277. Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3

Jesus prayed.

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." (Mark 1:35)

We read about Jesus being baptized, preaching the gospel, healing the sick and not being able to enter cities because "All men seek thee" (Mark 1:37).  Who are we to think that we are busier than Jesus?  Yet Jesus rose early in the morning, a great while before day, departed to a solitary place, and prayed.

Spend time meditating on this verse.

276. Matthew 2

King.

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judeaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to wrship him.  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."  (Matthew 2:1-3)

When you find that Jesus is King, you’ll respond in either of 2 ways:  you’ll try to be King over Him, or let Him be King over you.

 Satan thinks he will be king:

“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:  I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14)

 “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan:  for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve.”  (Matthew 4:10)

-----However------

Jesus:
Was prophecied to be King:

"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 1:32-33)

Lived as King

"And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olivess, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the Name of the Lord: Peace in Heaven and Glory in the Highest.  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.  And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."

Died as King

"And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS"

Rose from the Dead as King

"And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail.  And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him." (Matthew 28:9)

Now lives as King

"And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 1:33)

"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14)

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" (Colossians 1:12-13)

Is coming again as King

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns;  and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:  and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And he sat on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS (Revelation 19:11-16)

--It's not a question of who will be king.  For He who is the King has always been, and will forever be...King.  And He says to you, and to me, "Follow Me."

275. Matthew 1, Luke 2

A Shepherd of Shepherds.   

Luke 2:9-11 "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:  and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

I always imagined this being many angels brining this news.  It was one angel, the angel of the Lord. 

A shepherd would guard a flock of sheep and protect them from being devoured by other animals.  Sheep are wayward animals, and I imagine them as being frightened easily, as a young lamb.  In this instance, the shepherds become greatly afraid, almost as if they are now the sheep needing comfort.

It is said that the shepherds were the lowliest in society.  Why would God send an angel to bring this message to the shepherds?  

I think it was because the chief Shepherd was born that night.  (1 Peter 5:4 "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.")  

I think God in His word is preparing us for the life of Jesus.  How even though He was a shepherd, He would become like His sheep, to become the spotless one of them, and be offered as the perfect sacrifice on their behalf, as the perfect Lamb of God.

Soon.....Jesus is coming back...as the chief Shepherd.

(Philippians 2:6-11:  "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.")

I think He also came to these shepherds because of Luke 2:10 "...which shall be to all people." From the very day of His birth, Jesus was pronounced as "Savior" Luke 1:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."  All men who believe in the name of Jesus can be saved, from the greatest in power to the lowliest in society.

274. Luke 1, John 1

Trust.

(Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible.")

This does not say "For with God nothing was impossible."  This might lead you to believe God in times past overcame impossibilities, but has chosen not to now.

It does not say "For with God nothing is impossible."  This statement is true.  Of course we believe that God in His infinite power and wisdom is not limited in what He choses. Nothing can hinder Him.

However...the way it says "For with God nothing shall be impossible"...

This reinforces verses like Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."  

"nothing shall be impossible" says God will not lie, and will bring about whatever He says He will.  (Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it?  Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?")

"For with God nothing shall be impossible" echoes Jesus when He said to His disciples (and to you and me) "Follow me." (John 1:43).

As a Christian God has a purpose for you and for me, and He has given us the answer to all our questions of "How, When, What, Where, Why?".    His answer:  "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

What beauty in mystery.  How great the anticipation.  How trusting is this love relationship we have with God!

The angel delivered God's will for Mary to have a baby which would be Christ, and told Elisabeth who was barren she would have a son.  These women did not see the promise happen immediately after the angel dissappeared.  But they were left trusting God that He would do what He said He would do.  They had faith that it would come to pass. 

This is the hope in the relationship we have with the Father through Jesus Christ.  God is a God of now.  You are not guaranteed tomorrow.  God wants your trust, your faith for this moment.  He simply says "Follow Me."  No questions asked.  Just Follow.  Take Jesus by the hand and go wherever He leads.

Day 179: 1 Kings 20-21

Grace and being Humble.

When Ben-ha'-dad rose up against Israel, God comes to Ahab, king of Israel, through a prophet and says Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day: and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. (1 Kings 20:13).

