HEAR – SEEK – LIVE
Suggested Reading: Amos 5-6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
These ruins are located in the area of ancient Samaria. Jesus said that if people failed to praise God, the rocks would cry out. In a very real sense, these rocks are crying out to us that when people don't want God in their daily lives, He does not force Himself upon them. They are left to their own resources, and ruin is the inevitable result.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, clink HERE.
Key Verses: Amos 5:4, 6:15
For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel:
“Seek Me and live…”
“But, behold, I will raise up a nation against you,
O house of Israel,”
Says the Lord God of hosts;
“And they will afflict you from the entrance of Hamath
To the Valley of the Arabah.”
God, in His mercy, so often grants individuals and nations the opportunity to repent, yet again and again, that offer of forgiveness and a new beginning is ignored or rejected. Here in chapter five, after God, through Amos, points out Israel’s continuing rejection, He still continues His appeal to His people to repent. Four words in our key verse say it all… “SEEK ME and LIVE!” The word “seek” is in our reading three times. The dictionary says that “SEEK” means, “An attempt to find someone or something…searching…hunting.” Jesus said, “But SEEK first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!” (Matthew 6:33a). He also urged seeking again in His powerful message on the hillside, “SEEK and you shall find!” (Matthew 7:7). Therefore, we are to SEEK for Him! The fact is that He is looking for us! Jesus said, “The Son of Man has come to SEEK and to save that which was lost.” Let’s read the story that illustrates this (Luke 19:1-10).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I seek for You! It’s not that You are lost, it’s that I’m often distracted by the pressures, events, and everyday happenings in my life. I pray that the Holy Spirit will shine the light on You every day through my reading of Your Word. Thank You that I know where to find You. You’re right here in Your Word to me as I read! You’re there every time I kneel to pray in a manifestation of Your presence. I’ll find You in church today. I know that because You said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them!” (Matthew 18:20). I ask in Your Name, Jesus! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve just looked for “Orion” (5:8a) on Google. Click here for a look at this tiny part of the cosmos which God has created. I’m so glad that in order to find God, we don’t have to travel a billion miles into space looking for Him. I sought for Him this morning and there He was, so very close to me. He didn’t hide inside the mystery of a religious ceremony. God said that He is near to those who have a broken heart (Psalm 34:18a). I pray often that God will break my heart with those things that break His heart. He’s right here! The Apostle Paul quoted the prophets Moses, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah to make the point that God dwells in His temples, our bodies (2 Corinthians 6:16b). I don’t have to travel far. I begin to read His Word, meditate on His Word, and begin to worship Him with my love (mostly under my breath because people are sleeping nearby), and I praise Him for Who He is, for Jesus and His suffering and death on the cross for my sins. I experience that sense of love, peace and security which is a manifestation of His presence.
Yours for having the knowledge of His presence even if I don’t feel His presence. That’s because He promised to be with us!!! (Matthew 28:18-20),
David
Hello David Yesterday you said you wondered what purpose God had in extending your life. This us to let you know here is one person, of very, very, many I am sure, who is very thankful God has. I look forward to your blog every morning. Interestingly, before I opened your blog yesterday morning I asked my self why I like reading particularly your blog every morning. I have gone through daily devotionals of different kinds and read- through – the – bible plans. I realized its because your blog is so personable – you share yourself – your thoughts, true feelings, your life and your family – so I am in touch with a person. I live alone now and it is nice to wake up to a personable devotional. Your insights into scripture are helpful, the photos are interesting and your experiences provide inspiration. I also occasionally watch A Living witness (as well as 100 Huntley st) and that is an inspiring. So all you are and do are so helpful to so many people
Thank you!
Amen!
Amen, amen, and amen!!!
It is amazing to see how certain things said start “trending.” They can be re-tweeted a million times, because it touches something equally felt at that particular time with the masses. This is how I feel about your visions and thoughts, David. You are in touch because our Lord is in touch, extending His light into darkness, as was expressed in today’s reading of Amos. Our Lord is not finished with you and those whom you have touched with your life. Thank you for prayers lifted yesterday for my wife. Our Lord’s strength and blessings, to all!
Praise God! Amen!
Sorry I wasn’t on-line, yesterday, David, to add a prayer for your wife, but I read the other saints’ comments. Please know I am also holding up your beloved wife in prayer. May the Almighty Lord, our Jehovah Jireh and Majestic King, breathe fresh life onto your wife to heal her. In the Holy Name of Jesus, amen, amen, and amen!
Good morning David Mainse and fellow bloggers…
Like David Mainse mentioned in his blog today – so often he feels distracted. I was distracted yesterday from expressing my thoughts and insight…
You are and have been such a great leader and teacher of the word of God. At the age of 77 (is it) you feel a renewed vigor for teaching and leading more to Christ. After knocking on deaths door God chose to extend your stay on planet earth in the flesh…
I and all your bloggers know with out a doubt that this blog is part of what you are to do today and tomorrow. It is such a blessing to so many of us… Your plan to reach out to more children is also of God and I look forward to reading and hearing more about that.
Enjoy these blessed years with your family and friends and know that you are doing the will of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Blessings to you David Mainse and all your family and to all our bloggers this day. AMEN!
AMEN! … And to “His promise to be with us.”
Good morning David, I was thinking about your comment yesterday about why God has spared your life at this time and what your purpose is, this blog is one of them. I have never read the bible from front to back until I started this blog back in June of 2012. This is the way I have started my day since that day back in June. I cannot imagine my day without God’s word. Your commentary brings it alive especially the more difficult passages. Thank you God, that he has blessed you with this gift. Your journey has really helped my own personal journey in learning more about God and loving him more and more each day – I loved him before I started this, and though this blog, you have really opened up the bible to me. Thank you and blessings to you.
