Copy and paste the link into your browser or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElAMqb5Jc78
or search YouTube for ‘The Temple – Herod’s Crowning Glory’
by Megalim Institute (14 min 50 sec)
“’Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Consequently you bear witness against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.’
“Fill up then the measure of the guilt of your
fathers. You serpents, you brood of
vipers, how shall you escape the sentence of hell? Therefore, behold I am sending you prophets
and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of
them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,
“’ …that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous
blood shed one earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of
Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the
altar. Truly I say to you, all these
things shall come upon this generation.
“’O Jerusalem, Jerusalem who kills the prophets and
stones those who are sent to her! How
often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her
chucks under her wings, and you were unwilling.
Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now own you shall not
see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He comes in the name of the Lord!’”
Matthew 23:27-31
“Just at that time some Pharisees came up, saying to Him,
‘Go away and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.’ And He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold,
I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I
reach My goal.’
“’Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and
the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of
Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the
city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children
together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not
have it!
“’Behold your house is left to you desolate; and I say to
you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He
who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Luke 13:35
“Blesses is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; we
have blessed you from the house of the Lord’” Psalm 118:26
During a Fellowship of
Companies for Christ International, annual conference, one of the speakers,
Tony Campolo, gave an outstanding and inspiring presentation around one of his books,
Who Switched the Price Tags?[1].
The book is a great reminder of our own misplaced values and
how we invest time and money in valueless things rather in things that further
the cause of Jesus Christ.
The Pharisees had more pride in the physical structure of
their temple than in the Truth. It had
taken 70 years to build. They were convinced
nothing could be as valuable or unassailable.
And who WAS this itinerant teacher and ex-carpenter to imagine it could
ever be destroyed. They just missed His
message because their values were upside down.
Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still
prays for you each day)
PS: Find my
statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (where you
will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to share). You can easily
find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for ‘WeakDay
Devotion’. (Also, there is an android ‘Google Blogger’ app
you can download to read them on your phone.
Not sure about Apple.). For the
books, go Amazon
books.
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any
updates?)
· Thanksgiving - Mark – came through the
extensive surgery on his shattered jaw and is now recovering in the intensive
care unit. They estimate he will be in
hospital recovering for ten or more days.
Please pray for him and his family -- that they will be sustained
financially through this challenging time and pray for the skill, wisdom and
compassion of his health carers.
·
Simon and Tamara and
their children – Simon (my pastor) has been chosen to support the
Lord’s work in a new, more far-reaching way.
Help them prepare throughout this year for the work. And when Simon takes up the new role, let him
fill it with the same grace, devotion and love he has consistently demonstrated
while at St. Marks. Strengthen the
congregation to rejoice with them and their decision.
·
Ray Jr. –Pray the Lord holds Ray Jr. (and his brothers)
closely as they deal with the practical matters after the loss of their father
and comfort their hearts. Give Kathy (Ray’s wife) strength and wisdom as she
supports him during this time.
·
Christine – give her strength as she journeys to heart-healing.
·
Family of Eric – Eric at 52 died suddenly leaving his
47-year-old wife and three girls (ages 16, 19 and 23). Pray the Lord comforts the family through
this time of mourning. Pray for their
wisdom and that God will send trustworthy, honourable, Bible-based councilors
for the many decisions that now must be made.
·
Grant’s brother
- still has quite severe headaches. Had
a shunt put in his skull to drain fluid from around the brain, as the fluid was
putting pressure on the brain and affecting balance. Pray for his health carers
as they work to adjust the flow rate and help minimise the pressure.
· Peyton - eldest granddaughter of Jeff and
Rachael – now in her second year of college.
Please continue to pray for her that she does well, makes good decisions
and continues having a good relationship with the Lord.
·
Adam –
please pray for his strength and peace as he pursues new job possibilities and
that the Lord will guide him clearly in his decisions and to know without doubt
the depth of forgiveness; and that his wife will be the loving supporter he
badly needs.
·
Barb –
my brother’s faithful and kind wife.
Thank you for praying for her.
She needs prayers to sustain her and protect her health and energy
during this time of additional stress and challenge at work.
·
Sophie – three-year old daughter of a friend. She is chronically unwell and frail. Please pray for her, her parents and health
carers to find ways to manage the symptoms and heal her.
·
Hans –
a dear friend in Germany, the cancer seems to be stable for now. Pray for his financial situation to improve
and for his ongoing strength through the pain when it comes. Pray for his patience and God’s mercy. Pray for his healthcare providers and that he
is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will support
him through this journey. Pray for his
Mom (age 84) who is also unwell -- that their time together is filled with
extraordinary good memories and lots of love.
·
Callilah
- a lost child. Pray the Lord will
capture her heart.
Pray for those in full-time service
Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never compromise God’s Word, are bold and courageous in the face of evil. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity, strength and for their families.
Pray for those with ongoing health concerns
Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile health. Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them during this challenging time.
Pray for the World
[1] Copyright © 1986 by Anthony Campolo. Published by Word Incorporated.
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