FERVENT LOVE
Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 3-5
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A visit to Rome is a feast for the eyes. In the centre is the Trajan’s Column with a church on either side. The larger church in the photo is the Church of the Most Holy Name of Mary at the Trajan Forum. At the very end of today’s reading, “Babylon” is mentioned. In Roman times the persecuted Christians called the source of their persecution, Rome, by the name of the capitol city of the ancient persecutors of the Jewish people, “Babylon” (Revelation 17:1-6).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Peter 5:7
…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
There are three points of emphasis here, all three mentioned more than once!
(1) PRAYER – 1 Peter 3:7 informs us that if we, as husbands, don’t honour our wives properly, our prayers may be hindered. Let’s not forget that elsewhere it says, “Let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:33b). This is serious! Do we want God’s ears to be open to our prayers? Then pay attention to 1 Peter 3:9-12. Amen!!!
(2) A message from Jesus to those “spirits in prison” (3:19 & 20) and “those who are dead!” (4:6). This seems strange. Yet we understand that all who had died in faith prior to the Cross and the Resurrection were somehow incarcerated in a place where they could not enter Heaven above, because their sins were not removed until Jesus had paid the full price for their redemption by His blood sacrifice. It would be amazing to hear a replay of Jesus’ message to these people someday.
(3) “Love!” “Love!” and “Love!” (3:8 & 4:8). And this is to be “FERVENT LOVE!” We may think we know something about the meanings of the word “love.” But what about the word “fervent.” The dictionary says, “Displaying a passionate intensity – burning – glowing – boiling hot!”
O yes! Let’s read several times 1 Peter 5:5-9. “Be humble!” “Cast your cares on Him!” “Be sober!” “Be vigilant!” The result? The Devil may roar, but he can’t harm us!!! Let us be “steadfast in the faith.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for all You have for me. I now am wide open to receive Your provisions. Thank You! Praise Your holy Name! I worship You with a fervent heart full of love for You, and for others. Through the world’s greatest Lover, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS (or more)
I’ve just read all of First Peter again. As I read Chapter 1 verse 3, the word “begotten” stood out for me. The same thing happened as I read 1:23 which says, “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever.” Recently someone sent me a picture of Billy Graham and Chuck Templeton (below). I remember when Billy and Chuck worked together as Evangelists in the Youth For Christ Movement. Billy was steadfast in his faith and commitment to the Gospel, but Chuck went to a very liberal theological seminary, and it seems he lost his faith in Christ. He returned to Toronto, wrote books, and became a broadcaster of note. On one occasion I was interviewed by Chuck on national CBC television. Chuck said, “David, you talk a lot about being born again. The Bible only refers to this one time.” I responded in a way that I later apologized for. I said, “Chuck, you’ve not been reading your Bible lately! Jesus said those words twice in John 3, and there are other places where the ‘born again’ experience is found. For example, Peter wrote those words, ‘born again.'” Then I referenced other synonymous expressions of this truth. e.g. “a new creation” and “born of the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 5:17 & John 3:8b). After the live show was over (I would only go on live shows because they had in the past edited me to make me say what I did not!), I prayed about it, and that still small Voice said to me, “David, you do not love Chuck.” I repented, and the next time when we were together (off camera), I asked his forgiveness for my lack of love, and he graciously forgave me. In the late 80’s, when the TV Evangelists scandals broke, Chuck was everywhere on Canadian TV, radio, and in the press defending me as an evangelist of integrity. Shortly before his death, he said to an interviewer, “I love Jesus very much, and I’ve missed Him for a long while.” I believe I’ll meet Chuck in Heaven!
Yours because, as the Scriptures say over and over, “His mercy endures forever!”
David
Young Evangelists, Chuck Templeton of Toronto and Billy Graham of Chicago at the time.
Rev 2.4
Fervent love.I have seen
1 Peter 5.7 work many times.
Billy Graham went to be with the Lord today. A great reward is his, I’m sure.
Oh, Doreen! Thanks for letting us know.