Thanks again Rev. Mainse. You are truly needed as we all are to someone or to many. It’s true that no man is an island.
May God bless each of us and bring peace and joy on this Spring sabbath.
Dear Sir, David, I read your blog daily and it is so beautifully co ordinated with pictures and teachings of Israel and biblical truth that is applicable with prayers for daily living in such a tumultuous time that we are living in. You make me feel secure in the palm of God’s loving hands and give hope to those who have been going through their desert years as a guiding light to sanity. You are truly a blessing to me and a man of God who is full of god’s grace and wisdom. A true father of the faith. I love the way you teach us and lead us by the Holy Spirit. I love the way you care so much about people and the state of affairs and bring us back to God daily as well as your love for the Jewish people and Israel. God Bless you and all your family and your ministry. You are so faithful and are a mentor to all, bringing glory to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I pray for you daily and hope you will always be with us, at least until the Rapture and then we will still have the privilege of knowing you for eternity. You keep me focused on Christ and give me an awareness of His Majesty and how to please Him in our daily walk. Thank you.
David, You area great man of God , Your obedience to him and to doing this blog
is a testimony of that… and I praise the Lord for your faithfulness… May God keep blessing you as you continue ..AS THE Lord leads you…Rosemarie….
Dear David, in the days when your body was sick and tired, you still served the Lord. The scripture God gave me when I think of you is Zechariah 4:6. “Not by Might, Not by Power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” Your life is a testimony to God’s power.
David you mentioned in the bible about seeking well when I was in church
the very same scripture was on Luke 19:1-10 yes that is what I need to do,
and ask God to search my heart as well . I want to pray the same prayer as
you did.
Lianne Hogg
Good morning David.
I have enjoyed your daily blog and also enjoyed watching God heal your body. I thank God for both.
You mentioned yesterday that you felt as though you needed a fresh directive from God. You have led so many people to Christ through your obedience to him so how can you top that.
We spend part of the winter in Arizona and attend a wonderful church there called Rockpoint Church. Pastor Bill had a four part series on discerning God’s will and I’ve never heard it explained in such a simple yet profound way.
If you’re interested in checking it out you can find the sermons on their web site at the bottom of the page.
However if you enjoy doing this blog or something similar you would bless many people.
Sorry I forgot to leave the web address
http://Www.rockpointchurch.com
You are not stopping David you are just slowing down and enjoying the fruits of your labour. God is giving you time now to enjoy the beautiful garden you have planted in his name. But any good farmer knows that the job is never done. There is always weeds to pull then the harvest, also plow to get ready for the next year. As a farmer takes it a bit slower in the bad weather, we have to as well. Until Jesus comes in glory there will always be work to do for His Kingdom.
Also David a good farmer knows that he must teach the younger generation to fallow in his foot steps and you have and are doing that. God, Jesus, Holy Spirit is leading you. God will continue to lead your every step. We are so blessed to have a man on fire for God in our Midst. Keep on showing us your fire for Jesus . We all need inspiration.
Pastor David: I attended a kids ministry workshop/conference yesterday so I did not have time to respond to your question. Interesting enough, our keynote speaker said something and I immediately thought of you. He said: “We serve a God who is Sovereign. God has the right to do whatever, whenever He wants and He is in complete control over everything that happens” It matters to Him about you!!!! I don’t believe God is finished with you yet. This daily bible reading and blog has been such a blessing and inspiration for so many of us. You have been a blessing and inspiration to us as well. Thank you!!!!
Hello David: It is a wonderful the healing you have had. Can you not realize that you have a tremendous ministry preparing this blog each day and all the people whose lives you are touching. I pray you continue with a blog after this is finished. So many people are using this each day as their devotional. I would love an even more explicit teaching on some of the difficult parts in the OT. We love and appreciate you.
http://bit.ly/5awyVd for a most beautiful rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer”.
Thank you for sharing, it is so peaceful and a prayer I have been teaching my children.
Does a duck with one leg really swim in a circle? This is a statment I always reply with when something seams obvious, but I have never had actual proof that it is so. I would really like to know that! Lol. God bless you.
David, a friend was just telling me that she has been working with the children at a local church. Karen says they don’t know any of the Bible stories, even the other teachers seem to listen intently as she tells the stories, and does a craft with them. On the March break one of the stories was about Rahab, and she had walls up, one with a scarlet thread. Her helpers knocked down the other walls but not the one with the scarlet thread. When she asked why the wall was still standing, they knew the answer. This church is in southern Ontario!! I think your idea of doing something in blog form for children, is very much needed.
David, my mother died with leukaemia, this was in 1948, I was only 6years old. My older sister remembers Dad gathering 4 of his older children to pray for God to spare our mother, and He did. Another time my Dad stopped on the side of the road, and on his knees asked God to spare her until she would see some of their family saved, and God answered that prayer also. But after 5years, on Jan 1st, 1948 she died. Only in her middle 30’s. I don’t know all Gods reasons, but I know that, like Joseph, God meant it for my good. I joined this blog only last summer and I know God has blessed me through you. God has a plan and He will fulfill it in His time. May God richly bless you, and keep you and all your family in His loving care. Mary.
i can certainly relate to the “distraction” you mentioned Rev. Maines.
I want to know what you were referring to when you said “He didn’t hide inside the mystery of a religious ceremony”.
Thank you for your words of wisdom and faith. I look forward to reading them everyday. May God bless you and keep you.
Lynda …thank you for the link on “The Lord’s Prayer”