Saturday, March 30, 2013

GUIDE ME

Suggested Reading: 1 Samuel 25

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

The impressive, beautifully preserved Greco-Roman ruins of ancient Jerash, located 80 miles north of Amman, Jordan. This is one of the ten cities of "The Decapolis." Jesus was proclaimed here according to Mark 5:20.

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 25:32-33

Then David said to Abigail: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand.”

To understand this brief commentary we must have read the Scripture reading for today, asking the Lord to turn on the light of understanding for us.
Nabal was wrong in refusing to help David, but David was also wrong in his decision to take revenge against Nabal. Sometimes, in anger and frustration, we make decisions we would never consider in calmer moments. Hasty decisions can be dangerous, and when they are accompanied by rash, irresponsible actions, they can cause irreparable harm. Finally, as David listened to Abigail, he realized that God was speaking to him through her. God speaks to us in a variety of ways. It could be that He will use our Pastor, a friend, or even a stranger to communicate with us. He may speak through His Word, which we are reading each day, or through a television ministry such as 100 Huntley Street. Sometimes He guides us through circumstances, and we are not even aware that He’s going before us, showing us the way.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I need Your guidance constantly. Help me to watch for Your leading in the happenings of my life every day. Help me to listen carefully to Your still small voice within. You said, Lord Jesus, “My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they will follow Me” (John 10:27). I pray that I will spend sufficient time in reading Your Word and in prayer so I am conscious of the fact that I am in Your presence. I pray this through the Cross of the Lord Jesus. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My wife has a life verse from the Bible. It’s Proverbs 3:5 & 6, which tells her, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Over our 55 years of marriage, she has quoted that to me hundreds of times. She even wrote a song about it, “He Shall Direct Thy Paths,” which was published by The Gospel Publishing House in Springfield, Missouri. I got the message! I’ve heard solos, trios, and at least one choir sing that message. Even before we were married, Norma-Jean and I agreed together to claim this promise as from God. On her first letter to me, the following Scripture was printed across the top of the page by the printer who had created the stationery: “Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I got the message from God. I knew that Norma-Jean was God’s choice of a wife for me.

Elizabeth Mainse, daughter of my son David Reynold and his wife Kathy, is married to David Lee, whose parents Pastor a congregation in London, Ontario. Their wedding was held in the St. George, Ontario, Baptist Church last May (picture below). What a joy to know that they had heard from God and were following His guidance. I believe their marriage will stand the test of time. Amen! and Amen!

Yours for reading and following the directions, God’s directions,

David

 

May 21, 2012 My Granddaughter Elizabeth Mainse was married to David Richmond Lee in St. George Ontario.

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

16 thoughts on “Saturday, March 30, 2013

  1. Proverbes 9:10 “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement.”

  2. Recently I experienced this very thing. I was about to go in my own strength in a matter concerning my son. I wrote an email to the person concerned and My God intervened by not allowing it to go through. I am sure the email address was correct but HE directed me to Psalm 27. The last verses says Wait patiently for The Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes wait patiently for The Lord.” I learned a valuable lesson that day, as I could have gone ahead into disaster by going in my own strength. Praise G

  3. Beautiful wedding picture of your granddaughter David. Blessings to all this sunny day. I am learning to wait!!!!

  4. Your prayer is my prayer, David. Thankyou so much for this blog and wonderful pictures, David and Reynold….beautiful wedding picture.
    Ps.27 is one of my favorite psalms, Catherine., and was so helpful to me at a time when I needed to be encouraged. The Amp. version says also, Expect the Lord!
    I love that! He is always faithful and His Word is alive.
    Have a blessed Easter everyone!

  5. I learned so much from today’s reading. Automatically, I was disappointed that David was so quick to retaliate against Nabal–gird your swords, mount your horses, hundreds of men. When he did not receive the response he was expecting, having sent his party ahead, peacefully, in the name of the Lord, he reacted, aggressively. Did David feel that he was disrespected as a man and leader, or that his Lord was disrespected? Of course, we are like that as humans, aren’t we–when our egos get involved and we take things personally. I was so relieved that David heard the Lord speak to him through Abigail. The initial response I saw in myself was to hold David to a standard of perfection. The more we have been held to that ideal, as a child, we retain that issue within, to heal.

    The wisdom of Abigail to respond, quickly, and nurture the situation allowed a very different outcome. God is so good for gifting women with the abilities he has. He used everyone in his or her unique way in this reading. Of course, I cannot fathom the idea of multiple wives and the role of women being subservient to men, but realize life was very different in the OT times; grateful that David was a loving man of God compared to Nabal.

    At least in the western part of the world, love and respect for women has evolved, for the most part. Certainly, Jesus is the wonderful example for men to follow to respect women. Parts of the eastern world–Pakistan and Afghanistan, come to mind, still have a long way to reform. I hold all the women and girls (thinking of Malala Yousufzai), who have been burned, shot, beaten and broken, up in my prayers. I bow down on my knees for your healing and protection; and for the seed of God’s love to be planted and nurtured in the hearts of the men in your world.

  6. David thank you for the verse “be still and know that I am God”. I will be exalted among many nations, I will be exalted in all the earth !!” I needed it today.
    David that is a lovely picture of your granddaughter Elizabeth and David.
    I hope you have a wonderful Easter everyone
    Lianne Hogg

  7. Proverbs 3:5&6 is a verse that was given to me as well, and has stood the test of time!
    Thinking of Easter, the following verse has been in my mind: “And this is what He promised us Eternal life. 1 John 2:25.
    A wish for all those who follow this blog: “Celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour”. Blessings to one and all.

  8. Thank you David and fellow bloggers for your Scripture references and encouraging comments. 1 John 4:7-12 says Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God because God is love.God’s love was revealed among us in this way God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God but He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Dear friends if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us. God bless each of you.

  9. Thank you all for those up lifting bible versus , they are all my favarite
    ones when ever I read them they inspire me the Holy Spirt is so inspiring
    He knows just what we need, so thank you all for your input and a happy
    Easter to all. R.

Leave a Reply to Catherine Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.