Tuesday, March 26, 2019

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A TRUE FRIEND

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 19

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

 

These are marble heads in the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth in Greece.

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 19:4

Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you.”

Solomon, David’s son, had no doubt heard from his father about Jonathan. As a result, Solomon put these words in Proverbs 18:24b: “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” David needed a true friend. Historian and philosopher Henry Adams wrote, “One friend in a lifetime is much; two are many; three are hardly possible.” Jesus has been called, “the Friend of sinners.” Matthew and Zacchaeus took Jesus home with them. We may want to meditate on Jesus’ relationships with these “sinners” (Luke 19:1-10 and Mark 2:13-17). We could consider the woman at the well and the woman taken in adultery. If we had the opportunity to ask these people, “Who are your friends?” Jesus’ name would probably be the first one they would mention. A friend is there for us! A short time after they met Jesus, these two men and two women experienced what He promised in Matthew 28:20b: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The phenomenon of people prophesying, as in our reading, is an experience we read about throughout religious history. It may be of God (check the content to see if the words spoken are according to the written Words of Holy Scripture). It may be simply the result of the human spirit, excited because of emotional activity. It may also be from the evil one. Be very careful here. In our day, what is called “personal prophecy” can appear to be of God and sometimes seems supernatural. However, people have been seriously sidetracked from God’s will for their lives by those who use this means to manipulate them. We need to check with our pastors, wait on God in prayer, and consistently read God’s Word, the Bible.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I give my whole life to You for this new day. I’m in Your Word daily. I’m in prayer daily. Please protect me by Your Word, Your Spirit, and by the solid Bible-based teaching of my local church. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve given a great deal of thought to what is called “prophesying” in the New Testament Church. Philip, a deacon of the first church, had four daughters who were “prophetesses” (Acts 21:9). I believe that we need to let the Bible interpret the Bible. Revelation 19:10 tells us that, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” I also believe that these Philip’s daughters were winning souls to Jesus on the streets of Samaria, where their Dad had a revival (Acts 8). The “Testimony of Jesus” happened on the streets of Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 2. Peter said on that occasion, quoting the prophet Joel, that “Your sons and daughters shall prophesy.” These girls were not foretelling the future. They were not lying naked on the ground like Saul in today’s reading (verse 24). They were telling everyone about Jesus! Witnessing for and about Jesus is the continuing evidence of keeping filled with the Holy Spirit. I don’t think that anyone should claim to be keeping filled with God’s Spirit if they fail to give the “Testimony of Jesus” consistently. Prophecy, one of the gifts of the Spirit, referred to in 1 Corinthians 12:10 and also in 1 Corinthians 14, is for the edification and comfort of believers. I need this gift. Prophesying, as it happened on the birthday of the Church, is something different which continues to happen every time we testify, in order to win a precious never-dying soul to Jesus.

Yours for New Testament prophecy,

David

13 thoughts on “Tuesday, March 26, 2019”

  1. Good morning

    I was so looking forward to today ‘s blog as yesterday David wrote…
    P.P.S. Yesterday’s blog had a picture of a poster signed by Mickey Rooney. Tomorrow, God willing, I’ll tell you about the wisdom which brought Mickey to Jesus. He called our prayer lines. Please encourage others to call us too!!!

    How we were used to lead Mickey Rooney !

    Reply ↓

    • I’ve said before in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia a person cannot phone the prayer lines on 100 Huntley Street! can’t phone for maybe the last 3-4 years or so……I often wonder if anyone ever checks these situations….I would be vert careful about donating….

      Reply ↓

  2. I would love to here what came out of Saul’s mouth as he was prophesying! I think Saul must have been surprised too at what he said. In Burlington, Ontario, there are 3 churches that are looking for pastors due to retirements. Please pray that God will send forth those of His choosing. Thank you.

    Reply ↓

    • Heavenly Father, I pray that you would send anointed ministers to the three churches in Burlington. In these times we need more godly people to preach. People who teach from God’s word and stir up the congregations to seek and serve you.
      I pray this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen .
      Enjoyed reading the scriptures and David’s comments, we are truly blessed to have this daily Manna.
      Blessings to all and love in Christ . Eleanor M.

      Reply ↓

  3. Saul seemed to suffer from paranoia and jealousy when he should have thought of David as a son.That is where Satan may have influenced him to think of himself first instead of the One who made him king.Big mistake and it’s much easier to see through the lens of history in a ‘book’ which contains the inspired scrolls (plus the New Testament).I would like to know just how much of the old testament was commonly available back then in the temples.(I’m showing my ignorance again.)I may not say it enough but I am deeply grateful for Ron,Ann carrying on David’s ‘Bible study”.(I strongly suspect it’s mostly Ron now?)David’s guiding words are very valuable (perhaps essential?) to help us grow and learn while others more learned biblically just need the nourishment.Regardless,I thank the Mainse family for their faithfulness.God bless

    Can’t Be Bought

    May happiness be yours to share
    And joy be your constant kin,
    So you have peace beyond compare
    As He cleanses the temple within
    And as the world sees your face,
    Will be seen what they have not,
    For this gift is an unearned grace
    From a Love that can’t be bought.
    GW(Bill) Marshall 24 Aug, 2015

    Reply ↓

  4. Good instruction from David this morning as always.
    “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”(Matthew 5:8).
    We have to check even our thoughts to see if they line up with the Word of God and if they don’t then repent as thoughts lead to action. Amen? Remember hearing a sermon once on the battle of the mind and there are probably more then one book written on it. The mind is where the devil attacks us first and gets a foothold in our lives. Amen? I’m sure Saul’s hatred of Jonathon started in his mind and emotions. Never read that Saul prayed. His life could have ended much differently. Lord please send three new pastors to Burlington. In Jesus name, Amen!

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  6. Good Morning Everyone. Thank you for all your comments which I read every day. Father I come to you this day to ask that you would take control of the current election process in Alberta. The currenet government is very controlling and have forced even Christian Schools to accept the LGBT stants of the current government. Please pray with me for a govverment a tender heart and listen to the people of God when they make decisions. Please pray for good stable government in the Province of Alberta.
    I do read you blogs everyday and am uplifted each and every day. I do not post a lot as I am partially sighted and deal with visual issue. Thank you for all your posts. God Bless everyone and hold them in your tender care!

    Reply ↓

    • Claude
      back many many years Alberta had a Social Credit Government and it was run by a Christian man named Ernest Manning, I believe he was Premier for maybe 20 years, the Province flourished and the love of the Lord was very evident…..Mr. Manning was a Pastor,
      I grew up in Alberta around this time and the whole attitude was one of loving one another; our neighbours were a mixture of all kinds but my parents never saw the color it was always looking and serving the people…..it was a very good time back then…..
      Lord we need You to enter our leaders hearts and govern as You desire Lord; that we read the Bible and ask Jesus Christ to come into our hearts and help us to love one another unconditionally
      TY Lord….may the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ cover all our Provinces TY in Jesus Name we Pray….amen

      Reply ↓

  7. So enjoyed today,s Bible reading and all of your comments.
    Praying that we all do spiritual heart check-ups daily.
    A friend of mine shared a dream with me recently and spiritually I saw how sometimes as Christians we have two faces (two faced) And seducing spirits.
    Look up what the Lord shows you regarding spirits that are seducing.

    Also I heard a chorus lately that I can,t stop singing?
    Way maker, miracle worker , promise keeper, light in the darkness,
    My God , that is who you are!

    Reply ↓

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