Seeking Counsel

Today’s Readings: 1 Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10-11, Titus 1

1 Kings 12 describes the events leading to the division of the united kingdom of Israel into two separate kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The chapter primarily focuses on Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, and his actions as he ascends to the throne.

The People’s Request and Rehoboam’s Response:

  1. Rehoboam’s Accession:

– After Solomon’s death, Rehoboam goes to Shechem where all Israel gathers to make him king.

  1. The People’s Request:

– The Israelites, led by Jeroboam, ask Rehoboam to lighten the harsh labor and heavy yoke imposed by Solomon.

  1. Counsel from the Elders:

– Rehoboam seeks advice from the elders who served his father. They suggest he should be kind to the people and serve them, which would secure their loyalty.

  1. Counsel from the Young Men:

– Rehoboam also consults his peers, who advise him to respond harshly, asserting his authority even more than his father did.

  1. Rehoboam’s Decision:

– Ignoring the elders’ advice, Rehoboam follows the counsel of the young men, telling the people he will increase their burdens.

The Division of the Kingdom:

  1. Rebellion of the Northern Tribes:

– The people of Israel, feeling oppressed, reject Rehoboam’s rule and crown Jeroboam as their king, resulting in the division of the kingdom.

  1. Rehoboam’s Attempt to Quell the Rebellion:

– Rehoboam gathers an army to fight against the northern tribes, but God sends a message through the prophet Shemaiah, instructing them not to fight their brothers. Rehoboam obeys and calls off the attack. The positive aspect of this story is that Rehoboam listened to God’s Word, and did not attach is Jewish brethren.

  1. Jeroboam’s Actions in the North:

– Jeroboam, now king of Israel, sets up golden calves in Bethel and Dan to prevent the people from going to Jerusalem to worship, leading Israel into idolatry.  Ultimately Rehoboam’s decision to treat the Jewish people harshly, led to their move to worship false idols.

What is your approach when you need to make big decisions?  Whose counsel do you seek?  What do you pray for when need wisdom?

  1. Seek and Heed Wise Counsel:

– Rehoboam’s mistake of ignoring the elders’ wise advice in favor of his peers’ harsh counsel teaches the importance of seeking and listening to experienced, wise, and godly advice when making decisions.

  1. Leadership and Service:

– Good leadership involves serving and being compassionate toward those you lead. Rehoboam’s failure highlights the importance of humility and understanding in leadership roles.

  1. Consider Consequences:

– Decisions have far-reaching consequences. Rehoboam’s harsh response led to the division of the kingdom. It’s crucial to consider the potential outcomes and impacts of our decisions on others.

  1. Promote Unity:

– The division of the kingdom demonstrates how poor leadership and unwise decisions can lead to significant divisions. Strive for unity and reconciliation in relationships, communities, and organizations. We could certainly use more of this in our political environment today.

  1. Obedience to God:

– Rehoboam’s obedience to God’s command not to fight against his fellow Israelites prevented further conflict. Being attentive and obedient to God’s guidance can lead to peace and prevent unnecessary strife. It’s too bad Rehoboam did not listen to wise counsel earlier.

By reflecting on these lessons, we can strive to make better decisions, lead with compassion, seek wise counsel, promote unity, and remain faithful to God in our own lives.  When we turn the world for wisdom and not scripture, we will fail.  There is story after story, and example after example in the Bible demonstrating the good and back path for decisions.  May we turn to our Lord and ask His strength and wisdom.

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

You Complete Me

Ecclesiastes 7-9, Psalm 46, 2 Timothy 3

Ive listened to many sermons about 2 timothy 3:16.  The focus is on Scripture.  “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”  That verse rightfully sets up God’s word as a special gift to us.  But it’s, verse 17 that gives us the reason.

What is the benefit of having God’s ordained and infallible word at our fingertips?  In a word; complete.  2 Timothy 3:17 says that the word is breathed out so that we can be “complete.”  What does that mean, exactly?  Let’s first consider the Greek translation.  In his book, Shaped by the Word, M. Robert Mulloholand Jr. describes it this way.

The Greek word is a beautiful one it is the word artios, meaning that which is perfectly suited to its nature. If you when to a fruit bowl and found what you considered to be a perfect apple, you would call it artios.  It would be everything an apple ought to be.  it would possess the essence of “appleness.”  

 “Everything that an apple ought to be.”  You know what that is, right?  When you choose that apple, it has just the right color.  When you hold it, it has a certain firmness, such that you can almost taste it before you bite it.  When you do bite it, there is a crispiness to it and it’s juice pours from the corner of your mouth.  It’s perfect and complete, living out its life exactly the way that it was created to do.

