LOOK UP
Today’s Reading: Genesis 11-13
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
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. At the bottom left of Masada you can see 2,000-year-old Roman Army encampment sites. The protective walls the soldiers built are in the shape of rectangles.
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 have 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! We need to ask this question, “Am I putting up and taking down eternal things and building only the temporary, or am I building that which will be permanent, forever?” Let us search our hearts, asking hard questions such as, “What are my priorities? Is God in first place?” Abram’s actions brought God’s blessings during his life here on earth and will continue to do so throughout eternity!!!
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 has spent over three months in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Italy, Greece, and Turkey (lands of the Bible) photographing pictures for this daily blog. He is a professional photographer & video producer, which is a 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 of the Crossroads Ministry to lead the “Heaven’s Rehersal” events (click here). 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 about his photography and www.worldembrace.org for more about their missions work. They lived with Norma-Jean and me for three years. We know the depth of their commitment to God, and to His cause.
Building an altar for eternity,
David
P.S. This Sunday evening beginning at 6:00 pm, God willing, I’ll be leading the first of 8 Sunday night services for the purpose of prayer and anointing with olive oil (James 5:13-18) at the Crossroads Centre,1295 North Service Rd in Burlington, Ontario. It’s my way of saying thanks to God and to all who prayed for my healing. The Cancer specialist calls my health turn-a-round, “Jaw-dropping remarkable!” Here is more info about my summer healing services.
Awesome, David. Your upcoming healing services and the questions you posed in your commentary. Will be meditating on them today as I go out. Love and prayers for your upcoming services!
Also congratulations Reynold for your great work for and with the Lord!
The alter building stood out for me today too. Reading this blog in the morning has been a form of being by the alter and worshipping in prayer. I commend Reynold for his dedication, talent and fine ministry. His photographs have been amazingly relevant, colourful and informative! Blessings to all!
WE need to always keep close to the Lord and congregate with Him
God’s people need theLor allday long keep soldiering on,….R…
Amen
Will be there Sunday, August 17th, David. So looking forward to it. Thank you for having the healing services throughout the summer. It means more than you could ever know that I will be prayed over and anointed by you and other Pastors.
I will be having my first art exhibit in the Foyer of the Art Gallery at the Frontenac Public Library at 130 Johnson Street, downtown, Kingston, throughout the month of August. The opening when I am there in person, God willing, is Saturday, August 16th from 1-5 pm. There will be snacks, beverages, family friends and hopefully lots of guests coming through, to see my artwork for sale. Some friends from Hamilton are coming, and I will be returning with them Sunday, so I can attend the healing service on the 17th in Burlington. So looking forward to it! Anyone in the Kingston area throughout August, please drop in to see my exhibit. If you are here Saturday, August 16th, please join me at the opening in the afternoon! Praise God through whom all blessings flow! Amen!
The Lord will bless you sister Beverlee on the 17th of August. Amen!
Thank you, David!
Good for you Beverlee Kay! May God bless you with lots of sales and your heart’s desire in visitors in your August showings, in Jesus name.
Thank you, Lynda!
Sister Beverlee I pray your art exhibition will go well and that many will come.
As you join the healing service on the 17th of August, may God’s presence surround you I pray a healing on your chronic pain as you are anointed with the Pastor’s prayers and the oil. To the glory of our Risen Saviour.
Amen, thank you, Catherine!
What an honour to be sharing your artistic work and blessing for others to behold. Would definitely be there if I were in the vicinity. God speed!
After reading today’s verse from Genesis, i actually learned something new . I have always read that Lot was Abram’s nephew but never really knew the real connection. Today i actually read that Lot was the son of one of Abram’s two brothers.
About Abram lying to Pharaoh that Sarai was His sister, i have always questioned why he wasn’t punished for his lies. But i always reach to the same conclusion that God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are different from ours.
Lastly, from the movies i watched, it has always been said that Lot’s wife was the one who convinced him to be separated from Abram, but from the NIV i read this morning, it says, “8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”
which is which? Did his wife convinced him to move on or his uncle?
