136 2 Kings 018 – 019; Luke 1.57 – 1.80
God's plan for Israel was to be a nation truly operating as one under Yahweh. The kings decided to follow their own plans and Israel became a divided nation. In 2 Kings 18 we witness the fall of Northern Israel which consisted of 10 tribes. The king of Assyria was responsible for this attack and soon afterward came after Judah (southern Israel--2 tribes).
They wanted Hezekiah to bow to the king of Assyria, but Hezekiah would not bow. He gets the message of the Assyrian's to the prophet Isaiah (he wrote the book of Isaiah) wanting to know what to do. Isaiah basically insults the king and the Assyrians and lets them know that God had raised up the Assyrians for His purposes. The Assyrians never did invade Judah and lost 180,000 troops. Hezekiah had set himself apart by tearing down the false places of worship. The Israelites had even taken the serpent image that Moses had used and set it up as a god. Hezekiah smashed it to pieces. Think about that one act in of itself. Moses had made this image and 1000's had been saved by looking upon it and yet he smashed it. I guess when God said put no other gods before me He really meant it.
Did you have any discussions concerning the names of your children? Elizabeth had now given birth and on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child and they called him, the baby, Zachariah, after his father. Things then got interesting because Elizabeth spoke up and said no his name is John. They turn to Zachariah and asked him and he has to write it out because God had given him the silent treatment, and he confirms that the child's name will be John. Right at this time God loosens Zachariah's tongue and he begins to praise God. All that took place is the talk of the town and they realize that God's hand is upon this child. One of the most important figures in the Bible is John the Baptist and this is his introduction into society.
God raises up secular nations for his purposes and he raises up individuals for his purposes. God has raised you up for His purposes and plans. You can count on this for this day.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
135 Friday, May 15, 2009
135 2 Kings 015 – 017; Luke 1.26 – 1.56
When reading about these kings that are grouped so closely together it is so sad. It is like watching a train wreck and you can't do a thing about it. On page 667 in the second paragraph we read these words, "God had taken a stand against Israel and Judah, speaking clearly through countless holy prophets and seers time and time again." What were they saying, "Turn away from your evil way of life." They knew better and still did evil. It is not always ignorance that causes people to sin, many times people sin because they want to.
An angel had visited Elizabeth and now an angel is visiting Mary, the virgin. Read this with the thought of what in the world was Mary thinking. “The Lord God will give him (your son) the throne of David.” Are you kidding me? Perhaps in today's world we would tell the angel to up their meds. Oh and by the way, you will conceive this child by the power of the Holy Spirit…huh?! Again take notice how the Bible reports miracles as if they
When reading about these kings that are grouped so closely together it is so sad. It is like watching a train wreck and you can't do a thing about it. On page 667 in the second paragraph we read these words, "God had taken a stand against Israel and Judah, speaking clearly through countless holy prophets and seers time and time again." What were they saying, "Turn away from your evil way of life." They knew better and still did evil. It is not always ignorance that causes people to sin, many times people sin because they want to.
An angel had visited Elizabeth and now an angel is visiting Mary, the virgin. Read this with the thought of what in the world was Mary thinking. “The Lord God will give him (your son) the throne of David.” Are you kidding me? Perhaps in today's world we would tell the angel to up their meds. Oh and by the way, you will conceive this child by the power of the Holy Spirit…huh?! Again take notice how the Bible reports miracles as if they
Thursday, May 14, 2009
134 Thursday May 14, 2009
134 2 Kings 012 – 014; Luke 1.1 – 1.25
Half heart or a whole heart--which is it, for you? Joash did what pleased the Lord his whole life, yet he struggled to take down all of the idol worship places. Do understand that it is hard to follow the Lord all the way. Jesus told us to pick up our cross daily and follow him. Everyday we our deny ourselves and do His bidding. In the books we are reading we see kings really struggle with their heart toward the Lord. It is not much different today, except we have more resources in order to follow with a whole heart.
Luke wrote more of the New Testament than any other writer. Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. First God visits Elizabeth and Zachariah to tell them that her womb would open up and a special child would be born, John the Baptist. Luke starts out with a miracle and he was a Doctor. Notice he is writing to the house of Theophilus to let them know that what he learned about the Messiah is reliable. Have you come to believe that what the Bible says about Jesus is reliable? It is imperative that you come to that point in your life.
Half heart or a whole heart--which is it, for you? Joash did what pleased the Lord his whole life, yet he struggled to take down all of the idol worship places. Do understand that it is hard to follow the Lord all the way. Jesus told us to pick up our cross daily and follow him. Everyday we our deny ourselves and do His bidding. In the books we are reading we see kings really struggle with their heart toward the Lord. It is not much different today, except we have more resources in order to follow with a whole heart.
