King James Bible Study: Becoming A Christian
For: Saturday April 30, 2011
Chapters: I Kings 21-22
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-30
Details of Today's Reading: Ahab begs Naboth for his vineyard, Naboth refuses Ahab, Jezebel has Naboth killed, Elijah tells Ahab about the judgments against him and Jezebel, Jehoshaphat makes a league with Ahab, Micaiah predicts the death of Ahab, Ahab dies, the reigns of Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” - John 15:18-20.
It's not easy becoming a Christian, you learn rather quickly who your real friends are by the way they react to your new found faith. As you grow in the Lord it gets even harder to remain a Christian, not only are you hated by the devil you are hated by family, friends, and even people you never knew. However, there is truly no better life than the Christian life. Just think, whether you know Christ or not you still have to deal with cruelty, hate, hardships, temptation, just to name a few, but at least with Christ it makes is a lot easier to overcome every bit of it. “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.” - James 1:12.
Elijah never backed down in his faith, no matter what task God gave him he remained faithful to God and did what He asked him to do. Oh, he got discouraged at times, even ran for his life a couple of times, but he never lost his faith in the Almighty God. By now, he was hated not only by Jezebel, but Ahab as well, but God had another task for him to do that would involve meeting Ahab face to face. Ahab was one of the most detestable, vile kings of the Old Testament, at the center of all this was his wife, Jezebel, he may have been the king, but she was the one in control. All Ahab had to do was cry to Jezebel and he got everything he wanted.
“And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?” - I Kings 21:1-5.
The wicked Jezebel had Naboth man killed so that Ahab could get that property. One time in her life she uses God's name and it is to lie to the people to get them to stone an innocent man. Wicked people may claim that they do not believe in God, but they will sure use His name to get what they want. The devil is the biggest liar there is to use God's name to his advantage, taking multitudes of people down to hell with him, but one day he and every person who has used God's name in a wicked way have the same fate. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” - Revelation 20:10.
Now when God saw Ahab walking through Naboth's vineyard He sent Elijah to give him a message that would not only effect him, but his wife as well.
“Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD...And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.” - I Kings 21:18-20,23.
Ahab looked to Elijah as an enemy, someone out to get him, what he failed to realize was that Elijah was not against him, but for him, God was trying to get him to repent. Those who are living in sin get very offensive when confronted about their sin, especially by those who are living for God. While we are not to judge the sinner, for we all are sinners, we are to make the right judgment upon the sinner. “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.
Elijah's prophecy would soon unfold, God gave Ahab a miraculous victory over the Syrian king Benhadad at Aphek (I Kings 20:28-30). Although he made no covenant with God, he did make a covenant with Benhadad in which Benhadad was to return a portion of land to Ahab for sparing his life. However, three years passed and it was still under Syrian control. Ahab invited Jehoshaphat, now king of Judah, to join him in a war to regain the land promised to him. Elijah's prophecy was reconfirmed when the prophet Micaiah, who was put in jail by Jezebel, warned him that he would die in the battle. Ignoring the warning, Ahab disguised himself and went into battle.
“And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded...So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria. And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.” - I Kings 20:34,37,38.
Elijah and Micaiah were hated by their own people because they would not go against God nor lie to keep peace. Lies do nothing, but create more problems, you see where it got Ahab and eventually all the evil that Jezebel thought she got away with would come back to destroy herself as well. While it may seem easier to compromise with the world, all it does is make a godly person sin against God. Those who are truly a friend will respect our faith and not try to get us to go against what we believe, but they themselves will too want to know how they can enjoy the Christian life. “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” - II Timothy 2:24-26.
Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Micaiah, who would say only what God instructed him to say. Jesus faithfully told others only what God told Him to say, “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.” - John 8:28.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
King James Bible Study: Challenges Of Christian's
King James Bible Study: Challenges Of Christian's
For: Thursday April 28, 2011
Chapters: I Kings 16-18
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-28
Details of Today's Reading: The evil reigns of Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, Ahab, in the Northern Kingdom, Elijah’s ministry and prediction of a drought, Elijah fed by ravens, Elijah goes to a widow woman, she feeds him and is blessed, the raising of the widow’s so from the dead, Elijah meets Ahab and gives him a challenge to prove the false god Baal to be a fraud.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” - John 15:14-16.
