MY FATHER’S BUSINESS
Today’s Reading: Luke 2-3
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).
In Nazareth Village, a favourite place for tourists to see first-century life, a father teaches his son about caring for sheep.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Luke 2:20
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Just before His ascension back into Heaven, Jesus told His followers, “You shall be witnesses to Me” (Acts 1:8). Now, at His entry into a human life, we see one of the finest examples of “witnessing.” The shepherds did exactly what a witness is to do. They told others what they had seen and heard. Too often, we make excuses for not witnessing, such as, “I can’t answer people’s questions,” or, “I haven’t memorized enough of the Bible,” or, “I don’t know enough theology,” or “I’m too shy,” etc., etc. The shepherds worried about none of these things. They were excited about what had happened to them, and they ran to tell others. Jesus, at 12 years old, took on the Doctors of the Law, engaging them in conversation about the Scriptures. Remember, Jesus never used the fact that He was God to help Himself as a human person. He was 12 years old! We must not make excuses. As Jesus said about Himself, so we too need to do THE FATHER’S BUSINESS.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, I ask that I will be so enthusiastic enough about You and Your Word that I won’t be able to keep the Good News to myself. Help me to just do it! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I had heard the Good News since I was a child, but it was not until grade 12 in High School that, on the first Friday evening of December, I made my lifetime decision to truly be a follower of Jesus. The following Monday, in the locker room after basketball practice, I said, “Hey Guys, I’ve got something to tell you. Last Friday night I became a Christian. I gave my life to Jesus. You’re going to see a different Mainse around here from now on.” There was silence for a few seconds, and then some disparaging remarks. A few days later, I could not help but notice that several of my teammates were walking down the hall with me. They knew I meant business. I knew that I must be about my Heavenly Father’s business. That’s why I do this blog, and I know that if I did not share the Good News in my personal person-to-person conversations, I would be a most selfish person.
Yours for the “Father’s Business,”
David
Amen! I am proud to say that this blog has helped prepare me for witnessing David. Thank you and thank you dear saints for all your prayers for me yesterday. I really tried to get on the internet last night but failed. I am blessed by your faithfulness and I did get travel insurance with another group without any problem. Praise God! God has been so faithful in my preparation. Godd to hear Lena is home. God bless all of you.
Amen, Ger!!!!!!!
Ger: So glad you got you your insurance sorted out, now you are ready to be about our Father’s business. May The Lord strengthen you and take care of you on your travels. God is so good. Thanks for praying for Lena. Have a Blessed day everyone.
Praise God Ger for getting your coverage a big weight lifted. Amen!!!
Dear David: I am getting so much from your site on God’s Word – but equally as much from reading YOUR insight and experiences. God has a very capable and faithful saint in you!
Those familiar with Joe Amaral ministry of connecting Modern Christianity with its Jewish roots might have heard this already, but for those might not know this I will share this insight —- Back when our Lord was born it was the custom of the Jewish people who were travelling to carry with them a burial cloth, just in case someone died along the way and needed to be buried. So Joesph being a good Jew would have had this cloth with him. According to Mr. Amaral, it was this cloth that Mary wrapped her new born baby in, apparently in the original Hebrew the translation for swaddling cloth, is more like burial cloth. So Jesus was wrapped in a burial cloth, a foreshadowing of His destiny; He came to die– first to Himself, as David said, never using who He was for His advantage, and then later to die for the sins of the world, for all of us.
So as David encouraged us today, lets us die to our self, our fears, and lets us boldly go out and witness what God has done for us. We don’t have to preach, just share our experiences with our Lord, just like we have here with one another. The Holy Spirit does the converting, we just need to give Him an opportunity to work through us.
Amen sister-in-Christ!
Thank you Donna. Great info and I agree.
Amen Donna Amen!!
Amen, Donna!
Thank you Pastor David for your faithfulness to continue daily with this wonderful faith-filled blog. Your insight on Holy Scripture and personal testimony is truly a blessing to your blog followers…
We set out for Rome, Italy tonight and will be in Italy for the next 2-3 weeks. I won’t have my usual access to the internet during most of this time… and will have to catch up when we get back.
Praise God! Thank You for Your Son Jesus! Amen! Blessings beloved…
Have a great and safe trip David. May many opportunities arise to witness to others. God bless.
Enjoy your trip! Great time of year to tour Italy!
Bless you and your wife on your trip, David!!! 🙂
Dear David ,
Wishing you a wonderful journey through Rome .
