Wednesday, March 31, 2021

JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 26-27

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

 

This photo is of the Jordan Valley wilderness (or Judean Desert) looking towards Jerusalem, which is just beyond the horizon.

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 26:23

May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.

We may be dismayed as a result of today’s reading. Man’s inhumanity to man is evident, and yet David was loyal to Saul, who became his enemy. David loved Saul as evidenced by David’s lament at Saul’s death. As a shepherd, David’s enemies were the mountain lions and the bears. He wrote, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23). We have the advantage of looking ahead through the centuries to the Seed of David, Jesus, who loves unconditionally and who has won the ultimate battle against the “last enemy” (read 1 Corinthians 15:20-28). “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”
The resurrection of Jesus is the proof of Jesus’ total victory!!! The words of the angels found in Luke 24:6 are, “He is not here, He is risen!” (click here to read a resurrection chapter, Luke 24).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, in another resurrection chapter (1 Corinthians 15), Your servant, Paul, draws a conclusion from the fact that You are risen from the dead. I conclude with Paul that I am to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” I pray for Your resurrection power to be released more and more in me to produce in a greater way those results. In Your conquering Name, Jesus, I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve stood at the graves of my mother and father, one in Ruperts, Quebec, and the other in Elgin, Ontario. Mother died when I was 12 and Dad when I was 36. I heard the minister say the words of Jesus, “I am the resurrection and the life.” I thought, “It’s true! I believe it!” As I read the words on their grave stones, I’ve exclaimed, “O Lord, the resurrection could happen right now while I’m standing here!” But I walk away knowing that there’s still work to be done.

Bruce Stacey, my son-in-law, created animated video shows called God Rocks, where the rocks speak. Bruce was inspired by the words of Jesus on Palm Sunday, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out” (Luke 19:40). My favourite episode in the series is called “Rez, the Rock that Rolled.” The rock’s name had been “Tombstone,” an unhappy, pessimistic rock. But when he was rolled away by the angels and Jesus walked out of the tomb, his name was changed to “Rez!” His whole nature and outlook on life was transformed. Here is a link to some visuals from that episode (Unfortunately, I’m told that the DVDs of this episode are currently out of stock).

Yours in complete confidence that the stone was rolled away and “He is risen!”

David

The Garden Tomb, Jerusalem.

Many believe that it was inside this “Garden Tomb” in Jerusalem that Jesus’ body was laid. This tomb was originally made for a shorter man, perhaps Joseph of Arimathea, but as you can see on the right, the end was dug out to fit a taller man’s body.

6 thoughts on “Wednesday, March 31, 2021

  1. Powerful photos to go with Holy Week. Prayed David’s prayer. Indeed, the stone was rolled away and He has risen. Amen! The night before my dear sister Laura passed away, 24 years ago on March 29th, she was speaking out loud on her death bed and was at the tomb of Jesus. She saw Him there and was speaking about Him being risen, in awe. I know she is safe in heaven. How glorious!! His blessings upon you, fellow saints in the Lord. Amen.

    He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” Luke 24:6-7 ESV For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor 15:21-22 ESV

    Elevation Worship – The Blessing (Lyrics) ft. Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ55mDL7dA0

  2. Thank You, Lord God, for Your Word. Thank You for keeping on building Your church and that we can be part of it. As David said, there is still work for us to do, so please go before us, show us what to do and how to do it, and help us to do it well, in Jesus’s great name, amen

  3. Amen Rob. Beverlee, thank you for that music – the words are my prayer too. Posted this song on my FB story. My latest great grandchild is named David (just a few weeks old). Third great grandchild to be born in this pandemic. I certainly claim the words of that song. Blessings on you all and your families & friends. Amen

  4. Amen Beverlee and Rob. Prayed David’s prayer as well. He is risen indeed. Lord give us more of that resurrection power so we can be even more effective witnesses for you. Amen!

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