OSKAR
Suggested Reading: 2 Kings 11-12
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Grave of Oskar Schindler is in Jerusalem just south of the Zion Gate on the south side of the Old City wall. Stones are placed on the graves by visitors and loved ones.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Kings 12:2
Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, Your servant and apostle tells us, “First of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). That’s a tall order, Lord. It’s easy to pray every day for those I like, but I have a problem with some leaders. I know that these instructions are not optional. I am to love everyone! Therefore, I pray for a large dose of Your love and grace to fill my life 24/7. In Your all loving Name, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My granddaughter, Sarah Shaheen Stowell, who is on her fathers side Arab Israeli, called in to the Michael Coren show live prime time on CTS. She was 17 at the time and had just moved from Jerusalem to Canada. She told Michael, his guests and his viewers that as a Christian she had just moved to Canada from Israel and that she knew that she should love all people, Jews included, but that it was hard to do that. Michael said that hers was the most intelligent call he received throughout the show. When I told him that was my granddaughter, he made the effort to visit her in her new home here in Burlington.
Today’s pictures tell the unusual story of Oskar Schindler, who saved the lives of many Jews during the Nazi reign of terror. His body was brought to Jerusalem and buried in a Christian graveyard on the side of Mt. Zion. Every year, on the anniversary of his death, the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of those whose lives he saved gather at his grave for a memorial service to honour Oskar. As is the Jewish custom, they each place a stone in his memory. I’ve stood at his graveside several times, and thanked God for people who are willing to risk their lives for others.
Yours for loving others, even if it’s extremely hard to do that with some. Why? Because Jesus told us that if we are to please God we must do this, whether we like it or not! Check out Mark 12:28-34.
David
The entrance to the Christian graveyard where Oskar Schindler's body lies.
Let the love of Jesus pour into our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies, and flow out, like rivers of living water, to others. Let us bless everyone whom we cross paths with, that they may feel the love of Jesus.
Praising God for the unassuming angels He places in our midst to save us. Oskar Schindler certainly was one of them. During a time of pure evil on earth, he was a man with love and compassion, who realized we are all brothers and sisters and that love need be honoured among us.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer 29:11
Bless you, fellow saints!
To sacrifice one’s self in the offering of service to others is probably the highest calling one could attain. In an ego driven “it’s all about me” society in which we live, this ideology is quickly becoming antiquated. In today’s reading, God extended the sovereignty of a land because of the righteousness of Joash and other righteous leaders. Joash knew his God, He knew the importance of temple worship and taught a way of sacrifice in order to refurbish the temple to it’s glorious order. Jesus came to teach us a better way of living, a life of self-sacrifice, not self-gain. In fact, Jesus Himself became the ultimate sacrifice to win our salvation, even though we were not deserving of it. Imagine if all Christians lived “in Christ” … this life of sacrifice, just how this world could be impacted around us. To God, this isn’t an option, it’s God’s plan … God’s awesome plan. We in Christ, Christ in God, God with us, living in us who are believers in the gospel, learning to become more and more like Him and learning to live the sacrificial life … that’s what it’s all about. Sacrifice to others, as taught by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, is the highest and most noble principle we could ever learn in life.
Colossians 3:2-3 “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life, is revealed, then you also shall be revealed with Him in glory.”
Do we pray for serial murders? Does the Bible not say that murders will not enter heaven? Or is that an unrepentent murderer? (Tim Bosma’s killer). Such an incredible week for many of us and certainly for his family.
It is so difficult for us not to judge people right or wrong– good or bad, but God is the only one who is to judge. These people we would think of as bad were His creation. He had every intention to bless and love them as he does us. They were misdirected; they believed the lies Satan told them; they were stolen from our Lord.
I remember I was in prayer on 911, I was trying to pray for the victims, but instead I found myself weeping and praying for the hijackers. Indeed, I felt God’s broken heart over their loss- because they were lost forever. So yes, we should pray for everyone even those we might deemed unworthy.
According to 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” it would be for unrepentent murderers. I agree, Doreen my heart goes out to the family and friends. Thank you, David, Reynold, Ron for another informative and inspirational blog and to all fellow bloggers. God bless all of you today.
I have been receiving the daily blog every day but I haven’t received one since May 8th. I miss this so much Would you please check and see if there is a problem. thank you
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Thank you David and fellow bloggers for your comments. Phil.1:6 says I (Paul) am sure of this that He who started a good in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. God Bless each one!!!!!!
I am on the prayer chain at our church. One of our congragation grew up with Tim Bosma. Praying for those in need is a privilege and good for the soul. Praying for some one who was missing was gut retching. The horrific news was devistating and is devistating. That question, how can we love a cold hearted killer? Well for me it’s not easy , it takes prayer and an open mind , I must because God says we must. The way I see it is that killer is not who God intended him to be. Sadley his mind belongs to satin . How sad for any one who is void or
incapable of love. It is likely they can not recognise beauty either. Here they are running around doing satin’s work, and for what short lived shallow hollow gains. Only to one day stand before God to learn they have been dooped by satin. Then perhaps they will be thrust in to hell kicking and screening, blastpheeming God or they will be devistated with guilt sorrow head hanging low with shame full of fear begging for forgiveness. I don’t hate the killers I hate the choices they made and what they did . It’s obvious that these killers worship idols. Maybe God knows something we don’t know about people who worship idols. Maby God knows worshiping idols is like the door way in to satins abyss. Where one sin leads to another till you gradually end up doing things you once never dreamed of doing. Maby that’s why God un mercifly appointed people to do what we think is unthinkable to those who worshiped false Gods / idols. I don’t know…..just my thoughts.
Please pray for Tim Bosma and his family. I pray Tim did not suffer and that he is in the loving arms and presents of Jesus. I pray Tim’s wife and little girl will be surounded by love of family and friends and that God will protect and keep them in of a sound mind in the dfficalt days ahead. May God give them the strength to lead them back to a normal happy life. “In Jesus name.” Amen !!!!
M.
Yes, we need to obey our Lord’s command, to even love those who hate us
and despitefuly use us ,[and in Tim case took his life] so now we must pray
in the name of Jesus for give Lord they don’t know what they are doing'”
our LORD’S WORDS on the cross. God bless you all D Mainse and blggers..R..
I do like your blog, David and I read it daily. You are wonderful and the Good Lord has blessed you and continues to do so.
I believe Oskar Schindler was a good man to be admired and did so much to aid the Jews.
I do believe that you should divinely love everyone but you do not have to like their lifesyles or actions. If those are not biblical, then you have to speak up and have the courage of your convictions. God did not give us a spirit of timidity or fear, He gave us a spirit of strength and power and wisdom.
We should speak assertively not agressively, and we must love all peoples.
Blessings to you and yours,
Margaret
Every time I hear about someone who doesn’t know God and uses his name in vain
I pray for them to God to forgive them because they do not know who he is an
what it means. It is hard to be around people who curse everyday yes we do need
to obey you are right Rosemarie.
God bless every blogger
Lianne Hogg
Thank you fellow bloggers for your words. I will pray for people now even though I don’t agree with them. I’ll pray for God’s perfect Will and that He will open their eyes and ears to the life-changing truth of His love.