Category: faithfulness

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Missing a Golden Opportunity

2kings 18 to 20 god tests our heart2a2Kings 18 – 20  If truth be known, boasting comes rather easily to us. The prophet Jeremiah said this:

“If people want to boast, they should boast about this: They should boast that they understand and know me. They should boast that they know and understand that I, the Lord, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth and that I desire people to do these things,” says the Lord”

Let’s see if Hezekiah passed that test and then check ourselves as well.

It seems that no matter how good, how powerful, how majestic God is, men vacillate between being faithful and unfaithful. An enemy surfaces and men capitulate and surrender failing to realize that God can and will drive them out. So it was with Hezekiah first time around. He saw the kingdom of Israel right next door surrender and taken captive to the land of Assyria yet he did not learn from that error of judgment. Instead when faced with the same scenario, used bribery instead of prayer. Having been successful, Assyria escalated the demand expecting the same result but this time Hezekiah submitted not to him but to God. God routed the enemy and peace returned because Hezekiah turned to God. If only we would learn the first time around.

Next Hezekiah is sick unto death and he prays for healing and God restores him to full health. But, then another enemy, Babylon comes knocking. Hezekiah misses an opportunity to share the power of God. Instead, Hezekiah shares his wealth. The Chronicle writer notes that God left Hezekiah alone when they came to “test what was in his heart.” Hezekiah missed a golden opportunity to share the power of God to heal.  It wasn’t his wealth that made him whole but God!

How many golden opportunities have we missed?  

Today, stop, use every opportunity to share Christ.  

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The Next Generation Needs YOU!

2Kings 15 to 17  & Prov 1:4 “Fathers Listen Up”

2kings 15 to 17 and prov 1 pay attention2aA godly family does not just happen; it takes work. If we look back we see the failures of fathers like Eli, Samuel-a prophet yet had ungodly sons; David who did not confront sin and Solomon as wise but did not practice application.  Now in this set of chapters we see men who were given the privilege of raising sons and future kings yet failed miserably. It is heartbreaking as you read king after king fails to raise godly leaders of their homes; the nation and the church. It is into that heartbreaking scene we read these words “they did not pay attention.” And again they worshiped the Lord “AND” at the same time served idols.

So the question before us is how can that cycle be broken?  Men, (women too) here’s our challenge straight from Proverbs. If a man (or woman too) wants to know how to raise godly children who will be leaders, you must start at the foundational level. The book of Proverbs is given to impart shrewdness to the morally naïve; a discerning plan to the young person. Shrewdness is that quality that means you are sagacious; having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment. Discernment is the ability to judge well especially with a view of obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding.

How does one accomplish this? By reading, meditating and practicing what the Word of God says. It is not too late. We must be training up the next generation and it starts with us.

May it not be said of us that we “didn’t pay attention.”

 

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The Power of Salt

How often do we fall for the line that “no one cares what I do.” We think our acts and deeds are not being noted. Is that a true statement? In what chapter and verse did you find that? This is what we call the “oh me” syndrome. Beware of that, it is one of Satan’s traps. God has a thing or two to say about that.

2kings 11 salt2a2Kings 11  An author recently wrote about and challenged each of his readers to be “salt” in the earth. In another article, an author said there is always a remnant that God saves.  A remnant is that salt, that preservative for godliness. In chapter 11 amidst all of the evil Queen Athaliah could muster there are three individuals who remained pure and holy. They are the salt; they are the remnant that God has preserved. We know nothing of Jehosheba other than she is the sister of the wicked King Ahaziah, recently deceased. She took his son and hid him—not for just a day or two but seven years!  The second person is Ahaziah’s son’s nurse. We know nothing about her other than her vocation. Then there is the faithful high priest Jehoiada, salt in the midst of ungodliness.  God has preserved this story to show that even in the midst of the worst kind of evil, God can and will use us for righteousness.

Jehosheba was used by God to hide the little child king, Joash from the wicked queen. The unnamed nurse raised Joash and the high priest Jehoiada, may have taught the young child king the Torah. All of these worked behind the scenes for seven years without Athaliah knowing.

Do you feel like all you are doing is not important? Listen to the words of the psalmist: I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. A doorkeeper is unknown except to God yet is the salt and the remnant God preserves.

