Old Testament - Allright, now we are getting into the story of the Kings! I really like this portion of the Bible. I am fascinated by the back-and-forth stories and timelines of the Kings of Israel and the Kings of Judah. The one very unfortunate thing you will notice over and over are verses like 1 Kings 14 verse 22: "During Rehoboam's reign, the people of Judah did what was evil in the LORD's sight, arousing his anger with their sin, for it was even worse than that of their ancestors." Or verses like 1 Kings 15 verse 3: "Abijam committed the same sins as his father before him, and his heart was not right with the LORD his God, as the heart of his ancestor David had been." And we will read far too few verses like verse 11 as we read about the Kings of Judah and Israel: "Asa did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight, as his ancestor David had done." I think what is interesting to note in all of these verses - and in the verses to come about future Kings we will read about - is that it really didn't much matter what the Kings "did" in their reigns. Their wars or their building of cities or whatever really didn't matter compared to did they sin against God or not? Did they lead Israel or Judah into sin or not? Did they love God or not? And I think this is the same for our lives today. God does not so much care what our careers are or what our social status is or how many friends or how much money we have. God cares whether we love Him with all of heart, mind, soul and strength. God cares whether we are sinning against Him or not. As Jesus tells us: "seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all of these things will be yours as well." So, yes, God ultimately does care about our lives and careers and friends and such too - but he first wants us to seek a right relationship with Him - and then everything else will flow from our relationship with God. Someone should have let some of these Kings of Israel and Judah know this!
Okay, a good overview of the Divided Kingdoms of Israel and Judah at this point in our readings in First Kings is this image below:
Below is an image for 1 Kings 14 verses 25 & 26 - "In the fifth year of King Rehoboam's reign, King Shishak of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem. He ransacked the Temple of the LORD and the royal palace and stole everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made."
New Testament - I love it! Almost every time we see an angel visit someone the visited person is panic stricken by the angel! :) Verse 4 today - "Cornelius stared at him in terror. "What is it, sir?" he asked the angel."" Seriously, it's pretty consistent that people in the Bible get freaked out by angelic visitors. Probably because it's a pretty rare thing. Don't you think you'd get freaked out / scared if an angel visited you? I am pretty sure I would. Maybe that's why angels only show up in our human world visuals when something big needs to happen. Something big happens in today's (and tomorrow's) readings with Cornelius and Peter. I'm thinking if you or I were visited by an angel today, we might end up with an expression somewhat like this... :)
Before we get to the big thing that happens today with Peter, check the remainder of verse 4: "And the angel replied, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have not gone unnoticed by God!" Hmmm... think God pays attention when we give gifts to the poor? Have you found a consistent way to give gifts to the poor?
Okay, back to today's readings and the big happenings. I think Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion answers the question well of "What was the meaning of the vision Peter saw?" as follows: "According to Jewish law, certain foods were forbidden to be eaten (see Leviticus 11). The food laws made it difficult for Jews to eat with Gentiles without risking defilement. In fact, the Gentiles themselves were often seen as 'unclean.' Peter's vision meant that he should not look upon the Gentiles as inferior people whom God would not redeem. Before having the vision, Peter would have thought that a Roman officer could not accept Christ. Afterward, he understood that it was his responsibility to go with the messengers into a Gentile home and tell Cornelius the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ."
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "Is Cleanliness Next to Godliness?" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 133 is a great short Davidic Psalm about harmony! Verse 1 sets the pace of this psalm nicely: "How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony!" Do you consistently seek harmony in your interactions with others? Do you pray for peace?
Proverbs - Proverbs 17 verse 7 teaches us today: "Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler." This is a great reminder, once again, to not lie. One thing I've noticed that people do a lot these days is exaggerate... and I gotta say it makes me uncomfortable. Exaggerating feels like a lie to me. Why exaggerate? Why not just tell it like it is. I mean, I think it's okay to encourage or market or get excited about things truthfully. (hopefully my little World Vision goat sales pitch above doesn't go too far? :) But, why exaggerate? Particularly when it comes to factual numbers... why exaggerate those? How about you - do you exaggerate? Think this might be a very close cousin to a lie? If so, can you focus on just telling things straight, like they are?
Worship Video: Today's readings remind me of the song "Lord, I need you" by Matt Maher, sung here by Lauren Daigle:
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are living in unity today with God's people! Pray that your life is good and pleasant to other Believers in your life.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 - I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
I Kings 14-15:24
I’m always amazed by how stubborn we humans are. How can Jeroboam experience the Word of God, see it come to pass and totally turn his back on God? In making that statement I realize there is “Nothing new under the Sun,” and we continue to repeat the pattern of Jeroboam’s rebellion. And what about Jeroboam’s wife? The word to her was, "Go on home, and when you enter the city, the child will die….” I don’t know if I would have went home. Maybe I am just grasping at straws, but given a choice between the life of my son or going back to the palace, I hope I would choose the life of my son and run away from home.. And you would think that a lot of repenting would be going on but there wasn’t. Hindsight is 20/20 and being distant from any given time, culture and place one can say, “Well I wouldn’t have done that!” But truth be known I would more than likely be repeating the sins of those who went before me.
