THE SNARE/TRAP
Suggested Reading: Psalms 140-142
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This is the Parliament House in Athens, Greece. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located at the bottom of a high wall surrounding the Parliament Building. On this wall is a relief that depicts a fallen soldier which is surrounded by quotations from Pericles' funeral oration. Two sentry boxes on either side of the tomb have small canopies to protect the guards against the sun. Psalm 141:3 is a prayer for God to "Set a guard over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips." This prayer should be prayed by all politicians and in our case at Crossroads, all who seek to communicate God's thoughts expressed in His Word by the use of all forms of media.?
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalm 141:3, 9
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
…Keep me from the snares they have laid for me,
And from the traps of the workers of iniquity.
Common to all three Psalms in today’s reading is David’s recognition that snares have been laid to trap him with wickedness, iniquity, and isolation. In each of his compositions we learn that David turned to God for protection and deliverance! When we pray and ask God for His intervention in our lives, God says, “Yes!” A New Testament reading which confirms God’s answer to the prayers of our key verses is 1 Corinthians 10:11-13. God promised us (and He cannot lie) a way of escape from every trap or snare that has the potential to destroy us. God, Paul declares, will “MAKE THE WAY OF ESCAPE!” God has shown us the escape plan, but it’s up to us to run for it! Our escape from the snares of the world, the flesh, and the devil is the CROSS OF CHRIST! For believers in Jesus, His Name stands for all He is and does. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.” Amen!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray the words of the key verses: “Set a guard…over my mouth;… over the door of my lips…keep me from the snares…and from the traps.” As Psalm 142:5 says, “I cried out to you, O Lord…” I do that now! I confess, “You are my refuge!” I pray this in the Name of my Strong Tower, the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As I’ve done my reading and meditation today, I’ve been thinking and praying for our Toronto Mayor, Rob Ford. News releases all over the world have screamed the headlines about his crack cocaine use and of his drunken profanity-laden rant. I’ve prayed for him before, but never so fervently as earlier this morning. As we’ve read today in Scripture,”The snares…the traps” are there to destroy people. Our Mayor is being destroyed! I have never met Mayor Ford, but they say he returns his phone calls. In the present circumstances, he may not be given his calls by staff. Nevertheless, I’m going to try to call him, try to get him out of the city, where he would not be inundated by reporters, in order to minister in Jesus’ Name God’s love and deliverance. I know it’s a long shot and will only work if God does a miracle. So….I ask for the prayers of all my fellow bloggers. God cares about our Mayor and his family and this city much more than any other person. God works through the free will of an individual and the free wills of all of us collectively.
God willing I’ll be on the 100 Huntley Street telecast on Monday, November 11th. We’re remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom. Because of this freedom, I may do as newsman Brit Hume, a former White House correspondent for ABC News, did on live worldwide TV. He looked into the camera and spoke directly to golfer Tiger Woods, who had messed up his life badly, and said, approximately, “Tiger, you need Jesus!” I’d like to say the same this Monday on live national TV to Mayor Ford. Please keep praying! (click here for times to watch the live telecast or the repeats of 100 Huntley Street on Remembrance Day).
Yours to be on guard, protecting each of us from all the snares and traps that sin, self, the devil, and other people may set for us!!!
David
P.S. Here is an interview with Brit Hume from the Christianity Today magazine.
Good morning David, I applaud you for caring for Mayor Ford enough to pray for him publicly. I think anyone would agree he definitely needs all the prayers he can get. If God sees fit to heal him of his addictions it should be an eye opener and a ray of hope to other addicts who right now feel only desperation. I have prayed for Mayor Ford and will continue to do so; I will also pray for you as you are praying for him. Blessings.
Dear David: Thank you for leading the way in praying for Mayor Ford. Even though we live in Huntsville, Toronto is still the major player in our province & we have supported Mayor Ford’s work. We will be joining with you in prayer for this man. Everybody needs Jesus & we will pray you will be able to speak to Mr. Ford & that his heart would be receptive. We’ll pray the Holy Spirit speaks His words through you.
