2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21 + Romans 11:13-36 + Psalm 22:1-18 + Proverbs 20:7
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Old Testament – Today in Second Chronicles 21 verses 12 through 15 we read about a letter that one would really not want to receive… “Then Elijah the prophet wrote Jehoram this letter: “This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: You have not followed the good example of your father, Jehoshaphat, or your grandfather King Asa of Judah. Instead, you have been as evil as the kings of Israel. You have led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship idols, just as King Ahab did in Israel. And you have even killed your own brothers, men who were better than you. So now the LORD is about to strike you, your people, your children, your wives, and all that is yours with a heavy blow. You yourself will be stricken with a severe intestinal disease until it causes your bowels to come out.” The face on Jehoram in this image below captures well what one would be feeling like after receiving a letter like this from a prophet of God…
In Second Chronicles 23 today Jehoiada the priest leads a revolt against Queen Athaliah. Below is French artist Antoine Coypel’s (1661-1722) take on the scene:
New Testament – Paul bursts out in some great praise and worship of God today in Romans 11 verses 33 through 36: “Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be his counselor? And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen.” Great stuff! I love that second to last full sentence that tells us that everything is intended for God’s glory. So true. And yet so easy for us to forget. You my friend are intended for God’s glory! It is a beautiful truth to consider. Are you living your life fully for God’s glory? Are there any areas of your life that would not be seen as giving glory to God? Will you let those un-glorious aspects of your life go? Will you walk fully in the LIGHT of God’s glory?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings from Romans titled “The Kindness and Severity of God” is at this link and “The Wisdom of God and the Wisdom of Man” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 22 is an amazing Psalm. This Psalm is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament. Re-read this Psalm again and see if you see parallels to Jesus’ crucifixion? There are a lot in this Psalm. I’ll list a few – Psalm 22:1a was quoted by Jesus on the cross – “My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?” As we see in Matthew 27:46 – “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Psalm 22 Verse 8: “”Is this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!”” We see in similar fashion in Matthew 27:42-43: ““He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
Psalm 22 verses 16 & 17 make me want to cry… “They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count every bone in my body.” The piercing of the hands and feet of Jesus are apparent with how the crucifixion took place. And these Psalm 22 verses are similar to John 19:33-37: “But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.””
And verse 18: “They divide my clothes among themselves and throw dice for my garments.” Compare to John 19:23-24 – “When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.””
Proverbs – Proverbs 20 verse 7 today is a wonderful reminder that the way we live our lives today sets an example for children: “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them.” What type of example are you setting for children in your life? Are you walking with integrity? Do you believe children will be blessed after you because you walked with integrity?
Worship Video: Our Psalm 22 readings today reminded me of Chris and Conrad’s song called “Lead me to the Cross.” Here is a terrific live version of this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zuwm5H8-Kw
Have you been led to the Cross? Click here and be led!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.” Proverbs 20:7 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are leading a blameless life. Pray that you hunger and thirst for righteousness each and every day of your life. Pray that your children are blessed because of your godly example.
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.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
II Chronicles 21:1-23:21
“There is no success without a successor.” If that statement is true then both Israel and Judah were not successful kingdoms. Today’s reading, no all the readings of the Books of the Bible that are known as History, 1 Samuel through II Chronicles, show the failure of each king, including David and Solomon to rule sin free and to reign in total and perfect righteousness. But in the horizon waited the King of kings standing ready to awaiting His entrance in the fullness of time. And that King is Jesus. No matter how good an earthly king was, the missteps made by each one, no matter how many or few, brought upon themselves and the people they ruled consequences they were unable to bear.
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
(Gal 4:4-7 KJV)
Johoshaphat left no heir waiting in the wings upon his death. He left his oldest son to take his place but age nor was birth order ever used by God to call or appoint someone to a leadership role. David was the youngest of Jessie’s sons, yet he was the one God picked to be king over Israel after having rejected Saul. Jacob, the younger brother, was chosen by God to rule over Esau, the older. God looks at the heart, man looks at the appearance and the customs of the day to pick leaders who can’t lead.
