WORDS OF TRUTH
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 22
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A mother and her children enjoy some moments together at Nazareth Village. The people who demonstrate life as it was 2,000 years ago are dedicated believers in Jesus. Most of them are members of the Nazareth Baptist Church. Rev. Nizar Shaheen, my son-in-law, was ordained as a Minister of Christ in this church. The church operates a school, kindergarten through high school, that has about 1,000 students. Let us pray for this church, and others in Nazareth, as they face some difficult times.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Proverbs 22:20-21
Have I not written to you excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,
That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may answer words of truth
To those who send to you?
The translation used in this blog is the New King James Version. I hope to do as our key verse says. There is counsel and knowledge here in this daily blog. There is “certainty of the words of truth.” Amen!!!
Let us consider another proverb found in Proverbs 22:2. “The rich and poor have this in common, the Lord is Maker of them all.” Rich and poor have more in common than this. He is the only Saviour. He is the Judge of the universe and everything in it. He is Lord to all who give Him our lives. No matter how much money anyone has, salvation cannot be purchased by money. No matter how poor anyone is, they cannot be refused salvation, providing they ask in repentance and faith, because eternal life was paid for in full by Jesus Christ on the Cross! Salvation is free to all who come to Jesus and ask to be saved. If we have further questions about our eternal salvation, call our Crossroads prayer line at 1-866-273-4444. A loving caring person will answer. About 1,000 people every day call that number!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I’m going back to the key verse again and forming it into a prayer so that I may help others more and more. I also pray again that prayer which rich or poor must pray in order to have assurance of salvation and eternal life. “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.” I have confidence that You save me because Jesus said so (Luke 18:9-14). Yes! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m using consistently the New King James translation of the Bible. Today I want to tell a story of the giving heart of the largest publisher of Bibles in the world, Sam Moore, the man who, along with God, is the main reason we have the “New King James Version.”
In 1983 my daughter married a young man from Cana of Galilee, the village famous for Jesus’ first miracle, turning the water into wine at a wedding feast. Sam Moore printed 2,000 Bibles in Arabic and embossed the names of Ellen and Nizar on the cover as gifts for all who attended. Nizar, as the heavy-weight boxing champion for the area, attracted at least 2,000 men, mostly Muslims, to his wedding. The Word of God was put into their hands. Now many of these same men listen to the Gospel daily as Nizar shares the Word of God on television. Sam will be embarrassed to read this here, but I want to honour this man who paid for a wonderful honeymoon for these newlyweds. These are just two more reasons why I quote the NKJV.
Yours for the “Words of Truth” to be made known!!!
David
P.S. In yesterday’s blog, I shared my deep concern for the plight of the refugees who have been fleeing for their lives from the brutal ISIS fighters. Nizar and Ellen’s Arabic language ministry, Light for All Nations, has been very effective in bringing relief supplies to the refugees in the Middle East, as well as bringing the powerful message of the Gospel of Jesus. HERE is a link to one of their newsletters that describes how they have been helping…and HERE is a link to where you can help out with a donation for that vital cause (just be sure to type “Refugee Ministry” in the box next to “Special instructions/notes). Nizar has another trip to Iraq planned in coming months, as they continue helping the refugees.
“I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!
Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
I Am Thine Oh Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIBWJ3I5l2w
Credit for the poem/song:
Draw Me Nearer
By Frances (Fanny) J. Crosby (1820-1915)
published in 1875
Thank you Beverlee I was truly Blessed by this
Amen. Thank you David for your words of wisdom and compassion. Also for your song, Beverlee. One of my favorites. This is a new era in the history of our country and the world. Jesus prayed, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” He also said, “And this gospel shall be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”(Matthew 24:14). It appears it is the time for refugees to come into the Kingdom. The Lord bless and protect Nizar and his workers as he is doing a great work.
Amen, sister Ger, amen!
There is a program on Daystar today at 4pm, ET called “Dare to Love a Muslim.” which helps to give us understanding and how to witness. Check it out for the time in your area. “The rich and poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all.”(Proverbs 22:2). Blessings.
Thank you Pastor David. Beverlee and Ger for those words of prayer and songs of Praise. I sang along with you today Beverlee. I want us to pray “open the eyes of my heart Lord I want to see Jesus.” Let us see how The Lord would open His arms to welcome those who need refuge
Blessings on your day.
Praise God for the Ministry of “Light for All Nations”!! I pray for protection for Nizar and those who travel with him into not so safe nations, that they be kept safe in the arms of Jesus Our Lord!! Amen!
Amen! Irene Ochotta.
Thank you Mr. Mainse for the opportunity to give to help the refugees.
May GOD Bless Light for All Nations !
And may GOD Bless all of my blog family !
Diane 🙂
The Proverbs make me take a good look at myself. Thanks for this blog Rev. Mainse. Love the pic of the family in Nazareth.
Merry Christmas everyone!
https://youtu.be/MCUibdf9Kco
Thanks so much for everyone’s comments, poems etc.
Blessings
God bless Nizar & Ellen’s ministry! I pray all those with money will support this ministry..
The photos are breathtaking!
The bridge yesterday just takes away your breath! A perfect picture on the water! BEAUTIFUL
I was in error, Reynold and his wife Kathy do a ministry not in the middle east but in Africia somewhere…..it’s a great blessing that these ministries are happening! I noticed yesterday’s picture of the bridge had a reminder about tax receipts when donations are made! It is a good idea!
also I keep forgetting to mention, I appreciate any and all prayers for me! Thank you to all who pray for one another!