Thank you for writing this blog. My husband & I have learned so much & been so encouraged in our daily walk with Jesus. God bless you richly for getting up to do this each day! Yours in Christ, Michele
Dear David, Thank you for your faithfulness in writing this Blog; Your love for Jesus shines through this and I come daily to it hungering for His Word and for the wisdom you display. I read through your writing every morning ( as soon as it arrives )and then forward it to my husband at work- and then he reads and prays through it!
I needed today’s psalms so much!
Praying for you as you courageously call our Mayor to take him aside and minister. You remind me of Nathan confronting King David. Praying also for the telecast on Monday when you will speak directly to Rob Ford! We voted for him and our hearts are disappointed- but know that Jesus loves him and died for him too. Our mayor’s brother attended our church during the election time, I have briefly met him and thought he was a believer!
My husband and I were part of the group you and Norma-Jean took to the Holy Land in 2005 and were so blessed!
With warmest regards ,
Shantha
Powerful interview with Brit Hume; thanks for the link. He is a testament to how the power of God in our lives helps us overcome pain and tragedy; and step onto the right path and calling He has designed for us! Looking forward to seeing you, David, Monday morning on 100 Huntley Street. I have prayed for Rob Ford; to open up to Jesus coming into his life.
1 Cor 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Indeed, this is the truth. And God cannot lie! Our Lord always provides a way of escape for us from temptations that try to overpower and sink us. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, all the way! We cry out to You, Oh Lord!
I have been praying for the mayor since he spoke up about crack. I continue to stand in the gap – that God will prepare his heart to accept your sugggestion and help. I place a hedge of protection around him in Jesus Name – that he will not harm himself and that God will restore him.
The last verses of today’s psalm stood out for me as well as the key verse:
“I cried out to You, O Lord:
I said,
I cried out to You, O Lord:
I said,
…here I go again, this time it should work :
“I cried out to You, O Lord:
I said, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
Attend to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me.”
Restore balance and integrity Lord, as You have all matters in control. In Your timing, everything will work out alright. Have a great day, to all!
Amen, David, amen!
Oh yes I will pray with you for mayor Ford that tne Holy Spirit draw him and he recieve Jesus as his saviour , Open up an opportunity for David Mainse to lead mayor Ford of Toronto to Jesus and stop all the ridicule I in his life tobring peace Thank you that many will come to Jesus in these last days I jesus name amen;)
We will pray for you brother David
Please try to talk with the Meyer.
Thank you David for your love and concern for Rob Ford! My husband and I and
a group of friends of the faith are praying for you to have access to meet with him
privately. James writes,”Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes
himself an enemy of God.” God’s position is very clear. You are either wheat or
tares, sheep or goats, light or darkness, saved or lost. Jeremiah was thrown into
a deep pit of miry clay where he was left to die in his own human waste-But God
Brought Him Out! Nothing is impossible with God! Because of Him! Ellen
I will pray for you and for Mayor Rob Ford
Lianne Hogg
Thank you once gain Pastor David for our morning feed of The Word.
I have cried out to my Saviour many times, especially these last two years, as our family has been in a great storm, BUT ………. HE has never failed to snatch us from the snares and each step HE takes us through is a reminder of HIS great power and majesty.
I too have and will continue in prayer for Rob Ford………sometimes I feel we should carry around a bag of stones and hand them out to those who are determined to destroy rather than engulf in God’s love those who have fallen. Isn’t that what our Lord did for the woman caught in adultery? Let us not forget his family in prayer too. Will be watching as we join you in reaching out to Mayor Ford.
Blessings to all.
