Sunday, April 30, 2017

THE GLORY OF THE LORD

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 8

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

 

This replica of the Ark of the Covenant is in the Quick Study TV studios in Orangeville, Ontario. Here host Rod Hembree and his team bring a daily through-the-Bible teaching.

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Kings 8:11

…so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

Solomon’s Temple was undoubtedly one of the wonders of the world. It was to stand for 500 years until its destruction by the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar. The glory of this magnificent building faded into insignificance when the people were confronted by the One Who is worthy of all glory, honour and power. The Presence of God so filled this place that those in the building collapsed to the floor, unable to stand.
The Ark of the Covenant was brought to the Temple from the place where it had been housed in a tent in David’s city, located on the southern slope of Mt. Moriah, the hill where (Jeru) Salem, the city of Melchisedek, was located (Genesis 14:18-20). It is also where Abraham brought his son, Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14). What a glorious celebration! Let us celebrate today that God, Himself, is present with us. While it would’ve been an amazing experience to be in Jerusalem on the occasion of the dedication of the Temple, it’s so very much greater to be in God’s presence right here, right now!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I bow in Your holy presence. I ask that You will reveal Your glory to me in whatever way You think is best. I know that You are revealed in all Your fullness in Jesus. Of Him, John wrote, “We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Dear Jesus, be Lord of my life now and forever. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My friend, Rod Hembree of Orangeville, Ontario, was our senior producer for the 100 Huntley Street telecast for several years. His dad, Rev. Ron Hembree, who has gone ahead of us to Heaven, often hosted 100 Huntley Street in my absence. Check out Rod’s video teaching series, Quick Study here. I find it interesting that Rod has a replica of the “Ark” pictured above.

Crossroads played a major role in famine relief in Ethiopia back in the 1980’s. The Ethiopian Orthodox Churches all have a replica of the Ark of the Covenant behind the altar. They have a tradition that the original Ark is hidden in their country. They confirm that the only items in the Ark are the tablets of stone on which the Ten Commandments are written. Our reading today also confirms that the Ark no longer contains the pot of manna and Aaron’s wooden rod that budded. Stephen Mengesha, heir to the throne of Halle Selassie of Ethiopia, (all other male members of the ruling family were executed in a communist coup – Stephen was studying in Toronto at the time) says that only one priest and the reigning Emperor are allowed to see the Ark. There’s more about Crossroads’ exciting and challenging involvement in my book, This Far By Faith. It contains my heart on many subjects. To order a copy of the book click HERE.

Yours for the ongoing presence of God,

David

 

13 thoughts on “Sunday, April 30, 2017

  1. Oh magnify the Lord with me & let us exalt His Name!!!
    Praise, Glory & Honour belong to you Father God, Great You are & greatly to be praised!!!
    Thank you Lord God for Your Word & Teachings. Please help me & other blog readers to strive each day to focus more on You and Your plans for our lives.
    Forgive me my shortcomings & failures Lord God as I seek to be obedient.
    As I seek to do Your will Father God, help my family members also; & may Your smile of approval be upon our lives.
    Please continue to bless the Mainse family for all the dedicated service they provide & bless each blog reader & their families in Jesus Name.
    Amen!!
    Have an amazingly blessed week all!!!

  2. Oh, amen to your prayer, David and Ron! Rod Hembree’s Quick Study series is a great program. Holding you in prayer, this morning, dear David. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord as we gather to worship our Risen King!

    Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
    Tremble before Him, all the earth. Psalm 96:9 NKJV

    An a cappella band, Kippalive, sings about their journey home to Israel – called “Aliyah” in Hebrew, meaning “Ascent”. “We Are Home” is a remake of “500 Miles” by Hedy West.

    http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/watch-the-most-beautiful-song-about-the-ingathering-of-the-exiles/

    • Lyrics:
      Left it all to be with you
      Distant dreams have now come true
      Walked the streets of legends told
      We’ve come home

      We’ve come home
      We’ve come home
      And we’ll never stand alone
      After 2000 years, we are home

      Not a native of this land
      Bring me up and take my hand
      Sapphire seas and golden sand
      A place called home

      We’ve come home
      We’ve come home
      To a land of our own
      After 2000 years, we are home

      זאת ארצי, מולדתי
      על אדמתי צעדתי
      עברי עתידי
      זה ביתי

      We’ve come home
      We’ve come home
      And we’ll never stand alone
      After 2000 years, we are home

      We’ve come home
      We’ve come home
      To a land of our own
      After 2000 years, we are home
      After 2000 years, we are home
      We are home

  3. Always good to read about the glory of the lord filling Solomon’s temple. Trusting you are feeling well today Pastor David. Enjoyed the song Beverlee. Had a good service this morning, like a continuation of the Prayer rally. Our praying together holding hands in a circle reached a new level of fervency, praise God!

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