Renew Our Thinking

King James Bible Study Daily Devotional

Message Title: Renew Our Thinking
Date: Thursday May 26, 2011
Chapters: II Chronicles 18-20
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-may-26
Details of Today's Chapters: Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab, Ahab’s lying prophets, Micaiah’s true prophecy, the defeat and death of Ahab, Jehu rebukes Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab, Jehoshaphat’s prayer for deliverance and its answer, and God's judgment on Jehoshaphat after aligning himself with king Ahaziah.

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” - Ephesians 4:18-24.

If you stopped to think about the time you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior or decided it was time to let Him in your life I imagine it was a pretty dark time in your life. While we do not change over night we do change one step at a time as we renew the spirit of our minds, in other words, as we allow the Holy Spirit to change our way of thinking. The only way to do that is by having a relationship with Christ, the more time we spend with Him the more we renew our thinking, which turn those godly thoughts into actions.

Jehoshaphat was a godly king, he did what he could to follow God's commands, but Jehoshaphat had one flaw that often hindered his relationship with God. Jehoshaphat did not know how to say no, he constantly compromised himself by compromising with others, first we learn of his alliance with Ahab.

“Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead. And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war...And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.” - II Chronicles 18:1-4.

While we all want to do things the Christian way, help all, and not fight with anyone, there are some things we just need to say no to, otherwise it could prove disastrous for all. Let me tell you that people might mock you and call you a Jesus freak or something like that, but they know God is with you and that you are blessed. When you are blessed those blessings rub off on others, even if they want nothing to do with God, they want you around to receive those blessings. Jehoshaphat was right in seeking advice from someone who was godly. We would all go through a lot less suffering if we seek God's advice in everything we do. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:5-7.

Jehoshaphat made a serious mistake when he aligned himself with Ahab, and because of that alliance Judah was about to face a battle of their own. However, God knew that Jehoshaphat was trying to do the right thing, he sent a prophet to warn him to get things right with God.

“And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.” - II Chronicles 19:2-4.

God will warn us when we are about to do something against His will, once we make the choice to do it anyway the consequences are all our own. We need to be very careful not to let people charm us into going against God, but God knows our heart and will lessen the affliction when we confess to Him. Immediately Jehoshaphat repents, reconciles with God, and gets the people in the right direction as well.

“And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.” - II Chronicles 19:5-7.

While we are to judge no person for their sins, we are to make them aware of their sin and in a way that is not offensive. We are all sinners and deserve the same judgment, but God is the judge, we are merely the messengers of the truth. If we approach them in the correct way they will thank you for it, not get offended. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” - I Corinthians 2:12-15.

God may become angry and chastise us for disobeying Him, but He is merciful and forgiving and never forsakes anyone that puts their faith and trust in Him. Jehoshaphat's godly leadership lead all of Judah to follow after his lead, even the strangers that dwelt in Judah, would be saved from this battle.

“And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children... And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's... Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” - II Chronicles 20:13,15,17.

We all have a choice to make, God's way or the world's way, ignorance does not keep us from the affliction we face for our actions, regardless of who tempts or encourages us to go against God's will. We must not let anyone, but God convince us that we are making the right decision. However, even when we make mistakes God knows our hearts and if we truly seek Him He will actually help us through our affliction. The battle is the Lord's and when we seek Him we can not be defeated and if we are will always come back even stronger. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” - I peter 4:12,13.

God is faithful and just to forgive us, He never forsakes those who have accepted His Son. Incidentally, ignorance does not save us from hell either, only Jesus does. The only way to be saved from the judgment we all face is by believing in and accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” - Romans 5:8-10. Praise God!

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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