TREASON
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 17
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The shopping district of modern Jerusalem is full of hustle and bustle. Except for the modern clothing, it could be similar to a scene from 3,000 years ago.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 17:14
So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, in Your humanity You were learning. As Hebrews 5:8 tells me, speaking of You, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” Please grant me the grace to be the best learner I could ever be. “Teach me Your way, O Lord.” Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
When Norma-Jean and I were helping to establish a new congregation in Deep River, Ontario, I took a bus to Ottawa. In Ottawa I changed buses and arrived in Cornwall, Ontario, where a car dealer, Wes Miller, had found a retired school bus for our new Sunday School. I drove it back home and had lettering painted on one side, “TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD,” and on the other, “STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD.” Across the front above the windshield it read, “THE SUNDAY SCHOOL SCOUT.” I was out like a hockey scout looking for future stars for Jesus. Every Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. I would drive “The Scout” north on the trans-Canada Highway for 43 miles, turn around and pick up almost every child who lived on that stretch, and bring them to Sunday School and Church. A deacon, Mervin Bowes, would take them home, arriving back at Deep River at about 2:15 p.m. He’d head home for his dinner, and I’d hop in and pick up children on a southern leg of the highway for a Sunday School and service in Chalk River. These children were learners, disciples, and many of them became true followers of Jesus who were becoming, “children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). As Daniel 12:3 says, “Like the stars forever and ever.” I’m still scouting for stars for Jesus!
Yours to turn many to righteousness in Christ,
David
P.S. Our missionary/photographer son visited the ruins of Laodicea in one of his photographic trips for this blog (see photo below). It’s so very sad to know that the people failed to rise to the challenge of true discipleship, failing to hear Jesus knocking at their door and speaking…or else they just chose to ignore Him. We have control of the bolt on the door to our heart. It’s on the inside. The children in the Sunday School I’ve mentioned would sing, “Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart Lord Jesus.”
These are some of the ruins of ancient Laodicea in present-day western Turkey. The city was founded by Seleucid King Antiochus II in honour of his wife, Laodice. Laodicea became a prosperous Roman market town on the trade route from the east, famous for its woolen and cotton cloths. The city was an early centre of Christianity and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 3:14-22).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Sam 17:45. We place our faith in You, Lord, for direction and protection.
Thanks for the message today, David. “We have control of the bolt on the door to our heart. It’s on the inside… “Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart Lord Jesus.” Amen! Thanks for the photos, today, Reynold. Blessings dearest saints!
Love the way God plays tricks on the evil and power hungry and still loves them.
Such wise words from one of my many bloggers to go to for inspiraton, Dr. Jim Denison:
“As a pastor for 25 years, I was constantly tempted to focus more on my work than my Lord. It’s been said that people do not do what you expect—they do what you inspect. Not once in 25 years did a church leader inspect my relationship with Jesus. I was evaluated by the popularity of my teaching and the effectiveness of the church’s programs. But no one ever asked me if I was in love with Jesus.
When I am working for Jesus more than I am walking with him, life becomes drudgerous, people can be frustrating, and the day loses its joy. But when I am in love with Jesus, everything changes. He speaks to me and through me. He gives me his grace and patience for people. He infuses my spirit with his love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Even—especially—in the hard places, I experience his presence and power.”
Thank u Rev. M. for your stories and explanations. You are a great inspiration to me and probably countless others.
God bless.
Today the Supreme Court of Canada will rule on whether elected officials should have the right to recite prayers at council meetings. Oh Lord Jesus, teach us thy way! We need you in our lives and in the world. oh God have Your Way with the judges, today. Amen.
When God is on our side, who can be against us? He is our defense, Praise His Holy Name!!! Thank You Jesus!!! In all David’s ways, God still was his defense!!!
Thank you Reynold for the photo’s, and thank you David for sharing these with us. And all the ways in which you have been lead to reach out to the lost. To God be the Glory!
Hello Bloggers,
Praise the Lord and thank you all for your prayers for Carole Pony Meunier and her family. Just a quick update. Carole’s daughter in law Alyson and her son Richard welcomed their first child this morning. A baby boy, 8 pounds 11 ounces born at 5:53 a.m. his name is Gabriel. Please continue to uphold Carole’s family in prayer as they grieve Carole. She was praying that her son and his family would come to know the Lord and she claimed this grandchild in Jesus Name. Please pray, thank you.
yes Lord Jesus please comfort this family in their time of grief and for their salvation. Thank you Lord for the new life within their midst and a special blessing on him…Carole’s grandson!!!
Thank you Rose, for letting us know about the birth of Carole’s grandson, Gabriel. God bless her soul. Watch over Gabriel, dear Lord, as we keep Richard and Alyson in our prayers, while grieving the loss of their beautifull mom. Bring them to come to know You, Lord. Praise God through whom all blessings flow. So grateful Carole is still with us on the blog through you, Rose. Amen!
I do miss Carole myself. I was in contact with her and I do lift up her very deep concern for the family. May this child be greatly blessed at the Feet of Jesus and may the family come to know the greatest blessings of God – especially His gift to us of Jesus, Who took upon Himself, our sins and sicknesses, so that we may have everlasting life with Him. Jesus draw them near to Yourself and bless Rose for her care.
Amen!!!
Amen! God bless Carole’s son and wife and this beautiful grandchild, Gabriel and may all the prayers Carole prayed for them come to pass. In Jesus Name!