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The Rewards of Faithfulness

2Kings 2  The story of Elijah’s swift departure from earth to heaven has been a favorite. There are many over the years that have painted this episode in the life of Elijah and told it and dramatized it to children in Sunday School. We need to remember that Elijah was a man just like you. Behind Elijah is God’s power, the power that comes from being a prayer warrior as the effective measure of God’s blessing.

And then there is Elisha, the man who wanted a double portion of Elijah’s power. Elisha wanted the blessing of the ministry that God has placed upon Elijah and God answered his request in a most unusual way. Perhaps you too have seen the power of another’s ministry and wished you could have that same power.  With that power comes the demands upon one’s life, the tests that will come to pass yet Elisha persevered and God blessed that request.

Is there someone anointed by God in such a powerful way you wish you could have even a thimbleful of that amazing anointing? James reminds us we don’t have because we don’t ask or ask amiss. Are you ready for God to anoint you with the blessing that Elijah had? Be ye faithful as he was always abounding in the work of the Lord. God is waiting for you to ask “Where is the Lord, The God of Elijah?” 2kings 2 aaron burden2a

 

 

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The Heart of the Matter

judge 16 ps 512a.2b

Judges 16  Manoah and his wife were dedicated parents but their son had a problem with enticing women. To quote Pastor Ed Rea about Samson’s downward spiral of sin, “first it blinds us, then it binds us, and then it grinds us.” That is exactly what transpired in Samson’s life. Was that God’s plan for Samson? Unequivocally we can answer no! God wanted Samson to be totally dedicated and devoted to Him but allowed Samson, as He also allows us, to follow the path of temptation. God’s design was for Samson to not just be a Nazirite outwardly but a Nazirite in his heart. He desired that Samson to not love the world or the things in the world. Like Samson, If we love the world the love of God is not in our hearts.

Samson mirrored Israel. They were comfortable in their walk with God when they visited the Temple on the Sabbath but quickly compromised the rest of the week. It’s easy to be holy when we are in our holy huddle but harder when we have to face the enemy alone. Samson, like us, wanted to wear his Nazirite vow when he needed it but chose to put it aside when the world’s enticements offered a simpler and more glamorous lifestyle.

Samson had the power to overcome the enemy but his faith was weak. His problem was not from those on the outside, the problem was in his heart. Jer 17:9 “the heart ♥ is deceitful and desperately wicked.” We too need the cleansing of our heart.♥ Pray today as David did: Create for me a pure heart,♥ O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me! [Psa 51:10]

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A Tale of Three men and the Lessons for Us

Fall Festival With Leaves.pngDoes character count? How do we evaluate?

3 John  A Tale of Three Men and the Lessons for Us.

The Apostle John wrote a snail mail letter to the church. He had no hesitation of having it read publicly; in fact—he published it on the open market! So what did he say and why should we read it too?

This is a tale of three men with different character qualities. Two are good, we might even say great, but then there is that one that is ugly to the core. If written today, we might call him a “stinker.”

Two men, Gaius and Demetrius were truth seekers. The church testified that they loved Christ. The Apostle John called Gaius both brother and friend, which show us their close relationship. In addition, Gaius was esteemed because he was also hospitable to the itinerant preachers as they came to town seeking food and provisions. He opened his pocketbook more than once, it seems, so John encouraged him to keep supporting these traveling preachers.

John adds that he rejoiced because others testified to both men’s faithfulness.

Now, as to Diotrephes, the no-good church member, the one we might call a “stinker.” It seems he had a problem with pride. John wrote,  “he loves to be first among them.” If others didn’t shower praise upon him, he just wrote them off his list. If that didn’t get their attention, he ushered them out the back door much like the Pharisees did to the early apostles. Both Diotrephes and the Pharisees had a problem of envy or being jealous. Beloved, jealousy happens when we fear others getting the attention we feel is justly ours. Can you resonate? Sometimes that sin enters our life as well so we need to be on guard. Remember, even Pilate saw through the cracks of the Pharisees and John saw through Dioterphes’ cracks as well.

So what is our “take away” from what John wrote?

 Be grateful for the faithful. Be discerning and lovingly rebuke those who have a character flaw.

But in the end,  remind yourself of this truth: 

“the one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God.”

So does character count? I guess we could say it does. If John were to write about you, what would he say? 

