QUESTIONS
Suggested Reading: Job 7-8
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Pictured here is one of the Majestic entrances to Jerash Jordan. Recent excavations show that Jerash was already inhabited during the Bronze Age (3200 BC - 1200 BC). After the Roman conquest in 63 BC, Jerash and the land surrounding it was annexed by the Roman province of Syria, and later joined the Decapolis cities (mentioned in Matthew 4:25 and Mark 5:20). In AD 90, Jerash was absorbed into the Roman province of Arabia, which included the city of Philadelphia (modern day Amman, the capital city of the Kingdom of Jordan).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Job 7:17, 8:21
What is man, that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart on him?…He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing!
Job asks a great question. What is man? Jesus answered that question. Mankind is the object of God’s love (John 3:14-17). Jesus changed many things that Job and his friends believed. For example, Job said, “He who goes down to the grave does not come up” (Job 7:9b). But Jesus did come up! His grave is empty! (John 11:17-26).
Bildad correctly predicts God’s ultimate plan for Job: (1) Eventual prosperity. (2) The joy of God’s way. (3) Laughing. (4) A confession that brings rejoicing! (Romans 10:8-13). As I’ve written often here in the blog, “Jesus changes everything!”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for the grace to look beyond my present circumstances to Your long-range plans for me. Thank You for the fact that I am loved by You and that You are mindful of me. May I not live, as has often been said, “under the circumstances,” but may I live “over and above.” In the Name of the One who has overcome even death itself, the Lord Jesus, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
One time in conversation I said to my brother-in-law, Rev. Ralph Rutledge, “Under these circumstances…” He responded with, “David, what are you doing under there?” That was many years ago, but I’ve never forgotten his words. I confess every day that I am an “overcomer.” In the last book of the New Testament, Revelation 12:11, we are told that, “They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” Job and Bildad did not have the written Scriptures in order to know absolute truth, but we are able to compare Scripture with Scripture. I’ve learned through the years that I must diligently study in order to, as the Apostle Paul taught a young pastor/teacher, Timothy, be “diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
I had a great example from my Dad. Mother died when I was 12 and Dad and I were left to carry on. He would have the porridge on the stove when he called me to get up for school, and when I arrived in the kitchen, he would have his Bible open on the table, ready to read to me, and then we would kneel and he would pray for me for the day ahead. Only then would he serve the porridge for our breakfast. A child never forgets such consistency. To this day, my number one priority is reading God’s Word and then praying for the day ahead. I’m overcome with emotion just now as I type this and think of the heritage I was given. I also know that it’s never too late to start building for our families “a family ritual”, as Dr. Rich Melheim said throughout the month of July on the 100 Huntley Street telecast (click here for one of Dr. Rich’s teaching). He is a Lutheran Pastor who has it right! I’m currently reading Rich’s book, “Holding Your Family Together.” Here’s how to get your own copy.
Yours for consistently reading God’s Word and for praying with our loved ones,
David
A very uplifting and positive message David. We need to be overcomers because we come from a heritage, a Christian heritage of overcomers. No life isn’t always easy, sometimes it’s downright frightening, but with Christ living in our heart we will find a way through faith to move ahead. I hope that one day when we take our last breath this side of heaven, we could all trust that Jesus will be with us to sustain us for that time of reunion and rejoicing on the other side! This is my trust, this is my hope as a Christian. Jesus has given me hope, that through a belief in Him (his life, sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection and defeat over death) we too will have life everlasting life and will live with Him forevermore! Defeat death, defeat fear, become an overcomer, believe in Jesus … according to Jesus, now is the acceptable time. I pray in Jesus name that hearts will be touched through David’s blog and that all will make the correct decision to believe upon Jesus today for their eternal salvation. Amen.
Thank you for sharing God’s prospective of who we actually are. BLESSINGS
I agree with you Scott!! AMEN & AMEN!!!
“I’m indestructable until God is finished with my service here on earth, and I don’t want to stay around one second longer than He has a purpose for me.” David Mainse
THIS FAR BY FAITH
Page: 114
This morning I struggled to get out of bed just thinking about a mountain of “things to do today”. A part of me wished I has some kind of different life, but as my mind imagined what kind of life I wished I had other than one I was living, I realized one thing. The only thing I really want, more than anything is to be with Jesus– and He is with me already- I have what I want, the circumstances I experience with Him don’t matter so much. And as if I didn’t get the message this morning in bed– the Lord is giving it again to me in today’s readings. So now refreshed and strengthen by the Word I am off to get –maybe not everything on my list done- but as I can, knowing tonight I will going to bed thankful not for what I got done, but for WHO was with me as I did them. Amen.
Hi David, Job was going through a terrible time but l’m glad the end result was a brand new start. It would be very difficult to read if we didn’t know this. We are so blessed to have the word of God, Old and New testaments, as you are faithfully studying with us, balancing things out between the two.When l have been going through tough times that seem to overwhelm me, l’ve made myself write out all my Blessings and found some wonderful promises of God to stand on. l,m happy to say,it worked for me every time. Our wonderful Heavenly Father met me there and lifted me out of my despair. You are a shining example of an over comer! Love to everyone!
AND God has the last word. It is already written down (our day of departure). A man in our church was told he had months to live with pancreatic cancer. He lived 3 years more! It will be a GREAT day when we leave but while here, we must do what we can as the bride He is coming for. Jesus called his bride, beautiful 13 times! (as per Rabbi Schneider of Discovering the Jewish Jesus). Beautiful!
