Tuesday, March 3, 2015

TROUBLE

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 1

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Goreme, Turkey, is located in ancient Asia Minor. In Goreme you will find spectacular 10th- and 11th-century cave churches. There are hundreds of churches cut into the rock. This one is among the most elaborate.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: 2 Corinthians 1:8, 11

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life…. you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

 

Between writing these two letters to the believers in Corinth, Paul spent time in Asia Minor, a former Roman province. It is now Turkey. There he suffered much persecution as a result of his bold witness for Christ. He had spent much time in Corinth, establishing the Church. This very strong Apostle showed himself to also be very human. His need for the fellowship of those to whom he felt close is evident. He uses the word “comfort” six times, and the word “consolation” five times. As followers of Christ, we need each other so very much. I’ve chosen two key verses for today. They reveal Paul’s heart. He felt he could share his burdens and even his despair. He knew his Corinthian friends were praying for him and also supporting him so that he could spend full time preaching and teaching without stopping to make tents, as he had done when he planted the Church in Corinth. Other words which stand out are “faithful,” “promises,” “sealed” (denotes security), and “deposit” (indicates that the entire amount is yet to come). Paul is encouraged by the progress of the Church.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You are building Your Church. Grant, I pray, a gift of optimism to me concerning Your Church worldwide, as well as in my home church. Thank You that there are people who care about me and pray for me, as did the Corinthian people about Paul. Amen! As 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “Yes and in Him, Amen!”

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’m so very thankful for the notes I receive from you who read my blog. I’m greatly encouraged by you. You are doing for me what Stephanas, Fortunatis, and Achaicus did for Paul. You have “Refreshed my spirit” (1 Corinthians 16:17-18). I believe that I’m still enduring some leftover effects of the flu from last November and December. I’m encouraged by Paul to ask for your prayers, as well as your ongoing support for the ministry of Crossroads (click here for information).

I’ve been invited to speak to the leadership of the world-wide pentecostal/charismatic movement (which is now estimated at six hundred million people). We will be in Jerusalem leading up to Pentecost Sunday on May 24th. I believe God has given me a message to teach and preach. I need your prayers for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as fell upon the 120 in the upper room on the birthday of Jesus’ Church almost 2,000 years ago. I encourage you to join me there, as we’re also leading a tour of Israel (click here for information – registration closes at the end of March).

Yours for the comfort and consolation we have in Christ,

David

The early Christians escaped from the persecution of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century and upon finding the underground cities in Cappadocia, they settled there (Modern Central Turkey). The gates were made in such a way in which they couldn’t be easily observed. Because they lived in the underground cities for long durations without being able to go to the surface, they developed provisions rooms, ventilation chimneys, wine production places, churches, abbeys, water wells, toilets and meeting rooms.

32 thoughts on “Tuesday, March 3, 2015

  1. Thank You David for this powerful Word and may The Holy Spirit fill you to overflowing to teach and prach the message God has for this hour and may God give you strength and healing in Jesus name Amen
    pray that I get money to go

  2. Tom Doyle, a missionary to the middle East, states:
    Why does God allow such persecution of his people? Tom notes that the threat of persecution for Western Christians is virtually nonexistent, but church growth in America has leveled off in recent decades while the Kingdom is growing in spectacular ways across the non-Western world. His conclusion: “Jesus’ message of love and reconciliation thrives in a climate where hostility, danger, and martyrdom are present. Persecution and the spread of the gospel are as inseparable as identical twins. Suffering propels the growth of Jesus movements around the world.”

    Praying your Prayer for Today Rev. M. Thank u always for your unwaivering guidance and love for us all.

    Looking forward to Mr. Netanyahu’s speech today to the US Congress.
    God bless all fellow saints.

