#99

Suggested Reading: Genesis 16-17

The spectacular view looking across from the Mount of Olives toward the Eastern Gate of the old city of Jerusalem, taken from the Dominus Flevit Church (built on the traditional spot where Jesus wept over the city).

Key Verse: Genesis 17:1

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless…”

Chapter 17 contains the articles of the covenant between God, on the first part, and Abram, on the second part. A covenant is the most legally binding agreement into which two parties can enter. This covenant was sealed with blood, Abram’s in circumcision and God’s in the shed blood of Jesus. Our key verse provides the introduction to the long-range purpose of the covenant. It is a covenant of grace, which God continues to implement for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In making Himself known as “Almighty God,” we are told what we may expect God to be to us; namely, God Who is Enough: an all-sufficient God. Our part is to walk in integrity. 1 Samuel 2:30 explains that as we honour God, He honours us.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, I am blameless in Your eyes because of the blood of “Immanuel,” “God with us.” Father, I am confident that according to Your Word, “The Blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Thank You for initiating the covenant and thank You for the grace You’ve given me to say “Yes” in response. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Yesterday I introduced my son, Reynold, who provides pictures each day which he photographed in Israel. I’ll never forget the afternoon when, in our rec room, God baptized him with the Holy Spirit. This was a powerful encounter with God which he experienced at eight years of age. God did Acts 2:4 (please look up) after school that day before I arrived home from work. Just as I entered the room, I saw him holding up a kleenex and saying, “Lord Jesus, you’ve made me whiter than this kleenex by Your blood.” This was also the first long sentence I had ever heard him make without his usual stutter. His public school teacher called us the next day to ask, “What has happened to Reynold?” His whole life was transformed by an act of God. God initiated a similar encounter with Himself for me when I was 16. God said “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy” (Joel 2:28). Peter quoted this in his message on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:17).

Yours because of God’s covenant!

David

REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”

BELIEVE

Suggested Reading: Genesis 14-15

The view while descending to the lowest point on earth - The Dead Sea. On the far side of the Dead Sea is Jordan and the mountains of Moab.

Key Verse: Genesis 15:6

And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

The Apostle Paul picks up this story (Romans 4:2-3): “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.'” If you have the time, read the entirety of Romans 4. Our works will never gain us a place in Heaven, nor will they guarantee the presence of God here and now. However our actions are noticed by God and can result in God’s action towards us (e.g. Cornelius Acts 10:4b, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God”). James 2:20 says, “Faith without works is dead.” Works are only to provide an outward and tangible confirmation of the motivating force behind them, belief and trust in God.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, thank You for your unconditional love and for Your righteousness given to me as a result of my faith in You. Like Abram (His name was not yet changed) I believe in You. Thank you for Your friend, Abram, who is a great example for me. I pray this in the Name of Jesus Who is the greatest Example. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’m so impressed by Abram’s attitude toward God and people. Yes, he believed God! He also showed this by works. I hate to admit this, but I think that Abram may have had something in common with an Afgan War Lord. He had a private Army. He was definitely not your average farmer. He risked his own life to rescue his nephew Lot and the other Sodomites. He tried to turn the King of Sodom to God by introducing him to the priest of the most high God, Melchizedek. He paid his tithe. One of our 5 (seven soon) great-grandchildren, Autumn Neilson, is 2 years old. She visited us over the holiday weekend and sang over and over a song based on Philippians 2:5, written by her grandfather, Bruce Stacey, husband of my daughter Elaine: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” All of my great-grandchildren know dozens of Bible verses because of these songs. Check out God Rocks Bibletoons scripture songs online at www.godrocks.com. Go to the store to order a CD or download Bibletoons songs for .99 cents per song. The proceeds help support more children’s productions.

Your friend and brother in Christ,

David

P.S. Due to a technical problem, the email for yesterday’s blog post was not sent until early afternoon. Sorry about that. If it happens again, you can always go directly to www.100words.ca and read it online.

LOOK UP

Suggested Reading: Genesis 11-13

Here is a self portrait...well at least those are my feet. I (Reynold Mainse) am looking southeast toward the morning sun. In front is the famous mountain of Masada, and beyond is the Dead Sea. You can see at the bottom left of Masada is a 2000 year old Roman Army encampment that is in the shape of a rectangle.

Key Verse: Genesis 13:14b & 15

Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are — northward, southward, eastward and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendents forever.