God bless you David. Each day as I grow and learn on my Christian walk I
am gaining a deeper and richer under standing of the wonder of Jesus. And
how extraordinary his anointed teachers are. That would be you David.
My walk with the lord is like the almost obsolite light buld, the three way buld or the dimmer switch.It starts out dim but evenualy if you want to… the light is fully turned on.
I believe that if God had continued his writing of his holy word we just very well may have read The Book Of David.
I love your stories David. This mornings remarks about how your brother in law responded to your statement, “under the circumstances ” was priceless and good
biblical advice. Forgive me, but ….. I found it so funny I litteraly laughed out
loud. I instantly pictured you under a bed with your brother in law stooped over looking at you asking you ….”What are you doing under there?”
May prayer for to day is that if need be all who are under the bed will have the courage to come out In Jesus name Amen!
May God bless you all
M. 🙂
This was the first 100 words I have ever read. I enjoy how you write. You write just like you talk, and I enjoy how you talk. Quick footnotes to paint a window into who I am and where I am right now. Grew up in a Christian home, but Christianity was forced on me. By 18 I had enough. I was drawn to people and they are drawn to me. So i got many friends. Many girlfriends aswell. Along with the popular party scene life came drugs and alcohal and lust and high stakes gambling and pornography. By 25 I was soooooooo depressed. I thought I had it all. I had nothing. I decided to cry out to God. He answered. I figured lets try the exact opposite life from what I had been living. LETS TRY DOING LIFE WITH JESUS!!! Well I am 34 now. God has done a lot to me and I keep on choosing to let Him. I am a father I am a husband (He and I got rid of all those ugly addictions I had, praise the Lord) I am an active member of the church we belong to (not just pew warmers lol) God has blessed us with being a prominent part of our town. We own in part the local end of the roll flooring store, so God has also made me a Christian business man and I absolutely love it. He is shining the light threw me and my family and we are trying to live a spirit lead life and I mean that last part very much. David I enjoy following you because you are following the spirit. May God continue to lead you and bless you. Ahmen!!!
Help me Pastor David I need The Lord more than ever!!!!!!
Please consider calling Crossroads prayer line. Help and support is available. David Solace
National Prayer Line Telephone Numbers
A Crossroads prayer partner would be pleased to pray with you for any special need you may be facing today. Simply call the number below.
Toll-Free across North America
1-866-273-4444
Heike you are not alone….we here on this blog bring you before The Lord….He will draw near when you call.
Blessings
Praise God, praise God,
Praise God, for saving my soul.
Praise God, praise God,
Praise Him, through whom all blessings flow.
I doubt I will ever eat porridge the same way again, David. I will picture you and your dad during your morning routine. So grateful for your father instilling the best in you, and you passing it onto us through your teaching and mentoring. I am sure he is smiling at you, from heaven.
Wishing all saints a divine day, in our Lord!
Dear Rev. David M.
I felt an urgency this morning to pray for Christ Love and the protection of His Blood to invade in a supernaturel way every corner of Egypt right now knowing that so many christians are under attack so yes thank you Lord Thank you Jesus for going on the Cross , taking all our sins , all our pain crushing the enemy coming back to us in victory ,filling us with the Holy Spirit ready to do Your Will Amen .
Thank you again today David M . for another beutiful story of passing on your Christian Heritage to all of us .
Blessed day everyone
xxxx Carole.
My day started late today and I have felt th fiery darts of he evil one, and was in much despair, my computer was down and had to wait….patience is not my virtue…..but then as I was able to get into our blog and our reading for today, your sharing Pastor DAvid and the encouragement to live ABOVE my circumstances and NOT below, I felt Gods arms around me, calming me and whispering I AM ABLE and the battle belongs to me. PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME.
Thank you everyone and looking to JESUS who has me in the palm of HIS hand and under HIS wings. TO HIS GLORY.
Happy birthday Norma Jean Mainse. You are truly a beautiful person. And David, what a wonderful testimony of your love for your precious wife. I wish you both a blessed life together for many, many more years.
Happy, Happy Birthday Norma Jean!! I was so glad to hear that your bypass went well!! I had a double bypass too in 2006!! I have died twice so far and really believe there is more to this life than we really know!
I am engaged to be married on Sept 21st, 2013 now. We met at our church and really feel that this is Heaven sent!!
I am filled with Joy!! I hope that I will cause him to live a joyful married life!!
Norma Jean, Best wishes again for your birthday!!
Nancy
Praying for you, Heike. Just open up to Jesus and ask Him to invade you. He suffered everything that we on this earth have suffered. He knows how you feel but He likes to hear YOU. Reach out to Him. We, on this blog, are like Job’s friends. We will sit with you. We will pray for you and place you in the presence of the Perfect Father, our Creator, who loves us. Give him your tears and any fear that may be troubling you. Praising God and listening to or singing with Christian worship music helps me. I often feel the anointing when I close my eyes and sing to him. Give Him your all. God bless you. (and call the prayer lines even several times a day if need be. 866-273-4444
We add ours prayers to you Doreen for Heike.
Indeed we do add our prayers Doreen. Admitting our need is the hardest part. God Bless Heike for taking that first step!
Yes, you were truly blessed to have that heritage and pass it on to your loved ones
Thanks for sharing
irene
Jesus is able to meet all your need, Heike and I join other bloggers in praying for you.
Christian ways to hold family together. There are very few things anyone can do for there children as good as what your dad did for you.