2 Kings 16
19 The rest of the events in Ahaz’s reign and everything he did are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah.
2 Chronicles 28:26 is the parallel passage to this verse. It strikes me today that as each of these kings’ stories come to an end in the Bible, a reference is made to everything they did being recorded in the Book of the History of the Kingts of Judah or Israel. Everything I have ever doen or ever will do is written down in a book about me in heaven. It will be revealed some day, and that is NOT a comforting thought. I do take comfort in knowing that Christ’s Blood has covered all the ugliness in my book and that all I need be concerned with now is the fact that my name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Whew!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Upside Down Thinking
Isaiah 5
20 What sorrow for those who say
that evil is good and good is evil,
that dark is light and light is dark,
that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.
21 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes
and think themselves so clever.
22 What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine
and boast about all the alcohol they can hold.
23 They take bribes to let the wicked go free,
and they punish the innocent.
While Isaiah is laying this all out for the people of Judah, the sentiment holds true for Christians in America today. As we approach the July 4th Holiday when we celebrate freedom in this nation, we need to remember that True Freedom comes from Christ. We tolerate a society where wrong is right and right is wrong; where black is white and white is black; where so many people are wise in their own eyes. When, O God, will Your judgment against such folly come to pass in America? When will Christians awaken to the need to surrender to You to find the Freedom in Christ we claim that we desire?
20 What sorrow for those who say
that evil is good and good is evil,
that dark is light and light is dark,
that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.
21 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes
and think themselves so clever.
22 What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine
and boast about all the alcohol they can hold.
23 They take bribes to let the wicked go free,
and they punish the innocent.
While Isaiah is laying this all out for the people of Judah, the sentiment holds true for Christians in America today. As we approach the July 4th Holiday when we celebrate freedom in this nation, we need to remember that True Freedom comes from Christ. We tolerate a society where wrong is right and right is wrong; where black is white and white is black; where so many people are wise in their own eyes. When, O God, will Your judgment against such folly come to pass in America? When will Christians awaken to the need to surrender to You to find the Freedom in Christ we claim that we desire?
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Reap What You Sow
2 Kings 17
7 This disaster came upon the people of Israel because they worshiped other gods. They sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them safely out of Egypt and had rescued them from the power of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. 8 They had followed the practices of the pagan nations the Lord had driven from the land ahead of them, as well as the practices the kings of Israel had introduced. 9 The people of Israel had also secretly done many things that were not pleasing to the Lord their God.
The disaster being spoken of here is the fall of Israel and the exile to Assyria. When God’s People fail to listen and obey Him, how can they expect anything but disaster to befall them? We have failed to heed the warnings contained so clearly in Scripture, so we shall indeed reap what we have sown through the Church in America.
7 This disaster came upon the people of Israel because they worshiped other gods. They sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them safely out of Egypt and had rescued them from the power of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. 8 They had followed the practices of the pagan nations the Lord had driven from the land ahead of them, as well as the practices the kings of Israel had introduced. 9 The people of Israel had also secretly done many things that were not pleasing to the Lord their God.
The disaster being spoken of here is the fall of Israel and the exile to Assyria. When God’s People fail to listen and obey Him, how can they expect anything but disaster to befall them? We have failed to heed the warnings contained so clearly in Scripture, so we shall indeed reap what we have sown through the Church in America.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Return, O Church In America
Hosea 14
1 Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,
for your sins have brought you down.
2 Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord.
Say to him,
“Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us,
so that we may offer you our praises.
3 Assyria cannot save us,
nor can our warhorses.
Never again will we say to the idols we have made,
‘You are our gods.’
No, in you alone
do the orphans find mercy.”
4 The Lord says,
“Then I will heal you of your faithlessness;
my love will know no bounds,
for my anger will be gone forever."
As I read this, I cannot help but think:
Return O Church in America, to the Lord your God,for your sins have brought you down.
Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord.
Say to him,
“Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us,
so that we may offer you our praises.
The U.S. Government cannot save us,
nor can our warhorses.
Never again will we say to the idols we have created,
‘You are our gods.’
No, in you alone
do the orphans find mercy.”
The Lord says,
“Then I will heal you of your faithlessness;
my love will know no bounds,
for my anger will be gone forever.”
How I long for that day of repentance in the Church in America.
1 Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,
for your sins have brought you down.
2 Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord.
Say to him,
“Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us,
so that we may offer you our praises.
3 Assyria cannot save us,
nor can our warhorses.
Never again will we say to the idols we have made,
‘You are our gods.’