Abram (his name changed later to Abraham – father of nations) showed himself to be a generous man. His heart was being changed over time so that he now could give his nephew Lot first choice in land. God honoured Abram by promising him all the land for his descendants…eventually. Abram is father to both the Arabs and the Jews; his offspring has taken over the entire Middle East. Notice what happened before God made such a promise. Abram obeyed God! He left his home. Abram honoured God! He built altars with which to worship God and to make fresh commitments to God. Note the word, “ALTAR” (12:7,12:8,13:4,13:18). He “pitched” his tent, but he BUILT altars. The tent represents the temporal, but the ALTARS represent the ETERNAL! Ask yourself, “What are my priorities? Is God in first place?” Abram’s actions brought God’s blessings!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You responded directly in proportion to Abram’s obedience and faithfulness. Please give me the grace to learn from Abram. Amen & Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I think it’s time to introduce my eldest son, David Reynold Mainse. Reynold spent the entire month of March this year in Israel photographing the pictures for this daily blog. God willing, he’ll be doing the same this November. He is a professional photographer & video producer. This is his source of income. But that is not his calling. He is an ordained minister who has given his life to world missions. His wife Kathy, his children Rachelle, Elizabeth and her husband David Lee, and his son David Peter, share his passion to reach the world for Jesus. For years he led the Crossroads Missions group, and then stepped out to lead the “Heaven’s Rehersal” events. These are unprecedented gatherings where the only Name mentioned is “Jesus” and where worship and the reading of Scripture is the total content. Check www.reynoldmainse.com for more pictures and information. His wife Kathy is a great person of prayer. They lived with Norma-Jean and me at one time for three years. We know them very well.

Building an altar,

David

REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”

A NEW BEGINNING

Suggested Reading: Genesis 9-10

Two friends having fun with an olive picked from a nearby tree in Nazareth.

Key Verse: Genesis 9:1

So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”

So God is a God of second chances. Instead of giving up on humanity, the Lord saved Noah and his family. The great flood happened because people, who were given dominion over the earth by God, cut Him off from exercising His sustaining power. All the people with the exception of Noah rejected God, excluding Him from their lives. It’s not that God ran out of mercy and love. It’s that when God is not invited to be an integral part of human life, there is no alternative, justice and judgement happens. Today there is much that seperates people from God, but I believe there are at least one billion precious souls who love and serve God. This is what holds back the consequences of the great divide between a Holy God and an unrepentant world. Next time, Jesus, the Ark of Salvation will lift His own to safety (read 1 Thess. 4:13-18).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA !

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord, thank You for giving me a second chance. I pray fervently for Salvation to come to at least another billion people. Grant me grace, boldness, wisdom and sacrificial giving of myself and the resources that You have put in my hands, so that the most glorious work of soul winning will accelerate as the day of Christ’s return is very soon. In Jesus’ powerful Name. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I cannot begin to express my gratitude to God and to special people in my life for leading me to Salvation. I had prayed to be saved as a child, but when my mother died of cancer when I was 12 years old, I turned my back on God, blaming Him for mother’s death. I now know that it was the seperation of the human race from God that allows the twisting of human cells called cancer. It’s not God’s fault; it’s our fault. My Dad went back to his mission work in Egypt and I was put into a boarding school, from which I was kicked out. In a regular high school I encountered three real followers of Jesus in my grade 12 class. My boss at work coaxed me to give my life to Jesus. He tricked me by asking me to drive his Chrysler New Yorker from Pembroke to Ottawa to pick up Evangelist Jack Wyrtzen. That night at a Youth for Christ rally a friend, Homer James, came beside me and offered to walk forward with me. It happened! I’ve never turned back from Jesus. I’m in Him (the Ark) and I’m kept by His power! How about you? Unsure? Call 1-866-273-4444 and ask about your salvation.

Yours very truly,

David

REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”

NOAH’S ARK

Suggested Reading: Genesis 7-8

Did you know that the Bible notes 80 species of mammals, 25 kinds of birds, 8 reptiles and 12 insects?

Key Verse: Genesis 7:1

Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.”

The ark was at least as big as a modern ocean liner according to the dimensions given by God to Noah. The ratio of width to length are the same. There were only eight human passengers. I’m told that the Chinese character for “safety” depicts eight people in a boat. According to the Bible, the world as we know it will again be destroyed. Next time, the ark will be big enough to hold many more than eight people. God has provided a way, through Jesus, whereby all who receive Him as Saviour and Lord will be saved. Noah must have wept as he considered the fate of others, but there was nothing he could do. There is something we can do! It’s our job to invite everyone into the Ark. Jesus is the Ark of safety!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, again and again You invited people to come to You and You promised that You would receive all who come (John 6:37). Please Lord, grant me the honour of telling someone today about Your invitation, and may I urge people to decide today to come into the eternal safety that You have provided. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

A former 100 Huntley Street TV host, Lorna Dueck, reminded me, as she helped me learn how to do a blog, that I had instructed her that we must never let a day go by on television without giving an invitation for people to respond to the call to be saved. All those wonderful people who answer 1-866-273-4444 are prepared to lead people to assurance of their eternal salvation. June 15th, 1977, was the first day we had telephones available for immediate response. Don Osborne signaled to me from across the studio that the first person had just given their life to Christ on one of our 30 telephones. I said, “Everything is paid for now, because one soul is worth more than the whole world!”

