NOAH, DANIEL, JOB, MARTIN & ELVIS
Suggested Reading: Ezekiel 13-15
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This wall is among the ruins of ancient Ephesus in modern-day Turkey. While some of the plaster is gone, the mortar holding the bricks has, unlike the mortar mentioned in today's reading, lasted for 2,000 years, maintaining the integrity of the wall.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Ezekiel 13:10b & 14:20
…and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar. “…even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live,” says the Lord God, “they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.”
To temper clay and make it long-lasting mortar, it is essential to add strengthening substances which will improve the hardness, the consistency, and the resiliency of the mortar, so that walls will last for centuries. Ezekiel, over and over, mentions predictions made by “divination,” “magic charms,” and other occult practises, as well as those “who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing.” All of these deceptions are still with us today. From the palm reader or psychic, whose signs we see by the roadside, to persons who manipulate others by claiming to give personal prophecies and direct the decisions made, falsely claiming a “word from God.” Let us be very careful, remembering that the “word of prophecy” mentioned by Paul is for “edification of the church,” not personal guidance (read 1 Corinthians 14:3, 14:12).
Noah, Daniel (who was already a leader when Ezekiel arrived in Babylon), and Job were tempered, made strong, consistent and resilient by their obedience and by hard lessons they had to learn. Their stories, and the truths they imparted, have lasted much longer than the wall in Reynold’s photograph, but even they could not save their children. Each generation must have a first-hand encounter with God for themselves (14:14, 14:16, 14:20). Check out Noah (Genesis 6:5-9), Daniel (Daniel 5:10-17 & 6:16-23), and Job (Job 42:10-17).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that You will place the ingredients into my life and character so that I will be a person of integrity, consistency, and strength. Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) You have come to live in me by Your Spirit, according to Your promise to everyone who believes in You (“in”…not just about). Therefore, I confess that Your “strength is made perfect in [my] weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m here this morning in Memphis, Tennessee. Yesterday we visited the hotel where Martin Luther King was shot and murdered, and by tunnel we walked under the street to stand on the very spot where the shooter committed this unspeakable crime. I wept as the history of those awful times coursed through my mind and heart. Also, yesterday we visited “Graceland,” the home of Elvis Presley and where he tragically died. I was sobered to remember his life and career. He loved to sing Gospel songs, and I’ve met some of the Gospel quartet members who tell me that Elvis would want to sing hymns and Gospel songs late into the night. They said that he would weep as he sang. Elvis, I’m told, would ride the Sunday School bus as a child to the First Assembly of God, at one time the largest Sunday School in America, where he heard the Good News of Jesus and asked Jesus to come into his life. During his teen years, he continued to attend, and he also attended a great local African-American Church, where he particularly loved the music. The influences were certainly evident in Elvis’ music. Pastor Hamill, who participated in inviting me in the mid 1970’s to be the host of an internationally released TV series called, Turning Point, the official TV voice of the Assemblies of God, said that throughout his life, no matter where in the world Elvis was, he would travel home to Memphis for Easter Sunday Services. After service, the Pastor said Elvis would hold his head in his hands, weeping, and saying, “Oh Pastor, its so hard out there in the world to live as a true Christian.” The Pastor would lay hands on Elvis, pray for him, and bless him. I think everyone who knows about Elvis draws their own conclusions about his life (click here for Elvis singing “How Great Thou Art”).
Yours for God to add His strength through the daily reading of His Word to the “mortar” of our lives,
David
A thoughtful moment here in Memphis. The wreath marks the very place where the great hero of the American Civil Rights movement was shot and killed. Rev. King was a Baptist Pastor who has inspired millions to be better people of God.
Dr. Martin Luther King's famous words, "I have a dream," have inspired millions of people to reach beyond themselves. The words on the plaque just below the motel balcony where he was murdered are those of Joseph's brothers. May God keep on giving dreamers to humanity! Amen!!!
From this building, James Earl Ray fired the shot which killed Dr. King. America has never been the same!
What would a visit to Memphis be without seeing Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley? He sold over one billion records of his music worldwide. His wife Priscilla says that she could hardly wait during his concerts until he sang to God, "How Great Thou Art!"
Great photo of Norma-Jean and you, David! Praise God for that gospel song by Elvis. He shook me up at the very end! Be still, and know that I am God, comes to mind. Blessings, dear saints!