Luke wrote more of the New Testament than any other writer. Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. First God visits Elizabeth and Zachariah to tell them that her womb would open up and a special child would be born, John the Baptist. Luke starts out with a miracle and he was a Doctor. Notice he is writing to the house of Theophilus to let them know that what he learned about the Messiah is reliable. Have you come to believe that what the Bible says about Jesus is reliable? It is imperative that you come to that point in your life.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
132 Tuesday, May 12, 2009
132 2 Kings 010 – 011; 2 Corinthians 013
“Bring the heads to me by this time tomorrow.” Jehu wanted these people to show that they were going to be loyal to him. Jehu, if you remember, was on a mission to wipe out the family of Ahab. He wiped out the entire lot. Jehu was also after the Baal worshipers. What a devious way to get all the Baal worshipers together in order to kill them all. Jehu followed so much of what God wanted done, but he himself did not stop some of his own idol worship. He risked his life and yet would not risk it all for God by turning away from all idol worship. Amazing!!!!!!!
I love this statement by Paul, "Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith." When is the last time you have tested yourself to see if you’re solid in the faith? Make sure you believe and that it's not make believe.
“Bring the heads to me by this time tomorrow.” Jehu wanted these people to show that they were going to be loyal to him. Jehu, if you remember, was on a mission to wipe out the family of Ahab. He wiped out the entire lot. Jehu was also after the Baal worshipers. What a devious way to get all the Baal worshipers together in order to kill them all. Jehu followed so much of what God wanted done, but he himself did not stop some of his own idol worship. He risked his life and yet would not risk it all for God by turning away from all idol worship. Amazing!!!!!!!
I love this statement by Paul, "Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith." When is the last time you have tested yourself to see if you’re solid in the faith? Make sure you believe and that it's not make believe.
Monday, May 11, 2009
131 Monday, May 11, 2009
131 2 Kings 008 – 009; 2 Corinthians 012
“Vengeance is mine says the Lord.”
God had not forgotten the massacre of the prophets under the hand of Jezebel. God stirs up Elisha to go and anoint Jehu the new king over Israel and to wipe out the family of Ahab (Jezebel was Ahab's wife). Something we amiss in our society, but it is here, and that is idolatry. If the people of Israel were not worshiping God, they were worshiping false gods. We sophisticated Americans do the same thing. We just do it in a surreptitious way. Ahab and Jezebel were chasing other gods and trying to worship the God of Israel. When God would disagree with them, they would turn to the other gods to get their counsel. At the point of disagreement do we bow our hearts and heads to the God of the universe or to a made up god? This kind of thinking led the king of Israel to allow his wife to over see the killing of God's prophets. Be careful of what you turn to in a time of crisis and in the time of leisure. The whole family of Ahab was now going to be wiped out.
I hope you have been keeping up in the reading of 2 Corinthians. This is a great chapter where Paul claims that God's grace is enough even in the pain, it's enough. Today lean into Him, fall upon Him, and let Him carry you.
“Vengeance is mine says the Lord.”
God had not forgotten the massacre of the prophets under the hand of Jezebel. God stirs up Elisha to go and anoint Jehu the new king over Israel and to wipe out the family of Ahab (Jezebel was Ahab's wife). Something we amiss in our society, but it is here, and that is idolatry. If the people of Israel were not worshiping God, they were worshiping false gods. We sophisticated Americans do the same thing. We just do it in a surreptitious way. Ahab and Jezebel were chasing other gods and trying to worship the God of Israel. When God would disagree with them, they would turn to the other gods to get their counsel. At the point of disagreement do we bow our hearts and heads to the God of the universe or to a made up god? This kind of thinking led the king of Israel to allow his wife to over see the killing of God's prophets. Be careful of what you turn to in a time of crisis and in the time of leisure. The whole family of Ahab was now going to be wiped out.
I hope you have been keeping up in the reading of 2 Corinthians. This is a great chapter where Paul claims that God's grace is enough even in the pain, it's enough. Today lean into Him, fall upon Him, and let Him carry you.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
130 Sunday May 10, 2009
130 2 Kings 006 – 007; 2 Corinthians 011
Have you ever prayed to have the kind of power that Elisha had been given? I mean have you ever prayed with a clean heart that God would endow you with power from on high? When you read how God worked through Elisha, does it stir up longings to be used like him? It should! I'm not sure that we will be retrieving ax heads or taking over armies through God striking them blind, but there is probably more to experience than we have to date.
The unseen army of God that was surrounding Elisha to protect him from King Aram's army is very applicable for us. The spiritual warfare that we are engaged in on a daily basis is real and even may go unnoticed by us. There are times we need to be reminded of God's unseen army that is here to protect us and lead us to victory.
There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan. C.S. Lewis
Have you ever prayed to have the kind of power that Elisha had been given? I mean have you ever prayed with a clean heart that God would endow you with power from on high? When you read how God worked through Elisha, does it stir up longings to be used like him? It should! I'm not sure that we will be retrieving ax heads or taking over armies through God striking them blind, but there is probably more to experience than we have to date.
The unseen army of God that was surrounding Elisha to protect him from King Aram's army is very applicable for us. The spiritual warfare that we are engaged in on a daily basis is real and even may go unnoticed by us. There are times we need to be reminded of God's unseen army that is here to protect us and lead us to victory.
There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan. C.S. Lewis
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