Saturday, April 15, 2023

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TREASON

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 17

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

 

The shopping district of modern Jerusalem is full of hustle and bustle. Except for the modern clothing, it could be similar to a scene from 3,000 years ago.

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 17:14

So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom.

God permits certain things to happen as we exercise our free will; but HIS GREAT PLAN FOR THE AGES will not be altered by anyone!!! Absalom exercised his free will. God allowed it. However, God’s ultimate plan was to reconfirm His call on David’s life by restoring a repentant and chastened David. David’s son, Solomon, perhaps reflecting on his father’s hard lessons, wrote in Proverbs 3:11-12, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His corrections; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights” (discipline – as in disciple). The writer to the Hebrews in 12:6 picks up this fact, and then we may want to read from the final book in the Bible, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” chapter 3:14-22 (click here). Verse 19 quotes Solomon. The Laodiceans, exercising their free will, chose to be lukewarm. God’s ultimate will was determined by their response to His invitation to repent, hear Him knocking, hear His voice, and open the door. Just think, if they had learned from God’s chastisement, they could have been sitting with Christ on His eternal throne.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, in Your humanity You were learning. As Hebrews 5:8 tells me, speaking of You, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” Please grant me the grace to be the best learner I could ever be. “Teach me Your way, O Lord.” Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When Norma-Jean and I were helping to establish a new congregation in Deep River, Ontario, I took a bus to Ottawa. In Ottawa I changed buses and arrived in Cornwall, Ontario, where a car dealer, Wes Miller, had found a retired school bus for our new Sunday School. I drove it back home, and I had lettering painted on one side, “TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD,” and on the other, “STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD.” Across the front above the windshield it read, “THE SUNDAY SCHOOL SCOUT.” I was out like a hockey scout looking for future stars for Jesus. Every Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. I would drive “The Scout” north on the trans-Canada Highway for 43 miles, turn around and pick up almost every child who lived on that stretch, and bring them to Sunday School and Church. A deacon, Mervin Bowes, would take them home, arriving back at Deep River at about 2:15 p.m. He’d head home for his dinner, and I’d hop in and pick up children on a southern leg of the highway for a Sunday School and service in Chalk River. These children were learners, disciples, and many of them became true followers of Jesus who were becoming “children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). As Daniel 12:3 says, “like the stars forever and ever.” I’m still scouting for stars for Jesus!

Yours to turn many to righteousness in Christ,

David

P.S. Our missionary/photographer son visited the ruins of Laodicea in one of his photographic trips for this blog (see photo below). It’s so very sad to know that the people failed to rise to the challenge of true discipleship, failing to hear Jesus knocking at their door and speaking… or else they just chose to ignore Him. We have control of the bolt on the door to our heart. It’s on the inside. The children in the Sunday School I’ve mentioned would sing, “Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.”

These are some of the ruins of ancient Laodicea in present-day western Turkey. The city was founded by Seleucid King Antiochus II in honour of his wife, Laodice. Laodicea became a prosperous Roman market town on the trade route from the east, famous for its woolen and cotton cloths. The city was an early centre of Christianity and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 3:14-22).

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

18 thoughts on “Saturday, April 15, 2023”

  1. Amazing how David Mains had so much energy to do the things he did – two Sunday schools on a Sunday, picking children up in an old bus! Amazing. I am very weak @ this moment. I’m having company too so it will be challenging. Please pray for me. Thank you. Blessings.

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    • Praying for your well-being dear Doreen. So wonderful to have good company but can be draining at times. May our heavenly Father bring you peace and comfort.

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    • Doreen,my ‘adopted sister’ lives alone and is quite feeble,still recovering from a broken knee.When she has company coming she tells them they will have to look after themselves.Perhaps you should too.God bless you

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  2. I’m sorry that you’re not feeling your best, Doreen. I pray that God will touch and energize your body. I pray you will be able to enjoy your company and feel much better after your time together.

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  5. Praise

    Let us praise Him with every day,
    Let us praise Him in our sleep,
    Let unceasing praise convey
    The harvest our praises reap.

    Unending love is always ours,
    So unending praise is owed,
    Then His word of truth empowers
    From the Spirit He bestowed.

    He made it all,it’s just for us
    And all are blessed by His love,
    Then He sent our Lord Jesus
    To show the pathway above.

    So only truth bespeak His praise,
    Let not hope flee from sight,
    For we owe praise throughout our days,
    To walk in His eternal Light.
    G W(Bill) Marshall / 24 Feb, 2014

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  6. Doreen, you are so very dear to us all. We appreciate your words of wisdom and life-experiences. Though we have never met, you reflect Jesus in word and deed. I’m certain that your company wants to just sit in your presence and enjoy you…..You are very close in my prayers, just like the others, on this site. May you be anointed in God’s Spirit, strengthened in your feelings of weakness, and uplifted in His magnificent Love.

    Luisa, 💗the Song!
    Reminded me of simplicity and sitting at Jesus’s feet, in His Love.

    Reply ↓

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