Monday, April 5, 2021

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HE IS RISEN! THEREFORE, LOVE ENEMIES!

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 3

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

 

The theatre of Philippi – No doubt the enemies of the Apostle Paul had been in this very theatre. It was in Philippi where Paul and Silas were severely beaten and thrown into prison. They loved their tormentors, and because of their love, they led many to Christ (Acts 16:16-34).

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 3:1, 36

Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker… Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people.

Today’s reading documents the continuing struggle between those loyal to Saul’s legacy versus David’s. Saul’s General Abner and David’s General Joab lead the continuing conflict with good reason. Abner, as Saul’s right-hand man, had tried again and again with his soldiers to kill David. Abner had personally killed Joab’s brother, Asahel. It might be good for us to read Jesus’ Words in Matthew 5:43-48. By having a welcome feast for Abner, David was not only making a wise political move, he was showing that he could rise above the past and love his enemy. No wonder the northern tribes were willing to transfer their loyalty from the house of Saul to David. Once again David mourns over the death of an enemy. It has been said the very best way to destroy an enemy is to make him your friend. Jesus is known as the Friend of sinners. Romans 5:8 declares that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:10 tells us, “When we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son.” Because Jesus is “the resurrection and the life” we have the sure knowledge that JESUS will never leave nor forsake us and nothing can separate us from His love. Therefore, with His love in us, we too can love our enemies.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, in the Name of Your Son, my Saviour and Lord Jesus, I pray for grace to love people more and more, and not just those who love me but everyone I meet. I want to be more and more like You, Jesus. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As I read of the banquet David put on for Abner, I kept thinking of David’s words in Psalm 23, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” David’s experience was that God did this for him. Now, David does this for others.

In over 50 years of seeking to communicate God’s love to mass media audiences, I have had a number of critics who, while I wouldn’t call them enemies, were not very friendly. I had learned that I should make no defence or offence of myself when attacked verbally in the press. I really tried to be friendly to these people in practical ways. When the negative publicity hit the fan concerning certain TV evangelists, these people who had attacked me in the past rallied immediately to my defence, saying very positive things about 100 Huntley Street and about me as an evangelist. Proverbs 11:30b says that, “He who wins souls is wise.” I pray for wisdom fervently every morning, because I know that if I do not have wisdom from God, I’ll turn more people away from God than I bring to Him. I’ve just accessed on Youtube the old hymn, “Jesus, What A Friend of Sinners” by the Gaither Vocal Band. Here’s a link to the audio of them singing it a capella. I’m blessed!

Yours for loving all people, even those who may have acted like enemies,

David

11 thoughts on “Monday, April 5, 2021”

  1. Such wisdom for us to glean from, today. We rise above the past when we forgive the sinfulness of others and hurt they impose because of our faith in the love of Jesus. Our love with Jesus is stronger than anything else. That’s what it means when we can forgive. How divine! Thank You, Jesus, for Your living example and undeniable Truth of Your Holy Word. Thank You, Jesus, because You first loved us! We praise You–the Name above all names! Jesus Messiah–Lord of all! Amen, fellow saints in the Lord!

    The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 ESV

    Jesus! What A Friend for Sinners! with lyrics
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdtAtC99rH0

    Reply ↓

    • P.S. Thank you fellow saints 😇 for being with me as I experienced a deeper sense of forgiveness ✝️, this morning. Wishing you all a most blessed day! 💜 🌻

      Reply ↓

  2. Forgiveness takes the weight off of ‘you’.
    Forgiveness

    Forgiveness is a gift we receive,
    And freely we must give it too,
    To prove to Him we do believe,
    Forgiveness also works for you.

    When Judas stabed His back,
    He did not turn to attack;
    For it was not a setback,
    When Satan caused this man to crack.

    When you forgive it then returns,
    For your heart is then lightened
    While given the freedom it yearns
    And your mind is then enlightened.

    Let His healing hand touch your soul,
    Then may His love render you whole,
    For Satan will try to collect a toll;
    If faith is weak you give control.

    But someone you may overlook,
    Is one you may be least kind to;
    For mistaken paths that you took;
    The one you forgive must be you.
    GW (Bill) Marshall/2012

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  3. Oh to be like Him….Oh to be like Him…that is my prayer too. Wonderful Saviour, Wonderful Friend. Have a safe day today and enjoy the beginning of Spring time and new life. My Easter lilies have 10 blossoms today with 4 more still to open (3 plants – a gift from a friend). Blessings all.

    Reply ↓

  4. Jesus preached forgiveness but he did so with the outlook of a father over his quarrelling children.He taught to forgive unconditionally.Only God knows the degree each one of us has forgiven another.
    Forgive Myself

    Does God ever make mistakes,
    Does He regret where He has led
    When each step His child takes
    Dries up the blood His Son has shed.

    Now I fear I am now lost,
    When I try to do what is right,
    For mistakes are the cost
    But it’s His blood that wins my fight.

    So forgive myself I must,
    For,if not,then in vain He died
    And I would yield His trust,
    Then they could say my Savoir lied.

    So get back upon your feet
    And know Satan is a liar
    Cast down in his defeat
    To burn ever in hell fire.

    No,God never makes mistakes,
    But His ways are above our own,
    So know,each child He makes
    Is of the holy seed He’s sown.
    (G.W.)Bill Marshall/23,June,2016
    Hebrews 8 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
    7 If there was nothing wrong with the first
    agreement, then there would be no need for
    a second agreement.

    Reply ↓

  5. Yes Bill, forgiveness takes the weight off us and Jesus taught us to forgive unconditionally, those are clear tenets of forgiveness. When someone hurts us terribly, especially when it is a Christian who should know better, or is mean spirited or jealous or prideful and purposely laughs at us, humiliates us and sets out to take over our joy, instant forgiveness is never easy. My gleaning from scripture, today, was that when we choose to forgive, we grasp one step higher–the love of Jesus forgiving us, and the magnitude of that. Elizabeth O’Connor once wrote, “Despite a hundred sermons on forgiveness, we do not forgive easily . . . Forgiveness, we discover, is always harder than sermons make it out to be”. Praise God we have Jesus to lean on. Amen and God bless you.

    Reply ↓

    • Amen Beverlee, I agree with you wholeheartedly, it is very hard to forgive. But forgive we must, as it says in The Lord’s Prayer. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
      Loved the scenery background, to that lovely hymn. Thanks for sharing.

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      • Thanks Eleanor. I agree with you, wholeheartedly. For me, it has always been a process. Jesus was our example and came for that very reason. Amen.

        Reply ↓

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