THE DAY
Suggested Reading: Zephaniah 1
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Orthodox Jews reading the Scriptures and praying at the "Wailing Wall" or Western Wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Today's reading, Zephaniah 1, tells us of the day (a period of time) when Jerusalem shall hear "the sound of a mournful cry" and "a wailing!" (Zephaniah 1:10).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Zephaniah 1:6
Those who have turned back from following the Lord,
And have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of Him.
Zephaniah is the great-grandson of King Hezekiah. Hezekiah led in calling the people back to the true God. But his son, King Manasseh, reintroduced the worship of Molech (“Milcom” – 2 Chronicles 33:1-10), and Hezekiah’s grandson, King Ammon, continued the pagan practises (2 Chronicles 33:21-25). Ammon’s son, King Josiah, picked up from His great-grandfather, Hezekiah, and reformation and revival took place (2 Chronicles 34:29-33). So this makes Zephaniah and King Josiah second cousins. No doubt the ministry of Zephaniah was a big factor in the repentance before God, which began six years into Josiah’s reign and continued for about 25 years.
The powerful content of Zephaniah’s preaching and teaching, which helped bring the people back to the true God, is centred on the judgment which Judah will bring on itself if they fail to repent! He uses the word “day” 11 times in this first chapter. The Judgment Day, when God judges the nations around Judah as well as Judah, is coming. Zephaniah, King Josiah, his cousin, and their generation were spared from the “trouble,” the “distress,” the “devastation,” and the “desolation” which would come later, after Josiah’s death, in the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.
Let us NOT “turn back from following the Lord!” Let us NOT turn back from seeking the Lord and inquiring of Him!!! This blog is designed to help us SEEK and INQUIRE!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I seek You today. Lord Jesus, You said, “Seek and you shall find!” (Matthew 7:7). I pray for persistence and consistency in inquiring of You, learning of You through daily reading Your Word, meditating on Your Word, and praying constantly for grace to apply Your Word to my life. I pray for this with all my heart in the Name of the One Who is in Himself the full expression of what You have to say to Your human family, the Living Word, Jesus Christ! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
It will be two years on June 3rd, 2014, since I started this daily two-year journey through the written “Word.” On June 3rd, God willing, I plan to continue for another two years, beginning in Matthew’s Gospel, moving to Genesis, Mark, Exodus, and so on. It will continue to be fresh bread every morning with God, the Holy Spirit, as the fire which bakes the bread. I’m up at 4 a.m. like a good baker, mix the ingredients, put them in the oven of prayer, and take the bread out of the oven at 6 a.m. and put it on the shelf (the Internet). I need help to advertise this bakery. There’s nothing like fresh bread to start one’s day. By 7 a.m. the local bakery around the corner opens. I often slip over there for a fresh loaf. About 50 feet away from that warm and inviting place, I can smell the aroma of the fresh bread. I’m using my imagination now and it’s delicious. My imagination will be reality this morning, God willing, in one hour and ten minutes. It’s almost 6 a.m. and time to sign off for now.
Yours for fresh bread every day!!!
David
Fresh bread oh how it tastes so good with melting butter
Your word Oh Lord is our daily bread help us to eat and be nourished on it and pass it on as we move through our day and thank you David for breking bread with us your blog buddies
God Bless you as you get your fresh bread
The theme of fresh bread delivered early in the morning has brought comfort and a savoury palp ability to His Holy Word and your insight and wisdom, David. Every morning starts with prayer and inquiry. Every day, a new beginning. A realization that in so reading, we perpetuate the Words so carefully inscribed thousands of years ago, which bring meaning to the reality of Christ Jesus and life today. Many will be blessed by your plan to continue this journey another two years and I will certainly be following as well. Have a great day, everyone!
That’s wonderful news that you are planning, God willing, to keep baking “Fresh Bread” for another two years. It’s a great way to start the day. I really learn a lot through your daily postings. Thank you.
Forgive me fatlher God for I have fallen I need your fresh bread
,and listen to you and not the world draw me close to you
I love you
Lianne Hogg
Thank you so much David for these posts. I try to read them every morning.
