MY ROCK
Today’s Reading: Psalm 18
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Monasteries are built high above on great rocks in this rugged landscape in Greece. The monasteries that you see are the Great Meteoro and Varlaam.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalm 18:1-2
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
The conclusion David draws from the above statement is this, “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (18:3). David composed and sang this song to celebrate the Lord’s deliverance from the hand of King Saul. Saul was trying to kill him. Again and again David hid amongst the great rocks in the area of En Gedi, east of the Dead Sea. It is plain to see as we learn about David, as well as from David, that his rock-solid confidence was not in the rocks, but in the “Rock,” his God! David exclaims in song, “Who is a rock, except our God?” (18:31b). “The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock!” (18:46a).
The confidence that those of us have who believe in Jesus is expressed in song too. Let’s find online that amazing hymn, “Rock of Ages,” and sing along (click here).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You gave me instructions about the foundation for my life. I know that I must build my life on the Rock! You are that Bedrock, dear Jesus. I rest securely on You, not on the shifting sands of contemporary human experience and the philosophies of mankind. I pray that I will stand firm on You, Lord God! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I may have referred to this sometime last year, but here goes… I was listening to a French language radio station as the late Pope, John Paul II, was speaking in Quebec City. Here are the words I heard, “Pierre (Peter) est un petit pierre (is a little stone), mais Jesus est Le Grande Pierre! (but Jesus is The Great Rock!).” He was referring to the words of Jesus following the answer of Peter to the question of Jesus, “Whom do men say that I am?” Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” Then Jesus said to Peter, “You are Peter (a little rock) and upon this Rock (a great Rock, Jesus Himself), I will build My Church.” In my early days as a follower of Jesus, I struggled with my understanding of these words of Jesus found in Matthew 16:18. My concerns about the Church being built on Peter were highlighted by the words of Jesus just five verses later (Matthew 16:23): “But He, (Jesus) turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.'” Yes, Peter was mightily used of God. I want to be used of God too, but I’m ever so thankful that no church is built on me, a weak and flawed human being. There is only one GREAT ROCK!!! Jesus Himself!!! I’ve just read again Matthew 16:13-26. Like those very small-appearing monasteries built on that great rock in Reynold’s photograph above, I’m building my life and my hope for eternal life on Jesus alone!!!
Yours for the only true eternal Foundation for life, “The Christ, the Son of the Living God,”
David
P.S. Hi folks, Ron Mainse here again. For those who may have missed yesterday’s P.S., please allow me to repeat what I wrote…
I wanted to let you know that Dad is back in the hospital and is very ill. The doctors are very concerned, as his health has been steadily declining. I’m writing at his bedside now as he sleeps. Although he currently doesn’t have the strength to keep up with writing/editing this blog, Ann and I will continue to post his daily words and photos from his previous two-year journey through the Bible. Please keep him in your prayers. God bless you! – Ron
I have you all in prayer and trusting that you have inner peace in regards to your Dad. God Bless this ministry.
Am keeping you in my prayers David and all your family. Amen!
Thoughts and prayers for David’s care and comfort during this difficult time. I’m sure the presence of family and friends mean so much to him!
Holding you in my utmost prayers, dear David, and all the Mainse family. God keep you safe under His wings. Amen.
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you….Isaiah 66:13 NIV
Psalm 91…A Prayer of Protection
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A7aP9Tbtvg
Amen, Beverlee…for that wonderful song of the Lord’s protection!
Dear David & Norma-Jean & Ron & Ann & Reynold & Kathy & Nizar & Ellen & the rest of the Mainse family, you and your extended familes continue in my prayers. Thanks to each of you for your faithful witness, and many thanks to God for your ministries over the years. I pray for strength and healing and all that God wishes for each of you. God’s continued blessings on all of you.
Amen John and all the others, I am continuing in prayer also.
Amen
Amen John agreeing with you words of comfort and encouragement!
AMEN !
Thank you again,Ron, for being the good son.Unfortunately.families like your parents’ are too rare.You are blessed.I’m praying ,still, for your dad’s recovery.God bless
Amen! also in prayer for the David and Norma-Jean and the family!
my prayers are with the Mainse family also the extended families
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
Lianne Hogg
Amen, Lianne, amen.
Ron and family,
Thanks you for letting us know about your father. My heart goes out to all of you in particular your mom and all those who hold him dear.( which is without number I am sure )
Your father was my anchor when I was enduring the worst period in my life which went on for years. I do not know what would have become of me and my family without his support and the ministry.
I now return the favor with the verse that calmed me when I felt consumed by the raging storms surrounding me.
Be still and know that I am God.
That simple verse got me through ……Your dad got me through
Thank You David.
Amen Lianne!
