Monday, January 12, 2015
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Thoughts On A Sunday Afternoon
I have a couple of things to say this afternoon. Just a few thoughts. I find these Sunday afternoons a good chance to get things off of my mind.
I heard a sermon this morning that expressed a common view that continues to upset me. It concerns the interpretation of the Scripture passage in Romans that speaks about God working out all things for our good. The minister told the story of how terrible sickness and tragedy happened to someone. Apparently, God had put all this on to the woman to make her more like Jesus as she went through all of this suffering.
This kind of preaching upsets me greatly. First of all, read the passage in Romans 8 in context. Second, Jesus was compassionate and told us that we serve a loving Heavenly Father.
The passage in Romans 8 is about the ultimate glorification that awaits the believer in Heaven. As verse 29 states, God foreknew us, and predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. Verse 30 goes on to say that those whom God foreknew He predestined, called, justified and glorified. This is an expression of the fact that all who are in Jesus will ultimately be with Him and receive a glorified body like unto His glorified body. We will ultimately be like Jesus.
We live in a fallen world that is filled with sin. Horrible things happen to people. This does not mean that God caused sickness and tragedy to befall people. God may bring good out of it, but I do not believe that He causes it.
My mother suffered with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and the effects of a stroke for six years. In the end, she didn't even know who she was. If someone says that God brought this on my mother to work some kind of good in her life, well, then they believe in a very cruel God and not the God revealed in Jesus.
Now, my mother has had all things ultimately work together for her good because she was in Jesus. She is in the presence of Jesus right now, and she is not suffering in any way shape or form. I wish people would stop using this verse in Romans to put the blame on God, so to speak, for the horrible things that happen in life. Most of the time there is no purpose in tragedy and sickness. It just happens, because that is the way the world is right now. Some day, when Jesus returns, it won't be that way anymore. While we face the sufferings and heartaches of life, Jesus is with us and helps us to make it through to the ultimate victory that awaits those who follow in His footsteps.
OK. I got that sorted. Now, this must have been the Sunday for my pet peeves in sermons, because I heard another one. This one was about giving unto Caesar what is Caesar's and giving to God what is God's. I do not understand where in this statement that ministers come up with the interpretation that Jesus is saying that we have a duty to God and government. Some call this the two kingdoms doctrine. I think that this statement is easily interpreted.
The coin Jesus was given had an image of Caesar on it. Jesus said to give back to Caesar what had his image on it. We should give to God what has His image on it. Since we are made in the image of God, that means that we owe everything that we have to God, and we should give ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him. There is no place in the Bible that Jesus says that we have an allegiance to the state. Our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus alone. We can be good citizens, but only in so far as it does not conflict with our allegiance to Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus is Lord. Caesar, the President, nor any other earthly ruler is Lord. Period. It is not God and country. It is God. Period.
I've got that off my mind. Tomorrow is the new job. I miss my old job that the union took away from me. I guess the past is past, and I have to move on. My goal is a larger ministry, and I want to use this new job as a means to that end. However, I still want to sell the house and most of my stuff. If I can get enough to pay off everything and have enough to start a church or ministry, that is what I will do.
I've been working to get the house in shape. It's coming along slowly, but progress is being made. Please pray that the Lord Jesus will help me to get things sold, and that the new job will go well tomorrow. The weather is still supposed to be bad. Pray it won't be.
As I close today, I just want to thank all of you who have read the blog over these last four years. I have had tremendous fun doing this. I love getting to spread the message of Jesus every week. Lord willing, I hope to keep going for the weeks and months and years to come.
P.S. Tuesday will mark the 30th anniversary of when I brought Toby home to live with me. I can't believe it's been that long ago. It just seems like yesterday. I want to say thank you to Jesus for bringing the two of us together. I have always said, and I will continue to say, that Toby was the friend Jesus gave me. Thank you Jesus.
I heard a sermon this morning that expressed a common view that continues to upset me. It concerns the interpretation of the Scripture passage in Romans that speaks about God working out all things for our good. The minister told the story of how terrible sickness and tragedy happened to someone. Apparently, God had put all this on to the woman to make her more like Jesus as she went through all of this suffering.
