Friday, November 26, 2021

A MERRY HEART

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 15

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

 

While in the Holy Land, one can enjoy a wonderful meal in Nazareth at this first century re-enactment location called Nazareth Village.

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

 

Key Verses: Proverbs 15:16

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble.

 

Before we consider our key verse, let’s highlight three other statements from today’s reading: (1) “A soft answer turns away wrath.” Let’s try this. It works! (2) “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.” This works too! In fact this is very enjoyable for everybody! (3) “A wise son makes a father glad.” We have the help of two Mainse sons in creating this blog. Rev. David Reynold Mainse, a professional photographer as well as an ordained minister, has spent almost three months in Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Egypt taking the photos which appear daily as our first blog item. Rev. Ronald Wesley Mainse, also an ordained minister, sets up the blog format daily, prepares the links which appear in blue for our convenience, takes pictures from time to time which appear at the end of the blog, and then posts the blog for 6 a.m. daily. “Thank You” to my wise and helpful sons!

The key verse can be illustrated by clicking on Luke 16:19-31. The world says that the more wealth we have, the happier we will be. Anyone who suggests that a poor man could be better off than a rich man is looked at as a fool. But to the rich man in Jesus’ story God says, “You fool.” “Wisdom” motivates us to lay up treasure in Heaven!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray that I will use the material possessions with which You bless me in those things that please You and which have eternal consequences and rewards. You have promised to supply all my needs (Philippians 4:10-19), and over and above that, enough to bless my family, as well as others! I pray this in the Name of the One who daily gives and gives and gives, the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I was born in the minister’s house provided by a congregation at the height of the Great Depression during the 1930’s. From two to eight years old, I lived on the farm owned by my mother’s sister and her husband, Mina and Harvey Lindsay. My father was overseas for the duration of World War II. Then, upon his return, we began living in Church-owned residences. My parents never took a vow of poverty as far as I know, but by today’s Canadian standards we were poor. However, money never seemed to be a problem. We always had food to eat and a roof over our heads. We experienced our key verse: “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with trouble.” We did not have “great treasure” in terms of money, but then we did not have the kind of trouble referred to in our reading either. I look back on those days with a “merry heart.” I think it shows on my countenance as Proverbs 15:13 says.

Yours for “a merry heart.” Is it too early to say MERRY Christmas?

David

P.S. Below is a picture of me in 2013 standing at the “Wailing Wall” in Jerusalem… the prayer wall for Jews and for us too. I am placing there written prayer requests sent to me by blog partners for this purpose. The little hat is worn as a courtesy to our Jewish friends.

10 thoughts on “Friday, November 26, 2021

  1. Dear Lord God, thank You for giving us so much. Provision, life, wisdom, forgiveness, individual gifts, Your Spirit, Godly teachers, Your Word, Your very Life … Help us to use what You have given to influence those around us – to be, during our time here, good and faithful witnesses for You. In Jesus’s name, amen

    • Amen Rob. We are so blessed especially with the gift of knowing Jesus and for this daily blog. Thank you Maines family. I believe little Patrick is improving daily, however, I haven’t received an update today. I place him in God’s Hands. Thank You Lord for Your care. In Jesus Name. Amen. Blessings all.

  2. Amen to the prayers and comments.

    I am always hesitant to ask for prayers on controversial things as I know someone will try to discredit it. I am fully aware that there are two sides to every story and somewhere in the middle is the truth. That being said, when the vaccine controversy started I went back to the history of the TB vaccine. They first wanted all health care workers to have the vaccine, but later realized that was not the best route. I also have a cousin that is handicapped, thanks to the Thalidomide experiments. I am not an anti-vaxxer, but I do believe in informed consent, and I question mandatory vaccination with a drug that is still under experimental approval, with the companies absolved from responsibility for consequences. Many of our nurses are young, still wanting to have families in the future. I don’t know if the vaccine will affect this or not, but neither do the scientists yet. My faith is in God, not the scientists. I pray that each individual is allowed to make their own decision with consultation with God and being given the option of informed consent.

    Again I ask :for only for prayer
    Praying for all those that their careers are in jeopardy because they are refusing the experimental vaccines for this pandemic. Most are not anti-vax, but fearful of this one, they are not telling people not to get the vaccine, but rather it should be a persons choice, there are still too many unknowns for it to be mandatory. Once it is in the blood stream there is no removing it. To some having the vaccine gives them confidence, others fear it. Individually, each should pray and do as guided by God, not by mandates or fear.

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