I, JESUS
Suggested Reading: Revelation 22
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Underground rivers surface at Caesarea Philippi in northern Israel. This is one of the sources of the Jordan River. It was here that the Apostle Peter began to, as today's reading says, drink "of the water of life freely." Here Peter's thirst was quenched as he confessed to Jesus, "You are the Christ (Messiah), Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). One of the reasons for this blog is to encourage people everywhere to do as God's final invitation in the Bible says, "Let him (or her) who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17b)!!!"
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Revelation 22:12
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.
Jim and Kathy Cantelon write today’s 100 Words segment (originally published in Crossroads’ Day Unto Day devotional series)…
Bernard of Clairvaux wrote:
“Jesus the very thought of Thee
With Sweetness fills my breast,
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest!
Jesus our only joy be Thou
As Thou our prize wilt be:
Jesus, be Thou our glory now,
And through eternity.”
This concluding chapter of Revelation is one of invitation. After giving a few more details about the new Jerusalem (verses 1-5), the vision crystalizes into the expectation of Christ’s return (verses 7, 12, 20) and the awesome offer to “whoever wishes” to “take the free gift of the water of life” (verse 17). It is a great invitation, and it is still possible to say “Yes” to God.
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’” is the climactic statement of all Scripture. God has invited you! God has invited me! We can come to the wedding banquet. We can come to the new Jerusalem.
We can come because the Lord Jesus is coming…soon! The whole impetus of Revelation, and of history, is focused on that coming. His re-entry into space and time is the absolute pinnacle of the Church’s great hope.
As I wrote in my book, Theology for Non-Theologians,
“Suddenly the most sublime words of all come rolling out of the heavenlies. A divine invitation just for you…the whole point of the Bible suddenly becomes clear. A cry from deep within the heart explodes out on us, ‘Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!’”
Indeed, “Thou our prize wilt be…”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I have heard Your invitation to drink of that “pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” I am drinking now as I meditate on today’s reading. I am experiencing an inner “washing of water by the Word” (Ephesians 5:26b). It is an absolute necessity for life that I drink from Your “Pure river” every day, without fail. I pray that I will not dehydrate spiritually, becoming a shrivelled up soul who fails to keep on drinking consistently! I ask for this blessing in the Name of Jesus Who cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come unto Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37, 38). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I have two supplemental readings to suggest. Is it possible for a 21st century person to enter the mind space of Jewish people, who for over 600 years had been waiting for the Messiah (Ezekiel’s time to the time of Jesus)? I’ve tried to imagine the people who were worshipping God in the Temple and hearing the priests read the required Scripture on “The great day of the feast.” Read Ezekiel 47:1-12. Then read what Jesus did and said. He would have interrupted the liturgy with His loud cry! Read John 7:37-39! The priest had read of the living waters flowing out from under the doors of the Temple, and to the Jewish mind there was no mistaking the fact that Jesus, Himself, claimed to be those very waters prophesied about by Ezekiel.
Revelation 22:17a says, “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘COME!'” That’s us. We, who believe in Jesus, are His bride! Make no mistake, you and I are to offer, in the power of the Spirit, that greatest invitation ever heard by human ears. Let’s get to it!!! Amen???
Also I cannot finish my personal words about the last chapter in the New Testament without referring to the last words of the Old Testament. In Malachi 4:6b God says, “Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse!” God did strike the earth with a curse. It is written in Galatians 3:13, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’)” (see Deuteronomy 21:23). Because of the cross (the tree), the New Testament ends with the words of Jesus, “Surely I am coming quickly!” and we can respond, “Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!!!” And John gives us his final benediction, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) be with you all. Amen!!!” (the last two verses of the Bible).
Yours because it’s all about Jesus Who said, “I am the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16b),
David
P.S. My most heartfelt thanks to all who have helped me complete this two-year journey through the Bible. Today is my son Ron’s birthday. He has formatted each day’s blog and I’ve simply filled in the blanks. Ann, Ron’s wife, has read each blog before it is posted for accuracy, punctuation, etc. It’s also their daughter, Andrea Patterson’s birthday. She is a PhD candidate. Her studies are in the field of cancer research and immunology, particularly early detection of ovarian cancer. Happy birthdays from a very proud Dad, Grandfather, and from my sweetheart Norma-Jean, a proud Mom and Grandmother. Over the next four days, until we start the next two-year reading period, I’ll be thanking others by name who have helped. The biggest thanks goes to God and to His people who’ve participated, reading with me daily for two whole years (or who have started along the way). Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!!!
