me–and Christ in you–We will a witness be–as He shines through–Let self not darken–His radiant face.–Let Christ shine through–In every place.

The theme of this Gospel song is Jesus Christ. The first verse is a prayer that He may be seen in our lives. The second verse, that He may be heard in us. The chorus calls upon us to yield, allowing Christ to shine through. Norma-Jean said, “Inspiration for this song came from a life which exemplified this experience. Therefore, I dedicated this song to the memory of my mother, Lillian Rutledge.” This was one of Norm-Jean’s songs published in sheet music by “The Gospel Publishing House” of Springfield, Missouri. Two years later, I heard the choir from the Bible College in Peterborough, Ontario, sing her song. I was so very blessed.

Yours for striving to live a life where Christ shines through,

David

P.S. Below is the published sheet music of Norma-Jean’s song that I referred to above (You can click on them to enlarge and print, if you wish).

CELEBRATE

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 14-15

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

Across the Kidron Valley and Facing the Mount of Olives on the eastern side of the Old City of Jerusalem is the Golden, or Eastern Gate. Jesus celebrated with the people as He entered through the Golden Gate on Palm Sunday. Jewish religious tradition teaches that the coming Messiah will enter Jerusalem through this gate. To prevent this, the Muslims sealed the gate during the rule of Suleiman.

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

Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 14:15; 15:16

And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines…Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy.

Scripture records more commendations for David than for any other king. Today’s reading may indicate the reason for that. Most of the time he kept in touch with God, listened and obeyed. In this story, David is under attack from the Philistines. Most military strategists would first enter a planning session, but not David. First, he began to pray! Before he did anything to defend his people, he inquired of the Lord. God gave him the battle plan, which resulted in victory. David honoured God, then God honoured him. Back in 1 Samuel 2:30b God says, “Those who honour Me I will honour, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.”

Is it any wonder that David and the people also knew how to celebrate, as we read in chapter 15? One who did not celebrate was David’s first wife, Michal, the daughter of King Saul. No doubt, in human terms, she had reason to be bitter. She started her marriage to David with great hope, then was given to another man by Saul. She was forced back to her first husband, David, when he took power. In the meantime, David had married another wife. Now David had more wives. It’s sad for Michal. Our attitude and our confidence in God can turn the most difficult circumstances around for good, and we can rejoice if we choose to.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, help me to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18). I pray that I will pray, listen and obey. Grant that my attitude will be one of celebrating other people’s joy, and that I will celebrate Your work in me also. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Back in the early 1990’s, I was not celebrating as I should. The lease on our downtown Toronto television studio building was not being renewed and we were forced to move elsewhere for the continued operation of Crossroads. God had clearly indicated to me, and all the others in leadership, that the right move was to buy land in Burlington and build, according to the vision God had given us for the future. The new Crossroads Centre was opened in May of 1992, the same year we built and financed an amazingly successful soul-winning outreach at the World Exposition in Spain. However, we were not having success in controlling the costs, and we ended up in humanly-impossible debt. Nevertheless, God had a plan.

First, he sent Norma-Jean and me to Argentina, with all costs paid for by a great Argentinian congregation. That church was experiencing a mighty Holy Spirit revival with thousands coming to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord. I expected to be in Church 24/7, but that was not to be. The Pastor’s daughter was having her “coming out party” at a local hotel the first night there, and we were invited. During one of the games, Norma-Jean was asked to get up and imitate an animal, and the guests were to guess the animal. She was moving like and elephant and they guessed right! Everyone was having lots of fun, except me. I thought, “This is foolish. We came down here to experience a spiritual revival, and now this?” Perhaps my attitude was like that of Michal. Then the master of ceremonies called me up and quietly asked that I, along with my table (they had separated Norma-Jean and me), should mimic a creature. The table decided on a crab. There I was moving sideways in a most awkward way. Initially, I was not happy. I thought, “Life is too serious for this.” Then God spoke to my inner being, and this is what I heard: “David, you don’t have fun any more. You’re too serious. I want you to be much more childlike and enjoy life. This is why I arranged for you to come to Argentina.” My attitude changed then and there, and I really got into the crab mimic routine (without being ‘crabby’!). We all laughed heartily and the celebration continued. That trip changed me forever. I came home rejoicing.