This kind of preaching upsets me greatly. First of all, read the passage in Romans 8 in context. Second, Jesus was compassionate and told us that we serve a loving Heavenly Father.
The passage in Romans 8 is about the ultimate glorification that awaits the believer in Heaven. As verse 29 states, God foreknew us, and predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. Verse 30 goes on to say that those whom God foreknew He predestined, called, justified and glorified. This is an expression of the fact that all who are in Jesus will ultimately be with Him and receive a glorified body like unto His glorified body. We will ultimately be like Jesus.
We live in a fallen world that is filled with sin. Horrible things happen to people. This does not mean that God caused sickness and tragedy to befall people. God may bring good out of it, but I do not believe that He causes it.
My mother suffered with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and the effects of a stroke for six years. In the end, she didn't even know who she was. If someone says that God brought this on my mother to work some kind of good in her life, well, then they believe in a very cruel God and not the God revealed in Jesus.
Now, my mother has had all things ultimately work together for her good because she was in Jesus. She is in the presence of Jesus right now, and she is not suffering in any way shape or form. I wish people would stop using this verse in Romans to put the blame on God, so to speak, for the horrible things that happen in life. Most of the time there is no purpose in tragedy and sickness. It just happens, because that is the way the world is right now. Some day, when Jesus returns, it won't be that way anymore. While we face the sufferings and heartaches of life, Jesus is with us and helps us to make it through to the ultimate victory that awaits those who follow in His footsteps.
OK. I got that sorted. Now, this must have been the Sunday for my pet peeves in sermons, because I heard another one. This one was about giving unto Caesar what is Caesar's and giving to God what is God's. I do not understand where in this statement that ministers come up with the interpretation that Jesus is saying that we have a duty to God and government. Some call this the two kingdoms doctrine. I think that this statement is easily interpreted.
The coin Jesus was given had an image of Caesar on it. Jesus said to give back to Caesar what had his image on it. We should give to God what has His image on it. Since we are made in the image of God, that means that we owe everything that we have to God, and we should give ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him. There is no place in the Bible that Jesus says that we have an allegiance to the state. Our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus alone. We can be good citizens, but only in so far as it does not conflict with our allegiance to Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus is Lord. Caesar, the President, nor any other earthly ruler is Lord. Period. It is not God and country. It is God. Period.
I've got that off my mind. Tomorrow is the new job. I miss my old job that the union took away from me. I guess the past is past, and I have to move on. My goal is a larger ministry, and I want to use this new job as a means to that end. However, I still want to sell the house and most of my stuff. If I can get enough to pay off everything and have enough to start a church or ministry, that is what I will do.
I've been working to get the house in shape. It's coming along slowly, but progress is being made. Please pray that the Lord Jesus will help me to get things sold, and that the new job will go well tomorrow. The weather is still supposed to be bad. Pray it won't be.
As I close today, I just want to thank all of you who have read the blog over these last four years. I have had tremendous fun doing this. I love getting to spread the message of Jesus every week. Lord willing, I hope to keep going for the weeks and months and years to come.
P.S. Tuesday will mark the 30th anniversary of when I brought Toby home to live with me. I can't believe it's been that long ago. It just seems like yesterday. I want to say thank you to Jesus for bringing the two of us together. I have always said, and I will continue to say, that Toby was the friend Jesus gave me. Thank you Jesus.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- Josiah and Jehoiakim
It is good to be with you all again for another edition of the Weekend Sermon. I hope and pray that everyone who reads the blog is doing well.
This has been a week of transition for me. As most of you who read this blog know, I am starting a new job with a good salary and benefits on Monday. I am very thankful to the Lord for this opportunity. My ultimate goal is to get my debts paid off and get a larger ministry going. This week, I ended the part-time job that the Lord had provided for me while I searched for a really good job. I will miss the friends I made at this job. All in all, it was a nice place to work. I pray that the new place is nice too.
