JESUS IS SEARCHING FOR YOU!
Today’s Reading: Matthew 13
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Could Jesus have taught from this very boat? It's 2,000 years old. This is a boat that was discovered about 20 years ago in the Sea of Galilee, when the water level was low. It is called "The Jesus Boat" because it is from the time of Christ. The vessel is 9 metres long, 2.5 metres wide and 1.25 metres high. It may have functioned as a ferry boat, but its measurements also suit those used by fisherman employing a dragnet that was "cast into the sea," as described in Matthew 13:47-48.
Key Verse: Matthew 13:45-46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
There is nothing that can equal the value of the Kingdom of God. What could possibly be worth as much as the love of God, the sacrifice of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and fellowship with the Heavenly Father? The merchant sold everything to acquire the “Pearl”…citizenship in God’s Kingdom. A Kingdom has a King, and our King is not a constitutional Monarch with no real authority. King Jesus is Lord over all. Complete obedience is a given. There are serious consequences to disobedience. The King has given laws such as, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbour as yourself”…the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Your Majesty, thank You for allowing me to be constantly in Your presence. I honour You by the gift of everything I am and ever will be. I’m Yours! Your will is my command. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m sad to report that I have not obeyed the greatest of all the commandments most of the time. It’s that word “all” that does me in. That’s the reason I love to quote the most often repeated verse in the Bible…”His mercy endures forever.” King Jesus loves me as a father loves his child. He encourages me to start all over again every day. As I type this blog, I’m praying that today I’ll serve Him 100%. I’m fully aware that “All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God” (Romans 3:23). I’m also fully aware that as I ask forgiveness, the next verse kicks in…”Being justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).
Your brother in the Grace of Christ,
David
P.S. I promised yesterday that I would try my best to explain here today how to know that when you die you will go to Heaven. When I was a teenager, I decided to believe that Jesus was not lying when He said, “The one who comes to Me, I will never turn away” (John 6:37). Do you believe that? You can decide now to believe it too.
(1) There is a wall between you and God that Jesus will tear down and remove when you ask Him to. That wall is called “sin.”
(2) So I ask you to read this prayer (That means you are talking to God). Say it out loud if you are alone or if you are with someone who loves you. Believe the words you are saying! “Lord Jesus, You died for me on the cross so that all the sin and wrong I’ve ever done can be forgiven. You promised that when I pray such a prayer, the wall that separates me from You and Heaven is removed. God forgive me! I need You in my life for the present and for ever and ever in Heaven some day. I believe Your promise and therefore I invite You into my life and You will never, never turn me away. I am Yours, and You are mine for always! Thank You Father God! Thank You Jesus! Amen!!! I believe this! I know it’s true!!!”
Did you pray this prayer? Yes? Then it’s very important to tell another human being as soon as possible. If you are with someone else now, tell them! Or here’s another very helpful, easy way to do this. Call one of my prayer partners who are at the prayer telephones 24/7. It’s a free call. Please, please do it right away if possible. Here’s the telephone number to call: 1-866-273-4444. A caring non-judgmental person will answer your call and will help answer any questions you may have. You don’t have to give your name unless you want to, but if you do share your name and address, we’ll send you an important booklet that will help you in your new walk with the Lord. I’ll check with our prayer partners on Monday to read the notes they will take about your telephone call. You are the most important person in the world to God. This is why I care!
David
Several biker brothers welcomed me back to Canada. What a surprise to see them waiting at the corner of Ontario Highways 3 and 6 on our way to Port Dover for the Friday the 13th bikers' celebration in Port Dover. It was estimated that 30,000 bikers showed up. (From left to right) Ace Clark, a onetime outlaw biker now a Pastor in Hamilton, Jim Fisher, a motorcycle dealer, Jim Meuller, one of our telephone prayer partners, and Norm MacLaren, a former on-air 100 Huntley Street team member and now leader in the "Teen Challenge" ministry.
Congratulations David! I am not going to say you beat the odds, because we know Who is at your side! Sounds like a great time in Port Dover, lots of fresh fried perch and pickerel! Thanks for sharing your journey and photo’s with us too! The truth of Christ’s forgiveness and the change He makes in our lives always stands. It does not change by how many agree or disagree. His presence is here now and here forever! Don’t stress. Do your best. Forget the rest. His blessings and strength, to all!
Amen, brother David!
Praise God, David Mainse; so happy to hear you are back home safe and sound (thank you, angels on high!), and to hear you shared in the traditional annual Port Dover bikers’ gala. My brother-in-law, Steve, used to attend every year, when he was alive. I look forward to the documentary piece on your journey.