Yours for celebrating God’s plans and provisions,

David

PEACE, PEACE

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 12-13

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

Stone carving of two gladiators in battle found at the Colosseum in Rome. Wars fill the pages of our history books. King David was a man of war, and by God’s grace upon him, he ushered in a long period of peace in the entire region.

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

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 12:18

Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said: “We are yours, O David; We are on your side, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, And peace to your helpers! For your God helps you.” So David received them, and made them captains of the troop.

“Peace through strength.” We heard this statement from President Ronald Reagan. We witnessed the end of the cold war and the collapse of atheistic communism. In today’s reading we learn of David’s strength. First of all, David himself was strong in God! We know this from reading the Psalms. Check out Psalm 105:1-15. In spite of obvious failures, David was strong in character for most of his life. His unselfishness, his humility, his faith, and his overall attitude made him someone God could work with to bring peace, internally ending a period of civil war in Israel and also bringing peace internationally. King Solomon, David’s son, reaped the rewards of David’s legacy. There was “great joy in Israel” (12:40b).

Just as great people rallied to David’s side, let us rally to the side of Jesus, another Son of David, and Son of God. Let us accept His cause as our own. What an honour to share in His triumph, His peace, not just for time but for eternity! There is “great joy” in the earth because of the reign of King Jesus!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, thank You that I share in the peace and triumph of Jesus! I come to Him, pledging loyalty and constant service. Grant me grace to be focused on Jesus’ cause. He said, “I will build My Church.” Keep me true to Him 24/7. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

“Pax Romana,” the peace of Rome, was built on strength, but without the “peace of Christ” under-girding that strength. The communist Soviet Union was also built on strength which, like Rome, eventually crumbled into the dust of history. But not the Kingdom over which Jesus is King. His Kingdom is forever! (Revelation 11:15-19).

As a result of writing my book, “This Far By Faith,” I’ve recalled some happenings in which our Crossroads ministry was involved in the 1980’s that had an impact for Christ’s Kingdom in the Soviet Union (Russia and 14 other republics), as well as eastern Europe.

(1) The release on state TV across the entire region of the “Crossroads Creation Series”… 13 half-hour episodes designed to create doubt in the minds of atheists. The Russian language was recorded over the English. This was the first ever Christian-produced TV series carried by Soviet state TV. It was in prime time. It happened as a result of having previously smuggled in thousands of video tapes of the series during the 1980-85 years.

(2) Shortly thereafter, our “Kingdom Adventure” children’s TV series drew over one million letters from Soviet children and their parents. They were asking for colouring books that not only presented the animated and puppet characters of the show but also presented Jesus as Saviour and Lord.

(3) Graduates of our Crossroads Broadcasting Academy from the communist countries began producing thousands of hours of Christian TV in their own languages with huge responses from millions of people. A book should be written on these exciting international developments!

(4) Bruce Stacey’s “Peace” song, the closing theme for Expo ’86, Vancouver, produced by Crossroads, was sent around the world into every country by the United Nations to be played on every TV and radio station. This was an amazing miracle from God as a result of our “Pavilion of Promise” at that World Exposition. We’ve now led people to Jesus iin four great World Expositions.

All these things happened because of the loyalty, unity, prayers and support of God’s people here at home. As in our reading today, there is “joy” in much of Europe and Asia as a result of God’s blessing in these ways, as well as in the contributions of many other people. I believe that Crossroads is doing its part in the overall picture of “peace.” Norma-Jean and I support Crossroads financially every month. Crossroads continues to impact our world. Check it out and please join us in prayer and in giving (click here). Many supporters of my generation have moved on to Heaven. It’s absolutely essential that new members join in consistent financial support. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Yours for helping to bring the world to love and serve King Jesus,

David

A modern floor is built where the Colosseum floor once was.

