IF
Today’s Reading: Job 31
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Northwest hillside of the Sea of Galilee. Mount Arbel can be seen in the background. My friend, Jimmy Snow, son of Hank Snow, and Johnny Cash’s Pastor, believes Arbel is the mount where Jesus was transfigured. He is a brilliant student of the Scriptures and was often a guest on the 100 Huntley Street telecast.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Job 31:35
Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, that my Prosecutor had written a book!
Job…He does hear you! God, the One you mistakenly think is prosecuting you, has indeed written a book! We are studying it every day on this blog. Job…in today’s reading you’ve used the word “if” 18 times. That word “if” is just a little word, but it is filled with uncertainty. You can be certain and know God answers prayer!
In a handwritten book dated January 20, 1953, my father, Roy Mainse, D.Th, wrote about the conditions of prevailing prayer:
(1) Entire dependence on the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way for a claim of blessing! (see John 14:13-14).
(2) Separation from all known sin. Psalm 66:18 tells us, “If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us.”
(3) Faith in God’s promises as confirmed by His oath. Not to believe Him is to make Him out to be a liar and perjurer (see Hebrews 6:13-20).
(4) Our motives must be godly; we must not seek any gift of God to consume it on our own selfish desires (see James 4:1-10).
(5) Importunity and supplication! There must be waiting on God with consistency (see Luke 18:1-8).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, through James, the man known as Your brother, You told us that, “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16b). You are the “Righteous One,” therefore, I come to You, Lord God, in and through the Person and work of Your Son and my Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ. Here are my prayer requests for today ……….. AMEN!!! (I spent considerable time in prayer before composing this blog.)
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve been meditating on that little but powerful word “if.” I went into Google and found the famous poem by Rudyard Kipling written in 1894 entitled “If” (click here). Job might have been helped by this poem. One of the lines says, “If you can wait, and not be tired of waiting, or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, or, being hated, don’t give way to hating…” The poem ends with these words: “If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run, Yours is the earth and everything in it, And — what is more— you’ll be a man, my son!” My Dad pointed me to this poem when I was still a child. After his death in 1972, I found amongst Dad’s writings the following poem he wrote in his own handwriting. It’s also entitled “If”…
“If” is a word of great import,
But of such dwarfish dimensions
Using the future to support
It’s great and varied intentions
“If” is a fact like a barn-door hinge,
On which our movements seem to swing,
And we are no doubt hindering
Our best laid plans ere they can wing
Their way into the world of things,
Where they can claim to be a fact,
On which the future thus may act,
And discard “If” forevermore
Among the gods of old folk-lore.
Yours, for reaching out diligently for God’s perfect will,
David
P.S. I came across a picture (below) taken in 1924 of my Dad in front of the place where one of the prayers of Jesus was answered, the tomb of Lazarus. Jesus said on this occasion, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me” (John 11:41-42). This is the reason we pray, “In Jesus’ Name!”
If only we could see the face of Jesus upon His return today–what a wonderful day that would be! Wonderful poem and photos. Praying for the safe return home of all Canadians and US citizens from Afghanistan. Lord God be with them and protect them. His blessings upon you fellow saints in the Lord. Amen.
God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. Selah. His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power. Habbakuk 3:3-4 ESV
Chris Tomlin – Jesus (Lyrics And Chords)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEbQswNB6Wc
Amen, Beverlee
Thank you for blessing us with your music selections . Some times I wait and listen to them at bedtime.
Going to be another hot day today, I pray you all keep hydrated and in a cool place. This morning we are putting wood from our bush into the barn. Both are in shade. Much cooler in the country. God is so good, I thank him everyday for our blessings.
Yes pray for those in Israel and Afghanistan. My son was a soldier in Afghanistan in 2007. He is quite disturbed at what is going on now. Many of his friends didn’t make it home alive. He now suffers from ptsd and a concussion from a car accident. He was t boned. If you would say a prayer for Chris that would be nice.
Looking forward to more comments. God bless you all .
Amen to the prayers and also a special prayer for Chris and the many more like him. Let them know their service was not in vain. Only God understands what is happening but we must believe he has a plan
God bless all
Agreeing with you in prayer HJR.
John 3: 16 assures us God has a plan for us all.
May our Lord Jesus Christ’s perfect will be done
on earth as it is in heaven, in His Holy Name, Amen!
Beautiful music…..Jesus, light of this world!
Praying along with everyone for safe return from Afghanistan for all Canadians and for those fearing for their lives.
I also join my heart with all your hearts and pray for Nan’s son Chris..may the peace and strength of Christ surround him and fill his heart and mind.
I have never forgotten a blog that David Mainse wrote based on Heb 7:25…it was entitled… The Never-ending Prayer Room (I believe)
Jesus prays for each of us by name, and we can slip in and out and join in and bring our loved ones and ourselves to God’s throne of grace! (paraphrased by me)
I picture us all doing just that, joining a great multitude and our loved ones who have gone on ahead of us to Jesus….. it brings me such comfort and joy and peace!
So divine, Anne! Amen!!
Holding Nan’s son Chris (and his fellow soldiers) up to You, Lord. May Your hand be upon him–to strengthen, heal, support and comfort him. May Your will minimize the effects of the PTSD. Thankful for your service for our country, Chris. May you be blessed by the prayers being said for you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
So thankful that He stands with us in the fire. Praying for those wanting to escape from Afghanistan. Talking to a friend who saw a baby being handed over the fence to someone else to ensure he would get out safely. I said I would do the same – just like Moses mum had to do for his safety. Praying for Chris and others (92 yr Claire living alone & crying & Tony who needs a place to live as the room he had is being prepared for the sale of the house). In Jesus Name, Father, please make a way where there is no way. Amen & amen.
Yes Doreen! God can make a way where otherwise we see no way out. I said a prayer for Claire, Tony and Nan’s son Chris. I am praying also for our blog family and your needs. Indeed there are various needs but Our Father is a God of abundance…He can supply every need.
May His blessing be upon each and everyone!
I also am enjoying this week’s programming on 100 Huntley St. My husband and I have supported the ministry for decades because we believe in and agree with what they are doing in communicating the Good News of the Gospel.
Amen coming into an agreement with the prayers and comments above
I just want to take this time to say that I’m really enjoying the special week of programming on 100 Huntley Street
A journey into or with 100 Huntley Street it’s really good to see them going down memory lane
I grew up with Huntley Street I believe I started watching the program I believe it was in my teens but I did not become a partner until into my adult year’s
It’s been said that crossroads 100 Huntley Street is the longest Christian television program in Canada so thank you to David and Norma Jean mains who answered the call to begin a Christian program
I have such fond memories of watching the program over the years
And I’ve been a 100 Huntley Street crossroads partner for many years
I called in last night to make a donation to this special week of programming
And I would encourage all my fellow bloggers to either become a partner and come on board
They have a goal of $100,000 and I’m believing and praying that they will reach so blessings to all today amen 🙏✝️
Priceless photo of David’s Dad ! And to think that David could lay his hands o it for the blog ! Amazing !