Solomon means "peace." The wisest man that ever lived reigned 40 years over Israel. Solomon was named Jedidiah (Loved of the Lord) by Nathan the prophet, who helped raise the boy. It indicated David was restored to favor with God, after his sin of killing Bathsheba's husband Uriah and sleeping with her. Once he was king, Solomon had the opportunity to ask God for any blessing; instead of asking for wealth or power, he asked according to our verse above. The request so pleased God that He gave Solomon not only wisdom, but wealth and power too. Solomon had it all; it was too much for him. He had the ability to trust in the Lord but turned from the Lord to his many wives and concubines. Ecclesiastes records Solomon's wisdom on living. He wasted himself. While he is responsible for much great teaching, he didn't live what he taught. If you are a spiritual leader or teacher, and we all are to a certain extent, beware that you live what you preach. Solomon didn't, and ruined his life.
Christians in the first century were accused of horrible practices of worship. They were said to be cannibals. Jesus spoke of His flesh as true food and of His blood as true drink. He explained that he was speaking of Himself as the Bread from heaven. In our worship services today, we practice what is called the Lord's Supper, or communion. It is to be done in remembrance of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. As believers partake of the elements of communion, they do so as a proclamation of Jesus' life and death, looking forward to His second coming (I Corinthians 11:23-34). This is one of the most important elements of Christian worship. More than a display, it is absolute truth. If the believer feeds only on the world, he or she will never grow in strength and spiritual maturity. Consider these things and prepare yourself for your next communion. You cannot feed on the Lord Jesus Christ and the world both. Make your choice.
The Greek word for power is dunamis, which means miraculous force. The believers knew they desperately needed miraculous power to make the kinds of decisions they were making. In those days it could mean the difference between life and death. For those who know Jesus Christ as Lord, this power that we so desperately need cannot be substituted for human logic; neither can we apply the world's rules to our situations. Nothing apart from knowing this power of our Lord Jesus Christ will do! When will we learn that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts? We need to rely on His power in the everyday decisions of life. God does intervene in the details of our lives; God cares about us as individuals! And we need His power! Begin today to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in all decision-making. Gather your Christian friends around you to pray when you have an important decision to make, and be willing to do the same for them.
We can rejoice in our sufferings because God says there is a purpose in them! The Scriptures plainly teach that once we become God's child, everything that happens to us is for a reason. The three character qualities that He desires us to have are listed here so that we will be able to not only understand why we suffer, but recognize what the suffering is doing in us. Suffering produces perseverance, which is the highly valued attitude of the heart that allows us to endure under trials. When we are able to stand firm during hard times, integrity or character, is built up in us. This ability to stand with moral fortitude during hard times leads us to great confidence in God. He has ordained it to be that way. Can you rejoice in your suffering now that you know why you must suffer? Do you have perseverance? character? hope? They are yours in Christ, as you obey His Word.
The Lord had been teaching the people in the area, and had just performed a miracle in the viewing of the disciples. At that time, because they believed Jesus, they responded immediately to the command He gave to leave everything and follow Him. A decision was made, action taken and lives changed. Things today are no different. Have you heard Jesus calling you to complete commitment and total surrender? Those who have followed Him are witnesses of the miracle of a changed life. Are you willing to leave everything to follow Him? If you are, your life has really changed since you accepted Him into your heart. That changed life will enable you to stand before Him and give an account of it someday. If that is not the case, you can take care of it today.
God has made access to Himself possible for all who know Jesus Christ as Savior. He draws us, stirs our hearts, and causes us to be able to speak freely and boldly to Him. Our posture is really a responsive one. Are you resisting His call to pray? If you can approach God anytime with freedom and confidence, what is holding you back? Do you really believe that your prayers will be heard and answered? If you have a less-than-satisfactory prayer life, try writing down specific prayer requests and continue praying for them until you get an answer. Then record your answer and use these as records for praising God. You will be amazed at how quickly and how often God answers your prayers. This will, in turn, build freedom and confidence to press on in prayer. Try it!
