Date:
Sunday,
May 10, 2015
Chapters: 2 Chronicles 15-17
Message Title: Constant Communication
Hello My Friend,
God loves to see us prosper and overcome the challenges in life, He finds great joy in us seeking Him and giving Him the glory for all that He has done for us. There is a reason why we sometimes seem to find more challenges in life, it's so that we never forget that God is always with us and that He is our strength to get through these things. Believe it or not, when things are going smoothly, we tend to seek God less, not on purpose, just that we are not constantly keeping contact with Him as we would when we are facing a challenge. The key to prosperity and less challenges is constant communication with God. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalm 1:1-3.
After their victory over the Ethiopians, Asa and his army got a visit from Oded, a prophet, he was not there to congratulate them on their success, but to remind them to be faithful to God. Asa and the rest of the people in Judah responded to God's warning with a covenant. “And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.” - 2 Chronicles 15:1-3,7,11-13.
Victories are great, but we must not get so confident in our abilities that we forget that God is the one who got us there. If we forget God, He will not help us win the next battle until we acknowledged Him. God wants to be in every part of our lives, but He will not force Himself upon us, even if we are saved we need constant recognition and communication with God if we want help from Him. The flesh is weak, apart from God we have no strength to withstand the battles we face on our own. “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” - Mark 14:38.
Asa was about to find out first hand that even if you are saved You need constant communication with God. Asa and the kingdom of Judah enjoyed many years of peace and prosperity, but later when Baasha, king of Syria, became a threat, Asa made a foolish decision to buy them off to find peace rather than ask God how to handle it. God confronted Asa about that decision. “In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me. And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.” - 2 Chronicles 16:1-3,7-9.
Asa refused to listen to God, and would later die prematurely because he turned away from God completely, too proud to admit he did wrong. There is a reason why God did not want Asa to make a league with these people as it would cause problems in the future. We must have a perfect heart toward God in order for Him to keep us safe from the dangers out there. Now, there is a difference between lack of faith and a half heart, even if we lose some faith, our heart really does seek God, and He will help us, but a half heart is not completely on God, and that will cause us to make foolish decisions that may even cause premature death, and problems for others. Trust me, there will be problems if we do not keep our heart perfect toward God. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” - Revelation 3:15,16.
After Asa died his son Jehoshaphat reigned, now, for the first time in generations a godly king, one as godly as David reigned, and God was with him through it all. “And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.” - 2 Chronicles 17:1-6.
When a person puts God first they will prosper and so will everyone that does business with them, even more strange is that they will prosper even if they do not follow God themselves. How and why is that possible? Someone will be saved, God's purpose in letting the unsaved prosper is that they learn of Him and get saved too. Now, should there come a time when God sees that our efforts to reach the lost have fizzled in that place, He will take us elsewhere, leaving the unbeliever to his own devices. We only have a short window to know Christ, we never know when our last day on earth will be, and ignorance does not save anyone. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” - James 5:19,20.
While the same Jesus was looked upon to save both Old and New Testament Christians, Christians of the New Testament, and still today have an advantage over the people of the Old Testament, the indwelling Holy Spirit. God's Spirit would come and go in a person before Jesus died on the cross and resurrected, but today He dwells in every believer of Jesus Christ. There is a quote that says, “If God seems far away, guess who moved.” God is always with us and never leaves us, but when we stop seeking Him first and circumstances arise, it will seem as though He is no where to be found. To find Him all we have to do is seek Him, and He will gladly help us. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” - Matthew 21:22.
