by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Chronicles 19-20
We could use a little Jehoshaphat-speech today, couldn’t we? He establishes judges throughout the land, and reminds them of their responsibilities.
“Now then let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be careful what you do, for the Lord your God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or a taking of a bribe.”(19:7)
Don’t you wish that all of our judges today would heed that advice? If they would, our world wouldn’t be in such a mess.
Now we come to a story which is a pillar of faith for us…and very instructional, if we take note.
Jehoshaphat suddenly comes under attack. Several armies have aligned and they are marching to battle against Judah. Jehoshaphat is afraid, but he knows what to do. He turns to the Lord, and proclaims a fast throughout Judah. Then he asks for a word from God as to the necessary of action.
“O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, for our eyes are upon you.”(20:12)
So the spirit of the Lord comes upon a prophet and gives direction.
“Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s”(20:15).
Jehoshaphat and his assembly kneel and worship the Lord, and stand up to praise Him.
So early in the morning, they go out to meet the armies in battle, but the warriors don’t go first; the singers and praisers go first, proclaiming the mercy of the Lord.
As the praisers go forward, the Lord sends ambushments against the armies and they are routed. What a day! It doesn’t say what the “ambushments” are. They may be hallucinations, or angels, or confusion. When God shows up, He can get the job done.
After the aggressive armies leave, the army of Judah spends three days gathering all of the treasure left by the fleeing ones. What a rout!
Now we can use these principles in our daily battles. We don’t have foreign armies invading our territory, but we do have our enemy, the devil trying to do it. He comes after us through our minds, attempting to bring temptation or fear. Or through others at work, or sometimes even our families.
If we turn to the Lord and ask for His wisdom on the issue, He will show us the way out of the battle. In fact, He will turn the battle on the enemy, and we will be left in a better state than before.
The keys are to praise Him, listen to Him, and do what He says. If we lead every battle with praise and obedience, we will win!
John 13:21-38
A new commandment comes as Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure.
“Love one another, even as I have loved you…By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”(V. 34-35)
There are several words for “love” in the Greek and used in the New Testament. One means brotherly love, another means romantic love, but this one is different. This word is “agapeo,” which means “love like God loves.”
God loves in a different way. His love is full of mercy and compassion. It is also full of honesty.
If we love only with the “brotherly love,” we don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. If we see grave error in their lives, we overlook it, thinking they have a right to their own opinion.
God’s type of love is more like a parent’s love. As parents, we always are looking for the best in our children, but if they are playing in the street, we get them out. We love them – and we want their safety. God’s love wants our safety.
There are times when humanistic ideology mixes up these types of love. The adherents to this ideology think if you ever speak the “truth” to someone, you are judging them. I say, if you are really a friend – the way God is your friend – you will speak the truth.
Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean we go around bossing and correcting everyone. But occasionally we will encounter a friend about to get themselves into real trouble. God’s love will confront – in a compassionate way, and offer prayer. Definitely, there needs to be God’s leading as we do it.
When we are moving along a path of error, our Father God’s love is right there, wanting so much to help us to get on the right path. When we repent and turn, His love then empowers us to continue our righteous walk with mercy and truth.
God’s love is real, honest, and empowering. That’s the love we are to represent to the world. It’s something to think about, isn’t it?
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Chronicles 17-18
False prophets! What an abomination!
The king of Israel wants to pretend to hear from God, but he only wants good words spoken over him. He wants his ears tickled. So he gathers to himself four hundred false prophets who will stand before him and say what the king wants to hear.
Ahab asks Jehoshaphat to go to battle with him, and Jehoshaphat agrees. However, the king of Judah suggests that they hear from God before going. The four hundred prophets gather before them and with great demonstration, say that there will be victory.
Jehoshaphat must have recognized some error, because he wants to know if there are any other prophets. There is one more, but he always says bad things.
So Micaiah speaks the true word of God – which is a warning that Ahab will die if he goes. Needless to say this word is ignored, and comes true. The kings go out to battle, and Ahab gets killed.
This sounds like what’s going on today, doesn’t it?
II Timothy 4:3 says “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”
There are many today who want to ignore the truths of the Bible and make up their own doctrine in accordance with their evil desires. That trend is rampant.
So to ease their consciences, they accumulate teachers who will tickle their ears. There are now many false prophets who say what men want to hear, and not what God is really saying.
That’s why the Bible is so important. God’s Word is written down, and He speaks to us personally as we read it.
As we read it, we get wisdom as to what is from God and what isn’t. The abundant life that Jesus has provided comes to us as we live by God’s principles. There is tremendous reward in living honestly with God.