God states in Jeremiah 17,9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?"
Even under Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, Judah becomes wild and crazy. What keeps her from becoming destroyed as another descendent takes over is God’s Word to David. How many of us are and were spared from judgment because of God’s Word to our forefathers and mothers who were faithful to Him and walked in His ways. And while we are going our merry way doing all kinds of things thinking we are, “All That and a Bag of Chips,” it is someone else’s’ relationship with God that is keeping us from being totally destroyed. For me that is a sobering thought.
Acts 10:1-29 There is a Big Lesson in this story for me that I have never seen before. When God gives you a Word that he is about to bring something or someone into my life, don’t assume that every Tom, Dick and Harry might be the person fulfilling that Word. If someone walks into my life looking for me, I need to ask, “Why have you come?” If their answer doesn’t match up with what God has revealed to me, they ain’t the one.
If I had seen that in this text before, I would have saved myself a lot of agony and angst. Both Cornelius and Peter were given Words from God one by an angel the other through a vision, and both messages complimented and supported each other.
Psalm 133:1-3 I’m glad the NLT uses the word “Harmony” to describe how we should live. Harmony, musically, doesn’t mean that everyone is on the same note and playing at the same time, There are different types of Harmonies. Yet each type brings about a different mood, a different purpose using varying cords. Each instrument or voice may play or sing at the same time or they may not. Everything depends on the score the composer has set. God is the great composer and we must keep our eyes not only on the sheet music before us but we must keep our eyes on the Great Conductor to accomplish the Harmony He has planned and set for our lives.
Proverbs 17:7-8
Mike, I wish I had thought of this but I didn’t; however, I use it a lot,
Half the truth = A whole lie.
Exaggeration is lying. There is element of truth within a lie but we add on to it calling it exaggeration to try to clean it up, but it is still is a lie. The Devil doesn’t trick us with out and out lies, he uses a lot of truth with a little bit of lie. It’s the same way poison is used. It is very difficult to kill someone (not that I’m going to do it) with straight poison. To do the deed you use a scrumptious meal sprinkled with a little bit of poison over an extended period.
We have a problem with dealing with the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth because we walk in fear of others, fear of who we think we really are as opposed to what we want to be. We lie to look good because we think we are not.
Grace and peace, Ramona
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I love it when you're reading through scripture and something just kind of catches you off guard. I Kings 15:23-24 did just that for me. Here we have read about various kings and their reigns. Then it talks about Asa, says that these things are recorded in another book, then just after that it says "In his old age his feet became diseased." Then it moves on.
Kurt
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The scriptures were very convicting. I am guilty of exaggerating and worse! And I wonder what my idols are? What do I put in front of my wholehearted love of God? Family? Friends? Work? Instant Gratification? Entertainment? Shopping? I wonder.
Sandi
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Jeroboam had a son that caught God's attention...it is said he was the only one who God found anything good in.A thought just hit me....most of us get to become christians when we realise we can't go on in life without God...most times it's when we hear stories of how people got into trouble and prayed to God...not really even sure if He existed.Well if we're not really sure God existed,then why pray to Him....point is,we all know God exists...and He is a God who has shown us the way to worship Him.Most times we try to deny his existence because we want to rule our lives and have Him answer our beck and call. Jeroboam was given quite a number of chances to correct his path(could it be because his son was praying to the true God?)but refused...When he did call on God for help,it was more like going to a fotune teller to find out the future,he had no plans to seek God earnestly and submit to Him....but He knew God was real and sovereign! Twice it is written that Rehoboam's mother was an Ammonite,her name Naamah was also given..I guess there's something about her name....or maybe God wanted us to see what the consequences of Solomon's choices(foreign wives)were. Asa was a man whose heart was fully after God:he got rid of ALL the idols his father made,removed his grandmother from the role of queen mother because of her gods....yet he didn't remove ALL the high places...I can't help wondering if his feet became diseased because he let the high places remain... I have heard the story of Cornelius before but never thought of how God prepared Peter to meet him using Simon the tanner until John mentioned it yesterday....I have to say Cornelius is quite an encouragement.A roman who had it all...position,money...yet he chose to worship God.Not because it was popular nor convenient but because?....I have to say I'm pretty curious to know what his conversion story is.... I have to say Mike,I have a person who works for world vision in my church and it really is a good idea to be consistent in my giving.I know of an org I volunteered with in Nigeria a couple of times,its called Pro-Health international...it'a a medical team that goes into rural areas that have no health care and gives free health care for a week(including surgeries) as well as preach the gospel.It was a great experience for me and truly made me realise just how much we need to be like Cornelius. God bless you all Anka
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Hi! I'm just reading 1 Kings and it also occurred to me that it's the heart that matters. And very often, it takes time before our hearts are right before the Lord!