Very profound message, this morning. Thank you, in heaven, David Mainse. Love the photo of Billy Graham–my favourite evangelist, along with David. The still small voice of the Holy Spirit is echoing, “Be still.” Blessings of love to all saints.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV
Hymn “Be Still My Soul” – Traditional
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqgC1tqifV8
Overcome with such peace after listening to, and reading the words to this hymn. It carries on, to other singers’ renditions–so beautiful. May it grant you the same, dear ones in the Lord.
“Be Still, My Soul”
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897
1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.
4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Hymn #651
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 46:10
Author: Catharine Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel, 1752, cento
Translated by: Jane Borthwick, 1855
Titled: “Stille, mein Wille”
Composer: Jean Sibelius, b. 1865, arr.
Tune: “Finlandia”
Thank you Beverlee!
Thank you, Beverlee! Bless you for all the inspirational posts!
The world lost a wonderful, godly man today. Mr Graham is now enjoying the perfect peace of being in God’s presence. We, too, can be at peace and our souls be still because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. So thankful for that !
How amazing that this blog coincides with the same day Billy Graham has gone to be with our Lord and Saviour. He will be square dancing today with Jesus and David Mainse as well as countless other angels. How joyful is that!! God truly is love.
Oh, amen, Lynda!!
The coincidence is truly amazing!! Grace to you all and peace be multiplied????
So much to meditate on in these three chapters and how amazing that Pastor David talked about Evangelist Billy Graham and posted a photo on the day of his passing. What a reward awaits him in heaven and agree that he and David are two of the greatest evangelists of our time. Thank you Doreen for letting us know. Thank you Beverlee for that song and lyrics which I needed to hear today. Do you copy and paste the lyrics too? God bless your day saints.
Amen Ger, agreeing with you!!
Amen Ger.
Amen, sister Ger! Yes, just google searched the lyrics, copy and pasted, same as the song. Bless you, today!
Agreeing with all prayer and comments…David’s and bloggers.
Have a blessed day!!!
I was also thinking what a coincidence for Pastor David to mention Billy Graham, and even show his picture on the day he passed on to be with THE LORD.
Thank you Doreen for letting us know and thank you Beverlee for that wonderful hymn. Blessings Eleanor M.
You know what? I feel it really isn’t a coincidence – they were both amazing servants of our Lord and Father God chose the time to show us their magnificent spirits. Don’t you think?
Indeed, amen, Doreen. God is showing us that two of His greatest servants are rejoicing together in heaven!
I couldn’t agree more Doreen! I thought the same thing!
We in Canada and those around the world have been greatly blessed by Billy Graham and David Mainse as they both loved the Lord,they both had their issues in their lives to deal with and to go too the Lord for wisdom and guidance, like we do, and coming to the Lord just as they were, seeking His Word, confessing their sins, receiving total forgiveness and sharing this bold message of unconditional love with the whole world!
I found both Billy Graham and David Mainse were very honest in their later years about their walk with the Lord, does anyone remember David Mainse talking about an incident of an apple and how God convicted him to do the right thing! I was blown away with his honesty!
Blessings to all as we remember both these humble teachers who loved the Lord,. who were sinners saved by grace so that they could teach the Word of God to others who needed to know about Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour! amen amen amen
we need to keep supporting those who take the Gospel to others in this world……..
All Praise and Glory that the world had Billy Graham who most boldly shared the love of our Lord Jesus Christ with the whole world! It was God’s Will for this man to be heard from nation to nation, north, south, east and west! It was God’s Will that the message of the Lord Jesus Christ is broadcast in hundreds of languages for ALL people to hear the Word of God, faith comes by hearing the Word of God,
All Praise and Glory that the world had David Mainse who also shared the love of our Lord Jesus Christ with the whole world! This also was God’s Will for this message to be broadcast in many languages and to be heard from nation to nation, north, south, east and west!
What a priviledge for all of us to be able to hear and read the Word of God daily on this blog! AMEN AMEN AND AMEN!
Our Lord is so amazing! To think David was lifting up Billye Graham the day he left earth for his eternal home.
Two such Farhers of Faith, they left such great legacy,s to the Christian Faith and those in the family of God that are still praying and believing for lost love ones. Salvation is such a simple message, no one has to go to hell.
Thanking Jesus for the price he paid for my sins.