Monday, July 7, 2014

STARS & SAND

Today’s Reading: Genesis 22-23

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

 

The sands from the Mediterranean have blown through the aqueduct arches at Caesarea.

Key Verse: Genesis 22:17

…blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

 

After a long period of testing, Abraham and Sarah had their own little son. How they rejoiced! How they loved him! But now a new test confronted Abraham. He probably spent the whole night in tears, wrestling in prayer. Would God really make such a request? Finally, as the sun began to rise, Abraham obeyed, took Isaac up Mt. Moriah, and placed him on the altar. Then God gave the boy back to his Dad and promised great blessing on Abraham and his descendants. God is faithful! He has provided the sacrifice of His own Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Abraham said to his servant, “Stay here and I will go yonder and worship, and WE will return.” He knew God would be faithful to His promise about Isaac. He also knew that the highest expression of worship is OBEDIENCE!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, here I am to worship You. Yes, I worship with words of praise and thanksgiving; I worship You with songs; I gather with other believers to worship You in public gatherings; but grant me the grace to always worship You through my obedience to Your revealed will. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Since 1968, Norma-Jean and I have taken groups of our friends to Israel. This year again, God willing, we invite you and others to join us for two whole weeks, November 13 – 27. In the picture above is one of Israel’s sand beaches. Can you imagine counting each grain of sand. When in Jerusalem in the vicinity of Mt. Moriah where the Temple once stood, I’m filled with strong emotions as I speak to brothers and sisters in our group about the sacrifice of Jesus on the very place where God said to Abraham, “Because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, in blessing I will bless you.” Tears fill my eyes as I type this, for God did not withhold His only Son, but gave Him as the final Sacrifice. No wonder Abraham was called the “friend of God” (James 2:23).

In Christ’s love and service,

David

P.S. Please check out the info about our November tour to the Holy Land by clicking here. You can download a tour brochure as well. Or call 905-332-6400, ext. 4024. This is Norma-Jean’s telephone. If she’s not in, leave a message and someone will get back to you.

P.P.S. Today is the 30th wedding anniversary of Ron and Ann, the blessed couple who help me daily. Ron formats the blog (I fill in the blanks) and Ann is my proof reader. Congratulations! I love you my son and daughter-in-love!

27 thoughts on “Monday, July 7, 2014

    • Ron, How blessed you are to have not only one of the most beautiful lady’s to appear on TV, but also one who is as beautiful in her expressions of true spiritually too. I
      recall her daily series on 100 Hundred Huntley Street several years ago and how extraordinarily good her devotions were, You really should use her more! You really should.

      Of course, Ron, is and was a very handsome man. They really complement one another,

      Congratulation on you 30th wedding anniversary. You two are a real blessing and example to Canada, We need more celebrities like you to show the way, We do not expect you to be be perfect, but you two together are a real blessing. May God continue to bless you and use you thru many, many more Anniversaries.

      Don & Dorothy

  1. When ever I read about Abraham taking Isaac out to offer him up as a burnt offering, I think – if I heard a voice telling me to do such a thing, I would think I had heard from Satan. It is so contrary to what God would direct us to do. It is amazing that Abraham KNEW it WAS God’s direction. I would not want to be in that position. Want to be obedient though. Blessings!

  2. Congratulations to Ron and Ann.

    Vivienne and I really enjoyed our Holy Land trip with you, David and Norma-Jean in 2012 and recommend it highly to anyone who wishes to be transformed.

    Our bible study is so much more meaningful now and we start our day singing “This is the day…”.
    Shalom,
    Graham.

  3. Congratulations Ron and Ann! Your relationship is truly an anointed one, with a synergy and love about it clearly visible! May Our Lord continue to bless your marriage with peace and joy abundantly!

    Last evenings healing service at Crossroads was a taste of divinity with music, prayer, anointing with oil and your ministering words David, and everyone who participated!! The Holy Spirit’s Grace and Power could be tangibly felt as we opened our hearts and minds according to the truth of James 5:13-16. Such a blessing as our lives move ahead forward in the days and weeks, holding on and claiming that for which was lifted in prayer! Have a great day, everyone!

  4. Abraham would have needed intense counselling if he had sacrificed his son. Those were different times for sure.
    Congratulations Ron and Ann on your 30th wedding anniversary! Thank you so much for helping with this daily blog.
    God bless.

  5. Thank you for your blog today..Pastor David ~
    reminded me of my ‘Faith verses ‘ I hold dear
    When feeling discouraged…

    Gen 22:5
    Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”

    Heb 11:17-19
    By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

    Daniel 3:16-18
    Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

    1 Kings 17:10-16
    So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”
     “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”
     Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says:‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land. ’”
     She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

    ps
    Congratulations to Ann and Ron…your union is God’s appointment and we are so blessed by it!

