Monday, February 21, 2022

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FERVENT LOVE

Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 3-5

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

 

A visit to Rome is a feast for the eyes. In the centre is the Trajan’s Column with a church on either side. The larger church in the photo is the Church of the Most Holy Name of Mary at the Trajan Forum. At the very end of today’s reading, “Babylon” is mentioned. In Roman times the persecuted Christians called the source of their persecution, Rome, by the name of the capitol city of the ancient persecutors of the Jewish people, “Babylon” (Revelation 17:1-6).

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Peter 5:7

…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

 

There are three points of emphasis here, all three mentioned more than once!

(1) PRAYER – 1 Peter 3:7 informs us that if we, as husbands, don’t honour our wives properly, our prayers may be hindered. Let’s not forget that elsewhere it says, “Let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:33b). This is serious! Do we want God’s ears to be open to our prayers? Then pay attention to 1 Peter 3:9-12. Amen!!!

(2) A message from Jesus to those “spirits in prison” (3:19 & 20) and “those who are dead!” (4:6). This seems strange. Yet we understand that all who had died in faith prior to the Cross and the Resurrection were somehow incarcerated in a place where they could not enter Heaven above, because their sins were not removed until Jesus had paid the full price for their redemption by His blood sacrifice. It would be amazing to hear a replay of Jesus’ message to these people someday.

(3) “Love!” “Love!” and “Love!” (3:8 & 4:8). And this is to be “FERVENT LOVE!” We may think we know something about the meanings of the word “love.” But what about the word “fervent.” The dictionary says, “Displaying a passionate intensity – burning – glowing – boiling hot!”

O yes! Let’s read several times 1 Peter 5:5-9. “Be humble!” “Cast your cares on Him!” “Be sober!” “Be vigilant!” The result? The Devil may roar, but he can’t harm us!!! Let us be “steadfast in the faith.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray for all You have for me. I now am wide open to receive Your provisions. Thank You! Praise Your holy Name! I worship You with a fervent heart full of love for You, and for others. Through the world’s greatest Lover, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS (or more)

I’ve just read all of First Peter again. As I read Chapter 1 verse 3, the word “begotten” stood out for me. The same thing happened as I read 1:23 which says, “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever.” Recently someone sent me a picture of Billy Graham and Chuck Templeton (below). I remember when Billy and Chuck worked together as Evangelists in the Youth For Christ Movement. Billy was steadfast in his faith and commitment to the Gospel, but Chuck went to a very liberal theological seminary, and it seems he lost his faith in Christ. He returned to Toronto, wrote books, and became a broadcaster of note. On one occasion I was interviewed by Chuck on national CBC television. Chuck said, “David, you talk a lot about being born again. The Bible only refers to this one time.” I responded in a way that I later apologized for. I said, “Chuck, you’ve not been reading your Bible lately! Jesus said those words twice in John 3, and there are other places where the ‘born again’ experience is found. For example, Peter wrote those words, ‘born again.'” Then I referenced other synonymous expressions of this truth. e.g. “a new creation” and “born of the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 5:17 & John 3:8b). After the live show was over (I would only go on live shows because they had in the past edited me to make me say what I did not!), I prayed about it, and that still small Voice said to me, “David, you do not love Chuck.” I repented, and the next time when we were together (off camera), I asked his forgiveness for my lack of love, and he graciously forgave me. In the late 80’s, when the TV Evangelists scandals broke, Chuck was everywhere on Canadian TV, radio, and in the press defending me as an evangelist of integrity. Shortly before his death, he said to an interviewer, “I love Jesus very much, and I’ve missed Him for a long while.” I believe I’ll meet Chuck in Heaven!

Yours because, as the Scriptures say over and over, “His mercy endures forever!”

David

Young Evangelists, Chuck Templeton of Toronto and Billy Graham of Chicago at the time.

19 thoughts on “Monday, February 21, 2022”

  1. For the 21st day from the “Prayer Map of Canada:
    1. Pray for the leaders of our educational system, that they would have wisdom and make God honouring decisions. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
    2. Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources they need and the vigilance their work requires.

    Reply ↓

  2. For the 21st day from the “Prayer Map of Canada”
    1. Pray for the leaders of ur educational system, that they would have wisdom and make God honouring decisions. ( 1 Timothy 2:1-4)
    2. What that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources they need and the vigilance their work requires.

    Reply ↓

  3. Amen, but I hope that you and others would add a #3, for all those involved in these peaceful protests and for all those involved in the vote today that they make wise decisions and are not bound by government whips.

    Someone sent me a Bible verse that seems appropriate, especially as there are many truckers involved. 10-4.
    Ecclesiates 10:4 NKJV
    If the spirit of the ruler rises against you,
    Do not leave your post;
    For conciliation[a] pacifies great offenses.

    Reply ↓

  4. Agreeing with your prayer targets, Charlene. I would like to add Russia’s Putin & the American president also – there is talk of them having a meeting with re: the large military gathered at the boarder of Ukraine and Russia. I pray for a peaceful resolution that will hold true, in Jesus Name. Amen

    Reply ↓

  5. I tried to post yesterday, but again I see it did not post so I will try again. Perhaps I had too much in one post so will break it down.

    Amen to Rob’s prayers and thanks for the link. The media paints a dark picture and I hope everyone is looking elsewhere for less biased opinions.

    https://fb.watch/a-Gjo-6zHp/

    Reply ↓

  6. Please everyone join in prayer for the Lord’s will to be done in parliament today.

    Here is a link that will allow you to send a message to the senators and to your local MP regarding this vote.

    https://www.votervoice.net/LifesiteNewsCA/campaigns/91991/respond

    I pray that although we may not all have the same opinion on this issue, that we can all agree in prayer that God’s will be done and that it will not divide our group and that everyone remains engaged.

    Reply ↓

  7. Praying for our leaders in Canada this morning as Charlene encouraged. Praying for the Ukraine, for all Your lands Lord. Turn the hearts of the kings, we pray. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16b) Lord we thank You that You hear our prayers. We thank You that even when we don’t feel You, You’re working, even when we don’t see You, You’re working. We praise and thank You Lord.
    I wonder if someone who knows how would post the song Waymaker sung by Jeremy Riddell. Thank you and may the Lord make His Face shine upon you all today.

    Reply ↓

  8. Dear Lord God, thank You, thank You, thank You for who You are. All that is good comes from You.
    Mold us, make us (all Your people) to be more like You every day. We do pray for Your will to be done in Canada and throughout this world. Give those who represent us in Parliament wisdom and courage to be honest and true. Open their hearts and minds to stand for a country that honours You and protects its own people.
    Please crush the evil (as You did in Babylon) but also raise our leaders up to new life in You. We pray for a miracle only You can do, Lord – make Justin Trudeau a new man in You, in Jesus’s great and incomparable name, amen

    And, from James 3:17 (Phillips):
    “The wisdom that comes from God is first utterly pure, then peace-loving, gentle, approachable, full of tolerant thoughts and kindly actions, with no breath of favouritism or hint of hypocrisy. And the wise are peace-makers who go on quietly sowing for a harvest of righteousness—in other people and in themselves.”

    Reply ↓

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