RIGHT DECISIONS
Suggested Reading: 1 Chronicles 10-11
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Around 1100 BC, the Canaanite city, Beit She'an, was conquered by the Philistines, who used it as a base of operations for further penetrations into Israel. During a battle against King Saul's army at nearby Mount Gilboa in 1004 BC, the Philistines prevailed. 1 Samuel 31 states that the victorious Philistines hung the body of King Saul on the walls of Beit She'an. Portions of these walls were excavated on Tel Beit She'an recently. King David was able to capture Beit She'an in a series of brilliant military campaigns that expelled the Philistines from the area, pushing them back to their coastal strongholds of Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath, Gaza, and Ashdod.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 10:4b, 13-14
Saul took a sword and fell on it…So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord.
Suicide! What a tragic end of life for a man called of God to serve and anointed with holy oil by the Prophet Samuel as King over Israel. Through his own choices this once humble and faithful man of God reduced himself to a defeated, moody, unhappy shell of his former person. The warning must be sounded! For anyone who gives his or her life to God, God-informed and Scripture-based choices must be made and followed. There should be absolutely no consultation with any form of the occult or persons who, under the guise of spiritual gifts, would seek to take the place of direct guidance from God and the Word of God. Emotional stress and mental anguish will result. With Saul, his bad temper had taken control, as evidenced by his jealousy of David. The prelude to Saul’s death, and that of his sons, was that He had forgotten the key rule of battle…keeping in close touch with the Commander of the Lord’s hosts, as Joshua did.
Every person who makes a decision to serve Jesus must consult Him daily. Jesus, Himself, gave us the example of consulting His Father in prayer early every morning. Failure to keep in close touch will result in poor decisions, and we will flounder as Saul did. Hope and the desire to live and to continue to serve the Lord will evaporate. Let us all take everything of any importance to Jesus in prayer. He will guide and we will follow!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
“What would Jesus do?” Lord Jesus, I want to be like Peter, James and John, the three who, because of their fervency of spirit, were closest to You. Like these three, may I always keep the eyes of my spirit focused on You, so that I won’t miss anything You are doing and want me to do. I pray that I won’t struggle with this challenge, but rest in Your nearness. If there is any gap between us Lord, help me to close that gap right now! In Your Name I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My latest book, “This Far By Faith,” is now available from Crossroads (click here). I’ve been reflecting on one of my stories that is not in the book. I’m thinking about this because I expect to meet Canada’s present Governor General on July 1st, Canada’s birthday. The last time I spoke with the Rt. Hon. David Johnson was on the day of the launch of Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield into space where he took command of the International Space Station. The Governor General is on one of the eight documentary DVD’s which are also available from Crossroads (click here). The first Governor General I met was the Rt. Hon. Jeanne Sauve. In her former role as Minister of Communications back in the 1970s, Glen Rutledge, host of our Circle Square children’s telecast, presented her with a large study brief which we had prepared on violence in children’s TV and its detrimental impact on children’s lives. This document was the direct result of guidance I know I had received from the Lord. Madame Sauve was dying with cancer the last time I met her. We had time alone together before going out on the stage of the Convocation Hall at the University of Toronto. I remember approximately her words to me. She wept freely at her memory, “I could never dispose of that study brief. It has remained on my shelf near me ever since I received it from your children’s host about 15 years ago. I knew that as Minister of Communications at the time, I should be able to do something. However, the will of the broadcasters and society in general was not there to enable me to take action. I’m so sorry.” A political leader in a democracy is unable to act without the support of the majority of those involved as stakeholders in the cause. My heart was heavy and I did my best to pray with her and comfort this precious person. She bravely went on stage and represented Canada with strength and dignity. She passed away several months later, and I wept over the loss.
Yours for guidance from God and for showing up when we need to exercise our rights as Canadians to influence the course of our country. We pray every time we sing our national anthem, “God Keep Our Land.”
David
What an awesome responsibility and privilege it is to serve our Lord. Each day it’s necessary to seek God in prayer and the study of His Word; not because He needs it (although I’m sure He is delighted when His children seek Him), but because we need it as daily manna for our soul. As well, it’s a good thing to seek out one’s spiritual gift and put it into service for the Lord. This helps us to be an active part of ‘community’ and I believe the Holy Spirit will open up opportunities to serve once we make ourselves available to His service. Jesus wants to be an active force in our lives for righteousness, not an inactive bystander. Christ lives in us and works through us, but even more powerfully when we rest in Him and seek Him daily. God’s blessings to all this Lord’s day!
It is significant the study brief on violence in children’s television was held close to Madame Sauve, as it was held paramount to her belief that such action was needed. Though the will of government did not act upon this brief at the time, it does stand as a measure to which such broadcasting can be evaluated. And, in time, will prove to be a necessary change in standard. The important thing is that this was documented as a measure to be revisited someday when the problem of programing violence shows its impact on society with greater clarity, and it will. Hope you have a great Canada Day and enjoy this day of worship, fellow bloggers!
“I Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel, which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth…” Col 1:1-6
Know that we mighty prayer warriors, are all praying for you, David Mainse, and for each other!