Keep up the encouragement to the body of Christ,you are an inspiring Father in the faith. And yes daily bread and fresh bread are so good for us.
No sweeter words to my ears could be heard, from this morning’s blog, David Mainse! Thank you, for today’s amazing prayer, fine sir, and continuing our blog for another two years!!! It is the living rock that keeps me centered in the Word each morning and which I fall back on, throughout the day.
We have lost some strong bloggers along the way, and yet I feel their return. It only takes one or two seeds planted by the enemy to cause us to doubt our connection with the body of Christ. But our faith in God is stronger than that and we know in our hearts our love for Jesus is a bond we cannot let go of. The world and current life we live in, is merely a stepping stone. We anticipate with reverence, to see the shining loving face of Jesus, and sharing in the glory of God and eternal life that is to come.
With the blog we stay rooted and transformed by God’s precious gift to us–His Holy Word. Without scripture from the Holy Bible, how could we carry on and be directed? We share encouragement and support and prayer with one another and learn to allow Jesus to carry our burdens. We develop a stronger faith that needs to be fueled, continually. Our lives are full of ups and downs, and we face daily struggles, often unbearable. Life is not something we can manage alone. How could we be happy and look forward to the fruits of heaven without Jesus in our lives? Thank you, David Mainse, and fellow saints. I so look forward to sharing the next two years with you!
In Ephesians 4 (ESV), Paul encourages us about unity in the body of Christ and the new life, which we claim as saints. Such powerful direction–amen!
Unity in the Body of Christ
4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”[a]
9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?[b] 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[e] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
The New Life
17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self,[f] which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
AMEN Beverlee!!!! Such powerful words, thank you.
Amen!
Amen, Beverlee!
Beverlee, that is definitely more than the 100 words Rev. David Mainse tries to keep to!! Perhaps u could have just recommended reading Ephesians 4 to 32.
Zephaniah has quite the lineage. I’ll never remember all his relatives. Thank God for you DM and your like to help us connect the dots. I come from a huge family and don’t know of many of my own lineage.
Are we supposed to be dressing differently according to today’s reading?
What wonderful faith the wailing-wall people seem to have.
Praise the Lord that Easter is celebrated in North America each year.
Blessings to all this glorious day.
Sooo thankful that, Lord willing, we will be together again for 2 years! The Word, along with your experiences and Reynold’s photography, are what we look forward to each day. There are no words to express adequately, our thanks. May God bless you all.
Thank you David!!! I am soo glad you are continuing with your blog. I have enjoyed reading and studying along with you and others daily!! God bless you for your faithfulness!!I got saved in 1979 and have watched Huntley St. and called for prayer many times over the years!!Wonderful ministry!! God bless and praise His Name for your continued health!!p.s. take it easy on that motorcycle,eh…lol…
Thank you David for adding your flavour to the fresh bread we receive each morning. Bless you brother in Christ.
Thank you for the entire Crossroads family. For you truly are living and putting into practice the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you all who participate in this blog for through this blog we fellowship with each other – sharing and caring and praying to our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Today is Easter Monday. The Lord has risen. Praise His Holy Name. May He bless us this day as we go about our daily lives for His Honour and Glory! Amen!
Amen!!!
Thank you and AMEN, David!
https://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/love-sex/hallelujah-priests-amazing-surprise-moves-bride-tears-125700125.html
This is surprisingly beautiful. All weddings should be conducted in this manner:)
I think that song at the wedding was soooo beautiful! Praise God for His amazing gifts and may He richly bless those who share those gifts, just as David does every day!
This is Good News today, David. I am so glad you are continuing this blog for another two years as it gives my life and many others so much blessing and purpose. This is indeed fresh bread to my spirit and soul! Thank you, David. All this seed planted will inevitably produce spiritual fruit for the Lord. Praise God!!!
Hallelujah Christ is ALIVE?
