HARD HEARTS
Suggested Reading: Exodus 9
(click scripture link to read online)
The Temple of Kom Ombo stands on the east bank of the Nile, right next to the river. It was dedicated to two gods, Horus and Sobek.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Exodus 9:7b
But the heart of Pharaoh became hard, and he did not let the people go.
From the pictures of the Egypt of the Pharaohs, we get an idea of the pride and splendour of this the most impressive empire for hundreds of years. The temples show that “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), whose original sin was pride and who sought to overturn the rule of the God of the universe, was still seeking to oppose the will of the great Creator, Almighty God (Rev. 12:7). The war goes on, even today. The “god of this world” still takes advantage of hearts that are hard toward the rule of the true Sovereign God. Our response for hard hearts must be “repentance;” not as a temporary fix like Pharaoh, but true “repentance” is turning away totally from our disobedience and doing what the Eternal God tells us to do.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Almighty God, grant me the gift of a soft heart so that I will do Your will and not my own. Please give me the grace of obedience to You in all things, and the gift of true repentance so that, having turned away from my own way, I will continue consistantly in Your way. Through Jesus Christ, who dwells within me. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Today is Norma-Jean’s birthday; mine was yesterday (Thanks to all who sent me birthday greetings on my blog yesterday!). I’m 76 now and I’m not to tell Norma-Jean’s age. However, I can tell you that when we were married, Sept. 19, 1958, I was 22 and she was 19. I loved her with all my soft heart. Such love, some say, makes the head soft too. However, I wanted God’s will more than anything. I was hard headed enough to pray on the way to the church, “Lord, one final time, if this marriage is not Your perfect will, You can still cause something to happen so that either Norma-Jean or I are stopped from getting to the altar.” God didn’t stop either of us and now we have 4 children and their spouses, 16 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren with 2 more to arrive by January. The second letter Norma-Jean wrote to me, her letterhead had printed on it, 1st Thes. 5:18, which says it all, “This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I agreed!
Yours for God’s will in everything,
David
REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”
Happy Birthday to Norma -Jean your dearly beloved soulmate
God has truly blessed both of you
John10:10 (NKJV) “The thief does not come but to steal, and to kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
A special Happy Birthday goes out to you today Norma-Jean, may this day fill you with much happiness and God’s blessings!
A very special birthday greeting to you today, Norma-Jean!! That is so neat that your birthdays’ are only one day apart. My husband and I are only 5 days apart.
To God be the Glory, Great things He has done!!!!
God Bless You Both!!!
Happy Birthday Norma Jean !!! I pray the Lord will grant you what ever wish you desire on this day!! Amen. Theresa
Happy Birthday Norma Jean. remembering you back in Sudbury,O.N. when Pastor Maines married my husband Ron and I in 1965. “You never change”. Love you both in the Lord.
Happy birthday to Norma-Jean! We met once and she was so full of life, joy and happiness … surely from our Lord and a committed, loving marriage!
Happy Birthday Norma-Jean.
Thank you for your faithful heart to serve Jesus and
be the help mate that God called you to be to David.
Your ministery has blessed my life and encouraged me though some difficult times.
God Bless you, Eleanor
Happy birthday,Norma-Jean, may the Lord bless you in the year to come,
wishing you an enjoyable day with family and friends.
Our memories of you and David go back to the 1984 Israel-tour,and the very special time we had, indeed unforgettable!
With our love, Bill and Jane.
Christ alone forgives all our sins and He alone heals all infirmities. What new life and joy fills the soul that has been recovered from decay by the grace and comfort of God’s Holy Spirit to experience a born again experience. Many happy returns, David and Norma Jean, on reaching this milestone and special occasion for celebration. God’s faithful Love abides forever!
Hi David, we wish Norma-Jean a very Happy Birthday. You are so blessed to have such a devoted faithful wife. She is a wonderful role model for women everywhere.
Birthday Blessings Norma-Jean and many more to follow.
Happy birthday, Norma- Jean, I have seen you on 100 Hundread street but I have not met. I hope that I would like meet you and David, one day face to face. 1Corinthians 13:8 -13 Love never fails…… We shall see face to face. Remain: faith, hope, and love. But greatest of these is LOVE.
I love you and David.
Hi David, Did you say that you were married in 1958?!! Surely you are looking at Norma-Jean’s birth certificate. You are one blessed guy, not only did God present you with a woman of faith, who is fun and joyful, but she is also holding your hand in every arena of life.Have a Very Happy and Fun Birthday Norma-Jean! You Deserve it!
Happy birthday, Norma-Jean! What a combination! You and David go so well together and God has richly blessed you. We pray for many more years of serving God for you and David. You have been a blessing to us since we became saved.
Happy Birthday Norma-Jean! I wish you many more and thank God for your love for Him.
Happy Birthday wishes go out to Norma Jean.
What a blessing you have been to so many.
May the Lord richly bless you and all those you love!
Happy birthday Norma-Jean and a belated happy birthday to you David,
What a team you became when you said ‘yes’ to God and ‘yes’ to each other! 100 Huntley Street has ministered and is ministering to countless people. What a blessing! What role models you both are. May your day be filled with blessings and may your lives continue to be filled with strength, health, joy, peace and all the other good things the Lord gives as you continue to serve Him.
