LESSONS LEARNED?
Suggested Reading: 2 Chronicles 13-14
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is located on one of the roof portions of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem. Here, you can see two Ethiopian nuns in front of their home in the courtyard of the church.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 14:11
And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”
Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, had forsaken the counsel of his father and that of the elders, and the nation was split in two. Jeroboam, who had returned from exile in Egypt after the death of Solomon, ruled the north and Rehoboam the south. When Rehoboam humbled himself and prayed, things would go well. But he sought the Lord only when he was in trouble.
Jeroboam also forsook the Lord and appointed false priests and established the religion of Egypt, the worship of golden calf gods. War between the north and the south was fairly constant. What a tragedy!
Rehoboam died. His son Abijah ruled in the south. War continued. Then came King Asa, great-grandson of King David. Our key verse says it all! Can we learn from these stories, or must we repeat over and over the poor decisions of former generations?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, help me to learn the lessons of history I pray. Like Asa, I cry out to You for Your help. May I receive the grace from You to rest on You. I ask this, not only when I’m in trouble, but every day! In the Name of the One who cried out to You again and again as recorded in the Gospels, the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!!! (Luke 22:39-46).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Immediately after my blog for yesterday was posted at 6 a.m. I left our apartment to take the Go-Train from Burlington to Toronto to keep an appointment. Riding public transit gives me a great opportunity to read books. Currently, I’m reading a book called, The Blessing. It’s all about experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. The authors, Trask and Goodall, begin the book with these words about their country, the USA, “The decadence and darkness of our nation is more profound than it has been since the founding of this nation more than two centuries ago. The only power that can cleanse and restore this nation is the power of Christ.” I have read parts of this book before, but this time I’m reading it all carefully. My wife has bought copies for each of our grandchildren. We plan to give them out at the next gathering of our family when we have the opportunity for a serious devotional exercise. Click here for ordering information on “The Blessing.”
Like King Asa, I recognize that only God can help me, my family and all with whom I’m in contact.
Yours for the most powerful blessing, the intervention of the Holy Spirit in our lives,
David
The entrance to one of the rooms at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem.
Centuries old Christian symbols in the walls of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church courtyard.
Praise be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!! Thank you for your words today and book recommendation. I will be reading scripture daily into Philippians while away sailing over the next week. Blessings to all bloggers!
Be safe David and happy sailing. The Lord go with you.
Hi David,
Ditto to your comments on public transport & having time to read. Yesturday Joy & I boarded a bus at 6 am to catch the ferry to Vancouver to attend our grand daughter Deziree’s graduation in Langley,BC. More buses & skytrains,arriving at 1:00 pm. Reading,talking,praying,& time with my Darling of 37 years, just the 2 of us alone in the busy rush of city life. It was a proud day for Nanny & Poppy as
“Dezi ” was class valedictorian of her class. Many in her class were people who had returned to “graduate” after 5,10,30 years away. It was awsome to share in all of the joy of the families cheering on their “grads”. God is all about His Love & His family ————-made me think about the celebration in Heaven when we all “graduate” into our eternal home with Jesus & God’s family.
Thank you David for doing this Blog & adding much to my day.
God Bless You & Norma Jean !
James & Joy Caros Rawlings
Just came back from two hours of adapted sailing will be thinking ogf you when I sail again next Tuesday. God keep you safe.
Carole
Just came back from two hours of adapted sailing will be thinking of you when I sail again next Tuesday. God keep you safe.
Carole
Thank you, David, for your empowering message, today; and Reynold, for these magnificent photos–they speak volumes. I have just prayed with all my heart, David, that you be physically healed, by the power of our God, who can do anything. Our God loves when we are connected with Him, in prayer; and you are such a magnificent child of God, David. We are honoured to be praying for you. May everyone be praying, all day, for your miraculous healing, David Mainse. And may the Holy Spirit intervene in all of our lives. In the blessed name of Jesus–amen, amen, and amen.
I add my prayers to your Beverlee
Where sin abounds, corruption is inevitable. We see in today’s story yet another fine example of what happens when God’s people depart from God’s Word. The northern nation was quick to abandon the precepts of God under the leadership of Solomon’s son Rehoboam, when introduced to foreign gods and idols. Yet Asa who led the south, adhered to God’s ways, the ways of his Grandfather King David, and the south was protected by the hand of God when attacked. I find that I am more vulnerable to the attacks of Satan when I’m not close to the Lord, when I haven’t been reading the Bible, going to church or praying. By keeping close to the Lord, He will keep close to us. He is a Lord who very much wants to be in relationship with His people. Through prayer, He can be close to each of us today.
