GOD’S BOOKS
Today’s Reading: Joshua 9
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).
Jacob’s Well lies in the crypt of a modern Greek Orthodox church at Nablus in the West Bank. It is located at the entrance to a mountain pass between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (referred to in Joshua 8). It is often considered the most authentic site in the Holy Land, since no one can move a well that was originally dug more than 40 metres deep into solid rock almost 4,000 years ago. Jacob’s well is where Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink and offered her “living water” (John 4:5-42).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Joshua 9:14
Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.
The leadership of Israel once again, as in the case of the first attack on Ai, did not wait in prayer before God for His guidance. They were in the Promised Land. Everything seemed to be going their way. There was no more manna to eat. They had grown, purchased or confiscated a wide variety of food. While they never spoke the words to God, “We don’t need You anymore,” their decision about the Gibeonites showed an underlying attitude that resulted in Israel being deceived. This decision, without consulting the Lord, resulted in heartache for the people of God in the years to come.
We may want to read about those who did consult God before taking action (Hebrews 11:30-40). This list of God’s heroes starts in the book of Joshua. God’s list is becoming longer and longer with the names of those who listen to Him and do His will. Amen!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, when I stand before You at the judgment of believers, may I, by Your grace, find my name written in the Book of Life. As you spoke the name, “Mary” (John 20:11-16) just after rising from the dead, in the same way I’m anticipating the ultimate joy of hearing You say my name. Like those in Hebrews 11:39, grant that I may, “obtain a good testimony through faith.” Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I wonder if Jesus will have a new name for me. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. The Prophet Daniel writes of names written in God’s Book, as does the Apostle John in the Revelation (Daniel 12 & Revelation 21). I love the promise of God written in Malachi 3:16-18. A Book of Remembrance is being written “For those who fear the Lord, and who meditate on HIS NAME!” That is what I’m praying many more will do because of this blog. I hope that this message will be forwarded to others, and as a result, many more personal stories will be in God’s “Book of Remembrance.” YES!!!!! According to Malachi, all we must do to qualify for this Book is to fear the Lord, speak to one another, and the Prophet says, “The Lord listened and heard them.” As a direct result there is a Book of Remembrance. I think God writes, not on paper, but perhaps in cyberspace! I love to hear from those who read this blog.
Grateful with you that, by God’s grace, our names are in His book,
David
Underneath the Greek Orthodox church pictured above, visitors draw water from Jacob’s Well. Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions all associate this well with Jacob.
Out of weakness we are made strong, oh Lord give all of us the strength required to live and yield to your plan for us, wonderful lwords and thoughts to go through our day bless you Rev David Mainse
Oh, amen! That our names be written in the book of life, in heaven. Oh, to see the beautiful shining face of our Lord and Saviour and stand in His Holy Presence! It brings tears to my eyes, just thinking of that time to come! Praying for a good day, dear David, Norma-Jean, and fellow saints.
So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD!
Psalm 31:24 NLT
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IQUXJ_H16Y
YES, How Deep the Father’s Love for us…thank you Beverlee for the post!!!
Thank you Beverlee for your inspiring postings of links to uplifting songs.
Thank you Mr Mainse for this blog and the opportunity it allows us to encourage one another by sharing our stories and prayers.
Praying that everyone will enjoy a blessed day!
David, I work in the oil patch in Alberta which sometimes requires long hours and time spent away from home and loved ones. I made a commitment to acccompany you on this 2 year journey back in June and am still with you. I look forward to this reading each morning before getting on with my day. I offer you best wishes and I am certain your name is written in God’s book. I can only hope and pray that me and my loved ones may have that honour as well. God bless.
God bless you Bill! Your name and your loved ones’ names are written In the Book of Life! Only when a person walks away, will it be removed; God never forces anyone to love Him and follow Him! We all have that freewill……
I to look forward each morning listening,reading to what God’s book has for us.Also love reading the comments and prayer requests.Thank you pastor David!
Thank you again for your words of wisdom. I look forward to this time with you, in the Word each morning. God bless you and Norma Jean.
I look forward to sitting at the computer for my “breakfast” every morning. Thank God for giving you this blog to do. I enjoy your words on the scripture. God bless you David!
Thank you for your continued ministry and this blog format of meditating on the word together with you each day. I just listened to the video blog and suddenly realized that I have been missing this version and found it a very good way to enhance my learning through listening. Sometimes we can read the word and the words seem to fall off the page. Recently, my husband has been experiencing a loss of vision and literally, the words would fall off the page after 20 mins. I directed him to the audio version of reading the scriptures but not found the video blog of 100 words until today. I also noticed that we have been missing you commentating these words as Ron has now taken your place. Fortunately for technology, we can go back to listen to the messages you had delivered earlier this month. I hope your health is strengthening as I realize that you are suffering physically with your condition. I am not too familiar with your struggles with your health but I want you to know that I really appreciate your ministry and miss hearing your voice. Thank you for your faithful leading and teaching over the years. Maybe we will have the privilege to see you again in the Vancouver area. My husband John and I will return to Beijing Feb. 1st where I am teaching English to PhD students at Peking University. Your message today about consulting God before we make decisions is very relevant to us as return from our 2 yrs. serving China for the past two years. I love it there and would like to stay but my husbands health is becoming a challenge and he wants to return home. So we will seek God in finding what he wants us to do at home. I know I have been meeting many Chinese here that need encouragement and God’s word. Thank you again for your 100 words and the ministry you have been so faithfully serving all the days of your life. Blessings, Julia
My maternal grandfather used to say at the end of a day, so I am told, “One day closer to seeing my Saviour’s blessed face.” Never knew him on earth but looking forward to seeing him and grandmother in heaven. Also like you say, Pastor David, Oh, the joy to see our name and our loved ones names written in the Lamb’s book of life. I have no doubt that you will be there. God bless you saints!
For an explanation of why all the people in the nations Israel conquered had to be killed, please see my comments in yesterday’s comments. Just for your information should you be interested.
Praying for patience to “inquire of the Lord” before making decisions in my life. Thankful for forgiveness when failing to do so. God’s blessing on you to-day.
Thank you for the beautiful pictures and your helpful commentary each day. We appreciate the work that Reynold,Ron and Ann do to help you post the blogs.
Thank you, Lord ,for keeping your servant ,David here to encourage and bless all of us who check out these blogs! Please bless and strengthen the Mainse family!
Amen.
Amen and Amen!!!
Dear Pastor Daviid: as usual enjoyed your comments today. A good reminder to be in prayer about everything, that way we will know the Lords’s will in each situation. The fact that we are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life is so wonderful to think about. It brings tears to my eyes.
Please thank Reynold for the beautiful pictures it is almost like being there.
I pray that you are improving every day as I am, blessings to you Norma Jean and your family as well as this blog family. Eleanor M.
David. Just affirming that I am still with you in reading through the Bible on this the 3rd round. So tempted to just want to stop again and again to delve into all this more deeply. I want to say “Amen” all today on the importance of “inquiring of the Lord” in our daily lives and situations. Blessings to all bloggers and to you, David, and Norma-Jean. May God continue to surround you with his love, patience in the gradual daily recovery process in your life and a fresh touch of His healing hand.
So true, the importance of praying before making decisions. When I think of the many times I ran ahead impulsively…and paid the price…as did Joshua in today’s reading.
Yes, my prayer too is that my name and those of my household will be written in The Book of Life. What a day of rejoicing that will be…when we all get together in the Lord!!!