God's plan was to make himself known to all the world through His people Israel.  Ironically, even now He has to make himself known TO his people, even their king.  (side note:  Israel was never meant to have a king.  God was to be their leader. Obviously, with man lies unrighteousness.  There is no unrighteousness with God.) 

Ahab has been a wicked king  But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jez'-e-bel his wife stirred up. (1 Kings 21:25) 

---(whom Jez'-e-bel his wife stirred up)...there is no way this is a coincidence compared to the other 5-6 times we see something along these lines throughout the Bible beginning in Genesis 3..Eve, Job's wife, Abraham's wife, Solomon's wives, Bathsheeba (David's future wife)....  I want to find out why...

 God has shown mercy to Ahab and continually revealed himself to Ahab BECAUSE The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

God had every right to eliminate Ahab from life at that first idol Ahab followed...However, God came many times to show Ahab that He is God.  And how quick God is to show that He Himself IS GOD!  :  And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD. (1 Kings 20:28).  God did not pass up an opportunity to make His name known through His people Israel.

The Bible makes it clear that there was none like Ahab in regards to his wickedness in the sight of the LORD.  You may think that you are the worst sinner on the planet, and that you can't be saved.  Well look at this beautiful picture of God's grace:

And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.  And the word of the LORD came to E-li'-jah the Tish'-bite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.  (1 Kings 21:27-29)

God is forgiving, but He is also just.  There is a consequence for sinning, and justice must be served.  Our justice was served on Calvary, as the precious blood of the perfect Lamb sufficed to forever remove all sin in the eyes of a holy God, of those who receive His gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

2 Chronicles 7:14   If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

King Ahab, wicked as he was, humbled himself before God.  And what did God do?  Grace:  for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6).

Grace = getting what we do not deserve.

Grace = God's Riches At Christ's Expense

Scripture Memory:

Psalm 121:7-8

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Day 178:1 Kings 17-19

to be posted...

Scripture Memory:

Psalm 121:5-6

The LORD is thy keeper, the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.  The sun shall not smite thee by day nor the moon by night.

Day 177:1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 17

Rewind, and play again.

Asa, King of Judah, walked in the ways of the LORD.  I find it interesting how the years of the wicked kings of Israel are written in relation to the year of King Asa's reign.  Asa remains King of Judah, while numerous wicked kings perish of Israel.  

1 Kings 16:8   In the twenty and sixth year of A'-sa king of Judah began E'-lah the son of Ba'-a-sha to reign over Israel in Tir'-zah, two years.

1 Kings 16:10   And Zim'-ri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of A'-sa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 16:15  In the twenty and seventh year of A'-sa king of Judah did Zim'-ri reign seven days in Tir'-zah...

1 Kings 16:23  In the thirty and first year of A'-sa king of Judah began Om'-ri to reign over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tir'-zah.

1 Kings 16:29  And in the thirty and eighth year of A'-sa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Om'-ri to reign over Israel:...

The wicked perish in abundance while the righteous man stands.  This to me pictures the way we see God in the Old Testament.  Have you noticed how the SAME events happen REPEATEDLY over and over with the SAME outcomes??  It is as if nobody learns from the mistakes in history.  I read the same stories, from Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, to Moses...to David..to Solomon....it is as if I'm reading the same story with the same ending but only with different names.  But...God does not change, He remains the same. He is the constant which holds all things together.  It is as if God is saying "next person....(same thing)....next person....(same thing)...next person"

I am grateful for Jesus Christ putting an end to this repeated madness...

Scripture Memory:

Psalm 121:3-4

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Day 176: 1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13-16

who do you turn to first?

If I could choose a favorite prayer in the Bible, it would be this prayer of King Asa. 

2 Chronicles 14:11    And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude.  O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

My question is, 

Why Asa, did you not pray this prayer when Baasha rose up against you?

Why Asa, did you not pray this prayer when you had disease in your feet?

Asa had it right before:  God is his God, and it is nothing for God to help, whether you are strong, or powerless.  

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

God wants us to ask Him for help.  To come to Him with our problems.  Just as a father says "you can talk to me about anything anytime"...this is God toward us.  And I miss that too often.  

