Sunday, May 10, 2015

THE PROPHETIC WORD

Today’s 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 while back 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 Jim became a Pastor in Hamilton, he gave me two letters he had received from my mother. I treasure these letters. I have given 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), and Happy Mother’s Day!

David

I have a personal prayer request. I’ve been receiving more requests for speaking engagements than I’ve had in a similar time period since I stepped aside from the leadership of Crossroads. Last Thursday I was the speaker at the Burlington Annual Prayer Breakfast to over 600 business and professional leaders (pictures below). I ask for your prayers that God will give me the strength to serve Him well in eight speaking engagements between now and July 1st, including one in Israel. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

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18 thoughts on “Sunday, May 10, 2015

  1. We thank God for your unwavering faithfulness to His Callling David as we and so many have been Blessed over the years in so many ways. May God continue to have His hand on your mortal frame and grant you health and strength to continue on straight in the Path He’s called you to; veering neither to the left nor the right.

  2. All glory to you Lord Jesus Christ.
    We thank you Lord for your faithful servant David . You have prepared the way for David to give him strengh and knowledge to speak at these engagements and to only speak YOUR TRUTH. Give him rest and peace in Your Precious name JESUS. Amen.

  3. Praying for the time and energy to speak at as many engagements as God would like u to. U are highly favored Rev. M. so just let God’s will be done.

    God’s will was done for Alberta I’m sure. Many of us are unhappy with an NDP gov’t. but realizing that God is in control makes the situation bearable. It’s so important to let his will be done.
    Blessings fellow saints.

  4. Praying for you, David, to carry God’s message and have optimal energy. Happy Mother’s Day to my beautiful mom and all the sisters on blog. Amen!

  5. Am praying for you and thank you for all you do and the blessing you are to me in Jesus name. God bless you abundantly.

  6. Happy Mothers Day to all our wonderful mothers out there! Blessings also to all who Mother in different ways , in Sunday School classes and Nurseries. You are the Best! As this is such a day, David, may l give you some motherly advice. Listen to your body! When it says rest, then rest etc. Diet, Rest and Exercise are still the best guide lines for most of us. May the Lord guide you in wisdom to say yes and grant you the wisdom when to say no. You are such a treasure!

  7. WOW!
    It is obvious to me that you have not retired but have merely been reassigned at age 78 or so.
    I will be thinking of, and praying for, you in Israel (the Promised Land) once again and you speaking to 10,000 at the Empowered 21 gathering.
    Thank you for your faithful daily devotions and telling us the way you hear the word.
    Shalom,
    Graham.
    2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.

  8. Also praying for you! What an inspiration and revelation of truth and wisdom to hear you speak.

    Just one thing caught my eye, funny enough about your tie. The lines on a tie rising on an upward direction to those facing you emit more positive and upwardness such as a graph leading upward. The gentleman seated to your left is wearing such a tie. President Obama will always wear ties when he speaks with upward lines. (This information was presented at a meeting I attended by a prophessional Graphologist. Thought it was quite interesting.) It’s only presentation:)

    • Interesting you mentioned the tie, David, as I was struck by the dynamics of David Mainse’ tie this morning and almost commented on it! Thanks for the information you posted. Bless you!

  9. Praying for you Pastor David, as you are preparing for speaking engagements.
    May the Lord give you strength and encouragement.

  10. I heard the cutest conversation today at church. Two little girls, sisters I think, in the pew behind me were discussing Jesus before the service started. The older girl was saying Jesus wasn’t really there, in the building. The younger girl was saying he was. And when the older girl asked the younger girl where Jesus was, she said, “He’s right here in my heart”.

    Out of the mouths of babes, come the greatest truths. Amen.

    As for your request David, as long as you are certain it is the Holy Spirit leading you to give these talks, I would rest assured God will give you everything you need to complete the tasks, whether it be time, stamina, words, whatever it is you need He will provide it.

  11. TO ALL CHRISTIANS EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    HERE IS A CHALLENGE FOR EVERY CHIRISTIAN!

    let us ALL pray for the NDP government in Alberta, let us ALL PRAY THAT GOD’S WILL BE DONE!

    DECADES AGO ERNEST MANNING WAS PREMIER! HE WAS A CHRISTIAN, AND THE PROVINCE FLOURISHED!

    I WOULD LIKE ALL CHRISTIANS TO PLEASE PRAY FOR THE NEXT 7 DAYS AND BE SURPRISED WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR THIS PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

    REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR GOD’S WILL TO BE DONE IN THE NDP PARTY!

    PRAYER IS POWERFUL AND MANY RADERS KNOW THIS FOR SURE!
    PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!

    amen

  12. Yes, we certainly need to pray for our newly elected government, for God’s wisdom and for a leadership that will be pleasing to God, that this province of Alberta be a Province under God’s leadership.

    Donna I come in agreement with your prayer for Rev. David, and with all the prayers for your Rev. David. Be strengthened in the Lord in all your way I pray in Jesus Name.

    For your faithfulness in presenting this daily manna. Thank you.

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