Tuesday, May 16, 2017

THE WRONG PATH

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 9

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Southeast of Haifa lies Mount Carmel. As you stand on its peak, below you can see the fertile plains of the Jezreel Valley which, during the course of 7,000 years, has seen countless battles. The Book of Revelation identifies this spot as the place where the final battle of Armageddon will be fought. It was on Mount Carmel that Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 2 Kings 9:6

Then he arose and went into the house. And he poured the oil on his head, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I have anointed you king over the people of the Lord, over Israel…'”

God endorsed the appointment of Jehu to replace Ahab. What fresh new potential! Almost immediately Jehu’s choices led him down the wrong path. He murdered both the King of Israel and the King of Judah, who, with their armies, were defending their lands against Syria. We understand that the events of the tragic, as well as the blessed, history of the people of God were written down so that we might learn from the things they did wrong as well as the things they did right. Let us remember that, while today’s reading shows the mess made by those who do wrong, there were still thousands of people who were humbly serving the God of Elijah and Elisha.
Like Jehu, we are always in danger of relying on a past blessing while we are in the process of moving rapidly away from God. We can never rely on previous experience with God as a guarantee that we are right in His sight now. We must make a deliberate decision to communicate with God and hear from Him every day. Jesus, in His humanity, did that. He rose early in the morning and spent time in prayer. He was receiving His guidance for the day. Therefore, He could say, “The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that please Him” (John 8:29).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, thank You for setting such an example for me. You demonstrated that as a human being, not using Your divine nature to help Yourself, I too can “do the things that please Him.” I ask that I will be given daily grace to remain always faithful to You. Because of Your indwelling Presence, I live with confidence in Your keeping power. May the smile of Your approval be upon me. In Your Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

From my earliest memories hearing or reading children’s Bible stories, I saw Jehu as a hero. Those stories would gloss over the worst parts. Jehu driving his chariot “furiously” was an exciting mental picture for me. I could imagine myself driving a chariot like that. Then there was the death of Jezebel and the dogs consuming the remains of this exceedingly wicked woman. I may have been older when I remember thinking that this was justice because of her crimes against humanity. Around this time I also remember seeing the body of the Italian dictator, Mussolini, near the close of World War II, hanging from a balcony in a central city square. It was justice, people said. I understood from Scripture that all of us “reap what we have sown.” A New Testament reading I’ve just looked up is Galatians 6:7-10. Those verses speak to me of reaping good things also. This “good” reaping will continue into eternity in Heaven as I stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ, where believers are judged according to their works and eternal rewards are given or withheld (see 2 Corinthians 5:6-10).

Yours for laying up treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21),

David

P.S. I have chosen to ask my son Ron to continue recording the video version of my blog, since I have not quite been up to the task lately. Thank you for your ongoing prayers! The “vlogs” can be found HERE.

The statue of Elijah at the Carmelite Monastery on Mount Carmel reflects the Lord’s victory over the prophets of Baal. Shortly afterward, fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, the altar, and even the water.

25 thoughts on “Tuesday, May 16, 2017

  1. So sorry, David, that you haven’t been feeling up to recording the vlogs. Get some rest and take care of yourdelf. I’m praying your health will improve. It’s great Ron has been able to continue.

  2. We call on You, our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and to the sanctity of the Holy Spirit, for Your blessing upon David Mainse. Lord, ease his pain and suffering, strengthen and energize his physical body, and fortify his spiritual resolve. For Your Will be done, Lord God, on earth, as it is in heaven. It is to You, that we, the saints, pray, for all things good, that come into this world. We thank You, for the goodness of David Mainse, and the blessing he is to so many by sharing and instilling Your Word and claiming Your gift of salvation. For we are nothing without You, but everything with You. And it is to You, that we humbly bow and gratefully praise–to the King of Kings. In Jesus mighty Name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen.

    • I do also pray that the Lord would strengthen you dear Pastor David. We will continue to pray for you and your dear family. Eleanor M.

  3. Yes, Amen to the prayers for our beloved David Mainse that you may strengthen his body and encourage his heart today and everyday. Thank you for being a continual blessing to us over all these years in so many ways. Just hung up a scroll you sent to us a few years back which says, “Whatsoever He says unto you do it” with Charles Rolls and your name on it. Thank you for being Canada’s Pastor. I remember your name in prayer everyday. God’s blessings on you.

  4. Rev. Dr. Mainse – You are an inspiration and your knowledge and insight have been life changing! Prayers for your comfort during this difficult time. Dave & Val

  5. May the peace of God invade you entirely. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

  6. Dear Father infuse PAstor David with renewed strength and a great sense of your divine presence as he rests during this time.

    Thank you Pastor David for your continued fresh gift of The Word each day.

    Rest in the assurance of our prayers. Blessings to all

  7. Continue to pray for you Pastor David, may the Lord strengthen you and give you His peace.
    Thanking Ron, and all those who continue to do the daily vlog, blessings to you all.

  8. Heavenly Father, I come before You in the Mighty Name of Jesus on behalf of Your servant David Mainse. And I pray for the anointing healing power of the Lord to flow over your servant David Mainse, for Your anointing oil to flow through every vein, joint, marrow and every part of his being; I pray for Your Peace and Joy to enfold him as he rest in the Palm of Your hand. In the Mighty Name of Jesus I pray, Amen and Amen!!

  9. Mr. Mainse we thank God that you can post your blog daily! I enjoy listening to Ron also……
    found out about a young person who used to go to church took his life the other day! very depressed!
    I deal with a mental illness everyday! It is inherited! people need to learn more about mental illness; life style is very important! No drugs, alcohol, get involved with a good physical exercise of some sort; keep every day life very simple and plain, never be ashamed, get help from Mental Health! Talk about it to anybody who will listen; start support groups; no junk food, get good rest; go to church if you can, join a prayer group; BE HONEST AND TALK ABOUT YOUR ILLNESS; THE MORE YOU TALK THE MORE PEOPLE WILL GET TO UNDERSTAND MENTAL ILLNESS!
    If there is no group,start one yourself! meet in a park, maybe go to a movie; go for walks, play with clay; create something; we all are very creative; it is amazing!
    again I say TALK TALK AND TALK SOME MORE! Mind your manners; volunteer somewhere for a few hours! No one should have to make the decision to end life! Call the Police or the Help line! Get help!
    Blog of it helps you….God bless all those who are dealing with a chemical imbalance (mental illness) and please do not do something drastic! Life is good! You are a blessed child of God! amen

  10. Pastor David, your words about Jesus not using his power to help himself made me wonder if you are not using your spiritual gifts for your own healing? Just as we receive the gift of salvation for ourselves as well as sharing it with others, can’t we use our spiritual gifts, including healing, for ourselves when we need to? I really hope the answer to that is yes, because I do it!

    I hope and pray God will heal you and give you strength…and may God’s will be done, He always knows what is best. Your compassionate and kind heart is a blessing to all, and I’m still believing for a healing miracle!

  11. Amen to all the prayers and the comments from everyone I join my heart and thoughts and prayers for you Pastor David God bless you amen

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