That is our calling in 2 Timothy.  To allow God’s word into our heart so that we can be formed, fitted and equipped to do exactly what God created us to do.

Pleasures

I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless.

Reading through Ecclesiastes, you will find all the pleasures available to all of us.  I can find myself spending a lifetime if I’m not aware of chasing them.  What are you after today? Am I chasing the pleasure that offers moments of happiness or chasing an eternal Kingdom with Him?

“Pleasures are meaningless” is a phrase that appears in the Bible in Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. Remember the following lines:

“I said to myself, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.’ But that also proved to be meaningless”

“I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them”

“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil”

“I saw what I had worked so hard to get. And nothing had any meaning. It was like chasing the wind. Nothing was gained on this earth”

 

Today’s Readings: Ecclesiastes 1-3, Psalms 45, 2 Timothy 1

Wisdom, Wealth, and Relationships

Today’s Reading : I Kings 10-11; II Chronicles 9; I Timothy 6

The wealth and  the beauty of King Solomon have been told so many times it not only transcends to Christian religion, but it goes to other religions. This is a testament of how impactful and how powerful Solomon’s connection with God. Solomon is even referenced by Christ and the beatitudes.  

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Solomon was visited by the queen of Sheba to be a confidant or an advisor for her. Sheba actually is a place that is one of the great empires in the Arabia and African regions during this time. Solomon’s wisdom was reported throughout the land which influence was spread to Sheba, which was a place of prestige and of education.  For the queen of Sheba to come to visit, Solomon was an important meeting. It doesn’t say how long she was there, but it could’ve been for quite some time. From this, we can see that Solomon was a man of wisdom and wealth. The gifts that the queen brought to him was equivalent to $3.6 million during that time. The calculations for our current time are astronomical.

Solomon had wealth. Solomon had wisdom. He was known all over the land for his talents. The most important thing we have to remember, is these talents were gifts from God and that were used for God and the betterment of his glory. Solomon had a great relationship with God.  

“Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.”

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We don’t have to be perfect, but we must continue to make progress.  When Solomon lost his focus and relationship with God,  he lost his connection.  God tried to re-establish the relationship. Solomon allowed others to influence him and take his heart away from God.  This happens to everyone.  

We now have the Holy Spirit to help us constantly.  The Holy Spirit is also known as God the Spirit.  We now are able to be in relationship with God all of that time.  With this connection and our realization of progress and not perfection we are able to grow with him.  It all starts with the relationship.  With the relationship,  we have the access to all of the riches and wisdom that God has for us.  Let us be aware and ready for what God has for us: wisdom, wealth, and relationships.  

Be blessed 

In God We Trust

Today’s reading is 2 Chronicles 5-7, Psalm 121, and 1 Timothy 4.

The year 2024 is an election year…in case you haven’t noticed. This brings much angst about what the future of our country will look like because 4 years seems like a long time until the next one, and it’s not just the presidency that matters, but also the House and Senate and other state and local elected officials. While I’ve written other posts in the past on this topic and about the fact that the true leader and king and one who is really in control never served a public office, and at the same time, the Bible does give us warnings about what happens when a nation turns their back on Him which we must take notice of. We read this here in 2 Chronicles 7 when Solomon finishes and dedicates the temple his Father David had a vision for which Solomon completed.

First though, He tells us what good occurs when a nation follows Him…

13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.

2 Chronicles 7:13-15

On the flip side, here is the warning when a nation doesn’t follow Him….

19 “But if you[a] turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will pluck you[b] up from my land that I have given you, and this house that I have consecrated for my name, I will cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 21 And at this house, which was exalted, everyone passing by will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ 22 Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore he has brought all this disaster on them.’”

2 Chronicles 7:19-22

This is a stark warning that should cause us all to raise our eyebrows a little bit, say to ourselves, “Whoa!”, and take notice. As we move to our New Testament reading of 1 Timothy 4, the title of the beginning of the chapter in my Bible is “Some Will Depart from Faith” and it begins…

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

1 Timothy 4:1-2

Sadly, this sounds all too familiar as we see the people of this nation turning their back on God and His Word. God gives each one of us the freedom and choice individually as to whether we want to follow Him. And I believe we should give every individual in this country the freedom of whether or not they want to follow God. No one should be forced, and yet the Scripture is very clear on what happens when an individual, and here a nation, chooses to turn their back on God.