The last part of verse nine in the twenty-second just floored me, “None of the surviving members of Ahaziah’s family were capable of ruling the kingdom”
I believe this sad state of affairs can only come abut when we focus our attention on the immediacy of the now and fail to understand we owe the future generations a continuity of right living, right thinking and right believing. We cannot just tell them to do as I say and not as I do; it does not work. Our behaviors speak so loudly that our words are drowned out by our actions.
Romans 11:13-36
Jew or Greek (non-Jew), it doesn’t matter all our made righteousness not by works or linage, but by the root of the tree of righteousness and the root is the, God and His Son, Jesus. There is nothing we can give to God, there is nothing we can do to earn or inherit righteousness and favor with God. God shows mercy on whom He desires to show mercy.
Psalm 22:1-18
8
“Is this the one who relies on the LORD?
Then let the LORD save him!
If the LORD loves him so much,
let the LORD rescue him!”
These word were not only spoken by the crowd as they watched Jesus hang on the cross, but these words are spoken about every person who calls on the Name of Jesus. Ever here some people talk about someone behind their back who is in some kind of trouble who they know is a Christian,? I have heard conversations laced with vitriol as I rode home from work on the train talking about people who found themselves in trouble who happed to be believers. And if you’re a Christian there are folks talking about you.
Proverbs 20:7
Did not realize this Proverb would apply to what I wrote about today’s reading in Chronicles.
The righteous man walks in his integrity; blessed (happy, fortunate, enviable) are his children after him.
(Pro 20:7 AMP)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====== Colleen:
I know this is the 2nd time reading through the Psalms, but this is the first time I realized the similarity of Jesus’ cruxifiction…eerie because I didn’t read it as “David” at all this time..Almost as if David was providing the script for what would happen later. Left me with a bit to think about today.
Colleen
====== Stuart:
Again and again I puzzle over the failure of OT leaders to worship God and not false gods. Even now, in the 21st century the world continues to fall.
May God help us.
Amen
Stuart
====== John:
Stuart,
It is more appealing to worship false gods. You can design a god that you approve of and that you can get along with in life. If you worship the treue God you have to submit to His authority and allow Him to run your life. People bridle at that because of – PRIDE. It was true then, and it is true today.
Worshipping the True God really only works consistently when you turn back to God and seek Him, and have your heart changed. Or have your heart changed and go seek Him. Depending on your theology 🙂 From that comes repenting and belief and an endwelling of the Holy Spirit of all believers.
John
====== Teriann:
Yesterday, we read 2Ch.20:33, “The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their fathers.” Then today we read of three generations of royal sons being wiped out save one. It made me wonder how the descendants of good king Jehoshaphat could sink so low. I think it starts with justifying the small infractions of God’s law. Just like the weeds in my garden, if they are not uprooted early, they grow at an alarming rate! It seems like a big leap to go from burning incense to God in an unauthorized place to killing all your brothers, but I’ll bet you Jehoram felt perfectly justified in doing it; as did his wife in killing all her grandsons. I think this can be seen when she yelled, “treason! treason!” Somehow she had gotten to the place of thinking that she had the right to the throne. Isn’t that the nature of sin? The minute we justify even the smallest sin as not that bad compared to what we see others doing is when the deception begins.
Teriann
======Marianne:
Athaliah has to be one of the most wicked women in the Bible. Any grandmother who would kill her grandchildren (or any hier) is wicked to the core. Children are a blessing from the Lord, but grandchildren are the abundant blessing. I love my children, but grandchildren remind me of the unconditional love of God. The wonder of God often greets me through one of my ten grandchildren.
Marianne
====== Gladys:
This is great inspiration.
Challenged to walk in integrity.
Gladys
====== Dee:
Sad that Jehosaphat, Jahoida and all the kings that did not follow in the godly steps were giving consequences..sad but true when we forget to seek the Lord..it brings death or intestines rottening..our sin is like filthy stinky rags..
Roman’s..none are made righteous..no not one..only the blessed name of Jesus makes us whole. What can wash us white as snow? Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Psalm..is awesome..I love to remember this one but it’s 😔 too. ..it is a 📸 of Jesus, love ❤️ 😍
Proverbs..lineage for our children..love as well!
Be blessed,,
Dee
====== Dee:
I ponder on how Kings of Israel are and were so bad and Kings of Judah followed more in the Lord. However today the King of Judah didn’t get the news or blessing he wanted at all. Every action has a reaction and actions have consequences.
