ASA and JEHOSHAPHAT
Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 16-17
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Here is the view from half way up the south end of the Golan Heights in Northern Israel. Looking east you can see into the north of Jordan and to the far left you can see the south end of Syria.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: 2 Chronicles 16:12, 17:9
And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians…So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.
Asa started out so well, but in the last 5 years of his 40-year-long reign he changed. Because his reliance was no longer on God, God backed off and Asa made bad decisions. When we stop seeking the Lord (honouring Him, praying consistently, watching carefully for His guidance) we invariably mess up.
Asa’s son, Jehoshaphat, was watching his father make mistakes. At some point he must have decided to be different than his Dad. The key to his success may be in 17:6, “His heart took delight in the ways of the Lord.” His great-great-great-grandfather (King David) had left his writings for future generations, and I think that Jehoshaphat had access to the Psalms. He probably read them daily. There in Psalm 37:1-8, it says in verse 4, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Of course, when we delight in the Lord, we want what He wants before anything else. Therefore, we will avoid the bad decisions represented by Asa. We will pray fervently for God’s will to be done in all things and we will, as Psalm 37 goes on the say, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” Amen and amen!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord God, Give me grace, I pray, according to Your promises. I trust in You! I delight in You! I commit my way to You! I rest in You! Therefore, I thank You for Your faithfulness! I receive the desires of my heart! You bring to pass Your will! I do not fret! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
On June 28th, 2013 I had the opportunity to host Billy Graham’s grandson, Will Graham. He quoted the words of John the Baptist about Jesus, “He must increase and I must decrease.” He said that this was the way that George Beverly Shea, his Grandpa’s soloist, whose home as a youth was Ottawa, Canada, had lived his life. Chief Superintendent Ronald Mostrey of the RCMP, Ottawa, told of his decision to travel to the funeral service in North Carolina to honour that great Canadian. George Beverly Shea, who had gone to be with his Lord and Saviour at 104 years old, lived a life filled with honour and great contentment. George’s last e-mail to me was when he was 102. He said that he continued to watch 100 Huntley Street online every day and that the telecast was a great source of strength to him. I encourage everyone who reads this to do the same. You can find that telecast with George by clicking here.
The pictures Reynold Mainse has taken of the Syrian bunkers (below) remind me to pray fervently for the Syrian followers of Jesus. Recently I visited with two businessmen whose roots are in the Middle East. They were so very solemn as they had just viewed, on an iPhone, the scene of two Christians brutally beheaded by a Syrian mob. They refused to show it to me as they said it was too gruesome. People need Jesus as never before.
Yours for the desires of the heart of God to be fulfilled,
David
This photo and the one below are of Syrian bunkers that were built during 1948-67, when Syria controlled this area known as the Golan Heights. They used the area as a military stronghold from which its troops randomly sniped at Israeli civilians in the Hula Valley below, forcing children living on Kibbutzim to sleep in bomb shelters. Israel now controls this territory.
Than the world questions Israel protection of the promised land by God. Shabot Sholam on this Saturday June 29 praise be to God. Amen
Amazing families! So great to see the grandchildren carrying on in the ministry. A very hot day upon us today in Ontario. Stay hydrated!!
Today’s reading shows that God’s Word is true and came to pass and will come to pass to us as individuals if we have faith and wait! The Word says that He is not a man that He should lie. Have been down in those bunkers in the Golan Heights. Had a desire to go to Israel, delighted in the Lord and He brought it to pass. Lord help the persecuted church all over the world and deliver them. Amen!
As some of you may have heard, Ann Mainse has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will have surgery at the end of July.
Let us all lift Ann, Ron and the family in prayer. May God encourage them, as they go through this difficult time, and may He heal Ann completely.! May God work a miracle in her life and give her a great testimony to bring much glory to His Name! Amen!
Bless you, all!
For those facing difficulties, I pray that the God of peace will fill your hearts with joy and gladness and minister to your every need! Amen!
I didn’t know Luisa, but I am joining you and I hope many others for this wonderful lady. Father, I pray in the Wonderful Blessed Name of Jesus that you would heall Ann. She is your child and you know every part of her body. My prayer is that the cancer will all be taken away from her. I also pray that you would give the surgeons wisdom as they operate ion her. Eleanor M.
Amen to your prayer Luisa!
In Jesus” precious Name I pray, Amen.
Praying for Ann (I didn’t know). May God’s Greatest Blessings be hers. Lord You are the Healer & we turn to You today asking for Your Mighty Healing Touch in Jesus Name. We know You use doctors often in the healing process. Guide & give wisdom to the medical team & be glorified in this healing, in Jesus Name. Amen
Agreeing in prayer with Luisa and Doreen for dear Ann Mainse. Thank you Lord that you hear all of our prayers I pray that you will be with all of the family during this trying time.
I prayed David’s prayer this morning, I always want to do The Lord”s will.
God Bless you all. Eleanor M.
Didn’t know either and am agreeing in prayer for Ann Mainse for the Lord to be with her and all the family during this difficult time. God bless them all.
I did not know about Ann! Lord God Almighty You are the Only Healer on earth and in Heaven that can heal Ann completely of any and all cancer! Only You Lord can enter in and build a new body inside Ann; Lord God we have all sinned against You in thought, Word and deed! We are sorry Lord! Please forgive us! Thank You Lord for the forgiveness of all our sins; we Thank You Lord and sing Praises to Your Name; It is well, it is well, it is well with my soul!
In Jesus name we Pray amen
Amen Sah.