Jesus said, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The high-way to hell is broad, and it’s gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13&14). “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). Like a river which carves it’s path where it is least resisted, so it is that most of us go through life making choices that create the fewest waves amongst others. Since few of us enjoy ridicule, we find ourselves most often walking on that road the vast majority are walking on in life. And Jesus clearly stated that the majority of the world are walking on that wide path, which leads to hell. There was nothing special about the people of Israel that God should choose them and bless them over any other nation (Deuteronomy 7:7-16). The fact is, God has promised to bless any nation that follows Him (Psalm 33:12). God chose to make a nation from the seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), that He could use as a testimony to all nations of what happens when a nation of people choose to follow Him. But, all too often, Israel rejected God. More often than not, Israel adopted the evil practices of the nations around them instead of following God.
“Let those who are discerning listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them” (Hosea 14:9). Walking in God’s ways will rarely be the choice the majority around us are making. And following God’s Word may not always make us popular with the rest of the world. But, God’s ways are always the right ways, and wise people will always choose to walk in His ways, even if few others around us are doing the same.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
June 24
Many are the rulers and the nations who make threats of war against their neighbors, who rattle their sabers to make themselves feel powerful, and whose evaluation of their own importance is highly inflated. Many are the individuals who talk and act like bullies in order to intimidate others and make themselves feel strong.
The Assyrians were a mighty military force in the seven hundred plus years preceding the birth of Jesus Christ. They were able to conquer one nation after another and those nations not yet under Assyrian control, feared they soon would be. What the King of Assyria did not know is that he was nothing more than a pawn being used by God to accomplish God’s purposes. Both Israel and Judah had been adulterous in their relationship with God for so long, that God was now using Assyria to punish them. But, it was not because Assyria had been so righteous that they were experiencing their many victories. It was not because Assyria had become so close to God that they enjoyed His favor. “Assyria will enslave my people, who are a godless nation.... But the king of Assyria will not know that it is I who sent him. He will merely think he is attacking my people as part of his plan to conquer the world” (Isaiah 10:5-7). And yet, “after the Lord has used the king of Assyria to accomplish His purposes in Jerusalem, He will turn against the king of Assyria and punish him - - for he (the king) is proud and arrogant” (10:12-19).
God wants His people to fear Him and Him only. “Do not fear anything (or anyone) except the Lord Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear Him, you need fear nothing else. He will keep you safe” (8:13). Our only hope is in God (8:17). We don’t need to fear other bully individuals. And we don’t need to fear other bully nations. Our fear and our faith is in Jesus Christ and in him alone. When we understand that principle, we have a confidence that no one outside of Christ can possibly know or experience (Hebrews 3:14; 4:16; 10:35; 13:6; I John 3:21&22).
Is there anyone you fear? Anything you are afraid of? The whole duty of man is to, “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). He will take care of everything else.
The Assyrians were a mighty military force in the seven hundred plus years preceding the birth of Jesus Christ. They were able to conquer one nation after another and those nations not yet under Assyrian control, feared they soon would be. What the King of Assyria did not know is that he was nothing more than a pawn being used by God to accomplish God’s purposes. Both Israel and Judah had been adulterous in their relationship with God for so long, that God was now using Assyria to punish them. But, it was not because Assyria had been so righteous that they were experiencing their many victories. It was not because Assyria had become so close to God that they enjoyed His favor. “Assyria will enslave my people, who are a godless nation.... But the king of Assyria will not know that it is I who sent him. He will merely think he is attacking my people as part of his plan to conquer the world” (Isaiah 10:5-7). And yet, “after the Lord has used the king of Assyria to accomplish His purposes in Jerusalem, He will turn against the king of Assyria and punish him - - for he (the king) is proud and arrogant” (10:12-19).
God wants His people to fear Him and Him only. “Do not fear anything (or anyone) except the Lord Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear Him, you need fear nothing else. He will keep you safe” (8:13). Our only hope is in God (8:17). We don’t need to fear other bully individuals. And we don’t need to fear other bully nations. Our fear and our faith is in Jesus Christ and in him alone. When we understand that principle, we have a confidence that no one outside of Christ can possibly know or experience (Hebrews 3:14; 4:16; 10:35; 13:6; I John 3:21&22).
Is there anyone you fear? Anything you are afraid of? The whole duty of man is to, “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). He will take care of everything else.