Several large reservoirs contain water from snow-capped Mount Hermon, the highest peak in the middle east. The sources of the Jordan flow from underground streams that come from this mountain. On one occasion I travelled by a ski lift to the top. The borders of Syria, Lebanon and Israel converge there. I witnessed an amazing sight. Just for fun the soldiers were exchanging snowballs across the border. They were all enjoying the fun in very good humour.
Thank you for a very enriching and encouraging journey. I wasn’t on the start of the first journey but plan to be on the start of the second.
Thanks to you and all your collaborators for a meaningful start to the day
Words cannot express how much I have enjoyed reading your devotionals. Thank you for the dedication and great work. May God richly bless all of you!
Rev Mainse and All who have contributed to this blog. Thank you. God bless everyone for this past two year blog. Looking forward to the next segment. Many many have viewed this daily but like me have not commented. However I have truly enjoyed the regular comments. God bless all
Good Morning David, I am so thankful you are continuing your commitment to blog each day. It is also my meaningful start to the day and I thank God , so much, for you and any who work with you to also make it possible. Is that you who is a private pilot ? I didn’t remember ever hearing that. I have had close experience with that and enjoyed it so much. God Bless you today !
Thank you for this wonderful journey – I appreciate all who contributed to this wonderful blog. This is how I start my day, reading this first. I feel I can full start my day with this blog. I look foward to starting the readings again next week. Blessings to you all that are involved and thank you David for following God’s leading to do this.
I can finally say I have read through the entire bible and it has increased my faith tenfold.
Blessings to you all
Revelation 22 is surely divine. Excellent links to scripture and photos, today!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, David Mainse, Ron, Ann, Reynold, and fellow saints on this wonderful blog. Thanks be to God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!! AMEN!
Happy Birthday Ron and Andrea!! Praise God for the River of Life that is GOD’S GIFT TO US THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!!
Happy Birthday Ron and Andrea !
Again I give a big thank you for you David , Ron, and Ann for being diligent for
doing this blog every day and for every blogger as well
God bless you and your families
Lianne
Thank you and all who help make this blog possible. Thank God for giving you the strength to continue His calling! My wife and I both pray God will continue to bless you all.
We plan to continue to start our day with you for the next two years.
God bless!
It has been an amazing journey! Thank You Lord Jesus Christ for being the Living Water from which all inspired to write Holy Scripture have provided us with Truth, Wisdom and Guidance. Many thanks to you David, and to all who have made these past two years so meaningful with Our Creator and eachother. With all the wonderful references included to assist our reading, it seems like we have been blessed to read the bible one and a half times over the past two years! Thank you David for sharing so much of your life and ministry, for telling us what you care about, and just simply being there for all of us! May our Lord continue to bless you with strength and purpose all the day’s of your life!!
Dear David
Thankyou for this amazing journey through God’s precious word. I look forward to starting my day by reading the word and your comments.My love for the Word has grown and I encourage everyone in my influence to read the Bible every day! To “put on Christ” first thing in the morning… so He is what we wear everyday!
Thankyou also to Ron and Ann for their input and for Norma Jean for allowing you rise so early every morning.
I am so looking forward to the next journey through the Word and am so glad that God has spared you and healed you and empowered you to keep fighting the good fight. Let’s keep at- stay at- the time is short… Lord empower me to LIVE and SHARE the Gospel…
Love you all
Janet
Thank you David and your family for guiding us through The Word. This is the first time I have been able to stick with it and read the Bible all the way through. Thank you for your dedication, your comments, insight and wisdom each day. Looking forward to doing it again. And thank you to our precious Lord for keeping you here to guide us. We are all truly blessed.
David, I have enjoyed your daily blog so much and as a result, I have grown stronger in my faith and determination to let Jesus shine his light through me. I must say thank you as I look forward to the next series.
