ALL OUR DAYS!
Suggested Reading: Jeremiah 52
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
In today's reading pots, bowls and utensils are mentioned. Reynold, who is still in Africa, sent this picture on the internet of vessels excavated in Corinth, Greece. It's just possible that the pottery of Babylon might have looked like these. It's a stretch for my imagination to connect these to Babylon, but history tells us that the Greeks were going to defeat Babylon, Persia and all the lands of the Middle East within about 200 years after the time of Jeremiah 52.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 52:33
So Jehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life.
Jehoiachin was made King of Judah when he was just 18 (read 2 Kings 24:6-15). Eight years later he was taken captive to Babylon in the first defeat of Judah. Zedekiah was ordered to serve as a vassal king under Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah’s rebellion caused the Babylonians to destroy the Temple, the walls, and the homes of Jerusalem, murdering Zedekiah’s sons in front of him and then blinding him and taking him in chains to Babylon where he was executed.
Meanwhile Judah’s former King Jehoiachin languished in prison in Babylon for 37 years. When Nebuchadnezzar’s son ascended to the throne, he released Jehoiachin, brought him into the Palace, and cared for him for the rest of his life. I expect there will be more about Babylon in Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel, but beginning tomorrow, God willing, we’ll move over to First Peter for our meditations. What Jehoiachin experienced is something like Jesus does for us. He brings us out of the prison house of sin, forgives us, and makes us clean before God. He put a robe of righteousness on us, and we are seated in heavenly places with Him. Hallelujah!!! (read Isaiah 61:10 & Ephesians 2:4-9).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I am the recipient of much greater mercy from You than Jehoiachin received. His freedom and provision was temporal, but what You’ve done for me is eternal! I pray for more and more opportunities to come my way to tell everyone that there is freedom, peace, blessing and honour in the Salvation which is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, in whose Name I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I mentioned in a previous blog that, according to the doctor’s prediction two years ago, my journey into the “great beyond” was scheduled to take place less than one month from now. I’m back in Canada for a check-up by the cancer specialist. Back at the first of January, he said that my condition was “jaw-dropping remarkable.” This time he again expressed amazement at how well I am doing. I ran up two flights of stairs at the Crossroads Centre here in Burlington today. I would’ve been out of breath doing that 10-20 years ago. Thanks for your prayers!!! God’s timing is O.K. with me whenever it’s time to step out of this life into the next one. If it’s next month, It would appear I’ll be in good health for the trip home to Heaven!
If you think I’m crazy, you won’t be the first one to draw that conclusion. Here’s what’s really crazy. Yesterday morning while I was on my knees in prayer, I believe I heard that still small, yet powerful, voice of the Lord say, “David, when you finish the two-year trip through the Bible this June 2nd, I want you to begin a daily children’s Bible story blog. Write a brief story every day, which a parent or sibling can read aloud to the little ones.” I immediately said “Yes Lord!” I’ll make a commitment to do this for 100 days to start with, and then we’ll see where we go from there. I’m also thinking that on Sundays I could possibly do a video where I tell the children’s Bible story. My children have reminded me over the past months that I’ve said to them, “We who serve the Lord are indestructible until God is finished with us!” Any time Lord!
Yours for trusting God with His perfect timing in all things,
David
P.S. With this picture below some readers will conclude that I really AM crazy! This motorcycle is now mine. It was a bank repossession with a dented front fender that I bought very cheaply. I consider this a statement of victory over the prediction of my demise next month. It’s a way of thumbing my nose at “the last enemy.” I sold my last bike in 2006, after we had completed the “Steel Horse Ride,” a trip across Canada where we raised funds to equip our Circle Square Ranches for children with physical limitations. I bought my very first motorcycle with money I had earned when I was just 14. In the photo I have on my “Duck Dynasty” T-shirt that says, “Happy, Happy, Happy!”
Praise God for HE is not done with you yet! Enjoy your motorcycle, I will pray for safe travels, as I am quite sure the ‘Mrs’ is not all that thrilled about this purchase. A motorcycle that has been in an accident doesn’t seem like such a good deal to me, please be careful.
Looks like a great bike, David! You know you will need some protective wear to go along with it! Have fun!! Also, sounds like a wonderful plan for a children’s 100 day story blog. Lot’s happening! Thank God for your health, strength and so much to look forward to including an Israel Tour this Fall! Have a great day, to all!
By the Rivers of Babylon:
http://youtu.be/Nm1g8FFRArc
Thank you David for the link to Boney M singing The Rivers of Babylon. I had not heard of this group before. I really enjoyed them.
Pastor Mains,
Reading this blog, I am so Happy,Happy,Happy, to see what God has done in your life. It has give me encouragement in my life that prayers, believing,and putting our hope in the One who “Can Do All Things”, that mighty miracles can and do happen.
Praise and honor be unto Him.
Denise
Amen. We are happy that you are doing so well and God has spoken and commissioned you for a Children’s blog on the Bible. Yes, please be careful with the motorbike but I forgot about you riding one in your younger years too. We will miss you when this blog is finished and Catherine, I was praying too that this family of bloggers would remain together somehow. Yesterday I didn’t blog as I spent four and a half hours shovelling and blowing snow. My friend said you are really testing that new part of your heart. Take care everyone and a big thanks everyone!
