Verses For the Week -- Verses From II Samuel

II Samuel 7:22 -- "Therefore you are great, O Lord God.  For there is none like you , nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears,"

II Samuel 22:32 -- "For who is God, except the Lord.  And who is a rock, except our God?"

Weekend Sermon -- "Jehosheba" -- II Chronicles 21:10 -- 24:27

    I'd like to welcome everyone today to this edition of the Weekend Sermon.  I am posting this message one day later than normal because the library where I work on the computer was closed Friday for Veteran's Day.
    This has been a busy week for me.  I've been working on writing and doing a lot of work around the house.  I am still trying to find a job that will cause less stress.  I would ask that you continue to please pray for me on this account.
    In prayer this week, please pray for those recovering from damage due to natural disasters around the world.  Many people are still suffering.  Also, pray for the leaders of this world.  We are living in distressing times.  Pray that God's will will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
    Today on the radio, I heard a report about the terrible war and refugee crisis that is occurring in South Sudan.  Please pray that peace can come to this nation.  Remember to keep praying for peace in Iraq and Syria.
    For our prayer focus countries this week, let us all pray that the message of Jesus' love will reach many people in Eritrea and Myanmar.
    For the last several weeks, we have been in a series of messages focusing on some of the less well-known characters in the Bible.  Today, will be the last message in this series.  Down the line I might have so more messages on this topic, but it will be sometime after our upcoming parables of Jesus series.
    Today, I would like us to focus our attention on a courageous woman by the name of Jehosheba.  We mentioned her briefly when we looked at the life of King Joash in our Kings of Israel and Judah sermon series.
    Jehosheba was the daughter of King Jehoram of Judah.  She was the half-sister of King Ahaziah of Judah.  Ahaziah was killed during Jehu's rebellion against King Joram of Israel.
    When Ahaziah's mother, Athaliah heard the news that her son had been killed, she saw this as an opportunity to seize power for herself.  She decided to kill any of Ahaziah's line that might be able to assume the throne now that he was dead.
    This is where Jehosheba jumped into action.  Jehosheba was the wife of the high priest named Jehoiada.  When Jehosheba heard what Athaliah was doing, Jehosheba took young Joash and his nurse and hid them both in a room inside the Temple.
    Athaliah was not able to find young Joash, but that did not stop her from assuming the throne.  Athaliah was an evil ruler.  She was the only queen over Israel or Judah until the time of the Hasmonean dynasty when Salome Alexandra was queen in Israel.  This was after the time of the Maccabean revolt.
    Athaliah ruled for six years.  During that time, Joash was safely hidden away by Jehosheba.  She made sure that the queen was not able to find the young prince.  Eventually, Joash was elevated to the throne when Jehoiada orchestrated a rebellion against the queen.
    What is so sad is that Joash would eventually turn his back on the things of the Lord.  Jehosheba and Jehoiada's son Zechariah would eventually become high priest.  When Zechariah confronted Joash regarding his sin, Joash had Zechariah killed.  Later, Joash was assasinated.
    So, what can we learn from the life and actions of Jehosheba.   First of all, I see in Jehosheba the fact that your ancestry does not have to dictate how you live your life.  Jehosheba was the daughter of a king that did not follow the ways of the Lord.  However, Jehosheba was a righteous woman who married the high priest, and she did what was right.  She did not follow the bad example that was set for her.
    I know many people who were raised in less than ideal circumstances, but they were able to overcome their past and achieve great things.  They overcame the odds.  Just because people in your family don't do what is right, it doesn't mean you have to follow them.
    If you are trying to do your best in spite of what those around you are doing, I urge you to stay strong.  Read the Bible and gain strength from it.  Continue in prayer, and let the Lord speak to your heart and encourage you.  Find someone at church or at school who can be a mentor and can help you make the right choices in life.  Also, if you know someone who you can be a mentor and a friend to, please do that.  You never know what a great difference you can make in someone's life.
    Jehosheba was a woman of great courage.  If Athaliah would have found out what Jehosheba was up to, she would have killed Jehosheba without hesitation.  In spite of this, Jehosheba hid her nephew for six years.
    By hiding Joash, Jehosheba helped to fulfill the promise that God made to David.  God promised David that someone from his line would always rule over Israel.  Joash was in the line of David.  If he would have been killed, the promise would not have been fulfilled.  The ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant is Jesus Christ.  As the descendant of David, Jesus reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords forever and forever. Through the actions of Jehosheba, the will and purposes of the Lord were accomplished.
    We live in trying times in this world.  I certainly don't see the world getting better and better right now.  The forces of hate, racism and selfishness seem to be rampant all across the world.  Those who believe in what Jesus taught have to be strong and courageous in these times.  In spite of what the world around is advocating, we have to stand strong for the good and for what is in keeping with the life and teachings of Jesus our Lord.
    Following Jesus and His teachings of love may cost us in our social relationships and it may cost us economically.  Some people right now in our world are facing great persecution for following Jesus.  In spite of the persecution we may face, we need to stand up for Jesus.
    There have been many great Christians who have stood up for justice and for what is right throughout the history of the church.  There were Christians like William Wilberforce who led the fight against slavery in Britain.  Many Christians have stood up for the poor and have stood up against the exploitation of the oppressed.  Here in the United States, Christians were at the forefront of the Civil Rights movement.
    Those who would be followers of Jesus need to stand for justice and righteousness in the world.  Let us take encouragement from people like Jehosheba who stood up for the right even in difficult circumstances.
    It is my hope that all believers in Jesus Christ who read this blog will not take part in anyway in the hate, racism and selfishness that is becoming so predominant in the world.  Be a light against this darkness.  Stand for justice.  Stand against the exploitation of the poor and the oppressed.  Stand up for those who need help.  Always be a beacon of the love of Jesus Christ.
     Next week, I will post a sermon in keeping with the theme of thanksgiving since it will soon be the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States.  After that, we will move into the Advent season.  On Monday, I will post the verses for the week, and there will be book review on Wednesday.  May God bless you all.  Amen.