As Christian's we are representatives of Christ, that means we have a big responsibility and challenge to show those who live in the world just how important it is to know Jesus Christ. On top of that we are to be examples for them to follow so they can see that putting their faith in Him is more profitable than anything anyone can ever receive here on earth. Our attitude, words, and actions must declare to all that God alone is our true and infallible Source of all our needs. “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.” - Psalm 145:19.
Not one king from the Northern Kingdom followed God, in fact, each king became more ruthless and evil then the last. After reading about one wicked king after another we learn about Ahab. Ahab, was one of the most powerful kings ever to rule the Northern Kingdom, he was also married to one of the wickedest woman of all time. “And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.” - I Kings 16:30-33.
As a result of his marriage to Jezebel, who promoted the worship of Baal, the false god of her home land, Ahab allowed her influence to rule the kingdom and introduced her worship of Baal as the religion of the nation. This was followed by fierce persecution of those worshiping God and the killing of His prophets. As Christian's we are also persecuted because of our faith in Jesus Christ, in fact, the closer one becomes to Christ the more persecution they face. However, we have nothing to fear because Christ is always with us and on top of that we have the Kingdom of God to look forward to. “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.” - James 1:12.
The people knew that if anyone got caught worshiping God they would be executed, ordered by Jezebel herself. Regardless, there were a few who stood by their faith, continued to worship God, boldly declaring they would only worshipt the one and only True God. Elisha was a prophet, who lived in the Southern Kingdom, God sent him to warn Ahab of the drought that was about to take place because of the wickedness that he brought upon and allowed his people to partake in. “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.” - I Kings 17:1-4.
Elijah's faith kept him from suffering too much while the drought overtook the land, God sent him to a place He knew he would be provided for. While we can not avoid being in the tribulations of the world as a result of our leaders provoking God we do not have to fear nor worry what will come of us because God always provides for and takes care of His people. Jesus reminds us, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” - Matthew 6:25,26.
Another man that we learn of who stood by his faith in God was Ahab's governor, Obadiah. Upon looking for water Obadiah ran into Elijah. “And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)...And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah? And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?” - I Kings 18:3,4,7-9.
Obadiah feared for his life, he knew that if he went to Ahab and told him that Elijah was in town that he would face execution for even talking to him. However, he faced his fears and Elijah promised him that everything would be fine. The reason why Elijah wanted to meet with Ahab was to challenge him.
“And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.” - I Kings 18:17-19.
Elijah gathered up all the people and challenged the four hundred and fifty false prophets to call on their false god to try to prove that their god existed. For a full day Jezebel's prophets frantically called upon the name of Baal with no success, they even cut themselves, and there was no sign of their god. The Elijah mocking them, said step aside, I will show you who the one and only living God is.
“And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded...And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.” - I Kings 18:27-29,36-39.
Elijah illustrates how the power of God is released when we remain faithful to Him, are obedient to His Word, and simply ask Him for the things we need. God often allows us to face unusual and difficult situations in order to remind us of our absolute dependence upon Him. Through difficulties, we discover whether our confidence is in the Lord, in favorable circumstances, or in ourselves. He loves us and wants the best for us, but if we are not willing to learn what the best is, even if that means giving up something that we desire the most, than we will never receive the true blessings that He has in store for us. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” - Proverbs 3:5,6.
Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Elijah, whom God used to provide flour and oil for the needy widow at Zarephath (17:13-16). Christ our Provider supplies all our needs, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
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For: Thursday April 28, 2011
Chapters: I Kings 16-18
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-28
Details of Today's Reading: The evil reigns of Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, Ahab, in the Northern Kingdom, Elijah’s ministry and prediction of a drought, Elijah fed by ravens, Elijah goes to a widow woman, she feeds him and is blessed, the raising of the widow’s so from the dead, Elijah meets Ahab and gives him a challenge to prove the false god Baal to be a fraud.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” - John 15:14-16.
As Christian's we are representatives of Christ, that means we have a big responsibility and challenge to show those who live in the world just how important it is to know Jesus Christ. On top of that we are to be examples for them to follow so they can see that putting their faith in Him is more profitable than anything anyone can ever receive here on earth. Our attitude, words, and actions must declare to all that God alone is our true and infallible Source of all our needs. “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.” - Psalm 145:19.
Not one king from the Northern Kingdom followed God, in fact, each king became more ruthless and evil then the last. After reading about one wicked king after another we learn about Ahab. Ahab, was one of the most powerful kings ever to rule the Northern Kingdom, he was also married to one of the wickedest woman of all time. “And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.” - I Kings 16:30-33.