Some may say it is too late and that our country has already turned its back on God. I think Scripture is clear as well that it is not too late. Our verses here in 2 Chronicles 7:13-15 seem to indicate that God had stopped the rain or blessings because of not following Him, but what He would do if Israel then returns back to Him. We also see many times throughout the Old Testament where Israel turned their back on Him and yet He showed them mercy when they returned to Him (and sometimes before). We also know the mercy He showed us through sending us Jesus with the verse I reference in my last post of Romans 5:8 stating He gave us Jesus “while we were still sinners” and undeserving. He’s a God of grace, love, and mercy.

What are we to do?

We are given some instruction in 1 Timothy 4.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[a] so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 4:11-16

Each one of us who are followers of Jesus can control this in our own household and by how we live our lives and the example we set to others.

Finally, let us pray. Let us pray that our great nation will return back to the words, “In God We Trust.” These words (or something similar) and a call for prayer only seem to come from our country’s leaders when we are in tragedy. Let us pray we return back to these words and go to Him during all times.

Solomon’s Temple

Today’s Readings:  1 Kings 6, 2 Chronicles 3, and 1 Timothy 1

The construction of Solomon’s Temple, as described in 1 Kings 6 and 2 Chronicles 3, can be correlated to today’s world in several ways, drawing parallels between the physical building of a sacred space and various contemporary themes:

  1. Reverence and Dedication to God:

– Temple Construction: Solomon’s Temple was built with great reverence and dedication, using the best materials and skilled labor to create a space worthy of God’s presence.

– Modern Worship Spaces: Today, churches, temples, and other places of worship are constructed with similar dedication, aiming to create environments that honor God and facilitate worship. The emphasis on design, beauty, and craftsmanship reflects a desire to offer the best to God.

  1. Spiritual Building and Inner Purity:

– Temple as a Symbol: The physical Temple symbolized God’s dwelling among His people and was a place for offering sacrifices and seeking God’s presence.

– Spiritual Temple: In the New Testament, believers are often described as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19). This emphasizes inner purity, holiness, and living lives that honor God. The construction of Solomon’s Temple can inspire individuals to focus on building their spiritual lives with care and dedication.

  1. Community and Unity:

– Community Effort: The construction of the Temple was a community effort, involving many people working together towards a common goal.

– Modern Community: In today’s world, building and maintaining places of worship can bring communities together, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. Community service projects, charitable works, and collective worship all reflect the collaborative spirit seen in the Temple’s construction.

  1. Symbol of Faith and Heritage:

– Heritage and Legacy: Solomon’s Temple represented the heritage and faith of the Israelites, connecting them to their history and God’s promises.

– Preservation of Faith Traditions: Modern religious buildings often serve as symbols of faith and heritage, preserving religious traditions and history. They remind communities of their spiritual roots and God’s ongoing work among them.

  1. Sacred Spaces and Their Role:

– Sacred Space: The Temple was a designated sacred space where God’s presence dwelled, and where people could come to worship, pray, and seek forgiveness.

– Contemporary Sacred Spaces: In today’s world, designated sacred spaces continue to play a crucial role in spiritual life. They provide a place for reflection, meditation, and connection with the divine. The reverence shown in the construction of Solomon’s Temple encourages the continued respect and care for these spaces.

  1. Leadership and Obedience to God’s Command:

– Solomon’s Leadership: Solomon’s obedience to God’s command in building the Temple underscores the importance of following divine guidance.

– Modern Leadership: Religious and community leaders today can draw inspiration from Solomon’s example, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God’s will, integrity, and dedication in their leadership roles.

  1. Symbolism of Excellence:

– Excellence in Construction: The meticulous detail and excellence in the Temple’s construction symbolize the importance of offering our best to God.

– Pursuit of Excellence: In today’s world, this can translate to pursuing excellence in all areas of life, whether in our work, relationships, or spiritual practices, as a form of worship and dedication to God.

The construction of Solomon’s Temple offers rich symbolism and lessons for today’s world, emphasizing themes of reverence, spiritual building, community, heritage, sacred spaces, leadership, and the pursuit of excellence. These themes encourage believers to reflect on their relationship with God, their role within their community, and their commitment to living a life that honors the divine.

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

Finding Beauty in Everyday Moments: The Power of Gratitude and Prayer

What do you pray about? What don’t you pray about?

While out on a walk recently, I passed an area with an abundance of stunningly beautiful flowers. The shape, size, texture, smell, and colors of the flowers were amazing and after passing by I felt the instinct to go back and pause for a moment to take in and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation. It was a wonderful and lasting memory.

How much beauty and goodness is in our paths daily that we might not appreciate enough or be prone to desensitization because we experience it often? To name some things… Sunsets, the sun peeking through the clouds, pristine blue skies, lakes, starry nights, the laughter of friends and family, the smell of freshly prepared food, an unexpected smile from a stranger, a hug just at the right time, rest for our weary souls, or even a mere cool drink of fresh, clean water when we are thirsty.

