IF
Suggested Reading: Job 31
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Northwest hillside of the Sea of Galilee. Mount Arbel can be seen in the background. My friend, Jimmy Snow, son of Hank Snow, and Johnny Cash's Pastor, believes Arbel is the mount where Jesus was transfigured. He is a brilliant student of the Scriptures and was often a guest on the 100 Huntley Street telecast.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Job 31:35
Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, that my Prosecutor had written a book!
Job…He does hear you! God, the One you mistakenly think is prosecuting you, has indeed written a book! We are studying it every day on this blog. Job…in today’s reading you’ve used the word “if” 18 times. That word “if” is just a little word, but it is filled with uncertainty. You can know God answers prayer!
In a handwritten book dated January 20, 1953, my father, Roy Mainse, D.Th, wrote about the conditions of prevailing prayer:
(1) Entire dependence on the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way for a claim of blessing! (see John 14:13-14).
(2) Separation from all known sin. Psalm 66:18 tells us, “If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us.”
(3) Faith in God’s promises as confirmed by His oath. Not to believe Him is to make Him out to be a liar and perjurer (see Hebrews 6:13-20).
(4) Our motives must be godly; we must not seek any gift of God to consume it on our own selfish desires (see James 4:1-10).
(5) Importunity and supplication! There must be waiting on God with consistency (see Luke 18:1-8).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, through James, the man known as Your brother, You told us that, “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16b). You are the “Righteous One,” therefore I come to You, Lord God, in and through the Person and work of Your Son and my Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ. Here are my prayer requests for today ……….. AMEN!!! (I spent considerable time in prayer before composing this blog, but I’m taking a break from writing just now to pray a fervent prayer for a concern I have for later today. Norma-Jean and I are scheduled to appear live on the 100 Huntley Street telecast at 9:30 a.m. on the Global Network. There will be repeats on CTS. May God put a watch over our mouths and our body language too so that His will may be done!!!).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve been meditating on that little but powerful word “if.” I went into Google and found the famous poem by Rudyard Kipling written in 1894 entitled “If” (click here). Job might have been helped by this poem. One of the lines says, “If you can wait, and not be tired of waiting, or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, or, being hated, don’t give way to hating…” The poem ends with these words: “If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the earth and everything in it, And — what is more— you’ll be a man, my son!” My Dad pointed me to this poem when I was still a child. After his death in 1972, I found amongst Dad’s writings the following poem he wrote in his own handwriting. It’s also entitled “If”…
“If” is a word of great import,
But of such dwarfish dimensions
Using the future to support
It’s great and varied intentions
“If” is a fact like barn-door hinge,
On which our movements seem to swing,
And we are no doubt hindering
Our best laid plans ere they can wing
Their way into the world of things,
Where they can claim to be a fact,
On which the future thus may act,
And discard “If” forevermore
Among the gods of old folk-lore.
Yours, for reaching out diligently for God’s perfect will,
David
P.S. I came across a picture (below) taken in 1924 of my Dad in front of the place where one of the prayers of Jesus was answered, the tomb of Lazarus. Jesus said on this occasion, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me” (John 11:41-42). This is the reason we pray, “In Jesus’ Name!”
There is lot’s you have given us to think about today in scripture, blog and poetry. I offer my prayers for you and Norma-Jean today on Huntley Street and will certainly be watching intently. Reading Job this time has brought much more depth and meaning. It has been a fascinating journey! Thank you and have a great day, fellow bloggers!
Your fathers poem carries much meaning, and a wonderful picture of him in front of the tomb. Thanks for sharing with us!
David, your father no doubt left a great legacy, thank you for sharing your life stories in memory of him. He was obviously an educated and devout man of prayer who believed faithfully in the power of God to sustain him. Like your father, we too can learn to communicate with and know the Lord of our salvation through prayer, Bible meditations and worship. All of us stand with you in prayer David, as you and Norma-Jean appear on 100 Huntley Street in today’s telecast. May God bless you, strengthen you and be with you and all of the 100 Huntley Street staff and volunteers this day. Amen.
“If” is an interesting word. Since it was so well developed in the blog today, it made my mind begin to consider. Can you imagine changing that word to “because” and making the past tense of the statement to present tense. The difference that would make both on our statement and really on our outlook on life is amazing. “If” God loved me… would become “Because” God loves me…. When I finish both sentence stems with anything, I see a word of difference and my outlook changes. For Job, “If” God loved me, He would not do this to me, would be “Because” God loves me, my wife and I are still here and I am still fighting….
Today, I am going to change as many “if” statements to “because” statements and I believe I will have a more thankful and better day….
Bravo, David. That is truly a delight to read because God so loves us that we believe–not ‘if’ but ‘because’!
We all need to take up this thought of yours today David and change our “ifs” to BECAUSE! Thank you
Praise God on high! My heart is lifted to the heavens! Such an important message for today. Definitely will be watching you and Norma Jean on 100 Huntley Street, this morning, David. Thank you for sharing such a dear message with your father’s poem and photo. Such a blessing to us! Your father was incredible with his words–truly the Spirit was writing through him. You are your father’s son and share the same gifted presence as he does–a true follower of Jesus and leader to all to claim His cloak!
