God’s Solomon Promise
Posted May 23rd, 2013 by Sam HawkinsScripture
II Chronicles 6,7; Psalm 135; Romans 4
Observation
King Solomon, having finished building The Great Temple, prayed and asked the Lord to find it as a resting place, a dwelling place for His presence in the earth. God was pleased and answered with fire from heaven and His glory filled the Temple. God made Solomon a promise that would stand throughout time in 7:14 “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, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The moral fiber of our nation has begun to quickly erode into ungodly behaviors. America is in need of God’s blessing.
Application
I have often wondered if the Lord continues to find rest for His Spirit in our land and just as often the Holy Spirit encourages me by reminding me of the millions of love Him in our great nation. In II Chronicles 16:9 the Scriptures tell us God is searching for hearts that truly love Him in order that He may strongly support them. Today I encouraged myself and I encourage you to have a heart that truly loves and desires His fellowship and presence. When we seek Him we will find Him. I want The Lord to find a resting place in my heart today regardless of what is happening around the nation or my life. Let’s seek the Lord while He is willing to be found. As we invite His presence to rest in us He will automatically impact our family, community and nation.
Cry out to the Lord and see His blessings and favor come upon your life and all that concerns you today! God made a Solomon promise to hear and answer when we come to Him with an honest and humble heart.
Prayer
Heavenly Father we humbly ask for your wisdom and guidance for the leaders of our nation, community and our family. We know You alone are our hope and blessing. We love you and desire to spend time in your presence today. Please open my ear to hear your voice today and guide my heart as I obey your directions. In Jesus’ name, Amen
One Voice
Posted May 22nd, 2013 by David DeGarmoScripture
2 Chronicles 5:11-14
11 When the priests came forth from the holy place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without regard to divisions), 12 and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and kinsmen, clothed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps and lyres, standing east of the altar, and with them one hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets 13 in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the Lord saying, “He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,” then the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
Observation
In this passage King Solomon, has completed the construction of the Temple, the first permanent home for the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, where the presence of God resided. During the dedication service for the Temple, the author describes a moment, after the Ark had been set in its place, that the musicians and singers began to worship God with loud voices and instruments, and the sound was as "one voice" to those around. It was a picture of the unity of the Spirit among believers today.
Application
Christians often speak of the unity of the Spirit, but in most cases the phrase points to a gathering of believers with a similar agenda. In our passage today, this phenomenon occurred when God's people worshipped Him with one heart, one voice, one focus...Him! In the New Testament Book of Acts, chapter 2, we see a similar occurrence in which Jesus' followers were together, seeking nothing other than to hear and obey God, worshipping Him in Spirit and truth. The result was the same. God's presence so filled the place and their lives that all those around were changed forever. Let's seek God's face, let's worship Him with our whole hearts, both individually and corporately,with every opportunity that we have. I believe God will show up, and great things happen when He shows up!
Prayer
Father, as Your children, our heart's desire is to glorify You and to make Your name great in the earth! Nothing brings You more honor than for us to live humbly towards others, and to have no other agenda than to bring you praise through our lives. Give us humble hearts that seek You above all, and a loving compassion towards others! We thank You for Your love for us, help us to demonstrate it to the world around us. In Jesus' name, Amen!
One Fulfilled Assignment
Posted May 21st, 2013 by Donald RocheScripture
Huram was filled with wisdom, with understanding and with knowledge to do all kinds of bronze work. He came to King Solomon and did all the work assigned to him. (1 Kings 7:14b NIV)
Observation
One man's role in the building of the Lords temple.
Admittedly, 1 Kings 7 is a chapter I would just get through, not really taking much in. Another one of those chapters that uses the 'cubits' word a lot. But just yesterday, my Pastor led our staff in discussing one's divine assignment. Then today, there's Huram, in verse 14 of 1 Kings 7...and his assignment. Apparently important. For the next 26 verses detail his fulfillment of that assignment. He cast, he made, he erected, he engraved, he even burnished! In the Bible of less than 1200 chapters, God commits almost an entire one highlighting the specifics of what He had Huram do.
Application
Four things stand out related to Huram:
1. Mentioned by name.
2. Specific talents identified.
3. Great detail of his tasks.
4. Credited with fulfillment.
This can likewise be identified with you & me. God knows his children intimately, by name. Has gifted us, each & every one. Has amazing works He invites us into. And yes, celebrates the fulfillment.
The temple is made complete by many assignments, both small & large, being fulfilled.
Prayer
Father thank you for life, thank you for how you made me. Outside of your assignment, my efforts are wasted. Please lead my tasks with a heart of surrender to your plans. May all the glory be yours. I love you, I praise you, in Jesus' mighty name!
Turn on the Light!
Posted May 20th, 2013 by Jeremy UsryScripture
Psalms 97:11
11Light shines on the godly,
and joy on those whose hearts are right.
Observation
This psalm is from David’s journal. In this verse David is highlighting the benefits of being godly. There are many benefits when you choose to walk with God. One benefit of choosing God’s way over the world’s way is the difference between choosing light over darkness!