No, in you alone
do the orphans find mercy.”
4 The Lord says,
“Then I will heal you of your faithlessness;
my love will know no bounds,
for my anger will be gone forever."
As I read this, I cannot help but think:
Return O Church in America, to the Lord your God,for your sins have brought you down.
Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord.
Say to him,
“Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us,
so that we may offer you our praises.
The U.S. Government cannot save us,
nor can our warhorses.
Never again will we say to the idols we have created,
‘You are our gods.’
No, in you alone
do the orphans find mercy.”
The Lord says,
“Then I will heal you of your faithlessness;
my love will know no bounds,
for my anger will be gone forever.”
How I long for that day of repentance in the Church in America.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Giving God a Bad Name
Hosea 5
The Failure of Israel’s Leaders
1 “Hear this, you priests.
Pay attention, you leaders of Israel.
Listen, you members of the royal family.
Judgment has been handed down against you.
For you have led the people into a snare
by worshiping the idols at Mizpah and Tabor.
2 You have dug a deep pit to trap them at Acacia Grove.
But I will settle with you for what you have done.
3 I know what you are like, O Ephraim.
You cannot hide yourself from me, O Israel.
You have left me as a prostitute leaves her husband;
you are utterly defiled.
4 Your deeds won’t let you return to your God.
You are a prostitute through and through,
and you do not know the Lord."
When I think about some of America’s leading “Media Ministers,” I cannot help but see them in this passage from Hosea. Men who are supposed to be leading others to Christ, instead lead them to themselves or to a government program, or to anything except Christ. Gives those of us who labor for the Lord as Ministers of the Gospel a bad name, but more importantly, it gives God a bad name. Sigh.
The Failure of Israel’s Leaders
1 “Hear this, you priests.
Pay attention, you leaders of Israel.
Listen, you members of the royal family.
Judgment has been handed down against you.
For you have led the people into a snare
by worshiping the idols at Mizpah and Tabor.
2 You have dug a deep pit to trap them at Acacia Grove.
But I will settle with you for what you have done.
3 I know what you are like, O Ephraim.
You cannot hide yourself from me, O Israel.
You have left me as a prostitute leaves her husband;
you are utterly defiled.
4 Your deeds won’t let you return to your God.
You are a prostitute through and through,
and you do not know the Lord."
When I think about some of America’s leading “Media Ministers,” I cannot help but see them in this passage from Hosea. Men who are supposed to be leading others to Christ, instead lead them to themselves or to a government program, or to anything except Christ. Gives those of us who labor for the Lord as Ministers of the Gospel a bad name, but more importantly, it gives God a bad name. Sigh.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Turn to God Daily
2 Chronicles 28
22 Even during this time of trouble, King Ahaz continued to reject the Lord. 23 He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus who had defeated him, for he said, “Since these gods helped the kings of Aram, they will help me, too, if I sacrifice to them.” But instead, they led to his ruin and the ruin of all Judah.
How often I have behaved like Ahaz! Why is it that I am so stubborn? Why do I so often refuse to turn to God, in the good times and in the bad times? It sickens me. I have asked for forgiveness for this sin, and I am striving to do better. I want to turn my face towards God every day, bask in His goodness and mercy, and give Him the praise and honor He deserves. I want to give Him my very life. When I fail to do so, it leads to my ruin. May my life be in You, Lord every day from this day forward!
22 Even during this time of trouble, King Ahaz continued to reject the Lord. 23 He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus who had defeated him, for he said, “Since these gods helped the kings of Aram, they will help me, too, if I sacrifice to them.” But instead, they led to his ruin and the ruin of all Judah.
How often I have behaved like Ahaz! Why is it that I am so stubborn? Why do I so often refuse to turn to God, in the good times and in the bad times? It sickens me. I have asked for forgiveness for this sin, and I am striving to do better. I want to turn my face towards God every day, bask in His goodness and mercy, and give Him the praise and honor He deserves. I want to give Him my very life. When I fail to do so, it leads to my ruin. May my life be in You, Lord every day from this day forward!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
No Faithfulness, No Kindness, No Knowledge of God
Hosea 4
1 Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel!
The Lord has brought charges against you, saying:
“There is no faithfulness, no kindness,
no knowledge of God in your land.”
