CARPENTER OF LIVES
Today’s Reading: Mark 6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The carpenter's shop in Nazareth at Nazareth Village.
GOOGLE MAPS – See where Reynold took the photo Click HERE.
Key Verse: Mark 6:3
“…Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and Brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.
They called Him “the carpenter” to belittle Him, but in reality that term praises Him. He is truly “the Carpenter of lives.” In the previous chapter, there are three examples of His higher carpentry. First, He spoke the words “go home” to the formerly demon posessed man, and Jesus became the Rebuilder of lives and families (5:19). Secondly, Jesus said to the woman who touched the hem of His garment, “Go in peace,” and He proved that He was the Rebuilder of the human body (5:34). Thirdly, Jesus became the Rebuilder of life itself with the word “arise” spoken to the little daughter of Jairus. This “Carpenter of lives” is available to take the rebuilding contract for your life, your family, and for your circumstances. He also said, “I will build My Church” (Matthew 16:18). His hands were not as often portrayed in art; they were a working man’s hands. Those hands are at work today if we ask for His carpentry. Go ahead, ask!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the “do it yourself” job I’ve tried to do on my life. Please take over. Fix the construction mess I’ve made of things. You read the plans You have for me and please implement them, because You definitely know best! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I took a year off from my formal theological studies to fulfill my promise to the people of a northern community to plant a church. In my personal time, I committed to reading a sermon each day from books I had collected. I knew the saying, “readers are leaders.” I was now 20 and by November I had run out of money and decided to be a carpenter like Jesus. I borrowed tools and showed up at the Army Camp Petawawa announcing, “I’m a carpenter.” There were no certification procedures for carpenters then. I got the job, which lasted for several weeks. The cold, the challenges, and the rough atmosphere were testing my level of determination. I often drew comfort from the knowledge that Jesus was in the same trade until He was thirty. I often quoted a poem I had memorized. I’d type it here but that would put me well over the 100 words. However, you can click HERE to read that poem.
Yours in honour of the Carpenter of lives,
David
P.S. I’m on the 100 Huntley Street telecast all this week, and we’re showing video highlights of my recent motorcycle trip from Florida to Ontario. In case you missed yesterday’s edition and you have time, click HERE to watch the full half hour.
Great message, David and I like the poem.
Wonderful to see you on 100 Huntley Street yesterday David Mainse! So full of vitality and energy! The segment about your journey from Florida to Ontario was a blessing; I recommend checking it out bloggers! Inspiring!
I have been following 100 Words and the blog for about a year now and am so thankful to all who put it together so that we may have “fresh bread” every morning. Praise God from whom all blessings flow . . . Here’s to the Carpenter who restores lives!
Blessings this beautiful summer morning!
Amen, Shelley!
Amen!
This is more of an inquiry than a comment. I have been following the blog since it’s beginning over two years ago and it has been a tremendous blessing. One of the features I’ve liked s that I could listen to the scriptures as I read along. I found this particularly helpful in the books that get a bit tedious. I have not be enable to listen since Gateway changed their format. Anyone else having this problem and is there a solution? And thank you David for continuing this blog, it is a continual blessing and encouragement to read God’s Word every day.
Look for the little speaker icon in the top right of the new Biblegateway reading window. It’s there…just a little harder to find in their new format. By the way, be sure you’re in the NIV version, which has the audio listening option.
Thankyou,I’m going to try that!,
Lovely pic of the man teaching the boy today.
Love the poem of the carpenter. My husband is a carpenter and very few people have tried to do him wrong over the years. Don’t know if they were Christians or just had a good conscience.
Blessings on us all please dear Lord.
All I get from this is that Israel truly is God blessed, a miracle!
http://www.prageruniversity.com/Political-Science/Middle-East-Problem.html#.U2FwnCY76dg.email
Thank you for sharing the great poem, David! Look forward to watching the series this week on 100 Huntley Street of your trip down south!
The Carpenter
I wonder what he charged for chairs at Nazareth.
And did men try to beat him down
And boast about it in the town-
“I bought it cheap for half-a-crown
From that mad Carpenter?”
And did they promise and not pay,
Put it off to another day;
O, did they break his heart that way,
My Lord, the Carpenter?