Mei
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1 Kings 14-15:24
I have read right through I Kings 14 regarding the account of Jeroboam’s son, Abijah; however, the last time I read this, last year, I commented that the wife, who remains nameless here, could have prevented her son from dying by not stepping foot back into the city. Although a possibility and something to make you go, “Hmmm!” The Prophet also told her to return home, which she did. Yet as I type this I’m thinking, “Well they didn’t listen to the prophet’s warnings before, why is Jeroboam now seeking it now now,” and, “Why is he now willing to listen and receive info. What is so different now?”
One of the things that the text doesn’t say is how old this son was. Was it a child younger then thirteen, was he a teenager? It just doesn’t say but I was lead to find a scripture in the book of Isaiah that would explain why God would allow him to die if the child/son was beloved by God.
THE RIGHTEOUS man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; and merciful and devout men are taken away, with no one considering that the uncompromisingly upright and godly person is taken away from the calamity and evil to come [even through wickedness]. He [in death] enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walks straight and in his uprightness. (Isaiah 57:1-2 AMP)
Anka, if this son was a young man, old enough to know right from wrong and seeking the Lord the above passage explains why, “The Good die young.”
In the 15th chapter we learn that Asa remained faithful to God all of his life; however, like David, did he slip up by trusting his ability to buy allegiance against Israel’s King Baasha instead of relying on God? The Proverb reading for today seems to hint at the “appearance” of help/allegiance/a-leg-up so to speak, with the emphasis on the word, “seems” when a bribe is given. I’ll pay you to be my friend, yikes.
8 A bribe seems to work like magic for those who give it; they succeed in all they do.
Regarding supporting ministries: I focus on supporting my church because we support ministries and causes worldwide. We are able to do that because of the size of the congregation and its centrality in the community, we are able to raise considerable amounts of funding in one day, over a quarter million, and that outside of the regular offering.
Grace and peace, Ramona
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In reference to Mike's question re organizations that do good work around the world for the poor in the name of Jesus, I would highly recommend two:
One is www.mercyships.org. These are ocean vessels that bring hope and healing to the poor. One of our young adults has just joined mercy ships for one year working in war infested Sierre Leone. Unbelievable needs, but also outrageous grace is being poured out through the Mercy Ship ministry.
My own involvement with Compassion Canada in Honduras has also opened my eyes and heart to the plight of poor children. Compassion is committed to helping release children from poverty in the name of Jesus. They are visibly focused on meeting material needs and are also very clear about their desire to introduce the children through the churches they work with, to Jesus. www.compassion.org
Luch
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(Harvesthome.org) is a great outreach in Kansas City,Mo. for the poor and homeless in the city. And for the poor in spirit (spiritually poor in lacking Jesus and being bound by immoral strongholds) try pureliferevolution.net to see what the youth in Nashville are doing in standing for purity by peacefully praying blindfolded in front of a Hustler porn shop. Some customers have even been saved through it.
Lisa
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Other good Christian organizations that help the poor are Food for the Hungry (based in Phoenix) and also a local area rescue mission. Most, if not all, big and medium sized cities have one.
Aidan
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I really love Psalm 133:1 ... Do you consistently seek harmony in your interactions with others? Do you pray for peace? ~ Yes I do pray for peace. I pray for World Peace, pray for everybody to live in harmony. I really try to seek harmony in my interactions with others. Sometimes it's a struggle for me, to do the right thing. Because I'm a Christian, I don't want to get into fights, I want to do what's best for the other person, I want to do the right thing, I want the harmony. But what if other people are treating you like crap? Most people think that when you constantly do good, you'll only receive good. But too bad it's not always like that and sometimes I wonder what to do, you know what I mean? Do I hang on, because I'm a Christian? I've come to learn that there's another way to this, thanks to some wonderful friends I've come to learn that 'letting go of someone' doesn't mean that I 'dump' someone. I need my own peace and harmony, that's important to. And to pray and love someone from a distance will help them to.
