Saturday, April 15, 2017

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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.

God permits certain things to happen as we exercise our free will; but HIS GREAT PLAN FOR THE AGES will not be altered by anyone!!! Absalom exercised his free will. God allowed it. However, God’s ultimate plan was to reconfirm His call on David’s life by restoring a repentant and chastened David. David’s son, Solomon, perhaps reflecting on his father’s hard lessons, wrote in Proverbs 3:11-12, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His corrections; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights” (discipline – as in disciple). The writer to the Hebrews in 12:6 picks up this fact, and then we may want to read from the final book in the Bible, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” chapter 3:14-22 (click here). Verse 19 quotes Solomon. The Laodiceans, exercising their free will, chose to be lukewarm. God’s ultimate will was determined by their response to His invitation to repent, hear Him knocking, hear His voice, and open the door. Just think, if they had learned from God’s chastisement, they could have been sitting with Christ on His eternal throne.

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.

14 thoughts on “Saturday, April 15, 2017”

    • Very interesting, indeed, Samuel!

      “Lift up your heads, Immanuel’s friends
      And taste the pleasure Jesus sends
      Let nothing cause you to delay
      But hasten on the good old way.”

      Escape from slavery and to God as their guide. Amen!

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  2. Here in the West, we are having a “White” Easter week-end!
    Agreeing with your prayer, Pastor David: Hebrews 5:8.
    Lord Jesus, teach us Your way.
    Have a Blessed Easter with your loved ones Pastor David; I pray for continued strength and healing in the Lord!!
    and a Blessed Easter to all bloggers!

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  3. Many memories of the greatest invitation ever and the response: Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Thank you for this opportunity to read The Word. Thank you for your ministry over the years. I know that God is with you.

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  4. “Into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus”. Beautiful little chorus. Sang it over and over on my way to Good Friday Service. His life and sacrifice makes this possible. Praise the Lord!

    “It was for me, yes, even me,
    That Jesus died on Calvary,
    My heart to cleanse from all it’s guilt,
    His precious blood for me was spilt”

    Asking for special prayer for my 1st cousin, Martha, just turning 70. Diagnosed with lung cancer. Praying God will touch her heart…and her body…for His glory.

    Happy Easter to David, Norma-Jean and all the bloggers.

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    • Agreeing in prayer with you Samuel for total healing for you cousin Martha; for the Lord’s intervention that nothing be done that should not be done, for guidance for those attending to Martha. Jesus I pray this in Your Mighty Holy Name, Amen!

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      • Amen Samuel. Agreeing with you for total healing for Martha.
        Happy Easter to all blogger, David, Norma-Jean and Family.

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    • Lord God, we lift up Pastor Samuel’s cousin, Martha, to You, Jehovah Rapha, for divine healing and medical intervention to treat her newly diagnosed lung cancer. Lord, You know what has to be done and we place her in Your loving Hands with trust and faith. Chose the doctors nurses and medical staff to care for her and work through the hands of the surgeons. Give her comfort and rest and ease her worries and those of her family. In Jesus precious Name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen!

      Reply ↓

  5. Thank you Beverlee and Irene for your prayers for the two Hindu families. The young girl seemed to know what Christianity was all about as she was so willing to pray and with joy. Had another good day at a church breakfast, service and then a funeral. Have been inspired by the guest speaker as you Pastor David to win souls for Christ. God bless your day tomorrow everyone.

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  6. Lord we pray for Martha! We pray Lord that You will heal her lungs completely! Lord we celebrate and give thanks that You rose from the grave, You spoke, walked, ate with the people! You blessed all the people! We celebrate healing with Martha and her family! Thank you Lord for all the miracles in our lives! Thank you, we love You Lord, amen amen amen

    Reply ↓

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