Application
Have you ever gotten up in the middle of the night to go to the kitchen and the light was off? What usually happens? If you are like me I usually end up stubbing my toe, running into the wall, or stepping on something that my kids left out. On the other hand when I turn the light on, it might make me squint a little, but there is real joy that comes when I see a toy on the ground that I could have stepped on if the light would have been off. In the same way when we choose to walk in the ways of God we are choosing to walk in the light! Even though it may seem like an unattractive way at first, it is always the best way. When we walk in the dark we never know what is going to happen. However when we choose to walk in the way of God His light shines upon us, and we get to see things that could potentially bring pain in our lives.
Prayer
Father of light, I thank you that when we choose you and choose to walk in your ways your light shines on us. Jesus, I thank you that choosing you is never the wrong decision. I thank you that even though it doesn’t make sense at times, choosing to walk in your ways is always the response you are looking for from your children. In Jesus name, Amen.
God’s Will for You
Posted May 16th, 2013 by Doug ArmandScripture
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Observation
As Paul concludes this letter to the church at Thessalonica, he issues three simple imperatives to the believers there. He tells them to rejoice always – to choose to have a joyful attitude and express it no matter what they were experiencing. He told them to pray without ceasing – to pray consistently and to not give up. He told them to give thanks in everything – to choose to find something to be grateful for in whatever circumstance they were facing. Finally, he defines this as “God’s will” for them as believers.
Application
Many of us are looking for the “will of God” for our lives. We tend to define God’s will in terms of His direction for our lives. We seek his will in the decisions that we make relationally, vocationally, financially, etc. Paul focuses on something much simpler than that. He makes it clear that we can have God’s will take place in our life every day. He defines God in these three simple imperatives – rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything. As Christians, we are not victims. We are victors. Our sins are forgiven and our salvation has been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus. We have reason to rejoice! We all experience difficulty in life and some will experience difficulty that may seem impossible to endure. No matter what we experience in this life it is temporary. We have nothing to fear. We win in the end. Even if our life here ends, we still win. Our future, our eternity is bright. We have reason to rejoice. We have confidence to pray and pray we will. We understand that when we pray God is able to work in and around us. The Creator of the universe does His amazing work as we pray. Even when we don’t see the results we hope for immediately, we will continue to “ask, seek and knock.” He is faithful. Finally we experience God’s will as we choose to give thanks IN everything. We don’t need to thank God FOR everything but we can trust that God will work in the circumstances that we find ourselves IN as we continue to express our gratitude to Him for all that is to us and all that He has already done.
Prayer
Jesus, today I want your will to be done in my life. I rejoice today in the salvation that you have purchased for me and those whom I love. I will pray and keep on praying, trusting that you are going to do your great work in and around me today. I choose to thank you today, to have an attitude of gratitude, knowing that you are working on my behalf. Your kingdom come, your will be done in my life today, I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Keeping perspective
Posted May 14th, 2013 by Aaron RodriguezScripture
I Thessalonians 3:8
For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. (NIV)
Observation
Paul is writing to encourage the church in Thessalonica, reassuring them that his trials are expected and anticipated. They should not be discouraged by his struggles. In fact, he tells them "now I really live", to hear that they are holding steadfast in their faith.
Application
Quite often, the weight of this world’s distractions and challenges will pull us down causing us to lose focus on the bigger picture. But we need to, like Paul, maintain our focus on what really matters: seeing the success of others in the faith! Knowing that others that you care for are walking out a healthy and passionate Christian faith will restore peace to your life and make you really feel “alive”!
Prayer
God, when the trials of this life weigh me down, help me to find encouragement in the bigger picture. To remember that You will see me through it and that Your faithfulness in my life will serve as a reminder to me and to others of the truth of Your life and love. Amen!
Grow in God’s word
Posted May 13th, 2013 by Mike CucciaScripture
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
Observation
Paul founded the church of Thessalonica on his second missionary journey. Paul ministered there a short time but the Lord did a great work in the hearts of the newly converted Greek believers. These new believers had an appetite for the Word of God and that helped them grow spiritually, emotionally and relationally with God and other believers. When they heard God’s Word, they eagerly welcomed it and put it to work immediately.
Application
I am thankful for the men that shared the word of God with me for the first time over 24 years ago. It was through hearing God’s word that I realized I was a sinner in need of a savior. I am thankful for my pastors and the men of God in my life today that through their encouragement of speaking God’s word to me and me actively reading His word that now I realize I am God’s son, made in His image and my identity comes from who I am in Christ. I have grown in my relationship with Jesus through reading His word, spending time in His word and fellowship with Godly men who speak God’s word. There is nothing that will build faith in your life, add joy in your heart and produce nourishment in your soul like reading and applying God’s word.
Prayer
Father, thank You for revealing Yourself in and through the bible. Thank You for speaking to me through Your word. Forgive me for the times that I have not relied on Your word to sustain me. May I have a faithful, consistent daily hunger and appetite for Your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