The Lord would have us be careful, first and foremost, about our own walk with Him, but then also with the little group of believers that He has assigned to our care. For mothers and fathers, that little flock may be the children; for grandparents, the flock may be the children and grandchildren; for some, the little flock may be co-workers or neighbors; for others, it may be peers in a ministry environment. Whichever the case, the Holy Spirit has made the assignment, with instructions to give proper attention to them. Have you received your assignment? Are you prepared for it? It may be time to get serious about this command.
According to Lockyer's ALL THE WOMEN OF THE BIBLE, this widow is contrasted to the Scribes, or synagogue leaders, of her day: they were getting all they could and parading their giving, while she gave everything she had anonymously. But "the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3). The Lord in His omniscience, knew all about her circumstances. She gave all she had - out of a sacrificial love that didn't concern itself with "what next?" The Scriptures tell us that it is not what we give but how we give that matters. What is your attitude about giving to the Lord? Think about it.
The Pharisees questioned why Jesus' disciples didn't follow certain rules. We can all learn from His answer. When we go to church every Sunday, just from habit; when we sing the hymns and choruses with our heart somewhere else; when we have no intention of spending time with God EVERY day, in His Word and in prayer; when we lie to others during the week when it is convenient; and when we treat others without the love God has given His children, THEN we are no better than those Pharisees. We are hypocrites. Habits are important. In fact, they're critical. Often discipline will stand us in good stead when other things fail. But to go to worship without our heart in it is wrong. Look at yourself. No one else will ever be able to tell. Only you can. How do you approach worship? May your approach be one of lifting up your heart before Almighty God in honor and adoration, with thanksgiving and not as a Pharisee!
The general character of your life will be hallmarked by what is said of your relationship with God. Noah, the Scripture tells us, was a "righteous" man. This does not mean he did the things his neighbors thought were right nor that he was right in his own eyes. Righteous living comes only from a right relationship to God. If you want to know Him, you will get to know Him, because He desires that for you, too. And as you get to know Him, your actions will become more and more righteous. About the only time we hear the word "righteous" anymore is in response to music or in church. But it should be on our lips every day, because that is how a Christian is to act and to be known. Noah, because he acted righteously, was said to walk with God. Walk is a metaphor for your lifestyle. Today, look at the right actions of your life. Is righteousness, based on your relationship with God, the plumb line of your actions? They will reflect how well you know your God.
The victorious Christian life sometimes seems ellusive. Some teach a sinless perfection here on earth before the return of Jesus. But our verse today clarifies that misconception and helps us understand how the victorious life in Christ is to be attained. We must look at the general character of our life which is made up of the things we do, and how we customarily respond to the details and circumstances of life. Look at your initial reaction to difficulties you encounter. Is your first response foul language in thought or word? Or have you learned to send the beginnings of such responses to your God? These are the habit patterns of life. Be aware, God allows us to see what we need to change in our lives, so we may give them to Him and replace a sinful response with the Spirit's control. Then we have victory in that area of our life. You can have victory. Learn from God and depend on His Word and Spirit.
Rehoboam, king of Israel had begun well, but then as happens all too often, became unfaithful to the Lord. Because of this unfaithfulness, the Egyptians came and took Jerusalem and all its treasures. God permitted victory to the Egyptians to teach Israel a lesson. Sometimes we need the same lesson in our service to the Lord. Perhaps we complain that the service the Lord has given us is too hard, or doesn't use all our abilities, or ...? When we find ourselves in this mode, we are not being faithful to what the Lord has given us to do. The Israelites were to serve God, but when they were blessed they fell away from this service. God may change whom we serve in such a way as to teach us. Wherever the Lord leads, whatever He directs you to do at this time in your life, accept it faithfully and do it. Our service brings two results: it honors God, accomplishing His will in a matter; and it brings the believer into a closer walk with God.
James is teaching about sickness, sin and prayer. Sin, (doing something that is against God's commands) hurts us. Sin seldom hurts at the moment, but it will ultimately bring death. As long as a sin remains hidden (nothing is hidden from God!) it will continue in the believer's life. Even if the believer confesses it to God, he or she may go back to that sin if there is no other accountability. God has given us the church, the community of believers, to help us in this. Find a brother or sister whose walk is godly and with whom you can enter a relationship of accountability. Then, when you find yourself struggling with a sin that returns and defeats you (bringing even illness) you can "confess" it and have your friend pray with you about it. Ask God's healing and the strength to replace that sinful activity with a righteous one. You can choose not to do this. Many do. But you will bring great glory to God when you obey and health and power to yourself. Talk to God about it.