Yours very, very, very truly,

David

REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”

THE TEACHER

Suggested Reading: Genesis 5-6

The heavens are gloriously ablaze above the Eastern Gate of the old city of Jerusalem.

Key Verse: Genesis 5:24

“And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”

The way out of the “rat race” is simply to walk with God. Obviously, God wants your company. God wanted to walk with Adam and Eve every evening. Enoch’s time with God was so precious and consistent that, no doubt with his full consent, God took Enoch directly to Heaven without him experiencing death. Enoch’s name means “teacher” in English. He must have shared with others those things he learned in those long walks. Noah was Enoch’s great-grandson and was likely the recipient of Enoch’s sharing. Remember Noah? He is the one who found favour with God. The result was that he knew how to hear from God in building an ark to save his family. You’re on your daily walk with God now as you read His Word and talk with Him in prayer. Listen as God talks with you today.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God as I walk with You now, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may experience “Walking in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Like Enoch, I have children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I’m always telling them stories. I’m convinced that from his childood, Noah heard what Great-Grandpa learned on those long walks with God. It was probably the reason Noah turned out so well. I had a Sunday School teacher by the name of Miss Johnson when I was 10 & 11. She explained Enoch’s going to Heaven without dying like this: “One day as God and Enoch were walking together, God said, ‘Enoch, we’re much closer to My place than we are to yours, why don’t you just come on home with Me’?” For some reason I’ve never forgotten her story.

Let’s go for a walk,

David

REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”

THE BLAME GAME

Suggested Reading: Genesis 3 and 4

On the lower slope of the Mount of Olives is the Garden of Gethsemane. Some of the olive trees here are over 2,000 years old - perhaps this tree was one that Jesus rested under or that His disciples slept against. The church you see in the background is the Church of All Nations.

Key Verse: Genesis 3:12

“Then the man said, ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.'”

A most important Word that Jesus used over and over is “Repent.” Adam and Eve give us examples of what repentance is NOT! They attempted to blame others for their sin. Adam blamed both God and Eve. Eve blamed the serpent. The message is, stop the “blame game.” Pray the sinner’s prayer which Jesus guaranteed would make a person right with God: “God be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). Two verses following the key verse, God Himself gives the first prophecy. He speaks of a most unique event to come. All through the Bible in procreation, it’s the seed of the man. e.g. Abraham (Galatians 3:29), but Jesus is the “Seed of the woman” (Genesis 3:15). He crushes Satan. Satan comes in many forms to tempt us. Remind him that his head is crushed by Jesus. Jesus gives us power (authority) to join Him in trampling on the serpent and “Nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). Confess it! Believe it!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You and I are “trampling” on the serpent. James wrote,”Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). I do this now, Lord Jesus. The devil has no power over me. In Your authority, Lord Jesus, I pray. AMEN!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Every day before going live to air with the daily “100 Huntley Street” telecast, I would state in front of the other hosts, the on-air guests, and the studio audience, words something like this…”We trample on Satan in Jesus Name! We pull down the ‘strongholds’ of the enemy” (2 Cor 10:4). On the human level we do not defend ourselves. No offense, only loving one another. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places” (Eph 6:12). Throughout thousands of telecasts, Jesus did mighty works in precious lives.

To the new on-air team and every reader of my blog, KEEP TRAMPLING!

David

REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”

GOD’S IMAGE

Suggested Reading: Genesis 1-2

A couple sits watching the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea from under the remains of an ancient Roman aqueduct in the area of Caesarea.