Please pray that the weather won't be bad so that I can get to work in good order on Monday. They are calling for freezing drizzle on Sunday night. Please pray that I can make it alright on my first day.
On a more important note, please be in prayer for the people in France who were the victims of the terrible terrorist attack this week. Pray that all of the perpetrators of this attack will be brought to justice. Also, pray that this vicious terrorism will end in France and around the world.
This week, let us also pray for peace in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan. Pray for those who are sick with Ebola, and for the end of this epidemic.
For the past few weeks, we have been in a study of the kings of Judah and Israel. We have this week and one next week to go in this series. After this, I am leaning towards a series on I Peter or the parables of Jesus. I may devote a few more sermons to the miracles of Jesus before these two series. I am not sure of the will of the Lord on this matter yet.
Today, we will focus our attention on the reigns of Josiah and his son Jehoiakim. These two men could not have been more different from each other. Josiah was only eight years old when he became king of Judah. He would reign over the land for a total of thirty-one years.
Eighteen years into Josiah's reign, the priests in the Temple discovered the book of the law in the Temple and brought it too the king. Many Bible scholars believe that this was the book of Deuteronomy.
When the king heard the words from the book of the law, he rent his clothes in distress and repentance. Josiah knew that he and his people had not done right. 2 Kings 22:13 records it this way, "Go ye, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all of Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us."
The king's servants consulted with Huldah the prophetess as to what to do. At the words of Huldah, Josiah began a great series of religious reforms in the kingdom. Josiah ordered the destruction of the altars to Baal and to the other foreign gods. He tore down the sacred groves and the shrines to the Sun. 2 Kings 23:13-14 records the following, " And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians... he brake in pieces the images , and cut down the groves and filled their places with the bones of men."
In addition to this, Josiah held the greatest observance of the Passover since the time of the judges. In my opinion, Josiah was probably the most righteous king to rule over Judah. Josiah's reign would end when he was killed in a battle with the Egyptians.
At this point, Josiah's son Jehoiakim would assume the throne after the brief reign of his brother. Jehoiakim was a vicious and wicked king. He and the great prophet Jeremiah would have several encounters.
Jeremiah 36 records one of these encounters between Jeremiah and Jehoiakim. God instructed Jeremiah to write down on a scroll the words the Lord had spoken to Jeremiah concerning the judgment coming on Judah. Jeremiah did this, and gave it to Jehoiakim as instructed. When Jehoiakim heard the word of the Lord, he did not heed the word as his father Josiah had done. Jehoiakim actually took the scroll that contained the word of the Lord and burned it. This king would persecute the prophet Jeremiah, and he would eventually kill the the prophet Urijah.
Jehoiakim met an untimely death. He was one of the worst kings mentioned in the Bible.
So, what are we to learn from these two men. I believe that the most important lesson we can learn is from the reactions of these two men when they were presented with the word of the Lord. Josiah repented and turned to God. Jehoiakim remained in his sin and despised the word of the Lord.
This is the same reaction that people have to Scripture today. It may not be as dramatic as in the case of Jehoiakim, but it is similar nonetheless.
When the Scripture is preached or read, it will not return unto the Lord void. People will either heed the word of the Lord, or they will reject it. This occurs on a daily basis. All over this world today, there are people who hear the word, repent, turn from sin and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. On the other hand, people will hear the word of the Lord today, and they will reject it. They will not turn their lives over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Sadly, Christians also are guilty of sometimes despising the word of the Lord. We often read the teachings and the commands of Jesus, and yet we will not do what Jesus commands. Jesus said, "Why do you call me Lord, yet you do not do what I say?"
Jesus has commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and even to love our enemies. Are we doing this? Jesus has commanded us to lay up treasures in heaven and not treasures on earth. Is that how we are leading our lives?
As the followers of Jesus, we should emulate what Josiah did. We should hear the word, and then act on what we have heard. As it says in James, we must be doers of the word and not hearers only.
I hope that all of you who read this blog will be students of the Bible. Read the word, especially the words of Jesus, and act on what the Bible says. Repent of sin, and then do what is right.