As a result of his marriage to Jezebel, who promoted the worship of Baal, the false god of her home land, Ahab allowed her influence to rule the kingdom and introduced her worship of Baal as the religion of the nation. This was followed by fierce persecution of those worshiping God and the killing of His prophets. As Christian's we are also persecuted because of our faith in Jesus Christ, in fact, the closer one becomes to Christ the more persecution they face. However, we have nothing to fear because Christ is always with us and on top of that we have the Kingdom of God to look forward to. “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.” - James 1:12.
The people knew that if anyone got caught worshiping God they would be executed, ordered by Jezebel herself. Regardless, there were a few who stood by their faith, continued to worship God, boldly declaring they would only worshipt the one and only True God. Elisha was a prophet, who lived in the Southern Kingdom, God sent him to warn Ahab of the drought that was about to take place because of the wickedness that he brought upon and allowed his people to partake in. “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.” - I Kings 17:1-4.
Elijah's faith kept him from suffering too much while the drought overtook the land, God sent him to a place He knew he would be provided for. While we can not avoid being in the tribulations of the world as a result of our leaders provoking God we do not have to fear nor worry what will come of us because God always provides for and takes care of His people. Jesus reminds us, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” - Matthew 6:25,26.
Another man that we learn of who stood by his faith in God was Ahab's governor, Obadiah. Upon looking for water Obadiah ran into Elijah. “And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)...And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah? And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?” - I Kings 18:3,4,7-9.
Obadiah feared for his life, he knew that if he went to Ahab and told him that Elijah was in town that he would face execution for even talking to him. However, he faced his fears and Elijah promised him that everything would be fine. The reason why Elijah wanted to meet with Ahab was to challenge him.
“And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.” - I Kings 18:17-19.
Elijah gathered up all the people and challenged the four hundred and fifty false prophets to call on their false god to try to prove that their god existed. For a full day Jezebel's prophets frantically called upon the name of Baal with no success, they even cut themselves, and there was no sign of their god. The Elijah mocking them, said step aside, I will show you who the one and only living God is.
“And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded...And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.” - I Kings 18:27-29,36-39.
Elijah illustrates how the power of God is released when we remain faithful to Him, are obedient to His Word, and simply ask Him for the things we need. God often allows us to face unusual and difficult situations in order to remind us of our absolute dependence upon Him. Through difficulties, we discover whether our confidence is in the Lord, in favorable circumstances, or in ourselves. He loves us and wants the best for us, but if we are not willing to learn what the best is, even if that means giving up something that we desire the most, than we will never receive the true blessings that He has in store for us. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” - Proverbs 3:5,6.
Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Elijah, whom God used to provide flour and oil for the needy widow at Zarephath (17:13-16). Christ our Provider supplies all our needs, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Missed A Devotional: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/daily-bible-study
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Wednesday, April 27, 2011
King James Bible Study: The Lord My God
King James Bible Study: The Lord My God
For: Wednesday April 27, 2011
Chapters: I Kings 14-15
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-27
Details of Today's Reading: Jeroboam's son Abijah is sick, Jeroboam sends his wife to consult Ahijah, the prophet, Abijah dies, Jeroboam's house destroyed, Rehoboam's evil reign in Judah, the reigns of Abijam, Asa, Nadab, and Baasha.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” - Matthew 22:36-38.
Ever wonder why the world is in such chaos today? It's because our leaders have stopped loving the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, thy soul, and thy mind. The key word is “thy” or “my”, “Love the Lord my God”. Believe it or not, all it takes is for the leader of a nation to stop loving the Lord my God and it will cause the entire nation to suffer. “They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever: And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt. Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.” - Jeremiah 25:5-7.
Nations all over the world are provoking God to anger by allowing strange gods to abide with them, strange gods made by their own hands. Israel has suffered tremendously over the years and still does suffer to this day. Their suffering can be traced all the way back to the time they were split into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. Both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms broke their vow to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind and not only did the kings suffer, but the entire nation as well. First we learn about Jeroboam, who was king of the Northern Kingdom, he led Israel to sin when he set up two idol worship centers with golden calves. After several attempts to get him to turn from his wicked ways God decided to get his attention through his family.
“At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child. And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age...And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings...But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:..Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.” - I Kings 14:1-4,6,9,12.
All Jeroboam had to do was repent to God, instead he disguised his wife as a peasant and sent her to Ahijah the prophet, in the Southern Kingdom, seeking assurance that their son would live. However, when she got there she would soon learn that the moment she stepped foot back into her city her son would die. Jeroboam's sin did not just cause him to suffer, but his son, and all of the Northern Kingdom. He was the example to follow, the one that was to show the people to live a godly life, instead he did the opposite and even introduced them to false gods, causing them to sin as well. As Christian's we too are to set the godly example, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” - I Timothy 4:12.
Now, in the Southern Kingdom, Rehoboam, Solomon's son also led the nation to sin, first of all he followed in his fathers footsteps by allowing strange gods to remain in the kingdom, but he even allowed abdominal acts to take place, which Solomon never allowed, making him and the nation to sin even more than his father.
“And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done. For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.” - I Kings 14:22-24.
God allowed a continual war to take place between the North and South and although He did afflict Judah he promised not to destroy them. God remembered the covenant He made with David and promised to never leave Judah in darkness for too long. “Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem: Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.” - I Kings 15:4,5.
God promises to never leave nor forsake us, but do not think He will give protection to those living in sin, He will not destroy them, but He will turn His back to sin and allow whatever affliction brought on upon the sin to take place, but He is forgiving, ready, and willing to help all who repent. “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.” - II Peter 3:9.
Just as one leader can bring evil upon a nation a godly leader can bring blessings upon a nation. Asa, would be the first godly king in the Southern Kingdom since David. He not only got rid of the abominations, but the idols as well.
“And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.” - I Kings 15:11-13.
America is one of the youngest and smallest, countries around the world, but it one of the most powerful ones as well. Do you know why? Because it was built on the foundation of Christ. This once, “One Nation Under God” became prosperous because true Christians came to this country to worship God the way the Bible said, not what some false religion made up. They made a commitment to follow God with all their heart, soul, and mind and they prospered because of it. “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” - I Corinthians 3:10,11.
Just as Jerusalem fell, America is falling quickly. Why? Leader upon leader doing evil in the sight of the Lord and their provoking Him to anger. They corrupted the foundation of Christ, it is full of every thing that is an abomination to God, strange gods, false religion, idolatry, and sodomy (homosexuality), to name a few. The afflictions we are facing are the result of one leader that stopped loving the Lord my God. Only we, who are true Christian's have the power to turn a nation back to being one nation under God, regardless of what nation that is. The key, “Love the Lord my God” with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference:” - Jude 1:21,22.
Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Asa's ridding the land of idols and sodomites. Christ cleansed the Temple “And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;” - John 2:15.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
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For: Wednesday April 27, 2011
Chapters: I Kings 14-15
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-27
Details of Today's Reading: Jeroboam's son Abijah is sick, Jeroboam sends his wife to consult Ahijah, the prophet, Abijah dies, Jeroboam's house destroyed, Rehoboam's evil reign in Judah, the reigns of Abijam, Asa, Nadab, and Baasha.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” - Matthew 22:36-38.
Ever wonder why the world is in such chaos today? It's because our leaders have stopped loving the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, thy soul, and thy mind. The key word is “thy” or “my”, “Love the Lord my God”. Believe it or not, all it takes is for the leader of a nation to stop loving the Lord my God and it will cause the entire nation to suffer. “They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever: And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt. Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.” - Jeremiah 25:5-7.
Nations all over the world are provoking God to anger by allowing strange gods to abide with them, strange gods made by their own hands. Israel has suffered tremendously over the years and still does suffer to this day. Their suffering can be traced all the way back to the time they were split into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. Both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms broke their vow to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind and not only did the kings suffer, but the entire nation as well. First we learn about Jeroboam, who was king of the Northern Kingdom, he led Israel to sin when he set up two idol worship centers with golden calves. After several attempts to get him to turn from his wicked ways God decided to get his attention through his family.
“At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child. And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age...And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings...But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:..Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.” - I Kings 14:1-4,6,9,12.
All Jeroboam had to do was repent to God, instead he disguised his wife as a peasant and sent her to Ahijah the prophet, in the Southern Kingdom, seeking assurance that their son would live. However, when she got there she would soon learn that the moment she stepped foot back into her city her son would die. Jeroboam's sin did not just cause him to suffer, but his son, and all of the Northern Kingdom. He was the example to follow, the one that was to show the people to live a godly life, instead he did the opposite and even introduced them to false gods, causing them to sin as well. As Christian's we too are to set the godly example, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” - I Timothy 4:12.