Friendship takes real effort. Just being an acquaintance doesn't take much effort and there isn't any risk in it. But being a true friend, in the Biblical sense, does take effort and there is risk. Jesus called His disciples friends, because He shared with them all He was doing and what the Father said to Him. This is the basis of friendship, your relation to God and the actions you take in your life. When you have this relationship, God will use it to mold and guide you. It is best that this relationship be with one of the same gender. If your friend sees you straying from the righteous path, he or she can tell you. This is the "faithful" wound. How fortunate the man or woman who has such a friend. An acquaintance, no matter how much time you spend with them, will not risk the reaction. A friend in the Lord, will. Have you such a friend? If not, ask the Lord to give you one, and go out to find that one, today.
Thomas means "twin." He was dubbed "Doubting Thomas," because he chose not to believe the other apostles' reports that Christ had returned in the flesh, until he had physical proof. When Jesus told the disciples of His intent to return to Judea, under threat of death, it was Thomas who urged the rest to go along, even if it meant death for them too. Thomas wasn't afraid to ask questions, asking at the last supper where it was that Jesus was going and how he could know the way. When Thomas did see His Lord in the flesh, his response was one of confession and adoration. We can follow Thomas today in not being afraid to ask questions to learn more of our God and draw nearer to Him. Remember, Thomas acted on the answers he received and didn't just store them away. It may be in our day and age that we will be challenged to confess the Lord and stand for Him, even under threat of death. Thomas didn't lose for these attitudes and neither will we if we follow his example.
We are preoccupied by what we focus on. Whatever it is we watch, that is where our mind is. We need to consider this truth when we think about our service of worship to God. The most basic act of worship, the first exercise of worship, is to raise one's eyes from self to God. It is only from God that true refreshment and a renewing of our spiritual strength comes. While our eyes are on man, they are on imperfection and confusion. When our eyes are on God, they rest on perfection and order. Where are your eyes when you go to worship God? Are they on the fellow at the end of the row with whom you have a disagreement ... on the tone of the pastor's voice instead of the message ... on business? Stop it! Put your mind's eye on your Creator. From Him you will find power to solve the disagreement, to hear God's Word and to be your best in business and life. Lift up your eyes!
These words bring great encouragement to those who are suffering. We know from these verses that God cares when we hurt and He responds to it by comforting us. We Christians sometimes wonder why God allows us to suffer, but the Scriptures don't leave us to wonder on our own. Three reasons for suffering are given in verses 5-11: First, so that we can comfort others that are suffering with the comfort we ourselves have received from God; second, so that we will not rely on ourselves, but rather trust God; and third, so that many will give thanks as they see God answer the prayers for relief. Are you suffering today? Ask God to bring comfort to your heart instead of trying to bear it alone. Do you know someone who is struggling? Share with them how God has comforted you in your time of need and then pray for them. You will be able to rejoice when you hear how God answered your prayers!
If this verse is true, and it most certainly is, why do we so often disregard God? Do we treat Him with a token quiet time some days? Do we run to Him in a crisis and ignore Him when things are running smoothly? What we need to understand is that God created the earth with His Word; He determines the times and places of each person's life; He knows the number of hairs on our head; He ordained the number of days of each life and wrote them in His book. What would/could the Christian life be like if we were able to live in a continuous attitude of prayer with God; if we continuously acknowledged His presence; if we remained in an on-going posture of listening for His voice. Be thankful that each day brings new beginning. Today we have the opportunity to start over and make Jesus top priority! Let's do it!
The Lord calls and empowers. The two go inextricably together! Many who are out "ministering" today may not be called, which explains the lack of power and authority. There is a vast, but subtle, difference between asking God to bless our works, and responding to God's call to do His work. The difference is the power and authority, or what some also call "anointing." And without anointing, nothing of significance happens for eternity. Are you busy with God's work or your own? Are you sensing the power and authority that you need? Wait upon the Lord for the call that comes with power and authority, and don't push ahead in a fruitless frenzy of your own good works!
