Wednesday, April 5, 2017

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HE IS RISEN! THEREFORE, LOVE ENEMIES!!!

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 3

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

 

The theatre of Philippi – No doubt the enemies of the Apostle Paul had been in this very theatre. It was in Philippi where Paul and Silas were severely beaten and thrown into prison. They loved their tormentors, and because of their love, they led many to Christ (Acts 16:16-34).

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 3:1, 36

Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker… Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people.

Today’s reading documents the continuing struggle between those loyal to Saul’s legacy versus David’s. Saul’s General Abner and David’s General Joab lead the continuing conflict with good reason. Abner, as Saul’s right-hand man, had tried again and again with his soldiers to kill David. Abner had personally killed Joab’s brother, Asahel. It might be good for us to read Jesus’ Words in Matthew 5:43-48. By having a welcome feast for Abner, David was not only making a wise political move, he was showing that he could rise above the past and love his enemy. No wonder the northern tribes were willing to transfer their loyalty from the house of Saul to David. Once again David mourns over the death of an enemy. It has been said the very best way to destroy an enemy is to make him your friend. Jesus is known as the Friend of sinners. Romans 5:8 declares that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:10 tells us, “When we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son.” Because Jesus is “the resurrection and the life” we have the sure knowledge that JESUS will never leave nor forsake us and nothing can separate us from His love. Therefore, with His love in us, we too can love our enemies.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, in the Name of Your Son, my Saviour and Lord Jesus, I pray for grace to love people more and more, and not just those who love me but everyone I meet. I want to be more and more like You, Jesus. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As I read of the banquet David put on for Abner, I kept thinking of David’s words in Psalm 23, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” David’s experience was that God did this for him. Now, David does this for others.

In over 50 years of seeking to communicate God’s love to mass media audiences, I have had a number of critics who, while I wouldn’t call them enemies, were not very friendly. I had learned that I should make no defence or offence of myself when attacked verbally in the press. I really tried to be friendly to these people in practical ways. When the negative publicity hit the fan concerning certain TV evangelists, these people who had attacked me in the past rallied immediately to my defence, saying very positive things about 100 Huntley Street and about me as an evangelist. Proverbs 11:30b says that, “He who wins souls is wise.” I pray for wisdom fervently every morning, because I know that if I do not have wisdom from God, I’ll turn more people away from God than I bring to Him. I’ve just accessed on Youtube the old hymn, “Jesus, What A Friend of Sinners” by the Gaither Vocal Band. Here’s a link to the audio of them singing it a capella. I’m blessed!

Yours for loving all people, even those who may have acted like enemies,

David

 

14 thoughts on “Wednesday, April 5, 2017”

  1. Dear David
    We are so encouraged in our spirts to see you back on the air these last five days! God is so faithfu and we praise Him for answers to prayers! We have been praying and believing that God would touch and restore you and our faith and prayer lives have been strengthened to see you strong enough to bring God’s word over the sacred air waves once again.. we know that .. “he is able to do immeasurably more then all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” . We will keep praying for you and we also pray for the ministry of Crossroads Communications!
    Thankyou for sharing how you learned to not make defence or offence of yourself while being attacked for having different views by the press etc. What an important principle to remember as Christ followers in these dark days of such political and social conflict .

    A huge thankyou to Ron for filling in for you on the videos and his daily efforts on the blog as well.

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  2. Thank you for a great commentary David, putting everything into perspective. God Bless and have a wonderful day! Blessings to everyone out there!

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  5. Dear David
    Thank you for the daily blog I enjoy reading the Scriptures and your commentary very much. You mentioned yesterday about your Thank you tour. I will never forget a night the phone rang during blizzard like conditions in Kincardine Ontario. I was surprised to hear your voice on the other line telling me to stay home if the weather was too wicked to make it out to see you on your tour. My husband and I lived not far from the church so made it out to see you and were blessed that we did. God must have had you riding on angels wings that night I have no idea how you even got there. I do know that the Lord has shown me through you many times that He is Alive and Well and interested in all of our lives. May God continue to Richly Bless you and Norma Jean and your family for serving the Lord so consistently and Loving so well through Him xo

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  7. What a lessons; God all His children; even His enemies; and asks us to do the same!!
    Your wise comments and suggestions, Pastor David, so good to hear: Joined in prayer with you!
    What a joy to see you and Ron on the vlog! Ron, your photo’s do enhance the this daily bread. God bless you all, and the saints who also contribute to this blog.

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  9. Dear David
    I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing the daily blog .I want you to know that I lay my hand on one your picture’s for the healing hand of God to touch your body and heal you as you said in one of your blogs you still have health issues . I am a very grateful recipient of 100 words . You and your family are in my daily prayers .MAY GOD BLESS AND PROTECT IN EVERY WAY

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