Father God
I pray if you see any idols in my life tell me what it is so I will repent
I want you first in my life before others
In Jesus name
Amen
Today’s reading really concerns me because my family is not saved and my daily prayer is for their salvation. Throughout the day I fervently say ‘my family belongs to you Lord’ and I will often name them by name. But…’each generation must have a first hand encounter with God for themselves’ leaves me with very little hope because it has been years….. What about Jer.31:16, Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears for your work shall be rewarded and your children shall return from the enemy’s land?
Keep believing Him for it. He is faithful.
Hi Claudette: Yes, we do certainly pray for our loved ones but ultimately they themselves must call upon the Name of the Lord. It is a personal prayer that each one of us must pray to ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins and live for Him. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God” – Read John 3:3-21 He gave each of us a free will and each one must make the decision to follow Christ or not. Only by God’s grace are we saved, not of works (Ephesians 2: 8-9) The Bible does give us a promise for our unsaved loved ones (Isaiah 43: 5-7). So keep on praying dear sister and never give up. The Lord hears your prayers.
It is sad when anyone falls into false prophesy or fortune telling, how they miss the mark of experiencing “how great though art.” This leads to misleading and a self fulfilling distraction away from following ones own potential through Christ. As Saint Paul points out, our weaknesses can be our strength as we allow Christ Jesus to strengthen us within. What a wonderful tour you have had Pastor David and thank you for sharing those moments of reflection about Dr. King and Elvis Presley. It’s cold as Canada here!! Have a great day, everyone!
Great photo’s!!
I want my thought each day to be “more of you LORD and less of me”
We must continually pray for those in our families who are not saved, as we are to remember ” The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man, availeth much”
Thanks for sharing about Dr. King and Elvis Presley. We have visited Graceland and, I believe Elvis struggled deeply with the living the Christian life.
As you point out Pastor David each must have that personal encounter with Jesus, so let us continually pray.
Blessings on these bitter cold days in Toronto and GTA.
Amen!
Great sharing and photos David.
Thanks for the symbolic pic of the brick wall. The pics of you and you and your lovely wife are such treats to me as we’ll probably never meet in person. What a joy it must be to visit these historical places, especially of people who have lived in our lifetime.
Elvis was right…..it is very difficult to live out amongst our society and continually keep Christianity strong in our ways. It would have been extra grueling for him being thrust into the public eye all the time. He’ll be singing for all God’s saints now, enjoying unimaginable peace and joy.
Elvis stated it was hard to live the Christian life out in the world, I wonder what he meant by that? Did he believe Christianity was about a set of rules to follow in order to control behavior so it would conform to the moral standard set out by religion or was he referring to the fact that choosing love over self is difficult?
It he thought it was about following the rules then yes he was doomed to fail, because trying to obtain righteousness by acting properly will never last long, for that is not where righteousness comes from.
But if he talking about choosing love in every aspect of our lives, yes that too is difficult. Real love requires putting self interest aside and making someone else spiritual, emotional, physical well being more important or at least as important as your own. Those choices need a willingness to self sacrifice, including forgoing the pleasure of sin, for either our spiritual benefit or another’s, which is very unnatural to our fallen natures to do.
Without the Holy Spirit and the Lord’s love for humanity within us I sincerely doubt anyone of us is capable of the kind of love necessary to live as a true Christian. Sadly Elvis never understood he didn’t have to do it on his own strength and allowed the enemy to shame him for his fallen nature instead of allowing God to redeem it.
“… Noah, Daniel… and Job were tempered, made strong, consistent, and resilient by their obedience and by hard lessons they had to learn… but even they could not save their children. Each generation must have a first-hand encounter with God for themselves…”
Ain’t that the truth… and some of us today have been witness to his miracles personally on numerous occasions…
Like your uncle David Mainse who was lifted out of the well by the hand of God as a young child, I too was lifted from falling into a chasm by the hand of God… Amen!
May God hear our prayers for family and friends to be touched by his HAND for His Honour and His Glory! Amen!
Thank You, Lord, for saving David, with Your mighty hand!
Amen brother!
Quite the list of names you chose for the blog heading today David M. 🙂
Great words and great photo’s in ‘our’ blog this morning, as always. Thank you to all involved.
It is such a blessing to see you looking so well David M. An answer to so very many prayers.