Also I ponder on Paul and how incredible it was to want to emulate Christ to save more of us! Isn’t that neat. Non Jews..weren’t considered that special back then yet he knew God had a heart for all.
This Psalm almost sounds like a Shakespeare sonnet or from Romeo Romeo. Maybe Shakespeare gained insight from the Father, our Lord. Who knows.
We glean from our fathers and learn from his ways. It’s sad the number of homes are without a male, a dad in the home..makes me sad for that.
Dee
====== John:
Romans 11:13-24
After Paul talks about the hardening of hearts of the nation of Israel, he says that because of Israels transgression it led to riches (or abundance) for the world and Gentiles.
Paul although he continues talking about Israel, speaks directly to the Gentiles.
Regarding Israel – vs. 15
“For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” NIV
Bob Deffingbaugh offered some insights to this verse, but I would like to offer anohter one. Paul is using Jesus, the cross, and ressurection as a “type” to talk about Israels future.
Reconciliation happened at the cross – it was great – and he is comparing this to Gentile inclusion in God’s plan. The ressurection brought “eternal life” it was the apex of the three day event. That is what Israel’s return to God will be like – the apex of God’s plan regarding salvation.
vs.16
“If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.” NIV
The idea of “holy” here being “set apart”.
======================================================
Ingrafted Branches
Before I was saved – I was trying to disprove the Bible by looking for “contradictions”. These verses of the “ingrafted branches” are a favorite of Bible skeptics. They claim Paul talked about security of salvation (never separated from God) earlier in Romans, and now says the Gentiles can be set aside (separated) like Israel, or worse “cut off” from God. [Note: Skeptics are not trying to figure out what God is saying, they just look for contradictions in print. It is funny – skeptics will take things literally when it suits their purpose.]
Bob touched on it, but I think this is important in case you run into a Bible skeptic in your Christian walk. It is important to know what the (trunk) good olive tree represents.
What the (trunk) good olive tree is NOT:
1) It is not Salvation. The roots of tree are either patriarchs, or God’s covenants and promises to the nation of Israel. Either way the tree cannot be Salvation rooted in either of these two things. Salvation is rooted in God.
2) It is not the nation of Israel. It can be symbolically used as Israel, and certainly the nation of Israel is rooted in Patriarchs/covenants. The unbelieving branches of Israel could be seen as separated from the nation via different dispersements of the Jews. However, the Nation has rejected Christ – so then (the Nation) the trunk is not rooted in the belief of Moses, Abraham, and David. Morever, Gentiles WERE NOT grafted (brought) into the Nation of Israel.
So what is the trunk of the good olive tree?
I believe like Bob says, that it is the priveleges, blessings and kindness of God that is rooted in the patriarchs/covenants toward Israel. Unlike Bob I do not see Salvation as part of these graces. Salvation is a work of God – brought about by grace and mercy.
John 5:29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
The tree trunk is like the vine Jesus talks about in John 15. Jesus talks to believers about abiding in the vine (grace) of God. I think Paul is talking about the same thing here in Romans 11. The tree provides sap (grace) so that the branches – natural (Jews) and grafted (Gentiles) will bear fruit (riches and abundance) to the glory of God.
[Note: Greek words of Wild Olive tree and olive tree are two different words. Wild – oleaster or wild olive tree. Olive tree – domesticated for fruit bearing.]
If this is all true, then Paul is saying to the Gentiles:
1)Do not boast over other branches. All branches share the same sap (graces) from God, which is rooted in Israel (patriarchs/covenants). All branches are on good olive tree by the same belief in God. You (Gentiles) did nothing to earn your way onto the tree.
2)Don’t be arrogant about the branches that were cut off from God’s Priveleges, Blessings, and Grace. For if you exhibit pride and arrogance in this, you too may be treated like the cut off branches who also were full of pride and arrogance instead of humility to the Lord.
3)Regard the sternness and kindness of God. Ancestry does not mean one will stay in God’s graces regardless of belief, but if you stay in your belief and abide in Him, you will keep experiancing God’s graces and bear much fruit (riches/abundance). Again – the idea of John 15 and the Vine.
