Ancient History

Posted by Dion Todd September 23rd, 2024 1,448 Views 26 Comments


Much like a newborn infant cannot compare in wisdom to a seasoned elder, so too is our understanding of God if we neglect the lessons of the Old Testament. Their experiences and overcoming faith are examples for us today. The Old Testament is not just ancient history - it's God's story for us, full of lessons that shape our faith today.

Once, when I was studying the book of Revelation and end-time events, the Lord told me: "Son, don't be so concerned about the end of the Book. Go back to the beginning. Take another look." So I did.

I found that the Old Testament is quoted hundreds of times in the New Testament, and Jesus Christ quoted it over 80 times in the Gospels. In Luke 4:18, Jesus read from the Book of Isaiah and said it was written about Him. That means the Prophet Isaiah was writing about Jesus around 700 years before He was born!

The Apostle Paul wrote about it:

(Romans 15:4 NASB) For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

We can find magnificent promises there, but also stern warnings. The Apostle Paul said the people in the Old Testament were examples for us today:

(1 Corinthians 10:5–6 NASB) Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.

Surveys show that over half of Americans have read the Bible little or none at all. Only about 32% of Protestant churchgoers read the Bible every day, and 50% of Americans read it less than twice a year. It is amazing how much misinformation there is out there.

Ignorant: "lacking knowledge or awareness in general."

For a season, I painted commercial buildings using a high boom lift. It was during a personal revival, and I fasted often and listened to the Bible 24/7. I kept one earbud in my ear all the time and slept with it. The Holy Spirit was very active in my life and was always sending me new helpers. Being trapped in a small basket high in the air gave me an excellent platform to speak about Jesus because they couldn't get away, and you could always bounce the lift a few times to keep them focused.

Once, another fellow and I were 60 feet up in a boom lift, spraying a warehouse, when I asked him: "What would happen if this lift broke and we plummeted to the ground? Do you feel that you would go to heaven or straight on down to hell?" *bounce* Many times, the Holy Spirit would fall on them, and they would turn pale.

The man that day told me he felt that he was going to heaven because he was a happy person and smiled a lot. Well, he was certainly less happy and under conviction when we were done talking... But he went home that night, knelt by the bed, and gave his life to Jesus, and the next day, he was beaming and happier than ever. Ignorance is not bliss; it's just plain ignorance.

Now that we know that those before us, like the Israelites who came out of Egypt, were our examples, consider this verse written by Jude, the half-brother of Jesus:

(Jude 5 NKJV) But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

Jude reminds the people of something they had already been taught but may have forgotten: The Lord delivered the Hebrews who were enslaved in Egypt. He brought them through the Red Sea and led them to Kadesh Barnea. Their next stop would be the Promised Land.

They sent spies into the Promised Land, who brought back a report that giants lived there. The people panicked and decided that instead of entering the Promised Land and facing the giants, they would stone Moses, appoint a new leader, and return to slavery in Egypt.

The people refused to trust God, and the Lord had to come down and stop them from killing Moses and Aaron. Because of this rebellion, God did not allow them to take the Promised Land until most of the adult generation had died. They circled the mountains and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.

The Apostle Paul wrote about the Israelites the Lord brought out of Egypt and said these things happened to them as an example for us and were written for our instruction - the ones upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

(1 Corinthians 10:7–12 NASB) Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, "THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY." Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

It's not enough to have once been saved and then never give it another thought. We are to cultivate a relationship with the Lord, learn to trust Him and become a little more like Jesus each day.

You can pray this with me if you like:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for drawing me to You. Please refresh my spirit and guide me. Protect me from deception, remove my ignorance, and teach me what I need to know. May Your will be done on Earth and in my life as it is in Heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!



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Wesley Paulus commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen!




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Wanda Pennington commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


I thank everyone for your prayers fir my safe travels to Texas to be with my Sister Patricia. She stopped smoking 39 years ago when she got saved, PTL! Although today she does have cancer in the bottom of her left lung God is still on the throne. Wednesday of this week we go to Dr to find out her options. Praying for answers.



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Lynn Brown

2 weeks ago

Prayers sent for Patricia. 🙏


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Dan Remley

2 weeks ago

I pray for good news Wanda. I also pray that the Lord brings Pat comfort,health,and healing ❤️ Safe travels and good results for you and Pat friend ❤️


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Liesel aka lisa Wardle

2 weeks ago

May the Lord be with you, Wanda, and especially with your sister this coming Wednesday, may HE grant healing , in the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray, AMEN!!!🙏


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Sherry Mccosh

2 weeks ago

Prays for God to heal your sisters cancer, in the name of Jesus!