Mae
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"Cornelius stared at him in terror. "What is it, sir?" he asked the angel." This verse stands out to me in todays reading. I ask myself why was every one so afraid every time an angel would appear? In the Bible in many instances they just looked like men. For example; when 3 angels went to visit Abraham. They looked like men. So what is the big deal? Well, in many cases they looked like men BUT there are other cases when they looked real scary. For example:
The angel that appears to Daniel..."Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude."............Sounds scary HUH?
Also the angel that rolls the stone were Jesus was buried..... "And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men."
I believe there was a reason why the angels always said FEAR NOT every time they appeared. Now a days people like to paint angels like little cute babies and decorate there houses with these images. But, it is all human imagination. I believe that many times they did look sacry and other times they looked like human men, but never like cute babies.
Another verse that stands out in todays reading is: "And the angel replied, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have not gone unnoticed by God!" If we are to call ourselves Christian we should give to the poor and needy. This shows the love of Christ to others. For if we give to them it is as if we gave to Christ.
Have you found a consistent way to give gifts to the poor? I help support an orphanage in India were there are 34 children who have been taken off the streets and given a good home and a Christian education. This ministry is called "Grace total life Ministries". The founder of this organization is Pastor Sunder Lal.
Carmen
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A great supporter of World Vision is AIDtoCHILDREN.com.
AIDtoCHILDREN.com is a dual-purpose site for building an English vocabulary and raising money for under privileged children in the most impoverished places around the world.
Mike Thorn
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We sponsor 3 children through Compassion - I love that they are so open about Jesus being the reason they are there. We also support two missionaries through Gospel for Asia.
Tammy
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Mike, in answer to your question. I supported a girl in Haiti for 10 years and did give her a goat. World Vision said their work there was finished which surprised me so I lost contact with this girl. I also had two boys from Nicaragua and a girl from Columbia. I had to make a choice and quit supporting World Vision and now support Convoy of Hope, Prison Fellowship Ministries, RBC, A21(which deals in sex slavery) tithe to my church and give to missions. I have been involved in many other ministries support but these are my current ones. I believe they are all worthwhile and it just breaks my heart all the disasters, families of prisoners, sex slavery, hunger, etc. We can all do our part in some way. I really appreciate all your work to give us a great blog. Sharing your true feelings on what you are reading. You make me really look at what I am reading and how it applies to my life. Love in Christ. HUGS!!
Karen
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One organization that I have supported is LIFE Today's outreaches (This is the LIFE Today of the television show with James and Betty Robison). They have a mission that drills wells to give clean water and a mission feeding mission (I think both in Africa?) I think their organization is also a great way to get involved in ministering to those in need.
Lori
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My husband and I support children in India through "Forgotten Children Worldwide" It was started by our Assistant Pastor. Groups from our church will take trips over once or twice a year to see what is needed. They focus on orphans and child trafficking victims
CVG
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We have changed our support from World Vision to Gospel for Asia. We like the idea of a ministry where 100% goes to the child or the project. Another good ministry is Watoto and of course, Compassion. There are so many organizations and I ask God to direct us to the one He wants us to support.
Norm
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Mike, my family has sponsored children through World Vision and we are now sponsoring a child in Haiti through Compassion International. Both are wonderful organizations and our lives have truly been enriched by the experience. We have also given Christmas gifts out of W.V.'s gift catalog (no goats yet, but a few chickens and ducks, as well as health supplies and Bibles). I highly recommend it as a wonderful opportunity for parents to teach their children the joy of giving to others in Christ's name.
Colleen
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Mike and everyone, i learned much from Timothy Darling's sermon "Overcoming the Sins of our Families", April 2008, in sermoncentral.com. Asa, the great great grandson of David, was able to overcome his family's influence, and live a life pleasing to God. - Asa's great-grandfather Solomon had introduced paganism. - Asa's grandfather Rehoboam had divided the kingdom. - His father Abijah maintained constant war with the neighbors. - His grandmother Maacah was a a strong proponent of paganism. Yet... 1 Kings 15:11-15 NLT 11 Asa did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, as his ancestor David had done. 12 He banished the male and female shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made. 13 He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene Asherah pole. He cut down her obscene pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley. 14 Although the pagan shrines were not removed, Asa’s heart remained completely faithful to the Lord throughout his life. 15 He brought into the Temple of the Lord the silver and gold and the various items that he and his father had dedicated. What a fresh breath of air it is, to see that Asa was determined to break many of his family's patterns to follow God. May our God give us a steadfast heart to follow Him and to please Him, above following and pleasing our families! Thank You God for His teaching!
Sincerely, Joyce
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Acts 10
I really love how this story unfolds and gives us a pattern of what happens in church. The first half of the chapter gives us examples of what can happen during the week. Here we see incredible events of visions that Cornelius and Peter have. For myself I find it to be a relevant Word from God that I usually need to explore or dig deeper into.