Next week, we will conclude our series on kings. I will post a verse and a review next week. The Weekend Sermon will appear on Saturday, Lord willing. May God bless you. Amen.
This has been a week of transition for me. As most of you who read this blog know, I am starting a new job with a good salary and benefits on Monday. I am very thankful to the Lord for this opportunity. My ultimate goal is to get my debts paid off and get a larger ministry going. This week, I ended the part-time job that the Lord had provided for me while I searched for a really good job. I will miss the friends I made at this job. All in all, it was a nice place to work. I pray that the new place is nice too.
Please pray that the weather won't be bad so that I can get to work in good order on Monday. They are calling for freezing drizzle on Sunday night. Please pray that I can make it alright on my first day.
On a more important note, please be in prayer for the people in France who were the victims of the terrible terrorist attack this week. Pray that all of the perpetrators of this attack will be brought to justice. Also, pray that this vicious terrorism will end in France and around the world.
This week, let us also pray for peace in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan. Pray for those who are sick with Ebola, and for the end of this epidemic.
For the past few weeks, we have been in a study of the kings of Judah and Israel. We have this week and one next week to go in this series. After this, I am leaning towards a series on I Peter or the parables of Jesus. I may devote a few more sermons to the miracles of Jesus before these two series. I am not sure of the will of the Lord on this matter yet.
Today, we will focus our attention on the reigns of Josiah and his son Jehoiakim. These two men could not have been more different from each other. Josiah was only eight years old when he became king of Judah. He would reign over the land for a total of thirty-one years.
Eighteen years into Josiah's reign, the priests in the Temple discovered the book of the law in the Temple and brought it too the king. Many Bible scholars believe that this was the book of Deuteronomy.
When the king heard the words from the book of the law, he rent his clothes in distress and repentance. Josiah knew that he and his people had not done right. 2 Kings 22:13 records it this way, "Go ye, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all of Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us."
The king's servants consulted with Huldah the prophetess as to what to do. At the words of Huldah, Josiah began a great series of religious reforms in the kingdom. Josiah ordered the destruction of the altars to Baal and to the other foreign gods. He tore down the sacred groves and the shrines to the Sun. 2 Kings 23:13-14 records the following, " And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians... he brake in pieces the images , and cut down the groves and filled their places with the bones of men."
In addition to this, Josiah held the greatest observance of the Passover since the time of the judges. In my opinion, Josiah was probably the most righteous king to rule over Judah. Josiah's reign would end when he was killed in a battle with the Egyptians.
At this point, Josiah's son Jehoiakim would assume the throne after the brief reign of his brother. Jehoiakim was a vicious and wicked king. He and the great prophet Jeremiah would have several encounters.
Jeremiah 36 records one of these encounters between Jeremiah and Jehoiakim. God instructed Jeremiah to write down on a scroll the words the Lord had spoken to Jeremiah concerning the judgment coming on Judah. Jeremiah did this, and gave it to Jehoiakim as instructed. When Jehoiakim heard the word of the Lord, he did not heed the word as his father Josiah had done. Jehoiakim actually took the scroll that contained the word of the Lord and burned it. This king would persecute the prophet Jeremiah, and he would eventually kill the the prophet Urijah.
Jehoiakim met an untimely death. He was one of the worst kings mentioned in the Bible.
So, what are we to learn from these two men. I believe that the most important lesson we can learn is from the reactions of these two men when they were presented with the word of the Lord. Josiah repented and turned to God. Jehoiakim remained in his sin and despised the word of the Lord.
This is the same reaction that people have to Scripture today. It may not be as dramatic as in the case of Jehoiakim, but it is similar nonetheless.
When the Scripture is preached or read, it will not return unto the Lord void. People will either heed the word of the Lord, or they will reject it. This occurs on a daily basis. All over this world today, there are people who hear the word, repent, turn from sin and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. On the other hand, people will hear the word of the Lord today, and they will reject it. They will not turn their lives over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Sadly, Christians also are guilty of sometimes despising the word of the Lord. We often read the teachings and the commands of Jesus, and yet we will not do what Jesus commands. Jesus said, "Why do you call me Lord, yet you do not do what I say?"