Asa sought the help of another King (using his resources) to win against Baasha who rose up against him.  Asa sought the physicians (using his resources) to heal his diseased feet.  This doesn't sound like anything wrong!  We have medicine today we use to help cure our sicknesses.  Specialized doctors to perform surgeries on hearts and brains...God has gifted many in specialized areas of medicine and the like to help us when we are sick.  Is this wrong for me to not use drugs to help heal my sickness, or a doctor?

Read Asa's prayer again for the answer.  Read it as a man who wholly trusted the LORD his God fully.  The answer is who do you turn to first?  Do I even ask God to heal me when I am sick?  Asa didn't ask God when he was in trouble..he just took what he thought was the best option among his resources.  He deprived God of receiving glory..He didn't trust God enough to even ask.  Yes I can take drugs to heal me, but do I even give God the chance?  Asa didn't.  Taking matters into my own hands without first seeking guidance from God tells God that He doesn't mean anything to us, and that He isn't important enough for us to care what other people think about Him.  

Scripture Memory:

Psalm 121:1-2

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD which made heaven and earth.

---how appropriate....

Day 175: 2 Chronicles 10-12

to be posted...

Day 174: 1 Kings 12-14

How sovereign is truly sovereign?

1 Kings 12:15   Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by A-hi-jah, the Shi-lo-nite unto Jer-o-bo-am the son of Ne-bat.

The great debate lies with the question of "how sovereign is God?"

1.) Is He so sovereign, that we do not have a choice in matters?  That we can sit back, relax, and everything will happen because God is the puppet-master and we are the puppets?  We can't choose because He has already chosen for us?  This kind of sovereign to me does not describe God.  This would describe God as only keeping His sovereignty if He controls every thought, every decision, and His creation had no choice....because should they have a choice, then they could not choose God, and not exalt Him as the sovereign He is, making God not sovereign.

2.) Or, is God so sovereign, SO sovereign, that He gives us a choice?  That He already knows the choice we will make, but gives us the choice to make nonetheless?  That despite our choice, He'll still be sovereign...that if we do not choose to exalt Him, He's still exalted?

I believe we have a choice.  God didn't MAKE Rehoboam disregard the wise counsel of the elders and choose the foolish counsel of the young.  Rehoboam clearly had the choice, but  forsook the counsel of the old men (1 Kings 12:8). The Bible tells us that Rehoboam made that foolish decision.  By the way...that decision happened to lead to events that were in the prophesied plan of God. Somehow, God used Rehoboam's decision in His plan. 

I do think God also intervenes at times...He did with Pharaoh in hardening his heart, and stirred up adversaries against Solomon..

So God is sovereign enough to give us a choice, and also able at any moment to involve Himself in the situation?

?

Day 173: Proverbs 30-31

The proverb Solomon missed.

Proverbs 31:3   Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

It is one thing to have a gift, and an entirely different thing to not use it or take heed of it (because of a distraction).  Solomon, the wisest man, would have done well to obey God's commands, but when tempted- take heed of this proverb.  I've questioned why the woman seems to have a writable role in many downfalls of godly men throughout the old testament.  It's not the woman's fault, but the man's.  Whenever the man takes his focus away from #1 priority-God, then he's doomed for destruction.  If the man's focus in regards to relationships is not on God...where else would it be, but a woman?  So is it safe to say that man has 2 focuses in regards to relationship, either God or woman?  ...maybe that's stretching it.  

My point is, finally we have a portrait of what a godly woman and wife is!  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies (Proverbs 31:10).

Proverbs 31:25-31

Strength and honour are her clothing: and she shalll rejoice in time to come.  She openeth her mouth with wisdom: and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.  Her children arise up, and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Scripture Memory:

James 1:12

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Do you love Jesus? 

Day 172: 1 Kings 10-11; 2 Chronicles 9

But, I told you so.

1 Kings 10:29-11:1

And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means. BUT king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

Solomon had it all, and yet it wasn't enough for him.  Not to mention...we see AGAIN the downfall of the man by means of the woman. This has been a re-occurring  theme since Genesis chapter 3! Now I have nothing against women, but there is something to be said about the place of the woman in the heart of a man.  Man's sole authority, and greatest love should be of God.  

Don't be foolish to take God out of this picture.  God  warned Solomon!

1 Kings 11:2   Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

And what happened?

1 Kings 11:4

For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods...

Solomon had a choice, and made the WORST decision.  He rejected God.  God gave Solomon exceedingly more than he could ever imagine...