Always believe Scripture over movie versions of the Bible. Often those are altered in someway to make the movie more “exciting” to non- believing audiences. Even if it is based on Scripture that doesn’t mean it is Biblical.
As for Abraham, he didn’t lie– Sarai is his half sister– they both had the same father Terah, but different mothers–later in Genesis Abram will explain this to another king when he does the same thing. The Jewish law forbidding marriage between siblings will not come into effect until Moses, which is hundreds years later.
Amen!
thank You Donna, i will be sure to remember the part of Sarai being Abram’s half sister from now onwards:) And yes you are right, movies often add or reduce points for entertainment sake. This is one of the many reasons why i enjoy being part of this blog. Thank you all for helping me in this journey to being a better Christian. God bless us all
Good words. Thanks Donna.
Thank you for your faithful blog each day Rev. DM and for being such a shining role model for your talented children.
Just finished reading “Cold-Case Christianity”. What a great read for people who are skeptical about the word of God and wish to be convinced.
Praying for many blessings in your up-and-coming prayer meetings in Burlington.
Blessings on all bloggers.
That was a great read and I also encourage others to read “Cold Case Christianity”. If you have any doubts about the validity of Christ Jesus and all He did, this book will definitely further enlighten you. Praise God! Amen! (A great read for fence sitters.)
With regards to the 8 faith healing gatherings coming up this summer and lead by Pastor David Mainse… May the Holy Spirit of God move through each gathering with miraculous blessings and healing from God Almighty. For His Honour and His Glory! Amen!
Hi Everyone, Abram was just as human as the rest of us. Even though Sarai was his half-sister, his sin was an issue of the heart. Fear got him, and he made that horrible blunder in Egypt regarding giving over Sarai to Pharaoh to save his own skin. Obviously, he must have asked God for forgiveness, and our wonderful Lord forgave him. We too must have Faith in God even in the worst case scenarios of our lives,and not let Fear get us! Our Father will never let us down! We can trust him!!
Great point of View Christine! thank you
Amen, Christine!
Praying for your rest and comfort, today, Bob, as you start your next round with chemo. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4. He is your strength. He is your power. He is your God. Amen, amen, and amen!
Amen and Amen
Amen.
Pastor David I will be praying for the healing services in Burlington and that many will come. We know that God has blessed you with healing and that you in turn will give back yo The Glory of a the Living God.
Every day God gives us a lesson and today Abram’s obedience stands out for me.
Thank you for the links to Reynolds and Kathy’s ministry. His pictures are outstanding.
After reading the blog some time in January where you mentioned that 100% of the people that you interviewed, who claimed miraculous healing , had been anointed with oil and prayed for by the elders of their church according to James 5, I called the board and pastor to pray for me. I said, I have had a concussion for 8 months, why have we not thought of this. I was anointed with oil, prayed for and instantly healed of all concussion symptoms. I had been off work for nearly 9 months. I returned to work on March 1 and have not had any symptoms whatever. Thank you Jesus and thank you Pastor David for this blog.
Hallelujah !!! Praise the Living God! Amen
What an awesome God we have!
Amen Krista! Praise our Heavenly Father!
Praise God, Krista! What a mighty God we serve!! Amen!!
Since I will not be attending your healing services, my prayer is that many will be healed in The Name of Jesus and His Power and Might. What a great way to thank the Lord for your healing Rev. David!
Reynold, what a unique and picturesque photo…thank you; Great shoes:)
Our Wednesday morning bible study group, for the past two Wednesday’s, were blessed as we enjoyed watching “Heaven’s Rehearsal” video!!
The blessing on Abraham must have been dumfounding for Abraham! I an only imagine what he was thinking. We know the rest of the story. . A situation has arisen that may be embarrassing for someone! I so want to help and avoid this embarrassment! The Lord can provide! Please pray for $276.59 by July 5/6/7 Blessings and I enjoy this blog very much. The pictures are A-1. Thank you to Crossroads for this time of studyng the Word of God! Lord God I come to you and lean on you for help.
Thanks for the link to heaven’s rehearsal. Was great to see something where Jesus was the main attraction!