Too often, we rush through life, missing these moments. This brings me to a crucial eternal resource: Prayer.

The Importance of Prayer

Today’s reading: 1 Kings 5; 2 Chronicles 2; 2 Thessalonians 3

As I read today’s scriptures, I realized the author (Paul, inspired by God) started this section with an important calling so we should take note.

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3)

Those verses serve as a reminder to pray in all circumstances. Slow down and pray for those who are serving, suffering, preaching, and teaching.

  • Out for a walk? Pray.
  • Just had an argument? Pray.
  • Overwhelmed with joy? Pray.
  • Consumed with guilt or fear? Pray.

Reflecting on History

Our family is preparing to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland. The sufferings of the victims of the Nazi regime were unparalleled. In today’s tumultuous times, we have much to complain about yet so much to be thankful for—freedom in our country, God’s creation and blessings, and most importantly freedom and salvation in and through Jesus Christ.

May we never forget.

Will you pray with me?

Father God, forgive us for not praying enough, for putting ____________ first in our lives before our relationship with you. Forgive our selfishness, greed, and judgmental hearts. We lift up those who are suffering near and far. Deliver your servants from wicked and evil men. We ask for your Holy Spirit to speak truth in our lives, for your will to be done. Your ways are perfect, may we trust you more each day, filling our lives with more of you and less of us. Thank you for your never-ending love. Thank you for being a God who listens and responds. Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice and forgiveness. Amen.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Key Messages from God’s Word

Today’s reading:  Song of Solomon 7-8, Psalm 127, 2 Thessalonians 2

My niece got married last summer.  She is the first of the generation of “kids” in our family to get married.  I’ll be honest, it made me feel really old!  But…it was a gorgeous summer afternoon in central Illinois, two young adults in love with each other, surrounded by their family and friends…a perfect setting for a wedding.

As the pastor (the bride’s Grandfather and my Dad) led the Bride and Groom through the wedding ceremony, he challenged them with a couple key messages from God’s word.

  • Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21).  A strong marriage requires that each spouse voluntarily place their partner’s needs ahead of their own.  Selfishness is a sure fire way to quickly destroy the union God created to last a lifetime.
  • A strong marriage must be based on a relationship with God.  Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain (Psalm 127:1).  Spouses won’t always agree on every little thing, but if they agree on the most important thing, the path is much easier and has a much greater chance of success.  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

After almost 30 years of marriage, I know these words to be true.

Waiting for His Return

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Jennifer is great at packing.  With three kids and many activities there are season where we have lived out of suitcases. The time it takes to get all the things prepared I often underestimate and leave many things behind.  Being prepared is present on trips to the pool, school, and everywhere in between.  In today’s reading from 1 Thesselonian 5 there is a reminder that the rapture will occur quickly, catching the unbelieving world unprepared.  I often pray and very thankful for words like these that help me to remember the watchfulness we need to have, how we need to conduct ourselves, and simple instructions to our daily lives that we need to listen to and pray on daily.

Watchfulness
Believers should be awake and sober, and not like others who are asleep.

Duties to others
Believers should comfort one another and do good to everyone, not just other Christians.

Practical instructions
Believers should be peaceful, hardworking, and forgiving, and should pray constantly and maintain an attitude of joyfulness.

Christ is coming again, I’ll admit that I take this for granted too often and think I have another day.  Today’s a great day to rejoice, pray, and give praise to our Lord trusting His will for our lives.

God First

 

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 29-31; I Thessalonians 4

“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification;”

“Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭1-3; 9‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Many of us know that we need to put God first in our lives. We go to church. We sing songs. We read the scriptures. We do the Small Groups. But are we putting God first? Now many of us have actually been able to reflect and put God first at every point of our daily life and our complete lives.

Even though we might have Him in our first thought of our lives, sometimes we can forget. Sometimes we get busy with other things. Sometimes we get distracted.  God knows that it is hard for us to continue to be in his presence, but He is always open for us to be there. He is a loving God and He wants us to continuously come back and connect with him.

In Thessalonians,  we see where the new church is having the same problems that we are having. Sometimes we put things before God and try to fill his place with the worldly things. But after many times, we find that those worldly items cannot fulfill us the same way that God. God understands our will and our want to connect with him. He is able to give us that fulfillment that these earthly items cannot fulfill. God is also loving the way that he is able to forgive us of all of our mistakes and misdoings.   May we be blessed this week, and give the grace that God has give us in the many times we don’t put him first.