Hello David & Norma Jean
I would like to send BIRTHDAY GREETINGS to you both ,unfortunately I was unable to get to to my computer yesterday ,here is my greeting for both of you today .Wishing you both many blessings .
Happy Birthday and God’s blessings, Norma-Jean.
Happy Birthday to Norma-Jean and may God grant you good health and much blessings from HIs Divine Hands. What a blessing you and David have been throughout the years. Love in Christ
Dear Mrs. Mainse,
Happy Birthday to You.
How wonderful it is to have both your birthdays consecutively.
You can enjoy cake two days in a row !
God Bless You Both.
Diane 🙂
I wish both of you God’s richest blessings on your birthdays and every day.
Happy birthday Norma-Jean! Thank you for being such a beautiful example of a godly woman, in all the roles of your life.
Hello David
I would like to let you know I enjoy your blogs very much so ., I like the way you put out the titles above each set of scriptures ,also all other features of your blog.
I think this is a great way of getting GODS WORD out there for all to read .This is a great way to reach out to those who have computers who otherwise may not have a bible & especially those folks who can surf the internet ,,may come across your website & decide to check it out ,as there are so many people who are lost without knowing how GREAT GOD IS & how he can make a difference in their lives .
I also have great faith in prayer .God has been great to me in a lot of ways .
I just recently purchase the book ‘IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS “I am enjoying reading it .
All the best to you with your blog ,keep up with good work .I
Happy Birthday. Many more wonderful years to come. I feel blessed to know you through the media. …Lorna
Happy Birthday to you today Mrs Mainse ! Thank you for all that you do, and have done, over the years to support the ministry of 100 Huntley Street. We all know the importance of a praying, supportive wife behind a man. I am sure Mr Mainse has been just as supportive and prayerful behind you, as well. What a special couple God united when he put you to together.
In Christs Love
DonnaLee
Happy Birthday, Norma-Jean! I was interested to see that David had 75 comments/wishes yesterday (one more would have been nice!) Let’s see if Norma Jean can hit 73 today! You are both so loved! Wishing you many blessings. Canada would be a darker place without you and your family.
Hi David, and A Very Happy Birthday to Norma Jean. I wanted to tell you also, my wedding anniversary is September 19. 1986. During my 4th year of marriage, my husband and I separated for a year. Our daughters were 2-3 years young. But I believed God was telling me to wait on him. Everyone told me to move on, but I needed to hear from God first. God maded some improvements in both of during this year and we were reunited. Last September we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary! about to be 26! Our 2 girls are happy and grew up with both parents because I was obedient. Believe me I am not perfect, but that time I got it right. God Bless you both for your ministry!!!!
Gwenn
i also want to add my birthday blessing to Norma-Jean your beautiful life partner. May you both enjoy with family and friends. I pray that God will bless you both richly as you continue to do the work that the Lord has called you to do. May blessings for many more years to come.
Happy Birthday Norma-Jean. I pray you have a great day celebrating with family and friends. Your birthday is the same day as our daughter’s, a very special day indeed. Praise God that He keeps you strong in His love and care.
Too funny David…. around the bush sort of thing eh !! and i think you have done that more than once…
He Hee
Happy Birthday Norma-Jean… Both of you celebrate the Gift of Life and each other…so Beautiful to see….. Amazing Love the Father has for you both…We give Him the Glory….
Today’s read…..awesome…..thank you David…..For the Lord is Faithful ……
Dear Norma- Jean A very Happy Birthday to you, may you and David have many more to celebrate together. God Bless you with many pleasant surprises today.
Happy Birthday Norma Jean May you be blessed today and always
Happy Birthday Norma-Jean……….birthdays are a blessing from God;
when all your family get together to celebrate; you and David were our pastor in
Sudbury and we have followed your ministry with great blessings over the years; to God be the glory!
Happy Birthday Norma-Jean, May God continue to bless you and David for many more years to come.
You are a very special lady, and you are loved by an abudance of people all around. A belated birthday wish for David with all the Lord’s Blessings.
Happy Birthday to both you and Norma-Jean!! May the Lord continue to Bless you both richly!! You are and have been a Blessing to so many!! We appreciate you very much!!
Happy birthday to Norma-Jean. Your family is an inspiration in a world filled with corruption. Thank you for being in the publics view so that we may have hope. Love you all with the love of Christ.
Happy belated birthday David and a Happy Birthday to your lovely wife, may you both have the best year ever…Love and Prayers Linda
Happy Bday Norma Jean
Much happiness and joy in the coming year.
May the Lord bless you and David mightily this year
This is a special day for my dtr. as well as it is her bday as well
Mellany
I just wanted to say a very Happy Birthday to the both of you. You both have been a great blessing to me for a long time now. God Bless you and keep you both. Your forever friend, Constance
A very happy birthday Norma Jean & many more!!!
Blessings
Happy Birthday Norma Jean and a Happy Belated Birthday to you David
I love you blog and I love sitting and reading your 100 words
thank you so much .may God richly bless you and yours and keep you in His care …Verbena
I didn’t know it is your birthday today, Norma Jean! How come everyone knew that but me? Why didn’t you guys tell me? Seriously, hope you had a great day as it is already tomorrow in the east. It’s still yesterday in BC! Anyhow, what I said to David on his birthday also applies to you! ( you’ll have to do a little research ) God bless you, dear, and keep up the good work!
Happy Belated Birthday Blessings, Norma-Jean!