And afterall, if the Jewish nation comes to believe, it will also be grafted back in. It can happen, because it will be more natural than the grafting of the Gentiles.
John
====== John:
Romans 11:24-36
All Israel will be Saved
Paul has said why Israel is blinded, don’t jump on their collective unbelieving backs in derision, because salvation is coming to the (collective) Nation of Israel.
When?
Vs. 25b
“..Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.”
“Full number” here is Gk. “pleroma” with the idea of a ship inasmuch as it is filled (i.e. manned) with sailors, rowers, and soldiers. (When the ship is fully manned we can take on the Jewish people and set sail.- ME)
Jews have been disobediant; just like you were before Salvation. Just like you they will receive God’s mercy based on His word and the Prophets. Is that so hard to believe?
“The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable: This is another reason why God hasn’t given up on national and ethnic Israel. This principle, stated by Paul, comforts us far beyond its direct relevance to Israel. It means that God will not give up on us, and He leaves the path to restoration open.” – David Guzik
======================================================
Doxology
Who can know, who can advise, who can lend to God.
No one, because –
36For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
It is about God’s Glory.
John
======= John:
2 Chronicles 21-23:21
21 VERSES 8-11
1. The result of Jehoram’s actions, that is leading the people away from the Lord, was that God brought judgment upon the nation. He did this by causing various nations to rise up against them and I don’t believe it was because God was vindictive, but because He wanted to awaken them from their spiritual sleep and draw them back to Him. The sad thing here is Jehoram did not repent of his sins and turn to God, but continued down that road away from God and straight to hell. But he was not alone in his actions, for he is leading the nation down that same path. As Jesus said in Matthew 15:14 “…They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
VERSE 12a
1. Now some have difficulty with this because they say Elijah was taken up to be with the Lord prior to this event, so he could not have written this letter of coming judgment. First of all Elijah was a prophet of God and God could have had him write this letter in advance. There are many examples of this but one that sticks out in my mind is found in the book of Isaiah where we see hundreds of years before Cyrus, king of Persia was even born, God called him by name. He not only spoke of his name but explained how they were going to destroy the Babylonians and enter this fortified city through its gates. (Isaiah 45). So it can be simply explained for God knows the things that are coming to pass before they happen, and He used the prophets to speak to the people, not only speaking forth the words of God, but also speaking of future events that will come to pass.
22 VERSES 1-2
1. In II Kings 8:26 we are told that Ahaziah was 22 years old when he became king and not 42 years old as is stated here in II Chronicles. It seems we have a copyist error here in II Chronicles, which is easy to do with numbers.
2. Because of that many try and say that the Bible is not reliable and is filled with many discrepancies, especially the Old Testament. The earliest manuscripts of the Old Testament was from 916 AD until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls which date around 125 BC. The Scroll of Isaiah is some 24 feet long and 10 inches high. In comparing it with the text of more than 1,000 years earlier, from 916 AD, we find that it is 95% accurate and the 5% variation consisted chiefly of variations in spelling and in not one case did it change the meaning or the intent of the Scripture. No doctrine was changed. William Green said “It may safely be said that no other work of antiquity has been so accurately transmitted.” The original text of the Scriptures were without error and the entire Old Testament of today has only 1/2 of 1% error, that again does not change one doctrine. So the Scriptures are accurate, for they have been one of the most highly analyzed books of antiquity. In fact there is more evidence for the reliability of the New Testament than any 10 pieces of classical literature put together. In fact, if anyone says that the New Testament is not reliable, they will have to throw out all literature of antiquity. Today we have between 14 to 15,000 manuscripts to work from, the number 2 book is the Iliad and it only has 643 manuscripts.”
http://www.ccmanitowoc.org/Library/Guglielmo-Joe/Studies/TH/14-2CH/TH1063.HTM
23 VERSES 3-7
1. This kid had more body guards than our president. Wherever he went he was protected. And if anyone got to close to him, they were to be put to death. Extreme measures it seems to protect this young child.
