SULKING, POUTING, ETC.
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 21
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A present-day vineyard in what was ancient Samaria.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Kings 21:4
So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that I will not succumb to the fleshly impulse to sulk and pout over my circumstances. May I mature into Jesus’ faithful follower. And please Father, when I “grow up,” I want to be like Your Son, Jesus. In His Name I ask for Your help, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I remember saying several times to my students when I was a public school teacher, “Grow up!” A chapter title in my most recent book (This Far By Faith) is “From Mess to Maturity, a Work in Process.” GROW UP! I remember the Apostle Paul wrote something about this. He tells us to be no longer children, manipulated by trickery, craftiness, and outright deception. I’ve just read for a New Testament reading, Ephesians 4:11-16. Words such as “equipping – edifying – perfect (complete) – stature – fullness” cause me to do spiritual stretching exercises.
When my children were little and they would pout, I kept a mirror handy so I could show them their facial expression. It’s really hard to retain a snit when you look in a mirror. That screwed-up face would soon become a smile and then lots of laughter. It has been said, “Laughter is the best medicine,” and I would add that laughing at one’s self is, without a doubt, the very best kind of laughter. Need a good laugh? I have a suggestion. Go to the mirror now and make the face you used to make as a child when you were really feeling sorry for yourself because of real or imagined hurt feelings. I’ve just done that. What a good laugh!
Yours for continuing to “grow up,”
David
A man stands atop a large pillar base in the ruins of ancient Samaria.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Please help us all to live as You, Lord God, made us to. In Jesus’s great name, amen.
“No one looking at world history without some preconception in favor of progress could find in it a steady up gradient. There is often progress within a given field over a limited period. A school of pottery or painting, a moral effort in a particular direction, a practical art like sanitation or shipbuilding, may continuously improve over a number of years. If this process could spread to all departments of life and continue indefinitely, there would be “progress” of the sort our fathers believed in. But it never seems to do so. Either it is interrupted (by barbarian irruption or the even less resistible infiltration of modern industrialism) or else, more mysteriously, it decays. The idea which here shuts out the Second Coming from our minds, the idea of the world slowly ripening to perfection, is a myth, not a generalization from experience. And it is a myth which distracts us from our real duties and our real interest. It is our attempt to guess the plot of a drama in which we are the characters. But how can the characters in a play guess the plot? We are not the playwright, we are not the producers, we are not even the audience. We are on the stage. To play well the scenes in which we are “on” concerns us much more than to guess about the scenes that follow it.”
From C.S. Lewis, “The World’s Last Night”
My husband listens to what I have to say about things, bless his heart, but ultimately makes up his own mind. Love all your good advice Rev. Mainse!
“In a day where 80 percent of religious believers being persecuted around the world are Christians, we can choose to withdraw from culture, keeping our salt in the saltshaker and our light under a basket (Matthew 5:13–16). Conversely, we can fight antagonism with antagonism.
Or we can defend our faith with “reason” and with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). We can explain what we believe and why we believe it, then love those who disagree. We can measure success not by popularity but by obedience.” Dr. Jim Denison.
What joy that Asia Bibi has been reunited with her daughters in Canada after being so persecuted in Pakistan for being a Christian.
Just heard recently someone saying, “My way or no way.” How dangerous to say that as it was for King Ahab. Your way is the right way dear Lord; help us always to believe and practice it. Also delighted that Asia Bibi is here in Canada and please continue to protect her Lord. Saying a prayer for little Judah and his parents today. Is anyone on here going to the World Pentecostal Conference this August in Calgary at the Telus Centre? It should be a great time. Cold but bright and sunny today.
I sometimes joke that I have to sneak up on a mirror in the dark,lol.How did a wimp like Ahab keep his position?
I did a google and one result gave me this very ‘edifying’ teaching.(From the perspective of a thirsty deacon in a small country church.)Yall have a great day and may God bless
https://blog.cpdistrict.org/people-are-gifts-too-apostles-prophets-evangelists-and-pastors
PS:Only a couple weeks before the Revival In Belfast,PEI with Robin Mark.If you click this link you will see a pic of my dear friend.This humble stance is typical of John.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/RevivalInBelfastPEI/reviews/?post_id=1778286618859793&referrer=page_recommendations_home_card&ref=page_internal
Such a lesson in today’s scripture. Thanking you in heaven, David, for keeping us centered in the Word, so we remain perpetual students. Beautiful photos, today. Saints, we lift up our hearts to the Lord. May today bring us joys in high places and blessings that trickle down unexpectedly. Wishing fellow saints a precious day in the Lord.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 ESV
O Come To The Altar – Elevation Worship with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycWDFd0yCHA
Amen Beverlee; great scripture lesson today