Sunday, March 24, 2019

GOD’S CHAMPIONS

Today’s Reading: 1 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 Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:2), where David picked up five smooth stones from the brook, one of which he used in his sling to kill Goliath.

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 17:45

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

David knew for sure that the God of Israel was much bigger than any giant the Philistines could produce. David’s past experiences gave him great confidence that God would enable him to defeat Goliath. All of us can think of times when we’ve seen God doing great things in our own lives, or we’ve heard of God doing great things in the lives of others. Soon we’ll celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, the greatest victory in human history. The historical fact of Jesus’ resurrection happened in the past, and it is also a present reality. He is risen!!! David was the champion of Israel. Jesus is the Champion for all time and for every challenge. The Apostle Paul writes of “the seed of David” (2 Timothy 2:8-13). Jesus said, “Because I live, you shall live also” (to read it in context see John 14:11-21). With our faith in Jesus, we too can be champions. Jesus assures us that the person who believes in Him will win the battles. In Him we are bigger than any challenge!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You have defeated the last human enemy, death! Therefore, I have complete confidence that with You living in me I can win over every giant that I face. I pray for boldness to take that which I know You’ve done in the past, apply that knowledge to the present, and move forward into future battles with the secure knowledge of Your Presence. In Your strong Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When God gave us Canada’s first professionally equipped Christian television production studio back in 1977, I could not stand to see God’s resources sitting empty for much of the day after we went live to air with the daily 100 Huntley Street telecast. Therefore, we began producing telecasts in many languages other than English. We also did shows for children and teens. Nite Lite, an open-line show which ran live 5 nights a week from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., was what one of our hosts, Rev. Ken Campbell, called “the best fishing hole in Canada.” In one staff Chapel service in the early 1990’s, I shared that the challenge of the middle-of-the-night ministry needed a champion who would assume full responsibility for its future. Later that day, Jim Cantelon, who had been one of my co-hosts on 100 Huntley Street after returning from Jerusalem where he established a great Christian congregation, approached me with these words: “David, I want to be that champion for the middle of the night.” He covered not only Canada but the U.S.A. as well for many years. I’m excited to rise every morning to champion the ministry of this blog!

Yours, praying Jesus’ prayer request: “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers [champions] into the harvest field” (Matthew 9:38, Luke 10:2),

David

P.S. In the God Rocks children’s animated TV series produced by a champion, Bruce Stacey, the actor Mickey Rooney, certainly not a “giant” in stature, is the voice of “Bullseye”…the little rock that bopped Goliath. It’s a creative re-telling of today’s reading. Below is a poster from that episode (signed by Mickey). The episode is called “Splat Ball Square Off” and here’s a link to a trailer for it. Some of the God Rocks “Bible Toons” are available HERE. You might want to buy some and share them with the children for whom you can be a champion for Christ.

19 thoughts on “Sunday, March 24, 2019

  1. I can’t help but wonder if God used the lion and the bear to help prepare young David to meet Goliath in battle….it turns out,Goliath was not prepared for David’s
    (lowly) type of warfare.His faith was his shield.Yall have a great Sabbath.God bless

  2. Lea is really suffering in hospital. They don’t have a diagnosis yet. At times she is almost in agony. I am praying for her constantly for God’s solution. I feel that this is a David & Goliath battle. May God’s Hand be upon her & the illness defeated. Please join me in this battle. Thank you.

  3. I miss seeing your comments this morning Beverlee.
    I have been on the blog every day for a limited tine, Edward my husband slipped on the ice two weeks ago today as we were leaving to go to church., He broke his ankle very badly and is unable to put his right foot down to the ground. He had the cast changed on Tuesday but he doesn’t see the surgeon for another month. It is very difficult for him as he is normally active. Please oray for strength for both of us .
    Enjoyed the reading and comments this morning, God is able to do more than we ask for. Blessings to all, we will be watching Church on TV today.

    • Blessings on you and your husband today, Eleanor, and special prayers for the speedy healing of his ankle. May this trial bring new strength and much good, as well as the peace and joy of Jesus in both your lives also.

  4. Wow.. great verse!! This is a confirmation for me. A gay man had been put on my heart to pray for yesterday.
    As a few of us sat praying for our time together, God spoke to my heart and said, “give this man the Sling and Stone that you brought back from the Valley of Elah as a reminder that the battle is not his, it belongs to the LORD”!

    I’ve yet to see him, but hopefully this week.

    This man struggles with his identity and Gods word, please keep him in your prayers!

    Thank you Ron and Ann for continuing to share David’s blog! Blessing to all today!

    • Praying for this man also, Linda. I believe you have been specific direction as to how to minister to him. Praying especially that he will indeed find his identity in the Lord alone. May you be given the exact words that he needs, that would encourage him greatly.

  5. Lord Jesus I agree with Eleanor M’s prayer for her husband Edward: for a quick and complete healing so he is able to walk without pain; for restoring him; and I ask for peace for both Eleanor and Edward, in Your Holy Mighty Name Jesus I pray;
    Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer! Amen!

    Lord I pray that my confidence in You increase in the knowing that you are with me/us in all we do; that we rely on You, not on our own understanding; leaning on Your everlasting loving arms!

    This is Your Day Lord, I choose to rejoice and be glad in I

    • Thank you dear Deanna and Irene for your prayers . I Very much appreciate them. I am agreeing in all the prayers for Lea.

  6. Yes Lord; I agree with Doreen in prayer for Lea; Lord I ask for Your intervention on Lea’s behalf for total healing; that the pain and suffering of this Your child, stop in Your Mighty Holy Name I pray.
    Thank You Lord for hearing and answer our prayer for Lea’s Highest and Best, Amen and Amen!!!

  7. Agreeing in prayer for Lea and you and your husband Edward Eleanor M. that healing will come and you will receive the strength you need from the Lord. Amen!

  8. Thank you all for your prayers for Lea. I spent the afternoon with her & the doctor was called in. He changed a couple of her pills & hopefully she will get relief soon. Played Norma Jean’s brother, Ralph & his wife Evelyn ‘s CD where Ralph sang, “I don’t need to understand, I just need to hold His Hand! Much comfort. Praying for all mentioned needs & for Beatriz – just found out young mother (Christian) has inoperable cancer. My heart is heavy. God is good & He is true to His Promises so looking to Him.

  9. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYERS! BRING HEALING WHERE NEEDED, HEAL LEA,HEAL BEATRIZ OF ALL CANCER!
    LORD I DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS CANCER AND HOW IT ATTACKS PEOPLE; LORD REMOVE CANCER FROM OUR WORLD, LORD GOD YOU KNOW ALL,YOU SEE ALL, YOU ARE EVERYWHERE; HEAL THE BROKEN ANKLE; HEAL THE DAUGHTER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE CHURCH;
    LORD GIVE PATIENCE AND GUIDANCE TO ALL THE MOMS AND DADS AS THEY RAISE THEIR FAMILIES IN THIS WORLD; LORD FORGIVE US OUR SINS AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED AGAINST US…..
    ONLY YOU LORD GOD CAN DO ALL THESE THINGS; WE ARE SO THANKFUL THAT YOU FORGIVE US;LOVES US UNCONDITIONALY;
    BLESS OUR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS AROUND THE WORLD;BLESS OUR FAMILIES; BLESS ALL THE DYSFUNCTIONAL PEOPLE LORD, WE ARE ALL VERY DYSFUNCTIONAL;THANK YOU FOR LOVING US THROUGH ALL THE DYSFUNCTION…..IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY AMEN

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