REPENT!
Suggested Reading: Jeremiah 24-25
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A cross can be seen in windows of the Church of Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. This is the traditional place where Jesus was joined by Moses and Elijah, and where Peter suggested building three tabernacles. There are at least three buildings on the top of the mountain today built to celebrate the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8). I think that Moses and Elijah were there to encourage Jesus at a time when He needed human companionship in facing His suffering and death on the cross. Jesus had tried again and again to speak to His disciples about the cross, but they failed to understand the necessity of it.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Jeremiah 25:5
They said, “Repent now everyone of his evil way and his evil doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord has given to you and your fathers forever and ever…”
Our key verse summarizes the essential message of all the Prophets from Moses to Jeremiah. “Repent” is also a word proclaimed by John the Baptist, Jesus, and Peter at the very beginning of their public ministries.
Jeremiah 24 contains the story of two groups taken to Babylon from Jerusalem, the first symbolized by the good figs and the second by the bad figs. The story of the first exiles is found in 2 Kings 24:11-16. These people were taken away for their own good. The Lord, in this way, protected them from the evil influence of King Zedekiah and from the slaughter and total destruction of Jerusalem, which would come eleven years later. Included in these first exiles were Ezekiel and Daniel. In a few weeks we’ll be reading their books.
Jeremiah 25 is another of Jeremiah’s messages to Judah and Jerusalem. For 23 years he has been faithfully preaching the message of repentance (sorrow and regret for sin sufficient to stop doing wrong). Here he predicts accurately that in the future there will be a 70-year captivity in Babylon. Now, that 70-year period is history (read Daniel 9:1-4). Throughout human history, because of His love, God continues to offer forgiveness and restoration to all who “repent!” At the same time, because He is holy, justice is absolutely essential. Jeremiah speaks of God’s “fury” and His “fierce anger.” The most horrible crimes against humanity were committed under Judah’s evil kings. Imagine the emotions of the judges, who sat on the bench at the Nuremburg trials of the Nazis following WWII, watching the pictures from the death camps where children were systematically put to death along with their parents. The people of Jerusalem had put their children to death (Jeremiah 19:4-5; 2 Chronicles 28:2-3; 2 Chronicles 33:5-6).
When Jesus prayed just before His crucifixion these words, “Father, if it is Your will, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42), perhaps He had in mind the words of Jeremiah, who six times in our reading uses the word “drink.” Evil had filled the cup of God’s anger against all that destroys people whom He loves. After being warned over and over again to “repent,” the religious and political leaders refused to do so. Judgment was the only alternative. Jesus drank that cup. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:20b-21, “We implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for grace to live in an attitude of repentance constantly. John, Your Apostle, wrote, “If we say that we have (present tense, and he included himself) no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1John 1:7-10). I confess my sin, and I believe that according to Your Word (You cannot lie), I am forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness. I know this to be true because, “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin,” and in His Name I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
One of my grandsons lives almost next door to our mobile home senior’s park here in Lakeland, Florida, as a student at Southeastern University. This is a Christian university and Norma-Jean and I, along with his parents, David Reynold (our blog photographer) and Kathy Mainse, are grateful for this institution of learning. Our grandson’s name is David-Peter (after his two grandfathers), but he likes to use the name “David Mainse the 3rd.” It’s on the cover of his Bible. I’ll try to get a picture of his Bible to add below. Also the back window of his friend’s Hummer vehicle has on it “Galatians 2:20.” This verse has been my daily confession each morning when I first awaken for many years. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Both my grandson and his friend, Caleb Harris, are here to study (yes!!!) and also to play football. I can recommend this university to potential students as a place where I believe the majority of the students desire to serve the Lord with all their hearts and minds (click here for information about Southeastern University).
Yours to help raise up a generation, unlike the one in today’s reading, where God’s Word is honoured, studied and obeyed!
David
I'm proud of all my grandchildren. I've told them that I would do this blog even if they were the only ones who read it.
Caleb's grandfather has travelled from the USA to Canada as the guest preacher at Evangel Temple, Toronto. His Dad is a top executive at Hershey's Chocolates in Pennsylvania. Caleb believes God has called him to preach the Gospel. His determination to witness for Christ is evident on his vehicle. "Fire" is the name of the SEU football team.
David Mainse III and Caleb Harris in front of one of the Southeastern dormitory buildings. I'm proud of these young men who want to serve Jesus Christ with all their hearts, minds, and bodies.