  3. Praying for your health David,so you can make it to this event and be an mighty instrument in God’s hand— the devil tries to use our troubles to discourage us, to separate us from the love of God. He tries to deceive believers into thinking God doesn’t care,or worse that God is cruel, allowing difficulties too much for us to bear. I am going through a difficult time at present and during this time I have struggled with those lies,tempted to believe them. But some how no matter how misguided my anger at God gets, I know He is actively working behind the scenes to either help me through or sustain me until He can overcome the trouble place in my path. In end I always end up closer to God than I thought possible. So I can totally relate to what Paul is saying today– perhaps my troubles don’t match his in scope, but I do get the sense of weariness one feels when dealing with a difficult issue for a prolong length of time. But just this morning, while in prayer, the Holy Spirit assured me He has people praying for me; that I am not as alone as I feel. So that comforts me– and with the comfort I was given, I am now hoping I am comforting someone reading this, who might be feeling the way I did– just hold on, God hasn’t forgotten you, and He is doing more to help you than you can imagine.

    • Amen Donna and I will be in prayer that God will sustain you and hold you tight as you struggle during this time. Will add this to my prayer time. Love in Christ. Catherine. Denounce satan’s lies in theMighty Name of Our Lord Jesus…..He has overcome!!!!

    • thank you Donna for your encouragement! I also feel hopeless or to tired to go on…then the Holy Spirit will do something that says “I am with you, I know what is happening and keep trusting in me” like this morning, I lost an ear plug and said” well, that’s that!” an hour later I found it right in the bed!!! that was all the Holy Spirit’s doing!

      This website has a 24 hours prayer centre, 1-866-273-4444 and I use it very often expecially when a jealous thought comes into my mind which is the devil trying to trip me up and I phone immediately and they have wonderful prayers to pray for a person, I absolutely won’t let the devil have his ways, God is the Victor, and contacting the prayer line immediately helps me to get rid of the anger….PRAYER IS CONVERSATION WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, AND HE HEARS US, AND HE IS ACTIVELY WORKING IN OUR LIVES EVERTY DAY! I am off to swimming and I cry tears of thankfulness as this also is directly from God! blessings

  4. Thank you David for your teaching and your honesty. We will most definitely be praying in Jesus’ name that you will regain your health and strength and that God will move in a powerful way when you preach in Jerusalem. God bless you 🙂

  5. Thank you Lord for working through David Mainse and his team to produce this wonderful blog. For me… this blog functions as a meeting place where one can share their thoughts and needs. For one reason or another it is difficult for some of us Christian brethren and “shut ins” to make it to church each week. For some this is our/their church…

    I agree with Tom Doyle as you mentioned Lynda.

    May The Holy Spirit of God lift us up this day. Many blessings blog friends…

    david

  6. Amen!! Donna M, I really appreciated your words of comfort today.
    I needed that encouragement thanks.
    I pray for all the bloggers too. God Bless them all.

  7. My thoughts and prayers are with you David and Norma-Jean as you plan yet another trip to Israel. I hope that you will have full strength to lead your group of pilgrims.
    I will be watching with great interest the Prime Minister’s speech to Congress later today.
    Shalom,
    Graham.
    2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.

    .

  8. Thr God of all comfort reigns forever. May God bless all his people, and enable us all to bless others. Thank you, David and all your family and helpers. You are truly a blessing from God to us. Lord God, help us to fulfill all your intentions, plans and will that you called us for…in Jesus’ name.. Amen

  9. Dear Lord, your obedient and faithful servant David Mainse needs a special healing touch as he has the after affects of the flu. I pray your healing will begin in him and as he prepares to travel with the special message from you, may he be renewed in strength that only comes from you. I pray complete healing in the name of Jesus Our Lord to get him ready for this very important message in Jerusalem. Thank you for what you are going to do Lord.

    Blessings and thanks to my fellow bloggers who are as Paul says our support, in love.

  10. Today was to be my husband’s 82 birthday (3/3/33)! Commercial sites, etc. are sending birthday greetings on e-mail to him. I also received a post from one of my bridesmaid’s husband – he tells me his wife hasn’t got much time now. We lost 4 residents at the nursing home over 3 weeks. I feel so sad today. I pray that Dorothy and her husband’s hearts will be prepared to make commitments to God and to accept his Gift of Salvation. They live way up in Northern Ontario so it’s hard to visit them but I do keep in touch via cards and e-mails. I do pray that God Will do a mighty work (and in you too David-preparing you for your trip).