At Kingston Christian Fellowship Church on Highway 38 in Kingston, yesterday, Pastor Dale gave an incredible sermon on Acts 16. I was so moved and strengthened by it. Praise God for that church and the work that is being done. I pray for God’s continued blessings there and ask for everyone to please pray for them to be soaked in protection from the blood of Jesus.
May you have a wonderful day in the Lord, today, fellow saints. God bless you and keep you, and wrap His loving arms around you.
Amen David and Beverlee the picture of your dad David and memories cannot be expressed in words .
God Bless you
Lianne Hogg
Vivienne and I will certainly be watching you and Norma-Jean at 9:30 today. Thank you both for your wonderful ministry. Your daily 4 am commitment to this blog is truly remarkable.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
My heart is filled and encouraged as I read today, and also from my fellow bloggers.
My prayers go with you Pastor David and Norma-Jean…..will be watching.
Blessings everyone in Jesus Mighty Name
Wow, lots of wisdom packed into today’s blog. The trouble with the word if is that it places restrictions on our actions. We limit ourselves on a set of circumstances being true instead of trusting in God. We say if I had more time I would volunteer at my church more often or if I have more money I would donate to that worthy cause. We can say if I were younger I would go on the mission trip or if I could express myself better I would share the Gospel more. So sometimes the word if becomes our excuse not to do the things the Holy Spirit may be moving us to do— yet when we are willing God will always find a way around our conditions, our if’s—
How are you doing today Doreen? I hope you got some sleep after yesterday’s unexpected turn of events-
Thankyou !!! I am looking forward yo watching you and Norma-Jean today ! God bless you and your family for your continued dedication in the awesome works of the Holy Word of our Lord!!!!
Ahhhhh–you look fantastic, David, and Norma-Jean! It was so great to see and hear your message on 100 Huntley Street. I share your concerns and was so happy to make a donation to keep your programs going. God bless you and all the work you have done for the continuing Kingdom of God to be experienced on earth!
Thank you Donna. I’m not quite up to my old self yet! I am depending on our God. I will print off today’s lesson which I will keep before my face. God bless you and all the bloggers and, especially, David and Norma-Jean on the program today.
Dear David M ,
This morning on 100 Huntley Street it was so uplifting to see both you and Norma -Jean looking so great pressing forward to a fantastic goal for what is to be accomplished by Crossroads 360 with its powerful childern programming .
Like you and Norma – Jean as a mother and soon to be grandmother my heart cries and diligently turns to the One and Only Saviour capable of changing all the Ifs, in to Because so yes I will give as much as I can and know that Jesus is our conquer .
Amen and Amen.
Have a blessed day everyone .
xxxx Carole.
So nice to se you on the program 100 Huntley St. You both look so good ,PTL..
Yes we need to keep our eyes on Jesus,And our minds directed on Him and our paths will be stayed on Him and not on the world , Amen ….R…
Before Job had God’s Word written in a book he believed in Him and not “the gods.” He prayed to God for a book of God’s Word. No false prophets or evil kings could persuade him that they had God’s Word in their books. He must have known a tree by it’s fruit. Job, as all people on earth, was decsended from Noah. Some must have kept what Noah taught of God more faithfully than others. Some must have prayed that they could have God’s Word in a book but they did not write fairy tales and call it God’s Word and they did not accept the story of Gilgamesh and call it God’s Word. They stayed faithfull. When God gave Moses His Word, it must have brought many who were lead by fantasy tales back to the Truth.
Lot to think about in today’s blog. Missed your program as had to visit the doctor this morning. I have another good “If” poem to put on here later. Hope you are feeling better, Doreen. God bless you everyone.
Doreen Sorry to read about your unfortunate turn of events last Sunday. 🙁
There is not much I can say to add to the wonderful hopes and prayers by
our fellow bloggers, but, I will try. Doreen may God keep you safe and restore you to good health. Love and prayers
Donna …….”If ” I were you ….. I would have said that! Lol…..!
Well said 🙂
Dear David and Norma-Jean I left for work very early today and returned home late. Will take your sujestion and watch 100 Huntley on line at 100 Huntley. Com
Blessings to all
M.
“If” though small can be big…In scripture it is used often by the Lord…”If” you obey my word…I will follow through with My promise…
Thank you for sharing the two “if” poems
Thank you for sharing your life with us. Your example is truly inspiring and uplifting. May god continue to bless you and your loved ones.
You have challenged me. No more if’s. Pray about it! Seek wisdom if -no–when required. Do it or refrain! I am also challenged to search the scriptures for ‘if’s’,–example “If we confess with our mouths—–. I’m already realizing that when we remove the ‘if’, there is a statement we need to consider seriously before the Throne of Grace. But our Saviour offers us the choice. Oh this is going to be exciting, and increase my fervency of prayer for those who struggle making the choice for forgiveness of sin. No if’s. Just ‘when’ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah