GOD SENDS
Today’s Reading: Genesis 45-46
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Inner sanctuary of the Temple of Edfu, Egypt. The ancient religions of Egypt were well established by the time Joseph came to prominence. It is believed by many that Joseph's influence helped to bring about the worship of one God in Egypt for many years, but then, as the Scripture says, "There arose a ruler who knew not Joseph" (Exodus 1:8, Acts 7:18).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo click HERE.
Key Verse: Genesis 45:5
But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.
Joseph was sure that God used even the cruelty of his brothers in order to send him to Egypt. This knowledge helped Joseph to forgive. Imagine the bewilderment and the renewal of guilt the brothers felt. Psalm 76:10 tells us that, “Surely the wrath of man shall praise You.” The anger of the brothers could not thwart God’s plan to preserve life. God forgives our sins. We accept that as a fact based on God’s promises. But forgiving ourselves is another matter. Joseph urged his brothers to forgive themselves. If they failed to do this they would never rise above the slave mentality they had shown. Their dad was “Israel,” “Prince of God.” They too were members of God’s royal family. It’s important to know who we are in God’s eyes, and to live up to His view of us!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, I forgive myself for the sin and wrong I’ve done. By the gift of Your grace I realize that I am Your precious child. Thank You! ThankYou! Thank You! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
In 1922 my dad began his ministry in Egypt. My mother and he were married in 1924 in Cairo. My childhood days were filled with imagination about ancient Egypt. Dad had a black granite carved head of an ancient official of pharaoh’s court. This was the opinion of an Egyptologist at the University of Toronto. I would wonder, “Could this be Joseph?” My photographer son, Reynold, has this head now. Reynold’s pictures of ancient Egypt are magnificent. I believe that these temples were an attempt by the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4) to get the worship he desired when in Heaven. This fallen Archangel inspired the closest thing he could get to the architecture of the centre of the worship of Almighty God in Heaven and then inhabited these temples to receive the worship of man. The temples are in ruins, as are the efforts of our enemy who desires to keep us from worshipping the true God.
Yours, as a forgiven sinner who has also forgiven himself, and who is a worshipper of the “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
David
My mother and father shortly after they were married in Egypt in 1924.
Thank you David for all your inspiration and love you put in everyday
Romans 8 ; 28
For all things work together for good to yhose who love the Lord and are called according to HIS purpose
this Word is so true in the trials of life and Ipraise Him everyday for His Loveand tender Mercy
Thank you David just as Brenda had said for all your love in inspiration that goes
on to our blog writings. The picture is wonderful. I can see you in them.
Lianne
Amen, David. What a serene photo of you Mom and Dad and wonderful memories of them of character, ministry and courage! God bless you aall today.
Thank you Lianne for your prayers for my sister, and for your posting, Eleanor. Typo, all.
What a beautiful picture of your parents, and what a wonderful spiritual heritage they have left for you and your family!
Love the picture of your parents and what an interesting and exciting story of Joseph! What a great service there at the Crossroads Centre last night. After the service a man and lady with walkers ran into some difficulty outside the building but we saw God’s hand in their rescue. They had come a fair distance and this was their first visit. They had difficulty on the ramp going down from the front door (it is quite steep in one place). A nice gentleman and I were able to assist them. Once they got to the van, they found that the car keys were inside the van & they couldn’t get in. The man helping was able to call CAA and they said they would be there in 45 min.(long time to sit on a walker & it was getting breezy),. Then a 2nd call came saying it would be 25 min. That was better. After getting them settled safely for the wait, a 3rd call came saying 5 minutes! How wonderful. God takes care of His own. CAA came, opened the van, the folk were assisted into the van and the driver would not look at their membership card (just said, “that’s alright). He waited until the folk were safely across the parking lot (we had motioned for him to go & we would wait) but he waved us to go ahead while he waited. It was a wonderful evening of seeing God’s care for His own. I prayed for God’s blessings upon the CAA driver and his family and on the man who so wonderfully assisted. He had been in the service with a lady in a wheelchair. Lovely, patient, people. A really good outcome. (There were other people who were available to assist too but they saw that things were well in hand). Praise God.
In the study of God’s Names today, the Name is Yahweh Yireh (God will provide).
What a beautiful story of help from CAA! God is good and we have much to praise Him for,.
Great photo of David’s mom & day. A picture of Serenity.
Very moving chapters on Joseph as he reveals himself to his brothers. what a reunion. Also, the powerful moment when his brothers thought he would be vengeful. “Joseph wept” at the thought. So much like Jesus “Jesus Wept!). Powerful witness of God over-ruling and using trials etc for His Glory and Sovereign purpose. “You meant it for evil … but God meant it for good”. Such a powerful testimony. This verse has been a huge help to me through times of crisis. Seeing the hand of God working out his perfect purposes through adverse circumstance. God is good and His Mercy endurds for ever”.
As in Joseph’s case, God doesn’t give us the people we want but gives us the people we need. As it was necessary for Joseph to experience the hardship he faced with his brothers and leave for Egypt, we too have faced trials and events that have been meant to happen and bring us, and those around us, to where we stand today. Lord God and Father of Jacob and Joseph, may we be thankful for the people you have placed in our lives to teach and guide us toward Your eternal truth and path by Your Holy Spirit. Amen!
Amen David!
I so love reading your daily blog David. Short and very sweet. Reynold’s photos are wonderful and fill my imagination. Would it be possible for you to post a picture of the granite carved head you mentioned? Seeing these wonderful ancient artifacts adds another link from the long biblical past. Thank you.
Thank you Lord Jesus for the trials in our lives and your love that carries us through. May we look to you in all things… in times of war and in times of peace, in times of sadness/grief and in times of joy and happiness, in times of solitude and in times of family and friends. We praise you Father. Amen!
And Amen!
In ancient Egypt they worshiped a goddess named Isis—and interesting enough the terrorist group taking over Iraq initials spell out her name ISIS. I do believe David is correct when he stated many of these ancient “gods” were demonic beings searching and getting the worship that belongs to God alone– when these ancient “gods” were displaced, the demonic being behind them simply moved on to manifest themselves in new areas– maybe many terrorist groups past and present were possessed by such beings. For example, there was ancient goddess called Lyssa in Greece, she was the goddess of fury, rage– she was also known as Ira, which is the root word for the English world irate- and interesting Ireland’s terrorist group the IRA, their initials spelled out her name as well. Yes it could be all be a coincidence, but then again maybe not.
Interesting name associations, Donna!
Wow! How did you find that information about Isis, Donna. I looked up the image.
Many years ago I saw an interview with a Christian author , but his book and name escape me, but I remember he posed the theory that the IRA and the goddess Ira were connected in that a specific demonic being has been using that name throughout history. So when I first heard about the terrorist group ISIS, that interview came to mind and I was curious to see if there had been an ancient “god” by that name. I typed that question into my computer search engine and sure enough there was an ancient goddess by that name too. As I said not sure if that is just an coincidence but I found it interesting and thought others might as well.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XG6L79EooSw&list=PLnNiJxBnaQNmy2ZH86M65udR3Cw9cLIL7
Pastor David…
thank you for your blog today. Led me to remember
this song. Your parents answered God’s Call
Hineni (Here Am I, Send Me)
by Marty Goetz
Album: The Love of God
by Marty Goetz
In the temple long ago, the prophet saw The Lord, high and lifted up
Angels all around crying “Holy Holy Holy, Holy is The Lord, the earth is filled with Glory”
And a voice said “Who will go for us?” and it cried “Whom shall I send?”
And the house was filled with smoke, at the voice of Him who spoke
That voice that makes the heavens rend
And the prophet said “Hineni”, and the prophet said “Here am I”
You could hear Him say “Hineni, Hineni, Hineni. Here am I, send me”
On a mountain far away the disciples saw The Lord, who had died and been raised up
They worshipped and bowed down as He told them
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto Me
So go! Make disciples of all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. And Lo, I am always with you, until this age is through, all I’ve taught you, you teach them.”
The disciples said “Hineni”, the disciples said “Here am I”
With their lives they said “Hineni, Hineni, Hineni. Here am I, send me.”
But I say “Woe is me. I’m undone by what I’ve heard
For I’m a man unclean in thought and word.
But as ~ for me,
I need the fire of your glory to purge my lips to tell Your story, My Lord.”
May you hear me say “Hineni”, may you hear me say “Here am I”
Adonai I cry, “Hineni, Hineni, Hineni. Here am I, send me”
Isaiah 6:8-9
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
He said, “Go and tell this people:
“‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving. ’
Matthew 9:38
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Beautiful & moving presentation. Thanks Monina.
How wonderful to learn of Joseph reuniting with his family.
We must learn to forgive ourselves. God forgives us our sins and we are not better than God. If we can’t forgive and love ourselves, we can’t forgive and love others. Been there, done that.
“Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles”.
What an awesome pic of your mother and father Rev. DM.! Thank you for sharing and thanks to Reynold for his lovely photography.
May God guide us today and always.
David,
Would you be willing to post a picture of the egyptian bust that your son Reynold now has? I would love to see it.
thank you for today’s reading and prayer. i find it easier to forgive others always than myself. needed reassurance today
Dear David Please contact Bob Rae (former Premiere of Ontario) asp. He is needing your expertise! Thankyou.
God Bless!
I enjoy this blog every day. I also need prayers. What am I supposed to do Lord? Speak to me Lord. Thank you.
Dear David, Thank you so much for todays reading! I minister to so many people who dont like themselves,HATE Its a terrible thing and they do not realize the damage it does to themselves and OUR GOD IS CRYING over it to say HE has made junk.I hope and pray truth reigns for GODS CHILDREN to wake up and know WE ARE WONDERFULLY MADE AND GOD FORGIVES US. GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU GOING STRONG..Love Marlene..BIG HUG for YOU DAVID xo