Friday, May 10, 2013

THE PROPHETIC WORD

Suggested Reading: 1 Kings 22

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

 

A panoramic view from the top of the Golan Heights looking west over the south end of the Sea of Galilee.

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Kings 22:15

Then he came to the king; and the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall we refrain?”

Micaiah is a prophet worth listening to. In verse 14 he makes this statement: “Whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak.” For us who are believers in Jesus, we may do well to read and pay close attention to the Apostle Peter who wrote about prophets. Read 2 Peter 1:15-21 and 2 Peter 2:1-3. There were false prophets in our reading for today. There are false prophets today. How do we recognize a false prophet? They will “exploit” because they covet our approval and our money for their own advantage. How do we recognize the truth when it is spoken as New Testament believers? According to Paul, the gift of prophecy will bring “edification, exhortation, and comfort” to us (1 Corinthians 14:3). New Testament prophecy is described as “the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 19:10b). Peter has warned us that we should expect to come across “false teachers” (2 Peter 2:1). Ask ourselves these questions. Does a teacher stick closely to the Scriptures? Is Jesus front and centre? Is the teaching in line with the historical understanding of Christian doctrine, or is it, as Peter warned us, a “private interpretation?”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, please keep me true to You and to Your Word. I do want to be true to Your Word, as Micaiah said, “Whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak.” What You have said, Lord, is here in my Bible. I pray that I will let You speak through my Bible as Peter said, “The prophetic Word made more sure” (2 Peter 1:19a). I recognize that the written Word is “more sure.” Please continue to open the eyes of my understanding every day as I continue this Bible reading discipline. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

A couple of days ago I came across an old letter from my mother to a young man named Jim, who was interested in my teenage sister Elaine. Elaine is almost six years older than me. I really liked Jim and hoped he and Elaine would someday be married, but it was not to be. I was eleven at the time. Anyway, here’s some good advice for us all from Mother’s letter…

“It is an encouragement for us to know if we have helped someone heavenward. But then we remember that if we are living close to Jesus our influence is always telling for Him. If we get out of touch, we are ‘scattering abroad,’ instead of ‘gathering with Him.’ Last Sunday I had the privilege of teaching a class of girls, including Elaine [my sister]. One of them told us how she was troubled because evil thoughts would come to her mind. She never dwelt on them, but if she was right with God, these thoughts should not come. We told her that the very fact that she hated those thoughts and put them from her was proof that they had no part in her life. Christ was tempted, even to devil worship, but He resisted the devil. She surprised me in the evening service by coming and thanking me, as this which had troubled her for a long time was cleared up. And so the Lord does use each one of us to help others if we live where we are useable.”

My mother died just six months after she wrote that letter to Jim. Some years ago, when Rev. Jim Carne was a Pastor in Hamilton, he gave me two letters he had received from my mother. I treasure these letters, and later today I’ll give one to each of my two daughters, Elaine and Ellen.

Yours for reading God’s “more sure Word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19a – King James Version),

David

 

20 thoughts on “Friday, May 10, 2013

  1. “I want the presence of God Himself, or I don’t want anything at all to do with religion … I want all that God has or I don’t want any.” (A.W. Tozer)

    Your Mother was a very wise woman indeed David. No doubt, she walked closely with her Lord as evidenced by her prolific writings. I’m sure that she would have been a treasure to have known. The wise person in today’s reading was the prophet Micaiah, who totally relied upon his Lord for his wisdom. It seems as though God has given us a choice in life, we can listen to Him and Godly influences which stay close to Him, or we can follow the influences of the world. Yes, the world has it’s enticements, but they count as nothing compared to the overarching care, love, security and joy which only the Lord can provide for us. I pray that we all might have that precious Spirit-filled walk with the Lord, that we don’t get caught-up in dead religion and that we might have the heart that cries out for all that God Himself may have for us, or nothing at all.

    • Sorry guys, I only clicked the mouse button once … and hear it is twice! Don’t be afraid to read it twice if you want to, haha! Have a great day everyone!