Dear David, I have been reading your blog for awhile; very ministering…!! Thank you, for loving Our Lord so much and his people; and for having such a burden for souls! Certainly, God is using you in a mighty way! I pray, that your attempt to approach Rob F. will be successful and will bring glory to God…and, by lifting up the Precious and Powerful Name of Jesus Christ many will be touched, and Rob will have ears to hear. Oh! that more of our politicians might be touched by God. We need as the Body of Christ to pray more for the Righteous Hand of God to be upon them. I hope that together we will be fervent to everyday pray for the protection of God upon our government. At the present time, Steven Harper is under attack as well. I pray that the truth will come out, whatever it might be regarding this whole issue. We need justice, we need the truth!…and there has to be consequences to all dishonesty and wrong doing. Oh! Lord have Mercy on us!! May God bless you David in your mission. May God keep you strong; both physically and spiritually. Eph3:20-21…Maranatha
Praying for you Pastor David, that the Holy Spirit may open doors for you.
Thank you for standing in the gap!
The Lord will watch over your coming and going. Psalm 121:8.
Blessings to all.
Dear David Mainse,
I look forward to seeing you Monday morning on 100 Huntley Street. I do watch on a fairly regular basis when I can. You are right. Mayor Ford does need JESUS and I pray he does return your phone call and receive JESUS along with his family. I pray for you and your family as well as you walk each day with the LORD and provide us with your prayers as we walk along with HIM too. Thank you so much for your dedication to this blog. You truly are an amazing man!
Love to you and yours
Vicky
…yes Lord, prepare them, make the way….in your precious most Holy name Jesus…Amen and Amen!!!
Dear David, your prayer of Oct 16th comes to mind for Rob Ford. We will be praying that someone will lead Rob to your telecast on 100 Huntley St., on Monday and that the Lord will give you the words to say to reach Rob and bring him in to a relationship with Jesus.
God bless you and Norma-Jean for doing the Lord’s work.
Carole
yes Lord, open Rob Ford’s heart to receive You Jesus!! I pray the phone lines be open for Rob Ford to receive the call and hear the truth, In Jesus Name I pray!!!
Dear Mr. Mainse:
Thank you for your faithfulness to doing the daily blog. God bless you!
I also pray for the Mayor of Toronto. May God touch his life and help him through this time.
“Many shall come in my name saying I am christ; and shall deceive many…and many false prophets shall arise and deceive many.
And because iniquity will abound, the love of many will wax cold.
But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved (matthew 24 v 5,11,12,13).”
Yes, I have and will be praying for you, David and Rob Ford, and especially Monday on the Remembrance Day program. I thought of him too when I was reading these psalms of David in distress. Thank you for the blog, prayers and link with Brit Hume. So glad you are back too, Scott and your blog was always inspiring and timely. Am also looking forward to following along with your blog from the Holy Land. God bless everyone.
Amen to prayers and will pray for Mayor Ford and as always, my blog friends.
Blessings to all.
Diane 🙂
Thank you Father God for David M. and lifting him up in prayer as he reaches out to Mayor Ford at this difficult time…give the Mayor the peace he needs and the wisdom to do what is right. Please keep my niece & her husband in prayer as their baby daughter(my grand niece ) is still having health issues. Amen God Bless!
Romans 10:13 says ” Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Thank you Lord! We used to minister at the Salvation Army in Toronto and l’ll never forget the man who was eating his soup after the service, telling us that he was very afraid because he could’nt remember what he had done the night before while in a drunken stupor. Our hearts go out to Rob Ford, Mayor of Toronto. The cruel unrelenting media character assassination meted out on him has been disgusting to witness! He obviously needs help to lay it all down in Godly repentance. Our prayers, along with everyone else on this Blog are with you precious brother David,as you reach out as our Lord’s hand extended. This man is so gifted, we pray for complete deliverance and restoration “In Jesus Name.”
Amen, Christine, amen!
Thanks to Ger for mentioning Scott, today. I went back to yesterday’s comments to read yours. I agree with David, it doesn’t sound at all like you. There are certain people whose steadfast comments we have been used to from the very start–you surely fit into that group. Praying for God’s will to intervene in your life and for the Holy Spirit to breathe continually through you, dear brother-in-Christ. Praise God you are still with us–you have been sorely missed!