Jesus has commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and even to love our enemies. Are we doing this? Jesus has commanded us to lay up treasures in heaven and not treasures on earth. Is that how we are leading our lives?
As the followers of Jesus, we should emulate what Josiah did. We should hear the word, and then act on what we have heard. As it says in James, we must be doers of the word and not hearers only.
I hope that all of you who read this blog will be students of the Bible. Read the word, especially the words of Jesus, and act on what the Bible says. Repent of sin, and then do what is right.
Next week, we will conclude our series on kings. I will post a verse and a review next week. The Weekend Sermon will appear on Saturday, Lord willing. May God bless you. Amen.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Best Dog and Cat Book of 2014
Each year, I review and recommend several animal books. At the end of the year, I like to choose the best dog and cat book from the previous year. Here I my picks for best dog book and best cat book of 2014.
The best dog book that I reviewed this year was "An Unexpected Grace" written by Kristin von Kreisler. I have reviewed other books written by this author, and I have enjoyed them all. "An Unexpected Grace" is a fiction work that tells how a dog changes a woman's life for the better.
My choice for best cat book is "The World According to Bob" by James Bowen. James and Bob just keep going strong. This book is the sequel to James' first book "A Streetcat Named Bob". Both books have become international bestsellers. James was a recovering heroin addict when he rescued Bob from the streets. But, who rescued who? I think they rescued each other. James has written another book about Bob that has already been published over in the UK. It is scheduled for release in the U.S. sometime in 2015.
I've already been reading some good books to review in 2015. I look forward to reading and sharing with you the good dog, cat, animal and religious books that I read throughout the year as well as the occasional video.
The best dog book that I reviewed this year was "An Unexpected Grace" written by Kristin von Kreisler. I have reviewed other books written by this author, and I have enjoyed them all. "An Unexpected Grace" is a fiction work that tells how a dog changes a woman's life for the better.
My choice for best cat book is "The World According to Bob" by James Bowen. James and Bob just keep going strong. This book is the sequel to James' first book "A Streetcat Named Bob". Both books have become international bestsellers. James was a recovering heroin addict when he rescued Bob from the streets. But, who rescued who? I think they rescued each other. James has written another book about Bob that has already been published over in the UK. It is scheduled for release in the U.S. sometime in 2015.
I've already been reading some good books to review in 2015. I look forward to reading and sharing with you the good dog, cat, animal and religious books that I read throughout the year as well as the occasional video.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Verse For the Week
John 4:14--"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Thoughts On A Sunday Afternoon
Hello, I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Sunday. Thankfully, the weather was not bad today, so I am here at the library. The photo above is a picture of my friend Toby looking across the back yard to see what the neighbors were up to. It was taken on a cold day in the middle of winter much like today is in my part of the world.
When I saw this photo yesterday, the first thing that came into my mind is that it appeared as if Toby was looking off into the future. That got me to thinking about what the future holds.
Of course, no one can know for sure what 2015 will hold. We have our expectations and our plans, but only God knows if things will turn out the way we think they will.
As 2015 approaches, I find myself getting ready to start a new job on the 12th. I don't know what this will all amount to. Right now, my hope is that I can work this job, pay off my debts and start a larger ministry. That is the plan. I also hope to sell my house in 2015.
I just remember other years that I had plans, and things didn't turn out the way I expected. Once this happened in a very good way, and twice things went in a bad direction. I had had a great year in 1998 and 1999 was just rolling in. On January 2, my three year old dog named Colm was diagnosed with leukemia, and he wouldn't last through March. Later that year, I would become very sick with several autoimmune problems. Who knows what a year will bring.
A couple of years earlier while Tobe was still with me, we didn't expect him to make it too far into the new year. But, by the grace of God, he lived a long time.
In February of 2010, my Mom had been gone for only four months. My Dad and I were still upset about that, but we were trying to make some plans for the future. We were going to go to New England in the late Spring and check on some properties we were interested in. We were thinking about moving and getting a fresh start. However, by the end of February, my Dad would join my Mom in Heaven.
