A FRIEND AND A LION
Today’s 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 (seen in the photo above), 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 friends, and therefore we are not afraid to confront, to argue sometimes, and to seek change for the better, humbly recognizing that we too need to change, more often than not…probably more than our friends need 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 many years ago 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 57 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
Dear Lord God, thank You for the great wisdom of your Word, and that You so freely give it. As James wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Help us, Lord, to ask, and even live, in faith, because You are trustworthy! We need You so much, Lord, so we also can be people of integrity and even bold as lions. Help all your people today to live and move and have their being in You. You care for us, Lord, and we thank and praise You for that. In Jesus’s wonderful name, amen
Amen!
Amen
YES, AMEN
Amen
Loved David Mainse’s postings today. Amen Rob!
Wow! It will be nice to watch that link to see David again. Wishing all saints a blessed Friday. For those here in Southern Ontario, another snow/rain storm. Praying for the safety and warmth of all. Please keep me in your prayers, saints; they found another pinched nerve in my back. My sister Laura (when she was alive) and I, used to pray at the same time, lighting a candle, even though we were cities apart. I am wondering if we could all start doing that for our prayer requests. Maybe an earlier time would be better–8 pm? I ask that you bring me to prayer and that all saints bring their prayer requests forward, as well. May the love of our Lord Saviour, hold you in His Light.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2 ESV
Great Is Thy Faithfulness – Chris Rice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k1WhFtVp0o
blessings to you Beverlee Kay;
I learned something about “candles” used to use the “real” candles, but it was always such a concern; SO THE LORD BROUGHT the candles that you can switch them on and off, they are very small and the church put them in (one at a time) into a bowl with some scrunched up plastic paper and it looks so good; the candles you can buy at a $1 store and they are very safe and even look better on the whole and I notice churches are using them also, because it is cheaper and much safer. So, thank you Lord for somebody inventing these small candles….
Blessings to all; need prayers please; still looking for the right person to rent the back room or the Lord needs to bring to me a big financial windfall so I can clear debts and help others and help my family…
also dealing with a Sleep Disorder; pray that people will understand and ask questions and not judge…..
going to a concert tonight put on by the Arts Council and tomorrow a concert at the Baptist church put on by the youth. PRAISE AND THANK THE LORD THAT MY EVENINGS ARE GOOD;
ALWAYS THANKING THE LORD FOR ALL HIS GOODNESS AND MERCY AND GRACE.
Here is another great song for the day:
Mack Brock – I Am Loved (Official Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OmYhgvwQa8
Been in a lot of pain since Tuesday evening when I fell in the yard twisting my back and pinching a nerve.Been on here 2 1/2 hr and have to get this laptop of my knees so I can lay back.Will pray for you,Beverlee.I have to take my cart to the wood pile and bring some more in.(I built a ramp before my last knee replacement.)
Thanks again,Rob and amen to your prayer.May yall be blessed.
Waits The King
Beyond the bounds of infinity,
God’s canvas shows his endless glory,
Where He still creates eternity
In the dream that is our story.
He planned all His creatures,
His dream became our eternal role,
So before the world had it’s features
He began each man,soul by soul.
So vastly above all of mankind,
Yet He became one to understand,
That no man is ever left behind
When we’re taken to our homeland.
So look out to where no eye can see
And in your heart a painting shall be,
The home far away where all are free,
Where waits the King for you and me.
(G W) Bill Marshall/15-Jan-16
Lord we pray for healing for William,we thank You Lord for his beautiful posting of poems and his words of wisdom; Lord You know William inside out and You Lord know his heart; we Trust You Lord and believe You will heal him completely and bless him always; Thank you Lord in Jesus Name we Pray amen
LORD GOD I pray for William, for the pain to subside, and a quick healing in his nerves system, particularly the pinched nerve. thank you Jesus, Amen!