A MERRY HEART
Suggested 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).
It has been a joy to spend the past two weeks in Israel. I recommend this trip to all. It is definitely worth more than trading an old car for a newer one, etc. When a trip through the Bible becomes a priority, most of us can afford such a journey. 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, the “Spiritual Director” for the Crossroads ministry and a host of the 100 Huntley Street telecast, 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. 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. Ron has posted this blog in advance, as at 6 a.m. today, Toronto time, we are actually in the sky somewhere over the province of my birth, Quebec, on our way home from Israel. On behalf of 100 of us on the tour for the past two weeks, thanks for praying for us!
Yours for “a merry heart.” Is it too early to say MERRY Christmas?
David
P.S. Below is a picture of me standing at the “Wailing Wall”… 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.
With a little, God can do great things! When someone’s treasury overflows with riches, their sight is not often on the things of the Lord.
Although I’m sure you’d love to stay and see even more sights and sounds of Israel, it’s great to have you back here in Canada, David. Welcome home! And welcome home to all who went on the Israel trip, I trust it was a trip of a lifetime!
Agree Scott!!! Welcome Home Pastor David and tour group!!
You look very thoughtful and caring in that picture. Have a nice day home.
My thoughts as well Scott
Brad
those word come from my heart as well Scott
It was a wonderful trip for us here at home too! Health problems keep us close to home but we do get teaching from you and from other Christian programs and books which are a blessing. Thanks all.
Welcome home! I pray for everyone’s quick adjustment back to our time zones. Proverbs today were a reminder of the importance of receiving correction and learning from mistakes without being defensive. As well, to be considerate with soft answers and to speak when and if necessary. What a wonderful experience everyone appeared to have!! Have a great day, to all!
Amen, David!
Welcome back home, wishing you all a good rest, and looking forward to more wisdom teaching through this blog.
Praying for a good and Godly day for everyone!
I just saw this candid statement published on Yahoo from Francis: “How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses 2 points?”
The pope said renewal of the Church could not be put off and said the Vatican and its entrenched hierarchy “also need to hear the call to pastoral conversion”.
“I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security,” he wrote. It is a hopeful message.
Thank you David, for placing our prayer requests into the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Welcome home one and all. We are so happy for you that you had such a wonderful two weeks in the Land of the Bible. May God’s Blessing be upon you as well as upon our fellow blog friends!!!
I thank you and yours pastor David for your holy joy and you bet it’s not to early to say MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome home, David Mainse, and all the group! So happy you had a wonderful trip! God bless you and Merry Christmas, indeed!!!
Welcome home David M. 🙂 I enjoyed the travels with you and the group even if I never left my home! May the adjustment of being back be a smooth one. What a great picture of you at the “Wailing Wall.”
Dear David .M.
So happy to see you all coming home safe and sound P.T.L.for His protection
also Ithank you for your prayers at the wailing wall…May God go with you ….R…
Bon retour au bercail Welcome back home dear rev.David M , Norma-Jean , Ann and Ron , Reynold and all the group. What a faboulous journey to the Holy Land these past two weeks . Please take time all of you to rest and may The Lord wrap each of you in his everloving arms as you settle down back home.
Have a blessed day everyone.
xxxx Carole.
Amen, Carole. Welcome back indeed, and thank you David for sharing your trip with us readers and bloggers. I,m sure all of you have memories that will last a lifetime. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
Welcome home brothers and sisters and thank you especially brother Mainse for your daily walk which you share with us. God bless you richly.
Rev David I lived the photo of you at the wall in faith i touched the screen I noticed a gap, I printed the photo and wrote my prayer request and placed it in that gap. In faith Yvonne
I especially enjoyed the photos of your trip my wife and I did the trip a few years ago and enjoyed it so much it is the only trip we plan on going a second time the trip made some of those hard to pronounce places in the bible come to life and easier to remember; then there was the special encounter with the Lord when we got to Jerusalem
where the Lord reminded me of many of the key prayers that have been answered in my life