All we can do is try our best and hope for the best. Each day I pray that Jesus will guide me and that He will have His will and way in my life.
In some ways, as I have mentioned, the future is uncertain. However, those of us who are in Christ have a certain future that cannot be taken away from us.
Those who are in Christ are promised several things about their futures in the Scriptures. I would like to mention just a couple.
Those who have turned to Jesus as Savior and Lord have been promised in Philippians 1:6 "That he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." This means that Jesus will keep us and perform His transforming work within us until we are like Him in all ways. Romans 8:29-30 says it this way, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and them he justified, them he also glorified."
No matter what, the Lord has good things in the future for those who are His. First of all He predestined us. Then He has called us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Then we have been declared righteous and have received the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. Now we will be glorified when we see Jesus face to face. What a great day that will be. This is a future that those of us who are in Christ can count on.
Also, we can count on the fact that in the future, we will be with Jesus and we will see all those who have gone on to be with Jesus. Jesus said that He has gone to prepare a place for us, that where He is, we can be there too. Because Jesus is the Resurrection and Life, I know that my family is in Heaven with Jesus. One day in the future, I know for certain that I will be with Jesus and see my family again. Why? Because Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He always kept His word and He always will.
This great future is not possible because of anything that I have done. There is nothing good or special in me. This future is only possible by the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ who loved me and gave Himself for me. He gave Himself that whosoever will may come.
If you want to have a sure future that no circumstances on earth can change, turn your life over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ today.
I guess this post turned into the Weekend Sermon part II, but that's OK. I hope that everyone has a good day, and I will post a verse tomorrow, Lord willing.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Weekend Sermon-- Rehoboam and Joash
Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon. I hope that everyone had a nice New Year's Day. Lately, I have been posting the sermon on Saturday, but the weather here is predicted to be terrible tomorrow, so I am posting today like I used to do.
I did not stay up this year to see 2015 in. I was just to tired after I got home from work. I am looking forward to the middle of the month when I start my new job. I would like you to pray that I will know what to do with a situation. I am considering staying with the job I have on a very part-time basis, if they will let me, as well as working the new job. I don't know if this will leave me any time for writing though. Please pray that I will know what to do in this matter. I would also ask for your prayers about a health matter. I have had arthritis since I was in my early 20's. In the last few weeks, the arthritis has become very bad in my left foot and ankle, and I have been in excruciating pain and having difficulty walking. Please pray with me that this situation might be relieved by the Lord. Also, please pray that the weather isn't really bad tomorrow.
In other matters, let us pray this week for peace. Iraq and Syria are a mess right now. Let there be peace. Also pray for peace in Afghanistan and Libya. Wherever there is war, violence and oppression let us pray for peace and justice.
Over the last few weeks, we have been doing a series of messages about some of the kings in the Bible. We took a break for Christmas and New Year's sermons, but we are resuming our king's series today.
Today, I want to focus on two kings who were separated by quite a few years, but they had one thing in common. These two kings are Rehoboam and Joash.
Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and the grandson of David. As we saw a few weeks back, Solomon didn't end his reign on a high note. Jeroboam was on the point of revolt when Rehoboam assumed the throne. The people came to Rehoboam and asked him to remove the heavy yoke that had been placed upon them by Solomon. At this point, Rehoboam took counsel as to how to answer the people. The older men who had been advisers to Solomon counseled Rehoboam to tell the people that he would be kind to them. Then they would not revolt against his rule. Rehoboam then turned to those his own age to ask their advice. They told the king to come down heavily on the people.
Rehoboam forsook the advice of the elders and listened to his contemporaries. The result was a massive rebellion in which Jeroboam split the kingdom taking the ten northern tribes and forming a new nation. Rehoboam retained the loyalty of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin only.
During the course of his reign, Rehoboam would not follow the laws of God, and he did not turn his heart to the Lord as his grandfather David did. Rehoboam and David were polar opposites. It's hard to believe that they were even related.