Thank you David I pray that God would completely heal you and
give you a miracle in Jesus name amen
Lianne
Much to be learned from our reading today, and you are right Scott, when we go our own way we are open for attacks for the enemy. Keeping up with this blog, encouragement from fellow saints and much in prayer keeps me steadfast and thank you Pastor David for your continuing to guide us through the scriptures. Our marvelous and merciful God stands by waiting for those who need to repent and HIs Love is always there ready to forgive and restore. There is nothing more precious than a close relationship with THE LORD. Blessings to all and especially to those recovering from surgery and ongoing treatments.
Hi David, Our wonderful Lord is so amazing! Yesterday we read that Rehoboam married ,Maacah his cousin,who was the daughter of Absalom. Maacah was the mother of Abijah who Rehoboam made clear to the rest of the family would be the next king following him .In our reading for today,there we see that Abijah indeed became Rehoboam’s successor. Wow, think of it, Absalom had been devastated by his sister Maacah’s incestral rape, and took retribution and murdered his brother. .King David is mortified by all this, causing Absalom to be banished for a season.How merciful of God to allow his daughter to become the king of Judah’s wife.(his queen) Absalom had named his little girl Maacah, obviously after her aunty, whose life was ruined by the cruel rape by her brother.Amnon. We are getting to know the heart of our Father God, more and more as we read carefully through the Bible. He is awesome, Maacah births Abijah and then his son Asa becomes king and Isreal has another Godly king for 10 peaceful wonderful years.(2Chron 14:1) Absolutely Amazing! What a forgiving Heavenly Father! Then, we all get to receive JESUS as our SAVIOUR even today, His mercy endures forever! Whosoever will may come! SO COME to JESUS! Thanks David for encouraging us to study with your Blog!
Hanging out on the porch on a rainy Thursday, listening to your blog with Mom and Dad. Blessings to you today “Uncle David”.
The daily time with Jesus Jimmie Ruth & David is a joy thanks for all the insights @ pictures . Claiming the finished work as our total healing in every area of our lives especially David your healing
Looking unto our blessed Saviour
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Titus 2:13 KJV
God Bless you David!! For keeping us close to
God’s word!!
Nancy
Yes Lord we want to see Jesus ,Help us to stay close to YOU ,I ned THEE ,Oh i need THEE every hour I needTHEE ,oh bless me now my Savior, WE love Thee
Thank you allyou wonderful bloggers and D. Mainse.My prayers are with you …R..
Thank you to all fellow bloggers for your prayers for my Dad.
We brought him home from the hospital this morning and he is recovering well.
He is quite content sitting in his chair downstairs watching the ladies play golf.
The staff at the hospital agree that he is Gods miracle.
Thank you Lord for healing my Dad and allowing him to be home with us.
Only because of Your grace and mercy is Dad with us.
Still love your blog Mr. Mainse 🙂
and pray everyday for your recovery and for all blog friends.
Diane 🙂
God bless you and your dad, and continued healing as he recovers. Our God is an Awesome God. Enjoy your miracle Diane.
Dear David M. & Precious Fellow Bloggers
Thank you so much all of you for your constant encouragement in keeping our eyes focussed on Jesus. What an amazing God we serve! and yes miracles do happen every day if we trust Him, seek Him diligently and give Him all the glory and may I say that staying very close to Him must be done wholeheartedly especially in times of trials and so many of you are showing me new born again christian what its all about. I also add my prayers for complete healing for David M. Thank God for the miracle for Dianes Dad and we pray for recovery of all who are going through a struggle right now.
Have a blessed day my dear fellow saints.
xxxx Carole
I thank David M. and all my fellow-bloggers for their comments. God bless each one. Diane thank you for the up-date on your dad!!!!
Thank you so much Colleen, Carole and Catherine 🙂
What an enjoyable day 🙂
Diane
Blessings to all 🙂
Hard lessons for sure. In todays reading . So much time has passed and still we humans mess up. Lord help us to not mess up. ‘Give us kind and loving hearts
that seek only your will. Amen!
M. 🙂