Now, in the Southern Kingdom, Rehoboam, Solomon's son also led the nation to sin, first of all he followed in his fathers footsteps by allowing strange gods to remain in the kingdom, but he even allowed abdominal acts to take place, which Solomon never allowed, making him and the nation to sin even more than his father.
“And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done. For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.” - I Kings 14:22-24.
God allowed a continual war to take place between the North and South and although He did afflict Judah he promised not to destroy them. God remembered the covenant He made with David and promised to never leave Judah in darkness for too long. “Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem: Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.” - I Kings 15:4,5.
God promises to never leave nor forsake us, but do not think He will give protection to those living in sin, He will not destroy them, but He will turn His back to sin and allow whatever affliction brought on upon the sin to take place, but He is forgiving, ready, and willing to help all who repent. “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.” - II Peter 3:9.
Just as one leader can bring evil upon a nation a godly leader can bring blessings upon a nation. Asa, would be the first godly king in the Southern Kingdom since David. He not only got rid of the abominations, but the idols as well.
“And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.” - I Kings 15:11-13.
America is one of the youngest and smallest, countries around the world, but it one of the most powerful ones as well. Do you know why? Because it was built on the foundation of Christ. This once, “One Nation Under God” became prosperous because true Christians came to this country to worship God the way the Bible said, not what some false religion made up. They made a commitment to follow God with all their heart, soul, and mind and they prospered because of it. “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” - I Corinthians 3:10,11.
Just as Jerusalem fell, America is falling quickly. Why? Leader upon leader doing evil in the sight of the Lord and their provoking Him to anger. They corrupted the foundation of Christ, it is full of every thing that is an abomination to God, strange gods, false religion, idolatry, and sodomy (homosexuality), to name a few. The afflictions we are facing are the result of one leader that stopped loving the Lord my God. Only we, who are true Christian's have the power to turn a nation back to being one nation under God, regardless of what nation that is. The key, “Love the Lord my God” with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference:” - Jude 1:21,22.
Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Asa's ridding the land of idols and sodomites. Christ cleansed the Temple “And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;” - John 2:15.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Missed A Devotional: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/daily-bible-study
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Tuesday, April 26, 2011
King James Bible Study: Thorny Ground
King James Bible Study: Thorny Ground
For: Tuesday April 26, 2011
Chapters: I Kings 12-13
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-26.php
Details of Today's Reading: Rehoboam becomes king, the peoples plea for leniency, Rehoboam's rejection, the kingdom is divided, Jeroboam reigns over ten of the tribes, Jeroboam brings idolatry to the Northern Kingdom, Jeroboam's hand withers as a punishment, God sends a prophet who prays for Jeroboam and is healed, the prophet is deceived into disobeying God and dies as a result.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
There comes a time in everyone's life where they reflect upon their lives, upon their discovery one of two things happens, they realize it's time to change and do something about it or they realize it's time to change and do nothing about it. Jesus describes those who accept Him as seeds planted in different types of soil, the majority of people who accept Christ are what Jesus refers to as planted in thorny ground. Jesus said, “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” - Matthew 13:22,23.
Those who are fruitful realize they need God and as they start living their lives through Christ they begin to prosper. Those who are unfruitful also realize they need God, but usually end up with a lot of affliction in their lives because they never make an effort to let Christ live through them. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20,21. If we as Christian's want to bare much fruit we need to be consistent in our walk with Christ, that means doing exceeding, abundantly above what the cares of this world have to offer.
After the death of king Solomon, his son Rehoboam inherited the kingdom, power, and a treasury full of wealth from his father. However, just as God promised, this would be the start of a divided kingdom, Solomon ran a very tight government so when Rehoboam took over the reigns the people came before him, begging him to make their burdens lighter. Rehoboam did not now how to handle this so he sought advice from the people.
“That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee...And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins...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 Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” - I Kings 12:3,4,10,15.
Rehoboam foolishly took the advice of his friends, the people rejected him as king and all, but one tribe, Judah stayed in Jerusalem, the rest followed Jeroboam to the north and they made him king. “So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only. And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.” - I Kings 12:19-21.
God put a stop to the fight, stating that brothers should not be fighting against brothers, even today the tribes are divided and only a few Jews follow Jesus Christ, yet we are still encouraged to stop the fighting as we are also brothers with the Jews. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;” - Romans 2:9-12.