The Church is the modern day equivalent to Israel of the Old Testament. The same words God spoke through Hosea to Israel apply to the Church in America today. The Church has become fat and lazy, adhering to the teachings of man rather than searching the Holy Scriptures to see what God has to say. We have ceded our responsibility to the “least of these among us” to the government, and we have idly stood by while the secularists kick God out of public discussion unless of course God is being cursed or made fun of. Meanwhile, the Church clusters in its “holy huddles” thinking it is pleasing God. Makes me sad beyond words. I know that it breaks God’s heart, and until it breaks the hearts of those who claim to follow Christ, I see no end in sight to the withdrawal of God’s Favor from the American Church.
1 Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel!
The Lord has brought charges against you, saying:
“There is no faithfulness, no kindness,
no knowledge of God in your land.”
The Church is the modern day equivalent to Israel of the Old Testament. The same words God spoke through Hosea to Israel apply to the Church in America today. The Church has become fat and lazy, adhering to the teachings of man rather than searching the Holy Scriptures to see what God has to say. We have ceded our responsibility to the “least of these among us” to the government, and we have idly stood by while the secularists kick God out of public discussion unless of course God is being cursed or made fun of. Meanwhile, the Church clusters in its “holy huddles” thinking it is pleasing God. Makes me sad beyond words. I know that it breaks God’s heart, and until it breaks the hearts of those who claim to follow Christ, I see no end in sight to the withdrawal of God’s Favor from the American Church.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
My Deliverer Is Coming
Isaiah 7
10 Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.[e]”
12 But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the Lord like that.”
13 Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? 14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin[f] will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). 15 By the time this child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, he will be eating yogurt and honey. 16 For before the child is that old, the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted.
Isaiah’s prophecy about the birth of Jesus comes in the midst of his frustration with King Ahaz. Even in the midst of God’s exasperation with us stubborn people, He promises us a Deliverer. God is so much better to us than we could ever hope for or deserve!
10 Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.[e]”
12 But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the Lord like that.”
13 Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? 14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin[f] will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). 15 By the time this child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, he will be eating yogurt and honey. 16 For before the child is that old, the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted.
Isaiah’s prophecy about the birth of Jesus comes in the midst of his frustration with King Ahaz. Even in the midst of God’s exasperation with us stubborn people, He promises us a Deliverer. God is so much better to us than we could ever hope for or deserve!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Dealing With Sins
Amos 7
7 Then he showed me another vision. I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line. He was using a plumb line to see if it was still straight. 8 And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?”
I answered, “A plumb line.”
And the Lord replied, “I will test my people with this plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins.
Under the New Covenant, our sins are not ignored, either. They are covered by the Blood of Jesus Christ. When we accept Jesus as our LORD and Savior, repenting of our sins, confessing Jesus as Lord, and are buried with Him in the watery grave of Baptism, raised into a newness of life, those sins are gone forever! This past weekend VCC saw four more people baptized into Christ, their sins washed away. Jesus is the Plumb Line, and when we clothe ourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27), our sins are no more. Once we enter that new life in Christ, our sins are forgiven and forgotten when we repent of them, and ask God to cleanse us from those sins. I am SO GLAD that I live under the New Covenant with God!!!!
7 Then he showed me another vision. I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line. He was using a plumb line to see if it was still straight. 8 And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?”
I answered, “A plumb line.”
And the Lord replied, “I will test my people with this plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins.
Under the New Covenant, our sins are not ignored, either. They are covered by the Blood of Jesus Christ. When we accept Jesus as our LORD and Savior, repenting of our sins, confessing Jesus as Lord, and are buried with Him in the watery grave of Baptism, raised into a newness of life, those sins are gone forever! This past weekend VCC saw four more people baptized into Christ, their sins washed away. Jesus is the Plumb Line, and when we clothe ourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27), our sins are no more. Once we enter that new life in Christ, our sins are forgiven and forgotten when we repent of them, and ask God to cleanse us from those sins. I am SO GLAD that I live under the New Covenant with God!!!!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Dealing With Sin, God's Obsession With Me
Amos 1 & 2
“The people of _________ have sinned again and again,
and I will not let them go unpunished!”
The blank gets filled in with the words, Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah, and Israel. The first two chapters of Amos are filled with the warning of the coming destruction for the people who have turned their backs on God. Is it any wonder that Amos wasn’t a real popular guy in his day? People do not like hearing about the consequence of their sin. However, it is appropriate for those who claim to follow Christ to be reminded of the need to obey the Gospel, to eschew sin, and to love people. God is obsessed with us (as I heard in a sermon preached by Elliott Blount today…best Father’s Day in many years). Because God is obsessed with us, we need to be obsessed with Him, and live our lives in such a way to to glorify His Holy Name. Lord, I need Your strength to rid my life of the sin that so easily entangles me. I praise You for being obsessed with me to the point that You are willing to provide the strength necessary to overcome that sin in my life, and that You provide the mercy and grace to cover me when I fail You by falling back into sinful patterns.