John 13:1-20
By the prophetic demonstration of washing their feet , Jesus shows one of the guidelines for his disciples. Go in humility and not in arrogance. The least shall be the greatest; the leader is the servant.
The ones who are to go out must follow His example. In a world where the leaders have strolled among the people in long robes and phylacteries, pompously lording over their followers, this has to seem strange. However, it’s the way of Jesus.
Jesus, the Son of God, the One who has demonstrated God’s healing and miracle-working power, is about to lay down His life and die a cruel death for us. The greatest is becoming the least, but from that obedience, He will become the greatest again – as He ascends into heaven.
This paradox is one of the hardest to understand and “get right.” As God’s children, we certainly are not worms, we are children of the King. However, as we interact with others, we should not have a pious, better-than attitude, because the Lord has instructed us against that. Our reward comes from Him.
In fact, when we get to the whole counsel of God, we see that He exalts the humble. But resists the proud.
Today, as we deal with those around us, let us truly represent God. Let us regard them as highly as ourselves, and show them God’s redeeming love. We are important – but so are they!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Chronicles 15-16
Azariah, the son of Obed, meets Asa with a word from God. The prophet reminds the king that if he and his people turn away from God, as they have done in the past, God’s hand will not be there for them. However, if they remain faithful to their God and forsake their idols, He will remain faithful to them.
“But you, be strong and don’t lose courage, for there is reward for your work.”(15:7)
So Asa gets to work, making things “right” in the country. They have a ceremony, praising the Lord and all that He had done for them. Asa even removes his mother from the position of “Queen Mother” because she wants to maintain her idols. He then demolishes her idols.
As a result, there is no war in Judah for more than 30 years. God’s protection is strong.
In the 36th year of Asa’s reign, Baasha, king of Israel, comes up against Judah, and Asa makes a terrific mistake. He seeks help from the king of Aram, rather than from the Lord. With natural help, he turns back the foe, however, he is rebuked for the error.
Here we have one of my favorite verses in the Bible, and one which we should all take to heart.
“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”(16:9)
If you look around and listen to people talk, you will realize that very few people really trust in God with their whole heart. If we could just get this verse, how wonderful our lives would be. He is looking for those who really do believe Him.
I volunteer. I want to be one of those people. I love Him and I want his strong support!
John 12:27-50
Some choose light; others choose dark. Jesus reminds His followers that he didn’t come to judge the world. The world was judged already because of the sin of Adam. Jesus came to save the world from the judgment.
I think of it like this. It’s as if a boat has capsized and all are drowning. Jesus throws out a life raft for all to take who will. Some would rather stay in the water, but it’s their choice – not His.
The Word He has spoken has judged the people because they wouldn’t listen to it.
Today, there are people who want to know God, but on their own terms. They want to tell Him what the rules of the universe should be, rather than listening to His principles. They want to design their own plans and dreams – and then get Him to bless their pursuit of them.
Jesus is calling us all to a life of immense benefits and productivity. But He chooses the terms. The terms are that we love God with our whole heart – trusting in Him and living for Him. Then we love our neighbors as ourselves.
In our dreams and pursuits, we esteem others highly – and not just ourselves. We don’t lord it over others or take advantage of them
So God doesn’t bless our own dreams – unless they are from Him. The true blessing comes through knowing Him and walking with Him.
It’s a wonderful life! We just decide to walk in the light! His light.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Chronicles 13-14
There becomes a definite chasm between Israel and Judah during this next section of history.
Abijah tries to reason with Jeroboam, saying “Have you not driven out the priests of the Lord and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands?…But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken Him.” This new king is trying to deflect the war which Jeroboam wants to pursue.
However, his attempts are useless, and Jeroboam goes after his brothers of Judah. In so doing, he comes after God Himself, and he gets routed. “And Jeroboam did not again recover strength in the days of Abijah.”(13:20) “But Abijah became powerful…”(13:21)
Asa took the reigns after Abijah, and he also was a good king. He removed the high places and incense altars so that God continued to honor his position.
As a result, more years of peace follow.
Speaking of high places, do you have some in your life? Of course not, you say, but don’t be so fast.
The modern day high places are things we honor along with our God – and sometimes in place of our God.
So what are some of these? Position in society, big houses, luxuries, even education can become a high place.
Now all of these things are blessings from God when we put Him first. But when they come before our allegiance to God, then they are idols.
If He calls you to worship in a small, unimpressive congregation instead of the big, showy one, what do you do? If He wants you to leave the comforts of your sophisticated community to minister to those who are less fortunate, do you do it?