    • God bless you, Doreen. Have you ever thought of getting Skype so you can see and talk to your friends/family on the computer–much closer connection than email or blogging. Praying for strength from the Lord for you on this difficult day. God bless you, dear sister-in-Christ!

      • I doubt that Dorothy would agree to that now. She’s quite weak and not eating much (as per husband). I don’t like Skype myself as my family live in different time zones – doesn’t work for us! But thanks for the thought. For some, I know, it is wonderful.

  11. Praying for your health, David Mainse, along with all the saints. God bless you and keep you and wrap His loving arms around you. God fill you with his presence and grant you strength. Praise God for your ministry, love for Jesus, and example that you set for all of us to follow. Amen!

  12. Take good care of yourself Pastor David as you are a blessing to all of us.
    This flu that has been going around takes time to be totally over it. I have had it, get feeling better and it seems to rebound. I have had a bad few days again after feeling so much better, so take heart and we are praying for you. I love the study and enjoy what people are blogging. You feel like a family.

  13. I will be praying for you David. Your sincerity and integrity has been a great blessing to me over the years. It is such a blessing to point to a T V evangelist who has real godly character. I write this only to encourage you.

    One thing I would request is, if possible, could the print of your “100 Words” be made a little darker.

    Donald Stubbs

  14. Many blessings to you, Pastor David & your wife, Norma-Jean today as you continue to experience the healing hand of God upon your life. Here is a Prayer Chorus: “Touch me again, Lord. Touch me again. This moment I feel, that afresh thou can’t heal. So, touch me again, Lord, Touch me again”. May God continue to fill and anoint you with His Spirit as you travel to Israel to speak at the huge gathering. Truly, we need “another Pentecost” – in the sense, of another outpouring of God’s Spirit in this needy world. “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Zech.4:6). Also, for you, the prayer of Ephesians 3;13-21, especially vs. 16 for your health and strength. Also see the Living Bible Paraphrase of these verses especially 13-17 but all of it is great! Samuel

  15. Dear Brother David… I am blest to have a Christian doctor. Some time ago I called him when I felt I was coming down with a very bad case of ‘flu; he told me to get vitamin D3 and take 10 capsules three times a day for three days. ! I did — and in three days I was completely well! (I’d felt as if I could have been ill for weeks.) I take four capsules a day now, for prevention, and have not had the ‘flu since.
    God bless you, precious David; you are such a blessing — to so many! Truly, a gift from His nail-pierced hand!

  16. Just received this in my email account.

    Mark Biltz
    Pastor and author Mark Biltz is the founder of El Shaddai Ministries, a resource and teaching ministry, and is perhaps best known for his research and teaching about the blood moons of 2014 and 2015, as well as other signs in the heavens. His research has uncovered the fascinating link between significant events in the history of Israel and NASA’s solar and lunar eclipse charts.
    The LIVE webcast will air at 5:00 PM Pacific Time, 6:00 PM Phoenix Time and Mountain Time, 7:00 PM Central Time, and 8:00 PM Eastern Time. If you are not sure of your time zone, whether in the US or international, please visit the Time Zone Converter page at TimeAndDate.com to convert one of the times listed above to your time zone.
    Watching the webcast is easy! All you have to do is go to http://www.jewishvoicelive.org a few minutes before it starts and watch!

  17. please pray for the President of the United States! something is not right! I don’t understand why North America would want war with any country! I pray Canada does not get involved in a war anywhere!

    please pray for Mr. Netanyahu as he speaks to the US congress not to vote for weaons for Iran! I don’t listen real close to the news but I do believe we all need to pray for the above 2 leaders and our our Prime Minister in Canada.

    Lord I ask that You would give me peace and harmony as I deal with a chemical imblance, a sleep disorder and trying to get the clutter cleaned up and pray for someone who can help decorate my place (I have cardboard on the windows!) Bless my swim tonight, bless all those who I have met over the years at the pool, many are believers! iNCREDIBLE! also Lord send me ideas as to how to sell the things I have in boxes, I would like to put some money on my loan and help a youth program that has been flooded out 2 times last month! Thank you Lord AMEN

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