And now we can talk about the justice of God.  He did exactly what He said He would do should Solomon not fear Him.  

This has to be one of the most frustrating readings yet...

Scripture Memory:

James 1:2-3

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Day 171: Ecclesiastes 7-12

The life conclusion.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14   Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God, and keep his commandments:  for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Ecclesiastes is full of wisdom, and guidance.  It is very hard for me to write my thoughts on it, because there is too many directions to go, too many truths to explore.  However, in my estimation, one could skip to these last 2 verses and read all he needs to read.  The entire book analyses life, pealing it apart at all layers.  Yet these final two verses say it all:  Fear God and keep his commandments.  This is man's all.  

One day you and I will be judged For it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

Everything we do, every thought we think, every direction we move in, every word we speak, every idle word, every idle thought, every sinful action, every lustful thought, every missed opportunity....in my years of life I already feel like I've messed it up beyond reconciliation.  Therein lies the beauty of the blood of the Lamb...

Scripture Memory:

Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary. who is so great a God as our God?  Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.

Day 170: Ecclesiastes 1-6

Define success.

In reflecting on these first 6 chapters of the book of the Preacher, Ecclesiastes, I see one main point made clearly:  all is vanity under the sun. Meaning, nothing you do of your own, will satisfy you.

As long as you live, you are reaching for a goal.  The target completion date of this goal:  the day you die.  Here's the twist:  you don't know when you will die.  What is your goal?  What defines a "successful life?"

Through what I experience there are many views of life.

One view seems to be the "retirement" view.  To me, this view says "put your life on hold, do what you have to so that you can retire and finally enjoy life."

There is also the "white picket fence plan" view: graduate college, get a great paying job, marry a beautiful godly woman, buy a house (with a white picket fence), have children, get a promotion, buy a bigger house, catch the big fish, remodel the camaro, buy a mac, retire, tour the world, die (leaving all your family  a lot of stuff while they all cry playing "i can only imagine" at your funeral.)

There are many other views, but the fact is, Solomon, inspired of God in all his wisdom makes it very clear:

And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. (Ecclesiastes 2:16)  (A rich and poor man look the same dead.)

As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. (Ecclesiastes 5:15)

Jesus Christ tells us to  - Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where you treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Treasure Jesus.  

My definition of success is this:  to wholly serve the Lord my God.  This is the goal at the end of the race.

 

Scripture Memory:

Psalm 73:25-26

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon the earth that I desire beside thee.  My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

...be my portion

Day 169: Proverbs 27-29

title?

I was sleeping on the floor of a church building in York, PA.  It was early morning on the second day of our mission trip with our church youth group my junior year of high school.  We don't have to be anywhere until 8am or so.  I'm sleeping well in my sleeping bag....until, through the wall divider (dividing the guys from the girls) I hear girl's voices...at 4:45am!!!!  They want to get up early to take a shower, and do their hair (which is fine...I like girl's looking nice).  However, they see fit to talk as if everyone else is awake.  I hear LOUD voices talking at this VERY early hour when most everyone else (all the guys) are still asleep.  Then Brad Johnson, our intern at the time, stands up and proclaims the truth of Scripture, of which I will never forget.  With a loud voice through the divider, he proclaims:     He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him!!!!!  (Proverbs 27:14).   Oh how I love God's Word! 

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent (Proverbs 28:20).  

Where there is no vision, the people perish:  (Proverbs 29:18)

--Do you have a vision for what you lead?  Often times many leaders have no vision, or they lose it quickly.  How can you be successful without vision?  How can you have direction without vision?  How can you lead without vision?  Don't lose sight of the vision...

Scripture Memory:

Love not the world, neither the things in the world.  For if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Meditation:  he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever...

Jesus said in John 15:5   I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:  for without me ye can do nothing.

(v. 7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

I see an inseparable link between God's will and our Lord Jesus Christ.  One way you know you are doing God's will:  follow the words of Jesus.  (In the beginning was the Word....)  

In other words:  Read your Bible, and Do what it says.

Day 168:Proverbs 25-26

Who are you fooling?