Jeroboam thought he had everything under control, ever since he fled Israel to escape death from Solomon he waited for the day he could get even with the house of David. Now, he is king of the Northern Kingdom, but there was one problem, how were the people to worship God when the only place they were allowed to worship Him was at the Temple in Jerusalem. Fearing that he would lose control of the Northern Kingdom, he foolishly had two altars built within the kingdom.
“If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.” - I Kings 12:27-29.
It did not take long before the people of the Northern Kingdom began building their own altars and making up feasts and observances of their own. Of course, God was not pleased by this so He sent a young prophet from Judah to confront Jeroboam. Little did this young prophet know that that trip would cause him to make one wrong decision that would end his life. After this young man rejected all the bribes of the king and went on his way as God commanded he ran into an old prophet, who influenced him to go against what God told him.
“And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward. And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest...He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.” - I Kings 13:7-9,18.
The greatest danger to the Church is not the outside world, but wicked, fundamentally sound believers who, like the old prophet, lie to get people out of the will of God. We need to be on constant guard of those who are quick to offer help or give advice that goes against the will of God. We must be aware of the influence of those who should know the right answers, but whose daily conduct and conversation reveals a life that is rather questionable. Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” - Matthew 7:13-15.
The wolves are the false religions that claim to know Christ, even know some Scripture, but they unknowingly work for Satan, who has every intention of taking many lost souls with him. Lost souls that have spent their entire lives trusting in what they were taught and like the young prophet lose their lives because they listened to the prophet instead of God. The only way we can know the truth is to be planted in the only soil that can keep us from getting stuck in the thorns, Jesus Christ is that soil. “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.” - Romans 6:5-7.
Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Through Shemaiah who spoke for the Lord (12:22). Jesus spoke only what the Father told Him, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” - John 12:49.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Missed A Devotional: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/daily-bible-study
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
For: Tuesday April 26, 2011
Chapters: I Kings 12-13
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-26.php
Details of Today's Reading: Rehoboam becomes king, the peoples plea for leniency, Rehoboam's rejection, the kingdom is divided, Jeroboam reigns over ten of the tribes, Jeroboam brings idolatry to the Northern Kingdom, Jeroboam's hand withers as a punishment, God sends a prophet who prays for Jeroboam and is healed, the prophet is deceived into disobeying God and dies as a result.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
There comes a time in everyone's life where they reflect upon their lives, upon their discovery one of two things happens, they realize it's time to change and do something about it or they realize it's time to change and do nothing about it. Jesus describes those who accept Him as seeds planted in different types of soil, the majority of people who accept Christ are what Jesus refers to as planted in thorny ground. Jesus said, “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” - Matthew 13:22,23.
Those who are fruitful realize they need God and as they start living their lives through Christ they begin to prosper. Those who are unfruitful also realize they need God, but usually end up with a lot of affliction in their lives because they never make an effort to let Christ live through them. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20,21. If we as Christian's want to bare much fruit we need to be consistent in our walk with Christ, that means doing exceeding, abundantly above what the cares of this world have to offer.
After the death of king Solomon, his son Rehoboam inherited the kingdom, power, and a treasury full of wealth from his father. However, just as God promised, this would be the start of a divided kingdom, Solomon ran a very tight government so when Rehoboam took over the reigns the people came before him, begging him to make their burdens lighter. Rehoboam did not now how to handle this so he sought advice from the people.
“That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee...And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins...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 Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” - I Kings 12:3,4,10,15.
Rehoboam foolishly took the advice of his friends, the people rejected him as king and all, but one tribe, Judah stayed in Jerusalem, the rest followed Jeroboam to the north and they made him king. “So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only. And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.” - I Kings 12:19-21.
God put a stop to the fight, stating that brothers should not be fighting against brothers, even today the tribes are divided and only a few Jews follow Jesus Christ, yet we are still encouraged to stop the fighting as we are also brothers with the Jews. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;” - Romans 2:9-12.
Jeroboam thought he had everything under control, ever since he fled Israel to escape death from Solomon he waited for the day he could get even with the house of David. Now, he is king of the Northern Kingdom, but there was one problem, how were the people to worship God when the only place they were allowed to worship Him was at the Temple in Jerusalem. Fearing that he would lose control of the Northern Kingdom, he foolishly had two altars built within the kingdom.
“If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.” - I Kings 12:27-29.