Sincerely,
Bea
“Even so, Come Lord Jesus.”(Rev. 22:20). Thank David, Reynold, Ron, Ann and fellow bloggers for a tremendous blessing and gift. Thank you Lord Jesus!!!
Happy Birthday Ron and Andrea! Blessings!
Yes dear David and Ron and my friend Ann may God continue to use you and speak through you and draw evryone by His precious Holy Spirit
praise God for healing you David and may God s face shine upon you and your family in Jesus name Amen
RIVER OF LIFE FLOW THROUGH ME
TILL WE REACH THE OTHER SIDE
IM JUST AN EARTHEN VESSEL
AND THE HARVEST FIELD IS GREAT
TAKE ME AND USE ME DEAR LORD
FILL MY MOUTH WITH YOUR WORDS
TO EVERYONE I SEEK
THAT YOU BE GLORIFIED YHROUGH ME LORD
It was a great adventure through God’s word. Thanks everyone. I’m glad we will have a few days of reading your choice of scripture. Otherwise we might suffer “withdrawl”! God bless all.
Watched 100 Huntley St. yesterday and enjoyed seeing the dedication of Alex Douglas. May he have a successful journey into his new venture. Enjoy Hugs
from Heaven with Moira Brown daily also.
In Rev. 22:10 it is so evident that free will is ours to deal with.
With John being a Jew it is so incredible that so many Jews shun our belief that Jesus, one of their own, died on the cross for us all.
Love the pics today.
Happy B-day to your son and grandaughter DM. May God continue to bless you and yours and all fellow bloggers.
Since many of us are computer illiterate or mystified with our computers in one way or another, thought this little joke might brighten our day. Almost certain God has a sense of humour.
called Old Testament Computing:
How it all started.
Old Testament computing….This is hilarious. Whoever wrote it is a genius.
In ancient Israel, it came to pass that a trader by the name of Abraham Com did take unto himself a young wife by the name of Dorothy. And Dot Com was a comely woman, broad of shoulder and long of leg. Indeed, she was often called Amazon Dot Com
And she said unto Abraham, her husband, “Why dost thou travel so far from town to town with thy goods when thou canst trade without ever leaving thy tent?”
And Abraham did look at her as though she were several saddle bags short of a camel load, but simply said, “How, dear?”
And Dot replied, “I will place drums in all the towns and drums in between to send messages saying what you have for sale, and they will reply telling you who hath the best price. The sale can be made on the drums and delivery made by Uriah’s Pony Stable (UPS).”
Abraham thought long and decided he would let Dot have her way with the drums. And the drums rang out and were an immediate success. Abraham sold all the goods he had at the top price, without ever having to move from his tent.
To prevent neighboring countries from overhearing what the drums were saying, Dot devised a system that only she and the drummers knew. It was known as Must Send Drum Over Sound (MSDOS), and she also developed a language to transmit ideas and pictures – Hebrew To The People (HTTP).
And the young men did take to Dot Com’s trading as doth the greedy horsefly take to camel dung. They were called Nomadic Ecclesiastical Rich Dominican Sybarites, or NERDS
And lo, the land was so feverish with joy at the new riches and the deafening sound of drums that no one noticed that the real riches were going to that enterprising drum dealer, Brother William of Gates, who bought off every drum maker in the land. Indeed he did insist on drums to be made that would work only with Brother Gates’ drumheads and drumsticks.
And Dot did say, “Oh, Abraham, what we have started is being taken over by others.” And Abraham looked out over the Bay of Ezekiel , or eBay as itcame to be known.
He said, “We need a name that reflects what we are.” And Dot replied, “Young Ambitious Hebrew Owner Operators.” “YAHOO,” said Abraham. And because it was Dot’s idea, they named it YAHOO Dot Com.
Abraham’s cousin, Joshua, being the young Gregarious Energetic Educated Kid (GEEK) that he was, soon started using Dot’s drums to locate things around the countryside. It soon became known as God’s Own Official Guide to Locating Everything (GOOGLE).
That is how it all began.
I like your humour… Thanks for sharing…
Great play on words! HAHAHA
Thank you David, Ron, Ann and Reynold for your devotion to all of us who have read the Bible through in 2 years. It has been a wonderful journey and I have done it right along with you all. .