In the latter part of the chapter when Peter visits Cornelius House it resembles a time I find myself visiting church on Sunday. Sometimes there is testimony of people’s experience with God. Most of them never attain awesome revelations that Peter and Cornelius had but they are always important. Verse 33 calls out on the pastor. “Now we are here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” Isn’t it wonderful when what he preaches syncs with what has been happening in your life?
A verse 39 – 43 reminds me of the time I attended a Lutheran Church and the Apostles Creed was said every Sunday. I always liked this time to confirm what I believe.
Then in the end the wonderful fulfillment of however the Holy Spirit moves us to celebrate and praise God. Lots of things can happen here but isn’t it wonderful that God accepts us as we are and invites us into the Kingdom!
Robert
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I second on that Joyce! It was a breath of fresh air to see Kimg Asa change things around!
1 Kings 14:1-15:24 Learn about a disguise Jereboam was a coward Didn't identify a relationship with Jehovah Rehoboams rule -lost both number/quality and quantity
Jereboams wife came in disguise to a prophet..priest..but was given bad news for Jereboam and his son.
The child was the only good thing in Jereboams family and town-he died. Jereboam reigned 22 years
Nadab became king-in his dad's stead Rehoboam -reigned 17 years . He was 41 yr old when he became King Naamah was his mom of the Ammonites Abijam ruled next for 3 yrs- mother Maacah -daughter of Absolom
Abijams son -Asa ruled Judah in 20th yr of Jereboams reign Reigned 41 years -did what was pleasing in sight of God. War between King Asa of Judah and King Baash of Israel over territories
Nt- Acts 10:1-23 Peter uses the keys for the 1st and last time Peter breaks down barriers for Jesus and gentiles . Be alert to the voice of the Lord. Peter didn't finish his sermon and others believed and was saved.
Simon Peter staying with Simon- went on the flat roof had a vision..first time Lord revealing the goods are for Jews and Gentiles.
Psalm 133:1-3 Makes me think of my husband and his brother. I grew up with 2 sisters. How wonderful it is..how pleasant when brothers love together in harmony. Yes prayers for peace to all!
Proverbs 17:7-8 A reminder to not lie . People exaggerate - don't do it- very close to a lie
Dee
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I Kings 14-15:24
I’m always amazed by how stubborn we humans are. How can Jeroboam experience the Word of God, see it come to pass and totally turn his back on God? In making that statement I realize there is “Nothing new under the Sun,” and we continue to repeat the pattern of Jeroboam’s rebellion. And what about Jeroboam’s wife? The word to her was, "Go on home, and when you enter the city, the child will die….” I don’t know if I would have went home. Maybe I am just grasping at straws, but given a choice between the life of my son or going back to the palace, I hope I would choose the life of my son and run away from home.. And you would think that a lot of repenting would be going on but there wasn’t. Hindsight is 20/20 and being distant from any given time, culture and place one can say, “Well I wouldn’t have done that!” But truth be known I would more than likely be repeating the sins of those who went before me.
God states in Jeremiah 17,9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?"
Even under Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, Judah becomes wild and crazy. What keeps her from becoming destroyed as another descendent takes over is God’s Word to David. How many of us are and were spared from judgment because of God’s Word to our forefathers and mothers who were faithful to Him and walked in His ways. And while we are going our merry way doing all kinds of things thinking we are, “All That and a Bag of Chips,” it is someone else’s’ relationship with God that is keeping us from being totally destroyed. For me that is a sobering thought.
Acts 10:1-29
There is a Big Lesson in this story for me that I have never seen before. When God gives you a Word that he is about to bring something or someone into my life, don’t assume that every Tom, Dick and Harry might be the person fulfilling that Word. If someone walks into my life looking for me, I need to ask, “Why have you come?” If their answer doesn’t match up with what God has revealed to me, they ain’t the one.
If I had seen that in this text before, I would have saved myself a lot of agony and angst. Both Cornelius and Peter were given Words from God one by an angel the other through a vision, and both messages complimented and supported each other.
Psalm 133:1-3
I’m glad the NLT uses the word “Harmony” to describe how we should live. Harmony, musically, doesn’t mean that everyone is on the same note and playing at the same time, There are different types of Harmonies. Yet each type brings about a different mood, a different purpose using varying cords. Each instrument or voice may play or sing at the same time or they may not. Everything depends on the score the composer has set. God is the great composer and we must keep our eyes not only on the sheet music before us but we must keep our eyes on the Great Conductor to accomplish the Harmony He has planned and set for our lives.
Proverbs 17:7-8
Mike, I wish I had thought of this but I didn’t; however, I use it a lot,
Half the truth = A whole lie.
