HERE COMES THE JUDGE
Suggested Reading: 2 Samuel 14
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
In the Armenian quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, there is a church with this door built inside an ancient gate. Note the heavy bolts on the left. Security has always been important. King David knew that his security came from God, yet there is no record that he prayed about his decisions concerning Absalom. When big trouble comes (tomorrow's reading), David turns to God in prayer. Why bolt the door when the enemy is already inside?
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 14:14
For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, Your Apostle Paul tells me that if I judge myself, I will not be judged. I can read that in 1 Corinthians 11:31. In that chapter the “Lord’s Supper” is presented. When I partake of the bread and the fruit of the vine, I seek to review my conduct and judge myself. You show me areas of my life where I need to repent. I pray for ongoing grace to live in that attitude of repentance. In Your strong Name I pray, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve been asked by the Crossroads leadership to write my personal stories in a book to be published this June. It is proposed that this book will be the offer on television, to be sent out to all who support the ministry. I’ve already used shorter versions of some of these stories here in my blog over the past year. There are lots more that I haven’t used yet. I realize that judging myself, my motives and my actions, has been an ongoing process. A working title for the book is “What I’ve learned.” When I had just turned 5, my sister Elaine came running across the field from the one room schoolhouse where she was in Grade 5, and my sister, Willa, was in Grade 7. She informed me that the teacher said I could start in Grade 1. What excitement! My sisters and mother had taught me to read (Dad was away as a result of WW II). I felt ready to take on the world. However, that confidence level was lowered somewhat when one of the students in an older grade, named Beth Ramsay, decided to give me a nickname. For some reason, no doubt deserved, it was “Mess.” She would tease me, calling me “Mess” whenever she had the chance. My mother and sisters told me to forgive her and try to laugh with her. Sometimes that worked and sometimes it didn’t. I have to admit that I was embarrassed and my feelings were hurt. I was thankful when Beth graduated from Grade 8, because when she left for high school, the name left too. Actually, I have to admit that I liked Beth. I thought she was pretty. We all want to be liked. Well, the reason I’ve told this story here is that anothert title for the new book of stories that I’ve been toying with is “From Mess to Maturity.” If I haven’t reached a decent level of maturity by now, I’ll be in big trouble at the believer’s judgement before the Lord. I turn 77 this August 13th, God willing! Let’s see, Beth would be in her 80’s if she’s still with us. I’ll try to find out about her.
Yours for learning to judge ourselves,
David
Hi David
Thank you again
Grace and peace be with you
AMAZING GRACE
Zeljko
You’re a fine mess in my eyes, David Mainse! 🙂
I have been wanting to post in the past few days but haven’t had the time to put things into writing, though I have certainly been reading along. There are always such deeper lessons to the extremities of dark sexual and incestuous sinfulness hidden under the covers and behind locked doors.
Today’s photo and description ahead for 2 Samuel 15 are very fitting. Indeed, why bolt the door when the enemy is already inside? God is calling us to a higher standard, which certainly is one of respect for selves and others. Looking forward to more wisdom from Paul in the upcoming chapter.
Freezing rain is pounding down, here in Kingston. Stay safe today and be blessed, fellow saints.
11 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Thank you Lord, that you are a merciful God and when we fall, you pick us up. Sometimes we judge ourselves too harshly. We can be our own worst enemy.
I am excited to hear about your book coming in June. Deciding on a title, I’m sure is difficult. I like both your titles.
Well, we are having a spring storm today. I hope it is the last!! Have a great day everyone and God Bless!!
Beth may have been projecting about the mess she was told she leaves, met you David Mainse, and called you mess. The opposite could also have been the case, who knows? Perhaps she saw your mess, anyways it’s a funny association. When we look back on our lives, “mess” might have been a good description at times. It is hard to never create some mess, and takes order to straighten it up. Thank God for some order in our lives. Otherwise, we’d be in a real mess!!
🙂
David I am looking forward to your book for I know it has lots of treasure stories
inside whatever the title may be i know it will be a good one
Keep safe and warm inside although I am not in Ontario inside is the best place to be
Lianne Hogg
Delighted to read that your 100 words are to be published as per my suggestion when we saw you in FL. The more personal, the more meaningful. Amazing journey you and Norma Jean are on! I wonder how many thousands of lives you have both influenced for the Lord? All of those MESSES have been cleaned up and whiped away because you are willing MESSENGERS !
I like that title–From Messes to Messengers!
Looking forward to reading another one of your books, David. We were all “messes” before the Lord found us. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23) And the Lord is still working on us. The sun is shining brightly here yet in N.B. Blessings, everyone.