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Sylvia Todd

2 weeks ago

Continued prayers for both of you, sister 🙏!



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Darlene Blackmon commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


I look forward to what Our Lord and Savior...brings us each day




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Mari Kaufmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen




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Madalyn Myers commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen




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Dan Remley commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


God, thank you for our relationship and staying close to me. Please protect me at times of deception. Help me to see it and make the right decisions. May your work be done in my life on earth as it will be in Heaven. Amen ❤️




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Liesel aka lisa Wardle commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen and Amen, Pastor!!! And so true, they more we study His word from cover to cover, beginning to the end, the Book of Revelation, the more we learn and they more we grow, thanking the Lord for leading me to RHM and to your teaching and your sermons!!! 🙏




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Burma Welber commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen, Amen, I love this message. I am appalled at how many Christians don't read their Bibles. How can you know the truth unless you read the Bible? No matter how many times I read the Bible, there is always something that the Lord shows me. Something new every day! How can we know the truth that someone tells us without reading the Bible? Jesus is throughout the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.



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Liesel aka lisa Wardle

2 weeks ago

Well said, Burma, that's exactly how I feel reading the word of God again and again, and the Spirit will open new truths to you, 3rd. person), they more you read, and they more you listen to a good sermon, and that's what I have found here at RHM, PTL! God bless you!! 🙏



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Brenda F commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen




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Sylvia Todd commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Hi everyone :)! Tomorrow (9/24/24), we are planning on doing some work with our servers that will require the website to be down for, Lord willing, a short time. We are shifting them to another part of the office, so are not expecting any lengthy downtime. Thank you for your understanding, patience and prayers!




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Sherry Mccosh commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Heavenly Father, thank You so much for drawing me to You. Please refresh my spirit and guide me. Protect me from deception, remove my ignorance, and teach me what I need to know. May Your will be done on Earth and in my life as it is in Heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!




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Susan Petho commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen!




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Susan Quinn commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen! I shall go back and reread the Old Testament. I'm sure there'll be questions. I'll pray for answers and I have faith You will teach me.




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Wanda Pennington commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Heavenly Father, thank You so much for drawing me to You. Please refresh my spirit and guide me. Protect me from deception, remove my ignorance, and teach me what I need to know. May Your will be done on Earth and in my life as it is in Heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!




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Marisa Jackson commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Lord Jesus, I thank you for your love ❤️and patience as there are times that I doubt and do not wait on you! I am blessed and thankful 🙏 that you are kind, compassionate but most of ALL, you saved me by dying on the cross, that is something that I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET. You are the King of King and without you in my life, I am nothing! I am learning every day that YOU ARE ALWAYS WITH ME and I know that as I look to you when things are good, bad, indifferent, that I am well taken care of and I thank you for loving me a sinner and I pray to you that I will ALWAYS be under your precious wings. In Jesus name I pray 🙏, Amen!!




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Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Heavenly Father, thank You so much for drawing me to You. Please refresh my spirit and guide me. Protect me from deception, remove my ignorance, and teach me what I need to know. May Your will be done on Earth and in my life as it is in Heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️🤟🏻




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Mark Williams commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Lord,thank you for everything,and teach me and guide me.




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Candy Laventure commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen!




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Kevin J. Eck commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Father, I know there is so much more that I can learn of you! Help me to remain teachable and that I can Be a Blessing for others. In the name of Jesus, Amen!




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Gloria Nebarez commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen




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Celeste Strenn commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen❣️




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Dana Rozell commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen!




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Rose Theuret commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen 🙏😇




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Schalk de Beer commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Yes, amen Lord.




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Kay Collinsworth commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Amen




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Dion Todd added a new video devotional: Ancient History

2 weeks ago


Much like a newborn infant cannot compare in wisdom to a seasoned elder, so too is our understanding of God if we neglect the lessons of the Old Testament. Their experiences and overcoming faith are examples for us today. The Old Testament is not just ancient history - it's God's story for us, full of lessons that shape our faith today. Once, when I was studying the book of Revelation and end-time... Read the full post here: Ancient History






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