Update

     This is just a reminder that the Weekend Sermon will not be posted until Saturday this week as the library where I use the computer is closed on Friday for Veteran's Day.  We will be continuing with our series on less well-known Bible characters.  This will be the last week that we are in this series.  The following weekend, I will have a sermon on the theme of thanksgiving in keeping with the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States.
     The following weekend, we will begin our sermons on the Advent season leading into Christmas.  Following this, we will begin a series of messages on all of the parables of Jesus.  I am really looking forward to posting the messages in this series.
     I hope that you will be able to read all of the sermons.  If you get the chance, try to tell others about the blog.  I will do my best to share the message of the love of Jesus.   I hope that you all have a great day.

Book Review -- "Oliver, the Cat Who Saved Christmas"

    I am happy to write that the book I am reviewing today is one of the best books that I've read all year.  "Oliver, the Cat Who Saved Christmas" by Sheila Norton is a book that will bring much joy to your heart as you read it.
     Oliver is living a nice life with his human George when the novel begins.  One night, the pub where Oliver and George live catches on fire.  Oliver is able to help George get out unscathed, but the pub and the adjacent town hall are a total loss.
     In the confusion after the fire, Oliver gets lost, and he is trapped up a tree by a menacing fox.  Luckily for Oliver, a young man named Daniel rescues him and takes Oliver back the small cottage where he lives with his girlfriend.
    Daniel and his girlfriend don't really have enough money to take care of a cat, so Oliver goes to stay with the neighbors until George can get back on his feet and the the pub is rebuilt.
     Oliver is a cat who cares about people, and through the course of the novel, he makes it his mission to help others.  He is instrumental in several way in bringing people in the town together to help one another.  Everyone whose lives are touched by Oliver is blessed.
     The best part of the novel is Oliver's relationship with a young girl who is recovering from cancer treatment.  It demonstrates how animals can make a difference in the lives of the lonely.
     I highly recommend "Oliver, the Cat Who Saved Christmas".  The book is written well, and you won't want to put it down once you've started reading it.

Verses For the Week -- Verses About the Glory of God

John 11:40 -- "Jesus said, 'Did I not say that if you believe, you will see the glory of God'".