Exaggeration is lying. There is element of truth within a lie but we add on to it calling it exaggeration to try to clean it up, but it is still is a lie. The Devil doesn’t trick us with out and out lies, he uses a lot of truth with a little bit of lie. It’s the same way poison is used. It is very difficult to kill someone (not that I’m going to do it) with straight poison. To do the deed you use a scrumptious meal sprinkled with a little bit of poison over an extended period.
We have a problem with dealing with the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth because we walk in fear of others, fear of who we think we really are as opposed to what we want to be. We lie to look good because we think we are not.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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I love it when you're reading through scripture and something just kind of catches you off guard. I Kings 15:23-24 did just that for me. Here we have read about various kings and their reigns. Then it talks about Asa, says that these things are recorded in another book, then just after that it says "In his old age his feet became diseased." Then it moves on.
Kurt
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The scriptures were very convicting. I am guilty of exaggerating and worse! And I wonder what my idols are? What do I put in front of my wholehearted love of God? Family? Friends? Work? Instant Gratification? Entertainment? Shopping? I wonder.
Sandi
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Jeroboam had a son that caught God's attention...it is said he was the only one who God found anything good in.A thought just hit me....most of us get to become christians when we realise we can't go on in life without God...most times it's when we hear stories of how people got into trouble and prayed to God...not really even sure if He existed.Well if we're not really sure God existed,then why pray to Him....point is,we all know God exists...and He is a God who has shown us the way to worship Him.Most times we try to deny his existence because we want to rule our lives and have Him answer our beck and call.
Jeroboam was given quite a number of chances to correct his path(could it be because his son was praying to the true God?)but refused...When he did call on God for help,it was more like going to a fotune teller to find out the future,he had no plans to seek God earnestly and submit to Him....but He knew God was real and sovereign!
Twice it is written that Rehoboam's mother was an Ammonite,her name Naamah was also given..I guess there's something about her name....or maybe God wanted us to see what the consequences of Solomon's choices(foreign wives)were.
Asa was a man whose heart was fully after God:he got rid of ALL the idols his father made,removed his grandmother from the role of queen mother because of her gods....yet he didn't remove ALL the high places...I can't help wondering if his feet became diseased because he let the high places remain...
I have heard the story of Cornelius before but never thought of how God prepared Peter to meet him using Simon the tanner until John mentioned it yesterday....I have to say Cornelius is quite an encouragement.A roman who had it all...position,money...yet he chose to worship God.Not because it was popular nor convenient but because?....I have to say I'm pretty curious to know what his conversion story is....
I have to say Mike,I have a person who works for world vision in my church and it really is a good idea to be consistent in my giving.I know of an org I volunteered with in Nigeria a couple of times,its called Pro-Health international...it'a a medical team that goes into rural areas that have no health care and gives free health care for a week(including surgeries) as well as preach the gospel.It was a great experience for me and truly made me realise just how much we need to be like Cornelius.
God bless you all
Anka
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Hi! I'm just reading 1 Kings and it also occurred to me that it's the heart that matters. And very often, it takes time before our hearts are right before the Lord!
Mei
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1 Kings 14-15:24
I have read right through I Kings 14 regarding the account of Jeroboam’s son, Abijah; however, the last time I read this, last year, I commented that the wife, who remains nameless here, could have prevented her son from dying by not stepping foot back into the city. Although a possibility and something to make you go, “Hmmm!” The Prophet also told her to return home, which she did. Yet as I type this I’m thinking, “Well they didn’t listen to the prophet’s warnings before, why is Jeroboam now seeking it now now,” and, “Why is he now willing to listen and receive info. What is so different now?”
One of the things that the text doesn’t say is how old this son was. Was it a child younger then thirteen, was he a teenager? It just doesn’t say but I was lead to find a scripture in the book of Isaiah that would explain why God would allow him to die if the child/son was beloved by God.
THE RIGHTEOUS man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; and merciful and devout men are taken away, with no one considering that the uncompromisingly upright and godly person is taken away from the calamity and evil to come [even through wickedness]. He [in death] enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walks straight and in his uprightness. (Isaiah 57:1-2 AMP)
Anka, if this son was a young man, old enough to know right from wrong and seeking the Lord the above passage explains why, “The Good die young.”
In the 15th chapter we learn that Asa remained faithful to God all of his life; however, like David, did he slip up by trusting his ability to buy allegiance against Israel’s King Baasha instead of relying on God? The Proverb reading for today seems to hint at the “appearance” of help/allegiance/a-leg-up so to speak, with the emphasis on the word, “seems” when a bribe is given. I’ll pay you to be my friend, yikes.