Joash had a rough start in life. When he was just a baby his father was killed. At this point, Joash's grandmother, Athaliah assumed the throne and killed all of the other contenders to the throne. She tried to find her grandson and kill him, but Joash was hidden by his aunt Jehoshabeath and her husband Jehoiada who was a priest.
When Joash was seven years old, Jehoiada led a successful revolt against the very wicked queen, and Joash was placed on the throne as the rightful heir. During the time that Jehoiada lived and counseled Joash, the king did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and was a very good ruler. He restored the worship in the temple.
However, Jehoiada died at the advanced age of 130. He was so respected by the people, that he was buried in the tomb of the kings. It wasn't long after this that Joash went astray. 2 Chronicles 24:17-18 says, "Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groves and idols..."
In other words, Joash did not remember the good teaching and advice he had received from his uncle. He listened to bad advice, and he turned from the True and Living God to false gods.
Not long after this, Jehoiada's son Zechariah confronted the wickedness of the king. Joash had become so evil that he had Zechariah stoned to death.
Eventually, Joash would be assassinated. He was so unpopular, that he was not even allowed to be buried in the tomb of the kings.
Rehoboam and Joash had this in common. They would not listen to Godly counsel, and they suffered the consequences. This should be a lesson to all of us.
Rehoboam received good advice, but he would not listen. This should teach us to surround ourselves with wise people who will give us the right advice. For instance, as Christians, we should be seeking counsel from believers in the Lord Jesus and not from those who follow the way of the world. So many Christians will listen to financial advice or personal advice from this world, and they do not heed Godly counsel. This will only end in run. As the Bible says, what fellowship hath light with darkness. If we take counsel from the spiritually blind, we, like them, will end up falling in the ditch.
The same principle holds true as far as Joash was concerned. He did not keep in mind the memory of the good counsel he received from Jehoiada. If he would have remembered what Jehoiada had taught him, Joash would have had a successful reign. Instead, he listened to bad advice.
One thing that I have tried to do since my Dad passed away is to remember the things that he told me. My Dad didn't have a college education, but he was a very wise man. When he was alive, I would always ask his advice on the decisions I faced.
Since my Dad has been gone, I try to image what he would tell me now. This helps me to act and make better decisions.
As followers of Jesus, our source of counsel and decision making should be the Lord. He lived a perfect, holy and sinless life to be our example of how to act in any given situation. We should always ask the question, What would Jesus do? before we act.
The way we learn about what Jesus would do is by reading the Gospels and learning about the Lord. We can also discern the will and way of Jesus through prayer and meditation. We should also be diligent students of the Bible. In the pages of God's Holy Word, we will find the answers to the questions and problems we will encounter in this life. We must follow Godly wisdom and not the way that seems right unto man, but the end thereof is the way of death.
The best counsel that I can give to anyone is to turn your life over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ if you have not done so already. Trust in His saving, forgiving and transforming power.
Next week, I will post the verse on Monday and a review on Wednesday. Look for the Weekend Sermon on Saturday, unless the weather dictates a change. May God bless you. Amen.
I did not stay up this year to see 2015 in. I was just to tired after I got home from work. I am looking forward to the middle of the month when I start my new job. I would like you to pray that I will know what to do with a situation. I am considering staying with the job I have on a very part-time basis, if they will let me, as well as working the new job. I don't know if this will leave me any time for writing though. Please pray that I will know what to do in this matter. I would also ask for your prayers about a health matter. I have had arthritis since I was in my early 20's. In the last few weeks, the arthritis has become very bad in my left foot and ankle, and I have been in excruciating pain and having difficulty walking. Please pray with me that this situation might be relieved by the Lord. Also, please pray that the weather isn't really bad tomorrow.
In other matters, let us pray this week for peace. Iraq and Syria are a mess right now. Let there be peace. Also pray for peace in Afghanistan and Libya. Wherever there is war, violence and oppression let us pray for peace and justice.
Over the last few weeks, we have been doing a series of messages about some of the kings in the Bible. We took a break for Christmas and New Year's sermons, but we are resuming our king's series today.
Today, I want to focus on two kings who were separated by quite a few years, but they had one thing in common. These two kings are Rehoboam and Joash.
Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and the grandson of David. As we saw a few weeks back, Solomon didn't end his reign on a high note. Jeroboam was on the point of revolt when Rehoboam assumed the throne. The people came to Rehoboam and asked him to remove the heavy yoke that had been placed upon them by Solomon. At this point, Rehoboam took counsel as to how to answer the people. The older men who had been advisers to Solomon counseled Rehoboam to tell the people that he would be kind to them. Then they would not revolt against his rule. Rehoboam then turned to those his own age to ask their advice. They told the king to come down heavily on the people.
Rehoboam forsook the advice of the elders and listened to his contemporaries. The result was a massive rebellion in which Jeroboam split the kingdom taking the ten northern tribes and forming a new nation. Rehoboam retained the loyalty of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin only.
During the course of his reign, Rehoboam would not follow the laws of God, and he did not turn his heart to the Lord as his grandfather David did. Rehoboam and David were polar opposites. It's hard to believe that they were even related.
Joash had a rough start in life. When he was just a baby his father was killed. At this point, Joash's grandmother, Athaliah assumed the throne and killed all of the other contenders to the throne. She tried to find her grandson and kill him, but Joash was hidden by his aunt Jehoshabeath and her husband Jehoiada who was a priest.
When Joash was seven years old, Jehoiada led a successful revolt against the very wicked queen, and Joash was placed on the throne as the rightful heir. During the time that Jehoiada lived and counseled Joash, the king did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and was a very good ruler. He restored the worship in the temple.
However, Jehoiada died at the advanced age of 130. He was so respected by the people, that he was buried in the tomb of the kings. It wasn't long after this that Joash went astray. 2 Chronicles 24:17-18 says, "Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groves and idols..."
In other words, Joash did not remember the good teaching and advice he had received from his uncle. He listened to bad advice, and he turned from the True and Living God to false gods.
Not long after this, Jehoiada's son Zechariah confronted the wickedness of the king. Joash had become so evil that he had Zechariah stoned to death.
Eventually, Joash would be assassinated. He was so unpopular, that he was not even allowed to be buried in the tomb of the kings.
Rehoboam and Joash had this in common. They would not listen to Godly counsel, and they suffered the consequences. This should be a lesson to all of us.
Rehoboam received good advice, but he would not listen. This should teach us to surround ourselves with wise people who will give us the right advice. For instance, as Christians, we should be seeking counsel from believers in the Lord Jesus and not from those who follow the way of the world. So many Christians will listen to financial advice or personal advice from this world, and they do not heed Godly counsel. This will only end in run. As the Bible says, what fellowship hath light with darkness. If we take counsel from the spiritually blind, we, like them, will end up falling in the ditch.
The same principle holds true as far as Joash was concerned. He did not keep in mind the memory of the good counsel he received from Jehoiada. If he would have remembered what Jehoiada had taught him, Joash would have had a successful reign. Instead, he listened to bad advice.
One thing that I have tried to do since my Dad passed away is to remember the things that he told me. My Dad didn't have a college education, but he was a very wise man. When he was alive, I would always ask his advice on the decisions I faced.
Since my Dad has been gone, I try to image what he would tell me now. This helps me to act and make better decisions.
As followers of Jesus, our source of counsel and decision making should be the Lord. He lived a perfect, holy and sinless life to be our example of how to act in any given situation. We should always ask the question, What would Jesus do? before we act.
The way we learn about what Jesus would do is by reading the Gospels and learning about the Lord. We can also discern the will and way of Jesus through prayer and meditation. We should also be diligent students of the Bible. In the pages of God's Holy Word, we will find the answers to the questions and problems we will encounter in this life. We must follow Godly wisdom and not the way that seems right unto man, but the end thereof is the way of death.
The best counsel that I can give to anyone is to turn your life over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ if you have not done so already. Trust in His saving, forgiving and transforming power.
Next week, I will post the verse on Monday and a review on Wednesday. Look for the Weekend Sermon on Saturday, unless the weather dictates a change. May God bless you. Amen.
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