When I was reading the Key Verse today the line “Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises means so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.” stuck home with me. Once when I was very depressed I begged our Lord to let me die. It was a constant prayer of mine for days when eventually I heard in my mind’s ear our Lord saying he could not help me, because He was not a God of Death, but Life. He created Life, not death. Sin created death, not God. If I ask for Life He could help me out, but if I wanted death I was going to the wrong source for my request. Needless to say, I changed my request and I am here today because of it.
So many times when our loved ones pass away we are quick to blame God. We say God took them. But God did not take them, Death took them and sin created Death, not God. But the Good News is, as this scripture stated, God devised a means that His banished ones will not be expelled from Him. His means, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is Life. Alleluia we serve a God of Life, not Death.
Hi Davidi and fellow bloggers, it’s wonderful that you are writing a book David. We need to hear how God has taught you along the way,and hopefully we will be able to catch some of the lessons you will bring us. In todays reading we can see that forgiveness is about the heart. David was caught in the story, for not forgiving Absalom and dutifully had Absalom brought back to Jerusalem,however his heart was not in it, and he couldn’t face him. Thankfully at the end of the chapter he finally could let go of the pain of the killing of Amnon and he got to the place where he could give Absalom the kiss of forgiveness. We can start with forgiving people in our lives from the teeth out, then with the help of the Lord we too over time can also give the kiss of true forgiveness to those who have hurt us. l was taught that after the initial decision to lay the thing down, it helps to begin to bless that person,and miraculously our heart begins to catch up with our tongue.
This new book will be a treasure chest of stories, so looking forward to it!
Ruby quoted 2 Peter 3:9, this is a special verse to me since I have my grandchildren’s names beside it on a sticky note.
Blessings to you all, and be the protection of the Lord be upon you.
I like the first title – “What I Have Learned”.
Well as some of you know on the 4th of April was my Spiritual B/Day and i have been given 18 more years on this earth..but now for the last 26 months i have a disease called ( JO-1 Antibodies ) not very nice …but..One of my Dr’s names is Shamess.. that encouraged me a lot… so back then while praying ..the Lord showed me … You Diane will go from a Mess to A Message…wow…i thought OK …i can do this …with the prayers of the Faithful Praying for me ..my church, Huntley st, my family, my Friends… so to read this today about YOU David….wow…. God is so Good and sends us ( Messages ) as we need them and when we need them…Always on Time
Praying for you David as we Journey…Blessings to Everyone… we are all heading home… ( Enjoy our Spring Ice Day ) ^_^ ….
How wonderful David to hear about your soon-to-be book! 😀 May the Lord use the stories you will share in helping those who are still ‘messes’ and also those of us who have had their ‘messes’ cleaned up by the Lord…..but I know for myself, even though I walk with Him daily and seek to do right, I can still make a ‘mess’ at times! I thank Him every day for his faithfulness and patience with me throughout the years we have ‘walked’ together. Blessings on you and your family David M. Remaining in prayer for continued strength and healing for you.
What wonderful comments and the lesson today of forgiveness and making things right!! We have all come from messes and I am so very grateful for Our Lord who, when we come to him in repentance, puts us on His path once again.
Praying for your continued healing David and the prospect of your book.
I like the the titles. You will know what The Lord wants for a title!
Your blogs are a great blessing. Thanks. Look forward to your book but really hope you don’t choose the second title with the untrue label that girl gave you of “Mess”!
David .M.and fellow bloggers sorry for being late today. I am so looking forward
to your new book David God willing..R..
WOW Margaret….. if you meant ( me) being the girl….i did not give David any choice in what his book will be called…it was my Personal word from the Lord to ME … as i go through this disease…. so if you meant ME …. i will forgive you for your judgement….. please re- read what i said …i never mentioned David’s book….and seeing as you did not mention a Name…shame on you…. if it was not me….i cant find any other reply that you could be talking about….lots of prayers going out for You……from Me……
i am very hurt by this ….. it if was me……. but your forgiven…..
Donna …after reading your comment …i am glad you are still with us ..He is Indeed the God of Life…..
Catherine said it best that you will know what the Lord wants you to call it through Prayer…..
Blessings again and good night…..
Sorry Diane that you are so upset. Margaret was not referring to you. She was talking about the girl named Beth who gave David the nickname “mess” in David’s 100 words today.
Blessings David and fellow bloggers! Indeed, in Christ we are a new creation! I give Him all the praise for His continued faithfulness to me and for His precious grace. God loves you, God loves me. Let us never forget this truth and let us never take it for granted. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Hi Dianne, l think the girl being referred to was the girl at David’s school
Gisela…thanks for the note …Talk about ( A Mess ) we can get into ..
Iv been called (That Girl in the Past ) and jumped into a ( Mess )
Forgive me…and tell Margaret ( Im Sorry )
As we journey in this body…needing forgivness and love
Blessings on your day….