The Apostle Paul began his prayer for the Christians at Ephesus with these words. Well might we follow his example when praying for ourselves and for others. Praying for others is vital to our own spiritual growth. If we pray for them at all we often get bogged down with the material or the trivial and do not move on to the spiritual and the eternal. We need to pray that others will: realize their present exalted position in Christ; present themselves as living sacrifices; be filled with the Holy Spirit; be regular and systematic in the study of God's Word; have the mind of Christ; grow daily in Christian maturity; appropriate the full armor of God; be alert to satan's strategy; not love the world system; have a spirit of brokenness and humility; have a servant's heart; build a scriptural family. Today is a great day to begin praying for ourselves and for others!
Many Christians use this Scripture to encourage those who are going through hard times. The precious encouragement of God's Word is clearly stated in this verse. But that encouragement may be better received were this promise shared during easy times so it may be applied when needed. Who can bear to hear that it is for our good when the suffering is so intense we can hardly think?! Let us determine to share the precious promises of God with others around us BEFORE they are needed. Then the one who is suffering will have time to hear, ponder and understand God's promises before he or she needs to put them to use.
According to Lockyer's ALL THE WOMEN OF THE BIBLE, the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31, is the ideal among Bible women. This ideal woman is a good wife; she is a homemaker; and she has honor and dignity. The secret of her honor and dignity is her "fear of the Lord." As a result, she has the trust of her husband and is a source of honor for her whole family. While her physical beauty is mentioned, it does not play an important part in who she is: attractiveness is a temporary condition. What makes the ideal woman "ideal" is that she has great virtue, which is of eternal value. Although none of us can equal this "virtuous woman," we can strive towards it, emphasizing the importance of the internal and minimizing the value of the physical. This is not an easy thing to do in our day, but with God it is possible.
Worship is meant to be pleasing, both to the worshiper and to God Almighty. Worship is not meant to have to be "worked at." Sometimes the productions in churches that pass themselves off as worship services look and feel like a lot of work. Preparation is certainly necessary, to honor the Lord and enable the people. But the most important preparation is that of the heart of the individual who comes to worship or leads in worship. We prepare out of the recognition of God's goodness to us, in saving us from our sins and giving us the inheritance of Jesus Christ! Our approach to worship should mirror our verse; we enter a banqueting hall for a great feast that feeds our very soul and spirit with every good thing there ever can be. As we feed, we praise the Provider of these things and understand truly that His banner over us is His eternal love. See into your heart. When you next approach worship, let it be as to a great banquet of celebration and thanksgiving.
The writer to the Hebrews (both believers, and unbelievers) explained that they were confronting something utterly unique. He compared it to the mount where God met Moses and gave the ten commandments. It was a fearful place. The writer of Hebrews was describing Mount Zion, and the city of the living God and all His angels and saints. Above all, this writer wanted it understood that the One they were coming to was Judge of all the earth. Not one to be trifled with; our God, a consuming fire. Sometimes our idea of God is too unbalanced and one-sided, either too soft or too hard. We must strike a balance. God's self-sacrificial love towards us inclines Him to our good. But God's hatred of sin makes Him the ultimate Judge. The writer to the Hebrews makes this point: don't refuse Him, His grace, His mercy and His eternal lovingkindness. Because if you do, there is only His eternal hatred of sin left and you will be judged with it.
Our God requires the utmost from His people. He doesn't expect it from our flesh, which cannot accomplish anything of eternal good at all. He has given us His Spirit to empower us, as we choose to do His will. But we must all beware of becoming like Amaziah, who did right in the eyes of the Lord, but without his heart in it. Right actions like Amaziah's may have been learned from youth, from parents or teachers. Whatever the source, he acted correctly before the Lord for a number of years. But then in II Chronicles 25:14 we read that after he had conquered the Edomites, he brought their idols home and worshiped them! Are we following God just because someone told us to? Or because that is how we were raised? God requires personal action on our part to become a part of His family. Our actions must be founded on our own beliefs. Check and see if your life is grounded on your faith. Otherwise, in time of test, you may change as Amaziah did.