Hi to all my fellow brothers and sisters in The Lord. Just returned from two week vacation to tip of Panama Canal and other beautiful islands showing God’s creation. Missed all of you but have just completed my comments readings. Did keep up with the Word most days, with limited access but God is good and some came thru.
A Belated Happy Easter to all.
Your story of the fresh bread reminded me of my childhood and going early to pick up morning fresh rolls for breakfast at the local bakery Pastor David.
I am saying A BIG THANK YOU that our daily feeding of THE LIVING BREAD will continue after we finish this June. I have been here since the beginning and cannot begin to express my gratitude Pastor David et al. For your input and helping me grow more mature in my faith. Bless all of you!! It is good to be home!!! Fellowshipped with quite a few fellow believers which added to our trip.
Your words today are ‘particularly needed and nourishing bread’ to m soul. Due to many circumstances too lengthy to list here, and a number of them life changing medically and other wise, we have ( my husband, myself, and our two sons and their families) become , after many many years of faithfully and prayerfully serving the Lord,.. ‘hope deferred’ as the word says, and although not in danger of ‘falling back’ as your blog today says, but certainly in danger of, as Job says, rueing the day I was born. Hope deferred does indeed make the heart sick . I hear, and read the word, and use the memorized word in my heart, all day long, to keep my feet ‘lit on the path.’ I am in danger too of wandering off at times. I am so sad, and discouraged lately and pray in earnest as you do DM in the wee early hours as has been my habit for many many years.. yet… fail to see the fruit these past years. I have sought thru counselling of wise Godly people to see where I can correct my ‘walk’ and have done what I can. Now , I , and m family wait, thru this very long trial. Thank you for the reminder to ‘having done all to stand.’ I covet your prayers should you feel so inclined. For the mercy and kindness of God.
Hi Linda. Just wanted to let you know that I will be upholding you and your family in prayer. When you spoke of hope, I thought of Abraham of whom it was said, “When all hope was gone he hopefully believed!” Such a great verse. I hope it is an encouraging verse for you. Also, some words of a song,
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.”
I have been memorizing and claiming Ephesians 6:10-19 (KJV)
which is a real helo to me these days as I stand on the Word of God.
Hope you get this as I am on the West Coast and usually get David’s 100 Words later and often miss the interaction with the bloggers. Happy Easter! Trusting in the Living, Glorified Lord.
Blessings. Samuel
Praying for you as well Linda! Everyday is a new day in Christ, wake up every morning knowing He has something exciting for you today! Let Him show you. just say “ok Lord, what are we going to do today”! ……. and Thank you David Mainse! You inspire me:) to want more of God’s good and Holy word! Blessings to all.
Thank you, David M. for telling us today that you will be continuing this blog with ” Fresh Bread “. I only started in July or August and I look forward to continuing this good “habit” as It has kept me focused, during extreme pain(for me) and depression. God is going to bless you and us through this blog, and I thank you for being willing to commit to it.
I come from Northern Ireland and on Easter Monday, my three brothers would build a fire in a ring of stones in one of our fields, the field had to have a hill in it.
Then my two sisters and myself would pick the gorse blossoms and we would put them in a pot of fresh farm eggs and hard boil them.
Then came the fun, we would roll our eggs down the hill and see which one went the furtherest, they often broke so we would just eat whatever we could salvage.
Funny thing is I don’t remember being told much about the practice, but I believe it was to symbolize rolling the stone away from the tomb. I did the same with my children here in Canada, and hope my grandchildren will be doing it today. Have a great week everybody. God Bless you all. Mary
We did the same in Scotland Mary and knew it symbolized the rolling n away of the stone, we used to paint the eggs before rolling Easter Sunday.
I like the way the New Living Translation translates verse 6 of Zephania:
“They no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance
or seek my blessings.”
Help us Lord to always remember to put aside our own agenda’s which are heavy and burdensome, and to ask for your guidance, and seek your blessings. For your yolk is easy, and your burden is light. Matt. 11:30
Dear Rev. David M.