2. Why would they use such extreme measures to protect Joash? Because Joash was the last remaining descendant of David who could be king. And if you remember, it was through the lineage of David that the Messiah was to come. Thus, if you destroyed the lineage of David you would prevent the Messiah from coming. Yes Athaliah was wicked and responsible for her actions, but behind the scenes you can see the demonic influence going on. Satan was trying to prevent the seed of the woman from being born, the Messiah, who would give him a mortal wound. Thus, in Genesis we see him go to work and influence Cain, who killed Abel. But the Messiah was not to come through Cain or Abel, but through another son, Seth. And every time the Messianic lineage is more defined, Satan comes after it. anti-Semitism has Demonic roots and you can trace this throughout the Old Testament, for every time you see mass murder, check and see if that is where the Messiah was to come from, chances are it was. And in the New Testament, we see Herod being used by Satan to destroy all the children from the age of 2 and under, why? Because the Messiah was born and he was trying to destroy Him. Herod did not want anyone to usurp his throne, and Satan did not want the Messiah to destroy him! Athaliah was following suit, and so Joash had to be protected.”
http://www.ccmanitowoc.org/Library/Guglielmo-Joe/Studies/TH/14-2CH/TH1063.HTM
John
====== Vance:
ROMANS 11
OUR GIVING – GOD’S RESPONSE OF LOVE
35
And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back?
When God accepts our giving and multiplies it back for His use and our benefit, it is ONLY because of His mercy and Love !
Jesus said, “Give, and it SHALL be given back to you—GOOD measure, PRESSED down, SHAKEN together, and STILL RUNNING over! For according to the measure you give, shall it be given to you.” Luke 6:38
(Also see 2 Corinthians 9:1-10 on sowing and reaping)
GOD’S GLORY
36
For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen.
THE MESSAGE
36
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
I like the thoughts given earlier:
Will you let those
un- glorious aspects of
your life go? Will you
walk fully into the light
of God’s glory?
Walking fully in the light of God’s glory…..
This reminds me of Exodus 33 (Amplified Bible)….
Insights into God’s
Glorious Presence
The people of Israel had just poked God “in the face” so to speak by deliberately rejecting Him and making their own golden calf idol to worship.
Amazingly, they proclaimed in Exodus 32:4 (Amplified):
4
And he received the gold at their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it a molten calf; and they said, These are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt!
This is the Father’s response to them in chapter
chapter 33
1
THE LORD said to Moses, Depart, go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought from the land of Egypt, to the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, To your descendants I will give it.
2
I will send an [a]Angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite, Amorite, Hittite, Perizzite, Hivite, and Jebusite.(A)
3
Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I destroy you on the way.
4
When the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned and no man put on his ornaments.
Notice verse 3: “I will not go up among you…lest I destroy you on the way.”
Some people have interpreted that as part of a false dichotomy between the “God of the Old Testament – who is always angry and vengeful” and the “God of the New Testament – who is always loving.”
Nothing could be further from the truth! God is the same. “I the Lord do not change. Therefore, you are not consumed,” is what the Lord said in Malachi 3:6. And, of course, “Jesus is the same – yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
Rather, this is simply a statement of the excellence and brightness of God’s very Glorious Presence will destroy us!
And… of course, God was displeased with them.
Thank God that when we have sinned, God’s full Presence does not simply manifest Himself—we would not survive the experience !
Note that Moses sets up a tent where God’s Presence is more obviously manifested:
7
Now Moses used to take [his own] tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting [of God with His own people]. And everyone who sought the Lord went out to [that temporary] tent of meeting which was outside the camp.
8
When Moses went out to the tent of meeting, all the people rose and stood, every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses until he had gone into the tent.
9
When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the door of the tent, and the Lord would talk with Moses.
10
And all the people saw the pillar of cloud stand at the tent door, and all the people rose up and worshiped, every man at his tent door.
It is interesting that Moses would take HIS OWN tent and pitch it outside the camp, and he called his personal tent the “tent of meeting of God with His people.
This speaks volumes of
our ongoing PERSONAL
relationship with the
Lord. This speaks of the
need to “pray without
ceasing” throughout the
day…AND of the need to
set aside what Pastor
David Wilkerson calls
the “trysting place”—the
regular place to go to
seek the Lord.
Then notice in verse 7: “And everyone who sought the Lord went out to that temporary tent – Moses’ personal tent – of meeting outside the camp.”
Moses was welcome. And in all times – all are welcome in God’s Presence, too! Even in time of severe discipline for sin.