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. (proverbs 26:4)

--2 people are arguing.  A Christian, and a non-Christian (a foolish one).  The non-Christian sarcastically tells a lie, and the Christian in arguing back tells an even bigger one.  You walk by.  Can you tell which one is the Christian and which one is not?  NO.  Therefore, do not argue with a fool according to his folly, in that do not argue with him in the same manner in which he argues.  "Do not sink down to his level" if you will, for if you do, there is nothing that sets you apart from him in the eyes of an onlooker.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.  (proverbs 26:5)

2 people are arguing.  A Christian, and a non-Christian (a foolish one).  The non-Christian makes an argument which is foolish, and untrue, and believes he is correct and "wise" in his foolishness.  The Christian in wisdom corrects the fool in right manner, not sinking to his level, but correcting him in righteousness and in love.  The Christian therefore prevents the foolish from thinking himself as being wise.  Here he is correcting a foolish person, and an onlooker does not pass by seeing 2 fools. There is still, only one.

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. (proverbs 26:11)

Don't trust a foolish man.  The wall keeping him from his folly is very thin, and easily broken.  Have you ever trusted a man with a responsibility, giving him "his one chance to get it right", only to find that you are disappointed in that he fails, as he always has, in the same way he always has?  The only thing that can change a fool is the wisdom that comes from knowing Jesus.

Scripture Memory:

1 John 1:8-9 

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Day 167: 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8

A desire and a choice.

1 Kings 9:1  And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do,"

Psalm 37:4-5  says Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

This verse in Psalm seems to sum up very well 1 Kings 9:1.  Solomon delighted himself in the LORD, and God gave Solomon desire.  Desire to build God a magnificent temple.  Solomon committed his way unto the LORD, and trusted him.  And God brought it to pass.  It's that simple.

1 Kings 9: 6  But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:...

I don't want to bring this up again, but this is God's word... God is sovereign.  Yes.  But I would say that God is SO sovereign that He gives us choice...He's that sovereign.  Clearly God is telling Solomon consequences that will occur should he, or his children, choose to turn from God.  Solomon has a choice: to keep God's commandments and statues, and to serve the true God and worship Him, or to not keep God's commandments and statutes, and serve other gods and worship them.

Now, why would God purposely make Solomon, or his children, NOT worship Him?  Why would God not desire that even for a moment?  He most certainly would not make it where Solomon did not have a choice and HAD to turn from God.  (My point is this:  some say God "predestines" people to go to Hell...that they don't have a choice. This is not Biblical!!)  Solomon has a choice...there are consequences for the wrong choice.  

The verse continues on to say:  (1 Kings 9:7) Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people.     

It's obvious that today, April 19, 2008, that Solomon's temple is non-existent, and that the nation of Israel recently in this past century gained back some of their land...    

Someone, down the line.....made the wrong CHOICE.

Scripture Memory:

Psalm 62:5-8

My soul, wait thou only upon God.  For my expectation is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, He is my defence, I shall not be moved.  In God is my salvation and my glory, the rock of my strength and my refuge is in God.  Trust in him at all times, ye people.  Pour out your heart before him.  God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Day 166:Psalms 134, 146-150

A foretelling of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 146

PRAISE ye the LORD.  Priase the LORD, O my soul.  While I live will I praise the LORD:  I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.  Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.  His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.  Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:  Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is:  which keepeth truth for ever:  Which executeth judgment for the oppressed:  which giveth food to the hungry.  The LORD looseth the prisoners:  The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind:  the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down:  the LORD loveth the righteous:  The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.  The LORD shall reign for ever, even they God, O Zion, unto all generations.  Praise ye the LORD.

  Sing praises to God while you have any being, for the dead cannot praise God on earth, and dead things, such as rocks, cannot praise God...Praise God while you have any being! 

 Don't trust in men who will one day die, for even their best intentions, plans, thoughts, and will, will one day die with them.  Just as when a good leader dies, those whom he lead often times stray away from that which was good.  When a good leader of Israel died, the nation reverted back to sin.  When a good pastor of a church leaves, sometimes the congregation becomes lost sheep again.  But, hope in the everlasting God, and you will never stay on the wrong path.

"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:  Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is"

----(Jesus Christ):  Colossians 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

"which keepeth truth for ever"

----(Jesus Christ):  John 14:6   I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

"Which executeth judgment for the oppressed:"

----(Jesus Christ): John 8:9-11 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.  When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, 'Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?' She said, No man, Lord.  And Jesus said unto her, 'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.'

