129 2 Kings 003 – 005; 2 Corinthians 010
“In 1990 I became a Born Again Christian while I was in prison”; is how a new attender to the men's Bible study described his Christian experience. “It was good for a few years and then I have been away for 10 years. I think I'm abusive to my wife but I don't remember it because of the black outs. It has been one long drunk. I need to come back to God.”
Joram was not going to give up the practices of Jeroboam son of Nebat. For 10 years our new friend was not going to give up the drunkenness. It, whatever ‘it’ is, can be killing a person, but they will not give it up. We go into something thinking we will get our hooks into that, and that, gets its hooks into us. Be careful out there.
Jehoshaphat asks this question, "Isn't there a prophet of God anywhere around through whom we can consult God?" May you be that spokesperson through whom people can turn to in order to consult God. You are priests, a holy priesthood in Jesus Christ.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
128 Friday, May 8, 2009
128 2 Kings 001 - 002; 2 Corinthians 008 - 009
Hey, I’ve got an idea, let's go up to receive some of that good old Baal-Zebub's counsel, the god of Ekron. Not the best idea that has ever been presented. Ahaziah, the king of Israel, died, just as Elijah told him he would. When will they ever learn? When will we ever learn?
It is important to always go to God. It is a lifestyle. We must always be aware that it is the Lord that we are to trust--in the big things and the little.
The passing of the baton is not an easy thing to do. Elijah had to pass the baton, the mantle on to Elisha and it went off without a hitch. Elisha received twice the power of Elijah and you can know that because Elisha did twice as many miracles. Elijah was taken in whirlwind. Elijah did not die. He was taken up to heaven. What a way to go! Israel was in an absolute mess and God sent these two very powerful prophets to be His spokesmen in those troublesome times. God usually raises up people to be a standard for Him and the kingdom. There are those times where God is silent. The silent times are the hardest times.
A question for you, are you being a spokes person for God? Are you being salt and light, to the place God has called you?
Hey, I’ve got an idea, let's go up to receive some of that good old Baal-Zebub's counsel, the god of Ekron. Not the best idea that has ever been presented. Ahaziah, the king of Israel, died, just as Elijah told him he would. When will they ever learn? When will we ever learn?
It is important to always go to God. It is a lifestyle. We must always be aware that it is the Lord that we are to trust--in the big things and the little.
The passing of the baton is not an easy thing to do. Elijah had to pass the baton, the mantle on to Elisha and it went off without a hitch. Elisha received twice the power of Elijah and you can know that because Elisha did twice as many miracles. Elijah was taken in whirlwind. Elijah did not die. He was taken up to heaven. What a way to go! Israel was in an absolute mess and God sent these two very powerful prophets to be His spokesmen in those troublesome times. God usually raises up people to be a standard for Him and the kingdom. There are those times where God is silent. The silent times are the hardest times.
A question for you, are you being a spokes person for God? Are you being salt and light, to the place God has called you?
Thursday, May 7, 2009
127 Thursday, May 7, 2009
Sorry for the mix-up, here is today's real posting.
127 1 Kings 020 – 022; 2 Corinthians 007
Defeat, victory, scheming, deafness, and much more are all part of the Bible. One of the more infamous schemers of the Bible is Jezebel. She did not like the way her husband and king was letting a vineyard owner "push" him around. Naboth did not want to sell the family vineyard. Ahab, not having enough stuff, just had to have Naboth's vineyard. Jezebel seeing her husband's black mood went in to take control of the situation. Naboth ends up dead over his families vineyard. This atrocity does not escape the eyes of God. Elijah is sent in to rebuke the king. Ahab repents and gets a second chance. Ahab's son will get punishment. I do not understand why it is passed on to Ahab's son, but I do know that God is just and righteous.
Asa and Jehoshaphat's reign over Judah was the opposite of Ahab. The Bible records these words, "He(Jehoshaphat)continued the kind of characteristic of his father Asa--no detours, no dead ends--pleasing God with his life." This could be a good prayer for you, your children, and any grandchildren.
127 1 Kings 020 – 022; 2 Corinthians 007
Defeat, victory, scheming, deafness, and much more are all part of the Bible. One of the more infamous schemers of the Bible is Jezebel. She did not like the way her husband and king was letting a vineyard owner "push" him around. Naboth did not want to sell the family vineyard. Ahab, not having enough stuff, just had to have Naboth's vineyard. Jezebel seeing her husband's black mood went in to take control of the situation. Naboth ends up dead over his families vineyard. This atrocity does not escape the eyes of God. Elijah is sent in to rebuke the king. Ahab repents and gets a second chance. Ahab's son will get punishment. I do not understand why it is passed on to Ahab's son, but I do know that God is just and righteous.
Asa and Jehoshaphat's reign over Judah was the opposite of Ahab. The Bible records these words, "He(Jehoshaphat)continued the kind of characteristic of his father Asa--no detours, no dead ends--pleasing God with his life." This could be a good prayer for you, your children, and any grandchildren.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
125 Tuesday, May 5, 2009
125
1 Kings 018 – 019; 2 Corinthians 006
"A long time passed." Waiting for God to speak is one of the hardest activities you will ever do. Elijah is a great prophet and spokesman for God. He started well and he finished well. He is a good man to study and emulate. The next words written are these, "Then God's word came to Elijah." A drought had hit the country and God was about to use Elijah to end the drought. Ahab the king did not like Elijah. Elijah represented the truth and Ahab represented himself.
A showdown is a comin’ and God wins hands down. We need more fire from heaven. But, it takes a man of God to call it down. This sapped Elijah of all his strength. Notice how Ahab calls Elijah a troublemaker. We need more troublemakers in the kingdom of God. Not to cause trouble for trouble's sake, but to be following God at such a level that it just naturally causes trouble. More trouble and more fire--all God's people said--AMEN!
I love this language that is used when Paul writes, "...please don't squander one bit of this marvelous life has given us." Wow! The grace that God has revealed to you, please do not waste it. This chapter is the one of the ones I read when I start to feel a pity party coming on. Take this chapter, two liquid Advil's, a run, and a good time of praising our Savior--and you will discover your pity party in the rear view mirror. Go for it.
1 Kings 018 – 019; 2 Corinthians 006
"A long time passed." Waiting for God to speak is one of the hardest activities you will ever do. Elijah is a great prophet and spokesman for God. He started well and he finished well. He is a good man to study and emulate. The next words written are these, "Then God's word came to Elijah." A drought had hit the country and God was about to use Elijah to end the drought. Ahab the king did not like Elijah. Elijah represented the truth and Ahab represented himself.
A showdown is a comin’ and God wins hands down. We need more fire from heaven. But, it takes a man of God to call it down. This sapped Elijah of all his strength. Notice how Ahab calls Elijah a troublemaker. We need more troublemakers in the kingdom of God. Not to cause trouble for trouble's sake, but to be following God at such a level that it just naturally causes trouble. More trouble and more fire--all God's people said--AMEN!
I love this language that is used when Paul writes, "...please don't squander one bit of this marvelous life has given us." Wow! The grace that God has revealed to you, please do not waste it. This chapter is the one of the ones I read when I start to feel a pity party coming on. Take this chapter, two liquid Advil's, a run, and a good time of praising our Savior--and you will discover your pity party in the rear view mirror. Go for it.
Monday, May 4, 2009
124 Monday, May 4, 2009
124
1 Kings 015 – 017; 2 Corinthians 005
So many leaders and yet so many not following the Lord. It is imperative that when someone is leading that they lead with integrity. These kings were supposed to be upholding the law, the covenants of the promise, and uphold the glory of God. They knew these truths and yet went about their business as if these things did not matter. Here is what is said of Abijah, "He continued to sin just like his father before him." The heros of 1 and 2 Kings are those kings who do rise to the challenge to lead the people in a Godly way.
Has it sunk in how far Israel has fallen? They were united under God, following God with purpose and passion, and set up as a light to the world. Then sin entered in and was never dealt with properly, the result? A civil war. We now have a north and a south in Israel. It took Israel hundreds of years to get to the pinnacle and only a few years to fall.
The longing for a better place is a theme throughout the Bible. It is a desire that is a Godly desire. Since it is a Godly desire we must let God help us with this desire for a better place. If we try to satisfy this longing on our own then we will really mess up. Paul is addressing the issue of our bodies being just like tents, looking toward our resurrection bodies. The bodies that God had intended from the start for us to have are so much better. Paul then takes this truth and applies it to our lives. “If our bodies are wearing out then this place shouldn't get us down, it should be a reminder that this whole place is not our home.” This place is to keep us looking forward.
1 Kings 015 – 017; 2 Corinthians 005
So many leaders and yet so many not following the Lord. It is imperative that when someone is leading that they lead with integrity. These kings were supposed to be upholding the law, the covenants of the promise, and uphold the glory of God. They knew these truths and yet went about their business as if these things did not matter. Here is what is said of Abijah, "He continued to sin just like his father before him." The heros of 1 and 2 Kings are those kings who do rise to the challenge to lead the people in a Godly way.
Has it sunk in how far Israel has fallen? They were united under God, following God with purpose and passion, and set up as a light to the world. Then sin entered in and was never dealt with properly, the result? A civil war. We now have a north and a south in Israel. It took Israel hundreds of years to get to the pinnacle and only a few years to fall.
The longing for a better place is a theme throughout the Bible. It is a desire that is a Godly desire. Since it is a Godly desire we must let God help us with this desire for a better place. If we try to satisfy this longing on our own then we will really mess up. Paul is addressing the issue of our bodies being just like tents, looking toward our resurrection bodies. The bodies that God had intended from the start for us to have are so much better. Paul then takes this truth and applies it to our lives. “If our bodies are wearing out then this place shouldn't get us down, it should be a reminder that this whole place is not our home.” This place is to keep us looking forward.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
123 Sunday, May 3, 2009
123
1 Kings 012 – 014; 2 Corinthians 004
Finding a principle in the Bible is only half the job. The other half is applying that principle in the right way. The job is a difficult one, but so rewarding in your life for here and forever. Rehoboam went to the Elders as to how to lead the people of Israel. He rejected their counsel and listened to his friends as to how to lead. This was the beginning of the end of Israel. I was told to listen to my elders because of what happened to Rehoboam. Yet, some of the elders that I have had to listen to did not want to reach people for Jesus. Do I listen to them or to Jesus? The elders that tried to speak wisdom into Rehobaom were good men, but Rehobaom would not listen. The principle is not to listen to people in charge, but to discern if God is using these people. Are they, whoever they are--are they speaking truth?
Perhaps a good exercise is to write a few principles down that are biblical. Then write down some ways that these principles apply to real life.
1 Kings 012 – 014; 2 Corinthians 004
Finding a principle in the Bible is only half the job. The other half is applying that principle in the right way. The job is a difficult one, but so rewarding in your life for here and forever. Rehoboam went to the Elders as to how to lead the people of Israel. He rejected their counsel and listened to his friends as to how to lead. This was the beginning of the end of Israel. I was told to listen to my elders because of what happened to Rehoboam. Yet, some of the elders that I have had to listen to did not want to reach people for Jesus. Do I listen to them or to Jesus? The elders that tried to speak wisdom into Rehobaom were good men, but Rehobaom would not listen. The principle is not to listen to people in charge, but to discern if God is using these people. Are they, whoever they are--are they speaking truth?
Perhaps a good exercise is to write a few principles down that are biblical. Then write down some ways that these principles apply to real life.
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