Moses’ prayer should be ours:
14
And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.
15
And Moses said to the Lord, If Your Presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here!
It is true that it is not ONLY our discipline or devotion that are the keys. After all, there are very devout Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, etc.
“It doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you sincerely and wholeheartedly believe it”… IS NOT TRUE !
(The terrorists have wholeheartedly belief too!)
Rather, it is GOD MANIFESTING HIS GLORY IN OUR LIVES…
Notice Moses’ continuing prayer:
18
And Moses said, I beseech You, show me Your glory.
19
And God said, I will make
ALL MY GOODNESS
pass before you, and I will
PROCLAIM MY NAME, THE LORD,
before you;
for I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy and loving-kindness on whom I will show mercy and loving-kindness.(C)
Then it HIT ME: how is God’s glory and Name injected into our lives and revealed through our lives?
THROUGH HIS WORD ! Of course, yielding ourselves and praying are part of this.
2 PETER 1
3
For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [[d]full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).
4
By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.
NOTE:
(verse 4) By means of His Glory and Goodness, the Father has given us His precious and exceedingly great promises.
When we meditate on His Word, yielding to His Word and His Presence—this releases the glory and goodness of God CONTAINED IN THE PROMISES… into our lives!
ISN’T THAT GREAT !
(verse 4)
…and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.
GOD IS SO GOOD
Vance
====== Vance:
2 Chronicles 21-23:21 (NKJV)
NOTE: For me a very good quick summary of these verses can be found in Ezekiel 18, as below. Even though Jehoshaphat was faithful to serve the Lord, his sons were not.
Ezekiel 18 (NKJV)
19
“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live. 20
The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
~~~
These verses can be a source of great comfort and wisdom for godly parents who have tried their very best to raise children in love and to fear and love the Lord.
Yet, for some reason their children rebel against what the parents taught. IT IS NOT THE PARENTS FAULT that their children are not following after God and the Lord Jesus.
Yes, it is painful, and I am sure that it is easy for parents who love the Lord to feel guilty when they see their children not following the Lord. Humanly and emotionally, I am sure it is easy for them to feel “It was not a good parent, and that is why my children are not following after God.”
True, no human is without sin, and no parent is totally pure in the sight of God because we are all sinners.
Yet, God will not forget the labor of love, worship, and faith of parents (after repenting and following the Lord for themselves with all of their hearts) who have taught their children in love to follow after the Lord.
“The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son.”
~~~
2 Chronicles 22 (NKJV)
7
His going to Joram was God’s occasion for Ahaziah’s downfall; for when he arrived, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.
8
And it happened, when Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s brothers who served Ahaziah, that he killed them.
NOTE:
Yet, consider the effect of chosen rebellion and sin on children when a parent does choose to disobey. David—called by God Himself to be “a man after God’s own heart” sinned, and look at the consequences that had on his children.
Notice the last part of verse 7 above: “…Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.”
God had appointed Jehu to cut off the house of Ahab because of his persistent wickedness.
Though children do not bear the guilt of the parents’ sins, when parents do choose to persist in deliberately chosen sin—those sins do open a door for the influence and consequences of sin on their family.
When we sin—though no one is responsible but us for our sin—the effect of our sin extends to our families. No one sins in a vacuum.
The idea that “it is my life and I can sin if I want to for it will hurt no one by me” is a lie.
~~~
Romans 11 (NKJV)
19
You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.”
20
Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.
21
For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.
22
Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness [of God], if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
NOTE:
No one is saved by works. Period.
Yet, if Christians choose to persistently disobey (which makes no sense) and do not want to turn from sin—the question must be asked: Are they really Christians?
Though God’s grace will never fail any man, a true Christian choosing to disobey can still choose to walk away from God’s grace. Again, the effects of that harmful and foolish decision are very destructive and dangerous.
“Grace” that does not create a desire to obey is not grace – it is deception.
Psalm 22 (NKJV)
7
All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8
“He trusted in [hoped in or praised] the LORD , let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
NOTE: There is much that could be said about this very excellent and rich passage of Scripture. Yet, I liked the quote below. Even though the quote is about Romans 11, I thought it really fit
I really liked this excellent quote below:
source: The Kindness and Severity of God (Romans 11:13-24) By: Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M.