Key Verse: Genesis 1:27

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

“God created.” “Elohim bara” (Hebrew). This Name for God is always plural, yet in the Hebrew language it takes a singular verb (Gen. 1:1). Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are at work to make something out of nothing. In the rest of the story the verb is “Asah,” which is what a carpenter does when he works with material already in existence. Chapter 2 is an expansion of what God did in chapter 1. We are made in His Image. We are not just physical beings. We have a capacity for a life beyond, for communication with God, and God with us. Like God, we are intended to live forever! Because we are made in His image, we can know Him. We have the freedom to choose. We can ignore Him or reject Him or we can learn of Him, receiving Him as our God, believing in Him and not just about Him.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I’ve decided to believe in You. Thank you for enabling me to find this blog. Your Thoughts are expressed in Words. Help me to maintain the committment of reading Your Word daily, getting to know what You think of me and of everything. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I marvel at God’s creation. On our property, according to someone who knows, there is a 300 year old cherry tree. Amazing! Yesterday a large red fox decided to have a sleep on our driveway. Norma-Jean thought it was dead, but it jumped up and ran off, it’s long fluffy tail floating in the breeze. God must love variety. In mediating on creation, my heart and mind are lifted up to contemplate the Creator God, and Jesus Himself. John writes that, “Without Him nothing was made that was made.” The mystery of it all astounds me.

We’ve read the first book of the New Testament and we’re now beginning the first book of the Old Testament. Remember, at any time you or someone you know can begin this journey and in two years, with bite-sized readings, God’s thoughts expressed in Words will be yours, and the Spirit of God will bring to remembrance what you need to know when you need to know it.

Please feel free to post your comments. Each one is read, and I thank you for your input. However, I’m sorry that I am rarely able to reply to your specific questions.

Yours for learning to think God’s thoughts,

David

REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.” And please share my blog with your loved ones!

HE IS RISEN!

Suggested Reading: Matthew 27-28

The Garden Tomb, Jerusalem.

Key Verse: Matthew 28:6

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

The resurrection of Jesus is the most thoroughly reported fact of ancient history. The tough battle-hardened Roman guards “shook for fear.” According to Roman military manuals, a “guard” consisted of 8 soldiers, and if one fell asleep on duty, the others must kill him on the spot. Those who deny the facts of the resurrection must answer some questions: Where’s the body? What would turn a man like Peter, who could not stand up to a waitress, into a bold, fearless man? What about the over 500 people who claimed to have seen the resurrected Jesus after His resurrection? Many of these were still alive when the Gospels were written. What about the over 5,000 who became believers (including many of the priests) after Peter preached in the Temple? No official source has ever answered these questions or denied the amazing growth of the Church of Jerusalem.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You raised Your Son and our Saviour from the dead. He’s ALIVE! I worship Him! Amen and Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Norma-Jean and I worked at establishing a congregation in Deep River, Ontario, the residential community for Atomic Energy of Canada at Chalk River. I found that the senior nuclear physicists were humble believers in Jesus. One told me that a change in the molecular structure of Christ’s body could enable Him to appear and do all that He did in His post resurrection appearances. One Easter Sunday morning, the parents of Tim Laronde presented him before the Lord at our church. Tim was born with a club foot. I was filled with God’s Spirit and said, “When Tim is old enough to walk, He will walk normally.” The next morning, Tim’s mother Marilyn burst into our home carrying Tim and showed us both feet completely normal. During my recent “Thank you, Canada” tour, I met Marilyn in Pembroke, Ontario, and we confirmed the fact that Jesus is alive and still proving it by miraculous signs and wonders.

Serving a risen Saviour,

David

REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”

JESUS PROMISED

Suggested Reading: Matthew 26

Looking from the South end of the old city of Jerusalem you can see the Mount of Olives to the East.

Key Verse: Matthew 26:32

“But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”

It’s difficult to choose a key verse as this chapter is filled with crucial truth for all people. The death and resurrection of Christ is the focal point of all history. It is His story! Once again Jesus states the fact of His death and resurrection and once again His disciples failed to comprehend. This time they were too sleepy to take in truth. Are you wide awake? Are you ready to understand? Understand that when Jesus gives a promise, its fulfillment is absolutely sure! It is impossible for Him to lie! He knew He must die and He also knew He must rise again. This was the reason He came. He also knew the humanity of His followers. They would remember His instructions about meeting Him in Galilee after the resurrection, and they would obey Him.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, as I read Your Words, grant the grace to make those Words an integral element in my spiritual DNA. Please grant me full comphrehension and obedience. I pray this with sincerety and faith that You will do this in me for Your Glory and for the fulfillment of Your plan for my life. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I have been reading your responses to 100 words.ca. Thank you for letting me know that you are there with me daily. I turn 76 on August 13th, and as an old-timer I was not sure anyone would bother reading my blog. I don’t really understand the new social media. Come to think of it, I didn’t understand television back on June 2nd, 1962 either. I do know, however, that God gave me the grace of obedience then and He’s doing so now. If you are blessed and encouraged, or of this blog helps you in the daily discipline of reading the entire Bible in meal-sized portions over two years, then God’s purpose is being fulfilled. Amen! and Amen!

Continuing in obedience,

David

REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.” And please share my blog with a friend!