Ger, you be careful not to overload that new part of your heart!! Love you in The Lord. Catherine
Wonderful picture Pastor David and I too will pray for your safety.
I look forward to your children’s story blog, as we have 8 grandchildren to share them with, but I will miss my blog buddies.
SAved by God’s great mercy!!!! Enjoy the day fellow HAPPY saints!
So happy and pleased that you received such good news from your doctor.
God is good, all the time! Wishing you well, and your loved ones!!.
Starting a new blog for children, sounds awesome!
May the Lord bless and keep you, and give you His peace!
Praise God Pastor DavAid!!! I’m not too sure about that bike though – LOL!!!
Yes, Yes, Yes – a bible story for kids!!!!!! I would read it to my 3 grandchildren that I babysit every day!!!!
A very dear friend of ours (John) died very unexpectedly on Sunday at the age of 67. He is with the Lord now. He was a a very kind, and gentle person and loved the Lord with all his heart. I would appreciate the prayers of my blog-buddies for his wife (Doreen) and his 3 children and his grandchildren who have to come to grips with this. Everyone is still in a state of shock. God’s ways are not always our ways. John’s funeral will be Saturday at our church in Ottawa. Thanks so much.
That should have said Praise God Pastor David!!! Sorry about that!!
Thanks Rev. Mainse for another eye-opening history lesson.
Teaching children about God’s love and companionship has to be the greatest gift. Thanks so much for considering that undertaking. We, as adults, can always seek out our loving God’s word, but children need our assistance.
Rev. Mainse, you have earned happiness. God be with you on your bike.
Fellow bloggers have earned happiness too. Have a blessed day!
Wow!!! Great faith sir. The Llrd is indeed with you.
Forgive me Lord, for I have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. Please forgive me, grant me grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit that I may experience that calm spirit, contempt, peace and love I experience when you are with me. Please give me another chance Lord! I am deeply sorry for my sins. I need You Lord.
Thank You Papa
The Lord has truly shown you favor! Blessings to you my friend. I am excited to hear about the children’s blog, I have grandchildren as well and I pray they will benefit from this, I will pass along the blog info to their parents when the time comes. Also praying for Doreen and her family for the loss of their loved one. …nice bike (I used to own one many moons ago)….keep the rubber to the road David!!!
God is our God of another chance if we repent sincerely and turn 360 degrees to follow His teaching. I was so glad to hear yesterday that the blog will continue on after we finish the 2 yr reading. I was wondering how I could carry on when it was finished! I know you don’t need a helmet down in Florida but wear one anyway, David. Take care of yourself!
Praise God. It appears that you are fully healed David… May our Lord continue to bless you and your family…
I will miss 100 words, but I think you have received a greater calling from our Lord – nurturing our grandchildren… Blessings to all. Amen!
Praise The Lord for you David. The Lord is not finished with you yet. Have no grandchildren but have grand nieces and nephews that will learn from this new blog for children. I will enjoy this myself as well.
You look wonderful…..thank you Jesus for your finished work on the cross.
Also thanks, David for the song, “Rivers of Babylon”. Lot of scripture in that song. Enjoyed it.
Will pray for Doreen’s family, Ruby. Losing a family member suddenly is very sad. God always shows Himself strong in times like these.
Be careful on the bike, David. What a wonderful miracle that you look so good and can enjoy doing something you like.
Blessings everyone. Just getting cleared out from about 10 cm. that fell here in Sydney morning.
Ha! Im chuckling at the photo…Love that big smile !! RIDE ON …Thats so cool!!
I’m new to this blog in the last month or so and I regret not joining sooner!!
Again I ask for prayer for my brother Bradley.He is now in a 22 day addictions plan. Please pray his pride…extreme self hate would melt away with the help of jesus. The prayer today really touched my heart because we all need reminding of that beautiful robe of Christ’s righteousness wrapped snugly around us. I pray that would be for Brad that God will pull him out of his prison….my heart is heavy today.
Thanks everyone…Blessings today !
This morning. Should always proofread what I write.
How we rejoice with you, precious David! Thank you for reaching out for the provision Jesus purchased at so great a price; His love, His power, His glory are manifest in His work in you!
Praise the Lord, you look very well!! Just be very careful on that bike!!
Nancy xoxoxo
Praise God for this great report David. God is good all the time and thanks Lord for David doing so remarkably well. I always expect the best from God. Also I really like the bike. My husband and I have a bike too. I love riding on it even as a second up person. Praise God forever!
Enjoy your rides Pastor David…many of them!!!
Children’s blog sounds Great!!
Irene
David that smile on your face is I’m sure not much different than when you were 14 years old. I praise and thank God for you and your blog each day. God is amazing that he has given you another task when this 100word blog is finished. I feel so blessed to read along with you each day.
Ken
Dear Pastor David
How lovely to see your smiling face and to read your happy words.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and I am delighted to hear about the children’s blog.
Thank you for these blogs, thank you. I love them and look forward to reading them daily.
Beverley
Yes, happy, happy, happy for you, your family and all the rest of us who love & admire you because you have been a blessing to so many. What a wonderful God we serve!! I’m sure many more blessings to come.
Amen David Amen! Praise GOD!
how amazing a blog for children iam so excited, i can’t wait to get my grandchildren involved thank you 🙂
You will be the first person I will thank after I hav glorified our Lord Jesus !!!Thankyou David Mainse for always holding true to our Lord!!! AMEN