As you know Scott, life is too short to remain “stuck.” What you wrote on this blog was an expression of your core beliefs, for which there is no contradiction. Remember 2 Corinthians 12:9 … “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” You have acknowledged your vulnerability and expressed your faith. We change/grow and then move on. I pray for your restoration and health within your life and with those whom you love. David
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16
Dear Rev. David Mainse,
I will be fervently praying for mayor Rob Ford as you will be witnessing to him on 100 Huntley Street, Monday (rememberance day). Once more, you show all of us what being a true embassador to our Lord is all about. It’s always and only about Jesus and His salvation and delivery for each of us if we are willing to receive Him! Amen Amen.
Keeping you in prayers dear Scott.
I’ll most probably not be able to share the daily blog bright and early for I will be heading to church for my baptism, as I will witness to others of my love for Christ and the impact He has had throughout my life. There will be a little portion of what David Mainse’s daily blog this past year and a half and wonderful guidance from all my dear fellow bloggers. So keep me in prayer so that my testimony tomorrow brings full glory to the One and only, Our Saviour, Our King, Jesus Christ!
Have a blessed day everyone!
xxxCarole
Thank you David M….Praying for Mayor Ford – and praying for you David as you try and make a personal contact with Him. “O Lord, intervene in Rob Ford’s life right now. He is overwhelmed with seeing his behaviour, overwhelmed by the media. O God, come to his aid and help all of us to keep praying – and help David make that contact. Your Word reminds us, ‘when my heart is overwhelmed, this will I pray, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I’ (Ps.61:2 KJV). May Mr. Ford discover the ROCK OF AGES”. “Praise the Name of Jesus, Praise the Name of Jesus, He’s my Rock, He’s my Fortress, He’s my Deliverer; in Him wil lI trust. Praise the Name of Jesus.” Samuel
Dear David: I am holding up Rob Ford, and his family in prayer that You, Lord, will surround them with Your hedge of protection, and that the harassment by the press will be stayed. I pray that Rob will return your phone call, Pastor David, and that You God would prepare Rob’s heart to receive Jesus Christ.
Hi Pastor David
I too was led to pray for Mayor Ford at our prayer meeting on Thursday. There was an amazing sense of God’s mercy and grace. I believe God will save Mayor Ford and the name of Jesus will be glorified worldwide through it.
Thank you for your faithfull example of what it means to be an intercessor, with Spirit-led action.
I also thank you for the amazing life changing journey to Israel last year. It was a year ago today that we landed in Israel. I can not begin to tell you what our time with you in the Holyland has meant for me. The fragrance of our Jesus was so beautifull there, especially in Galilee. Some days I smell the fragrance and long for Israel. The precious time in the garden tomb when we prayed for your healing is written in my spirit and I believe as you stand in the garden tomb again this year you will find that God has 100% answered our prayer. I am excited about going with you to Israel via this blog. God’s blessing and favor rest on you and grant you peace. Hugs and kisses for Norma-Jean. Perhaps this year Benai, Val and Salome will believe that Jesus is Messiah. Praying for your witness in Israel as well.
With love, Krista Hargrave
Yellow Bus 2012 Israel Tour
Love and prayers to all.
🙂 M.
“saying, ‘I am christ.'”
This is meant to be a correction of my earlier post.
Bravo David Mainse! You are aaaammmaaazzziiinnnggg!!
Thank you brother David for your blog and for sharing your heart and our Savior’s love each and every day. I so appreciate your encouraging and godly writing. I have been praying for Mayor Ford and will be praying that you will have an opportunity to speak with him. Trusting the Lord Jesus to do great and mighty things in the life of this very needy man. Blessings and prayers, Doreen
My heart has been touched by the recent onslaught of condemnation regarding Ron Ford. From first hand experience I know the devastation alcohol and drugs can have on one’s life, which affects so many.. BUT I have witnessed a transformation when the person calls on Jesus for help. Jesus freely offers forgiveness and deliverance to anyone who calls on His name – He died a horrible death to free us from everything that would bind or trap us, and “nothing is too hard for Him to do”. I love His promise in Psalm 50:15 “Call on me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you and you will glorify me”. David, your love and concern for Ron Ford and his family are evident of God’s Agape love in your heart. Thanks again for your excellent blogs – also Reynold’s great pictures..