It did not take long before the people of the Northern Kingdom began building their own altars and making up feasts and observances of their own. Of course, God was not pleased by this so He sent a young prophet from Judah to confront Jeroboam. Little did this young prophet know that that trip would cause him to make one wrong decision that would end his life. After this young man rejected all the bribes of the king and went on his way as God commanded he ran into an old prophet, who influenced him to go against what God told him.
“And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward. And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest...He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.” - I Kings 13:7-9,18.
The greatest danger to the Church is not the outside world, but wicked, fundamentally sound believers who, like the old prophet, lie to get people out of the will of God. We need to be on constant guard of those who are quick to offer help or give advice that goes against the will of God. We must be aware of the influence of those who should know the right answers, but whose daily conduct and conversation reveals a life that is rather questionable. Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” - Matthew 7:13-15.
The wolves are the false religions that claim to know Christ, even know some Scripture, but they unknowingly work for Satan, who has every intention of taking many lost souls with him. Lost souls that have spent their entire lives trusting in what they were taught and like the young prophet lose their lives because they listened to the prophet instead of God. The only way we can know the truth is to be planted in the only soil that can keep us from getting stuck in the thorns, Jesus Christ is that soil. “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.” - Romans 6:5-7.
Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Through Shemaiah who spoke for the Lord (12:22). Jesus spoke only what the Father told Him, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” - John 12:49.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Missed A Devotional: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/daily-bible-study
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Sunday, April 24, 2011
King James Bible Study: A Dead Christian
King James Bible Study: A Dead Christian
For: Saturday April 23, 2011
Chapters: I Kings 5-7
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-23
Details of Today's Reading: The preparations for building the Temple of God, Solomon makes friends with Hiram, who helps build the materials needed for the temple, work on the Temple begins, Solomon's house is built, and the Temple is complete in seven years.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
No matter how strong the wood, steel, or glass, if a house is not built upon a good, solid foundation that house will be destroyed. The Bible says, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” - I Corinthians 3:10-16. The Spirit of God, also known as the Holy Spirit dwells in every person who calls on and accepts Jesus Christ into their lives. Therefore, whatever we do it needs to be laid upon the foundation of Christ if we want to be or remain successful.
At one time the Spirit of God did not dwell in people He dwelt above an Ark, which was a wooden box that contained the two stone tablets written with the Word of God. Although David was able to retrieve the Ark after the Philistines took it, he never had a permanent home for it, but before he died he gave Solomon the command to build a house for God. Four years into his reign Solomon began making arrangements to build the Temple of the Lord.
“And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,..And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name. Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians. And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people. And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.” - I Kings 5:2,5-8.
Solomon enlisted the best people he could find to help build God's house, when Solomon approached Hiram with the opportunity to help build the Temple he jumped at it, in fact, he praised God for it. The Temple was chiefly built by the riches and labor of Gentiles, which is an illustration of their being called into the church of Christ. God will enlist anyone willing to serve Him, regardless of their color, race, or degree. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.”- Romans 2:9-11.
480 years after the Israelites were freed from Egypt, King Solomon began construction of the Temple, it was built out of the finest stones and materials. Every stone added to the foundation was shaped and molded to fit perfectly upon one another so there was no noise made in the Temple while constructing it.
“And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD...And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building...And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.” - I Kings 6:1,7,38.
This silence was the design of God and illustrates the unnoticed manner in which God carries on His purpose of grace within the Christian. We are transformed into His glorious likeness, not by noisy human efforts, but silently by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, as day by day God perfects His Temple within every believer.
It took seven years for the Temple to be complete, somewhere in between the beginning and end God spoke to Solomon. “And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.” - I Kings 6:11-13.
This is the same promise God makes to all who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” - Joshua 1:5. If you have Christ in you, God dwells in you and will never leave you, but do not expect Him to be joyous about any sin in your life. He loves you, He despises sin, while God will never forsake those who put their faith and trust in His Son, He will chastise every believer who does not keep His commandments. “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” - I Peter 4:16,17.
Solomon's Temple was not a large structure compared to some of today's massive worship centers. Its beauty was not in the workmanship or the excessive costliness of its materials. Although the building was beautiful to behold, the real glory of the Temple was deep within. This Temple was the only structure on earth ever to be the dwelling place of the Almighty God. Many of today's churches may look impressive, but God does not dwell in them, nor even comes close to dwelling in them. God dwells in the people within the building, not in the building itself. “And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” -II Corinthians 6:15-17.
