August 5, 2012
King Ahaziah – Is this right?
Ahaziah succeeded his father Jehoram as king in Judah and reigned for only one year. He was still tied to his mother's apron and his mother encouraged him to be wicked, sustaining alliances with Israel, in war and personal relationships. Ahaziah, whose name meant 'Held by Jehovah' died in enemy's territory while visiting Jehoram king of Israel (2 Chronicles 22:1-9)
According to 2 Corinthians 13:5 it is important to examine ourselves to evaluate whether our actions are right or wrong, using the infallible standard of the word of God. Without the word of God and the Holy Spirit, men will make catastrophic mistakes while thinking they are right. Always ask ' Is this right'?, can I do this in front of God in heaven? can I do this openly in front of everyone and lift up my head confidently? Will this action enable me to go in the rapture with Jesus? Does this enhance a lifestyle of holiness?
As you evaluate your actions, take steps to make amends and walk in the right paths! May God help you in Jesus mighty name! Amen.
See Matthew 22:1-14, Ecclesiastes 9:7-10, 12:1,13-14
Pray
• Give thanks
• Saved
• Father, Help me to walk in the right paths. Let me please you in all my ways. That you would walk according to what is right, and that you may please God in all good works and yield fruit, and increase in the knowledge of God, We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, (Colossians 1:10-11)
• Father, help me to watch and pray
• Personal prayer points.
This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask which paths are the old, reliable paths. Ask which way leads to blessings. Live that way, and find a resting place for yourselves. But you said that you wouldn't live that way. - Jeremiah 6:16
August 12, 2012
King Jehu – Abiding?
As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
- 1 John 2:24
Jehu was anointed to rule as king in Israel and to destroy the house of Ahab because of its wickedness, however, Jehu, whose name means 'Jehovah is he', did not abide in God, even after executing God's Judgement on the wicked. Jehu executed Joram, Ahaziah, family and friends of Ahab (including Jezebel the witch)- 2 Kings 10:11-14
It is important to abide in God, God desires to live in you and you in Him and ultimately have an endless fellowship together after your life on earth. But it starts now. Tomorrow may be too late if you are yet to invite Jesus into your life to be your saviour and Lord.
Whatever you are facing or going through does not prevent God from using you.
The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction. – Charles Spurgeon
By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. - 1 John 4:13
Remain joined to me, and I will remain joined to you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain joined to the vine. In the same way, you can't bear fruit unless you remain joined to me. - John 15:4
Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. - 1 John 2:28
Not only should we study His word, it important to pray.
Natural ability and educational advantages do not figure as factors in this matter of prayer; but a capacity for faith, the power of a thorough consecration, the ability of self-littleness, an absolute losing of one’s self in God’s glory and an ever present and insatiable yearning and seeking after all the fullness of God. – EM Bounds
Prayer
• Give thanks
• Saved
• Father, Help me to abide, remain in you, walk with you and please you in all my ways. "Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. (Deuteronomy 8:6)
• Father, help me to watch and pray
• Personal prayer points.
Sunday August 19, 2012
Athaliah – Is it yours?
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. - Romans 14:19
Many times we want to lay hold on what is potentially or seemingly ours. But you need to ask the question: Is it mine? Does God want me to have this? Is this in line with God's will for my life? Once you receive the green light, go on, but should you see yellow or red, tread very carefully.
Athaliah the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel killed all her grandchildren in sight to enable her reign as king after her son Ahaziah died. Her name means ‘whom God afflicts’ continued in Idolatry, Baal worship and possibly witchcraft. She executed her grandchildren, except for Jo-ash, who was secretly ‘stolen away’ and ruled for 6 yearsuntil she was executed when the rightful king ascended the throne.- 2 Chronicles 23:12-15
Always focus on what God has and planned for you. I saw a great definition of focus a while ago - Follow One Course Until Successful.
Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus. Alexander Graham Bell
We just want to win. That's the bottom line. I think a lot of times people may become content with one championship or a little bit of success, but we don't really reflect on what we've done in the past. We focus on the present. Derek Jeter
And this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. - Romans 13:11
Is it yours? – How do you tread?
• In Patience, listen to God, be prayerful
• Hand over the battle to God, and allow Him fight for you
• Issue the command for Athaliah
• Stand
Prayer
• Give thanks
• Saved?
• Father, Help me to abide, remain in you, walk with you and please you in all my ways. Father, help me to watch and pray
• Personal prayer points
Sunday August 26, 2012
King Joash – Following??
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. - 1 Peter 2:21
Joash started well, but ended badly. He refused to continue in the things that made him and got him where he was. God in His mercy saved him from among the king's sons that were slain. His name means ‘Jehovah – given /whom Jehovah bestowed’. He repaired the temple, encouraged Judah to follow the law of Moses/the law of God. He followed the ways of God, all the days of his teacher - the High Priest – Jehoiada. However, he turned his back to God, after Jehoiada died, killed Zechariah – Jehoiada’s son who tried to correct him and point him to the right paths. The Syrians wounded Joash, he was assassinated by his servants and ruled for a total of 40 years - 2 Chronicles 24:1-27
Before Apostle John talked about prosperity, he focused on walking in the truth.
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4)
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, (Philippians 2:12)
Apply yourself. Get all the education you can, but then, by God, do something. Don't just stand there, make it happen.
The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.
We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems.
Lee Iacocca
We should follow after the righteous acts and purposes God has planted in our hearts while waiting for the day of redemption.
Following? – How?
• Patiently
• Make positive progressive changes
• Don’t depart from the way of truth
• It is never too late to do the right thing
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; (John 10:27)
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come to us as the rain, as the latter and former rain to the earth. (Hosea 6:3)
Prayer
• Give thanks
• Saved
• Father, Help me to follow you, remain in you, walk with you and please you in all my ways. Father, help me to watch and pray
• Personal prayer points.