In this life there are many hill and valley experiences. The difference between the Christian and those who do not know the Lord, lies in whom or in what we turn to for help. As Christians in these low ‘valley’ experiences, we learn that our true dependence is found in God alone and upon His righteousness. I pray that all those who are dependant upon destructive means to relieve their deep sorrows and pain will turn their faces upon the true Healer and Lord of our salvation, Jesus Christ. I also pray for all my blog-buddies who have been struggling with their own health and various emotional issues, that they may find strength and solace in the words of our Lord. Amen.
I was deeply touched by many of your comments made both yesterday and today. I thank you all for your prayers and I would like to share with you a beautiful song that has great meaning for me at this time. Enjoy this video of Chris Tomlin’s “Lord I Need You” and be blessed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rR_Rdb1CTE
Chris Tomlin’s song definitely touches home! Thanks for sharing, Scott. I commend you.
Amen!
Scott, believe me when I say, in a world like this being a 100% devoted to the ways and love of Christ, takes a lot of prayers, restriction from worldly things, getting closer to people with the same intent, and above all, asking God to continuously be in charge:) the spirit is willing, but the weakness of the flesh makes righteousness a lot more difficult than it actually is. We need God’s grace Scott, and He has faithfully promised us that if we ask, we will receive! So my brother in Christ, don’t hesitate to go down on your knees as many times as you feel you need His grace, and ask for it! For He is faithful and Just to fulfil His promises. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be sufficient for you:)
Hi David,
I am with you regarding our Mayor. Rather than laughing about him I have prayed for him too. He needs support. No one is perfect in this world. The people who laugh at him are not innocent or sinless people. People fall and rise again. I know he will come out ok one day. Let’s pray for him. Thanks for thinking of him in this time of his life. I really hope that you can get connected him and give him the support and spiritual support that he needs. God bless .
That would be so wonderful if you would call Rob Ford. He seems to be such a good person even though his choice of people to hang out with may be slightly warped. He seems to be doing the job he won his election for quite well. If Rob would work hand in hand with our heavenly father, he’d find that his foe, the Liberals and other political parties, would even love him……not that he likely cares that deeply about that particular aspect of his job:-)
May God bless you further David for caring about this persecuted and off the beaten track soul and trying to help him.
I will pray for the Mayor. That Danforth area sure brings back memories for me.I was in worse shape then him,when I became born again,and it all happened in a third floor rooming house just off the Danforth.I will pray God does the same for him.
God bless you, Theresa!
Good Evening David,
Just today as we were driving around Winnipeg in our car trying to get some shopping done this afternoon, we heard the Lord say this to us very clearly: ” I am going to make a way for David Mainse to minister My Love to Mayor Ford. I am going to make a way for this connection to happen.” We immediately prayed that God would open the door for you to get alone with Rob Ford and love on him. As we have watched the news casts, our hearts have seen a very broken man and we know that God sees and knows and loves him completely. We came home tonight to read your 100 Words and were elated that God was already planning this man’s salvation and deliverance. We have been praying for Mayor Ford and know that many others have been. God is moved by all our prayers. David, thank you for hearing and being obedient to The Lord. We love you all there…
Sarah & William
“Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with
the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of
mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the
LORD,
and who meditates on his law
day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by
streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither?
whatever they do prospers.
Not so the wicked (Psalm 41).” Should you leave what you know is the truth? If coming to this blog everyday keeps me from forsaking the truth and Hope for sin, I will come to this blog. If helping handicapped people could sooth my heart while the world wars against me and tries to destroy faith in my Hope, I should also do such as this. King David was a man of war so he could not build the temple. Satan would like us to not even Hope for entrance to the true Temple.