RIGHT DECISIONS

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 10-11

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

Around 1100 BC, the Canaanite city, Beit She’an, was conquered by the Philistines, who used it as a base of operations for further penetrations into Israel. During a battle against King Saul’s army at nearby Mount Gilboa in 1004 BC, the Philistines prevailed. 1 Samuel 31 states that the victorious Philistines hung the body of King Saul on the walls of Beit She’an. Portions of these walls were excavated on Tel Beit She’an recently. King David was able to capture Beit She’an in a series of brilliant military campaigns that expelled the Philistines from the area, pushing them back to their coastal strongholds of Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath, Gaza, and Ashdod.

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

Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 10:4b, 13-14

Saul took a sword and fell on it…So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord.

Suicide! What a tragic end of life for a man called of God to serve as King over Israel. Through his own choices this once humble and faithful man reduced himself to a defeated, moody, unhappy shell of his former person. The warning must be sounded! For anyone who gives his or her life to God, God-informed and Scripture-based choices must be made and followed. There should be absolutely no consultation with any form of the occult or persons who, under the guise of spiritual gifts, would seek to take the place of direct guidance from God and the Word of God. Emotional stress and mental anguish will result. With Saul, his bad temper had taken control, as evidenced by his jealousy of David. The prelude to Saul’s death, and that of his sons, was that he had forgotten the key rule of battle…keeping in close touch with the Commander of the Lord’s hosts, as Joshua did.

Every person who makes a decision to serve Jesus must consult Him daily. Jesus, Himself, gave us the example of consulting His Father in prayer early every morning. Failure to keep in close touch will result in poor decisions, and we will flounder as Saul did. Let us all take everything of any importance to Jesus in prayer. He will guide and we will follow!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

“What would Jesus do?” Lord Jesus, I want to be like Peter, James and John, the three who, because of their fervency of spirit, were closest to You. Like these three, may I always keep the eyes of my spirit focused on You, so that I won’t miss anything You are doing and want me to do. I pray that I won’t struggle with this challenge, but rest in Your nearness. If there is any gap between us, Lord, help me to close that gap right now! In Your Name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

The first Governor General of Canada I met was the Rt. Hon. Jeanne Sauve. In her former role as Minister of Communications back in the 1970s, the host of our Circle Square children’s telecast, Glen Rutledge, presented her with a large study brief which we had prepared on violence in children’s TV and its detrimental impact on children’s lives. This document was the direct result of guidance I know we had received from the Lord. Madame Sauve was dying with cancer the last time I met her. We had time alone together before going out on the stage of the Convocation Hall at the University of Toronto. I remember approximately her words to me. She wept freely at her memory, “I could never dispose of that study brief. It has remained on my shelf near me ever since I received it from your children’s host about 15 years ago. I knew that as Minister of Communications at the time, I should be able to do something. However, the will of the broadcasters and society in general was not there to enable me to take action. I’m so sorry.” A political leader in a democracy is unable to act without the support of the majority of those involved as stakeholders in the cause. My heart was heavy and I did my best to pray with her and comfort this precious person. She bravely went on stage and represented Canada with strength and dignity. She passed away several months later, and I wept over the loss.

Yours for guidance from God and for showing up when we need to exercise our rights as citizens to influence the course of our various countries. We pray every time we sing our national anthem here in Canada, “God Keep Our Land,”

David

MORNING BY MORNING

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 8-9

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 ancient Hippodrome at Jerash, where tourists can enjoy re-enactments of chariot races and play fighting. Recent excavations show that Jerash was already inhabited during the Bronze Age (3200 BC – 1200 BC). After the Roman conquest in 63 BC, Jerash and the lands surrounding it were annexed by the Roman province of Syria and joined the Decapolis cities. Jesus ministered here. These were non-Jewish cities. He cares for us all!

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

Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 9:27-28

And they lodged all around the house of God because they had the responsibility, and they were in charge of opening it every morning. Now some of them were in charge of the serving vessels, for they brought them in and took them out by count.

Names, names and more names are found in our readings. Perhaps this is tedious for some, but not for God. Every person is of infinite and eternal importance to Him, including each of us! The Chronicles are not written with a specific timeline in mind; rather it moves back and forth with the stories of various families. The key verse is not about the Temple of Solomon but about its successor built under the leadership of Ezra. This was the Temple, which was extensively renovated and enlarged by King Herod, in which Jesus would have worshipped. Notice the care given to the management and operation of the Temple.

Consider our responsibility to the sanctuary in which we worship. This is not the earthly building built for the purpose of meeting together as believers to worship corporately, to learn the Word of God, and to have fellowship one with another, but rather the Tabernacle “not made with hands.” The earthly building was a copy of that which exists in Heaven. It is to the heavenly building, the Church in the heavenly place, in which each one of us have the responsibility to serve every day. “Morning by morning” with consistency is so very important. Let us take the time, if possible, to read from Hebrews 9:1-28. Let us meditate on our place of service.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, even as those who served You in Your earthly building called the Temple, so I desire to take responsibility in serving in Your eternal building, the Church, which You, Jesus, said You would build. Please show me my specific responsibility, and I pray for grace to faithfully do my job. In the Name of the One who carries out His responsibility with total faithfulness, the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Everyone reading this blog has a job to do, as did those who lived around the Temple in Jerusalem. I have some responsibilities currently at the Crossroads Centre here in Burlington. Every morning my job is to make sure you who read this blog actually receive it. Ron and Ann are a big blessing, making sure it gets done right. I’m determined to give top priority to my wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. My over-arching job is to serve in that Tabernacle “not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1). I’m doing this now as I write this blog. Faithfulness in prayer, in meditating on God’s Word, in bringing others and their needs before God daily is my first job every morning.

Yours for faithfully carrying out our responsibility to God and to people,

David

P.S. In case you haven’t watched 100 Huntley Street lately, here’s the website where you can watch  online…www.100huntley.com.

Dubbed the “Pompeii of the East,” ancient Jerash is a Greco-Roman city located 80 miles north of Amman Jordan. The impressive, beautifully preserved ruins of Jerash include places of worship and other buildings from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and early Muslim periods. In this photo you can see the full length of the Hippodrome. The ruins of earthly buildings can be contrasted with the eternal importance of the true Temple “not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1).

VALIANT

Today’s Reading: 1 CHRONICLES 7

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

Camels in Petra, Jordan.

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

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 7:2

“They were valiant men of might in their generations.”

Five times in today’s reading we are reminded of the number of those who were, as the last verse of chapter 7 says, “fit for battle.” They were also called “choice men.” We are coming up to Father’s Day shortly. In today’s battles, we need many more “choice men” who are “fit for battle.” Perhaps the key word here is “valiant.” According to the dictionary, valiant means, “boldly courageous, brave, or heroic.” Our reading numbers over 150,000 such men. In church this Sunday here in Canada, there will be many times more men than that. Let us rise up as “valiant” men of God. The women and children can pray for us that we will be men of character, fighting, not with human weapons, but with the “Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I ask for the working of Your Spirit in me so that I may be “valiant” for You. Keep me faithful in the discipline of prayer and the reading of Your Word, so that as I exercise and practise with that weapon, Your Word You’ve given me, I may be “fit for battle.” May I today rise up, getting out of the trench and into the face of the enemy, where, by Your might, I will win in the battle of life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

One of the names mentioned in today’s reading is Joshua, the son of Nun. What a valiant man! Joshua is the Hebrew equivalent of “Jesus.” Joshua met the “Commander of the army of the Lord.” This was likely an appearance of Jesus prior to His birth in Bethlehem (see Joshua 5:13-15). The spiritual song “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” comes to my mind. I’m singing it quietly so as not to wake up Norma-Jean.

As a boy I would read daily the comic strips in the newspaper. There was a character called “Prince Valiant.” He was a knight of great courage and of sterling character. I remember thinking that when I grow up I want to be “valiant.” Here I am at almost 81 and I still want to be “valiant” (click here for a look at that comic strip).