“The people of _________ have sinned again and again,
and I will not let them go unpunished!”
The blank gets filled in with the words, Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah, and Israel. The first two chapters of Amos are filled with the warning of the coming destruction for the people who have turned their backs on God. Is it any wonder that Amos wasn’t a real popular guy in his day? People do not like hearing about the consequence of their sin. However, it is appropriate for those who claim to follow Christ to be reminded of the need to obey the Gospel, to eschew sin, and to love people. God is obsessed with us (as I heard in a sermon preached by Elliott Blount today…best Father’s Day in many years). Because God is obsessed with us, we need to be obsessed with Him, and live our lives in such a way to to glorify His Holy Name. Lord, I need Your strength to rid my life of the sin that so easily entangles me. I praise You for being obsessed with me to the point that You are willing to provide the strength necessary to overcome that sin in my life, and that You provide the mercy and grace to cover me when I fail You by falling back into sinful patterns.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Pride
2 Chronicles 26
5 Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.
16a But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.
This passage reminds me of Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride is such an ugly attitude. It takes away the glory and honor that belong to God and places it on us mere people. Since I have no good reason to be prideful, I need the reminders from Scripture to avoid that trap of satan. Yes, I take pride in my work, but only to give the glory to God. Yes, I am proud of my Bride because her life gives glory and honor to God. Yes, I am proud of my four kids because they each love Jesus with all their hearts and live that way. That is a healthy pride because I am not trying to replace the honor due to God, I am proclaiming that God is the One worthy of all honor!
5 Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.
16a But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.
This passage reminds me of Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride is such an ugly attitude. It takes away the glory and honor that belong to God and places it on us mere people. Since I have no good reason to be prideful, I need the reminders from Scripture to avoid that trap of satan. Yes, I take pride in my work, but only to give the glory to God. Yes, I am proud of my Bride because her life gives glory and honor to God. Yes, I am proud of my four kids because they each love Jesus with all their hearts and live that way. That is a healthy pride because I am not trying to replace the honor due to God, I am proclaiming that God is the One worthy of all honor!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Reviving Dead Men
21 Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha’s bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!
That double portion of Elijah’s Spirit that rested upon Elisha was powerful even from the grave! Oh, that I would be a man of God who’s life and actions would cause spirituall dead men to be revived and jump to their feet for the Gospel! Lord, it is my desire to bring You the praise, glory and honor due only to You. It is my desire to live in such a way as to attract others to Your Son, Jesus. May my life and my love shine in obedience to Your Gospel, and may Jesus be lifted up through my daily actions.
That double portion of Elijah’s Spirit that rested upon Elisha was powerful even from the grave! Oh, that I would be a man of God who’s life and actions would cause spirituall dead men to be revived and jump to their feet for the Gospel! Lord, it is my desire to bring You the praise, glory and honor due only to You. It is my desire to live in such a way as to attract others to Your Son, Jesus. May my life and my love shine in obedience to Your Gospel, and may Jesus be lifted up through my daily actions.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Turned Backs
2 Chronicles 24
20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands and keep yourselves from prospering? You have abandoned the Lord, and now he has abandoned you!”
21 Then the leaders plotted to kill Zechariah, and King Joash ordered that they stone him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s Temple. 22 That was how King Joash repaid Jehoiada for his loyalty—by killing his son. Zechariah’s last words as he died were, “May the Lord see what they are doing and avenge my death!”
Reportedly said this morning at CIY’s MOVE Conference: “We all worship something…sometimes things can take the place of God. It’s a problem that plagues the American church. We are all guilty.” Just as Joash abandoned the teachings of the Johoiada after his death, thus turning his back on God, so has the American church turned its on biblical teaching. The American church has perverted teaching on salvation, and has (for the most part) ignored its responsibility to care for the poor, ceding that to the government. We kicked God out of public discourse, and Christians in this country wonder why it seems as if God has abandoned us. Huh.
20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands and keep yourselves from prospering? You have abandoned the Lord, and now he has abandoned you!”
21 Then the leaders plotted to kill Zechariah, and King Joash ordered that they stone him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s Temple. 22 That was how King Joash repaid Jehoiada for his loyalty—by killing his son. Zechariah’s last words as he died were, “May the Lord see what they are doing and avenge my death!”
