Friday, April 26, 2013

SUCCESSOR

Suggested Reading: 1 Kings 2

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

 

King David's Tomb is a site traditionally viewed as the burial place of David, King of Israel. It is located on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, near the Hagia Maria Sion Abbey.

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Kings 2:3

And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.

King David’s final words to his son Solomon resembles those spoken by Moses to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:7-13). Two towering historical people, Moses and David, make for interesting character studies. Great care was taken by the writers of Scripture to be accurate. Most histories written about an absolute ruler are coloured to make the monarch look much better than reality, but not the Bible. It tells it like it really was.
David has a good idea what it will take for his son to have a successful reign. The twelve tribes were filled with people who would be extremely difficult to rule. This was 500 years before democracy arose in Greece. Since Israel had rejected God’s rule through judges, who would be recognized as leaders only when needed, the prediction of Samuel as to the actions of kings was now a reality. The often-quoted statement, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” will be shown to be true as we move through the sad history of the next 500 years. Some of what David says is good advice for us too: “Keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways.” Amen!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray for grace to obey Your instructions in all matters. With all my heart and mind, I desire to walk in Your ways. In the Name of Jesus, the only One who ever walked 100% of the time in Your ways, I ask this request. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My son, Ron, on the 100 Huntley Street telecast this week, mentioned that five of the Circle Square Ranches were given by Crossroads two years ago to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship to join with their already very successful Pioneer camps. The other ranches are now operated by other worthy ministries. It’s time to register our children and our teens at a Christian summer camp. Check out the camp nearest you, run by various Christian organizations across Canada…click here. Or if you’re in the USA, click here. When I first received the vision from God for the Circle Square Ranch ministry, I became convinced that an in-depth work of God’s Spirit and His Word could be accomplished in one week at a Bible camp, more than in any other way, such as seven Sundays in Sunday School. Don’t get me wrong. I’m the biggest fan of faithful Sunday School attendance. But that concentrated week, day and night, at camp is very, very effective. Because of the television opportunities we enjoyed, our registration records showed approximately 60% of the campers came from homes where the children had no church background. From 1978 to 2010, Circle Square Ranches hosted approximately 250,000 children and teens for at least a week each. It has been estimated that as many as 100,000 of these infinitely precious souls made first-time decisions to give their lives to Jesus. I’m praying fervently for a great response this summer at every camp which is committed to serving Jesus.

Yours for future generations of followers of Christ. “Indeed, a greater than Solomon is here” (Luke 11:31b),

David

 

24 thoughts on “Friday, April 26, 2013

  1. David’s advice is good advice to the one who would believe upon and obey God. David knew the valleys, he also knew the various trials and temptations which could impede upon a life devoted to God. He knew that when He was focused upon and in relationship with God, God would supply his needs and would give him the guidance he required. The last words of David were parting words of wisdom to the next generation based upon his own life’s experience. It is indeed a very good thing to follow in the ways of the Lord and David’s advice speaks to every generation, even to our own. We too may draw close to the Lord and listen to His ways through regular Bible reading, study, prayer, church attendance and Christian fellowship. In this manner, we, like David and many others who have believed, may learn the ways of the Lord and not only enjoy the life of the Spirit, but may also live a life rich in service to others.

  2. So we say farewell to King David’s living years in our reading today. Because the bible accurate account, it was amazing to witness his true humanity and character. I was inspired by David’s loyalty to Saul, friendship to Jonathan and patience with Absalom. Moreover, his courage, passion for life, music and nature and how he dealt creatively with adversity, such as feigning insanity and standing up to defeat an opposing enemy giant! Have a great day to all!

  3. David was a great, great, person. He must have spent much time alone as a boy in the fields with the sheep and did not have a lot of direct parental guidance. He reached out to God in worship and knew God. Wonderful. My Christian camp experience was the strengthening of my faith and I thank the Lord for that. Kids today are bombarded by so much unhealthy and ungodly influence. Praying for the camps is a great idea.

  4. Song of Solomon 6

    “Where has your beloved gone, o most beautiful among women?
    Where has your beloved turned, that we may seek him with you?”

    “My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of balsam,
    To pasture his flock in the gardens and gather lilies.
    I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.
    He who pastures his flock among the lilies.”

    “You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling, as lovely as Jerusalem.
    As awesome as an army with banners!
    Turn your eyes away from me, for they have confused me.
    Your hair is like a flock of goats that have descended from Gilead.
    Your teeth are like a flock of ewes which have come up from their washing;
    All of which bear twins, and not one among them has lost their young.
    Your temples are like a slice of pomegranate behind your veil.
    There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and maidens without number;
    But my dove, my perfect one, is unique:
    She is her mother’s only daughter; she is the pure child of the one who bore her.
    The maidens saw her and called her blessed,
    The queens and the concubines also, and they praised her, saying,

    ‘Who is this that grows like the dawn, as beautiful as the full moon,
    As pure as the sun, as awesome as an army with banners?’
    “I went down to the orchard of nut trees to see the blossoms of the valley,
    To see whether the vine had budded or the pomegranates had bloomed.
    Before I was aware, my soul set me over the chariots of my noble people.”

    “Come back, come back, O Shulamite; come back, come back,
    That we may gaze at you!”

    “Why should you gaze at the Shulamite, as at the dance of the two companies?”