So what if a doctrinal error becomes the rage and everyone seems to be “going that way,” what do you do? If you see something different in the Word, whom do you honor, God or man?
What’s more important to you? That’s the key. Is the way you look to man more important, or the way you look to God?
These can be hard questions sometimes, but they are necessary for the life of faith.
We have many opportunities to reject sound doctrine for the sake of our reputation. I pray that you and I won’t do that.
We will go with God, even when it isn’t popular.
John 12: 1-26
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”(V.23) With this statement, Jesus introduces the concept that He is not only the Lamb of God. He is also the Seed of God.
When a seed is planted, it must go into the ground and die, then it brings forth fruit. So if Jesus is the seed, what is the fruit?
We are!
When Jesus died on the cross and went into hell for three days, He paid the price, rose again, and ascended to heaven. That’s how He was glorified. In so doing, He made the way for us to become sons of God.
Hebrews 2:11 says that He was not ashamed to call us brothers. Jesus was the first man to be born again – while in the depths of the earth.
He fell into the ground and died so that we might live for Him. He is the seed, and we are the fruit He bore in His death.
This is something to think about , isn’t it?
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Chronicles 1:1-3
Solomon started out with a heart that really belonged to God. He didn’t ask for riches, honor, or long life, but he asked for wisdom and knowledge to rule the people well. This pleased God and He gave the new king all of it. Wisdom, knowledge, and riches in abundance.
As I read of the temple being constructed, I am reminded of a message I heard several years ago. The Jews knew that God’s greatest blessings included wealth – certainly tremendous provision. That’s what we see in this temple – and with Solomon’s life in general. Wealth.
When Constantine came into power, he acknowledged Christianity, and wanted everyone to become a Christian. In doing so, he introduced many other cultures into Christianity. This was great, of course, except that other thought patterns began to dominate.
One of those concepts was the Greek idea that anything of earth was somehow tainted. They believed that only the spiritual side of man was good; everything else was bad. So denial of earthly pleasures was the norm. They considered that any kind of riches were inherently evil. Man was supposed to be poor if he was holy.
Over the years, some Christian leaders – who were great men – gave impetus to this train of thought. If you were holy, you had to be poor.
There are many Christians today who think that way. They think that if your are rich, you are evil. There is some sort of piety in being poor.
When you look at the patriarchs of the Old Testament, it’s easy to see that there is a contradiction. In building the temple, Solomon spared no expense. He assembled the best materials and the temple was constructed with excellence.
In blessing Solomon, God also made him rich. He was not only the wisest man, but the richest man on earth.
Jews knew then, and today still know, that God’s blessing includes earthly provision. Certainly wealth is to be handled in a way that benefits others and extends God’s kingdom, but wealth is good when handled properly.
I believe that God wants our spirit to dominate our lives, but He also wants our whole being – spirit, soul and body to be blessed beyond measure.
Our God is a good, loving Father who wants the best for His children.
John 10: 1-23
“The thief comes only to kill and steal and destroy; I came that they might have life and have it abundantly.”(V.10) I think of this verse as a litmus test to see where something is coming from. Does it bring life or death? Does it steal from you? Kill you? Destroy you?
The way of Jesus gets us to heaven someday, but it also causes our lives to be full here on earth. He wants abundant life for us. Now that abundant life still puts Him first – and follows His plans for us, but that life brings tremendous pleasure also. Love, joy, peace are all in the package.
Jesus mentions coming through the door. What does He mean? The door into the earth is human birth. Jesus came that way – born of Mary. There is a right and responsibility which comes with being born into the earth. We – as people – have the charge to rule and have dominion over God’s earth. We are to manage it.
The words we speak, the prayers we pray, and the actions we take can cause change around us. This authority should be used for good and not evil.
The devil didn’t come through the door. He wasn’t born into the earth; instead he stole it from Adam by deception. (The thief and robber doesn’t come in by the door, but climbs up some other way. V. 1)
Then Jesus goes on to say that He is the good shepherd, His sheep will follow Him, and He will lay down His life for the sheep.
He is stating the gospel in a nutshell. The Pharisees can’t stand such talk, since the devil is controlling them. So they accuse Jesus of having a demon. Others, however, though they don’t understand what He is saying, still know that he is the Christ. They hear the shepherd’s voice.
Do you hear His voice?I want to make sure that I hear Him clearly – in everything He says to me. Sometimes tradition can muddle our thinking so that we don’t recognize what he is saying. I want to be willing to listen and change my thinking when it’s contrary to what He is saying.
Lord, open the eyes of our hearts so that we can see clearly – and the ears of our hearts so that we can hear clearly. We want to be your people – completely.
