A RIGHT ATTITUDE
Today’s Reading: Genesis 18-19
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Mount Sodom runs along the southwestern part of the Dead Sea, where Lot's wife looked back from the mountain and was turned into a pillar of salt. It is most remarkable, because the mountain is made almost entirely of halite, or rock salt. It is approximately 8 km long, 5 km wide, 742 feet (226 m) above the Dead Sea, yet 557 feet (170 m) below sea level.
Key Verse: Genesis 18:17
And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing…”
Before judgment, God always gives an opportunity for mercy. Abraham interceded with the Lord, asking Him to spare Sodom, and He finally settled on ten righteous people who would be sufficient to protect the city from destruction. Lot probably had at least that number in his household. However, only Lot, himself, was found to be righteous. God reveals His plans to someone so that they can pray fervently and give warning of impending judgment. For example: Noah before the flood; the increasing severity of the plagues before the final judgment on Egypt; the warnings of Jesus Himself before the destruction of Jerusalem, and others that I could mention. Abraham’s attitude (NIV) or mind (NKJV) was for mercy and not judgment. He experienced mercy himself in the promise of the birth of a son with his wife Sarah.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord, I intercede through the Person of Jesus Christ, Your Son and my Saviour. I pray for the protection of people everywhere. I pray for all to open their hearts to Your mercy shown in sending Your Son to save them. I pray for the soul-winning outreach of the ministry sponsoring this Blog, Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. I pray for Dr. John Hull, our Global Chief Executive Officer, and Rev. Ron Mainse, our Chief Ministry Officer, and all who work with them in a variety of ways, all designed to bring men, women, boys and girls to Yourself. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The cause of protecting humanity’s oldest covenant, “marriage between one man and one woman,” has moved me deeply. First of all, with permission from the owners, I did several focus groups about same-sex marriages with mechanics at garages during their lunch hour. When I asked them about “marriage” they would talk about their parents and grandparents, and even their own marriages. Then one of them would say something like this, “#*@!!, I guess marriage doesn’t mean anything any more.” I went into prolonged prayer most of one night, and I believe God said to me, “You must not go public on this issue unless you have the ‘attitude’ which Abraham showed toward Sodom.” I believe God gave me a gift of a loving approach to all who support same-sex unions, while standing firmly for traditional marriage. According to Jesus, one man/one woman is God’s plan (Matthew 19:4-6). When God’s purposes are deliberately violated, the human family eventually brings judgment upon itself. I pray fervently for God to hold back judgment and to continue to extend mercy.
Yours because of His mercy,
David
Happy moments: Praise God
Difficult moments: Seek God
Quiet moments: Worship God
Difficult moments: Trust God
Every moment: Thank God
I believe at all times, praise God. (Many tears right now). Not always easy to do.
Prayers for you. Tears are precious to God. I love this statement… “God can hear a tear drop” (see Eph.3:14…
that you may be strengthen…by the Spirit.” Samuel
David
God has given you a great gift of love towards others…thank-you
for standing up for God’s word and what is precious in his sight.
Today many Christians are afraid to stand up to sin, but if we
don’t…the consequences are dire for our world..
God Bless You for your many years of dedication to spreading
the gospel…
So very much appreciate Bro. David Mainse’ response to the issues we are facing today. In prayerful quietness our strength is found. How we need revival in the land to sweep over all that is happening in restoring power! So many searching for love and not turning to the Author of love.
Everyone relates evil to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. It is amazing that Abraham gave a hoot about those places and rather refreshing. Even more refreshing to believers is the fact that God will ultimately do what is just and fitting. So important to stay on the straight and narrow.
Blessings on all fellow bloggers this beautiful summer day in Alberta.
Where are you in Alberta? It’s raining where I am! Any day is a day to praise The Lord for His goodness; especially in our beautiful and!! Blessings to all who follow this blog. I don’t comment often as I usually do my reading last thing at night.
West central, small town of Hinton. I know, Alberta regions differ greatly in weather. My brother lives near Westlock and their weather is never the same as ours. I like ours better:-) You’re right about praising God Louise:-) Nice to hear from you and may God “shower” you with blessings.
God is in control of this whole universe nobody has to be told hes a sinner yhey already know
Gods mercy endures forever
today is the day of Salvation
In 2006 I was reading this passage and in verse 3 of chapter 18, Abraham asked if he had found favour with God. When I was praying that day, I also asked God if I had found favour with Him.
The next day in my reading God answered my question. “You are precious in my sight.” I eventually wrote this poem, We all need to remember that we are precious in the sight of God, may He impress us all with that truth today and every day
Precious in Your sight
I am precious in Your sight,
Though I seldom do what’s right.
You care about me more than I can know.
When I falter or fall away,
You still seek me night and day,
I am precious in Your sight,
O Lord my God …
When myself on You I cast,
And to You a question ask,
You satisfy my longing to know.
For You lead me to the verse,
And I’ll find the answer there,
I am precious in Your sight,
O Lord my God …
All the trials I go through,
Are to draw me close to You,
You’re the only One on whom I can depend.
The truth contained within Your word,
Is the sweetest I have heard,
I am precious in Your sight,
O Lord my God …
You came to free me from sin,
And have given me peace within,
Since the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, has come.
When I yield myself to You,
My trials are easier to go through.
I am precious in Your sight,
O lord my God …
I thank You for Your Only Son,
And the victory He won,
He’s the only One I need to bring me through.