June 19
King Joash of Judah had been a good king for much of his life. He became King at the young age of 7 and the priest, Jehoiada, had given Joash a copy of the Law of God to guide him as he ruled God’s people (II Kings 11:12; II Chronicles 23:11). The Bible further reveals, “all his life Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight because Jehoiada the priest instructed him” (II Kings 12:2). But, when the godly Jehoiada died, King Joash started listening to advisers who did not follow God (II Chron.24:17-19). And the life of Joash deteriorated quickly after that. When King Hazael of Aram decided to attack Jerusalem, King Joash worked out a deal to send all the sacred objects in the Temple and all the gold in the treasuries of the Lord’s Temple and the royal palace to King Hazael (II Kings 12:17&18). Hazael called off his attack, at least for awhile. Why didn’t King Joash first consult the Lord? Why didn’t Joash ask God what he should do instead of taking matters into his own hands? The fact is, the farther we fall from God, the less we care about what God thinks, and the less we seek His advice.
What was true of Joash can also be true for us. We become what we think. We behave like those we associate with. And if those with whom we associate, and if that which we feed our mind is not of God, then why should we wonder when we stray from God? The Hebrew writer reminds us, “we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it....What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself?” (Hebrews 2:1,3). Anyone who has been on a boat, knows that drifting is not usually something that happens suddenly. That would be called flooding. Drifting often occurs so slowly and so subtly that we don’t even realize it’s occurring. So, how is your walk with the Lord? Are you firmly anchored in the truth? Or, are you slowly drifting from the truth? What are you going to do about it?
What was true of Joash can also be true for us. We become what we think. We behave like those we associate with. And if those with whom we associate, and if that which we feed our mind is not of God, then why should we wonder when we stray from God? The Hebrew writer reminds us, “we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it....What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself?” (Hebrews 2:1,3). Anyone who has been on a boat, knows that drifting is not usually something that happens suddenly. That would be called flooding. Drifting often occurs so slowly and so subtly that we don’t even realize it’s occurring. So, how is your walk with the Lord? Are you firmly anchored in the truth? Or, are you slowly drifting from the truth? What are you going to do about it?
June 17
Each time I attend a funeral, not only do I spend time thinking about the deceased and wondering how the family of the deceased is dealing with their loss, but I also find myself reflecting upon my own mortality. Do you ever spend any time wondering how you will be remembered when you die? What would you like people to say about you at your funeral and to one another in their personal conversations following your death? Is it not safe to assume that we all hope someone would be a little sad with our passing from this life?
King Jehoram of Judah had a godly example in his father, King Jehoshaphat (II Chronicles 21:12; 20:32; 22:9; I Kings 22:43). And Jehoram’s grandfather also followed the Lord diligently during the beginning of his reign (II Chron.21:12; 14:9-15:16; I Kings 22:43). In spite of his godly heritage, King Jehoram “abandoned the Lord, the God of his ancestors. He had built pagan shrines in the hill country of Judah and had led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to give themselves to pagan gods” (II Chron.21:10&11). Through the prophet, Elijah, the Lord pronounced judgment upon Jehoram (II Chron. 21:12-15). The Lord struck Jehoram with a severe intestinal disease and he died in agony. Listen to what Jehoram’s subjects thought of him when he died. “His people did not build a great fire to honor him at his funeral as they had done for his ancestors....NO ONE was sorry when he died” (II Chron.21:19&20).
The Proverb writer reminds us, “there is a way that seems right to man, but the end leads to death” (14:12; 16:25). And the apostle Paul adds, “the wages of sin is death...” (Romans 6:23). “Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death” (Galatians 6:7&8). What’s odd is that people can be told that truth over and over and yet, they still ignore it. They still think they know what’s best for themselves. And they still reap the same results, time after time. Jehoram did life his way, alright. And he received the results of doing life his way. “No one was sorry when he died.” Let’s learn from the example of others (Romans 15:4) and choose to live life God’s way. We will also reap the results of that choice, and those results are out of this world, beyond anything we can imagine (I Corinthians 2:9).