"which giveth food to the hungry"

----(Jesus Christ)  Mark 8:6-9   And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.  And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.  So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.  And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

----There can be no doubt that Jesus Christ was the Son of God in that He is the very description of God that this psalmist describes...

Scripture Memory:

Psalm 56:3-4

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.  In God I will praise his word.  In God I have put my trust.  I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Day 165:2 Chronicles 6-7; Psalms 136 (Romans 12:1-2)

May His glory come.

It is neat to read 2 Chronicles 6-7 and see how it matches up with 1 Kings 8.  The Bible proves itself many times over...

2 Chronicles 7:1-3 NOW when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, 'For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.'  (Psalm 136....)

The priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house.

---Adrian Rogers told the story of a man who claimed he saw Jesus.  This man said that he woke up one morning and Jesus was there, and that Jesus was with him in whatever he did.  The man said that Jesus was with him in the bathroom while he was shaving.  Adrian asked something along the line of "well, what did you do when you saw him?".  The man responded: "I kept on shaving"  to which Adrian replied "then that's not Jesus..."

We must again be cautious.  God is GOD!!  We say God is with us, we say He inhabits our worship, we say He is in His house....look at what ALL the children of Israel did when they saw the glory of the LORD upon the house...they WILLINGLY (not forced to) bowed themselves down with their faces to the ground and worshipped, and praised the LORD....  this to me is genuine worship, simply because God is worthy.  I wonder if true revival is the coming of the glory of the Lord.  In which we worship because of His glory revealed.  We cannot even stand to our feet before God...  too often I feel we create a "church" atmosphere, a "worship" atmosphere ("come into the House of God", "Life up your hands, sing about bowing down") in which we desire this very response the children of Israel had...but this response, this worship...comes from the revealing of God's glory to us?  Revelation 22:20 "He which testifieth these things saith, 'Surely I come quickly.' A-men. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Even so, even though you are here with us Lord Jesus, come.  Come in glory.

Scripture Memory:

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

---In meditating on this verse, I was wondering why it says "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" so that you can prove God's will.  What does that mean to prove God's will?  

Proving God's will, as in knowing for sure that what you are doing is God's will, and having assurance that God's will is perfect as He says it is (as we are told not to worry because God's will for us is perfect...). And to prove God's will you have to continually be transforming.  Not conforming.  And to transform, we are to do it by the renewing of our mind.  What does this mean?  Growth.  Knowledge.  "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18.  Renew your mind by growing in knowledge of Jesus.  God's given us everything we need to grow through His precious Word.

Look at it this way:  some say you cannot prove God.  I say you can!  God tells us how to prove Himself!  Anyone who says that you cannot prove God is not telling the truth of the Bible.  Jeremiah 29:13  says this: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."   To prove God, you must seek God with all your heart..and HE WILL BE FOUND BY YOU........proven.  

In the same way, we can prove God's will.  Have you ever asked yourself "is what I am doing right now God's will?  How can I know?"   Well, first ask yourself what God requires of you: Deuteronomy  10:12-13 tells us "And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all they heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes..." 

You see, it's all about...GOD.  Worship.  As in 2 Chronicles.  Take yourself out of the picture.  It is your reasonable service (serve God with all your heart and all your soul).  Continue to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and in doing so, fear God, serve God, keep his commands.  Just as He promises that He will be found by you, He promises that He is faithful, and will not leave you or forsake you.  So by following God, by doing that which He requires of you, you are doing that which is His will.  And you will prove it, for it will come to pass, just as God intended it to...perfectly, goodly, and acceptable.

Day 164:1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5

That all the people of the earth may know.

I reject Calvinism, especially the view of Limited Atonement.  I have heard it argued that the Bible supports Limited Atonement, with claims that when the Bible speaks of "all" people, it means "all" of the elect.

I believe "all" means "ALL" and not "all of........"

Here is one (1) reason why I reject the Calvinistic view of Limited Atonement:

1. ALL have sinned. (Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, 1 Kings 8:46 for there is no man that sinneth not).    Notice that 1 Kings is in the present tense (Michael Venyah...)

---ALL men sin, and therefore ALL men need a Savior.

2. God desire ALL to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9 but (GOD) is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 1 Kings 8:43 Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.)

