Purged To Be Fruitful

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2015
Chapters: 2 Chronicles 34-36
Message Title: Purged To Be Fruitful

Hello My Friend,

For a plant or tree to produce much fruit it needs to be purged, the word purge means to remove the impurities from the vine so that it can produce. A plant can be alive, but it will not or does not produce much fruit unless it has been purged. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour we become a branch on His vine, we are purged, the impurities of sin that defiled our bodies get removed as we grow closer to Him. Once you receive Christ you abide in the Vine forever, since we are attached to Him we can expect Him to do some purging to us. When we allow Christ to purge us we will become fruitful, but He cannot do it on His own, we must do our part if we want to produce much fruit.

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” - John 15:2-7.

For over sixty years God was no where to be seen in Jerusalem, at least that is what many of God's faithful probably thought as they grew up not even being able to worship God in the temple. However, all that was about the change when Josiah became king, not only did he purge Jerusalem and all of Israel, he purged other nations as well that had an ungodly impact on.

“For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about. And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.” - 2 Chronicles 34:3-7,33.

Jesus is returning and when He does every person born will stand before Him in judgment, the fact that we who are saved will not be cast into the lake of fire does not give us the right to serve God on our own terms. Christians are not perfect, we cannot be sinless, but we can learn and grow as we allow Christ to purge the things we know are sin from our lives. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” - 1 Corinthians 6:19,20.

Once Josiah died it did not take long for Jerusalem and all of Judah to be destroyed. This time there was no room for repentance, God left Israel to it's ruin, some escaped, but most were carried off as slaves to Babylon, for seventy years the Jews were under the control of Babylon.

“Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD. And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel. But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon.” - 2 Chronicles 36:11-13,16-18.

God gives people ample time to repent, meaning to seek Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. However, there comes a time when it's too late to repent, once a person dies and they see Jesus face to face it's over for them if they have not accepted Him, they will be in hell. “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:” - 2 Peter 4,9.

Today's Prayer: God, Forgive me for seeking other means to help me become fruitful instead of just being patient for You to work in me and bring forth much fruit. I long to serve You wholeheartedly and in Your will, I know that it takes time, obedience, prayer, and studying Your Word that prunes me and shapes into the likeness of Your Son. Give me Your power, wisdom and guidance as I become a hearer and a doer of Your Word. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Judgment Of A Nation

Date: Friday, May 15, 2015
Chapters: 2 Chronicles 30-33
Message Title: Judgment Of A Nation

Hello My Friend,

There was a study that can out this week that stated that the number of people claiming they are Christians in America has dropped down since the last time they did the count. While it is sad and quite heartbreaking to think that Christianity is declining, God knew it was going to happen, and it's probably much worse than that. Out of the seventy-eight percent of the population who claim to be Christians it is probable that the majority of them have no idea what it means to be a Christian. I will admit I was part of that crowd years ago, oh, I believed that Jesus died, but had no idea that it was me that He died for. We must know Christ personally as our Saviour to be considered a Christian, simply being good had nothing to do with being a Christian, it's who you know that makes you a Christian. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:8-10.

It is a known fact that any nation that is ruled under the authority of God is a great nation, and very prosperous. It is also a known fact that any nation that forsakes God will also face judgment. Believe it or not, God actually chooses the nations in which He puts His name, and He will not hesitate to put them in their place should they turn from Him. Just like our own faith goes up and down toward God, so does our nations. When Hezekiah became king did not waste any time getting Jerusalem back to a godly nation. In fact, he did not just want people in Jerusalem to come to God, he wanted all of Israel, including the stranger to come to Him as well. He sent letters all over the country in hope that everyone would come to Jerusalem for the first true passover observance since Solomon was king.

“So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written. So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see. Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.” - 2 Chronicles 30:5-9.

God truly is gracious and merciful toward us when we come to Him, it doesn't matter what we have done, He's always there waiting for us to return to Him. However, there does come a time when He says He has waited long enough and there is no hope that they will ever turn to Him. By the way, billions of people all over the world are given some form of information about Jesus Christ and how they can be saved, such as a knock on the door, a pamphlet, a letter, or even through the Internet, yet only a remnant will accept the invitation to come to the Passover Lamb. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” - Revelation 3:19-21.

After the passover there were so many people stirred up for God that they came together to rid their homes, business, and even the streets of the wickedness and corruption in Judah. Once they cleaned the cities they began serving God on His terms not theirs. “And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps. In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.” - 2 Chronicles 31:5-10.