Reportedly said this morning at CIY’s MOVE Conference: “We all worship something…sometimes things can take the place of God. It’s a problem that plagues the American church. We are all guilty.” Just as Joash abandoned the teachings of the Johoiada after his death, thus turning his back on God, so has the American church turned its on biblical teaching. The American church has perverted teaching on salvation, and has (for the most part) ignored its responsibility to care for the poor, ceding that to the government. We kicked God out of public discourse, and Christians in this country wonder why it seems as if God has abandoned us. Huh.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Converted To A Public Toilet
2 Kings 10
26 They dragged out the sacred pillar used in the worship of Baal and burned it. 27 They smashed the sacred pillar and wrecked the temple of Baal, converting it into a public toilet, as it remains to this day.
Jehu is wreaking havoc in the Name of the Lord God Almighty when he kills all the worshipers of Baal, and destroys the temple built in honor of Baal. I LOVE what happens to this temple! It’s conversion to a public toilet is most appropriate, because worshiping idols is…well…you should get the picture. Lord, May I be as zealous in my worship of You as Jehu was in carrying out Your desires regarding the family of Ahab, the worshipers of Baal and that temple dedicated to an idol.
26 They dragged out the sacred pillar used in the worship of Baal and burned it. 27 They smashed the sacred pillar and wrecked the temple of Baal, converting it into a public toilet, as it remains to this day.
Jehu is wreaking havoc in the Name of the Lord God Almighty when he kills all the worshipers of Baal, and destroys the temple built in honor of Baal. I LOVE what happens to this temple! It’s conversion to a public toilet is most appropriate, because worshiping idols is…well…you should get the picture. Lord, May I be as zealous in my worship of You as Jehu was in carrying out Your desires regarding the family of Ahab, the worshipers of Baal and that temple dedicated to an idol.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sound Advice from a Band of Brothers
2 Kings 5
13 But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” 14 So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!
Naaman is throwing a fit. Elisha has just told him to wash in the River Jordan to be healed of his leprosy, and he is indignant at being treated so “poorly” by the man of God. Naaman did have the good sense to surround himself with wise officers, and he did have the good sense to listen to their wisdom. I tend to be too much of a loaner. I miss the days when I was part of a tight-knit group of guys who had each others’ back. Now, we are spread all over the country, literally, and communication is not nearly as consistent as I would like. I know that I need to do more to get back into a “band of brothers,” because I am in need of wise counsel from such a band on a regular basis.
13 But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” 14 So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!
Naaman is throwing a fit. Elisha has just told him to wash in the River Jordan to be healed of his leprosy, and he is indignant at being treated so “poorly” by the man of God. Naaman did have the good sense to surround himself with wise officers, and he did have the good sense to listen to their wisdom. I tend to be too much of a loaner. I miss the days when I was part of a tight-knit group of guys who had each others’ back. Now, we are spread all over the country, literally, and communication is not nearly as consistent as I would like. I know that I need to do more to get back into a “band of brothers,” because I am in need of wise counsel from such a band on a regular basis.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Don't Mock a Man of God
2 Kings 2
23 Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. “Go away, baldy!” they chanted. “Go away, baldy!” 24 Elisha turned around and looked at them, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them.
This is my favorite Elisha story, and one of my top ten favorite Old Testament stories. The moral of this story is quite simple: don’t mock a man of God! No more fat jokes at my expense, now, folks! *Grin*
23 Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. “Go away, baldy!” they chanted. “Go away, baldy!” 24 Elisha turned around and looked at them, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them.
This is my favorite Elisha story, and one of my top ten favorite Old Testament stories. The moral of this story is quite simple: don’t mock a man of God! No more fat jokes at my expense, now, folks! *Grin*
Sunday, June 14, 2009
However
2 Chronicles 20
32 Jehoshaphat was a good king, following the ways of his father, Asa. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. 33 During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people never fully committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors.
“However.” What a sad word. What a convicting word.
Jehoshaphat was a good king…HOWEVER…Scott is a good man…HOWEVER…America is a good nation…HOWEVER…
Lord, help me to live a life without the word HOWEVER attached to it. May I live a life that is wholly pleasing to You.
32 Jehoshaphat was a good king, following the ways of his father, Asa. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. 33 During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people never fully committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors.
“However.” What a sad word. What a convicting word.
Jehoshaphat was a good king…HOWEVER…Scott is a good man…HOWEVER…America is a good nation…HOWEVER…
Lord, help me to live a life without the word HOWEVER attached to it. May I live a life that is wholly pleasing to You.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Battle Belongs to the Lord
2 Chronicles 20
21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:
“Give thanks to the Lord;
his faithful love endures forever!”
