Wednesday, September 8, 2021

A PURE HEART

Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 2

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

 

A modern day Roman soldier stands guard at the Palazzo del Quirinale – the President’s residence in Rome.

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

 

Key Verses: 2 Timothy 2:15, 22b

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth…but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

 

Today’s reading continues the military manual for spiritual warfare. “Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2:3). “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life” (2:4). Our weapon of choice is “The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Eph. 6:17b). “The Word of God is not chained” (2:9b). We are “not to strive about words to no profit.” Let us keep to God’s Word and not become caught up in conspiracy theories, etc. “Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (2:23). Finally, God approves of those who “rightly divide the Word of Truth” (2:15b). In division in mathematics, there are several factors. Remember the divisor, etc.? Even so, comparing Scripture with Scripture will help us learn “TRUTH”…rightly divided.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray, as I often heard my Father pray as we would kneel after breakfast around the kitchen table, “Father God, may the smile of Your approval be on my life this new day.” In Jesus’ Name I ask this mercy, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My Dad in his prayer would often quote the couplet, “Heaven came down our souls to greet, and glory crowns the mercy seat.” God is seated in mercy toward all who have confessed their sin, repented with godly sorrow, and turned away from sin. What great assurance!!!

For some reason as I read today’s Scriptures, I thought of the time when Norma-Jean and I, along with our four children, were in a tough place financially. I was offered a job selling pots and pans from door to door in order to supplement our $25.00 per week salary from the church. The Scripture about not “entangling” myself came to mind. I determined to spend even more time visiting from door to door with the message of Jesus than I would have spent trying to sell pots and pans. The result was that more people began attending services and the offerings grew to more than I could have ever made in sales. When we brought in a new Pastor we were able to pay him $60.00 per week!

Yours for being “diligent” in the reading of God’s Word,

David

Palazzo del Quirinale – the President’s residence in Rome. Someone said, “Let us make Jesus, not just resident in our lives, but PRESIDENT, in charge of our lives.”

16 thoughts on “Wednesday, September 8, 2021

  1. Two quotes from Rob’s former September posts that I would like to encourage everyone with. Oh, how we miss you, Rob:

    “Lord God, have mercy on us in this land. We have become so proud, thinking we are better than others and in no need of God. Please help us to humble ourselves and turn back to You. Thank You for all your people here, who seek your ways in all they do. Open the doors for your gospel to go out throughout Canada, and draw many to You today. We ask for your leadership & guidance in Canada, in Jesus’s name, amen. Thank You, Lord, for those who have gone before us. Have your good and perfect way in this world going forward, and please bring Godly people into positions of leadersgip in Canada. We ask You, thanking You that You hear us. In Jesus’s forever-great name, amen “

  2. Praying David’s prayer, this morning and on hands and knees to my Lord. Ever thankful and strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Thank you for your prayers this morning, fellow saints as I have my muscle biopsy at the hospital. My follow up appt. with my neurologist for the results (neuromuscular disease) is not until December, so I will not know until then. But I am thankful for getting this biopsy so quickly. This is separate from my back surgery (which is on hold) and autoimmune disorder, though they all affect each other. Continued prayers for God’s intervention and hand over me are most appreciated. Know that you are in my prayers as well. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

    If we died with him, we will also live with him;
    f we endure, we will also reign with him.
    If we disown him, he will also disown us;
    if we are faithless, he remains faithful,
    for he cannot disown himself.
    2 Timothy 2:11-13 ESV

    Don Moen – Be Still & Know with lyrics
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0oVJIEEuVs

  3. Praying for you, Beverlee, as you go for your appointment today. It’s comforting to know that the Lord goes before you and His presence is with you in the person of Holy Spirit. May the biopsy’s report ( when you receive it) be an encouraging one.
    I’m praying also for your other health issues including the surgery that is on hold. I pray for a date that will be at the Lord’s “appointed time”
    We extend our prayers and blessings to you.

    Agreeing with you regarding how we all miss Rob and pray that all is well with him.

  4. Yesterday my sister sent me these verses from Psalm 139…..from the Passion translation, my heart was so deeply touched by them.
    (in part)….. 4…You know every step I will take
    before my journey ever begins
    5…You’ve gone into the future to prepare the way,
    and in kindness You follow behind me,
    to spare me from the harm of my past.
    10..where ever I go your hand will guide me,
    …Your strength will empower me.
    I would like to share these verses with all of you and pray that God will be near and Bless and comfort and give you all courage and strength as they did me!