Do you know how many churches claim to be of God yet are what can be known as dead Christian's. A dead Christian is a person who knows all about Jesus Christ, goes to church, serves in their church, tithes, does all the things a Christian would do, but lacks one thing, Christ. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” - Matthew 7:21-23. Unless a person personally calls on Jesus Christ themselves they do not know Christ, they are a dead Christian. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - I John 5:12.
How do you call on Jesus? “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” - Romans 10:9. You must pray and ask to be saved. All who call upon Christ are saved. All who call upon Christ are planted in His foundation and as long as we never forget that we will be successful in all that we do.
Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the Temple. The Temple was built upon the illustration of Christ, whom would become the door to God. “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” - John 10:9.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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For: Saturday April 23, 2011
Chapters: I Kings 5-7
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-23
Details of Today's Reading: The preparations for building the Temple of God, Solomon makes friends with Hiram, who helps build the materials needed for the temple, work on the Temple begins, Solomon's house is built, and the Temple is complete in seven years.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
No matter how strong the wood, steel, or glass, if a house is not built upon a good, solid foundation that house will be destroyed. The Bible says, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” - I Corinthians 3:10-16. The Spirit of God, also known as the Holy Spirit dwells in every person who calls on and accepts Jesus Christ into their lives. Therefore, whatever we do it needs to be laid upon the foundation of Christ if we want to be or remain successful.
At one time the Spirit of God did not dwell in people He dwelt above an Ark, which was a wooden box that contained the two stone tablets written with the Word of God. Although David was able to retrieve the Ark after the Philistines took it, he never had a permanent home for it, but before he died he gave Solomon the command to build a house for God. Four years into his reign Solomon began making arrangements to build the Temple of the Lord.
“And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,..And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name. Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians. And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people. And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.” - I Kings 5:2,5-8.
Solomon enlisted the best people he could find to help build God's house, when Solomon approached Hiram with the opportunity to help build the Temple he jumped at it, in fact, he praised God for it. The Temple was chiefly built by the riches and labor of Gentiles, which is an illustration of their being called into the church of Christ. God will enlist anyone willing to serve Him, regardless of their color, race, or degree. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.”- Romans 2:9-11.
480 years after the Israelites were freed from Egypt, King Solomon began construction of the Temple, it was built out of the finest stones and materials. Every stone added to the foundation was shaped and molded to fit perfectly upon one another so there was no noise made in the Temple while constructing it.
“And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD...And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building...And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.” - I Kings 6:1,7,38.
This silence was the design of God and illustrates the unnoticed manner in which God carries on His purpose of grace within the Christian. We are transformed into His glorious likeness, not by noisy human efforts, but silently by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, as day by day God perfects His Temple within every believer.
It took seven years for the Temple to be complete, somewhere in between the beginning and end God spoke to Solomon. “And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.” - I Kings 6:11-13.
This is the same promise God makes to all who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” - Joshua 1:5. If you have Christ in you, God dwells in you and will never leave you, but do not expect Him to be joyous about any sin in your life. He loves you, He despises sin, while God will never forsake those who put their faith and trust in His Son, He will chastise every believer who does not keep His commandments. “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” - I Peter 4:16,17.
Solomon's Temple was not a large structure compared to some of today's massive worship centers. Its beauty was not in the workmanship or the excessive costliness of its materials. Although the building was beautiful to behold, the real glory of the Temple was deep within. This Temple was the only structure on earth ever to be the dwelling place of the Almighty God. Many of today's churches may look impressive, but God does not dwell in them, nor even comes close to dwelling in them. God dwells in the people within the building, not in the building itself. “And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” -II Corinthians 6:15-17.
Do you know how many churches claim to be of God yet are what can be known as dead Christian's. A dead Christian is a person who knows all about Jesus Christ, goes to church, serves in their church, tithes, does all the things a Christian would do, but lacks one thing, Christ. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” - Matthew 7:21-23. Unless a person personally calls on Jesus Christ themselves they do not know Christ, they are a dead Christian. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - I John 5:12.
How do you call on Jesus? “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” - Romans 10:9. You must pray and ask to be saved. All who call upon Christ are saved. All who call upon Christ are planted in His foundation and as long as we never forget that we will be successful in all that we do.
Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the Temple. The Temple was built upon the illustration of Christ, whom would become the door to God. “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” - John 10:9.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Missed A Devotional: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/daily-bible-study
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
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