Isaiah 6:3 -- "And one called out to another, 'Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory."

Weekend Sermon -- Obadiah -- I Kings 18

     Welcome to this week’s posting of the Weekend Sermon.  As always, I am glad to be able to post the sermon today.  I hope and pray that all of you who read these words are doing well.

     We had some bad storms in my area last night.  I just want to thank the Lord that the storms weren’t damaging.  The wind blew hard, but everything made it through OK.  I’ve been very busy at work.  Work is really getting me down right now.  Please pray that I will be able to remain in good health and keep going. 

     In prayer this week, please remember the people of Italy who have experienced another earthquake.  Pray that anyone who is injured may recover.  The people of Haiti are still recovering from the hurricane.  Pray that God will meet the needs there.

     The situation in Iraq and Syria right now is very dire.  We need to be in prayer that peace will come to these two nations.  Also remember to pray for peace is South Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Afghanistan.

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for the nations of Comoros and Kuwait.  Please pray that the Gospel will reach many people in these two countries.

     During the last several weeks here on the Weekend Sermon, we’ve been examining the lives of some of the less well-known characters of the Bible.  We are trying to learn what these individuals can teach us in our own lives right now.

     Today, we turn our attention to a man named Obadiah whose story is recorded in I Kings 18.  There are a few people in the Bible named Obadiah.  The most well-known of those with this name would be the prophet Obadiah who is the author of the Biblical book with that name.  The Obadiah that we will study today is not the Obadiah who wrote the book of Obadiah.  The author of Obadiah lived several years after the Obadiah we are studying in this message.

     Ahab was probably one of the two most wicked kings who ruled over the nations of Israel and Judah.  He married a Phoenician princess by the name of Jezebel who introduced the worship of baal into Israel.  She forbade the worship of the True and Living God, and she sought to kill all of those who retained their allegiance to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

     Into this scene came the prophet Elijah.  He brought a word of condemnation against Ahab and Jezebel, and Elijah said that it would not rain in Israel as a judgment on the sins of the nation. Because of this, Jezebel sought out Elijah vigorously in order to kill him. 

     I Kings 18 begins by telling us that no rain had fallen in Israel for three years.  The drought was so bad that Ahab was on the verge of having to kill the horses in his stable because there was no water for them to drink.  Here is where Obadiah comes in.  Obadiah was an official in Ahab’s palace.  He was in charge of the palace, and he was a faithful follower of the Lord unbeknownst to Ahab and Jezebel.  Ahab and Obadiah went out and tried to find water for the horses.

     While Obadiah was out searching for water, the prophet Elijah appeared before him.  Obadiah bowed before Elijah, and Elijah told Obadiah to tell Ahab that he wanted to speak with him.  This made Obadiah very afraid.  He knew that Ahab wanted to kill Elijah in the worst way, and Obadiah feared for his own life.

     We learn from his discussion with Elijah that Obadiah was a faithful follower of the Lord.  When Jezebel wanted to kill the prophets, Obadiah hid 100 of the prophets in two different caves, and he brought them food and water to sustain them.  This action if discovered would have brought instant death to Obadiah. 

    Elijah eventually convinced Obadiah to go and tell the king to come and meet him.  Obadiah gave the message to Ahab, who didn’t kill him by the way, and Elijah told Ahab to gather the prophets of baal on Mount Carmel for a test.  On Mount Carmel, the Lord showed that he was the True and Living God, and that baal was a false God.  After this, God allowed it to rain again in Israel.

     So, what can we learn from Obadiah.  The first thing that I notice in this encounter is that God has the right people in the right place at the right time to do what He wants to have done.  Even though Ahab and Jezebel were so wicked, right in their midst as the chief of their palace, God had one of His servants on the scene.  Obadiah was able to use his position to rescue 100 prophets from the deadly clutches of Jezebel. 

      This happened in two other places in the Bible that come readily to mind.  God had Esther in the palace at the right time in order to thwart the wicked plans of Haman.   Also, Joseph was on the scene in order to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh and save the Egyptians as well as Joseph’s own family that needed food.