22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.
King Jehoshaphat of Judah knew that the battle belongs to the LORD. Oh, that I would live my life like I really believed that! It is the truth, and when I submit to the Lordship of Jesus, and live like I am going to let Him handle the battles of my life, well, I will be in much better shape! May my life be filled with praises for God always, because His faithful love endures forever!
21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:
“Give thanks to the Lord;
his faithful love endures forever!”
22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.
King Jehoshaphat of Judah knew that the battle belongs to the LORD. Oh, that I would live my life like I really believed that! It is the truth, and when I submit to the Lordship of Jesus, and live like I am going to let Him handle the battles of my life, well, I will be in much better shape! May my life be filled with praises for God always, because His faithful love endures forever!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Ahab's Indictment
1 Kings 21
25 (There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife. 26 He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the LORD drove out before Israel.)
What an indictment! This is a king of Israel…God’s Chosen People. See, just because God allows someone to be a political leader, that doesn’t mean that God is pleased with them, or that they are doing God’s will.
25 (There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife. 26 He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the LORD drove out before Israel.)
What an indictment! This is a king of Israel…God’s Chosen People. See, just because God allows someone to be a political leader, that doesn’t mean that God is pleased with them, or that they are doing God’s will.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Standing Silently By
1 Kings 18
20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."
But the people said nothing.
Lots of folks know the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, but how about those fickle, silent people of Israel? Before the contest begins, Elijah tries to drum up a cheering section for the Lord God Almighty, and the Chosen People of Israel stand silently by. What a lesson to remember today as our country is overrun with folks who hate God. When our government is hostile towards Jesus and the principles of Scripture, and yet Christians in this nation stand by silently (or worse yet, vote FOR people who oppose Christian teachings), well the indictment is clear. Even if no one else will take a stand for Jesus in our day and time, I WILL!
20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."
But the people said nothing.
Lots of folks know the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, but how about those fickle, silent people of Israel? Before the contest begins, Elijah tries to drum up a cheering section for the Lord God Almighty, and the Chosen People of Israel stand silently by. What a lesson to remember today as our country is overrun with folks who hate God. When our government is hostile towards Jesus and the principles of Scripture, and yet Christians in this nation stand by silently (or worse yet, vote FOR people who oppose Christian teachings), well the indictment is clear. Even if no one else will take a stand for Jesus in our day and time, I WILL!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Fully Rely on God
2 Chronicles 16
9a “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him….”
Oh, but if that was the total message to Asa, King of Judah that day. Alas, the King did not fully rely on God, but instead made a treaty with a neighboring king. The rest of that verse reads: “You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."
When we refuse to totally rely on God and instead make a treaty with those of this world, we indeed experience the war that rages for our very souls! May this stop being the case with me. May I place my total trust in Jesus, My Lord. May I stop trying to make treaties with folks of this world, and may God be glorified by my decisions each day.
9a “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him….”
Oh, but if that was the total message to Asa, King of Judah that day. Alas, the King did not fully rely on God, but instead made a treaty with a neighboring king. The rest of that verse reads: “You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."
When we refuse to totally rely on God and instead make a treaty with those of this world, we indeed experience the war that rages for our very souls! May this stop being the case with me. May I place my total trust in Jesus, My Lord. May I stop trying to make treaties with folks of this world, and may God be glorified by my decisions each day.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Knowing the Word1 Kings 13 15 So the prophet said to him, "Come home with me and eat." 16 The man of God said, "I cannot turn back and go with you,
1 Kings 13
15 So the prophet said to him, "Come home with me and eat."
16 The man of God said, "I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. 17 I have been told by the word of the LORD : 'You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.' "
18 The old prophet answered, "I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the LORD : 'Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.' " (But he was lying to him.) 19 So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.
This passage always intrigues me. A prophet from God gets fooled by another so-called prophet from God. When we know the clear Word of God by reading the Bible daily, we are not as susceptible to those who would twist the Word to their own liking. My prayer for the students I have taught over the years has always been that they would fall in love with the Word of God, and know it to the best of their ability. May I never be guilty of twisting the Word for my own purposes, and may I never be fooled by someone claiming they know what God says/wants, etc. when I can see for myself in the Word of God what needs to happen in my life!
15 So the prophet said to him, "Come home with me and eat."
16 The man of God said, "I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. 17 I have been told by the word of the LORD : 'You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.' "
18 The old prophet answered, "I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the LORD : 'Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.' " (But he was lying to him.) 19 So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.
