Thursday, August 13, 2015

FRIENDS

Today’s Reading: Job 3-4

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

 

As you look north along the shore of the Judean cliffs and the Dead Sea,  you can see a storm rolling in.

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

 

Key Verses: Job 3:25

For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.

 

To say that Job wished he had never been born would be an understatement. God would not allow Satan to kill Job, but everything short of death was thrown at him. Job cried out, “Why did I not die at birth?” Jesus, in His 100% humanity, cried out, “Why?” (Matthew 27:45-49). Jesus and Job no doubt have met already. I think Jesus would probably say, “Job, I understand what you went through.”

Consider what true friends are, as described at the end of Job 2: (1) They heard of Job’s adversity. (2) They made appointments and travelled to visit him. (3) They mourned with Job. (4) They comforted him. (5) Job was so emaciated they did not recognize him and they lifted their voices and wept. (6) They tore their clothes in a show of grieving. (7) Job was sitting in a heap of ashes and his friends identified with him by sprinkling dust on their heads. (8) They sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. (9) They did not speak for an entire week because Job’s grief was very great. (10) Then they heard Job speak first. He said, “May the day perish on which I was born.” Let us meditate on the words of the first friend as we read (again slowly perhaps) the words of Eliphaz in Chapter 4.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I’m so very thankful for at least three true friends with whom You have blessed me through the years. I pray that You will work in me sufficiently that I will be a true friend to several others. Your Word tells me that You, Lord, are a Friend “that sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 17:17 & Proverbs 18:24b). Lord Jesus, You are a true Friend! Thank You for being my Friend (Matthew 11:19) Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

(Happy Birthday Dad!) My son Ronald Wesley Mainse, who sets up the structure for me for the blog, typed that greeting in here. I assure you, my son, that I’ve never wished I’d never been born. I’m filled with joy at the fact that I was born on August 13, 1936, in the house pictured below in Campbell’s Bay, Quebec. There are six years between me and my closest sister in age, Elaine Boudinot, who lives now in Kentucky. My sister told me that mother had three miscarriages during those six years. I find that sad, and I hope to learn all about the “Why” question some day in eternity.

There are two others mentioned in Ezekiel 14 besides Job. They are Noah and Daniel. An extra study for today could be Ezekiel 14:12-23. All three were severely tested. Can I expect to sail through life without testing? I think not!

There have been times when I’ve visited friends in deep turmoil. Often there are no adequate words to speak. I trusted that my presence would say loudly, “I care deeply about you.”

Yours for deep and lasting friendships,

David

In front of the home where I was born in Campbell’s Bay, Quebec.

On my first birthday – August 13, 1937. At 79 years old today, I would definitely not be considered cute. Ron found these pictures on his brother’s computer and he wanted to put it into today’s blog.

71 thoughts on “Thursday, August 13, 2015

  1. Praying that the Lord will bless you on your birthday in a special way!!!
    Thanks for being a blessing to so many!!
    Alec

    • wishing you David A Very Happy Birthday and praying you stay well with your good living and Gods favourGod Blessyou and your wonderful wife and family Thanks for leading the way and being such an inspiration. Your sister in Christ Nancy Wigmore

  2. Happy Birthday David. May God bless you & continue to lead & guide you to be a blessing & encouragement for hundreds & thousands for many more years. Your words of wisdom in this blog have been a blessing to me & I look forward to my morning devotions with 100 Words.

  3. Happy, happy, birthday David! Your commitment to this blog, helps me to keep on track reading through the Bible, and brings fresh insight and inspiration

  4. i was touched as I looked at the baby picture–to think that as your family held you as a little boy no one knew the great ministry God had planned for you, and the great things that you would do to be a blessing to so many lives! God bless you, have a wonderful day 🙂

  5. Happy Birthday David! We think you are quite cute and handsome. May you have good health and happiness throughout the year.

  6. Have a great day David as you celebrate with friends and family. Happy Birthday!

    I’m off to climb my favorite mountain today – Mt Cheam in Chilliwack, BC. Have a great day blog friends and God Bless.

  7. Happy Birthday David. I am sooo vey happy that the Lord has healed you and kept you with us and my wish and prayer is for continued good health and many more years with us. I continue to learn and grow as I follow along with you every morning. May the God of Job keep you and bless you every day.

    Sally

  8. Happy 79th Birthday Pastor David, I start each day with the blog.
    I’ve been with you for over 3 years now and what a blessing it’s been for me.
    Thank you for your faithfulness to our Lord and Savior.
    May God grant you health and strength to continue for many years to come.

  9. Happy Happy Birthday. I thank God that you were born. You have listened and obeyed the Lord. You have won many souls to the knowledge of JESUS. My prayer is we need you here for many many years. Sometimes I have missed because of circumstances ,I always catch up. This daily manna I so desperately need , you help me to keep on track. May Gods richest blessings descend upon you. The world is a much better place because you’re in it.

