FROM WISDOM TO FOOLISHNESS
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 11
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 are ruins of a corridor in Pergamum, in ancient Asia Minor, modern day Turkey. In the centre, idol worship took place at the Temple of Athena. In the world of King Solomon and his many wives, idol worship was the normal religious practice.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Kings 11:4
For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, in You “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” I pray that I will continue to discover this hidden treasure. I’m reading, marking, memorizing Your treasure map, the Bible, every day. The cross marks the spot where You, Lord God, intersected with the human race. I may be here in one spot, but by faith I travel to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to the place of Your ascension, and on into Your very Presence where “You ever live to make intercession for me” (Hebrews 7:25). Thank You that I am discovering Your wisdom. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
God willing, I plan to meet Solomon again when we arrive in our two-year through-the-Bible voyage of discovery at the book of 1st Chronicles, and then again in Proverbs. In fact, as I leave Solomon for now, Solomon wrote or assembled most of the Proverbs during those early years when he practised what he preached. My son, David Reynold Mainse, has my Dad’s old Bible as a treasure. Its words are underlined, commented on in the margins, marked by a caressing hand and sometimes tear drops. My most persistent memory of my mother, who died when I was 12, is of her kneeling in prayer for long periods of time. The picture that comes to mind of my Dad most often is of him sitting in his chair, his Bible open on his lap. He was schooled in undergraduate theology by Dr. Peter Wiseman, who, during the early years of the People’s Church, Toronto, was the Bible teacher of choice every Sunday morning. Founding Pastor, Oswald J. Smith, felt that his own main gift in ministry was in preaching Sunday evening soul-winning messages of evangelism. My Dad earned a doctorate, and to the day of his death (I’ve already lived more than four years longer than he did), he poured over the Scriptures, constantly reading, meditating, inwardly digesting what he read, and praying for God’s wisdom to fill his mind. Dad was outside shovelling snow when his heart failed. He laid aside his winter coat and donned his heavenly robe. If I had control over my time to go, I’d like to be reading the Gospels in the middle of one of Jesus’ statements and finish His sentence by memory as I take off for the Celestial City.
Yours for wisdom and grace to obey God,
David
P.S. I’ve asked my missionary/photographer son to take some pictures of my Dad’s Bible, of both the outside and inside of the verse mentioned earlier, 1st Corinthians 3:21-23. The photos are below.
There is nothing more precious than a warmed in Bible with underlines and creased by years of daily use; feeling Jesus, ever more alive in it. I read today’s blog, last night, pulling up May 2, 2017 100words.ca in a google search. Then, I messaged my oldest friend, Beth, of 50 years, now, and said, “Hard to believe it was two years ago that we were praying for Marc’s transplant.” Beth and her husband are doing very well and ever thankful for the prayers from you beautiful saints (everyone reading this blog, whether you post or not). I am also thinking of Catherine and Lianne. If you are still with us, love and peace to you. Be blessed today, fellow saints in the Lord! For oh, how He loves us, so!!
And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in Thee.
Psalm 39:7 KJV
Alison Krauss – Down to the River to Pray (with lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXFL6PBdo5Y
Here is another good link I have found, saints:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-games/april-2019-wotd-quiz#
Thank you Beverlee for that very touching song by Alison Krauss, glad I could read the words as she sang.
Nice to hear that Marc is doing well, Praise God from whom all mercies flow.
After reading the scripture this morning I thought about Pastors in our day that started out well, then ended being far removed from God. In some cases it was their ego that caused them to go astray.
David and Norma Jean’s family are gaining from the heritage they come from. What an amazing family, so dedicated to serving our Lord and Saviour.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16. Eleanor M.
Up to Us to Forgive
It is up to us to forgive,
When we’re wronged.
Whether those who have
Betrayed our trust,
Face their own falling,
The lesson is still ours to claim.
It is up to us to forgive,
Whether another is unable to see
Their own part in the equation,
And points the finger at us,
We are the one who needs
To lay down the axe of blame.
It is up to us to forgive,
When we fall short
Of looking in the mirror,
To see the faults of our captor
In our own eyes, staring back at us,
Whereby, we are the same.
It is up to us to forgive,
When we finally grasp
Our own iniquities and selfish nature,
And come home to be redeemed,
To accept and love each other,
Exactly as we seem.
It is up to us to forgive,
In life’s trials and tribulations,
When we fathom what transpires
In our daily transformations,
The greatest gift God ever gave us,
When our Saviour died, to set us free.
Beverlee Kay
© May 2, 2019
Amen Beverlee, well said.
Today is the National Day of Prayer in the USA ( first Thursday in May)
Let us join with our brothers and sisters south of the border in crying out to Our Heavenly Father on behalf of our beautiful countries. May God intervene in our affairs. We have dismissed the Wisdom of God and relied on human wisdom in the governing of our nations, which has brought us to the present-day …ungodliness and lawlessness abound.
Our God is merciful! If we call upon Him to heal our land, He will have compassion on us. Let us pray for Godly leaders who are more interested in pleasing God, rather than man.
Happy belated birthday to Edward! I am so glad that he’s doing better. God bless you both, Eleanor.
Like you Beverlee, I also think about some of the members we have not heard from in a while, such as Lianne. I hope and pray all is well with them.
Grey day in Southern Ontario but The Son shines in and through us!
Wishing everyone a blessed day!
So true Luisa. My sister-in-law sent me a lovely email today to remind me of the National Day of Prayer in the States:
Christians throughout the United States will gather today for the National Day of Prayer. And as you pray for our nation and our nation’s leaders, we encourage you to also pray for Christians around the world suffering for following Christ.
Here are 10 specific ways you can pray today for members of our persecuted family:
1. Pray they will sense God’s presence (Heb. 13:5)
2. Pray they will know we are praying for them (2 Tim. 1:3)
3. Pray they will experience God’s comfort (2 Thes. 2:16-17)
4. Pray they will see God open doors for evangelism (Col. 4:3)
5. Pray they will boldly share the gospel (Acts 4:29)
6. Pray they will mature in their faith (Col. 1:28-29)
7. Pray they will be granted wisdom in covert ministry work (Acts 9:23-25)
8. Pray they will remain joyful amid suffering (Acts 5:41)
9. Pray they will be able to forgive and love their persecutors (Matt 5:44)
10. Pray they will be deeply rooted in God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
God bless.
Thank you Beverlee and Eleanor M. Happy Belated birthday Edward. Enjoyed the word game Beverlee but didn’t score so well. I don’t know who goes to Christian movies in the local theatre but I went to see “Breakthrough” last night and my tears flowed throughout and found my spirit praying along too. What a witness! there was such a good response among the Christian community here that it was held over for a second week. Hope you get to see it as it is a true story!
Also saw that movie, Ger. It was powerful.
When they show faith-based movies, we need to support it by going to see them. That way, the theatres will get the message that there are people interested in seeing that type of movie and, hopefully, they will continue to show them.
Amen Luisa!
Thank you for the quiz links, Beverlee.
I didn’t do as well with today’s as I did with the Bible quizzes. Really enjoyed those!
Blessings!
Amen Lynda D.