  2. “I want the presence of God Himself, or I don’t want anything at all to do with religion … I want all that God has or I don’t want any.” (A.W. Tozer)

    Your Mother was a very wise woman indeed David. No doubt, she walked closely with her Lord as evidenced by her prolific writings. I’m sure that she would have been a treasure to have known. The wise person in today’s reading was the prophet Micaiah, who totally relied upon his Lord for his wisdom. It seems as though God has given us a choice in life, we can listen to Him and Godly influences which stay close to Him, or we can follow the influences of the world. Yes, the world has it’s enticements, but they count as nothing compared to the overarching care, love, security and joy which only the Lord can provide for us. I pray that we all might have that precious Spirit-filled walk with the Lord, that we don’t get caught-up in dead religion and that we might have the heart that cries out for all that God Himself may have for us, or nothing at all.

  3. Thank you for the advise on how to recognize false prophesy and teaching. So many have been caught up in the charisma of teachings and have lost objectivity and the ability to discern what they hear. They are compelled by emotion or guilt to the point of suscribing to matters which are driven by greed and dishonesty. I pray for our pastors, ministers, priests, deacons, elders, administraters, to be truly guided by that which our Lord speaks and to bind in truth. Blessings to all and especially to mothers as we near your day!

  4. David Mainse–I am so moved by today’s reading, message, and your mother’s words. Thank you so much for sharing with us what you did, today; and have, each and every day, for this past year (close to it, now). I agree with David–thank you for your guidance about false prophets.

    I am hoping I can put into words the depth of gratitude and privilege I feel; as I am certain goes without saying for all fellow saints. We are so incredibly blessed by you (and your family and ministry team). God has used you as a teaching tool for all the world–that we study and hold fast to the Word of the Holy Bible, and cling to the cloak of our Saviour, Jesus, and never let go. You are the epitome of the example your mother referred to.

    As she so wisely pointed out, when we are right with God, the devil will flee from us. The devil will try to keep planting doubts and fears in our minds and keep us off balance with thoughts that sway. We need only resist them, dismiss them, and he will flee from us. We need keep our thoughts on Jesus, all the way, all the time!

    God bless each and every one, today!

  5. Great words of wisdom today, David and a wonderful tribute to your Mother with Mother’s Day coming up. Along with the wisdom and gratitude expressed by fellow bloggers, you’ve said it all. Amen! That which is deposited into our spirit and lives each day in invaluable. Thanks from the depths of my heart.

  6. Dear David; It is so valuable for us to know about false prophets, and I enjoyed hearing from your Mother. After reading your book ( looking so forward to your next book ) i can tell how much of a treasure your Mom was and is to you. I value your blogs, and I know that if the Lord tarries long, these blogs will become a National treasure, as you are. your faithfulness to God is to be admired, and you are a hero of the faith to me. May God continue to hold you in His strong hands. May God bless you and all at Huntley Street who are Kingdom minded. In Christ, John Andrews.

  7. Hi David, What a gracious and lovely lady your mother was! . l,m convinced that some people are too good for this world and our Lord takes them out to be with him, which is their great reward. Blessings everyone!

  8. David….very wise counsel today which we all need to seek the Lord’s discernment in all cases. We can be so easily pulled into what some of these false prophets are offering, so MUST constantly be in The Word and seeking God’s direction to resist by calling the name of our Saviour and Lord JESUS?
    Thanks for sharing about your Mother and her wise counsel.
    HAPPY MOYHER’S Day to all and happy memories to those of us whose moms have met Jesus already.

  9. Thank you David for sharing your Mother’s letter. Thank you fellow bloggers for your comments. Ephesians 3:16 and 17 says I (Paul) pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith.
    F-forsaking
    A-all
    I- I
    T-trust
    H- Him
    God bless each one!!!!

  10. I’m so blessed so thankful for this blog, thank you David for your faithfulness
    in preparing this blog with all the added information about your family ect.
    may g
    God bless you all …..R..

  11. Thank you David for all you do and write in your personal notes
    Scott I agree sometimes you have to read something more than once to let it
    sink in as Catherine said.Happy mothers day to all
    Lianne Hogg

  12. Dear David and precious fellow bloggers

    So very touched by your moms letter .The fruit does not fall far from the tree. We are all so blessed once more by the teachings of todays blog.
    Scott you are so right in reminding us not to be caught up in the stillness of some churches that need revival letting the power of the Holy Spirit fill every soul in Jesus name
    Amen Amen
    Have a blessed day xxxx.

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