I have read the Bible before but this time, it really came alive and the pictures were so well suited to each portion we read.
Again thanks and may Gods Blessing be with you all……
Amen!
FYI – I note that Sunday June 1st has been designated Jerusalem Sunday in our Anglican communities. We will be praying for peace in Jerusalem.
Shalom,
Graham
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
Thank you soooo much for your faithfulness in posting this blog every morning. It is the first time I have read the Bible through and I have enjoying it and have gotten to know my God so much better and my relationship with Him has grown to a new depth because of the daily reading. I am looking forward to doing it again because I know I will get even closer to Jesus the second time around.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you and your family,
Thank you.
I just want to add my thanks to those from all the others who have followed your blog over the last two years. While I have never commented, I have been with you every day and have appreciated your commentary so much as you took us on a journey through the Bible. It has been a real blessing and I look forward to the second time around.
Since beginning late last summer I have faithfully made this morning bible reading and truly loving blog an important start to my early rise each morning (usually between 5 and 6 before I leave for work – Thursdays and Fridays are my days off). As I am on the west coast of BC, I am privileged already to see many of the faithful blog contributors each morning…
Thank you all and for the entire Mainse family for this wonderful morning spiritual enlightenment… Very much looking forward together with all of you – to witness – and from time to time participate in this blog as we begin a new 2 year bible reading together…
Blessings beloved,
david
So thankful for this fresh bread every morning! I too very rarely coment but have been with you all the way. Especially glad to hear we are starting this journey again and hopeing to bring more on board. Blessings to ALL who make this happen.
This is the most important part of my day, thank you for continuing for another year! God bless!
The following song sums it all up – “How Can I Say Thanks”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iZm9__sJL8
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
beautiful song, thank you Ruby for that link! God Bless!
Happy B.day Ron and happy happy b.day to your daughter. May you all celebrate many more birthdays to come in the blessings and peace of The Lord! Amen! May God continue to bless your family for your wonderful contribution towards this blogg and may your own children and grand children make you proud just like you have made your own parents proud! May the Good Lord bless us all and may we all be candidates for the resurrection in Jesus Name!! Amen! Thank You David Mainse and Norma Jean… The Lord is our strength! Amen and Amen
Thank You Father, thank You Son, thank You Holy Spirit !! Amen and Amen
Comments by readers are interesting, but would it be possible next time round, if there are questions or things not quite understood….to ask the question(s) of the writer, Rev. David Mainse and hear his clarification or answers?
Thank you to all who contributed to this. I have made this my early morning routine before work and life get in the way for 2 years and will continue on with you for the next two years! God bless you and all who committed to this thank you once again!
Thank you David for faithfully sharing God’s word with us. I have been blessed with the daily readings and am thankful that you will continued for the next two years, Lord willing. Please wish Ron a blessed birthday. You have both been faithful in the Lord’s work and I thank God for you and your families.
Shalom,
Liz
Dear Rev. David M.
Thank you , thank you , thank you , I am so grateful for this wonderful 2 year journey that you and your family brought us through and am looking forward for fresh new MANNA next Tuesday.
I am praying The Holy Spirit to show me where I should distribute The 100 Words coupons that I have made copies of from our local Copy Express store and may I say, at the very reasonable price. He has already told me early this morning to give a poster of individual cards to a christian store in my neighbourhood . We are living in a very exciting time , so Lord thank you so much for Your faithful servant David M. for his healing and empowering him with Your Peace and Strength in The Name of The One and Only Jesus Christ. Our Messiah, Our King, Amen.
Happy birthday to Ron and Andrea , have a fabulous day.
God bless you all.
xoxoxo Carole.
Thank you!
Thank you so very much for helping me read the Bible from cover to cover.
Thank-you so much Rev. David Mainse! Thank-you Ron, Anne, and all who made this possible! I have enjoyed this so much and look forward to starting the next journey! I loved the pictures and have enjoyed the maps too! This has been wonderful and has helped me so much! Thank-you! Thank-you! Thank-you!! Happy Birthday to Ron & Andrea! God Bless you all! 🙂
“Even so, come Lord Jesus” Rev.22:20
What a wonderful and uplifting reading today.