I wonder did he have bad debts,
And did he know my fears and frets?
The gospel writer here forgets
To tell about the Carpenter.
But that’s just what I want to know.
Ah! Christ in glory, here below
Men cheat and lie to one another so;
It’s hard to be a carpenter.
G. A. Studdert – Kennedy
Saints, I have a special prayer request, today. I see the specialist for my back at 1 pm. Thank you, dear saints, for keeping me in your prayers, today. I am so thankful to You, Lord, for helping me strengthen my body with the regular exercises of biking swimming and stretching. You know what my particular needs are, Father–in every aspect of my life. I lift my situation up to You, Lord, and pray for Your divine intervention to take over.
I know, Lord, that I simply need to touch the hem of Your cloak, just as the people at Gennesaret when they saw You approach from your boat. My faith is so strong in You, Lord, that I know I am healed by Your loving and gracious touch. In Jesus’ precious name, we give You all the praise and glory! For You alone are holy, Lord. You alone are almighty. You alone, are the Jehova Jirah provider for us all!
“…No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
(1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT)
Father God we come alongside our sister Beverlee and we pray in the mighty name of Jesus that you would touch her body and heal her. We kneel with her and touch the hem of Your cloak Jesus . . . we ask that you would be with her today as she sees the specialist, that You would undertake for her, that you would grant her the Peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus’ Mighty Name . . . Amen
Dearest Beverlee, I bring you before Our Healing Saviour
and pray you will feel the touch of His Physicians hands as you see the specialist today. I know you will be a light in that office and the specialist will see your great faith in the One who will bring healing to your pain racked body.
May you sense His presence today. Love in Christ Catherine
Amen sister in Christ Beverlee… been praying for healing daily! Amen!
Thanks David M for the construction analogy in today’s blog. Fresh bread daily!
…am looking forward all week to seeing you on 100 Huntley st. and your bike ride…
Blessings fellow bloggers.
Blessings today! I have been at the cottage with no internet, but have kept up to date in reading Mark and have completed catching up on our blog.
Just watched yesterday’s telecast and the start of your journey home from Florida Pastor David, and looking forward to the rest. Great testimony to the world. You look healthy and happy.
Loved the carpenter poem and so grateful My Carpenter Jesus is in the business of RESTORATION!!!!!
Good morning David. First time( but not the last ltime) I am reading your 100words. So inspiring, and my surprise to read you worked at the Army Camp in Petawawa. My wonderful husband is a military member who is posted in Petawawa. Lovely Pembroke/Petawawa community. What church did you start in this northern area? I have watched 100 Huntley street over the years as we moved from one end of the country to the other. I was a good constant when we had to let God guide us to our new local home church. We are part of a great body of serving believers in Pembroke at Calvary Baptist Church. Thank you for always sharing God’s word in a clear , practical way.
Grateful in his body
Suzanne
Hi David, love the 100 words! There is no better carpenter than Jesus ! Thanking God for your health ! Rose
Beverlee you are in my prayers
Lianne
Thank you Rev. David I thought the poem about the “Carpenter” was special; and your explanation of Jesus as “The Carpenter”
I joined in with your prayer this morning…I’m so thankful that He know the plans He has for us for us..and we can trust Him to implement them in us.
How sad that John the Bapitist was beheaded because of pride and king Herod’s need to please man rather than God.
Even after witnessing all that Jesus did, His preaching and feeding the 5,000 yet the disciples heart’s were hardened, and lacked understanding.
I enjoyed your ministry on 100 Huntley Street yesterday and today and am looking forward to you meeting Will Graham tomorrow
Dear Rev David M,
What a thrill you are giving us this week watching you with Ron & Ann on 100 Huntley St! You look fabulous! We definitely have the GREATEST HEALER OF ALL!
I’ll be sharing your wonderful poem with my church on bible study night. I’m always astonished by your determination and resoursefulness in finding a job whenever needed and wherever you were. To me, that feels like letting God be in charge.
Have a blessed day everyone!
xx Carole
P.S.: Dear sister Beverlee, I’m keeping you in prayer knowing we have the greatest physician, in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.