  10. Happy Birthday, David. After reading all the wonderful comments above, I’ve had to agree with them all. May God pour his many blessings upon you today. Your blog is such a blessing in my life. I look forward to it every morning. I am so amazed at your faithfulness in doing this every day.
    Enjoy your day. This is the day the Lord has made,we will rejoice and be glad in it.

  11. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID,
    I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THIS BLOG. HAVE DONE IT SINCE YOU STARTED.
    WE THANK GOD FOR THE WAY HE INSPIRES AND ANOINT YOU.
    THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR LIFE AND EXPERIENCE WITH US DAILY.
    CANT HELP BUT REMEMBER HOW FR. BOB MACDOUGALL LOVED AND ENJOYED YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND FAMILY. HE USED TO DAY NORMA-JEAN AND DAVID ARE MY FAMILY HERE.
    PRAYING THAT HEALTH FAVORS BREAKTHROUGHS WILL CONTINUE TO OVERTAKE YOUR LIFE AND THAT GOD WILL FILL YOUR TIME WITH MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO SPREAD THE WORD, AS YOU DO SO WELL.
    MY HUSBAND JOHN RECEIVED A MIGHTY WORD OF KNOWLEDGE THROUGH JAY RAWLINGS THAT I DID NOT HAVE A HEART CONDITION LIKE THE DRS AT THE CIVIC HOSPITAL HERE BELIEVE BUT A PINCHED NERVE IN MY BACK AND THAT WAS CONFIRMED BY A CHIRO AND AFTER A FEW TREATMENTS ALL WAS BACK TO NORMAL AND I SHARED ON YOUR TELECAST THAT FALL. THANK YOU FOR BEING OBEDIENT TO THE CALL AND FOR SHOWING US WHAT ALMIGHTY GOD CAN DO THROUGH ONE PERSON WILLING TO FOLLOW HIM.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS PRAYERS AND LOVE NICOLE.

  12. We never fail to follow your blog. We do so because of your integrity and knowledge of God’s Word. Also because your Ministry at Crossroads is so genuine, we have been supporters for a long time. God bless you on this day that marks your entrance into this world. The world is blessed by it.
    We love you, David Mainse.

  13. Happy Birthday David and thank you so much for your devotion to God and your daily blog that I have now been following for the past year. You are such a Blessing to me and to so many others. I pray for your continued good health. I share this day with you as it would have been my late husband Larry and I wedding anniversary of 21 years.

  14. Happy Birthday, David
    You are an inspiration to me and thousands around the world. You are Canada’s Billy Graham.

  15. Happy Birthday David!! You are a blessing to so many in your faithfulness in getting this blog to us each day. Thank you! May the Lord continue to bless your coming and going, not just this special day but every day to come.

  16. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday today and Gods richest blessings. It is also my husband Jacks birthday . Am praying for you and Norma Jean every day.

  17. I would also like to wish you a happy birthday. This blog is a blessing to me. Thank-you.

    Thank-you also to your family who help in producing this blog.

  18. Have a Blessed Happy birthday David. I looked at your picture and I definitely thought you are SO SO Cute, love Jenny.

  19. Happy Birthday Rev. Mainse, and many, many more. May u have a wonderful day with your friends and family.
    A son’s love for his mother is so lovingly displayed in this video. Hope u will enjoy it:
    http://www.idealistrevolution.org/last-dance/
    The pic of the storm rolling in is beautiful and the baby pic is too beautiful too.
    Blessings on this special day.

  20. Happy 79th Birthday Pastor David Mainse.
    Thankyou for sharing this daily blog with everyone.
    It has helped so many better understand the Word of God, including me.
    MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS,
    AMEN!!

  21. Happy Birthday,David,as God continues to bless

    Catch The Fire (4 David Mainse)

    Though you have walked many oceans
    And spread My word to many nations,
    I saw in you and your devotions
    A servant of joyous exhalations.

    You have not asked for earthly wealth,
    But just to be my most humble voice
    And when adversity was kept in stealth
    You still worshiped Me out of free choice.

    So out of free choice I give you
    More time upon the stage of learning,
    Whereby My word you show to be true
    And catch the fire that’s forever burning.
    G W(Bill) Marshall / 01 February, 2014

    • V nice! HB David, and may God bless and strengthen all his people. Thank you too, all David’s family. Blessings on you all in Jesus’ name.

  22. Happy Birthday Pastor David and blessings to you my friend. I hope you have an excellent day!! Thank you for your faithfulness daily to continually do this blog. I have been with you since Day 1. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

    • ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ (candles)

  23. Happy, Happy Birthday, David. When I looked at your photos, the thought came to me, “A man with a vision.” Thank you for enriching my life over the years, including the trip to Israel. Am continuing to be blessed by this blog, day by day. God bless you and give you many more years.