I hope Elvis still sings in Heaven praising God!! Love this Hymn!!
So glad you two are looking so well!!
Nancy xoxoxo
Thank you Pastor David Mainse for your faithfulness to provide us with the word of God; your wise interpretation, as well as history of those who stood faithfully for Truth.
Ps 119:105 “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” without it we are lost!
Amen, sister!!
David
I look forward to your Blog each morning and enjoy your photos as will .
I would like to have Isaiah 4:1 explained to me . thank you so much God Bless you
And in that day seven woman shall take hold of one man, saying “We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; Only let us be called by your name, to take away our reproach Isaiah 4:1
The way it was explained once to me is this is a prophetic verse about the end times. The seven woman represent the seven churches mentioned in Revelation. The man is Jesus. The food symbolized the word of God and clothing is a symbol for righteousness. So the it is saying in the last days they will be a falling away within the Christian church where some will want to make up their own doctrine and claim righteousness apart from the Cross, yet they will still want to be called Christian, to claim Christ in order to make them feel better about themselves.
I am not sure if I explained it properly, but if use your computer’s search engine, like Google and type in what does Isaiah 4:1 mean it should lead you to any number of Bible study websites for a more detailed answer. I hope that helps.
Dear Rev, David M. and Norma – Jean.
Thank you so much for sharing with us your wonderful trip and beautiful pictures. I remember vividly how shocked I was by the violent death of Martin Luther King such a great man of faith, who made such an impact for many generations to come .
Heavenly Father, I pray diligently that each day that passes, I’m less of me and more of Your Son. Through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 And He said to me,
Elvis had an unique ability to reach people. It was sad to watch his health fail from the use of long term prescription drugs over the last years of his life on earth. The demands of his fans and the people around him were more than any human could bear. Elvis loved the Lord. He would sing “How Great Thou Art” on his concert tours from his heart and with every fiber of his being. I’m sure many people in his audience felt the presence of God when Elvis would sing that song and others such as “There’s a Sweet Presence in This Place” or “He Touched Me” and many others. Elvis left this earth from heart failure in August, 1977. I visited Graceland in 1995 and recall feeling a sense of loss as I stood by his grave. I expect to meet Elvis in Heaven.
9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
I wrote this in my journal this am
Father God is good!
Today on 100 Huntley street I saw u David praying and I wept b/c u intercede.
Your passion for the lost, for Canada, for everyone to share the gospel. I too feel this urgency of the Spirit of the Living Christ.
I have a prayer room and I cannot wait to go and pray. Some days I run and other days I walk. Lately I have been kneeling. To touch the hem of His garment.
I have shared with many friends and loved ones about the movie Son of God.
My stepdaughter said that she was going to take a group with her.
Some responded in anger but it is a step of faith.
My question before the throne room of grace is this:
How to reach them?
I cannot but Christ can
His arm is not shortened that He cannot save.
My spirit was touched deeply by your tears and my heart rejoiced in the scripture in 2 Cor 12 vs 9-10
God is good and I will boast in nothing less than Jesus Christ blood and righteousness!
We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
Blessings
Mellany
I saw the movie, “Son of God’ tonight. It was powerful. There was a strong quietness in the theatre – the power of His Presence. I just sat back as everyone exited – just fully drinking in the reality of the death of Christ. What a horrible death. I found myself singing in my heart, “It was for me, yes even me, That Jesus died on calvary, my soul to cleanse from all its guilt, His precious blood for me was spilt. Then the good news of the resurrection! Praise God! “if that same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwell in you, dwell in you. May that same Spirit the reaised Christ from the death, dwell in you. It shall quicken, your mortal body, if that Spirit dwell in you.” We used to sing this chorus quite often in the 70’s. Finally, I found myself singing all the way home, “He is Lord… every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord. I am gratefull that He is my Lord.
Thank you David M. for your blog today. I remember so clearly the 3 assassination – President Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy. The horror of it all! I love what Martin Luther King Jr. stood for, preach and demonstrated. “We shall overcome someday” – indeed, by the grace of God, God helps us to be overcomers day by day.
Great picture of David & Norma-Jean. Prayers for you, for all of us who have unsaved loved one. Praying that God, in his own way, and in his own time, reach into their hearts and bring them to the Christ of Calvary.,
Blessings to all. Samuel