8 A bribe seems to work like magic for those who give it; they succeed in all they do.
Regarding supporting ministries: I focus on supporting my church because we support ministries and causes worldwide. We are able to do that because of the size of the congregation and its centrality in the community, we are able to raise considerable amounts of funding in one day, over a quarter million, and that outside of the regular offering.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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In reference to Mike's question re organizations that do good work around the world for the poor in the name of Jesus, I would highly recommend two:
One is www.mercyships.org. These are ocean vessels that bring hope and healing to the poor. One of our young adults has just joined mercy ships for one year working in war infested Sierre Leone. Unbelievable needs, but also outrageous grace is being poured out through the Mercy Ship ministry.
My own involvement with Compassion Canada in Honduras has also opened my eyes and heart to the plight of poor children. Compassion is committed to helping release children from poverty in the name of Jesus. They are visibly focused on meeting material needs and are also very clear about their desire to introduce the children through the churches they work with, to Jesus. www.compassion.org
Luch
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(Harvesthome.org) is a great outreach in Kansas City,Mo. for the poor and homeless in the city. And for the poor in spirit (spiritually poor in lacking Jesus and being bound by immoral strongholds) try pureliferevolution.net to see what the youth in Nashville are doing in standing for purity by peacefully praying blindfolded in front of a Hustler porn shop. Some customers have even been saved through it.
Lisa
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Other good Christian organizations that help the poor are Food for the Hungry (based in Phoenix) and also a local area rescue mission. Most, if not all, big and medium sized cities have one.
Aidan
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I really love Psalm 133:1 ...
Do you consistently seek harmony in your interactions with others? Do you pray for peace? ~ Yes I do pray for peace. I pray for World Peace, pray for everybody to live in harmony. I really try to seek harmony in my interactions with others. Sometimes it's a struggle for me, to do the right thing. Because I'm a Christian, I don't want to get into fights, I want to do what's best for the other person, I want to do the right thing, I want the harmony. But what if other people are treating you like crap? Most people think that when you constantly do good, you'll only receive good. But too bad it's not always like that and sometimes I wonder what to do, you know what I mean? Do I hang on, because I'm a Christian? I've come to learn that there's another way to this, thanks to some wonderful friends I've come to learn that 'letting go of someone' doesn't mean that I 'dump' someone. I need my own peace and harmony, that's important to. And to pray and love someone from a distance will help them to.
Mae
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"Cornelius stared at him in terror. "What is it, sir?" he asked the angel."
This verse stands out to me in todays reading. I ask myself why was every one so afraid every time an angel would appear? In the Bible in many instances they just looked like men. For example; when 3 angels went to visit Abraham. They looked like men. So what is the big deal?
Well, in many cases they looked like men BUT there are other cases when they looked real scary.
For example:
The angel that appears to Daniel..."Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude."............Sounds scary HUH?
Also the angel that rolls the stone were Jesus was buried..... "And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men."
I believe there was a reason why the angels always said FEAR NOT every time they appeared.
Now a days people like to paint angels like little cute babies and decorate there houses with these images. But, it is all human imagination. I believe that many times they did look sacry and other times they looked like human men, but never like cute babies.
Another verse that stands out in todays reading is: "And the angel replied, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have not gone unnoticed by God!"
If we are to call ourselves Christian we should give to the poor and needy. This shows the love of Christ to others. For if we give to them it is as if we gave to Christ.
Have you found a consistent way to give gifts to the poor? I help support an orphanage in India were there are 34 children who have been taken off the streets and given a good home and a Christian education. This ministry is called "Grace total life Ministries". The founder of this organization is Pastor Sunder Lal.
Carmen
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A great supporter of World Vision is AIDtoCHILDREN.com.
AIDtoCHILDREN.com is a dual-purpose site for building an English
vocabulary and raising money for under privileged children in the most
impoverished places around the world.
Mike Thorn
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We sponsor 3 children through Compassion - I love that they are so open about Jesus being the reason they are there. We also support two missionaries through Gospel for Asia.
Tammy
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Mike, in answer to your question. I supported a girl in Haiti for 10 years and did give her a goat. World Vision said their work there was finished which surprised me so I lost contact with this girl. I also had two boys from Nicaragua and a girl from Columbia. I had to make a choice and quit supporting World Vision and now support Convoy of Hope, Prison Fellowship Ministries, RBC, A21(which deals in sex slavery) tithe to my church and give to missions. I have been involved in many other ministries support but these are my current ones. I believe they are all worthwhile and it just breaks my heart all the disasters, families of prisoners, sex slavery, hunger, etc. We can all do our part in some way. I really appreciate all your work to give us a great blog. Sharing your true feelings on what you are reading. You make me really look at what I am reading and how it applies to my life. Love in Christ. HUGS!!