King Jehoram of Judah had a godly example in his father, King Jehoshaphat (II Chronicles 21:12; 20:32; 22:9; I Kings 22:43). And Jehoram’s grandfather also followed the Lord diligently during the beginning of his reign (II Chron.21:12; 14:9-15:16; I Kings 22:43). In spite of his godly heritage, King Jehoram “abandoned the Lord, the God of his ancestors. He had built pagan shrines in the hill country of Judah and had led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to give themselves to pagan gods” (II Chron.21:10&11). Through the prophet, Elijah, the Lord pronounced judgment upon Jehoram (II Chron. 21:12-15). The Lord struck Jehoram with a severe intestinal disease and he died in agony. Listen to what Jehoram’s subjects thought of him when he died. “His people did not build a great fire to honor him at his funeral as they had done for his ancestors....NO ONE was sorry when he died” (II Chron.21:19&20).
The Proverb writer reminds us, “there is a way that seems right to man, but the end leads to death” (14:12; 16:25). And the apostle Paul adds, “the wages of sin is death...” (Romans 6:23). “Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death” (Galatians 6:7&8). What’s odd is that people can be told that truth over and over and yet, they still ignore it. They still think they know what’s best for themselves. And they still reap the same results, time after time. Jehoram did life his way, alright. And he received the results of doing life his way. “No one was sorry when he died.” Let’s learn from the example of others (Romans 15:4) and choose to live life God’s way. We will also reap the results of that choice, and those results are out of this world, beyond anything we can imagine (I Corinthians 2:9).
Thursday, June 5, 2014
June 13
While David wasn’t a sinless man (none of us are), he was a man who sought after God’s heart. And God’s hand of favor was upon David. The words of David in Psalm 34:8-10 reflect David’s gratitude. “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him! Let the Lord’s people show Him reverence, for those who honor Him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.”
One individual who took those words to heart was King Jehoshaphat. When King Ahab asked Jehoshaphat if he would join forces with Ahab to fight Aram, Jehoshaphat replied, “Why, of course!......But, first let’s find out what the Lord says” (I Kings 22:4& 5; II Chronicles 18:3&4; see also II Kings 3:11). Jehoshaphat was an “ambassador for God”, pleading with people to be “reconciled to God” (II Corinthians 5:18-20; II Chronicles 19:4). When he appointed judges, he reminded them to be fair, to act with integrity, avoid taking bribes, and not pervert justice (19:5-10). His instructions to them were, “Take courage as you fulfill your duties, and may the Lord be with those who do what is right” (19:11).
When the combined armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat, he not only sought the Lord personally, but he also gave orders for “everyone throughout Judah” to also pray, fast, and seek the Lord (II Chron. 20:3&4). “O our God......we do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help” (20:12). Because of Jehoshaphat’s faith, and because he so successfully led his people to seek God as well, God promised him, “You will not even need to fight, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (20:17,15). As his army went out to battle, King Jehoshaphat shouted to his troops, “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed” (20:20). And sure enough, God fulfilled His promise. The enemy troops had turned on one another and killed all of their own. The Israelites didn’t even have to fight. It took them three days to gather all the equipment, clothing, and other valuables from the bodies of their fallen enemy (20:24-26).
Is it so foolish to think that God would do similar miracles today, if people had the faith of Jehoshaphat? How will we know, unless we give it a try? “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
One individual who took those words to heart was King Jehoshaphat. When King Ahab asked Jehoshaphat if he would join forces with Ahab to fight Aram, Jehoshaphat replied, “Why, of course!......But, first let’s find out what the Lord says” (I Kings 22:4& 5; II Chronicles 18:3&4; see also II Kings 3:11). Jehoshaphat was an “ambassador for God”, pleading with people to be “reconciled to God” (II Corinthians 5:18-20; II Chronicles 19:4). When he appointed judges, he reminded them to be fair, to act with integrity, avoid taking bribes, and not pervert justice (19:5-10). His instructions to them were, “Take courage as you fulfill your duties, and may the Lord be with those who do what is right” (19:11).
When the combined armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat, he not only sought the Lord personally, but he also gave orders for “everyone throughout Judah” to also pray, fast, and seek the Lord (II Chron. 20:3&4). “O our God......we do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help” (20:12). Because of Jehoshaphat’s faith, and because he so successfully led his people to seek God as well, God promised him, “You will not even need to fight, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (20:17,15). As his army went out to battle, King Jehoshaphat shouted to his troops, “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed” (20:20). And sure enough, God fulfilled His promise. The enemy troops had turned on one another and killed all of their own. The Israelites didn’t even have to fight. It took them three days to gather all the equipment, clothing, and other valuables from the bodies of their fallen enemy (20:24-26).