This passage always intrigues me. A prophet from God gets fooled by another so-called prophet from God. When we know the clear Word of God by reading the Bible daily, we are not as susceptible to those who would twist the Word to their own liking. My prayer for the students I have taught over the years has always been that they would fall in love with the Word of God, and know it to the best of their ability. May I never be guilty of twisting the Word for my own purposes, and may I never be fooled by someone claiming they know what God says/wants, etc. when I can see for myself in the Word of God what needs to happen in my life!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Banish Anxiety
Ecclesiastes 11
10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.
I have just completed an exhausting stretch that includes a last-minute sermon, Sr. Roast, videotaping, and producing another last-minute sermon, juggling family responsibilities that are beyond description and I am worn out, physically. Spiritually, I am doing well because I am spending my quiet time in the Word. I have cast all my anxiety on Christ because I know He can handle it.
10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.
I have just completed an exhausting stretch that includes a last-minute sermon, Sr. Roast, videotaping, and producing another last-minute sermon, juggling family responsibilities that are beyond description and I am worn out, physically. Spiritually, I am doing well because I am spending my quiet time in the Word. I have cast all my anxiety on Christ because I know He can handle it.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Overrighteous
Ecclesiates 7
16 Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
So many folks who claim to follow Christ are overrighteous. They take the teachings of Jesus to an extreme so that the teachings are no longer recognizeable. I have been guilty of that attitude at times in my Christian walk. I pray that I am wise enough to avoid that trap in the future. May I simply rely of Jesus and not try to be overrighteous. The righteousness of Jesus is more than enough for me!
16 Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
So many folks who claim to follow Christ are overrighteous. They take the teachings of Jesus to an extreme so that the teachings are no longer recognizeable. I have been guilty of that attitude at times in my Christian walk. I pray that I am wise enough to avoid that trap in the future. May I simply rely of Jesus and not try to be overrighteous. The righteousness of Jesus is more than enough for me!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Let My Words Be Few
Ecclesiastes 5
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2 Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.
3 As a dream comes when there are many cares,
so the speech of a fool when there are many words.
4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin.
I talk too much. I need to listen more. I needed this reminder today.
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2 Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.
3 As a dream comes when there are many cares,
so the speech of a fool when there are many words.
4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin.
I talk too much. I need to listen more. I needed this reminder today.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Turn Your heart From The Lord
1 Kings 11
1 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. 2 The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, ‘You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.’ Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. 3 He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.
Isn’t it funny how when we ignore God’s Word, our heart turns away from the Lord? Hmmm. I know that when I allow myself to get “too busy” to spend time in the Word each day, my heart drifts. Even knowing that, I find myself in a battle on many days…a battle to get back into the Word. Solomon is said to be the wisest man who ever lived, yet he rebelled against God and allowed his heart to drift because of his own selfish desires. Lord, forgive me of my selfish desires. Help me to be part of a new generation and a near revival based on selfless faith.
1 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. 2 The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, ‘You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.’ Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. 3 He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.
Isn’t it funny how when we ignore God’s Word, our heart turns away from the Lord? Hmmm. I know that when I allow myself to get “too busy” to spend time in the Word each day, my heart drifts. Even knowing that, I find myself in a battle on many days…a battle to get back into the Word. Solomon is said to be the wisest man who ever lived, yet he rebelled against God and allowed his heart to drift because of his own selfish desires. Lord, forgive me of my selfish desires. Help me to be part of a new generation and a near revival based on selfless faith.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Plain Ole English
Song of Solomon 4
1 You are beautiful, my darling,
beautiful beyond words.
Your eyes are like doves
behind your veil.
Your hair falls in waves,
like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead.
2 Your teeth are as white as sheep,
recently shorn and freshly washed.
Your smile is flawless,
each tooth matched with its twin.
3 Your lips are like scarlet ribbon;
your mouth is inviting.
Your cheeks are like rosy pomegranates
behind your veil.
4 Your neck is as beautiful as the tower of David,
jeweled with the shields of a thousand heroes.
I can’t help but think of an old Mark Lowry comedy routine when I read this passage. Yeah, if I wrote something like this for my Bride, well, it wouldn’t be pretty. I understand that in the vernacular of Solomon’s Day, these were words of great endearment. It reminds me that we in the church sometimes speak a “foreign language” while trying to convey the message of Christ to a lost and dying world. When we start talking about sanctification, justification, and many other “ations” we lose our intended audience. Let’s just speak in plain ole English and let’s just show plain ole love in the name of Jesus. It beats a flock of goats winding down the slopes looking for pomegranates any day!
