Friday, February 14, 2014

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TRUE LOVE

Suggested Reading: Jeremiah 45-47

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 view from atop Mount Carmel looking west toward the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea. It was from here that a "cloud the size of a man's hand" was reported to Elijah (1 Kings 18:44). God spoke to Elijah as He did to Jeremiah. God's love will find a way sooner or later to bring people back to Himself, but it must be a decision of human free will. That's what true love means. Happy Valentine's Day!

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Jeremiah 46:27

But do not fear, O My servant Jacob,

And do not be dismayed, O Israel!

For behold, I will save you from afar,

And your offspring from the land of their captivity;

Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease;

No one shall make him afraid.

 

Jeremiah 45 is Jeremiah’s word from God for his personal assistant and secretary (scribe), Baruch. Baruch’s prize was “Life.” He went as a guest of honour to Babylon where he was allowed to buy property and to prosper. There is an Apocryphal book called by his name. The Apocrypha is a collection of writings judged by the Jewish scholars as not inspired by God, yet somewhat valuable for study.

Jeremiah 46 tells us of Pharaoh Necho, King of Egypt. Necho had killed good King Josiah of Judah (2 Chronicles 35:20-27). After his return to Egypt, Necho deposed and deported Josiah’s son Jehoahaz, and made Jehoiakim his puppet king in Jerusalem. In 606 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated Necho and world history was forever altered. Egypt would never again be considered a world power (46:13). In the midst of all this, God’s Word to His people is stated in our key verse. Jeremiah 47 tells us of the Philistine cities which were also caught in the midst of the wars between Egypt and Babylon (Iraq).

This past Wednesday my Son-in-Law, Nizar, hosted a live 90-minute, open-line TV show, “Light for All Nations,” as he does every Wednesday in prime time, covering the Arabic-speaking world. He contrasted the message of Jesus with that of Muhammed. The Koran says, “God loves those who love Him.” In contrast to this, the Bible says, “God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Let’s take time to read 1 John 4:7-19 as our St. Valentine’s Day meditation. A man from Mecca and many others called in this week to the Arabic ministry and have received the unconditional love of Jesus by grace through faith.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I love You because You first loved me! Not as the Koran says, in effect, that You love me because I first loved You! You are the Initiator! You courted and wooed me! You won my heart!!! Increase my capacity to be filled with more of Your love than ever before, I pray. In the Name of the One of Whom it is written, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16a), Jesus Christ! Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I have been faithfully joining the online prayer meeting launched by Crossroads. This is a better way of saying “I love you” than by sending Valentine’s Day cards. I’ve asked Ron to write at least 100 words explaining how this prayer meeting can be a way to show love for each other. Please join us in this act of loving one another. Here’s my son, Ron…

Hi Friends! The Bible tells us to “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2), so we’ve launched a new feature called “The Prayer Exchange” on Crossroads360.com. It helps us to put love and prayer into practice. You can go HERE to read and pray for some requests that people have posted on the Prayer Exchange Wall. Also, you can post your own prayer requests and have others agree with you in prayer (instructions are at the top of the prayer section). Dad embedded prayer into the DNA of Crossroads from the very beginning. I know this will take me well over the 100 words Dad asked me to write, but allow me to share a story that illustrates what I’m talking about…

When I was a teenager, I was part of our high school basketball team. I remember having to wake up extremely early one morning in order to attend a practice, which our overly zealous coach had scheduled well before the school day began. My teammates and I were far from enthusiastic about having to get our bodies out of bed that early, but that was the only time the gymnasium was available before our big championship game. So I set my alarm for “dark and early.” When the dreaded beeping noise hit my ears, I reluctantly rolled out of bed, got dressed, and tiptoed my way through the dark hallway and down the stairs, being careful not to wake anyone else in the family. However, when I got to the living room, I was surprised to see the lights on and hear someone speaking. When I looked to my left, I saw my Dad kneeling next to the couch with dozens of pieces of paper spread out all over the furniture. I paused long enough to figure out what was going on. Dad was in prayer, weeping and interceding before God on behalf of the many who had written to him as a result of the recently launched 100 Huntley Street daily TV program. He never saw me as I continued tiptoeing out the door and off to my practice. That experience deeply impacted me. It strongly reinforced to my heart the truth of Dad’s genuine passion for God and passion for people. He wasn’t on television because of any ego trip or because he needed a job. He was called by God to share the love of Jesus to a lost and hurting world. He lived what he believed about the infinite value of a soul. After that, I could think of nothing else I wanted to do with my life than work with my Dad.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone,

Ron

P.S. (From David) It occurred to me that 100 years ago today, one of my favourite Gospel songwriters was born, Rev. Ira Stanphill, who passed away in 1993. He’s been my guest on television and I’ve preached for him in his church in Fort Worth, Texas. He wrote hundreds of songs including Suppertime, Room at the Cross, I Know Who Holds Tomorrow, We’ll Talk It Over, Happiness Is, and many others. However, I know that Ira is experiencing right now the fulfilment of one of his most well-known songs…I’ve Got a Mansion Just Over the Hilltop. He’s been in his mansion for over 10 years now! As a tribute to my friend Ira, here’s Elvis singing that famous song of hope (click here).

 

23 thoughts on “Friday, February 14, 2014”

  1. Happy Valentines! John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay one’s life for his friends.” A beautiful picture today, Reynold! Thank you Ron for sharing your experience of seeing your father alone in prayer. Much brotherly love to you David, and all participants of this inspiring blog! Have a wonderful, spirit-filled day to all!