Many people will get saved and go on living the lives they live unknowing that the Holy Spirit is working in them, they will face affliction and challenges to get them to go beyond receiving Christ as their Savior, but will never do anything more than get saved. However, those who take that extra step to let the Holy Spirit direct them will learn to be hears and doers of God's Word and will, day by day, eliminate the habits and the idols that corrupt them. God will use anyone who has a willing heart, He will soften the heart of any soul that decides it wants Christ in it's life. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” - 1 Peter 2:21-25.

Now, as you can imagine with a nation returning to God and it prospering from it that would not take long for their newly found faith to be tested. That is exactly what happened when the king of Assyria moved into Judah, he did everything to try and get the people to realize that God could not save them. However, Hezekiah was not about to let his nation fall into their hands for he knew that his God was the living and all powerful God who can save them.

“Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand? And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah. He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand. And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword. Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.” - 2 Chronicles 32:15-22.

God is always there to help us fight and win our battles when we put out faith and trust in Him. I know it can seem as though we lose when a person dies, gets sick, or persecuted even when they live by faith, but God is in every circumstance, every battle, and every trial. We just need to look beyond the surface of our emotions to see that the battle is already won. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” - 1 John 5:3-5.

Today's Prayer: (taken from Psalms 37 & 3)
God, The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. I will trust in You Lord and see Your blessings unfold as I remain faithful to You in everything that I do. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Holy And Acceptable

Date: Thursday, May 14, 2015
Chapters: 2 Chronicles 27-29
Message Title: Holy And Acceptable

Hello My Friend,

Holy, it means proper and whole. Thanks to Jesus Christ, we are made proper and whole before God when we believe in His death, burial, and resurrection, and accept Him as our Saviour for the remission of sin. Salvation is the key to being seen as holy before God, but faithfulness to God is the key to being seen holy before the world. While we certainly do not need to be holy to be accepted by God, we are saved by faith and not of our works, it helps a great deal when we want to see God bless our lives beyond salvation. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” - James 2:17,18.

Faith and works go hand in hand when we have a relationship with God, if we lack one or the other, we can be sure that our relationship with God will falter. After Uzziah came Jotham, and then came Ahaz, Ahaz reigned for sixteen years, he was not godly at all, in fact, he had the temple closed up and brought false god worship into Judah. He was so bad that he even sacrificed his own children. Out of anger, God sent them in the hand of the Syrians. “Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father: For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.” - 2 Chronicles 28:1-5.

I do not know what happened that caused Ahaz to forsake God and turn to false gods after his own father and grandfather followed God, but it is clear that he had not been trained to serve only God in the first place. If we want holy children we must be holy, we cannot expect our kids to want to worship God when we half heartedly do it ourselves. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6.

After generations of halfhearted kings choosing the follow God on their terms, Hezekiah begins to reign, he walked in the ways of David. He reopened the church, had it repaired and even got the nonpracticing priests to sanctify themselves to serving God the way it was written in the Law of Moses. “Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them. And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street, And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron. And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.” - 2 Chronicles 29:1-4,16,24.

The key to being holy and seeing God blessing our lives is cleaning out all the filth in our lives. Just like how a hot shower and soap removes all the filth from our flesh and makes us feel refreshed, a daily walk with God does the same to our souls and minds. God will only hear us when we confess and repent of our sins anyway, so, if want to hear Him, we better humble ourselves before Him. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:8-10.

There were so many offerings that there was not enough consecrated priests to fulfill the duties, Hezekiah gathered the Levites, who were more holy than the priest to assist in this matter, and God gladly accepted the offerings. “Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings. But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests. And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order. And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.” - 2 Chronicles 29:31,34-36.

You see how the Levites were more upright than some of the priests? This is nothing new, since God created man, there have been leaders more corrupt than those in the congregation. We do not have to let a corrupted leader destroy our faith in God, no matter what they do, it is God they answer to. If they are living a double life than God will not only expose them, He will bless His faithful through it. God is our judge, and He will judge every one of us according to our actions. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” - Matthew 16:26,27.

Today's Prayer: God, I know that we all have flesh and are capable of falling into sin when our heart is not right with You, I have also seen leaders use corrupt ways to get ahead. Lord, I forgive them, and I pray that they get right with You themselves. Forgive me for judging them, instead I should be praying for them. Give me Your power, wisdom, and guidance to live in Your will. Give me the strength to stand by Your Word at all times, and let me not let the actions of a bad leader or example change my perception of You. In fact, let me be the holy example that You need me to be so that others would want to follow You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Obedience Beyond Salvation

Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Chapters: 2 Chronicles 24-26
Message Title: Obedience Beyond Salvation

Hello My Friend,

Salvation, it's the one thing that guarantees a soul from entering eternal death and hell, but salvation cannot keep us from the consequences that come from sin. We may be saved from God's wrath, but He will not hesitate to put His people in their place should they turn on Him. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 15:55-58.