The most endearing quality I have always noticed about you, David, is your humbleness. You never boast about being the authority to follow on the blog, or assume you have a position that is right and others’ wrong, as some often proclaim about themselves. You have dismissed your ego and the Holy Spirit is your fruitfulness. You always humble yourself, on bended knee, before our Heavenly Father and King. As Jesus was a wonderful teacher to His disciples, you are a wonderful teacher to us. Thank you for reminding us, that, indeed, ”His mercy endures forever,” and that our King’s love for us encourages us to start fresh every day. Let us be renewed each and every morning and humble ourselves before our Lord on bended knee, asking for His forgiveness. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus!” (Rom 3:23-24) AMEN!!!
The photo of the Jesus Boat from the Sea of Galilea is spectacular! Oh, Jesus, the great fisher and teacher of all men! Thank You, Jesus!! Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, amen, amen and amen! Let us cling to the small grain of mustard seed Jesus has planted for us in the garden of life, and know without a doubt that our faith shall grow into a towering tree. Praise God through whom all blessings flow!! Wishing all saints a blessed day!!
Well stated, Beverlee. Amen!
What a kind and wonderful man is Randy Lewis of Walgreens fame. Enjoyed his interview on 100 Huntley St. yesterday. Another good book – “No Greatness Without Goodness.”
Thank you for caring so much about us all Rev. DM. You’re a credit to your profession.
Blessings on us all as we start over again every day.
Amen sister Beverlee!
So happy you are safely back. Looking forward to your future plans (healing services, documentary of your trip). Thank you Lord. Where would we be without You?
Amen what a joy to see you back and God blessing all your endeavers Amen
Welcome back to Canada wishing you a blessed weekend!
Thank you. Amen.
The joy, joy, joy of Christ in our hearts! May God empower all of us to stand up for His truth and His righteousness. May we not be shy to talk of His greatness to people we come across like Pastor Mainse did a few days ago as our faithful example that God Himself has given to us. These 100 words must be more than words we read daily! Go, go, go! Tomorrow is Sunday. I am imagining all the “dancing” either in our hearts, or in our houses, or in our churches that we will be doing to our King Jesus! Blessings forward to all today.xo
Welcome back, David. Glad you are home safely. Enjoy today and I’m looking forward to next week’s plans.
Amen, Beverlee, David and all bloggers!
Welcome back David Mainse and thank you for sharing your journey with us and looking forward to the documentary! How can one not be full of joy and hope when they meet you, your enthusiasm for life is amazing and contagious. Keep on trekking on David! God Bless
Praise God ,so thankful your home safe and sound, Praise His Holy Name…R…
I am writing about one of your earlier blogs. We had the mishap that our 44 year old daughter took her own life on May 6th and it has been very hard trying to cope. It is true when we have a plain old stubbornness streak to “never, never, never give up” because that and faith in God is what seems to be carrying me along. Praise God!!
Amen, never give up.
My dear sweet child of God, a mishap is spilling red wine on a white carpet, losing a child to suicide is a heartbreaking life changing event that has left a deep scar on your soul. I do praise God for giving you the strength to cope with your grief day by day and be assure you have my prayers that He will get you through minute by minute if need be.
If you haven’t done so yet, please know there are resources for dealing with the aftermath of loved one’s suicide– I would suggest beginning with the prayer lines 1-866-273-4444 — they might be able to direct you to resources in your own area, as well as pray for you. Also I would suggest contacting your local chapter of the Canada Mental Health Association–I’m sure they can direct you as needed.
Take care Melissa and know Jesus understands your pain, someone He loved very much took his life too, his name was Judas– so there isn’t a thought or feeling you may have about it that our Lord cannot empathize with— Go with God and yes never give up.
Words cannot express the sadness of hearing about the loss of your daughter, Melissa. May God comfort you and angels lift you up. Hold fast to the Word for strength. Psalm 34:18: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Jesus is your rock, Melissa. Hold on and never let go. God bless you dear sister-in-Christ.
PTL, so glad you made it home see you in the Fall.
Welcome home David. Glad you made it safely back. We’ll be down this summer and connect for sure. Thanks for posting the pics and travel tales. I would enjoy a copy of the dvd if you make one. 🙂
Praise God, you have come through the rain and all obstacles in your journey…Congratulations!! How special to have friends to greet you on your arrival:)
I joined with your prayer for salvation and prayed that many prayed that prayer of salvation which you included in your blog.
What a spectacular photo by Reynold Mainse!!
Thank you for the sinners prayer so we can share it with others. As God is opening up opportunities for ministering, I long to learn how to share the gospel clearly and completely. So thankful you made it home to Canada!
pGreat is thy Faithfulness
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