    I would also like to say sometimes God brings people into a place or relationship or even a blog such as this for just a season.
    A little like when we loose loved ones, it is so painful and yet ultimately God says …”Trust me, I know best”…
    I have no idea but could it be possible that Rob or others were (are) here on the blog for just a session, while others are commissioned by God to stay and continue to be a blessing.

    • Anne I was praying recently on my knees for someone very dear to me and very unexpectedly these words softly but firmly ‘overlayed’ my own words:”trust me”.One of my earliest poems is about that and I used it many times to comfort those in grief.I hope it comforts you too.Blessings
      Trust Me

      Trust Me,I know what I am doing,
      It’s not just your heart I am wooing
      But your soul is so dear to Me,
      I want you with Me for eternity.

      Even when your days are very bad,
      I share the load that makes you sad,
      So do not be angry with Me,
      You must trust in Me eternally.

      I love all my children most dearly,
      And in life I see you clearly,
      That is why you are on the Earth,
      It is a school and the grave is your birth.

      ‘I knew you before you were born’,
      I would never leave you forlorn,
      I know every hair on your head,
      Death is not for you to dread.

      Life is through my precious Son,
      A reward for when your day is done,
      So know that this is my gift to you
      As you trust Him your life through.
      G W (Bill) Marshall/.2011

    • Anne, thank you for sharing those encouraging
      verses from Psalm 139, and for your prayers.
      May God bless you today and always.

  5. Missing Rob as well. God will be with him. Praying for Beverlee also as she has her biopsy today and waits for future appointments. I haven’t received an update regarding Judy’s heart surgery. His daughter uses her deceased minister’s email to send messages and that is the only way I can communicate with her. I know that God’s best plan is in place for Judy. Wonderful music post Beverlee. Thank you. Blessings all on a beautiful new day.

  6. I pray for Rob too and all of you here in need and today,especially for Beverlee;that from here on she receives encouraging and positive news from her medical providers.
    I knew this was about the US when I wrote it but I think it applies to Canada also…and the ‘free’ world.May God bless
    Under God

    One nation under God that denies Me,
    Will fall apart and be devoured,
    If you refuse my love that’s free,
    As if I am something now soured.

    Your enemies have delivered my warning,
    Therefore turn back to find truth,
    For the wolves only bring mourning
    From the sacrifice of your youth.

    Greed is now what too many now preach,
    For the demon has reached within,
    But you can still change to teach,
    So the children may turn from sin.

    If you allow the wolves in their power,
    To consume with endless thirst,
    Then you are guilty at this hour
    In helping bring about the worst.

    So remove the wolves behind the crown,
    For they are deeply entrenched,
    And let them and their filth drown
    As my laws are tightly clenched.
    G W (Bill) Marshall / 11/09/2013

  7. Amen to all the prayers above. May God pour out his blessings on each of you in your times of need.
    http://www.thecrymovement.com

    I watch Faytene.tv and she had Robert Parker on from the National House of Prayer and they were asking everyone to join in the following prayer for our election. I believe you could cut and past the link for more information.

    1 word for every year since Confederation.

    We magnify the name of Jesus over Canada and declare that our trust is in You and You alone O Lord. We humble ourselves before You in repentance for our many grievous sins and plead Your Blood over our land. In this election, we pray You would cause us to elect candidates whose hearts are soft to Your will, who will stand for righteousness & who will have wisdom to govern Canada in these times. We pray that You would remove those who do not have Your heart, or wisdom, to govern Canada. For the sake of our children, and future generations, we ask that You would release great honour for Your Word upon all of Canada, that You would expose corruption in government and that You would convict Canadians from sea to sea to turn to You with all their hearts, souls, mind and strength. We thank You for Your mercy and grace. Amen.

  8. Amen to prayer requests mentioned above..I really miss Rob’s comments.and pray that he is doing well..Also praying the election prayer for Canada’s up coming election. Also missing Sah. Love to all the bloggers !

  9. Amen to all comments above. I’m pretty tired after a day of picking up tree debris from the storm we had last night. Tornado close to where we live. Hydro out from five last until just before eight tonight.
    God is so so so good. It could have been worse. I always pray for protection over our farm and the neighbors when bad weather is forecast.
    I’m amazed God helped us with the clean up. My husband and I. I’m not sore yet but I’ve asked Him to spare me the aches and stiffness. All in all it was a good day. When I felt like giving up today I started to praise God. He has blessed us immensely.
    Praying for you all. Amen

  10. Nan I am praying for your aches and pains after dealing with the cleanup from the storm yesterday. God is good and He hears when we praise Him as well as pray to Him.
    Bless you and your husband as you manage the work on your farm…..🌺
    Eleanor M.

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