Perhaps, one day there will be a David Mainse the fourth! It’s a great time in your grandson’s life where one can easily see motivation, determination and commitment! Remaining in an attitude of repentance and gratitude for what our Saviour has done, is a constant never to be neglected. Galatians 2:20 is a powerful reminder to own every new day of our lives. Thank you for sharing these pictures and information about Southeastern University, including “Fire!”
Have a great day, to all!
It is wonderful to see that the many generations of the Mainse family is continuing to serve the Lord. It speaks volumes about the Godly heritage they have received. It is obvious that you are very proud of all your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. You are a blessed man indeed!!! We give God all the praise, glory and honour!!!
Have a great day everyone!!! This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!!! Hallelujah, PTL!!!
Today’s reading is a reminder to all of us to REPENT! I am so grateful MY LORD is merciful to forgive as we repent of our sins.
Wonderful pictures of two young men obviously determined to serve THE LORD. Thanks for sharing. We are blessed because you are so blessed Pastor David and your faithfulness to get this blog out to us each day.
BLESSINGS to all.
Can’t believe how stubborn and exasperating God’s people were in Jeremiah’s day. I don’t think they were very bright. It doesn’t take many years to find out if God’s laws aren’t followed things don’t go very well.
Your grandson and his friend are indeed people to be proud of. Nice to see chocolate does some good:-)
Yes..indeed…Praising and thanking The Lord for you Rev. David..thank you for the pics.
Blessings
I am impressed to use Gal. 2:20 in my daily time with The Lord.
How blessed you are David to see your family serving God. It is the desire of all of us as well. Wonderful pictures and thanks so much for your faithfulness to serve God and man.
Blessings to all.
Yes, thank you for your faithfulness in serving the Lord David Mainse…
This is such an important work that you do through 100 words. As I rise each and every morning, (usually before 5:30, 4:30 on Saturdays and Sundays here on the west coast) I put on a pot of coffee and go through my morning prayers…
When I finish them, I go to your blog, read the word of the Lord, followed by browsing the half dozen or so blog comments. I have always been lifted up by your bloggers… Amen!
If I feel I can contribute something positive or feel the Lord prompting me to add to the blog I will do so…
My wife and I are on a short vacation (4 nights) on the Oregon coast. As I share this message it is now 7:00 AM Pacific Standard Time. She is still in bed…
I can hear the waves breaking the shoreline as daylight slowly makes it’s debut. We have a wonderful view overlooking the Ocean… The wind is beginning to pick up… I’m going to get my second cup of coffee…
We live in marvelous times… in the land of the free…
Today’s reading of the word… the Lord taketh and the Lord giveth… Before Christ that was what they believed generally. However with the story of Job we realize that it wasn’t God who sent him into despair, it was Satan.
Today, us believers know of God in the flesh as Jesus Christ. Through Christ we have learned that God loves each and everyone of us, no more, no less than the other… Yet some of us seemed to be blessed more so than others…
I am feeling tremendously blessed these days…
My wife awakes, and the day begins to unfold it’s wonders before us…
Thank you David Mainse for this blog and for your fellow bloggers… May each of you feel the Holy Spirit’s love this day and be blessed… Amen!
Dear David Loewen ,
Thank you so much for sharing with us this moment of the dawn provided by our Lord . enjoy the rest of your vacations with your better half .
Blessings ..
Carole.
Amen, David! What a wonderful time, enjoying the beauty of nature and meaningful, timeless moments with your wife!
Dear Rev. David M.
I have just highlighted Galatians 2: 20 , and will make a point of memorizing this scripture . I seem to have a very strange way of being able to remember scriptures and it is by singing them . A few years ago I asked the Lord to make me sing like David , being quite envious of the relationship of David to OUR LORD I also boldely desired to become also the apple OF HIS EYE , so I will try to find a worship song or hymn that will sing Galatians 2: 20,
Thank you so much for sharing the picture of your grandson and his Bible and the hummer with the cool liscence plate. How exciting to see this young generation on fire for Jesus.
Blessed day to you and Norma Jean.
Looking forward to your coming in mid Feb. closer to us all .
Have a blessed day everyone.
xxxx Carole.
I have just written out the verse you quoted from Galatians 2:20. I keep a book at my elbow for important ideas, thoughts, quotes and scriptures. So nice to refer back to from week to week. Your blog continues to be such a blessing. Wow, that dormitory at Southeastern Univ. is beautiful…..and no SNOW! My two granddaughters are at two different universities here in Ontario……lots of snow! David Mainse III is certainly his father’s son. He’s the picture of Reynold! Enjoy your time away from our mountains of snow that we have here in Newmarket (and I think Burlington is pretty much the same).