2 Chronicles 28
Inspired thots
King Ahaz was a bad leader; he chose to rely on foreign kings and gods for assistance rather than the Lord. Thus, the Lord caused defeat upon him. The whole land did not prosper with the wicked reign but Ahaz did not repent; stubborn in his ways.
His people followed in his callous ways; they robbed and killed their own kind. Thankfully there was a godly prophet who cautioned them against sinning further for their guilt in idolatry is already great in God's eyes. More trouble would befall them if they sin further. They repented from mistreating their own kindred and sent them home well.
But Ahaz faced more and more defeats as he turned to foreign helps. It does not pay to taunt God!
A daily time out with the Lord Jesus, to hear Him speak to ME. I am asking the Lord to share HIS thoughts with ME, to teach me more about Himself, and how I can be drawn closer to Him... for 'His thoughts are not my thoughts and neither are His ways my ways' Isaiah 55:8,9. This blog is not a theological exegesis. This blog is to record down the INSIGHTS & INSPIRATIONS of God's Word to me; speaking LIFE into my life for Abundant life! :)
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Starting off Well... Finish Well
2 Chronicles 25 - 27
Inspired thots
All the kings of Israel and Judah started their reigns well... They did what was right in the eyes of God by removing the idols from the land but as they grew strong in battles, they forsook the Lord. Most of them end up in God's "bad books". How sad! Why is it difficult to keep to God all the time? David was not perfect but his heart was on God ALL the Time.
How important to subject the heart and will into Complete Submission to God to Finish Well. Listen to the Constant REMINDERS and Advice of the Holy Spirit... the Israelite kings had godly prophets to guide them but in their pride, the kings chose to ignore the godly counsel. They do not get it that God is OVER ALL! They did not have a godly fear of God until it is too late! How sad!
Be wise... starting off well with God does not guarantee a Good Finish unless one is mindful of every step along the way.
Inspired thots
All the kings of Israel and Judah started their reigns well... They did what was right in the eyes of God by removing the idols from the land but as they grew strong in battles, they forsook the Lord. Most of them end up in God's "bad books". How sad! Why is it difficult to keep to God all the time? David was not perfect but his heart was on God ALL the Time.
How important to subject the heart and will into Complete Submission to God to Finish Well. Listen to the Constant REMINDERS and Advice of the Holy Spirit... the Israelite kings had godly prophets to guide them but in their pride, the kings chose to ignore the godly counsel. They do not get it that God is OVER ALL! They did not have a godly fear of God until it is too late! How sad!
Be wise... starting off well with God does not guarantee a Good Finish unless one is mindful of every step along the way.
Monday, August 6, 2012
JOY in Giving to the LORD
2 Chronicles 24
Inspired thots
With godly counsel, Joash reigned well and set about restoring the temple of God. He instructed the priests to have the repairs done on the house of God with a freewill collection of taxes from the people. The people rejoiced at the giving to restore the temple of God (v10).
There was no coercion to give to God for the restoration works of the temple. A collection chest is put in front of the temple and the people freely gave. Hence, their hearts were filled with joy as they gave to God. The chest was full and more than enough was collected for the repairs on God's temple. There was balance to make utensils with offerings to God. God blesses abundantly when His people come to Him with a willing heart. Joy fills the heart submitted to God!
Such a contrast when people turn away from God; after Jehoiada's death, king Joash listened to ungodly counsel which led him to his downfall. What a shame that the early years of godly teaching went down the drain...
Inspired thots
With godly counsel, Joash reigned well and set about restoring the temple of God. He instructed the priests to have the repairs done on the house of God with a freewill collection of taxes from the people. The people rejoiced at the giving to restore the temple of God (v10).
There was no coercion to give to God for the restoration works of the temple. A collection chest is put in front of the temple and the people freely gave. Hence, their hearts were filled with joy as they gave to God. The chest was full and more than enough was collected for the repairs on God's temple. There was balance to make utensils with offerings to God. God blesses abundantly when His people come to Him with a willing heart. Joy fills the heart submitted to God!
Such a contrast when people turn away from God; after Jehoiada's death, king Joash listened to ungodly counsel which led him to his downfall. What a shame that the early years of godly teaching went down the drain...
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Good OR Bad Counsel Makes a BIG Difference
2 Chronicles 22 & 23
Inspired thots
How sad that a mother should give bad counsel to her child especially when he is the king. Hence, it is not surprising for Ahaziah to reign wickedly as his counselor was his mother who counseled him to reign wickedly in God's sight after Jehoram's death. Athaliah was the granddaughter of Omri; king of Israel who also reigned wickedly. Like begets like! Athaliah took over the throne by force when her son Ahaziah was killed by Jehu.
Godly people like Jehoiada the priest and his wife Jehoshabeath hid Joash, Ahaziah's son and hid him while Athaliah killed all the other sons to prevent them from reigning. She seized power in Israel for 7 years.
Joash grew up well under the godly care of Jehoiada the priest and his wife. Godly nurture brings about godly character.
The priest took courage in setting young Joash on the throne; the people took courage in declaring Joash as king to overthrow Athaliah.
God is Great in working His plans; one must take courage to walk with Him all the way.
Inspired thots
How sad that a mother should give bad counsel to her child especially when he is the king. Hence, it is not surprising for Ahaziah to reign wickedly as his counselor was his mother who counseled him to reign wickedly in God's sight after Jehoram's death. Athaliah was the granddaughter of Omri; king of Israel who also reigned wickedly. Like begets like! Athaliah took over the throne by force when her son Ahaziah was killed by Jehu.
