An Ungodly Alliance – 4.21.09

2 Chronicles 14:2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:

Asa was one of the best of the 8 good kings in Judah's history. Here's a list the Chronicles record gives to back up the statement in this verse:

• After hearing the preaching of Obed the prophet, he took courage and took away the altars of the strange gods and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves, put away abominable idols, and renewed the altar of the Lord (14:3, 5; 15:1-8).
• He commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. All the nation entered into a covenant to seek God with all their heart and soul (14:4; 15:9-14).
• He removed his mother from her queenly throne because she made an idol in a grove and burnt the idol at the brook Kidron (15:16).
• Because he sought the Lord, the Lord prospered Judah and gave the nation rest (14:6-8; 15:15).
• He trusted God to grant the victory over a mighty Ethiopian host (14:9-15).
• And dedicated the spoils of war to the service of God (15:18).
  

What a guy! But unfortunately, there's a chapter 16 in the book of 2 Chronicles, and it tells a different tale regarding this man. Asa started strong (praise the Lord), but he did not finish well.

• He became enraged when Hanani the prophet rebuked him so he put him in prison and oppressed some of the people (16:7-10).
• He had an exceeding great disease in his feet (haven't you always wondered what that was?) but sought to physicians instead of the Lord and died (16:11-12).
  

What a sad ending to an otherwise happy and blessed life. It's instructive to note where the change begins in chapter 16. Verses 1-6 describe how Asa brought out silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the Lord to make a league with the pagan king of Syria, Benhadad, against Israel.

What business did a godly king of a godly nation have seeking out help from the heathen? Couldn't they have just sought the Lord? Hadn't he been faithful to meet the need in times past (that's the subject of the sermon that got Hanani jailed in 16:7-9).

As I read this story, I come to the sad realization that it's been repeated many times since. How often has a strong Christian race been slowed, been stunted, been brought to a screeching halt, because of an ungodly alliance?

Paul asked the believers in Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; WHO did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? May we consider the example of Asa and take heed to the Spirit's instruction of 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God...

Wisdom from George Muller – 4.18.09

The less we read the word of God, the less we desire to read it, and the less we pray, the less we desire to pray.

-George Muller

Mr. Muller knew what he was talking about. He was a man who read his Bible from end to end almost 200 times (most of that reading being done while on his knees in prayer) and prayed in millions of dollars for the operation of the orphanages he founded in Bristol, England without ever asking anyone for money. He never took a salary the last 68 years of his ministry but trusted God to put in people's hearts to send him what he needed. He ran orphanages, a mission agency, and a church without ever taking out a loan or going into debt. And neither he nor the orphans ever went hungry.

(Read a short bio on George Muller at http://www.desiringgod.org/)

So he was a man who knew how to get in touch with God. He devoted himself to this task, for the work he set out to accomplish – and did accomplish – depended entirely on this ability.

But pay careful attention to what he said. Basically, he said that a desire to faithfully read God's word and consistently spend time before the Lord in prayer is something that must be acquired. It might not be fun all the time. It might not be naturally enjoyable.

But if you become convinced that it's worth the commitment of your time and effort – and it is – then eventually the blessing and the sweetness of spending time in fellowship with God will cause it to become much more than a duty or an obligation; it will become the longing and desire of your heart.

Jehu (Part 2) – 4.14.09

Reading through the books of the kings (1 Samuel – 2 Chronicles) can get confusing from time to time, trying to keep up with the different names and which king is ruling over which kingdom and so on (at one point a guy named Jehoram was reigning over Judah while another guy named Jehoram was reigning over Israel – see 2 Kings 1:17; 2 Kings 8:16), but if you can do your best to keep all that straight, it really is some enjoyable reading.

Let me briefly summarize what we find in 2 Kings 9-10 regarding the life and reign of Jehu as king over Israel, then make a couple quick observations.

In 2 Kings 9:1-13 Elisha sends one of the children of the prophets to Ramoth-gilead to anoint Jehu as king over Israel. The young man does so and prophecies that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab, thus avenging the blood of the prophets and servants of God that Jezebel had slain.

2 Kings 9:14-37 records how Jehu carried out God's death sentence on Joram, king of Israel, and his cousin (1 Kings 16:28; 2 Kings 8:16; 2 Kings 8:26) Ahaziah, king of Judah, as well as Ahab's infamous wife Jezebel, in Jezreel.