1 You are beautiful, my darling,
beautiful beyond words.
Your eyes are like doves
behind your veil.
Your hair falls in waves,
like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead.
2 Your teeth are as white as sheep,
recently shorn and freshly washed.
Your smile is flawless,
each tooth matched with its twin.
3 Your lips are like scarlet ribbon;
your mouth is inviting.
Your cheeks are like rosy pomegranates
behind your veil.
4 Your neck is as beautiful as the tower of David,
jeweled with the shields of a thousand heroes.
I can’t help but think of an old Mark Lowry comedy routine when I read this passage. Yeah, if I wrote something like this for my Bride, well, it wouldn’t be pretty. I understand that in the vernacular of Solomon’s Day, these were words of great endearment. It reminds me that we in the church sometimes speak a “foreign language” while trying to convey the message of Christ to a lost and dying world. When we start talking about sanctification, justification, and many other “ations” we lose our intended audience. Let’s just speak in plain ole English and let’s just show plain ole love in the name of Jesus. It beats a flock of goats winding down the slopes looking for pomegranates any day!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Wearing Yourself Out
Proverbs 23
4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.
Be wise enough to know when to quit.
5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,
for it will sprout wings
and fly away like an eagle.
From the 30 wise sayings in this part of the book of Proverbs comes a little jewel that slaps the face of the “Health and Wealth” false doctrine preached in this country. It slaps the face of the “American Dream” as well. That dream has become a nightmare as the stock market lost 50% of its value over the past year. I like Paul’s thoughts on learning to be content. I am content with what the Lord provides for my family and me. I’m not interested in keeping up with the “Joneses,” nor does my sense of self worth come from the numbers in my bank account. I desire to store up for myself treasures in heaven. The earthly stuff is all rust and dust waiting to happen anyway!
4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.
Be wise enough to know when to quit.
5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,
for it will sprout wings
and fly away like an eagle.
From the 30 wise sayings in this part of the book of Proverbs comes a little jewel that slaps the face of the “Health and Wealth” false doctrine preached in this country. It slaps the face of the “American Dream” as well. That dream has become a nightmare as the stock market lost 50% of its value over the past year. I like Paul’s thoughts on learning to be content. I am content with what the Lord provides for my family and me. I’m not interested in keeping up with the “Joneses,” nor does my sense of self worth come from the numbers in my bank account. I desire to store up for myself treasures in heaven. The earthly stuff is all rust and dust waiting to happen anyway!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Gifts From God
Proverbs 20
12 Ears to hear and eyes to see—
both are gifts from the Lord.
It is interesting here what are considered gifts from the Lord and what is not included in this list. Ears to hear and eyes to see. Those are gifts from the Lord. A mouth to speak can either be a gift to the Lord, or a destructive force for evil. God, guard my lips, may my speech be only that which is glorifying to You. May I use my gifts wisely and may they always give You praise!
12 Ears to hear and eyes to see—
both are gifts from the Lord.
It is interesting here what are considered gifts from the Lord and what is not included in this list. Ears to hear and eyes to see. Those are gifts from the Lord. A mouth to speak can either be a gift to the Lord, or a destructive force for evil. God, guard my lips, may my speech be only that which is glorifying to You. May I use my gifts wisely and may they always give You praise!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Most Blessed Man
Proverbs 18
22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,
and he receives favor from the Lord.
I have found the greatest treasure this side of my salvation in the person of Peggy Ruth Dixon Blount! What a treasure to be married to my best friend! What a blessing to be married to the strongest Christian I know! How favored am I to be with the one person who knows me better than anyone else on the planet, and yet she chooses to remain with me? She knows my MANY flaws…scratch that…sins, and yet she loves me. She is Christ’s love in the flesh to me. When I see that sparkle in her eye, I cannot help but praise God for the riches He has given me in this godly wife of mine! I truly am the most blessed man!
22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,
and he receives favor from the Lord.
I have found the greatest treasure this side of my salvation in the person of Peggy Ruth Dixon Blount! What a treasure to be married to my best friend! What a blessing to be married to the strongest Christian I know! How favored am I to be with the one person who knows me better than anyone else on the planet, and yet she chooses to remain with me? She knows my MANY flaws…scratch that…sins, and yet she loves me. She is Christ’s love in the flesh to me. When I see that sparkle in her eye, I cannot help but praise God for the riches He has given me in this godly wife of mine! I truly am the most blessed man!
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