Friday, August 13, 2021

FRIENDS

Today’s Reading: Job 3-4

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

 

As you look north along the shore of the Judean cliffs and the Dead Sea,  you can see a storm rolling in.

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

 

Key Verses: Job 3:25

For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.

 

To say that Job wished he had never been born would be an understatement. God would not allow Satan to kill Job, but everything short of death was thrown at him. Job cried out, “Why did I not die at birth?” Jesus, in His 100% humanity, cried out, “Why?” (Matthew 27:45-49). Jesus and Job no doubt have met already. I think Jesus would probably say, “Job, I understand what you went through.”

Consider what true friends are, as described at the end of Job 2: (1) They heard of Job’s adversity. (2) They made appointments and travelled to visit him. (3) They mourned with Job. (4) They comforted him. (5) Job was so emaciated they did not recognize him and they lifted their voices and wept. (6) They tore their clothes in a show of grieving. (7) Job was sitting in a heap of ashes and his friends identified with him by sprinkling dust on their heads. (8) They sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. (9) They did not speak for an entire week because Job’s grief was very great. (10) Then they heard Job speak first. He said, “May the day perish on which I was born.” Let us meditate on the words of the first friend as we read (again slowly perhaps) the words of Eliphaz in Chapter 4.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I’m so very thankful for at least three true friends with whom You have blessed me through the years. I pray that You will work in me sufficiently that I will be a true friend to several others. Your Word tells me that You, Lord, are a Friend “that sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 17:17 & Proverbs 18:24b). Lord Jesus, You are a true Friend! Thank You for being my Friend (Matthew 11:19). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

(Happy Birthday Dad!) My son, Ronald Wesley Mainse, who sets up the structure for me for the blog, typed that greeting! I assure you, my son, unlike Job, I’ve never wished that I’d never been born. I’m filled with joy at the fact that I was born on August 13, 1936, in the house pictured below in Campbell’s Bay, Quebec. There are six years between me and my closest sister in age, Elaine Boudinot, who lives now in Kentucky. My sister told me that mother had three miscarriages during those six years. I find that sad, and I hope to learn all about the “Why” question some day in eternity.

There are two others mentioned in Ezekiel 14 besides Job. They are Noah and Daniel. An extra study for today could be Ezekiel 14:12-23. All three were severely tested. Can I expect to sail through life without testing? I think not!

There have been times when I’ve visited friends in deep turmoil. Often there are no adequate words to speak. I trusted that my presence would say loudly, “I care deeply about you.”

Yours for deep and lasting friendships,

David

In front of the home where I was born in Campbell’s Bay, Quebec, August 13, 1936.

On my first birthday – August 13, 1937. Ron found these pictures on his brother’s computer and he wanted to put it into today’s blog.

P.S. Lorna Dueck and her team need our ongoing support as they approach the financial year end for Crossroads! Here is a message from Lorna once again…

This has been a remarkable year at 100 Huntley Street with a growing audience on TV and an exploding audience on the web through our website, social media platforms and on You Tube (where we now reach almost 1 million views every month).  It’s also looking like a turnaround year financiallybecause we’re SO CLOSE to finishing our fiscal year (August 31) with a balanced budget…the first time in six years!  Lots of hard work, cost-cutting, financial restraint and generous donors who believe in this ministry have made this goal achievable. We have exciting, new plans in mind for our new media mission year that begins in September.  I’m so committed that Crossroads be Canada’s “megaphone of the Gospel”…and we will not be silent about how Jesus can change lives… Jesus alone offers hope! Your donation today will make a difference in many lives.  – Lorna            

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A SPECIAL YEAR-END GIFT TO HELP US BALANCE THE BUDGET AND YOUR DONATION WILL BE MATCHED THROUGH A SPECIAL $10,000 CHALLENGE GRANT! YOU CAN ALSO CALL 1-800-265-3100 TO DONATE BY PHONE.

12 thoughts on “Friday, August 13, 2021

  1. The title of today’s read is very timely and it is entitled friends for you see today is my most dearest friend and bestest friend 60th birthday for you see on Sunday January the 12th 2020 the Lord called my friend home to be with him so she is spending this milestone in heaven it is also David maines’s birthday and they are rejoicing together in heaven very cute picture of David and I have a sister and it’s her birthday also so blessings to all my fellow bloggers this day amen amen 🎁👍

  2. What comfort for us when a dearest loved one, or a dear friend passes away and we know that they are celebrating and living life to the fullest with our Heavenly Father!
    Humanly speaking I still feel the emptiness and lose at times but I know that my redeemer lives!

    Praying for you Marilyn as you mourn the loss of your dearest friend today.

    I have learnt so much from the book of Job and continue to do so!

  3. When I see the news about Afghanistan just now (American troups pulling out and everything turning upside down), I almost have feelings like Job. This was followed by a CBN post about Atlanta, Georgia, and the sex slave business there. (unbelievable). I have to pray, “come quickly, Lord Jesus). As I come closer to the end of the road, I pray more fervently for family (3 generations at this point). I believe Jesus’ return is very near. Hallelujah!! How Wonderful. Must speak clearly to people outside of this understanding. Thanks so much for this daily posting, Maines family.

  4. Happy Birthday in heaven, David. Love all of today’s photos. May you be rejoicing with our Lord! Prayers for Anne, Marilyn, Eleanor, Doreen, Luisa, all saints. His blessings be upon you. Amen.

    O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble. Isaiah 33:2 ESV

    This song is for you, Anne. My Redeemer Lives with lyrics, Nicole C. Mullen
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRW-jr_PnbQ

  5. What beautiful pics. Reynold et al. Thank you for sharing. I too am a photographer and love sharing all my photos, well, most of them:-). God bless all Jesus loves. Job was blessed to have his friends stand by him even if they weren’t great at some comforting procedures.

    Jesus said He would give us the Holy Spirit as a comforter and counselor, and I found the consolation and guidance I needed through God’s precious Spirit. But ultimately what I discovered about soul healing is that it takes TIME, TEARS, and TRUTH.
    The Bible says Jesus experienced every anguish of soul. He is your great High Priest. But if you don’t know the truth about your Savior, the devil will gladly feed you lies. I pray you will make God your dwelling place. Our soul will remain wounded or at the least scarred if we only visit Him when we’re in anguish. Go to God regularly. He is the lover (and healer) of your soul. I pray you will make God your dwelling place. Our soul will remain wounded or at the least scarred if we only visit Him when we’re in anguish. Go to God regularly. He is the lover (and healer) of your soul.
    by Daphne Delay.

Leave a Reply to Anne Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.