Yours for becoming a person of valour,

David

GAD

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 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).

A Camel from Petra, Jordan, ready and waiting to give tourists a ride through history…

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

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 5:25

And they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers, and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.

“Unfaithful!” To be full of faith is to be true to God in every aspect of our lives. No compromise with anything that would draw us away from God. Today’s reading shows us that even though we are not always faithful, when we are in trouble, we can still call upon the Lord in earnest prayer, and He will step in as we invite Him to do so. Chapter 5:20b tells us that, “They cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.” Imagine, they captured 50,000 camels, along with other live stock. God remains faithful!

In Chapter six we learn of the importance of “the service of song in the house of the Lord.” In Psalm 100:2 we are told to “serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.” Just a few days ago in our reading in Ephesians 5:18-19, we were told to “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with our hearts to the Lord.” This is important to God. Therefore, it should be important to us!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You, Lord, for hearing and answering the prayers I offer to You each day. I cry out to You in the heat of the battle, and also when all is at peace. Please give me more grace so that I may be constantly faithful to You. I make melody with my heart to You! This is a time for singing and music. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I find that the thoughts that come to my mind (I confess to wandering thoughts in these chapters with so many hard-to-pronounce names) are, as they say, “off the wall.” When I read about the tribe of Gad (5:11), I thought of my minister when I was 6 or 7. His name was Rev. Stuart Woodland. My Dad was away because of the war, and the minister felt some responsibility to do what he could to help my mother to raise me well. He would threaten me by saying, “David, you be a good boy or I’ll take the gad to you.” I never found out for sure what a “gad” was, nor did I want to know. There was a twinkle in Rev. Woodland’s eye when he said this, but I still took him seriously. I did learn well from the Bible stories we read every day that God does send punishment for wrongdoing. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10a).

Yours for continuing to read and learn, in spite of 1,000+ strange names,

David

BLESS ME INDEED

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 3-4

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

A shepherd directs his sheep along a ridge in Sardis, Turkey (a region of one of the seven churches of Revelation).

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

Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

In the midst of names, names, and more names, our key verses are like discovering gold. Remember 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is…for instruction in righteousness.” Let’s mine the prayer of Jabez. (1) He prayed for something besides wealth and worldly acclaim. (2) He asked for greater responsibility. (3) His petition to God was for God’s hand to guide him. (4) While his name actually means, “pain,” Jabez now prayed that he would not be the cause of pain to others.

What is our “instruction in righteousness?” (1) God said “yes” to Jabez’ prayer. (2) God recognizes an honourable person when He finds him. (3) It’s not selfish to pray for God’s blessing on our lives. (4) We must never be jealous of the advantages that others have. (4) Have no fear; we are not being cheated. (5) Our main goal should be to be the best we can be with God’s help.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I join Jabez in his prayer…(I’m praying now the prayer in our key verses for today, not just reading them)…AMEN!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In fact, I’m praying that prayer several times with increasing fervency. I’m reminded that “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” That’s found in James chapter 5 (click here for James 5:13-20). This is NOT self righteousness; it’s the righteousness of Christ which has been deposited in my account with God (Romans 4:1-6).

Crossroads has the powerful, life-changing book called, The Prayer of Jabez in our e-store (you can order it here). When the author, Bruce Wilkinson, appeared on 100 Huntley Street television, it created quite a stir. I began to notice signs appearing around the Crossroads Centre building with that prayer on them. It was one of our monthly book offers and thousands of copies were ordered. It’s not too late to get a copy. I gave my copy away and I intend to order another for my personal “instruction in righteousness.”

When I meet an author, I want to know if their writings changed their personal lives. Bruce Wilkinson’s life was dramatically changed. He launched a powerful ministry in Africa and beyond. His territory was truly enlarged! He is blessed indeed! Here’s a video of one of Bruce’s appearances on 100 Huntley Street (2001) regarding his Prayer of Jabez book (click here).

Yours for blessing from God, enlargement of our territory, God’s hand upon us, to be kept from evil, and to not cause pain,

David