A MERRY HEART
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 15
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
While in the Holy Land, one can enjoy a wonderful meal in Nazareth at this first century re-enactment location called Nazareth Village.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Proverbs 15:16
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble.
Before we consider our key verse, let’s highlight three other statements from today’s reading: (1) “A soft answer turns away wrath.” Let’s try this. It works! (2) “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.” This works too! In fact this is very enjoyable for everybody! (3) “A wise son makes a father glad.” We have the help of two Mainse sons in creating this blog. Rev. David Reynold Mainse, a professional photographer as well as an ordained minister, has spent almost three months in Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Egypt taking the photos which appear daily as our first blog item. Rev. Ronald Wesley Mainse, also an ordained minister, sets up the blog format daily, prepares the links which appear in blue for our convenience, takes pictures from time to time which appear at the end of the blog, and then posts the blog for 6 a.m. daily. “Thank You” to my wise and helpful sons!
The key verse can be illustrated by clicking on Luke 16:19-31. The world says that the more wealth we have, the happier we will be. Anyone who suggests that a poor man could be better off than a rich man is looked at as a fool. But to the rich man in Jesus’ story God says, “You fool.” “Wisdom” motivates us to lay up treasure in Heaven.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that I will use the material possessions with which You bless me in those things that please You and which have eternal consequences and rewards. You have promised to supply all my needs (Philippians 4:10-19), and over and above that, enough to bless my family, as well as others! I pray this in the Name of the One who daily gives and gives and gives, the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I was born in the minister’s house provided by a congregation at the height of the Great Depression during the 1930’s. From two to eight years old, I lived on the farm owned by my mother’s sister and her husband, Mina and Harvey Lindsay. My father was overseas for the duration of World War II. Then, upon his return, we began living in Church-owned residences. My parents never took a vow of poverty as far as I know, but by today’s Canadian standards we were poor. Money never seemed to be a problem. We always had food to eat and a roof over our heads. We experienced our key verse: “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with trouble.” We did not have “great treasure” in terms of money, but then we did not have the kind of trouble referred to in our reading either. I look back on those days with a “merry heart.” I think it shows on my countenance as Proverbs 15:13 says.
Yours for “a merry heart.” Is it too early to say MERRY Christmas?
David
P.S. Below is a picture of me standing at the “Wailing Wall”… the prayer wall for Jews and for us too. I am placing there written prayer requests sent to me by blog partners for this purpose. The little hat is worn as a courtesy to our Jewish friends.
Its so wonderful to hear of your childhood so many families such as mine and yours expierienced pverty but at the time it didn t seem that way God always provides and always will I am not rich but live a comfortable life my husband and I pray for my daughter for she lives a rich life and works two jobs becauce she wants to build up a big bank acount even though their house is paid for and have few bills her husband spends all his time home with the kids and shes out working God healed her of cervical cancer and she needs to stop this over working Merry Christmas everyone as to you Pastor David and Norma Jean and all your beautiful family God Bless !!!!♡♥♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♥♡♡♥♥☆★☆★☆♡♥♥♡☆■■☆★♥]
Lily May, I pray that your daughter will realize that The Lord was the one who healed her. It is certainly a different world from what we grew up in. Yet, when I read Pastor David’s thoughts I think if we keep bringing our loved ones before the Throne of Grace, God will answer our prayers. The Mainse family is a fine example of this. God Bless you and all bloggers.
For your precious daughter to be brought closer back home, to her children, husband, and you, Lily May. In Jesus’ mighty Name, we pray, amen, amen, and amen!
Hi Lily and all bloggers
As parents we will always be concerned about our children regardless of how old they are. Underscoring all things, is our desire that they would have a relationship with the Lord – as it has eternal consequences. Someone once said, “if we can’t talk to our children (or anyone, for that matte)r, about God – then we can talk to God about our children or those God has laid upon our hearts”. Loving them and surrendering them to God and giving God permission to ‘intervene’ in their lives in whatever means he chooses to get their attention. Praying for one another with all prayer and supplication. Have a great day all bloggers.
Yes, yesterday was exactly one month before Christmas. I am getting my lights out today while the sun is shining and before it starts pouring in a few days (as you can tell, I’m on the West Coast”). So Merry Christmas everyone. “Christmas isn’t Christmas till its “CHRISTmas” in our hearts! Honor and glory and praise be unto God. Samuel
The Proverbs nourish us with such wisdom. Thank you Rev. Mainse for your dedication and perseverance.
A good and wise man, Angus Buchan, knows how to live a just life too:
“So may God bless you as you get back to The Word and start to read it systematically every single morning. It will do away with depression, anxiety and fear in your life. The Word will heal you physically, mentally and spiritually. The Word will be a compass and a direction finder for you. The Word will give you hope, it will be a friend who sticks closer than any brother.”
Praying for Israel and all those seeking our Lord and his blessings.
Another great spiritual song, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.
https://youtu.be/iPeVIuRjUi4
Thank you for your insights, information, and gift of teaching in the Word that you share. What a blessing your faithfulness in these daily devotions has been to me. I pray that our Lord will richly bless you, your family and the Crossroads family. Sally
God Bless you David, thank you, reading your blog first time in the morning give me peace and comfort to start my day.
I suffer from an social anxiety (fear of people) because of being abused, and just knowing that Lord Jesus is with me give me strength to go out today, 100 Huntley and crossroads helped mt to become a born again Christian and saved my life.
Jenny.
Having grown up in a family of thirteen, I can identify with being poor but the Lord always provided and I had a strong motivation to get education and help out in improving our lot which I did.. Praise God! Merry Christmas to you David, Norma Jean and all the Mainse family. The scenes of Israel are still fresh in my mind and are especially meaningful around Christmas time. Blessings to all!
Your sons and family are incredible, David–to have been guided in your footsteps to follow the Lord–amen! We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Our God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Amen! Praying for fellow saints, today. In Jesus’ Name, amen, amen, and amen!
His Eye is on the Sparrow, Whitney Houston
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRdYSDSYTVY
Hi Beverlee
I love this song especially as it was sung by Ethel Waters at various Billy Graham Crusades. “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me (with that ending, Ethel Waters, would throw up her hands and sing, “and I KNOW He watches…WEEE” as she scanned the crowd. God is good. I love Psalm 121 NIV, (5) times the Psalmist emphases that God is ‘watching’ over us, over Israel, over our coming and going” Have a great day.
Amen Pastor Samuel!
I certainly relate to your story of being poor as far as money was concerned, but rich as God provided us with all our need. Mother somehow always provided food on the table, and clothes to wear; and although we often walked barefoot, or with holes in our shoes, we knew we were loved;
Dad died when I was 4; Mother was our sole provider, she made sure we attended church, and said our prayers before going to bed, and on special times at mealtime also. I thank God for a my Mother who went to be with her Lord on August 23, 1974: And I appreciated her more and more through the years as I grew older.
Thank you Beverlee: One of my favorite songs “His Eye is on the Sparrow” I had the privilege to sing it as a solo at my church a few years ago, and still love to sing it.
Amen, Irene! What a gifting!