Today's Prayer: God, You never cease to stop showing that You hear every prayer and are always watching over us. When things get easy or challenges come, it can be easy to stop communicating with You, but I know the key to happiness is always communicating with You. Lord, I want to seek Your advice and guidance every day, I do not want to make foolish decisions because I am thinking with my flesh. Lead me and guide me, help me to seek answers from You all day long, and let me not make any decision without first asking You, and give me the patience to wait for Your answer. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
Chapters: 2 Chronicles 15-17
Message Title: Constant Communication
Hello My Friend,
God loves to see us prosper and overcome the challenges in life, He finds great joy in us seeking Him and giving Him the glory for all that He has done for us. There is a reason why we sometimes seem to find more challenges in life, it's so that we never forget that God is always with us and that He is our strength to get through these things. Believe it or not, when things are going smoothly, we tend to seek God less, not on purpose, just that we are not constantly keeping contact with Him as we would when we are facing a challenge. The key to prosperity and less challenges is constant communication with God. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalm 1:1-3.
After their victory over the Ethiopians, Asa and his army got a visit from Oded, a prophet, he was not there to congratulate them on their success, but to remind them to be faithful to God. Asa and the rest of the people in Judah responded to God's warning with a covenant. “And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.” - 2 Chronicles 15:1-3,7,11-13.
Victories are great, but we must not get so confident in our abilities that we forget that God is the one who got us there. If we forget God, He will not help us win the next battle until we acknowledged Him. God wants to be in every part of our lives, but He will not force Himself upon us, even if we are saved we need constant recognition and communication with God if we want help from Him. The flesh is weak, apart from God we have no strength to withstand the battles we face on our own. “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” - Mark 14:38.
Asa was about to find out first hand that even if you are saved You need constant communication with God. Asa and the kingdom of Judah enjoyed many years of peace and prosperity, but later when Baasha, king of Syria, became a threat, Asa made a foolish decision to buy them off to find peace rather than ask God how to handle it. God confronted Asa about that decision. “In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me. And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.” - 2 Chronicles 16:1-3,7-9.
Asa refused to listen to God, and would later die prematurely because he turned away from God completely, too proud to admit he did wrong. There is a reason why God did not want Asa to make a league with these people as it would cause problems in the future. We must have a perfect heart toward God in order for Him to keep us safe from the dangers out there. Now, there is a difference between lack of faith and a half heart, even if we lose some faith, our heart really does seek God, and He will help us, but a half heart is not completely on God, and that will cause us to make foolish decisions that may even cause premature death, and problems for others. Trust me, there will be problems if we do not keep our heart perfect toward God. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” - Revelation 3:15,16.
After Asa died his son Jehoshaphat reigned, now, for the first time in generations a godly king, one as godly as David reigned, and God was with him through it all. “And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.” - 2 Chronicles 17:1-6.
When a person puts God first they will prosper and so will everyone that does business with them, even more strange is that they will prosper even if they do not follow God themselves. How and why is that possible? Someone will be saved, God's purpose in letting the unsaved prosper is that they learn of Him and get saved too. Now, should there come a time when God sees that our efforts to reach the lost have fizzled in that place, He will take us elsewhere, leaving the unbeliever to his own devices. We only have a short window to know Christ, we never know when our last day on earth will be, and ignorance does not save anyone. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” - James 5:19,20.
While the same Jesus was looked upon to save both Old and New Testament Christians, Christians of the New Testament, and still today have an advantage over the people of the Old Testament, the indwelling Holy Spirit. God's Spirit would come and go in a person before Jesus died on the cross and resurrected, but today He dwells in every believer of Jesus Christ. There is a quote that says, “If God seems far away, guess who moved.” God is always with us and never leaves us, but when we stop seeking Him first and circumstances arise, it will seem as though He is no where to be found. To find Him all we have to do is seek Him, and He will gladly help us. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” - Matthew 21:22.
Today's Prayer: God, You never cease to stop showing that You hear every prayer and are always watching over us. When things get easy or challenges come, it can be easy to stop communicating with You, but I know the key to happiness is always communicating with You. Lord, I want to seek Your advice and guidance every day, I do not want to make foolish decisions because I am thinking with my flesh. Lead me and guide me, help me to seek answers from You all day long, and let me not make any decision without first asking You, and give me the patience to wait for Your answer. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.