Today's Soul Food — April 26
 

 

GOLDEN WORDS



By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers.

(Colossians 1:16)

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The whole character of creation was determined by the fact that God was to become man and dwell in the midst of His own creation.

Thomas Merton

 

Daily Meditations by  Pat Nordman ©

 


 April 26

"Afterward, David was consciencestricken for having cut off a corner of his robe." 1 Samuel 24:5.

Some insightful person wrote, "There is only one way to achieve happiness on this terrestrial ball,/And that is to have either a clear conscience, or none at all." David's clear and good conscience would not let him rest because he cut off a corner as proof of the power he could have had over Saul. God had assured David of the throne, and David's men interpreted this as a license to kill Saul while David had this blessed opportunity.

But David knew this wasn't a blessed time or place to commit any kind of sin. Even cutting a corner pierced David's conscience. Saul committed outrages against David but David knew that was no excuse to retaliate. Instead, David overcame evil with good (Romans 12:21). He reasoned with himself and his men that they should resist the temptation to take matters into their own hands, especially when they had such a grand opportunity to do so.

Perhaps the larger lesson here is the firm belief that our cause is in God's hands, the righteous Judge of all the earth; that He will not allow wrong to prevail over right in the end. This firm belief is the shield of faith we use to turn aside the darts of the terrible temptation to strike back when we feel hurt. We have no time for vindication, for that is God's time.

According to man's reasoning, David could have killed Saul and said he did it for the good of the nation. But David chose to interpret circumstances according to God's plan for all their lives, and was twice blessed with a good conscience and a throne that was not smeared with the blood of Saul, no matter how disgraceful Saul treated him. Obedience stands severe tests when it withstands the temptation to take matters into one's own hands.."

Pat Nordman ©

 

 

Excerpts from today's Spurgeon's Devotions


Spurgeon's Morning for April 26

birds in winter


Spurgeon's Evening for April 26
 

"This do in remembrance of me."

-  1 Corinthians 11:24

  

"Blessed is he that watcheth."

-  Revelation 16:15

It seems then, that Christians may forget Christ! There could be no need for this loving exhortation, if there were not a fearful supposition that our memories might prove treacherous.

Our danger is lest we grow rich and become proud, lest we give ourselves up to the fashions of this present evil world, and lose our faith.

   

 

 

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 April 26 2Sa 3:1 - 5:25

365 days of Bible Readings Linked to Bible Gaitway TM 


Today's Bible Question ?



"Zoan" was used in the book of Isaiah as a synonym for what nation?
 

Previous question and Answer:

Who recognized Peter's voice after he was miraculously delivered from prison?

Rhoda (Acts 12:14)



 


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Your Life is Jesus
 to Someone

YOUR LIFE is Jesus to someone,
though tattered and torn it may be.
Though often times weak and unstable,
you're all of God someone will see.

YOUR TONGUE is Jesus to someone.
That idle, insensitive word
reflects to at least one searching heart
an idle, insensitive Lord.

YOUR GOALS are Jesus to someone.
What you put first, they believe,
are the goals of God for the Christian.
Your life is all they receive.

YOUR FAITHFULNESS ... that's Jesus to someone.
Their judgment of how God is true,
rests unquestionably in the faithfulness
they see day by day in you.

YOUR LOVE is Jesus to someone--
that someone who is seeking to know
that Jesus will follow and guide and
befriend wherever in life they might go.

SO BEWARE lest others blaspheme
God by what you say or do,
for the only Jesus that someone knows
is the Jesus they see in you.

Author Unknown


 

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Today's  Devotion
 

 

 

 

But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.    Job 16:5 (NIV)

 

Concerning the Times

by Cathy Vinson

 

"But they made light of it..."

Matthew 22:5

In Scriptural words, when the prefix "melo" is used, it means to care for, to have forethought, interest and concern. It also speaks of repentance, to regret, to repent oneself. As the king's servants came to those "who were called" with the second appeal to the feast, "they make light of it" (literally a-negative + melo). In other words, they did NOT have a concern for it; "they paid no attention" (NIV).

But these same ones did have cares, concerns for other things. Their hearts were probably "weighed down with cares" and so they "went their own ways, one to his farm, another to his business..." (5b). So how it with us? What is getting our attention and concern? Could it be we are being appealed to yet again by the King?

Rom 13:11 speaks of "understanding the present time." Are we "understanding" it? A friend wrote recently that a Christian class sought to determine where America is now: established and strong, being punished or awaiting punishment? Their consensus was that America has been "left to her own devices."

"Understanding the present time" before God should have our attention. "The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber...the night is already over, the day is almost here" (Rom 13:11, 12a).

There exists a very real battle. What battle are we fighting? Let us take the pursuit of the men of Issachar..."These are the numbers of the men armed for battle who came to David...men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do" (I Chron 12:23,32)

© Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion.

There exists a very real battle. What battle are we fighting?

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