IT’S A HIT
Today’s Reading: Judges 5
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
Jewish children dance at a presentation in Jerusalem.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Judges 5:3
Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes!
I, even I, will sing to the Lord;
I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.
Yesterday we read of a hit from a hammer on a tent peg; today it’s a hit song that I’m sure became #1 with the Children of Israel. Another generation learned through this song. They learned that those who love the Lord will be “Like the sun when it comes out in full strength.” The result was 40 more years of faithfulness to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Joshua and Deborah. We have great advantages in knowing God in our time. Back then they had the scrolls of the first books of the Bible, but very few of these children of ex-slaves could read. The synagogue movement where the Scriptures are taught by the Rabbi was still to come 1,000 years later. The people would gather for a message from their spiritual and temporal leader only once a year. No wonder they wandered far from God. The influences from the Canaanite culture were strong, and unless each family had daily prayer and the recitation of God’s stories, they were easily overcome by the evil around them.
What is our excuse when the prevailing culture overcomes any godly influence we may have on our children and grandchildren? Just think of the helps to godliness we have which the second and third generations of Israelites did not have. When we consider our struggles today, perhaps we should not judge those people too harshly.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
[As you pray today, think of the ways your life is enriched through your local Body of Believers. We are a blessed people.]
Lord God, I have a great local congregation. I have Sunday services, weekly prayer meetings and Bible studies. I read my Bible every day and watch 100 Huntley Street on TV daily. Help me to be consistent in my personal prayer life, oh Lord. Compared to the Israelites in Deborah’s day, I have absolutely no excuse for ever drifting away from You. Thank You, Jesus! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Compared to the early Israelites, I have so much to be thankful for when I consider the spiritual input I had as a child. We prayed on our knees three times a day as a family, plus “Now I lay me down to sleep” at bed time. My Dad, Rev. Dr. Roy Lake Mainse, served as a missionary, a pastor, and a college president. During his years as an educator, he approved of my Sunday schedule…10 a.m. Sunday School at our own church, 2 p.m. at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, and then 3 p.m. at the Salvation Army Church almost across the street. For some reason, I loved every minute. Okay, there were other reasons. I was not allowed to play ball with my friends on Sunday afternoon, and I also got to play in the Salvation Army band. If I can find a picture of my Dad, I’ll attach it below. Just look at him. He was “Authority” in my eyes. I’m ever so thankful. My mother passed away when I was 12, and my Dad and I grew so very close. He’d be 120 if he were still alive here on earth. In case they read this in Heaven, I love you Dad and Mom, and I’ll see you soon!
Yours because of all the blessings we’ve received from generations past, including the generation of Judge Deborah,
David
My Father and Mother, Rev. Dr. Roy and Hazel Mainse.
Thank you David. God Bless and strengthen you today.
I played in the Salvation Army band too! What instrument did you play, David? I played cornet. That was such a great experience!
We too were at church 3 times a day because my dad was one of the leaders (he had been a former Salvation Army officer so they found him indispensable!). Unlike you we got tired of it though 🙂 There was a lot of waiting around for us because my dad had to be there quite early for each meeting.
I think David also played cornet/trumpet…
I played trumpet in band class from grade 7 through grade 12 in school… Perhaps that has a lot to do with my hearing loss today… 🙂
Blessings blog friends in Christ
Enjoyed your personal stories today Pastor David. You have a great heritage. Unfortunately my Dad never attended church in our community until I went overseas, but he seemed to have an understanding of heaven and hell and he used to like singing “The Old Rugged Cross.” Your program on “Household Salvation” used to get his attention too. Thank God I was given the opportunity to say the sinner’s prayer with him before he passed on. This was after MUCH prayer like for 20 years. An example of the wonderful grace of Jesus. Am going to a funeral. Blessings to all.
As of last Thursday I caught the cold and boy it is not fun . I will do my best
to keep reading when feel able to keep up if you do not see me comment it does
not mean you are not thought of or in my prayers. Please keep me in yours and
yes David that is a nice picture of your parents to keep in your memorbila
Lianne
Lord Jesus I pray for Your healing touch on Leanne this very moment, I pray for her chest to clear and every area in her body to respond to Your Love, and anointing of her body from the top of head to the tips of her toes. Lord Jesus I ask this in Your Holy Name. Thank You Jesus, Amen and Amen!!
Praying that the Lord will heal you quickly Lianne✝
a cup of hot water, ginger and honey does very well for colds!
Drink lots of fluids, cleans out the body, keep blowing the nose, clear the sinus, bless You Lianne for reading the blogs and for your prayers and we all will pray for a complete healing for you and that you will be able to be up and around and enjoying life
bless you sweet child for sharing your concerns about your health as it encourages us to continue to pray for another fervently!
IN JESUS NAME AMEN!
Thank you David: What a lovely couple, your Dad and Mom. To me you look much like your Dad. Praise God for them and for their input into your life; how blessed you are David to have such an inheritance !!
What a Godly woman was Deborah!!
My Dad died when I was four years old; I don’t remember much about him. But I believe he was a man of faith. I know that as they settled in this country, the first thing he had built, after their living quarters, was the church, which is where I attended until my early teen, after which I left to go to high-school in the City.
My mother was a Godly woman, and made certain we were in church not only every Sunday, but many evenings, and every holiday. She taught us to pray the “Lord’s pray”, and that was our prayer before going to bed, as she listened as we prayed.
My present church family is where we worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. We meet for prayer through the week, and also have home bible studies. Ours is a loving, friendly congregation. Having participated in leading praise and worship, being active wherever I was called to be, such as Treasurer, as well as Prayer Co-ordinater and now as an elder. How Blessed I am. God as been so faithful, and I love spending time in prayer and worship and reading and studying the Bible every day.,
This blog you have provided for us is complementary and a blessing to my daily walk in the Lord. Thank you and your family for presenting it to us.
Blessings to all bloggers for their input as well. And above all, Praise the Lord Jesus Christ for His love and faithfulness towards us. For being His child! Amen!!