Is it so foolish to think that God would do similar miracles today, if people had the faith of Jehoshaphat? How will we know, unless we give it a try? “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
June 9
“What good is it for one blind person to lead another?” Jesus asked. The first one will fall into a ditch and pull the other down also. A student is not greater than the teacher. But the student who works hard will become like the teacher” (Luke 6:39&40). “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (Proverbs 27:17). Each of us has the ability to influence others for good, or for evil. That is especially true of teachers and other leaders, which is no doubt, why they will be judged more harshly by God than will other people (James 3:1). Their sphere of influence is greater and those who follow them, completely trust them. To violate the trust others have placed in us by leading them to do wrong, or teaching them lies is a huge sin.
King Solomon saw nothing wrong with having 700 wives and 300 concubines (I Kings 11:3). Many, if not most, were of foreign descent and responsible for not only leading Solomon astray, but in turn, also leading the nation of Israel astray. Is it any wonder then, that one of his sons, Rehoboam, thought it necessary to have 18 wives and 60 concubines (II Chronicles 11:21)? In turn, Rehoboam made sure that all of his sons also had plenty of wives (II Chron.11:23).
And, like his father before him, Rehoboam also “abandoned the law of the Lord’” with the result being that, “all Israel followed him in this sin” (II Chron.12:1). Rehoboam was “an evil king, for he did not seek the Lord with all his heart” (II Chron.12:14). During his reign, the people of Judah “did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, arousing His anger with their sin”. Under Rehoboam’s leadership, the people of Judah, “imitated the detestable practices of the pagan nations the Lord had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites” (I Kings 14:22-24). In other words, Rehoboam led the people of Judah down a dark path of sin.
But, our God is a gracious God. Whenever He sees even a hint of repentance, He acts accordingly. And when King Rehoboam exhibited the slightest amount of humility, God’s anger was temporarily turned aside (II Chron.12:7-12). When so many are watch-ing our lives, and God is so willing to bless our obedience to Him and our love for Him, why does anyone put God’s grace to the test? May we learn from the lives of others like Rehoboam, and always, “do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8), rather than doing so only once in a while. Remember, others are watching and following.
King Solomon saw nothing wrong with having 700 wives and 300 concubines (I Kings 11:3). Many, if not most, were of foreign descent and responsible for not only leading Solomon astray, but in turn, also leading the nation of Israel astray. Is it any wonder then, that one of his sons, Rehoboam, thought it necessary to have 18 wives and 60 concubines (II Chronicles 11:21)? In turn, Rehoboam made sure that all of his sons also had plenty of wives (II Chron.11:23).
And, like his father before him, Rehoboam also “abandoned the law of the Lord’” with the result being that, “all Israel followed him in this sin” (II Chron.12:1). Rehoboam was “an evil king, for he did not seek the Lord with all his heart” (II Chron.12:14). During his reign, the people of Judah “did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, arousing His anger with their sin”. Under Rehoboam’s leadership, the people of Judah, “imitated the detestable practices of the pagan nations the Lord had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites” (I Kings 14:22-24). In other words, Rehoboam led the people of Judah down a dark path of sin.
But, our God is a gracious God. Whenever He sees even a hint of repentance, He acts accordingly. And when King Rehoboam exhibited the slightest amount of humility, God’s anger was temporarily turned aside (II Chron.12:7-12). When so many are watch-ing our lives, and God is so willing to bless our obedience to Him and our love for Him, why does anyone put God’s grace to the test? May we learn from the lives of others like Rehoboam, and always, “do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8), rather than doing so only once in a while. Remember, others are watching and following.
June 6
“There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven” (Ecclesias-tes 3:1). “God has made everything beautiful for it’s own time” (3:11a). In other words, there is a time in every human’s life to seek pleasure, to have a good time, and enjoy the company of one’s friends. Within the context of marriage, there is a time for a husband and a wife to enjoy sexual pleasure with one another. There is also a time for study, a time to learn and broaden our minds by increasing our knowledge. There is also a time for building, a time for using one’s hands to construct or expand a house or anything else that might benefit society. There is a time for work. Work, in and of itself, is not evil. Quite the contrary, there are many people who find work to be quite enjoyable. There is also a time for physical exercise, since we can best accomplish that which God has created us to do, when we take care of our physical bodies (I Timothy 4:8). But, none of these things, or anything else for that matter, will bring us the spiritual satisfaction we are looking for. None of these pursuits, by itself, will bring us the contentment we are seeking.