When in heaven I make my home.
I will never ever roam.
I am precious in Your sight,
O Lord my God …
Mary
That’s lovely Mary.
Diane 🙂
Beautiful poem and very encouraging thank you!
Divinely inspired and eloquently penned, Mary! Amen!!
May The Good Lord have mercy on us all! Amen
Praise God, His Love is Greater than all our sins; There is nothing too difficult for You Him; You O Lord rule and reign for ever and ever. Holy is your Name: “Great is Our God and Greatly to be Praised”!!! Thank you that You have the whole world in Your Hands!!!
Thank you Lord that Your ways and thoughts are Higher than ours. I pray Your Love will heal this land of Canada; that Canada will once again be a Nation under God.
Thank you Mary for your anointed poem, for sharing it with us.
Genesis 18-19 was powerful; led me to read ahead. I have learned so much more from Genesis, thus far, this second time around. That is perhaps one of the most amazing things I love about the Bible–it can be read anew, each and every day and remains life transforming. It is our willpower we have to give up, and resign to the Lord’s, just as the strong examples of Abraham and Lot have shown.
I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me
Will never walk in darkness,
But will have the light of life.
John 8:12
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Know God is there; indeed, know God is there. Let not our hearts be troubled; for we know our God is there.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Thank you everyone for your continued prayers for my well being. God knows what my needs are and I trust in Him to provide. Thank you for keeping Bob in your prayers. We know that through Him all things are possible. He hears our prayers, indeed. Wishing all saints a precious day in the Lord.
Hi David ,We had a young man in our church last Sunday giving us his testimony, of a complete transformation in the way he thought. Bullied as a child, he became a bully,drug pusher, and full of hate. He landed in prison and began to read a Gideon Bible he found in the jail. He read the road to hell is wide and leads to destruction, whereas the road to heaven is narrow and leads to life. It changed his heart and he cried out to God to put him on the narrow road. It was a wonderful miraculous transformation that took place.He found Jesus as his Saviour and forgave the many people who had abused him. He said ,you can’t change anyone, it only happens when they have a heart and mind change, through coming to Christ. The battle is not carnal but spiritual,what a mistake we make, when we think our words can change anyone, when God is the only one who can do it! Our work is to believe and pray, it’s taken me a lifetime to learn this! Bless you all! There is nothing to hard for the Lord!
Wow! Amen, Christine!
Amen!
Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
I love the Lord! However there are things that I don’t realy know how to speak to so I choose to say “perhaps someone needs to talk to a Pastor and read the Bible. They gay issue arises in very young boys and girls.
I am thankful I never had to deal with that situation I can’t really speak to it even now because I know what the Bibie says. I want to shout “stop it, the devil is leading you astray!” however, I hestitate, I can’t handle abusive language or arguments. I walk away and ask “dear Lord forgive me, Perhaps I should have said something but I am “scared” please pray for these people Lord and speak to them very clearly about their decisions: Lord it is possible for You to speak. The angel spoke to Mary, many places in Scripture where the Spirit spoke to people..I have been praying for community prayer revial meetings! I think they accompolish so much. I live in sa small town in the Okanagan and I am praying we have a Gospel concert with an opportunity for people to come forward to commit their lives to Jesus Christ. We have a beautiful park! I get goose bumps just thinking about such an event. No booze, no vilence. JUST SINGING PRAISES UNTO JESUS CHRIST OUR KING, OUR SAVIOUR GOD, OUR REDEEMER, OUR BROTHER, OUR LORD OF LORDS! I am challenging other communities to begin to talk to the Christian churches and consider doing an event such as this. Small towns only so that EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND! Please pray everyonw. With God all things are possible.!
I am so disturbed by Lot offering his 2 virgin daughters to the evil men outside, in place of the 2 strangers (possibly angels). Surely God would not approve of such a man. Yet, things got worse when these same 2 daughters had sex with their drunken father in able to get pregnant!!
There is so much that I just don’t understand. My son lives with a woman, he has 2 boys with someone else who is also living with someone, yes, he is an amazing Dad, an amazing provider but he and my grandsons don’t want to hear me talk about the bible. The teacher of the youngest told him that the bible is just stories that someone wrote and that’s all it is, a book of stories. If any of them were to read this blog they would laugh their head off and make fun of everything I say. I can just hear them now: ‘Oh ok Mom, these were God’s chosen people right? And its ok to sleep with your sister and your Dad? Its ok to get drunk and not even remember what you did?’ How am I suppose to reach them?
God loves homosexuals but hates the act of homosexuality, just as He loves a murderer but hates the act of murder, loves those who live together without marriage and the children of those unions, loves the adulterer but hates the act of adultery. God hates sin but loves the sinner and we have to be careful when we talk about and to certain groups about “their sin”. God gave us all free will. These people who do not know the Lord are just doing what they feel is right for them. Our job is to teach them, in a quiet, respectful and patient way, that God loves them so much that He gave His only begotten Son………..Not to jump on one type of sin and tell them they are all going to hell because of who or what they are. We set ourselves up as God when we tell someone they have no right to marry whomever they love. That is their choice. Our job, as I said before, is to love them, bring them God’s word in a loving, not quarrelsome, way. Let them know what God has done for them and pray that they will make that right choice of accepting, believing and repenting.
thank you very much I needed to be reminded to “love the sinneer” and not judge past that….I guess judgment day will tell the story…if people repent they will inhereit eternal life! Blessings to all.