     Things may look bleak in the world right now.  It seems to me, in my country at least, that moral decay is rampant.  Our leaders are just becoming worse and worse.  However, I know from stories in the Bible, like the one we are studying today, that God is in control.  He has His followers in place right now in the right place to make sure that His will is accomplished.  Nothing is taking God by surprise.  His plan will always be accomplished just as He wants it to be.

     The second thing that strikes me in looking at Obadiah is that we need to have courage to do the right thing when we are called upon to act.  This type of courage can only come when we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Obadiah saved the prophets and he eventually got up enough courage to go tell Ahab where to meet Elijah. 

     The Lord calls on us to have courage to stand up for Him.  In Jude, it says that we are to earnestly contend for the faith.  Jesus told us that we are to be witnesses for Him.  We can do this as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus told His disciples not to fear.  He said that the Holy Spirit would give them the words to say when they were needed.  Jesus is always with us, and through Him we are more than conquerors.

     One other thing that I see in Obadiah is something that we should not do.  We should not try to rest in our service for the Lord by looking back at what we’ve done in the past.  Obadiah tries to bargain with Elijah.  He basically says to Elijah, I served the Lord back then don’t put me in jeopardy now.  That’s not really the right attitude. 

     It’s great if we can look back on our lives and see the things that the Lord has given us the strength to accomplish for Him as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.  However, we shouldn’t just stop there.  I know many Christians personally, however, who have done just that.  They are no longer active in any ministry because they say that they have done things for the Lord in the past. 

     We really should have an attitude of wanting to constantly be in service to the Lord.  Let us not rest on our past accomplishments and past service.  As the Lord Jesus gives each and every one of us the strength let us boldly seek to serve Him and make a difference in the world right now.  There is so much need in the world, let us each find ways to meet that need and tell others about the love of Jesus.

     Obadiah is an interesting character.  I’m glad that he was there to be an influence for the Lord.  The Lord had Obadiah working on Ahab from an insider’s position, and God had Elijah working on Ahab from an outsider’s position.  Ahab had Micaiah working on him from an outsider’s position too.  The Lord will always accomplish His will, and He will always make sure that His Word goes forth.

     Next week, I will post the verses on Monday.  I will have a review on Wednesday.  For the Weekend Sermon, we will continue our series on less well-known Bible characters. The sermon will not be posted until Saturday next week because the library is closed on Friday for Veterans Day.  May God bless you all.  Amen.

    

Book Recommendations

     Today, I want to review another of the Joe Grey book series, and I want to speak a little bit about an author and minister whose books I want to recommend.
     "Cat Raise The Dead" is the third book in the Joe Grey mystery series written by Shirley Rousseau Murphy.  In this book, Joe has been volunteered by his housemate Clyde to be part of the pet therapy program at a local nursing home.  Joe doesn't like the idea at all, but at least he finds a mystery to solve as some of the nursing home residents have gone missing.  Also, Joe is on the trail of a burglar who is robbing people's homes in broad daylight.
     As with the other books in this series, "Cat Raise the Dead" is well-written and fun to read.  The end of this book is very good, and the characterization are great.  On my list of favorites in the series, this one is more in the middle rank for me, but it is still very good.   There are 19 books and counting in the Joe Grey series.

    Now, I would like to shift gears and recommend some religious books.  When I was in high school and college, my favorite minister to listen to on television was Lloyd Ogilvie.  He was the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Hollywood, California, and he had a Sunday morning television program called "Let God Love You" that was broadcast from the church.  Reverend Ogilvie's  sermons were always informative and thought provoking.  His program was on either at 6:30 or 7:00am  in my area, so I had to get up early to listen to him.  I almost never missed a program.
     Reverend Ogilvie has written many books over the course of his ministry including some Bible commentaries.  All of the books that I've read by him have been very good.  My favorite book written by Ogilvie is "The Other Jesus".  In this book, Ogilvie deals with many of the more difficult statements made by Jesus during His earthly ministry.  I highly recommend this book.  Some of Ogilvie's books are still in print.  The others are available from sellers through Amazon.
     In the mid 90s, Ogilvie resigned from his church and became chaplain of the United States Senate.  He served there for several years until his wife got sick, and they moved back to California.