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Finishing Well

legacy-enterlinedesign-gen-48aGenesis 48 “Consider the Legacy You Leave Behind”

Jacob has not always been faithful to God throughout his life. He has schemed and lived a life that was less than honorable but in the end, he realizes this truth: even “If we are unfaithful, he (God) remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.” And so Jacob rehearses before Joseph, and perhaps his other sons, the faithfulness of God. In essence, he has taken the time to reveal his life to them and show them how the hand of God has been upon him. He now wants to share that with those he leaves behind. Jacob is a man who wants to finish well and that should be our goal as well.

What do you do when you realize you are about to die?  You get right with God, you spend time with loved ones and you share your faith with others. The parable of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16 reveals this in spades. Lazarus apparently lived a righteous life and dying he was found to be in paradise with Abraham. In contrast, the rich man did not and found himself in torments. He called to Abraham to send him help and barring that to send someone back to tell his brothers what he wished he had told them when he was alive. May we learn from him to not waste the moments we have today.

Keith Krell notes “Begin to pass on your faith to those you love most.”

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Psalm 119: 1-8 “The Deadly D of Distraction; The Cure: Focus”

psalm 119 blesseda

Dead men do not sin; Living Men Embrace Grace. [Romans 6 and 7]. As parents, we know the joy of our children’s obedience and the sadness when they step across the line into disobedience. It is not just our children but we too struggle. The psalmist reminds us that we are only truly happy when we obey and follow. Perhaps that is why he prayed “if only” I was focused on the eternal perspective. The psalmist said these are the ones who are blameless choosing to die to the Law and be alive “in” Christ.

That choice begins when we hunger and thirst for God and in return God blesses us with his marvelous gift of salvation and justification. And why does God choose to do this? It is so that He may get the glory. It is all about Him and not about us.  The blessed observe His rules, and like a child wanting to mirror their father, step into his footsteps and follow Him. God has one demand: obey and keep my precepts; my mandates ordained in eternity past as my standard that I may bless you.

All of this comes with a price! The price was paid on Calvary while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. But, the psalmist reflected that he faced this dragon called the deadly d of distraction. As he did, so we lament “if I were only focused.” It is a choice to focus on His commands, statutes, precepts so that one day we will hear well done, thou good and faithful servant.

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“Believe in “a” God or Believe God?”

work harder2

In chapter 3 Paul reminded the Jew that no one is saved apart from the grace and mercy of God. Yet they and the world would have it otherwise and heap rewards and boastings upon those who seek to earn God’s favor through works. The prophet Isaiah said our works are as filthy rags; later Paul would say they are dung. Their foundation lies in the life of Abraham and therefore they conclude as his children they are justified by works. Paul, as a righteous Jew, sought to put this argument to rest.

Workers of the Law can boast having done not only what was expected but what is required. But if you don’t work the works of the Law but believe in what merely God says you receive grace and eternal life. You cannot take credit for a gift that is of God alone. That is what salvation is all about; a free gift undeserved. The key is this: Abraham did not believe “IN” God but he believed God. The world says I believe in a God, but Paul says you must not just believe “IN” but believe God.

So now the world asks, what about the works as James says. Both Paul and James affirm that works reveal the grace that we have received. They demonstrate our gratitude for the gift of God’s blessed forgiveness of our lawless deeds.

Are you depending upon your works heritage to get into heaven? If so, turn around and go the other way for you are on the wrong path.

Photo: Unsplash/Jordan Whitefield

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The Voice and the Echo

Hebrews 13 voice and echo2God’s Word is true and timely. A reader asked for help in trusting and knowing God was with them. As we finish Hebrews the answer is before us: timely, for today as we finish Hebrews,
our answer is before us.

Vs 5: [God] has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you …therefore: we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can people do to me?”

Again Ps 27 “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” and Psalm 56:4 “in God I have put my trust, I will not fear what flesh can do to me” Continuing on to vs 11 “in God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid what man can do to me.” This concept is repeated again in Psalm 118:6 and Romans 8:31-39 and again in 2Tim 1:7. In John 14 Jesus promised to send them another comfort. Because we know that God’s Word is true and amen we can echo as the Hebrews author what “he hath said.” God told Joshua “as I was with Moses, I will be with you, I will not abandon you or leave you alone.”

We must not doubt or become faithless for God is true to His Word. When He says “I will,” He means it. We must then echo “I will trust and obey.” How simple is that?

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