Monday, April 29, 2019

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 7

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

 

This is a view that many Bible characters would have seen as they looked east toward the Mount of Olives from the southern wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. On the top left in the wall you can vaguely see the blocked up Triple Gate that was one of the entrances to the Temple.

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Kings 7:51

So all the work that King Solomon had done for the house of the Lord was finished; and Solomon brought in the things which his father David had dedicated: the silver and the gold and the furnishings. He put them in the treasuries of the house of the Lord.

At this time of King Solomon’s life, God was in His rightful place…FIRST PLACE! Only one wife is mentioned, the daughter of the ruler of Egypt. Solomon’s full attention was on the rule of his kingdom and on the task of building God’s Temple (here is a link to give you a good idea of how the Temple may have looked). This building project was a job left for Solomon by his father, David. Later in his life, Solomon married many other wives, built temples to their gods, and his attention was not on the Lord God of Israel. It’s sad but true.
Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). May this be the case throughout all the periods of our lives, not just for the first few years. As we read in today’s reading about the intricate details of the construction projects, let us recognize that God did indeed add “all these things” to Solomon and the Kingdom of Israel. As we will see, the Kingdom of God became diminished and the kingdom of Solomon increased. The end result will not be glorious. The country will be torn apart. Eventually the Temple will be destroyed and all the beautiful vessels in the Temple taken by a foreign invader. However, in the intervening period of God’s blessing, we can also be blessed as we read ahead.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, grant me even more wisdom than You gave Solomon. I ask for enough wisdom to last me an entire lifetime, not for just the first few years. I need You 24/7! In the Name of another Descendant of King David, Jesus, my Saviour and Lord, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

For some reason I’m thinking of building projects in which I have been involved in a leadership role. The first was a new roof on a little church building in Castleton, Ontario. The next was a new church building in Deep River, Ontario. Then there was the construction of another church building in Sudbury. All these projects were built under budget and paid for in short order. But then 25 years later came the necessity of building a new 143,000 square foot studio and office building for Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. I was confident that we could once again build for less than the estimated costs, but the project went considerably over cost. It took lots and lots of fervent prayer, much sacrificial giving, and the daily pressures of also paying regular operating costs in order to prevail. There was no overlay of gold, just drywall, brick, and the most reasonable materials available. Nevertheless, the former Chairman of Canada’s Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, Keith Spicer, did pronounce the Crossroads Centre in Burlington the finest TV production facility in Canada. Every day, we sought to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” And through the amazing investment of God’s people in the purchase of mortgage certificates and in giving so very generously, the charity, Crossroads, became free of debt in ten years. It may seem foolish to draw any comparison to the Temple of Solomon, but it seems to me the same principles are involved, i.e. putting God first!

Yours for seeking first the Kingdom of God,

David

18 thoughts on “Monday, April 29, 2019”

  1. Great link to the building of God’s Temple. And all these things shall be added unto you, amen. May you be full of His light and love that shines through you, today, fellow saints in the Lord. His blessings upon you. Amen.

    For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. 1 John 5:4 ESV

    I Sing Holy – Joel Engle (Lyrics)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbosLeyVPSk

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  2. The building of the Temple amazes me! So incredibly intricate, made without modern tools. David Maines accomplishments are also amazing and we are reaping the rewards. Thank you David and family.

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  3. Kingdom perspective number one 1. In Christ and all areas of our life will fall into place. Tune my heart to Your heart, guide my mind to Your mind, direct my feet in the direction You are walking in.

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  4. I started searching for images of the temple while still reading today’s scripture,a as an aid for learning as the descriptive words were blurring the images created in my mind….then later I watched David’s link to the video.The temple must have been aaw inspiring back then…and would still be so today.
    When a nation’s leaders spiral downwards below the moral levels set by God it leaks out into society and the nation begins to crumble fro the softening of the mortar that holds each brick (person) in it’s correct position.That happens with David and is happening in the majority of nations today.That spiral has begun.Can we stop it?….With God’s help we can.
    If we are in the end times we won’t be able to stop it for things must get worse before Jesus returns.God bless

    Here is a link to some other images of Solomon’s temple:
    https://www.google.ca/search?rlz=1C1NHXL_enCA728CA728&biw=1041&bih=580&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=UvDGXJ2uG5Gzggfq74WQCQ&q=solomon%27s+temple&oq=solomon%27s+temple&gs_l=img.3..0l10.2852917.2857371..2859548…0.0..0.121.878.7j2……1….1..gws-wiz-img…….0i7i30j0i30.NcBpHK9a3M0

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  5. Was just wondering if Solomon’s wife felt the same way I do while waiting for their house to be finished. Bldg. contractors have to put other’s houses first before their own. My dear husband is a bldg. contractor and built our house; only it isn’t finished yet and it’s going on 15-16 years:-). God has given us a most magnificent location for it and how selfish it would be of me, I’m beginning to realize, to feel sorry for myself when I see raging floods in some of our eastern provinces engulfing houses. Praying for the dear souls having to escape to higher and safer locations till these waters recede. We are so blessed to have the help needed in Canada, when needed.
    May God bring many souls to Him today and always.

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    • Praying with you, Lynda, for those in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick currently affected by flood waters. Lord God, be with them in every way, and bring the water to a calm. Amen.

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        • Yes Lord! I echo the prayers of Lynda and Beverlee for those affected by floods in various locations.
          Sustain them and encourage them. Fill them with your peace and hope for a better tomorrow.
          I pray strength for all who are helping and bringing supplies. May you, oh God, make something beautiful out of this situation. Bring people closer to you and may many hearts seek after you! Amen!

          I pray also for the injured in the synagogue shooting. May they recover completely and quickly! Heal them emotionally, as well. Comfort the family of the dear woman who lost her life. God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, stretch forth your arm to hold them and bind their wounds.

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  6. truly an amazing structure! thanks for posting the amazing link;

    Thanks David for your Personal words; its not always gold that matters; but the heart that goes with it!

    This daily manna certainly gives strength to the day!

    also its a blessing to read the bloggers posts; have a blessed day, saints of the Lord!

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  7. I’m so blessed to have found you all. I’m an evening person on my computer and your prayers and God send words encourage me. God Bless You All!!!

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    • same here Teresa; I enjoy the postings; so inspired by them all;
      praying for help to come for those dealing with floods; Lord I don’t
      know what is happening but You do! Help us to feel safe; show us where we can help! In Jesus Name I Pray amen

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