In 2 Kings 10:1-14, Jehu continues his campaign, killing the 70 sons of Ahab and 42 brethren of Ahaziah. 2 Kings 10:28 wraps up and summarizes the next section (described in Jehu Part 1), Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.

If only the account ended there. But it doesn't. The rest of Jehu's life is wrapped up in these 3 sad verses.

2 Kings 10:29-31 Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan. And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.

Jehu demonstrated zeal (2 Kings 10:16) and obedience in completing a task that God had given him to do, and God blessed him for it. Three of his sons sat on the throne as king of Israel.

But he sold himself short on God's blessings by only partially devoting himself to the word of God. Jehoahaz, Jehoash, and Jereboam all followed in the false worship of their father, and the entire nation suffered for it. How things could've turned out differently for Jehu and for the nation had he gone after God's will with all his heart.

Recently, I picked up a little book I've read a couple times through in the past entitled Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray. Every Christian ought to read that book. God deserves nothing less from each of us. And if God tells the truth, then our lives and the lives of those around us will only be better for it.

Jehu (Part 1) – 4.11.09

If you're familiar with your Bible and know anything about a king in Israel's history by the name of Jehu, you probably recognize him as the man who was used by God to bring down His judgment on the house of Ahab (that, or the fact that "he driveth furiously" – a characteristic it seems many preachers seek to emulate). If you're not familiar with the story, 2 Kings 9-10 make for some interesting reading.

But our thought for today comes from 2 Kings 10. What you might not remember about Jehu was what he did to exterminate Baal worship in Israel. Under the threat of death, he called all the worshippers of Baal to a special service. Then went the sacrifices and offerings got underway and Jehu was sure there were no true servants of the Lord in the house of worship, he sent in 80 guards to kill all who were participating in the festivities. Then they brought out, broke down, and burnt up the images and idols and the house of Baal itself.

But here's what caught my eye as I read this passage. 2 Kings 10:22 And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.

I looked up that word "vestments." Here's a summary from Wikipedia (which was consistent with other sites I glanced at): Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religions, especially the Latin Rite and other Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Methodists, and Lutheran Churches. Many other groups also make use of vestments, but this was a point of controversy in the Protestant Reformation and sometimes since - notably during the Ritualist controversies in England in the 19th century.

In the Bible, vestments are associated with the worship of Baal (it's the only time the word shows up). And in today's culture, vestments are associated with the Roman Catholic religion. Imagine that!

Now, in case that's shocking to you, let me explain something about the Roman Catholic Church and its missionary philosophy. It was set up by an emperor by the name of Constantine based on anything but the Bible and its method of "converting" the heathen throughout history has been to adopt the gods and religious practices of those heathen into its worship by giving them "Christian" names.

Just remember that as you hunt for your eggs and sort through your baskets and eat your chocolate bunnies tomorrow. None of that has anything to do with the resurrection of our precious Savior. It has to do with the worship of Ishtar (aka Ashtoreth), the pagan goddess of fertility. And the fact that the Roman Catholic church or any other church calls it "Christian" certainly doesn't make it so.

Happy holy-days!

Like Passions – 4.7.09

The book of 2 Kings opens with the story of a man named Ahaziah. He was the son of Ahab, the most wicked king in all of Israel's history. One day Ahaziah took a fall from his upper chamber and was laid up in his bed. So he sent messengers to enquire of Beelzebub the god of Ekron and find out if he had any chance of recovery.

While the messengers are on the way, God sends His prophet Elijah to meet them and send them back to tell the king he was a dead man. So Elijah carries out the task God gives him.

When the king received the message and found out who it came from, he sent a captain and 50 of his soldiers to bring Elijah before him. Elijah is sitting on the top of a hill and instead of complying with the captain's request, he replies, "If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty." And that's exactly what happened – 51 crispy critters at the foot of the hill.

So what does the king do? He sends another captain with another 50 soldiers to go and fetch the prophet. And the scene repeats itself – now 102 crispy critters at the foot of that hill.

So the third captain sent with 50 soldiers by the king to Elijah takes a more humble approach. Instead of simply relaying the king's demand, this guy falls on his knees and pleas for his life at the bottom of the hill.

