Monday, February 20, 2017

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THE ESSENTIAL MESSAGE

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 1-2

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

 

Here is the view of Athens from the Acropolis down towards the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Here is the view of Athens from the Acropolis down towards the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:1, 4

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God…And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

 

Athens, where Paul preached his famous sermon on Mars Hill, was very different from Corinth. In Athens, he did use “excellence of speech” as he debated the philosophers (Acts 17:16-34). In today’s reading Paul has moved about 40 miles south to the largest city of Greece, Corinth. Athens was the intellectual centre. Corinth was the commercial centre. Because of its location on a very narrow strip of land between the Adriatic and Aegean Seas, almost all shipping to the eastern regions of the Roman Empire passed through Corinth in order to avoid the dangerous trip around the southern peninsula. A canal was dug in 1893 for the ships, but back in the first century A.D. it took at least a week to haul the ships on rails or great wagons up and over to the opposite Sea. Meanwhile thousands of sailors, government officials, military personnel, businessmen, etc. would have a week of leisure. Paul, who financed his mission here by making tents, would’ve had no trouble selling everything he made to accommodate the travelers. It has been estimated that there were at least 5,000 prostitutes in Corinth.

I wrote the above in order to set the stage for Paul’s ministry, which will unfold for us as we continue over the next few days to read and consider these two letters from Paul to Corinth. The intellectual discourse of Athens would not get a hearing there. Demonstration of the Spirit and of power was absolutely essential in order to get anyone’s attention for the preaching of the Gospel. I’m way over 100 words….sorry.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, just as Paul had to understand the cities in which he communicated Your message, help me to understand the people and places where I live and witness for You. Please show me when and how to make Your case for believing in You. In Your Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Back in the 60’s and 70’s I read the Bible from cover to cover once a year, three chapters a day and five on Sunday. I encouraged others to do the same. Our ministry published study guides which were ordered by readers in advance. I discovered that by the time we reached Joshua, almost 80% of those who started with me had dropped out. In the 80’s and 90’s I moved our readings to two years through the Bible, moving from the Hebrew Scripture to the Greek, with alternate books for variety and balance between the Old and New Testaments. Approximately 80% of those who started with me in the new reading program ordered the materials and completed the entire Bible. These publications are out of print now, so I’ve moved into the brave new world of cyberspace just for you!!!

Yours for God’s gift of sanctified stubbornness in not giving up,

David

These are the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens. The Temple construction began in the 6th century BC.

These are the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens. The Temple construction began in the 6th century BC.

31 thoughts on “Monday, February 20, 2017”

  2. Thank you David for this wonderful blog!I have been reading through the bible with you for many years now first ,with New Direction and now this blog.I will be visiting,God willing , Israel in July for 8 weeks with Return Ministries .I love the Israel pics and am hoping to see some of the places Reynold has beautifully captured for us!Could I please ask for prayer for my grandaughter Lucy.She will be 1 year old next month .She has not been able to eat solid food yet ..she has great pain and will be needing a scope this month.It will be quite a procedure for our little sweety..thanks .Shalom and blessings..

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  3. I am praying for Lucy that God’s presence will be there during the procedure, giving guidance and wisdom to all involved and afterwards as well, that any problems will be revealed and any treatment required will be determined and provided, that Lucy will be well

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  4. The photos are wonderful, today, as is Paul’s message. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” 1 Cor 15. Oh, amen! Praying you have a wonderful family day, dear David, and all saints of the living Lord.

    “Nothing will be impossible for you.”
    Matthew 17:20 NIV

    Here I Am Lord, Steve Silvia
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GINNh15cT08

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  5. “It is the branch that bears the fruit,
    That feels the knife,
    To prune it for a larger growth,
    A fuller life.

    Though every budding twig be lopped,
    And every grace
    Of swaying tendril, springing leaf,
    Be lost a space.

    O thou whose life of joy seems reft,
    Of beauty shorn;
    Whose aspirations lie in dust,
    All bruised and torn,

    Rejoice, tho’ each desire, each dream,
    Each hope of thine
    Shall fall and fade; it is the hand
    Of Love Divine

    That holds the knife, that cuts and breaks
    With tenderest touch,
    That thou, whose life has borne some fruit
    May’st now bear much.”

    Annie Johnson Flint
    Streams in the Desert, Cowman, February 19

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  6. Reverand David Maines Your words are so good and reflective 100 words seems like 10 therefore more than 100 words is our blessing thank you for this ministry have a great day.

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  7. Don’t plan on giving up Brother David as keeping up a daily reading of the Word is a real blessing. Also did “New Direction” and now still reading “Day unto Day”. Have read the history of Corinth before and take note that they needed preaching in demonstration and power of the Holy Ghost. Thank you for that poem Beverlee as it speaks to my heart today. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”(1 Corinthians 1:3).

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  9. Thank you David for doing this blog. This is my third time and still look forward to it every morning.
    Blessing to you and your family. Do pray your pain is under control and you are improving.
    Enjoy all the comments every morning.!
    Blessings to all.

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  10. I am quite new to this blog. I enjoy reading the comments on the Bible passage, the personal comments and the photos that accompany each message. It is excellent. However I still like having a book in my hands. I’m wondering if you have a print version? May God continue to bless you. Thank you.

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  11. Dear David: In January of 1997, I began your two year study with your AND JESUS SAID….FOLLOW ME guide. For the past 20 years, I have benefitted from your teaching every day through these precious guide booklets. Now I appreciate also learning from your daily 100 WORDS. Thanks for keeping me close to God’s Word. I pray for your strength and no infections daily.

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  12. This is not about today’s blog, but I don’t know how to alert the office that the February 17th 100 Huntley St. is not on the Internet. I couldn’t watch it on Friday, and am disappointed, as it’s the last day that Greg Musselman was on. Could whoever receives this, please let me know if there is an email address to tell someone about this? I hope it gets put on this week.
    I called the office number, but only the prayer people were there today, and the person who answered didn’t know. She said to try YouTube, but it isn’t there either.
    I should also say, that my 100words.ca is hit-and-miss, but at least I can go to the website to see it when it’s not in my mailbox. I don’t like missing either one.

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  13. Appreciate your stage setting Pastor David, leading us into the meat of this scripture!! And Reynold’s wonderful photo’s.

    Looking forward tot the next chapters in 1Corinthians!!!

    Have a blessed day all you saints!

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  14. Sorry I missed adding my prayer for little Lucy Jennifer until now. I do pray that Jesus our Healer will touch her throat that she may be able to swallow perfectly and eat solid food. Also checked out Return Ministries. Are you Canadian or American?

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    • Thanks Ger for praying for Lucy!Her first tooth is almost through …my daughter Jessica , Lucys mom ,could not digest food til 8 months when she got a tooth..this happened for my son as well.I hope getting her first tooth is a sign she is ready to eat and digest.Her throat is fine ..just her tummy gets very sore especially in the evening . .I am Canadian..If u go on Return Ministries’ home page and scroll down to 8 week discipleship Journey u can find info if interested..bless you..Jennifer

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