Sunday, February 23, 2014

NEW EVERY MORNING

Suggested Reading: Lamentations 3-5

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

This winding road is in Meteroa Greece. Perhaps the road of life resembles this. Most of the time life is up hill like the top left of Reynold's photograph.

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

 

Key Verses: Lamentations 3:22-23

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

 

It is surprising to find this gem of positive affirmation in the middle of such a sad book as Lamentations. God’s “mercies,” His “lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.” That’s worth reading at least twice! On top of that, “They are new every morning!” Could this be a reason for this blog? Then here’s the clincher to understanding the heart of God! “GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS!”

An example of this is the picture on our Canadian $20 bill. Of course, it’s our Queen! For all who read this who are not familiar with the Canadian form of Government, we are a constitutional monarchy. The constitutional monarch, Queen Elizabeth, is our “Head of State.” Those who led Canada into its sovereignty believed that we needed someone above the political process. By its nature politics is messy, but not the Queen, or our Governor General who represents her for Canada, and our Lieutenant Governors who represent her in the Provinces and Territories. Our Ontario Lieutenant Governor is the Honourable David Onley. He’s been a guest several times on the 100 Huntley Street telecast, where he shared his faith, as did his wife, Ruth Ann. The picture below was taken on my iPhone at Queen’s Park, the legislature building of Ontario, this past Friday. This institution of the monarchy illustrates in human terms the “faithfulness” of God. He remains the same! He does not wander from one political position to another, as do our human leaders. God is over and above the fray. He is SOVEREIGN! We give to Him His divine right to rule over every area of our lives. “Yes” and “So be it!”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, King of the Cosmos, Absolute Ruler over my life, I kneel before You in complete submission to Your will and purpose for me. You have given me a bill of rights, in that I can come into Your presence daily, presenting my petitions. You have promised that “The one who comes to me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37b). That is my promise from You, and You never lie as some in human government do. Thank You for Your GREAT FAITHFULNESS! In the Name of the One the Apostle John saw in his vision of Jesus, the One who will return to earth in great power and glory…the “KING of KINGS!!!” Amen!!! (Revelation 19:16b).

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

There are many twists and turns in the road of life and I tell myself, “Just keep going!” Sometime back Norma-Jean and I visited the Canadian Tire store where we bought a GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) unit for our car. Don’t ask me how it works. I just use it! I know that there is a communications satellite parked in a stationary orbit about 22,500 miles above the earth through which a lady I call “Mabel” talks to me, telling me the way to turn at each crossroads. To support Mabel’s spoken word there is a road map on the screen and a purple arrow which points me to my desired destination. Mabel’s words and what I read on the screen are in agreement. Amazing! The odd time there is confusion. The words on the screen say, “Searching for satellite.” I know it’s up there somewhere.

How often on life’s road I’ve had to wait, even pull over to the side of the road, while waiting for my connection with God to be restored. As today’s reading says to God, “Great is Your faithfulness!” He’s always there and if there is a problem, it’s my fault, not God’s. I simply go back to the instructions (the written Word), follow carefully what I read, and wait for a while. Soon the directions are clear, and there is the still small voice of God confirming what I’ve read. I begin to move, and as He has promised, He directs my movements (Proverbs 3:5 & 6).

Yours because God is faithful,

David

P.S. I mentioned the other day that the two-year Bible reading program featured in this blog will be completed this coming June 2nd. Some readers have written that they will be sad that it’s over. No, not so, it won’t be over unless the Lord returns, and that will change everything. Should I still be living, God willing, I start over again in Matthew, move to Genesis, and so on, along with adding a daily Bible story for children. I expect my sons to be with me in this commitment. Perhaps there will be some new photographs from Reynold, and Ron is ready to help me refresh the content of the blog each morning. I need your help to find more readers, emphasizing the ultimate importance of reading consistently from God’s Word, not just a little here and a little there, but honouring God by reading every written Word that He has had recorded for us. Amen!!!

This past Friday at Queen's Park in Toronto with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, David Onley and his wife Ruth Ann.

20 thoughts on “Sunday, February 23, 2014

  1. Thank you for clarifying how the blog will progress after June 2nd. I will share with any opportunity to do so, as it has truly been life enriching. The character and spirituality of so many people we have read about have opened my eyes in new ways. It takes awesome commitment and strength to be as Paul, David, Job, Peter, Moses, Ruth and a multitude of others, but ultimately in Christ Jesus!! These real life and cultural experiences would not have come to life as they have, had it not been for your commentaries, Reynold’s photographs, Ron’s posting, Anne’s editing et al ! Thank you, David! Thank you, all!

  2. David
    My brother took us to Halifax once with a GPS and we ended up going in the wrong
    direction, and had to ask someone for help us get to where we were going. Its a neat
    gadget. The direction are put in the computer then in the GPS I don’t know either how
    it works. I am glad that God shows me the right direction but I still need his guidance at times
    I hope you and your family enjoy your day today and always
    Lianne Hogg

  3. The above verse has been so meaningful to me and also the song that relates to it. Now I know more about the context; Jeremiah could see the faithfulness of God even in the midst of devastation and personal persecution from his own people. Glad to read how you are going to organize the new parts of your blog, David for another two years. We have profitied so much and will again. A beautiful photo at the top and bottom. God is so faithful; His compassions fail not! Have a great day in the sun fellow saints!

  4. Yay! Thank you David et al. These daily bible readings have become such an enormous part of my life….up at 6:00 each day to get my “fix”. Far greater than, I could imagine, any drug could be.
    Peace and joy to everyone today on this sabbath.
    I hope it isn’t a sin, but I’ve asked God to let Canada win today’s Olympic hockey game.