The commandment is "love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus makes it clear here that the definition of neighbor is without limits. The object of Jesus' lesson to his Jewish listeners was a hated Samaritan. Three people passed by where a beaten man lay: a priest, a Levite and finally the Samaritan. The Samaritan helped the beaten man. Too often we do not stop to show the love of Christ in our service. We are too busy to help, or someone else surely will help. These are perhaps the thoughts of the first two men who passed the victim by. The Samaritan was no less busy, but he was busy in a different way. He was busy doing God's will. God gives us opportunities to serve in order for His name to be honored and for people to learn of His salvation through Jesus Christ. Have you been passing up opportunities? They may have been opportunities of salvation for someone. Think before you pass up the opportunity to help someone. Is there someone who needs you today?
Jesus stands at the right hand of God Almighty pleading our case. The adversary, Satan, accuses us before God. Jesus the Righteous, our Advocate, speaks to the Father on our behalf. There is mystery here. Yet Scripture is clear. Jesus is our Advocate. In His Name the Father responds to our prayers. We are told not to fear because Jesus Christ is pleading our case. When the evil one comes, and you are fearful and aware of your own weakness, remember this. Your condemnation was taken by Jesus on the cross. He paid the righteous judicial debt for your sin. As a Christian you bear it no more! Make sure you are keeping short accounts with God, so that when you are aware of sin committed since you became a Christian, you can confess and repent of it. Jesus will take care of the accuser.
Here is a secret, both of prayer and friendship. Have you ever wondered about why you pray? God is omniscient. He already knows what you're going to say and what you need. But he commands us to pray and that is reason enough for our prayer. But here he tells us if TWO of us shall agree and ask.... Why? We are to live by faith, that is, trusting and believing God's Word, and acting on it. We are all given a "measure" of faith. Measure is a word connoting amount. We all have a somewhat different "amount" of faith. We are told to ask together, because being with another believer who is of like mind on a matter, allows us to combine our faith on that matter. We encourage one another in prayer and in faith. When two or more believers join together in prayer they are strengthened. Are you praying with another in this manner? If not, ask the Lord for a prayer partner. It will revolutionize your walk with the Lord!
The name Zacharias means "Jehovah Is Renowned." He is the father of John the Baptist. Zacharias was a priest serving in the temple when the angel Gabriel appeared to him and told him he was to have a son in his old age. He reacted in disbelief. Disbelief characterizes our age. Here was a priest of Almighty God, speaking directly to God's messenger. Zacharias' beliefs were based on what we call the Old Testament today. That Old Testament is full of examples of God speaking to man through His angels. Zacharias was literally in God's temple, serving Him, but could not believe God's messenger. His response to Gabriel was equal to, "I doubt it," or "That's impossible!" For proof the angel sealed Zacharias' lips until the naming and circumcision of his son. Do we demand proofs of God today, when we are the very temples of His Spirit? When you read His Word, you hear His voice. Be careful of your response. Purpose to believe the Word of the One who has saved you.
Jesus is speaking to a Samaritan woman. The Samaritans claimed worship was to be done on Mount Gerizim, in Israel. Jesus explained that was not the case and that the Samaritans didn't even know who they were really worshiping! Samaria was in Israel, the northern kingdom. Jerusalem was in Judah, the southern kingdom. Jerusalem was where God had said worship was to be done to Him, in the temple. Anything you worship that is not Almighty God, the only God, is idolatry. Take warning. What is it you are doing when you come into the church on the Lord's Day? Are you there for any other reason than to draw near your Creator, and do homage to Him? If so, you are worshiping that which you do not know. The object of your worship will either be human, or a demon. Worship is serious. Our God is the Awesome God with a consuming hatred of sin. Know what it is you are doing, when next you attend a worship service. Don't commit idolatry.
What shocking words for David to hear! He wanted so much to do this great thing for God, and he had it all arranged. How embarrassing it must have been for him. But, over and over, we find that God's ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts. It must have been some comfort for David to hear that it was pleasing to God that he had the idea in his heart. The lesson we can learn from this account is that what we may want to do for God may have been given to another. We may be the idea person behind the scenes, but not be allowed to participate in the activity. Are you willing to be used by God in His way? Is obedience more important to you than notoriety? Can you be satisfied with others in up-front tasks while you are unknown? God is sovereign, and because He is, we must learn to want what He wants and do what He deems best for us - and be thankful for the honor of serving Him!