Karen
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One organization that I have supported is LIFE Today's outreaches (This is the LIFE Today of the television show with James and Betty Robison). They have a mission that drills wells to give clean water and a mission feeding mission (I think both in Africa?) I think their organization is also a great way to get involved in ministering to those in need.
Lori
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My husband and I support children in India through "Forgotten Children Worldwide" It was started by our Assistant Pastor. Groups from our church will take trips over once or twice a year to see what is needed. They focus on orphans and child trafficking victims
CVG
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We have changed our support from World Vision to Gospel for Asia. We like the idea of a ministry where 100% goes to the child or the project. Another good ministry is Watoto and of course, Compassion. There are so many organizations and I ask God to direct us to the one He wants us to support.
Norm
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Mike, my family has sponsored children through World Vision and we are now sponsoring a child in Haiti through Compassion International. Both are wonderful organizations and our lives have truly been enriched by the experience. We have also given Christmas gifts out of W.V.'s gift catalog (no goats yet, but a few chickens and ducks, as well as health supplies and Bibles). I highly recommend it as a wonderful opportunity for parents to teach their children the joy of giving to others in Christ's name.
Colleen
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Mike and everyone,
i learned much from Timothy Darling's sermon "Overcoming the Sins of our Families", April 2008, in sermoncentral.com.
Asa, the great great grandson of David, was able to overcome his family's influence, and live a life pleasing to God.
- Asa's great-grandfather Solomon had introduced paganism.
- Asa's grandfather Rehoboam had divided the kingdom.
- His father Abijah maintained constant war with the neighbors.
- His grandmother Maacah was a a strong proponent of paganism.
Yet...
1 Kings 15:11-15 NLT
11 Asa did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, as his ancestor David had done.
12 He banished the male and female shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made.
13 He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene Asherah pole. He cut down her obscene pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley.
14 Although the pagan shrines were not removed, Asa’s heart remained completely faithful to the Lord throughout his life.
15 He brought into the Temple of the Lord the silver and gold and the various items that he and his father had dedicated.
What a fresh breath of air it is, to see that Asa was determined to break many of his family's patterns to follow God.
May our God give us a steadfast heart to follow Him and to please Him, above following and pleasing our families!
Thank You God for His teaching!
Sincerely,
Joyce
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Acts 10
I really love how this story unfolds and gives us a pattern of what happens in church. The first half of the chapter gives us examples of what can happen during the week. Here we see incredible events of visions that Cornelius and Peter have. For myself I find it to be a relevant Word from God that I usually need to explore or dig deeper into.
In the latter part of the chapter when Peter visits Cornelius House it resembles a time I find myself visiting church on Sunday. Sometimes there is testimony of people’s experience with God. Most of them never attain awesome revelations that Peter and Cornelius had but they are always important. Verse 33 calls out on the pastor. “Now we are here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” Isn’t it wonderful when what he preaches syncs with what has been happening in your life?
A verse 39 – 43 reminds me of the time I attended a Lutheran Church and the Apostles Creed was said every Sunday. I always liked this time to confirm what I believe.
Then in the end the wonderful fulfillment of however the Holy Spirit moves us to celebrate and praise God. Lots of things can happen here but isn’t it wonderful that God accepts us as we are and invites us into the Kingdom!
Robert
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I second on that Joyce! It was a breath of fresh air to see Kimg Asa change things around!
1 Kings 14:1-15:24
Learn about a disguise
Jereboam was a coward
Didn't identify a relationship with Jehovah
Rehoboams rule -lost both number/quality and quantity
Jereboams wife came in disguise to a prophet..priest..but was given bad news for Jereboam and his son.
The child was the only good thing in Jereboams family and town-he died. Jereboam reigned 22 years
Nadab became king-in his dad's stead
Rehoboam -reigned 17 years . He was 41 yr old when he became King
Naamah was his mom of the Ammonites
Abijam ruled next for 3 yrs- mother Maacah -daughter of Absolom
Abijams son -Asa ruled Judah in 20th yr of Jereboams reign
Reigned 41 years -did what was pleasing in sight of God.
War between King Asa of Judah and King Baash of Israel over territories
Nt- Acts 10:1-23
Peter uses the keys for the 1st and last time
Peter breaks down barriers for Jesus and gentiles . Be alert to the voice of the Lord. Peter didn't finish his sermon and others believed and was saved.
Simon Peter staying with Simon- went on the flat roof had a vision..first time Lord revealing the goods are for Jews and Gentiles.
Psalm 133:1-3
Makes me think of my husband and his brother. I grew up with 2 sisters. How wonderful it is..how pleasant when brothers love together in harmony. Yes prayers for peace to all!
Proverbs 17:7-8
A reminder to not lie .
People exaggerate - don't do it- very close to a lie
Dee