Joash was seven years old when he became king, his godly influence under the hand of Jehoiada helped him prosper as a king. However, once he died, Joash quickly fell under the influence of the ungodly. “But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house. Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.” - 2 Chronicles 24:15-21.

The problem was that the people wanted to build groves and altars to sacrifice to God in their own places rather than take the journey to Jerusalem every time. Zechariah was explaining that it was against the law of God, but Joash did not listen and ordered Zechariah to be killed for being the only person to do the right thing. Later on Joash died as a result of his ordering the execution of Zechariah. While we can pray, read the Bible, and live a pretty good life without stepping foot in a church, sometimes churches are necessary. Jesus takes church seriously, after all, He died for the church, who by the way are the very members that receive Him as their Saviour. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” - Colossians 1:16-20.

After Joash died, his son, Amaziah reigned, he walked with God, but not with a perfect heart, which means his heart wasn't completely set on God. In the beginning he did very well as king, he had all the people executed that killed his father, but he made a grave mistake, after a victorious battle with Edom, he took the false gods and began to worship them. “Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart. Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father. But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin. Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.” - 2 Chronicles 25:1-4,14.

God will have nothing to do with us if we are worshiping other gods, especially if we are saved and turn from Him to them. Let me tell you, just because you forsake God for false gods that does not mean God is going to just let you go, once saved always saved, and you cannot renounce that no matter how much you try. God will prove that one way or another, even if He has to take you home sooner than expected. “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.” - 1 John 5:16,17.

Uzziah was the next king who reigned, he was probably the longest reigning godly king recorded in the history of Judah, he probably would have lived longer had he not let his ego become his god. “Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense. And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men: And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God. Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.” - 2 Chronicles 26:3-5,16-19.

Pride is the number one reason people fall away from God in the first place, you cannot make up your own rules and expect God to bless you. People who refuse to serve God on His terms might as well be sticking their finger in an electrical socket because they are going to be in for a huge shock when they face His judgment. And I am not just talking about when they face Jesus, God rather a person not serve Him at all then serve Him on their own terms. You can be sure if you are making up who you think God is and making Him up in your own image that judgment will come well before death. “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. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” - Revelation 3:15-19.

God wants us to prosper, He wants to give us the best life we can possibly have here in earth well before He takes us to heaven, but He's not going to fight with us on this. If we are saved and living the way we please, without even a second thought as to what God says, we can be sure that we will be judged, and it will come by our own devices. We can survive this world, and even prosper in it as Christians, but in order to do that we need Christ, and we need Him daily. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” - 1 John 2:15-17.

Today's Prayer: God, Your judgments are true and just, whether they be the cause of my own actions or Yours. Everything we go through is meant to grow, strengthen, discipline, and guide us to be the best that You know we can be. Just like a parent or teacher pushes us a little bit harder to excel, so do You, Your commands and laws are not meant to keep us from living life, they are meant to give us the best life we can live in a wicked and corrupt world. Lead us and guide us, help us to watch and listen for all the warning signs and to keep going through Your power and strength. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Catch You When You Fall

Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Chapters: 2 Chronicles 21-23
Message Title: Catch You When You Fall

Hello My Friend,

I recently talked with someone I have known for a long time, and found out something that made me look to God and say, “Thank You.” I was thanking Him for separating me from this person and the protection He placed on me even when we were together. I never can praise God enough for taking me out of the life I lived before I decided to live my life with Christ in it. Once in a while I think, “How did I ever let things get so far out of hand?” Then I realized something, God was with me even when I was at my worse state, He allowed me to fall, but was there the whole time, ready to catch me. I vow to God to never let myself get to that point again, but I know that no matter how strong my faith in God, in the blink of an eye I could fall, it's not that I do not trust myself, but I know my flesh is weak. Therefore, I am not trusting in my flesh to keep me out of trouble, but God. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:12,13.

After Jehoshaphat died, his son Jehoram reigned, since he was married to Ahab's daughter he walked in the wicked ways as she did, bringing that wickedness into Judah. He was so wicked that he killed all of his brothers, who, were godly and better qualified to reign. While God was angry with him He did not destroy Judah because of the covenant he made with David, He did however, strike all who followed them with a plague and Jehoram with an incurable disease.

“Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel. Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever. And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah, But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself: Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.” - 2 Chronicles 21:4-7,12-15.

Any person who puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the only one who can save them and take them to heaven makes a covenant with God. His covenant, “Believe in My Son, receive eternal life.” So many people call themselves Christians, but have no clue what that is, and while we can never know if they really accepted Christ as their Saviour, it should be prominent in their works. And yes, while our works certainly do not get us saved from destruction or into heaven, they are shown in those who truly know Christ. “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” - John 15:3-8.

Jehoram only reigned eight years, his son, Ahaziah who was even more wicked than him, only reigned one year before the people rebelled, killed him and his brothers too. After Ahaziah died his mother made herself queen and killed every one of her grandsons, all of the seed of David was destroyed, except for one, which her granddaughter hid from her.

“And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom. But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah. But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.” - 2 Chronicles 22:9-12.

While true Christians are not that great at confrontations, and often compromise with the world in an effort to bring peace, eventually they will say, enough is enough, and join together to get the evil out of their country. All it takes is one person willing to step up, even if that means the threat of persecution. God does not want us to go through the motions, He wants us living our lives through His Son, and in doing so, let Him be seen in and through us. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” - Romans 12:1,2.

The entire congregation got together and formed a plan to get rid of Athaliah and make Joash king at the age of seven. For six years, Athaliah thought she had everything under control. “And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David. This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors; And a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD. But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD. Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD: And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason. Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.” - 2 Chronicles 23:3-6,12-14.

What a mess? It is definitely true that what you reap is what you sow, those who wickedly seek their way to the top always fall the same way they began. It was important that one male of the seed of David be alive as his lineage or seed would be where Jesus would descend from. All it takes is one bad decision to fall, but all it takes in one great God to catch us, in order for Him to do that, we must admit our sin and come to Him. “Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” - Proverbs 24:15,16.

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You again for loving me and not giving up on me, even when I was at my worse, You still saw the best in me, and never let go of me. I can never thank You enough for catching me from my fall, and for the life You have given me since I made the choice to live my life with Your Son in it. You are my strength, and I know that I mess up a lot, but You never stop catching me. Thank You for Your endless mercy and grace, and for never letting me go. Lead me and guide me, keep me grounded in Your Word and help me to keep my eyes on You at all times. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Getting Into Compromising Situations

Date: Monday, May 11, 2015
Chapters: 2 Chronicles 18-20
Message Title: Getting Into Compromising Situations

Hello My Friend,

As Christians, we are told to love one another as brothers, so, where do we draw the line to avoid compromising situations. To do that we have to understand what brotherly love is, it means we are to be kind to all, even if all are not kind to us. However, showing brotherly love toward one another is a lot different than aligning ourselves with people who put us into compromising situations. He must be careful who we align ourselves with or we will be put in those compromising situations, and we will also suffer for doing so also. “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” - Luke 6:27,28,38.

Jehoshaphat was a godly king, he was the first king since David to serve God wholeheartedly and encouraged the kingdom to do so also. Jehoshaphat had one problem that often put him in compromising situations, he never said no. First, Jehoshaphat put himself in a compromising situation when he aligned himself with Ahab, by allowing his son to marry Ahab's daughter. Then he does it again by joining him in his battle with Syria, but even then God protected him.

“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 the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle. Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.” - 2 Chronicles 18:1-3,29-31.

We would all go through a lot less suffering if we just learn to say no more often. Let me tell you, that people might mock you, call you a Jesus freak or something like that, but it is better to suffer for doing the right thing than the wrong. “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.” - 1 Peter 4:12,13.

Jehoshaphat barely escaping with his life, returned to Jerusalem to find Jehu, a seer, to warn him of a battle that was about to take place in Judah because of his decision to join Ahab. Jehoshaphat admitting he was wrong proclaimed a fast throughout all of Judah in order to get right with God and stop the battle from happening or at least have God's help in it.

“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. 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. And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.” - 2 Chronicles 19:4-7,9.

God will warn us when we are about to do something against His will, but once we make the choice to do it, 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 our intentions and although He allows the affliction to continue He will help us endure it as long as we seek His help. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” - Hebrews 12:11.

Today's Prayer: God, As much as I try to do the right thing, I often find myself stuck in compromising situations because I do not want to offend or make someone feel bad. Thank You for helping me endure every situation I got myself into by not coming to You in the first place. Lord, help me to never make a decision that will compromise my relationship with You or what I believe in You. Help me to not even walk into compromising situations in the first place by keeping my eyes on You and listening for Your warnings. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Constant Communication

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

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