Thank you Ron, Ann , and Renold for continuing our blog
Lianne Hogg
Heavenly Father we thank you for your protecting care during this past night, and we pray for Thy guidance and grace in the decisions we make this day. We thank you for the blessings David, Norma Jean, Ron, Ann and all the families have given us for so many years and pray they will be given strength and wisdom to continue. Love is love reflected. My prayers are with you all.
We love you David and you are in our prayers. You are such an inspiration to us all and have shown us each day through this blog the light of Christ. Norma-Jean and family please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lord, hear the cries of Your people. Continue to wrap Your arms of Love and Peace around David and this entire Family. I am so very thankful for all of them, and especially, Your rock-David.
God bless you David, you are in my thoughts and prayers,
God never changes. He is the God of grace. He is the God of hope. He is the God of love who offers us a life free of regrets.
Blessings
Sylvia (Sally) Clark
God is our refuge and strength, an ever- present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
Amen!
Joining in prayer with all the above prayers for Pastor David and his family.
Yes, thank you Ron, Ann, Reynold and all who are continuing to carry on with this gift of love that your Dad has been so faithful in presenting to us daily. God’s Blessings and strength and peace be with you all at this time of need.
“God is our refuge, and a very present time in trouble; He is faithful and will never leave you or forsake you!”
Amen, Irene, amen.
So enjoyed the daily blog and Reynolds beautiful photographs prayers for David and your family such a blessing for this country may God bless you richly
Praying for your healing David! Thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Tears fill my eyes as I pray for God’ peace and blessing on David, Norma Jean and David’s whole family. And thank you, Ron and Anne for stepping up to the plate and carrying on. I shall and have been praying for David, Crossroads and all concerned.
Yours in Christ
I hear the words being readied in heaven. “WELL DONE MY FAITHFUL SERVANT”.
Ron, I want to assure you that your dad our dear brother in the Lord David is in our prayers daily and especially all the more so at this time. We are also upholding your mom and all your family. May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you all more abundantly than you can imagine. With the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Brian+
Psalm 18. What a great chapter! God, our strength, our Rock! What a great testimony by David Mainse. Amazing what God can do through one “little rock” because of his unconditional commitment to Jesus Christ, the Great Rock, on whom we securely stand in such a troubled world.
“On Christ, the solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand”
Our heart go out to David again as he struggles with declining health. I am reminded of Romans 8: “Nothing can separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus… nothing… Over so many years, David has held up Christ to a world in need…and today, when physical strength and health are failing, our Lord Jesus Christ has a firm grip on David’s life and IS HOLDING him UP SECURELY..
May God continue to bless, encourage and strengthen David, Norma-Jean during these days, as well as, prayers for Ron & Ann as they faithfully care for their father and continue with this blog.
“Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learn to trust in God,
Through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word”
Much love and prayers for the Mainse Family during these days..
Amen Samuel!!
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand!!
Our desire Lord is that you would do a miracle and raise our dear brother, David, up from his bed in the hospital. That’s our desire Lord. We are trusting in you Lord, but we are not unmindful that You are sovereign and your ways are perfect. All praise and glory be unto You. Please give David comfort and rest there in the hospital. Also to Norma-Jean and all the family, may God bless You with comfort and strength. In Jesus Name. Amen!
Will be remembering David Mainse in prayer….so much appreciate this blog and thank the Lord that it is such a blessing to so many people.
Thoughts and Prayers…..Alice & Danny Blackwell
Without David Mainse I would not be where I am in my faith today. May God continue to use his faithfulness for decades to come.
Dear David, I am sad that you are so ill. Through your blog (this is my third time through) you have inspired and blessed me with your love for the Lord and for your wonderful family and for us where we can easily be connected through cyberspace. Eternity will show how much you have done to help “millions” of us wayfarers along in our journey to our heavenly home where we will see Him and each other face to face! Thank you dear David. May you sense His presence and warmth and deep love in you and around you. You are loved. Deuteronomy 33:27
DEAR RON &ANN
WITH THIS BLOG BY DAVID AND YOU I HAVE KEPT MY FAITH-WHICH IS OFTEN UNDER ATTACK-
I THANK DAVID AND YOU–MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY AND ESPECIALLY HIS LOVELY WIFE WHO GAVE ME A WARM HUG
WHEN I VISITED CROSSROADS A FEW YEARS AGO–I THANK YOU ALL.
ELKE
Dear David and Norma Jean and Ron and Ann plus all the family.
Meridel and myself our sons and team in Israel are praying for the Lord to restore David with 100 percent healing. Amen We all love him so much.
With all our love in Yeshua.
Jay
Goodby David Mainse, before you go, I wanted to thank you personally for being steadfast in the Lord, having God use you for such a great task. Thank you for your obedience.