“To the praise of the glory of His grace, where He has made us accepted in the beloved.” Eph 1:6
Worshiping with gratitude and praise, today. Hallelujah and blessings, fellow saints! Wishing you all a great day!
Amen Amen
Lianne Hogg
Amen as well. Have a great day everyone!
I just heard on CBC news that in China the students are preparing for their university entrance exams. There are so many who will write the exam and many will fail. It means so very much to be accepted. It can influence their chance of marriage and careers but to do this the kids are studying so many, many, hours. They attend school from 8 to possibly 9 p.m. and then study further until midnight. There are many suicides when the results come out. They pin all their hopes and dreams to this end. What a sad, sad, happening in China. Let’s pray.
Thanks, Doreen, for mentioning this. Suicide is the saddest of all finalities. An interesting fact I just learned is that more individuals in China are turning to Christ and claiming Him as their Lord and Saviour, than ever before.
Lord God, please be with all the students in China, particularly those who are preparing for their university entrance exams. Let them be wise, knowledgeable, and full of energy, beyond measure; to pass their exams with flying colours; and to receive entrance into university, dear Lord. Let them be safe and come to know the power of Your saving grace; and to be sanctified by Your precious blood. In Jesus Holy name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen.
This is the day The Lord has made, let us REJOICE in it!!
Amen and Amen to all comments today.
Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. Blessings to all.
Powerful story David … Your blog is so inspirational and challenging. Keep writing my good brother!
Thank you David M. and fellow-bloggers for your comments. Doreen thank you for sharing about China. I must confess I take God’s Word for granted at times. God is faithful and His Word true.I was led to 1Chron.7:14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin,and heal their land. I read an interesting acronm for fear F-false E-evidence, A-appearing,R-real. God Bless each one today. Prov.3:5 and 6!!!!
Awesome, Colleen. Fear=false evidence appearing real. I will definitely remember that one!
Amen!! May we draw ourselves to God at all times, pray for opportunities He grant us to witness and serve Him, and obey in faithful service so that our worship goes beyond the four walls of our church but into our community and neighbours!
Hi David, We seem to be reaping, for the sin of passivity, and many are desensitized to the effects of all the violence and permissiveness we and our children are exposed to. Sometimes we get all caught up in the garbage that is being dished out on T.V. and the internet and before we realize it, we have allowed all this rubbish to enter our hearts. No wonder the Lord told us to put no evil before our eyes. The battle is fierce and we can only do what we can to protect our own family in prayer,for guidance, and continue to ask the Lord for him to raise up a crusader to address this cause,equipped.to make a change happen. A mighty man or woman of God!
I agree with you Christine, we are so bombarded every day in every way the
enemy trys to ensnare us …we must use scriptureto keep us on the path of our
Lord would have usgo on.I hang on to 1 corinth.10 13—. at times I’mbombarded
from all sides, without any one even knowing they are doing it, my mind goes in gear and I need Jesus to get me on the straight path again. Thats why I’m SO
thankful for you blggeing buds God Bless you all ..also David M…I thankyou R..
Sorry for my typing errors Rosemarie.
Dear David M. and precious fellow bloggers,
Many years ago, I have also had the pleasure to meet Honorable Jeanne Sauv
You mention the occult today. In it there are mind dispositions so we may know more than we do about the present. This is done with angelic communication, of which we need to be concerned about as angels represent as either true or deceptive. Fact is, we do not know for sure.
We need to pray for discernment for sure.
Marg
Dear David M and precious fellow bloggers,
Techno is fantastic when it works well…
but as for me, the message I sent before never got completed. Here’s the rest!
… I had the opportunity to meet Honorable Jeanne Sauv
Reading God’s Word and following this blog is making me realize more and more how important it is to keep close to the Lord. And to stand for the right and not “call evil, good and good evil.” I have been concerned about the violence in children’s tv and adult’s alike and the influence it can have and try to teach my own family to be selective in what they watch using the old slogan, “garbage in, garbage out.” Appreciate what you are trying to do for Canada, David. Also say “Amen” to your prayer for China’s students, Beverley. Having worked with Chinese students, I know how sincere they are.
Thank you David for your personal thoughts in your blog. As I grow spiritually, I appreciate and thank The Lord for the “richness ” of your many many experiences with people in position. Thank you for sharing them to us readers! Your writing your thoughts today, i truly felt so much for Jeanne Sauve, we can only do so much, but our Lord knows our hearts, He alone determine our times, p. What a privilege, I said to myself, to have shared that with her even at this late moment many years later…simply because special people like you David Mainse, found it significant and took the time to share
I love tis blog. Sadly though I have been preocopied and have fallen behind. Not in bible reading, just in blogging. My thoughts will likely go in shared, but that’s OK. The storey of the late honorable Jeanne Sauv is so sad. I wonder what the details were concerning that briefing and its precious content. TV isn’t viewed much in my home. Sometimes I do wish to be simply entertained. I love to watch
People express and share their talents. But! If it is used to promote evil if its messege is not for good then I can not bear it. Out side of Christian TV there isn’t much to chose from. And even Christian TV content is becoming more worldly.
No matter how ungodly the world is becoming I just remind my self Jesus is in control. Read the whole Book/Bible we win.
M. 🙂