Then the Bible says in 2 Kings 1:15 And the angel of the Lord said unto Elijah, Go down with him: BE NOT AFRAID OF HIM. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.

Now that's encouraging to me, and here's why. I get the implication that the whole calling down fire from heaven thing was motivated more by Elijah's fear than it was by his great courage. Think about it. The message that God had Elijah deliver didn't make him a popular guy with the king of Israel, who was by no means a God-fearing man, and it's pretty obvious that the soldiers weren't sent to pick up Elijah so he could have dinner with the king and chat.

So when this third company comes, God tells Elijah not to be afraid but to go with him. Elijah goes before the king and delivers the same message in his presence (v. 16) that he had given to his messengers earlier (vv. 3-4). And it came to pass.

James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are…

You would think that the great prophet of God who could call down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18; 2 Kings 1) and who took a fiery chariot ride into heaven (2 Kings 2) wouldn't have had to deal with things like fear and discouragement. But he did.

So don't be surprised and DON'T QUIT when those type things come your way. Just gird up your loins like a man (Job 40:7)…encourage yourself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6)…play the man for your God (2 Samuel 10:12)…quit you like men (1 Corinthians 16:13) and go on in faithful obedience to the God who has called us to declare His message to the world. Amen!

Beneficial Displeasure – 3.31.09

1 Kings 1:6 And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.

The above statement is made regarding a man by the name of Adonijah – a son of David who got ambitious as his father drew near to death and made an attempt to claim the throne (Solomon was the rightful heir). And what a sad statement it is.

Reminds me of a man named Eli. He was a high priest in Israel not long before the days of King David, and he was father to two wicked sons by the name of Hophni and Phinehas. The Bible says they were sons of Belial. According to 1 Samuel 3:13 God told him that He would judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

With that in mind, I've just got a quick thought for today. I want to thank God for parents who weren't afraid of displeasing me. I want to thank God for a mom and dad who restrained me – whether I liked it or not – instead of letting me do my own thing and make myself vile. Praise the Lord I was brought up in a home where my parents didn't "love" me so much that they failed to chasten me while there was still hope (Proverbs 19:18). I'm so glad that the way my parents raised me didn't give me the idea that God's love meant that He would not judge my sin.

There were definitely many times when I despised and resented the rules, the restrictions, the standards, what I perceived as missed opportunities, and blamed my parents for what I looked at as a deprived adolescent-hood (no, I didn't just make up that word). But today I regret the grief and the gray hairs I'm sure I caused and thank God for all the things I was deprived of.

So parents hang in there. And young people, realize that one day you'll thank God for the things your parents do that make you roll your eyes or grit your teeth – and the sooner the better.

Samuel’s Sermon II – 3.27.09

1 Samuel 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Some further thoughts on Samuel's sermon. Reasons I ought to sell out to God:

• Everything I have comes from Him (Acts 17:28; 1 Timothy 6:17; James 1:17; Psalm 145:16). I'm simply a steward of the blessings He's bestowed upon me.
  

• Jesus Christ gave His all for me (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 4:14-15). He left the glories of heaven to spend 33½ years walking this sin-cursed earth then laid down His life willingly on a cross – not for His sin (He had none) but for mine. Why? Because He loved me and wanted to forgive me and allow me to enjoy eternity with Him in heaven.
  

• He richly rewards those who follow Him – both in this life and the next (1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Corinthians 9:24-25; 2 Corinthians 2:9-10; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
  

• All else is vanity – empty, meaningless (Ecclesiastes 1:14; Mark 8:36; Isaiah 40:6-8; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). The devil's a liar and a destroyer. What he offers just doesn't last long, and it'll hurt you in the end (Hebrews 11:25; 1 Peter 5:8).
  

• He's a lot smarter than I am (Job 36:4, 17; Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 55:8-9). He knows and wants what's best for me (2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 18:30; Matthew 6:8; Hebrews 4:14-16). I'd be best off following Him (Proverbs 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:11).
  

• There's a world full of people – including your friends, your relatives, people you care about – who are lost and dying and going to hell (Psalm 9:17; Luke 13:3; John 3:18-19; 2 Peter 3:9). Somebody has to warn them (Ecclesiastes 3:17; Amos 4:12; Mark 16:15; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Colossians 1:28)!
  

What's holding YOU back?