---God chose Israel to be His people.  He "elected" them, if you will.  Solomon prays, however, for the STRANGERS, the "non-elect".  You see, God's plan by choosing Israel was that He might make Himself known through them, to ALL the nations of the world.  ALL the nations would look at Israel, and see God.  God desires them to come to a true repentance, to say from the hearts that "We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness (1 Kings 8:47).  For every man sins.  "return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul   1 Kings 8:48).

How amazing it is when the New Testament echoes perfectly the Old Testament.

ALL means ALL...strangers, or not. 

Solomon prayed before the altar of the LORD, kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.  

for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God (2 Chr. 5:14)

Scripture Memory:

Romans 11:34-36

For who hath known the mind of the LORD? Or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, that it should be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him are all things, to whom be glory for ever, A-men.

Day 163: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4

Words cannot perfectly describe.

The details of Solomon's temple are astounding.  So intricate, artistic, carefully planned, meticulously fabricated.  Only the wisdom that comes from God can fashion the pieces for this temple.  I wonder why Solomon didn't draw a picture for us...but that wouldn't do.  I can't truly understand how beautiful this temple was!  May God as we continue to read these designs form in our mind a picture of the glory of this temple, and by doing so, direct us to the glory of the God of this temple.

To think, one day this temple will be rebuilt...

Scripture Memory:

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the LORD and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

--any questions?

Day 162: 1 Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2-3

the house of God

I once heard of Louie Giglio criticizing the church for calling it the "House of God." He was getting to the point of "how can we confine God to a house?"  It is absurd for us to call our house (church building) the "house of God!"  

Today in churches we call our church on Sunday morning the "house of God."  I wonder, do we use that phrase too lightly, or even out of context, or maybe even with a misguided hope, or a misunderstanding?

Solomon had the right idea.  He says this:

And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?   ~2 Chronicles 2:5-6: 

What a statement! Who is able to build a house for God, for even the heaven of heavens cannot contain him!  

I see 2 things.  First,  the greatness of the house.  God is great, how then can I build a house great enough for my great God?   And 2, What is the house and what is it's purpose?

Here is how I see this house of God.  It is as a temple, a place of habitation.  What was it that God wanted so much?  God reiterates His original desire in 1 Kings 6:13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.  God wanted so clearly to have Israel be His people, and He be there God!  He wanted to dwell among them....with the building of this temple would be the Holy of Holies where, if I remember correctly, God's very presence would come down.

But Jesus comes.  He dies, and rips the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies.  What does this say about the House of God?

1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 

It says that Your body is a house (temple) of God. (So how great can we make our bodies to be host to such a great God?  I believe here is scriptural reason and reminder to take care of our bodies.--2 Chrn. 2:5.  How well we take care of our bodies is a direct reflection to how great God is that lives in us??)   As God desired for Israel to be His people, and He there God, so now He desires for you to be His child, and He your Father.  It is Christ in you.  We now receive the very presence of God in our life through the Holy Spirit.  

Let us use the phrase "House of God" with understanding, and not so..carelessly, or lightly, but with great reverence!  Our God is magnificently great, and vast beyond belief.  Let us not idly limit God to the walls of our church building.  Let us not create a God of our own, that fits within our walls, but yet, when we say the phrase "house of God", let us remember that God is great above all gods and that the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him. Let us not think so highly of ourselves to think that God will inhabit our church building, "house" on Sunday morning JUST because we say the words "welcome to the House of God".  Don't miss the point....Just as we ought not to say "God we humble ourselves before you", but we should say "God we cannot humble ourselves enough", so too we should say "God you are so great that no house we have can fully contain you."  

I also am reminded through reading, that we are all appointed special gifts and talents.  Just as the men of Tyre were skilled to cut timber in Lebanon at the very best (2 Chrn. 2:8).  God provides.  If there is something you cannot do, prayerfully look around.  God may provide someone who can do what you cannot.  Even more so, If God has a plan for you, He will provide those you need to accomplish His plan.  Another reason to be humble.

Scripture Memory:

Duet. 7:9 "Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations"

reflection:  "Know that the Lord thy God, He....is.....God...."

He is faithful

He keeps His promises.

His promises endure.

Love God.

Keep His commandments.