  5. Dear Rev David M,

    So happy to hear that you will be doing another 2 years of 100 words! I’ll do my very best to spread the news of how wonderful this blog can be for each of us.

    Thank you, Ron, Ann Reynold for all your support for your dear father.

    How great Thou Faithfulness!

    Thank You Lord, Thank You Jesus, as I leave to worship You.

    Blessed day to my fellow bloggers!

    xxx Carole

  6. Thank you David and those who are a part of this daily blog for making the commitment to continue after June 2nd. This daily blog with the photo’s and all the tidbits of additional of information you share, including family stories, has become such an important part of so many lives. May many others climb on board this ‘gospel train’ as we travel on down the track into the next 2 years. Blessings of each who help to make this such a wonderful journey. 🙂

  7. Congratulations on the 2014 NRB Media Award given to you Pastor David!
    What an honour!
    Thank you for willing to continue with the daily blog after June 2nd.
    I am not always able to read it first thing in the morning, but so appreciate at a later hour. Being so thankful to those who assist you in delivering it to our mailbox.
    May the Lord be with you all.

  8. This blog is helping me fulfill something I have long wanted to do, which is read my holy book in its entirety. I’ve been following since December 2012, and have caught up on the months I had missed until that point.

    I’m one of the people who have written to you before to tell you that I don’t want this to end. I’m glad you are going to continue this blog after June 2 of this year, as I would like to start reading the Bible from start to finish again.Thanks so much for your commitment to helping us, David.

  9. David, thank you so much for your dedication to this blog. I treasure the time I spend each day reading the verses, meditating on each, and praying with you. I wish I could put into words what this time I now spend each day with your blog ,and our loving father God is changing how I go about my life, and deal with the challenges put before me each day.

  10. Pastor David Mainse thank you for this almost 2 yr journey through the bible, now I can say I have almost read through the bible from front to back. I will definitely continue with you and will definitely share it with my daughter and grandkids looking forward to the new adventure. God Bless! Adele

  11. I am overjoyed that we will be continuing in our blog, as I believeThe Lord always has a great nugget for us every time we read His inerrant Word. Also looking forward to the children’s stories to share with my grandchildren.

    Wonderful picture with the Onleys, Ruth is a beautiful singer.

  12. My husband and I are fervent partakers of this wonderful blog. It is such a blessing to us and will continue, God willing, until it ends. Knowing the fruit of the ministry from which it comes is so crucial. We pray that you,David, Norma-Jean, Ron, Ann, Reynold, Cathy and all Huntley Street ….Moira , Jerry, John, etc will continue to be a blessing to all wherever the Word of Jesus reaches. May you all be strengthened with God’s grace in doing so.
    Blessings to all readers and friends.

  13. feeling so blessed to read that you will continue your Bible Study after the completion of this one june 2nd. i will also be continuing to read along God willing for the following 2 years. thank you pastor mainse for your commitment and that of your family members and crossroads for your teachings.
    kim 🙂

  14. I’m finding this reading in Lamentations and previously in Jeremiah to be so difficult. I feel discouraged. I know – “joy comes in the morning” but I hope it will be tomorrow morning!

    • Reading Scripture is sometimes a bit like eating your daily meals. Not every meal is memorable, but every meal nourishes your body. It isn’t always important we understand everything that is being said, it is just important to read it and trust the Holy Spirit does the rest. Trust me no matter how many times you read the Bible, it will never is the same experience– there will be insights you will get on one read, and something totally different will leap out at you the next time around. So don’t be discourage, just knowing reading it at all is more than half the battle, so don’t give up if it gets difficult at times, because the Holy Spirit is working it for good in your life, whether you realize it or not.

  15. I’m also pleased to read that you will carry on with 100 words… This blog will continue to grow and be fruitful…

    Praise our Heavenly Father for his Honour and Glory… AMEN!

  16. Hello,David,
    I too am glad you clarified the continuing of the blog past June since I only joined in the fall.I’m a baby Christian (since June 26,2011).Shortly ‘before’ I was baptized,the Lord ‘resurrected’ a talent for writing poetry,dormant since high
    school.Soon I He led me to a ministry writing ‘therapeutic’ poems and then also I began writing Christian poems.(These poems ‘were given’ to me.)Back to my point:I wrote this one when you were at a crisis point,I believe.I hope you like it.
    In The Blood (4 Pst.David Mainse )

    I pray for healing in the blood,oh Lord,
    I pray You will stretch out your hand,
    That You,my Lord,with Your fiery sword,
    Will show justice and not let evil stand.

    I know,my Lord,that Satan has cursed me
    And that only you can remove this hex,
    For it is you,Most High,that none can see,
    Who can take any scourge from our necks.

    So I pray for healing in the blood,my God,
    That you allow me to serve you,
    So as I spread your word all may laud,
    The name of the Father in all we do.
    G W (Bill) Marshall / 12 September, 2013

    I discovered this one also in my files.Feel free to use them.Thank you and may God bless
    Catch The Fire (4 David Mainse)

    Though you have walked many oceans
    And spread My word to many nations,
    I saw in you and your devotions
    A servant of joyous exhalations.

    You have not asked for earthly wealth,
    But just to be my most humble voice
    And when adversity was kept in stealth
    You still worshiped Me out of free choice.

    So out of free choice I give you
    More time upon the stage of learning,
    Whereby My word you show to be true
    And catch the fire that’s forever burning.
    G W(Bill) Marshall / 01 February, 2014

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