A FRIEND AND A LION
Suggested Reading: Proverbs 27-28
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
After preaching the gospel in Philippi, Paul passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia with Silas during his second missionary journey, traveling on the Ignatia Way from Philippi to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1). Amphipolis was one of the most important cities of Macedonia in antiquity. The "Lion of Amphipolis" has been dated from the fourth century B.C. It stands on a restored pedestal on the very spot where its broken and scattered pieces were found. It was either a funerary monument or a monument erected to commemorate some as yet unidentified military victory. For readers of 100words, the Lion can remind us to be, as Proverbs 28:1b says, "Bold as a lion." To my photographer son, Rev. David R. Mainse, I say, "Never flee from a challenge. As a righteous man you are as bold as a lion."
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Proverbs 27:17, 28:1
As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
…The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
The word “friend” in our first key verse refers back to 27:10a which says, “Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend.” True friends never forsake one another, and true friends interact with each other in a way that “sharpens!” “Dull” is not very attractive in any life! When we love each other, we want the very best for our friend, and therefore we are not afraid to confront, to argue sometimes, and to seek change for the better, humbly recognizing that we need to change, more often than not, probably more than our friend needs to change.
In the second key verse, the word “BOLD” stands out BOLDLY! The Apostle Paul was a true friend of the young Pastor Timothy. Iron was sharpening iron in Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:2, “PREACH THE WORD! BE READY IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON. CONVINCE, EXHORT, WITH ALL LONGSUFFERING AND TEACHING!” In 2 Timothy 4:5 Paul cuts with the sharp iron sword of God’s Word when he writes, “YOU BE WATCHFUL IN ALL THINGS, ENDURE AFFLICTIONS, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY” (see 2 Timothy 4:1-5).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I thank You for my friends. I pray that I will consistently cherish friendship, never taking my friends for granted, and always having their best interests in my prayers and my actions. I thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are my very best true Friend forever. I ask for grace to be as Proverbs 28:1 says, “As bold as a lion,” in telling everyone about my Friend, Jesus, who is also the Son of God and my Saviour and Lord, in whose Name I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve just watched again the interview I did with Dr. Roland Harrison, the lead Hebrew scholar in the “New King James” translation of the Bible (If you missed it, click here). With us on that same edition of 100 Huntley Street was Dr. Charles Ratz. In Massey Hall, Toronto, during my college graduation exercises, my Dean of Theology, Dr. Ratz, gave the charge to the graduates. He quoted the Apostle Paul saying, “I CHARGE YOU THEREFORE BEFORE GOD AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO WILL JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD AT HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM: PREACH THE WORD!” That charge sharpened me and still does. That charge cut deeply into my innermost being and still does. It helped motivate me to be “BOLD AS A LION” throughout the almost 55 years since that time. This has been purely and completely God’s grace which has been given to me. I will be eternally grateful to my friends who, through the years, have been true and faithful in their friendship. I have been corrected, and as a result have become, I think, a new and improved version of David Mainse. Thank you! Thank you! Thank You! Most of all I say to Jesus, “Thank You!!!!!”
Yours for friendships throughout time and eternity,
David
P.S. I’m back home from Nashville, and last night in the Crossroads Centre we celebrated Christmas with the Crossroads team and their families. Below is a photo of my son Rev. Ron Mainse playing the part of Scrooge as he poked some good-natured fun at several of our team members…including me, the “ghost of Crossroads past!”
I never knew Dr. Charles Ratz but I think I would have liked him. These “tell it like it is” preachers & theologians are quickly becoming part of a bygone era, having been replaced by those who are perhaps more entertaining and less bold. I remember as a younger person spending vacation time at Muskoka Baptist Conference in Muskoka, Ontario, and my I was enthralled by the visiting evangelists and preachers who could reach out with a boldness and a conviction that is rarely seen or heard of today (the late Pastor Howard Sugden just came to mind). Those were great days! We need to pray that God would convict and bring into the church a new generation of preachers convicted by the Holy Spirit to preach the truth compassionately and yet with boldness and in truth. I trust there are great days ahead for the church, the hearing of God’s Word preached boldly is what will change minds and hearts, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Some are being groomed into boldness at Masters in Peterborough!
Second Timothy 4:1to5 is a passage that rings in my ears when I meet a Christian who speaks out against The King James Version or The New King James version.
Not long ago I read these words.
Many people today regard the KJV as an old out dated peace of literature.
There after the writer praised the book the message .The way it was written was not good it was almost subliminal in agreeing with the statement as there after
the writer did not reiderate nor defend The KJV. I am so delighted to see your strong love and defence of this sharp edged version of The Holy Bible David that you have influenced me in a very important decision I made yesterday morning. Search your heart David and you will know what it is.
M.
PS
Have a wonderful day, love and prayers to all 🙂
Nelson Mandela was born with a name that means trouble. Today, God has given him a blessed name. He defeated the dragon of South Africa for his brothers and sisters.
Amen to the power of God! Using a man, giving him strength to accomplish true righteousness! It changed the world! Greatness!!!
I just want to thank you David for your faithfulness in this daily blog. I look forward each morning to listen to God’s Word and read your insights into the scripture that encourages and challenges me at the same time.
My prayer for you, is that God will continue to strengthen you daily to serve Him.
My heart is blessed with God’s love that flows though you to me. Thank you Jesus.
Nice thoughts.
Reynold stands strong adjacent the lion in this photo and Ron has a slight similarity to Allan Alda. Most of my memory verses have been NIV, and I like its version of Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Same “striking” meaning. When exhortation or correction/rebuke are extended with sincerity of intention to a friend, a friend will most likely listen. We too, conversely. I pray for all friendships this Christmas season, our families, friends, neighbours and especially, as you have prayed David, Jesus Christ! Blessings and cheer, to all!
Amen nicely said
Wonderful prayer David. I to pray for love , peace , hope , and understanding between friends neighbours and especially families this Christmas season and beyond .
M.
Amen
Especially appreciated and was blessed by your message today, David. I wept tears when you quoted your charge from Bible School. I must put mine on here someday. Also appreciate the missions drive you are doing on 100 Huntley St. for Christmas. God bless all saints today.
Wonderful message, this morning, David–strengthened by the photo of the “Lion of Amphipolis”, and encouraged as Christians to stand “bold as a lion” (Pro 28:1b). We are indeed, righteous in Christ! Wishing all saints a most blessed day as we serve graciously, for the goodness of our Lord!
“I am not saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps trying.”
~Nelson Mandela~
Nice.
I will pray for the same as yours David and M and J we all need to
Lianne Hogg
Thank you David, Thank you! Thank you!
Thank You Jesus!
Amen!