“Faith required Abraham to obey, trusting in God rather to live by appearances.”
“God calls upon us to give up our lives in order to gain them, to take up our cross in order to serve Him. OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD BY FAITH MAY OFTEN SEEM INCONSISTENT WITH WHAT HE HAS PROMISED TO ACCOMPLISH, BUT GOD’S WAYS ARE OFTEN ACCOMPLISHED BY THE MOST UNLIKELY MEANS.”
~~~
Very few, if any, of the Jews expected the Messiah to be crucified. After all, God would not treat His Chosen Servant that way.
And for us—yes it is true that God has chosen all who trust in Christ that we are to be “blessed in order to be a blessing”. Of course, the primary and key blessing is spiritual—we are made right with God.
Yet, God has also promised to provide blessings for us on earth so we can use those resources to further the Kingdom –
as seen in Psalm 67 (NKJV):
1
God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah
2
That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.
~~~
OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD BY FAITH MAY OFTEN SEEM INCONSISTENT WITH WHAT HE HAS PROMISED TO ACCOMPLISH. Yet, God’s promises and His Word will never fail.
If we die for the Lord as Jesus died for us according to God’s plan—then we are blessed indeed.
If God allows us to have a lot of material blessings and have a lot of money so we can pray and give millions to support missions and God’s Word in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus—then we are blessed indeed.
Our blessings are in Christ. May we use all of our lives and all of God’s blessings for His purposes—otherwise we will held to account.
CONCLUSION:
Christianity is NOT a religion. I hate religion.
It is a RELATIONSHIP with God through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The core of the living Christian faith IS THE CROSS.
For each one of us, regardless of our financial station in life, is called to the Cross.
Jesus Himself said, in Luke 14 (NKJV)
26
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
33
So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
~~~
There is no second thought or no wavering in Jesus’ words.
All people called by the Matchless Name of Christ are called to:
“cleave steadfastly to Christ, conform wholly to Christ’s example in living and, if need by, by dying also.”
(Luke 9:23 – AMPLIFIED BIBLE notes]
Does that mean we are all called to hate money and our families and live in a cave, depending only on the Lord to take care of us.
Certainly not. The Scripture says, “He does not work, let him not eat” in 2 Thessalonians.
Note what the Holy Spirit speaks through Paul in Ephesians 4 (NKJV):
28
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
~~~
Some may be called to literally lay down their lives in physical death for the sake of the Gospel.
ALL OF US ARE CALLED TO DIE TO THE LOWER SELF, and to sin.
Matthew 10 (Amplified Bible)
38
And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also] is not worthy of Me.
39
Whoever finds his [lower] life will lose it [the higher life], and whoever loses his [lower] life on My account will find it [the higher life].
~~~
But for those NOT called to literally physicially die for Jesus, how are we to live, to use our money, to use our time?
I really like and am challenged by what John Wesley had to say about this.
SOURCE: Wikipedia,
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Wesley
John Wesley in his sermon titled, “The Use of Money” said this:
“Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn.”
“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
“Statement known as ‘John Wesley’s Rule’:
Do all the good you can,
in all the ways you can,
to all the souls you can,
in every place you can,
at all the times you can,
with all the zeal you can,
as long as ever you can.”
~~~
As I reflect on what this means for my life, I ask myself these questions:
* Do I trust Jesus as Savior?
* Do I find Jesus to my loving Lord?
* Do I treasure Jesus?
I am challenged in my being about really LAYING DOWN my life for Jesus in modern America.
I have been moved to volunteer at a ministry which ministers to the homeless through giving food, hope, and the Gospel.
I believe I will follow up and become that volunteer and lay my life down for others in that way.
I will learn, by grace, to lay my life down for my wife and to love her as Jesus has loved me.
C.T. Studd was moved to give up his wealth of money.
He said, “If Christ be God and died for me, then there is nothing too great that I can do for Him.”
WE ARE CALLED TO BE LIKE JESUS – to die to self and to follow Jesus in serving others for the Gospel.
If we do not do that, we are going to be severely disciplined by our loving Lord.
I Peter 4 (NKJV)
17
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18
Now “ If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” [Proverbs 11:31]
19
Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Vance
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