There is one who could honestly say, “I had everything a man could desire!” (2:8). “Anything I wanted, I took. I did not restrain myself from any joy. I even found great pleasure in hard work” (2:10). “BUT, as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless. It was like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere” (2:11). It’s unfortunate that we can’t all simply learn from the advice and the experience of those who have gone before us. It’s sad when someone who has acquired the very things many of us find ourselves pursuing, tells us those things and those accomplishments didn’t bring them happiness. Why don’t we learn from their experiences? We assume they didn’t know what they were doing. We think that what we are doing is different than what they did.
“God has planted eternity in the human heart” (3:11). God has placed within every-one of us a desire to know Him and only God can satisfy that longing. So, while “there is a time for everything”, everything must be enjoyed in it’s context and for a season. Nothing else, and no one else, has the power to bring us what we are looking for, except God. The Bible has promised that, “if we seek Him, we will find Him if we seek with all of our heart” (Matthew 7:7; Hebrews 11:6). What are you pursuing in life? Maybe the better question is, who are you pursuing in life?
There is one who could honestly say, “I had everything a man could desire!” (2:8). “Anything I wanted, I took. I did not restrain myself from any joy. I even found great pleasure in hard work” (2:10). “BUT, as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless. It was like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere” (2:11). It’s unfortunate that we can’t all simply learn from the advice and the experience of those who have gone before us. It’s sad when someone who has acquired the very things many of us find ourselves pursuing, tells us those things and those accomplishments didn’t bring them happiness. Why don’t we learn from their experiences? We assume they didn’t know what they were doing. We think that what we are doing is different than what they did.
“God has planted eternity in the human heart” (3:11). God has placed within every-one of us a desire to know Him and only God can satisfy that longing. So, while “there is a time for everything”, everything must be enjoyed in it’s context and for a season. Nothing else, and no one else, has the power to bring us what we are looking for, except God. The Bible has promised that, “if we seek Him, we will find Him if we seek with all of our heart” (Matthew 7:7; Hebrews 11:6). What are you pursuing in life? Maybe the better question is, who are you pursuing in life?
June 1
Someone has said, “it is better to remain silent and let people think you are foolish, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Some people have a problem with not talking enough. They are often afraid that if they do say something, others will either laugh at them or think they are stupid. There are other people who talk way too much. They are the ones who would be wise to listen more and speak less (James 1:19).
When we spend much of our time talking instead of listening, we rob ourselves of the wisdom we may very well pick up from the mouths of those who have something worthwhile to say. In addition, we send a subtle message that we know more than they do, and our ideas are much more valuable than theirs. And when we spend much of our time talking instead of listening, we also run the risk of saying things to others that aren’t worthwhile for them to hear anyway. “Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” (Proverbs 10:19). “Beginning a quarrel is like opening a flood-gate, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out”(17:14). “Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin...” (17:19). “A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent, when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent” (17:27&28). “Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions” (18:2). “Fools get into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating” (18:6). “The mouths of fools are their ruin; their lips get them into deep trouble” (18:7). “Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them” (18:15). “Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron” (18:19). “Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life” (18:21).
One of the best ways we can demonstrate how much we value the life of another human being is by carefully listening to their ideas and opinions and then carefully contemplating what it is we have to say to them before we say it.
When we spend much of our time talking instead of listening, we rob ourselves of the wisdom we may very well pick up from the mouths of those who have something worthwhile to say. In addition, we send a subtle message that we know more than they do, and our ideas are much more valuable than theirs. And when we spend much of our time talking instead of listening, we also run the risk of saying things to others that aren’t worthwhile for them to hear anyway. “Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” (Proverbs 10:19). “Beginning a quarrel is like opening a flood-gate, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out”(17:14). “Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin...” (17:19). “A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent, when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent” (17:27&28). “Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions” (18:2). “Fools get into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating” (18:6). “The mouths of fools are their ruin; their lips get them into deep trouble” (18:7). “Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them” (18:15). “Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron” (18:19). “Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life” (18:21).
One of the best ways we can demonstrate how much we value the life of another human being is by carefully listening to their ideas and opinions and then carefully contemplating what it is we have to say to them before we say it.
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