  24. Happy Birthday David! This is my first time around reading the word of God everyday through your blog. I thankd God for you everyday! I wish you many more beautiful years serving our God!

  25. Happy Birthday Rev Maines – GOD bless you today and well into the future. Thanks for your faithfulness in bringing us your blog. I often wonder if I wold have started to read the Bible thru’ if I hadn’t joined the many others in zoning in on this blog. THANKS THANKS THANKS

  26. Happy birthday David. I appreciate your blog every morning. Thank you for helping me stay faithful in reading God’s word every day.
    Enjoy your day.

    Blessings to you and your family

  27. Happy Birthday David. Thank you for your Faithfulness to “Others” I remember you and Norma Jean singing that song and testifying that it was your Lifes’ Mission to want to bless others. You and your wonderful family continue to do this and for that I am so thankful as I know countless “others” are as well! God Bless You on your Birthday!

  28. Happy Birthday David! We hope you have a wonderful day! Thank you for all that you do. You are a blessing to us all!

  29. God Bless you ,and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you , my husband
    would be 79 on Aug. 22 he is celebrating in heaven . Thank you for the blog…R…

  30. May the Lord bless you and all of your family as you celebrate your 79th birthday! Thank- you for your inspirational daily blog and your faithfulness to encourage others by your example. Happy Birthday David!

  31. Happy Birthday David! We so appreciate you and this devotion everyday. Many Blessings to walk out the fulllness of all the plans the Lord has for you everyday.
    Sherry and Jeremiah Healey

  32. God Bless you on your 79th birthday Pastor David. My husband was 79 on May 1st and I think you both look fantastic. Blessings to all, Eleanor M.

  33. wishing you a blessed birthday! I so appreciate how honest you have been David Mainse about your life, how you began going one way and then after some guidance from God? Holy Spirit? someone!!! you went a different way! God had a plan for you,
    Again I must say I appreciate the honesty about your personal life, about how you have wept over hurting people, I appreciated how you consulted with others who are wise and you have seeked advice, asked the Lord for discernment, and you have shared that sometimes mistakes were made and you realized this and prayed to the Lord asking to e forgiven and asking the Lord to guide back on the right path!
    I guess the one thing I’ve REALLY appreciate is that you have never put a person down for doing some foolish things but rather, you have asked for prayer, realizing how vulnerable you are and we arer! You have always portrayed God is a Loving, Forgiving God, not wanting to throw anyone away! That is a very precious insight and it is comforting to me knowing how deeply you care for others!
    again, may God grant you a blessed year, thank you for your discipline in your walk with God ALmighty, thank you for your honesty, God bless your beautiful wife Norma-Jean and your sons and their families.

  34. Dear David
    Happy birthday and thank you so much for going forward with this blog, it is a Great Blessing to me
    I really enjoy the pictures which are such a joy
    Enjoy your day and thanks so much from all us
    JD

  35. Happy Birthday, David Mainse!!! And God’s continued blessings to you, today, tomorrow, and always!!! You are such an amazing Christian, person, and inspiration and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for following God’s call on your life!!!

  36. Happy Birthday to you David !!
    I pray God will continue to renew your youth as the eagle’s. Thank you for all the “personal words” and teachings.
    Karen

  37. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and praying that God well bless you with many more years. I look forward to your blog every day, it’s been a source of strength for me. Thank you for your dedication to this and your many other ministry ventures. PS. I think your 1st birthday picture is sweet, you had a special air about you even then. May God continue to bless you and your family.

  38. May the Lord bless you into your new year! Our family wish you a very happy birthday. We are so thankful to the Lord for you and your family. Toronto

  39. Hi David, Happy Birthday! May the year ahead be wonderfully blessed of the Lord. Thank you for this inspiring Blog…..You are so appreciated!

  40. Wishing you every blessing possible on this your birthday, Pastor David from myself and my friend, BJ who is staying with me. You model our Lord Jesus to me.

  41. Happy Birthday David! May God continue to Bless you richly!!! Thank you for blessing us with your wonderful blog! Thank you for leading us through the Word of God! Happy Birthday to Norma-Jean tomorrow!

  42. I would like to wish you a Happy Birthday David, and say how much I enjoy your blogs. This has been the second time through with you, and each time I have enjoyed it! God has definitely blessed you and I pray He continues to bless you and Norma Jean. Thank you for your faithfulness to Him.

  43. David, Happy Birthday belated. May blessings abound in your delight of your Lord and God ….for He has given you to His people to cherish as your own and you have received this most arduous task. We all see your tirelessness of heart and of will and of faithfulness. We are all inspired by this AND aspire to it. We are all beyond thanksgivings to our Lord and God to and for you….Amen.

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