Thank you Pastor David for hearing the voice of God and bringing us His Word each day, as our daily bread, helping many of us through difficult times. Thank you Ron, Ann and Reynold for your contributions. A big thank you to you Norma-Jean as you have ministered to us through Pastor David.
Praise and glory to The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Looking forward to our next two years together again. Blessings to all my fellow saints.
P.S. Happy b.day to Ron and Andrea and blessings for many more years to come.
Thank you David M, Ron, Reynold, Ann, and everyone who made this 2 years journey through the Bible such a special time. Looking forward to the next 2 years of daily manna!
Happy birthday Ron & Andrea!
We began our daily reading with you just about six months ago so we are looking forward to beginning the next two years with you, David! We now look forward to receiving the water of life every day. Thank you so much!
What a blessing these words have been! I’m curious as to whether ir not you’ve considered compiling these devotion into a book? Just some food for thought!
Hi David, What a fantastic journey through the Bible! It has been wonderful to join together with everyone, all reading and learning together. Many thanks to all who took part in making this a resounding success. Praise the Lord! Thanks for the encouragement David, and to top it off we followed your healing journey! What a miracle! Here’s to another two years of bible reading together!
I have enjoyed this two year journey through the Bible. Thank you David and family for the interpretation of scriptures, wonderful photographs, and daily spiritual uplifting. My faith has increased tremendously. God willing, I look forward to continuing the journey through the next two years.
David, you have helped me fulfill my dream of reading my holy book in its entirety. I don’t know if I would have been able to make it through the Bible on my own. Your insight into the word, your daily prayers, and the little anecdotes of your life have kept me coming back day after day. Even when I missed your blog here or there, I was always conscious of the fact that I had to catch up, so I didn’t get too far behind. I don’t know if any other book or program would have kept me as intrigued as your daily blog has.
I can’t believe it’s been two years. I can’t wait for the next two years to begin. Thank you for staying with us, David, and thank your family as well. I’m so glad you’re continuing with us on this journey.
Thank you all so much, David and his family, and I love all the beautiful photographs. I started this blog last summer and it has been a blessing to me, without it I might not even have been reading the Bible, for some days I was so in pain and not motivated. So thank you David M., and family.
Thank you all my fellow blog buddies, I am looking forward to reading your comments for the next 2 years, if The Lord spares me.
“Jesus the very thought of Thee” was a great favorite of my fathers and he wrote a tract about it. When he came to Canada to visit, he fulfilled a dream to go through the Rockies by train. He told of being in the front seat of the dome car and singing hymns, a lady tapped him on the shoulder and complemented him on his voice. He told her it was the Person he was singing about, and not his voice that was great. Perhaps he sang “Jesus the very thought of Thee” that day. Looking forward to the journey with you all. Mary.
Thank you Rev. David Mainse and family for presenting the “Word of God” in such a unique way…may the Lord Jesus Christ continue to Bless and Strengthen you in all you do!!
God Bless you on your Birthday Ron and Daughter!!!
My son Peter’s and his sister-in-love’s birthday was yesterday …
May 28th…how blessed we are to have children to bless in the Lord!
I thank my God in all remembrance of you….and thank Him today for allowing you to be an encourager to us all as well as your family who also encourage & bless us…Praise the Lord…….
I am one who has been on this journey since the beginning and has never made any comments. I have truly enjoyed the experience and it has enriched my faith journey. Thank you to everyone who makes this blog possible. It has helped me to better understand what I was reading. I also arreciated being able to read other’s comments. I am anxious to continue this daily for another two years. I pray for those people who were regular contributors through their comments. I especially miss and pray for Scott who has been unable to comment for some time
David Mainse, you are a shinning light to all of us and someone to model for our own lives.
Blessings to all.
I have learned so much! To all thank you. Blessings forward. xo.
This past two years have been a blessing and I am lookingl forward to the next two year journey with you. It is the first time in my 47 years as a Christian that I have made it completely through the Bible!! Thank you for persevering and for making the “dry” portions rich with meaning. You continue you to be an inspiration to keep on keeping on even when the going gets rough. Thank you, also, to your team of helpers who have also been faithful!!