Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 29:9, 14
Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly… But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You.

“Offered willingly” is repeated three times in our key verses, plus twice more in this chapter. There is a message here for us to do the same in our support of God’s work. The focus of this book shifts here to God Himself. Twenty times God is addressed directly. We are treated to a foretaste of the Psalms of King David. Let us worship with David by reading out loud, if possible, verses 10 to 15 (click here). We exalt You Lord! Blessed be Your Holy Name forever!

Tomorrow, God willing, we start reading the second book of Chronicles. Thirty-six chapters later we will move back into the New Testament book of Philippians, known as the “Epistle of Joy.” Then we move back again to the book of Ezra. Ezra is believed to have compiled the books of First and Second Chronicles. He was God’s man to build a new Temple. The Temple of David and Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonian conqueror, Nebuchadnezzar. If we take a look ahead to Ezra, we will see a similarity in style of writing, and in Ezra 6:11-28, we can learn more about the author of Chronicles who was a priest and a scribe. God is never without someone who is faithful in His service.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that I will “offer willingly” my life, my service, my resources, and my all! As David prayed, “All things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.” I am Yours Lord! You have given me a free will, and I willingly present myself to You for Your purposes. The Lord Jesus did this and I follow Him. In His name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I want to invite every blog partner to read the story of the present Archbishop of Canterbury. Along with Queen Elizabeth, he leads the Church of England. It was at Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London that I had my most powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit. The current Archbishop was a member there when he entered the priesthood. Cannon Andrew White, who is quoted in the article, has been a guest on the 100 Huntley Street telecast several times. God always has someone for His purposes (click here for the story of Justin Welby, the first Archbishop of Canterbury to have Jewish roots).

Yours for “offering willingly” our lives in service to God,

David

P.S. My son Ron posted a video on Facebook that his wife Ann recorded from our family’s Father’s Day celebration. I took the time to share some thoughts with my precious children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren…as well as sing a duet with Norma-Jean. You can watch it by clicking

https://www.facebook.com/ron.mainse/videos/10156199603325278/

(a Facebook account may be required to view it).