Godly people like Jehoiada the priest and his wife Jehoshabeath hid Joash, Ahaziah's son and hid him while Athaliah killed all the other sons to prevent them from reigning. She seized power in Israel for 7 years.
Joash grew up well under the godly care of Jehoiada the priest and his wife. Godly nurture brings about godly character.
The priest took courage in setting young Joash on the throne; the people took courage in declaring Joash as king to overthrow Athaliah.
God is Great in working His plans; one must take courage to walk with Him all the way.
Friday, August 3, 2012
The Lord Sees & Recompenses
2 Chronicles 21
Inspired thots
Why is it so hard to keep following the Lord instead of evil? After the godly kings, Asa and Jehoshaphat, Jehoram did wickedly once on the throne. He even killed his own brothers to eliminate any possibility of fighting for the throne. But he 'missed the boat'.
God sees all that one does and would recompense one for all that is done. How terrible to fall into the hands of God than man. One can never escape the wrath of God with wickedness. It is best to trust in the Lord in ALL our ways than to try to secure our position on earth by our own efforts.
When our LOVE for God is SHALLOW, it is hard to follow Him. Then, it is always 'self for self' and big troubles come on. Honor God and He will honor you.
Inspired thots
Why is it so hard to keep following the Lord instead of evil? After the godly kings, Asa and Jehoshaphat, Jehoram did wickedly once on the throne. He even killed his own brothers to eliminate any possibility of fighting for the throne. But he 'missed the boat'.
God sees all that one does and would recompense one for all that is done. How terrible to fall into the hands of God than man. One can never escape the wrath of God with wickedness. It is best to trust in the Lord in ALL our ways than to try to secure our position on earth by our own efforts.
When our LOVE for God is SHALLOW, it is hard to follow Him. Then, it is always 'self for self' and big troubles come on. Honor God and He will honor you.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
PRAISE & WORSHIP God in Overcoming Wickedness/Evil
2 Chronicles 20
Inspired thots
There is no GREATER weapon to fight the 'enemy' than Praise & Worship. When one praises and worships God in the midst of trouble, God delivers.
Praise & Worship FOCUSES on God!
> Worshipers are relieved of their worry and fear.
> There is peace in the heart and mind.
> Humility sets in as one waits on the Lord to deliver.
True worshipers believe in their mighty God to hear and act on their behalf.
The battle belongs to the Lord. King Jehoshaphat found that out. He was outnumbered by the enemy but he sought the Lord instead of taking matters into his own hands or find earthly alliances.
What a different outcome with seeking God alone for his battles and joining king of Israel in any venture. Joining the wicked and ungodly does not honor God; failure results. What an important lesson to learn!
God has provided His people a simple but powerful tool; Praise & Worship. Keep the Focus on God! He fights our battles ~ all kinds ~ and brings on victory! Hallelujah!
Inspired thots
There is no GREATER weapon to fight the 'enemy' than Praise & Worship. When one praises and worships God in the midst of trouble, God delivers.
Praise & Worship FOCUSES on God!
> Worshipers are relieved of their worry and fear.
> There is peace in the heart and mind.
> Humility sets in as one waits on the Lord to deliver.
True worshipers believe in their mighty God to hear and act on their behalf.
The battle belongs to the Lord. King Jehoshaphat found that out. He was outnumbered by the enemy but he sought the Lord instead of taking matters into his own hands or find earthly alliances.
What a different outcome with seeking God alone for his battles and joining king of Israel in any venture. Joining the wicked and ungodly does not honor God; failure results. What an important lesson to learn!
God has provided His people a simple but powerful tool; Praise & Worship. Keep the Focus on God! He fights our battles ~ all kinds ~ and brings on victory! Hallelujah!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Godliness at ALL Times
2 Chronicles 17 - 19
Inspired thots
Jehoshaphat is a godly king who sought the Lord in his ways. However, as man, one tends to 'make' mistakes although good intentions were in place. Jehoshaphat was reigning well teaching his people to fear the Lord until he made a marriage alliance with Ahab, king of Israel. Thus he got swayed to agree to a war against the Syrians with Israel though he inquired of the Lord first regarding the battle.
Jehoshaphat must have walked closely with God to discern true and false prophets; for he insisted on another prophet besides the many false ones of Ahab. God was merciful to him in battle and Jehoshaphat went home.
How important to establish godliness all the time so that one can identify how God is and be sensitive to the actual ways and workings of God. One must recognize the Holy Spirit's guidance and walk accordingly; not on one's own ways. Minding one's own business is good until the Lord directs instead of falling into the cares and troubles of the world.
Inspired thots
Jehoshaphat is a godly king who sought the Lord in his ways. However, as man, one tends to 'make' mistakes although good intentions were in place. Jehoshaphat was reigning well teaching his people to fear the Lord until he made a marriage alliance with Ahab, king of Israel. Thus he got swayed to agree to a war against the Syrians with Israel though he inquired of the Lord first regarding the battle.
Jehoshaphat must have walked closely with God to discern true and false prophets; for he insisted on another prophet besides the many false ones of Ahab. God was merciful to him in battle and Jehoshaphat went home.
How important to establish godliness all the time so that one can identify how God is and be sensitive to the actual ways and workings of God. One must recognize the Holy Spirit's guidance and walk accordingly; not on one's own ways. Minding one's own business is good until the Lord directs instead of falling into the cares and troubles of the world.
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