May The Lord keep you safe for the next 2-3 weeks and give you the oppurtunity to witness FATHERS BUSINESS in Jesus precious name , Amen.
your sister in Christ
Carole.
Sadly a famous song reflects, “The Sounds of Silence.” Yet, our thoughts and actions speak volumes about our relationship with Christ and His good news in our lives. “In the End, we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” – Martin Luther King Jr. Let’s be free to share how Our Lord makes a difference in each of our lives. Amen!
Thanks, David, for that encouragement! Amen! We are called to be witnesses of our true and living God and Messiah, Jesus! Blessings to all, today!
Thanks to your bulldog-tenacity teaching Rev. DM, I’m getting better and better at witnessing to others. I am shy but starting to realize its not about me. People do treat me differently but I look upon myself differently too. I know God loves us all equally.
God bless and thanks to this devoted team.
Thank you Rev. David for your encouraging words…for the need to be a witness…not to preach…to share the truth in love, and the Holy Spirit does the convicting and enlightening; how blessed we are.
Have a blessed time in Italy David.
I have had an amazing personal relationship with Jesus since 1988, and would be pleased to tell yiu more about Him. Just leave a note here and we wiĺ figure out the details. Also you can phone the good folks at 100 Huntley St.
But please do not go another hour without finding out who Jesus is.
Blessings, George W
I have always found it difficult to witness but the encouragement here from you Pastor David and others makes it so much easier, we have something the world needs and as Pastor David says let’s not be selfish. The World needs JESUS!!
Little kindnesses open the door to give God the glory and not oneself.
Praying for you Ger.
Thank you David Mainse
and David Lowen have a safe trip and may God be with you where
ever you go and even to witness
Dear Rev. David M.
FATHERS BUSINESS …
These past 2.5 years with the daily blog have prepared us so much to bring The Good News to those in desperate need of hope.
After all its ALL ABOUT JESUS and not about us.
Keeping all the bloggers in prayer.
Have a blessed day everyone.
xoxoxo Carole
At a coffee gathering in our condo today a German man started speaking badly about Jews (understatement). Anyway he went on and on. I touched his arm and looked at him and said, “hey, my Jesus was Jewish”. To my surprise the group of people seated around the large circular table all agreed & smiled. I was surprised at their reaction (& mine).
I should emphasize the smiles were in agreement with my comment. After his comment that the Jews killed Jesus, I wish I had said, “yes but he didn’t STAY dead & that was the plan of God”. I pray God will give me opportunity in future.
That’s an good reply. Another one– if you are ever in a similar situation is to say ” The Jews didn’t kill Jesus I did.”
This might get you some strange looks, but usually they will seek some kind of explanation to that statement, which will give you an opening to speak about the nature of sin, the holiness of God, and His plan to save mankind from the sin that infected us in the Garden. It gives you a chance to make clear that Jesus chose to die, to be a substitute, to take our place for us– that makes Him a hero, not a victim.
It’s hard sometimes to witness! I have found that I should have but didnt and then when I did I should not have said anything…HOWEVER I know one thing for certain, when I screw up I can say Ok God, I blew that one forgive me and help with the next one..I have never felt any shame because I made a mistake and that is the big difference for me btweeen my Heavenly Father and my earthly father. I have found it much easier to even say to someone that I don’t always get it right myself but I have A God who understands and many conversations have then gone into personal situations with people’s own parents. That always seems to bring up forgiveness! I just had such a conversation 2 nights ago. For me personally it is important to let people know that God understands and if we confess our sins and are truly sorry He will forgive. Over the years many have said they reached an agreeemnt either with their parents or other relatives or with God and I have given them a hug and encourage them to come to church or go to a church. Sometimes the topic of churches comes up, I encourage people to find a Christ Centered Church, I’m fortunate in my community we have 5 Faith based CHurches and I recommend any of them. I never argue with anyone but I do let them know that there is nothing in their life that God can’t forgive, all they need to do is go to Him and seek forgiveness and I encourage them to seek any of the Pastors in my community for counselling. I don’t always get it right but I don’t kick myself anymore either. I remind myself also that awe witness in thought, word and deed. Bless you Ger you are on your way! the moon phases and weather changes is a challenge for me as it affect the chemicals in my brain. I thank God for these changes and thankful that I go swimmming. Blessings to all!
P.S. reread the comments Donna M thank you for your insight and encouragement….