You remind me of me as a little girl walking down the street holding my Dads hand and heading to the corner of our street where stood a wonderful local bakery , where we would go and buy the best scottish pies and fruit pies in the city of Montreal.
Cant believe that we are heading to the end of the most exciting journey , thanks to your persistance , never ceasing delievery of GODS PRECIOUS BREAD, THE BIBLE.
Iam looking forward to making my sisters and brother in Christ from my church to join us in the next two coming years to jump in and be filled with Gods precious Word . Thank you Heavenly Father for David M. and all my fellow bloggers for their daily presence and support, we are so blessed , let us bring everyone to our Living God, Jesus , through the power of The Holy Spirit living in each of us. Amen.
Dear sister Linda , do not be discouraged knowing that you are not alone struggling and being attacked . The Good News is that you can turn to the One and Only who is always there ready to lift you up when you fall and know that each of us are always here for you to listen and pray with you. So Heavenly Father, may your Loving Arms wrap your daughter Linda and shelter her from any trials in the Name above all Names , Jesus Christ, our Messiah, our Saviour, our King. Amen…
Blessed day everyone.
xxxx Carole .
Thank you Carole and I add my prayers for you Lunda. Our God is able. Rest in His everloving arms.
Thankful to God and you, David, for the fresh Bread every day!!
I had thought that the new Movie Noah was put on by Roma and her husband, but it was directed by an atheist I hear. It was more of an Action movie and not true to the bible at all. Disappointing to know that most people will think this is the story of Noah!! Horrifying!! I was more curious to see what they had done but was horrified!!
Nancy xoxoxo
It was with joy to read that you are planning to continue with this blog another two years David M. 🙂 It definititely is ‘fresh bread’ for my hungry soul every morning & kick starts my day with the Lord at the helm, preparing the way.
Are you (DM) also still going to be doing a blog geared for children, as you mentioned a while back?
Beverlee Kay…you mention some have gone MIA, but maybe like some friends I know who are faithfully following this blog, but they do so quietly and leave no comments. I know I rarely comment, but do following along each day.
I am very late in reading today. I think Satan was trying to keep me from reading this “Fresh Bread” by putting many obstacles in my way. Guess what!!!! He didn’t win!!! I love the blog today and especially the comparison of fresh bread with the Word. Wonderful!!!!!! I have been following and reading this blog daily since Day 1 and I often will not post a comment but I sure do enjoy reading the comments that are posted. Often, it is just what I need to hear for that particular day. Thank you blog-buddies and thank you Pastor David for this daily reading and commentary of God’s Word. It is “new every morning” or afternoon as the case is today!!!
Blessings everyone!!!! Trust everyone had a good Easter.
Lord willing, I’ll be joining you June 3rd, ready to read through the Bible again for the 2nd time. I’ve been a believer my entire life. I always wanted to read through our holy book in its entirety. I read books here and there, some multiple times, but never the whole thing. Your blog presented me with the opportunity. Thank you for taking me and others on this 2 year journey, and thank you for being willing to take us on the same journey yet again. I honestly thought you’d be posting your old blog writings. I didn’t know that you were planning to write new ones. I so look forward to hearing more stories and learning more perspectives on the Bible. Thank you so much, David. This means so much to me, and to others as well.
I too read this blog religiously, but I rarely leave a comment.
So glad that David is strong enough to continue this excellent ministry for another two years for the benefit of us all. It will be interesting to follow David’s new perspective of the same bible readings, Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
I really love reading your daily blog and reading the scripture everyday, along with your prayer, I was so blessed to read that you would be continuing for another two years Praise the Lord, God bless you abundantly Brother David.
David we appreciated that you take the time to do this Blog every day. We find it very enlightening and hope that God will give you the health to coninute. Blessings from Daykin & Melissa
I can’t put into words how my heart lifted to hear you would walk these next 2 years with us!!! I had planned to start over with what you had already shared, but now. . . fresh bread, yeah! I am an evening blogger, so I hope no one minds. Maybe I’ll ask God to make me a morning person. Miracles do happen yah know!!! God bless all!