TO BE SERVED OR TO SERVE?
Today’s Reading: Matthew 19-20
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A young man seeks God in St. Gabriel Church, a Greek Orthodox church in Nazareth. This is the place where some believe that the angel appeared to the Virgin Mary announcing that she would give birth to Jesus. In the crypt of the church flows what is called "Mary's Spring," an artesian well from which the people of Nazareth would draw their drinking water.
Key Verses: Matthew 20:27-28
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave– just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
There are several key differences between the structure and leadership of a typical company and the Church (Example – Walmart – the most recent business where Norma-Jean shopped). The first difference is apparent in our key verses. Usually in a secular setting, a leader emerges who is hard-driving, ambitious, and strives for a higher position. This is entirely the opposite of Christ’s teaching regarding the Church. Only the humble should lead; they lead not from a place of pride, but from a position of serving. Another difference has to do with power. In the Church, the “Chief Executive Officer” is always the Chief Servant, and we seek to serve Him, the Lord Jesus, instead of ourselves.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Jesus, please make my heart more and more like Yours – a servant’s heart. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I learned a lot from my Dad. He was a farm boy who served in WWI, had an earned doctorate, served as a college President, and served God in Egypt for 21 years. Twice when he came home on furlough, he was assigned to a country charge (two or more congregations). He kept coveralls and boots in the trunk of the car. He would visit from farm to farm, find the farmer and ask if he could help him clean the cow stable. When I had a day off school, I’d be there with him. After an hour or so of work, he would say to the farmer, “Do you suppose we could have prayer with you and your wife?” He was never turned down. The churches filled up and people came to know Christ.
Yours as a slave of the One who washed other people’s feet,
David
P.S. I was a guest on the 100 Huntley Street telecast yesterday, and we began the program with me riding up to the Crossroads Centre on my motorcycle! I testified to God’s healing power and the skill of the health team of doctors. In case you missed it, here is a link to the full program (click HERE). Why not share this with a friend who may not have the assurance of eternal life in Christ.
My son Ron and I on 100 Huntley Street yesterday outside of the Crossroads Centre.
Amen! He gave His life for ransom of ours so that we might be saved. When we think of Your sacrifice, it blows us away! What a mighty God we serve! We worship and honour You, Lord JESUS!!!
Today is the funeral for my dear friend, Eliza Jane James. Praying for strength for all her family, Pastor Reynolds James, Stewart, Anne, Bonny, Bill and their families. It will be a sad day for our community as we say good-bye to this beautiful saint. We will miss you, so, Eliza Jane. But ever so happy you are no longer suffering and have returned home to be with our Lord and Saviour in whom you had complete trust and faith!
I bring before you, fellow saints, a very special prayer request for my dear cousin, Bob Clark. He has been fighting pancreatic cancer for the past 18 months. As he recovers from his second surgery, he awaits extensive chemotherapy treatment. We know the power that prayer has to save, for our God is mighty and all-powerful! We pray for you, Bobby, on bended knee and lift you up to our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the sanctity of the Holy Spirit. We thank You for the precious gift of Bob, as husband and father to his young family, and firechief to his community. We call to You, Lord, for his miraculous saving and healing grace. Our faith is in You, Jesus! For You alone, are our solid rock, on which we stand and we are fortified by Your Word. We know You have the power to save! In Jesus’ precious Name!! Amen, amen and amen.
Thank you saints, for your prayers for Bob. Thank you also for your continued prayers for me. Wishing you all a blessed day!
Father God, where two or three are gathered together……we are more than three here…….so in the Mighty Name of Jesus our divine healer and strength, we bring Bob before you. We pray your healing hands upon this dear man and ask for a miracle to heal him. Bless his dear family and may they rest in your comfort.
We continue to bring Eliza Jane’s dear family before you as they say goodbye to their loved one, but rejoice in knowing she is safe and healed in the loving arms of her Saviour.
Touch our dear sister Beverlee also and we continue to pray that medical intervention will ease her pain or eradicate it all together, giving the glory, honour and power to Jesus. Amen
Thank you, Catherine, dear sister-in-Christ. You are a mighty prayer warrior!
David, great seeing you yesterday on Huntley Street and clips from your ride back to Canada! You have incredible endurance and NO need for “training wheels!” I am reminded that Our Lord didn’t promise a life without pain, struggles, and hardships. He promised to give us the strength to get through them! We have lived to see another day for a reason and we hold on to the hope for which Our Father has bestowed upon us. May His strength and blessings be yours this, and every day!
Enjoyed 100 Huntley St. yesterday and seeing u Rev. DM looking so well. Ron and Anne were so obviously happy to have u back in Canada. To think that my mother and mother-in-law used to watch you on 100 Huntley St. many, many years ago and now here I am taking a bible study from one and the same. My mother was 42 when I was born the youngest of 14 children so I knew an older, more mature mother whereas my older siblings knew a younger mom.
Today’s study is so enlightening and revealing about immoral behaviour, envy and jealousy that seems to plague our society. To run across a practicing Christian today is such a delight.
Am reading the book Cold-Case Christianity now and it is so well written by a cold-case detective who knows how to put evidence together so well. Really enjoying it. For those who need “proof” that there really is a loving, forgiving, heavenly Father, this is the book to read.
God bless one and all.
Amen sister! …an excellent read…
Amen, Beverlee, am agreeing with your well spoken prayer for your cousin, Bob Clark and sorry to hear about the loss of your Pastor’ wife, Eliza-Jane. God bless you, dear sister.
Thank you, Ger. Your prayers mean so much!
Thank you, David Mainse, for riding up on your motorcycle, yesterday! It was wonderful to watch the mini-clip they made of your travels. I so look forward to seeing further episodes on the show!
It was so wonderful to see uou David and Praise God for your healing and your God given strength and for God keep using you in a mighty way
PRAISE GOD PRAISE GOD ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Isn’t today’s technology amazing. As for family reasons, I was unable to view yesterday’s entire episode with David Mainse on 100 Huntley Street. With the click of a mouse, here it was today on my laptop computer… Praise God!
It would be a blessing to witness the Lord working through his servants on any Sunday evening service in July at your church as God’s Holy Spirit moves through the body of Christ and people are truly and miraculously healed of their ailments… Praise God! Amen! As David’s ride home was documented on film, it would be awesome to similarly witness the healing that takes place in these “Faith Healing” upcoming evening services…
Have a great joy-filled day everyone…
Watch you on Huntley St. Yesterday and it is so great to see how well you look, praising God for your healing.
I too feel so blessed that God has healed me. After my BC surgery, and reconstruction, and continue to do well.
Praying there will be more of Jesus and less of me.
Blessings fellow saints.
Ir was great watching you ride into town and as you met with your son Ron at the studio as well as you sharing on 100 Huntley street yesterday. CONGRATULATIONS, YOU DID IT!!!
Regarding yesterday’s telecast….How great is our God.Thanking our Lord Jesus for your healing. Amazing that you mentioned Hezekiah and the figs. It was that scripture that I was reading on the plane coming home from Israel with your 2012 tour, and you asked ,”what nuggets is the Lord showing you.” I believe he was confirming that you would be healed. Do you remember at the closing banquet in Jerusalem that I shared that I believed that you would be 100% healed and you would declare it on national T.V. as a testimony to the world. And now you have just spoken it out. Wow!!! How incredible!!!! All glory and honor be to our Jesus!!! He is so amazing. What a faith building experience for us all. Will your healing meetings be available live streaming so that churches can gather together and join you? It would be so fantastic. Perhaps God wants you to bring the healing message to the whole world. Luke 1:37