Sunday, April 16, 2017

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MY SON! MY SON!

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 18

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

 

A tree, such as this one near Ein Gedi, may have caught Absalom’s head by entangling his long hair in the branches, his mule galloping on without a rider.

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 18:33

Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom — my son, my son Absalom — if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!”

In today’s reading King David prepares for battle against the forces loyal to his son Absalom. David knew that organization was necessary and he did this efficiently. However, he was very conflicted because his adversary was his own son. There is no doubt that David was completely aware that it was God’s will that he would continue as King over all Israel. The divine order is to put God first, family second, and organization third. God created family long before human organizations, such as government, existed. We cannot help but be emotionally involved if we read, not just with our minds, but with our hearts also.
David mourned so deeply that he would have been willing to die in Absalom’s place. We celebrate this Easter Sunday the fact that God became Man so that He could die in our place. If David, called a “man after God’s own heart,” could love so deeply, let us meditate on Jesus who “wept” over Lazarus’ death and also “wept” over the people of Jerusalem. The greater the love, the deeper the grief. “God is love.” God’s grief over human rebellion, suffering and death is far beyond our ability to even start to understand. We are His family, His sons and daughters. An additional reading which tries to put God’s love into words is 1 John 4:7-21.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, please change my heart so that I may enter more deeply into Your heart, loving with as much of Your love as I have the maturity to experience. I love You Jesus, and I mourn that my sins caused Your death. I realize that the future for David’s family could’ve been so different if he had been obedient to You. Please give me grace and spiritual growth, learning the lessons of the tragedy of David’s family. In Your Name I pray. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As Norma-Jean and I welcomed our children into our family, we made a decision which I shared with the congregations that I had the honour to serve. As a Father, I was directly responsible to God for my children. It was taken for granted that Norma-Jean’s role was to the children before anyone else. There were some who thought that my calling as a minister and a pastor should take #1 priority. Not so, I let it be known. God was first, my family second, and my congregation third. I never heard from a member of any of the four congregations I served that they felt neglected in any way. I believe that the translation of the word love into all languages is time. Time with God early in the morning, when Norma-Jean and the children were sleeping, and time with Norma-Jean and the children at breakfast, dinner and most evenings. After those priorities came time with the members of the church, on call 24/7 when absolutely necessary, in hospital visitation, often in the homes, and in my study during work/school hours. As an evangelist, the longest I ever spent away from the family was three weeks. I grieved for the last 2 weeks of that separation. I vowed “never again,” unless circumstances made it impossible to get home sooner. When I did arrive home, they couldn’t get me back to work right away, except for the times Norma-Jean and the children were not at home. God willing, I’ll continue this theme tomorrow.

Yours for establishing firmly the priorities that please God,

David

P.S. Whenever I have led a tour to Israel, one monument I always pointed out to our pilgrimage friends is “The Pillar of Absalom” standing tall in what is called “The Kings’s Valley.” Below is a photo of that pillar. We presume that Absalom’s bones are here. Not far from here is an empty tomb! JESUS IS RISEN!!!!!

Absalom’s Tomb or “The Pillar of Absalom,” located in the Kidron Valley between the Mount of Olives and the Old City of Jerusalem.

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

 

13 thoughts on “Sunday, April 16, 2017”

  1. Have a Blessed Easter Sunday Pastor David, Norma Jean, Ron and Ann, Reynold and Kathy and all the Family and Blogging Friends. Have three services to attend today. God Bless You All!

    Reply ↓

  2. Thinking of Jesus, this morning; how the Mary’s found His tomb empty; how they knew He had risen. Oh, that He would die and rise again! It is written! All for Your glory, Jesus, our Saviour and Risen King! Hallelujah and Happy Easter dear David and family and fellow saints in the Lord! Let us celebrate and rejoice!

    He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee. Luke 24:6 NIV

    Christ Is Risen – Matt Maher
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IExdrZGQVeI

    Reply ↓

  3. Remember Eve didn’t go to the Tree of Life.
    So don’t expect the women to have a Conservative view on
    the abortion issue.
    I suggest you get together with Charles Price and Rod Hembree to be Conservative
    and talk to Canadians and lobby for a Conservative abortion law that would not allow
    abortions after 11 days after the first missed period.
    Start early doing this. Thanks.

    Reply ↓

  4. Thank You, Father, for giving us Your Son. And thank You, Jesus, that You are alive – the Resurrection and the Life – and for sharing Your life with us. And thank You for giving us Your Spirit to lead us, teach us, guide us, counsel us, and to help us live the life You have planned for us.
    Thank you to all of the extended Mainse family and this wonderful ministry.
    And thank you to all you followers of Christ, who seek to bring God’s perfect will into being in and through your lives.
    May God bless you all.
    Because Jesus is alive!

    He’s Alive!
    https://youtu.be/NyPBVwOCYmM

    Reply ↓

  6. JESUS IS RISEN, HALLELUIA!! AND HE LIVES FOREVERMORE!!!

    Blessings and love to all this wonderful Easter Day!! YES, INDEED, HAVE A
    BLESSED EASTER!!

    Reply ↓

  8. please read today’s blog from Paul Treciokas regarding the abortion issue! Lord help the people with this situation, we are told we are not to kill! Help us Lord to set things right! In Jesus Name we Pray AMEN AMEN AMEN

    Reply ↓

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