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  3. Wow! What an awesome all around reading and message with links, today! Thank you, David, Reynold, Ron and Ann! It has taken me two hours to get through it because I have been so absorbed with every aspect. We are so blessed by this blog–what a wonderful Valentine’s Day present! Today’s sunset photo is amazing and the caption, so well stated. Loved listening to Elvis sing ‘Mansion Over The Hilltop’. Elvis was an especially wonderful gospel singer! Here is the link to him singing ‘How Great Thou Art’:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2SUZd5WYQg

    Happy Valentine’s Day, dear saints!

    Reply ↓

  4. Love certainly is of God. I’m the youngest of 14 children and my parents made sure we all knew we were loved by them, each other, and most importantly God.
    Elvis was such a wonderful singer. It was sad to see him get mixed up with Vegas.
    Happy Valentine’s Day to all blog buddies. May you have loved ones caring for you and even if you don’t, you have the greatest Love of all watching over you and loving you to the max.
    The prayer wall is such a wonderful idea. Thanks Rev. Mainse et al.

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  5. Thank you for the prayer wall its a way to show our love to our brother s and sistersand see answers to prayers and the beautiful picture of the sunset is so outstanding ,
    HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to all my felliw bloggers
    God Bless You 😉

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  6. What an amazing photo Reynold, and what an amazing testimony Ron!! Thank you so much for sharing with us! And David thank you so very much for this wonderful blog! Happy Valentine’s Day everyone and may God richly Bless one and all!

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  7. Thank you Faithful Servants of God + instruments of His Peace!
    Rev. David Mainse, you have been a source of inspiration & encouragement to me for over 30 yrs.your T.V. program being a highlight in my day.
    God’s Love glows through your programs & now online as well!
    Enjoyed the link to special song & visual like today.
    Thank You! God bless you & keep you Numbers 6:24-26

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  8. Wow! I was so excited when I read about the salvations on Nizar’s program as I woke up this morning interceding for the Arab world including Egypt. “Yield and open up your gates Arab speaking peoples and nations and let the King of Righteousness come in.” I felt that the Lord framed my prayers and also for Canada that all evil and filthy things go in the Name of Jesus. Also that the iron gates of Communism come down in Jesus Name and Indonesia needs prayer right now too. Thank you for the blogs and all the links. Looking forward to the Prayer Exchange Wall. Love to all!

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  9. I love Ira Stamfield’s music. The words are so true and you can just imagine the scenes that are portrayed. Have a wonderful day all.

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  10. Dear bloggers , Mansion over the hill top was my husband’s favorite song one of
    them , he played piano for our church and many Gosple singing groups.
    what a bitter sweet morning to hear his favorite songs being sung…I miss him so..R..

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  11. Perfect Love
    God’s perfect love to us was shown
    When Jesus came from heaven’s throne
    To bleed and die on Calvarys tree –
    He paid sin’s price for you and me.

    When we accept God’s gift of love
    Our lives are changed by God above;
    Through us His love He will display
    When we let Him have His way.

    Let love control your thoughts and mind,
    For love is patient and is kind,
    It never envies, fails or boasts,
    Nor of past wrongs does it keep notes.

    Love is not angry, nor is it rude,
    But always seeks the other’s good;
    In evil it will not delight,
    But always makes the choice for right.

    Love will persevere through pain,
    Without it you will nothing gain;
    It always trusts and always hopes,
    And never fears, nor ever mopes.

    Love The Lord with all your heart
    And from Him you will never part,
    Love each other with one accord,
    These commandments gave The Lord

    He’ll guide and guard you along the way,
    As you journey with Him day by day,
    And some glad morn He’ll call you home
    To sing His praises around His throne.

    I started to write this at an Amish wedding. My friend told me the message was from 1 Corintians 13. Happy Valintines Day to all my fellow bloggers.
    God loves you perfectly, He’s the only One who can. Mary.

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  12. Most of all we love you Jesus for first loving us and giving Yourself for us. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20).

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  15. Dear Rev. David M., Norma-Jean, Ron , Ann, Reynold and all my fellow bloggers,
    I am literally left speechless by todays blog. So much love shown starting with Reynolds fantastic photography of Gods Amazing Glory. And if that wasnt enough it follows with Marys wonderful poem and Beverlee K. sharing with us how great Thou Art. that I ve been wanting to learn all this past week for you all know that I am a reborn baby christian : ) .

    Heavenly Father on this day of celeberation of love my heart desires to wish happy valentines day to You 365 days of the year. In The Name of One and Only Jesus Christ .

    Have a blessed valentines day .

    xxxx Carole.

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  17. Happy Valentines Day to all of you.
    My husband passed away 7 yrs and his all time favorite song was “Mansion just over the hilltop”. In the days when we had Sunday night services & they still asked for favorites, without fail he would ask for that song.

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  18. Today for me started, not with our blog, but having too much to do, so I put off reading until tonight…….what a mistake, when I don’t start my day with The Lord. things just don’t seem to be right. However, the love I have felt in reading our blog now, and the various links has been joy to behold.

    Thank you Lord for loving us first, and for you Pastor David., Ron and Reynold for your input. What a lovely story about finding your dad in prayer, and how it impacted your life Ron. We can all take a few lessons from this.

    Hope it isn’t too late to with every

    Reply ↓

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