    The Gideon Bible

    Anne Graham Lotz’s ‘Daily Light’ morning and evening prayers for April 26, led me to Song of Solomon 6, which led me to read Matthew Henry’s commentary of this scripture on-line. Highly recommend the commentary. All for Jesus in his garden!

    Be blessed today, fellow saints! Praying for world peace and love in all hearts!

  5. Hi David and fellow bloggers, The life of King David makes exciting reading for all ,my son as a little boy used to say let’s read more about king David. Yes, Summer camps are amazing! My cousin became pregnant out of wed-lock many years ago, when it was a very great disgrace. To cut a long story short, she gave birth to a very active and naughty little girl., she really seemed to be impossible! One day she was invited to a Christian Camp when she was just a small child, and she came back professing that she had given her life to Jesus. What an marvelous change took place!. Her mother,my cousin, soon also came to the Lord and they prayed me into the kingdom!! P.T.L!

  6. Another great blog, and excellent discussion: praise the Lord for he is good, his love endures FOREVER! 🙂

    Without confusing “David’s”, this question is for Rev.Mainse as he’s been to Israel so many times more than I have: is it safe to say that the ‘Tomb of David’ pictured/referenced in today’s blog is directly below what is believed to be the ‘room of the last supper’? (Mt.26;Mk.14;Lk.22)

    Having been there, the incedible feeling of God’s presence in the building (and in me) and witnessed the spirit alive in ‘tongues’ similar to Acts 2, it would make sense if God’s plan would be to have his first beloved king (David) buried underneath the room our Lord, his son (the King of kings, and direct decendant of David) would ultimately have the most important passover meal ever, hours before our salvation!

    Any insight, wisdom you could share with us on this question would be greatly appreciated.

    Viviat Jesus!

    John,
    Ottawa

    Ps. I’m always so encouraged by reading this daily blog, watching and supporting 100 Huntley, and reading the thoughts, comments of the spirit on these posts- thanks to all!

  7. Am overwhelmed by the reading and blogging today. Jesus is a radical teacher when he said love your enemies. Nevertheless King David was a great man of God who had an intimate relationship with Him. Carole I got the same burden for this young man and am praying for him as well as the victims of the bombing, the people in Texas, and the garment factory. Say Amen to your blog, Scott and love your entry Beverlee and am going to the site. Thanks for the reminder about Children’s Camp David. Feel in my spirit right now God is going to do great things as we unite our prayers together. Thanks for the encouragement of your fellowship everyone and for your photos Reynold.

  8. Thank you David and fellow bloggers. Our Key verse today 1 Kings2:3 says it all. Words of wisdom!

    I am overwhelmed today also by the encouragement of our fellow brothers and sisters in The Lord. Like Beverlee lots of pain as my oncologist and I try to find a drug that does’nt take too much calcium out of my bones, but my faithful Lord will guide us through. Having difficulty with typing as wrist now in a brace and this one figure typing takes time.!! Trying not to complain but trusting The Saviour. Praying for all of you and camp ministries.blessings to all!!

    • Praying for you, sister Catherine, that you feel God holding you in the loving palms of His hands.

      I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. Psalms 116:1-2.

      • Thanks Beverlee….Psalm 18 strengthens me and my fellow bloggers. Now I will add yours to my readings. Loving you in The Lord.

    • Although I am all for trusting God when we are in pain, we must never forget when on the cross our Lord didn’t say, “Gee Father, this isn’t fun, but I don’t want to complain, I trust you” No, he said ” My God, my God why have you abandon me.”

      God has nothing against us being honest with Him. If it hurts, say so, if you are mad about it, admit it. If you want to cry, cry. And in the midst of it, be assured He is there— that is trust.

      Complaining is wanting more when God has given you everything you need. But when you have a need- like being in pain and needing help carrying that burden, that is not complaining.

      May God provide you with the strength and assurance you need as you journey on this road toward healing. Amen

  9. PTL for circle square ranches ,I sent my grand daughter every summer from the time she was nine till way in her teens,she excepted Jesus as her Lord and
    Savior, And my daughter [ her mom] is now a christen also. God is so good …R..

  10. Praise the Lord!!
    Lord God, I pray for grace to obey Your instructions in all matters. With all my heart and mind, I desire to walk in Your ways. In the Name of Jesus, the only One who ever walked 100% of the time in Your ways, I ask this request. Amen!!!

    Praying your same prayer today David!! Engaged to be married in my Autumn years now to a Godly man from my church!!

    Nancy

  11. David was a man of great faith, what an example to us. Among other songs he left us Psalm 23, God willing to be our Shepherd, Who will restore and guide us.
    Blessings to all.

  12. Hello David and my fellow bloggers greeting to you all in the mighty name of Jesus.today is a bran new day let give him praise. David how can we not love David when he as given us the example of what true human beings are all about. David was truly a man after Gods own heart, and a fabulous worshiper so lets worship the lord with all our hearts giving Him thanks and praises. Beverlee we are praying for you that God our healer deliverer and bondage breaker will set you free from every pain in your body today in Jesus name Amen!! I call in the young souls from the north south east and west all over noth america to fill to capacity this summer the christian camps in the name of Jesus Amen.

    • Thank you, Carole, for your prayers–it means so much. Praying with you for all youth across the country to come to know and serve the Lord in Christian camps. Amen, amen, and amen!

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