  6. Hi David l love the way you ended todays blog…The highest form of worship is obedience…… In our day we sometimes think we have to be singing worship all the time. One of my pastors was criticized because of the short worship segment of the service.(That is shorter than most churches) As the Sunday school bus was arriving in the car park carrying many neighbourhood children ,he looked at his wife and said………what you are seeing here is Worship! l was thinking about Sarah’s death,She had a lot on her plate…barrenness for so many years,humiliation, scorn from Hagar and mocking towards Isaac from Ishmael, a hard nomadic lifestyle, moving all the time, it must have been very difficult to keep sweet! She was rewarded with the joy of her life,Isaac besides her wonderful husband Abraham. She got to watch Isaac grow up into a fine young man, but sadly missed his wedding and her daughter-in-love and the grandchildren. However she has gone to her reward and is honoured by the Lord which after all is PRICELESS! Congratulations Ron and Ann on your 30th wedding anniversary! Thank you for all you do regarding this blog!

  7. Thank you, David for sharing about your healing from MDS—my husband was just diagnosed with that, is in hospital right now. We are believing for his healing and treasure your prayers and we believe also that you continue in your healing. God bless you.

  8. Happy Anniversary, Ron and Ann!! Beautiful photo of the two of you! May God continue to richly Bless you!!! Thank you for your very important part in providing this blog for all of us!! Blessings to everyone who follows this blog!!!

  9. Happy Anniversary to Ron and Ann today. You are such a blessing!
    Thank you for all the work you do in preparing “100 words” daily.
    We are so blessed through this daily blog.

  10. God is faithful!
    Happy anniversary Ron and Ann Mainse 🙂 May our Good Lord continue to strengthen and bless your union day by day! Enjoy your day and stay blessed!

  11. Have you ever thought of Issac, he was probably strong enough to overpower his father, or at least run away. Yet we do not read of any struggle.
    He must have had great love and faith in his father, and had been taught about God’s faithfulness to Abraham and the promises God had given his father and future generations through his own birth.
    Are we passing on our testimonies, and God’s promises to our children and grandchildren?
    Mary

  12. David,
    You have much cause for laughter .. You are living in the midst of a miracle I.e your own healing.
    My husband was diagnosed with the same illness as yourself last fall ., he passed away four months later..
    Your survival and weight gain is truly an intervention from The Most High God..
    Hallelujah.
    J

  13. Beverley Kay, I do thank you for all your comments, poems and especially the Bible verses you give us all each day, I look forward to them.
    I see you are planning to be at Crossroads Aug 17 th, I do hope I can meet you.
    I was thinking how great it would be if our blog partners could have name tags, so we could know each other.
    I am still not sure if I will be there, as my daughter comes home from Edmonton for good just a few days before, and the family will want to get together that weekend. Anyway, thanks for all you contribute to this blog, also thank you to many others as well.
    Mary

  14. Happy Anniversary Ann and Ron. You are just a beautiful couple both inside and out. Enjoyed being with you last November in Israel. Just think….all you people and we are each one of those grains of sand that God talked to Abraham about.

  15. You both look as lovely on your wedding day together as you do today.
    And still young looking !
    Happy Anniversary !
    Diane 🙂

  16. Dear Rev, David M.
    So very grateful to The Lord for your first sunday night healing service bringing Gods Hope to all those in need of Our Healer , Our Councellor , Our Messiah empowered by The Holy Spirit, all for His Glory Jesus Christ.

    Hoping in the next coming sundays service to be present God willing. I put it all in His Hands , after all its all about Jesus , like I was told years ago by a very sweet young blonde , radiant smile , when I first started to watch 100 Huntley Street yes I am talking about dear Ann who first made me understand how to surrender our life to Jesus. So let me take this moment to wish Ann and dear Ron a fantastic 30th anniversary.

    I was struck this morning when Ron said that the number one culprit of failed marriages is SELFISHNESS. Ron you are so right, my children often will ask my husband and I the secret of 39 years of marriage filled with love even through many trials and I truly think that forgetting oneself , putting The Lord in charge will keep you firmly anchored.

    Have a blessed day everyone.
    xoxoxo Carole

  17. What a handsome couple!1 A Blessed Wedding Anniversary Ron and Ann Mainse:)

    Reynold Mainse: You are definitely blessed with the ability to create beauty with your photography, once again, today’s photo is spectacular!!

    God said to Abraham to take his “only son, Isaac”, yet he had Ishamael and other sons. It always amazes me how specific Our God is. The “only son” through whom Abraham all nations will be blessed. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

    Thank you Lord God Almighty Your ways are faithful and true, a God in whom we can trust. Thank you Jesus for your obedience to The Father through Whom we have life eternal. Praise God from whom all blessings come!!! I Love You Lord!!!
    Amen and Amen!!!

  18. Blessings to you Ann and Ron on this your 30th. Wedding Anniversary. Lovely picture of your wedding day.

    Abraham’s obedience is a true test of devotion to The Lord. And as was mentioned I am so grateful to Our Saviour Jesus for His obedience and the gift of salvation through the cross.

    Blesings fellow saints.

  19. Congratulations Ron & Ann with your anniversary, may God continue to pour His blessing upon you and your loved ones.

  20. When I read this Bible passage I always think of how Abraham being so good as to follow God’s word regarding his son.
    Also, we would like to say Happy Anniversary to Ron and Ann — they were a beautiful couple then and they are still a wonderful couple!!

  21. Today was also my youngest son and daughter in law’s 7th wedding anniversary. They were married 7/7/7 so today it was 7/7/7/14.

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