Month: June 2024

1 Kings 22:1-53; Acts 13:16-41; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 17:17-18

There are always people who want to represent that they hear from God. This is where we need to be careful because some may sound authoritative but they really are not speaking for God. Ahab and Jehoshaphat were preparing to go into war. All of Ahab’s prophets told him to go up and fight.

King Jehoshaphat had wisdom and asked if there was a prophet who spoke for God. The Prophet Micaiah would only speak what God told him. He was bold enough to stand on what God said even when he was publicly challenged.

God still speaks today to his children. You do not need to wonder what God is saying. He has given you his written Word. He will speak to your heart through His Holy Spirit. He will also send a confirming word through your pastor. You should desire to hear God speak to you so that you never walk into a situation that God has not sent you. It did not work out well for Ahab and it won’t work out for you. Let God’s Word order your steps.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Kings 1:1-2:25; Acts 13:42-14:7; Psalm 139:1-24; Proverbs 17:19-21

1 Kings 20:1-21:29; Acts 12:24-13:15; Psalm 137:1-9; Proverbs 17:16

As you read through the narratives of the kings, you cannot help but understand that every action has a response. Things don’t just happen in a vacuum. This is a painful truth because it is easier to exclaim, “That’s not fair.” However, we need to understand that the law of sowing and reaping is real.

Ahab was evil and so was his wife. After a miraculous victory, you would have thought that he would have turned from his wicked ways. But he continued to disobey God and mistreat people. When judgment came, it was no surprise because of his previous behaviors.

So, why do we get surprised when the things that we have sown grow to full harvest? “As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come” (Proverbs 26:2).  Challenges come because of our behavior. If you commit to sowing righteousness, you will reap a harvest of blessings. Be cautious about what you are sowing. Each day you are sowing either good or evil. Do good and blessings will abound!

Tomorrow’s Reading:  1 Kings 22:1-53; Acts 13:16-41; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 17:17-18

1 Kings 19:1-21; Acts 12:1-23; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 17:14-15
When you take a stand for God, sometimes it feels like you are all alone. We see a different Elijah than we saw yesterday. This one is growing fearful as if he was the only one left. You ever felt that way? It seems like on your job you are the only spirit-led believer. It feels like you are the only one who is trying to live for God.

God has good news for you today! You are not alone! First, you have his presence. Elijah was so used to seeing God in a dynamic windstorm, earthquake and fire. But, even though these things happened, they did not contain God’s presence. God came in a still small voice (whisper). God was speaking to Elijah in a different way and he was not able to recognize it. So, he felt that God had stopped helping Him.

The next thing God told Elijah was that there were a lot of people who were taking a stand for God. In fact, 7000 people were standing for the Lord and Elijah didn’t know. There is such a joy in living in communion and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. And, there is great contentment in knowing that we are not standing all alone. This is why we need to be connected with other believers. Things like small groups are so important because they constantly remind us that we are not alone and we have others who will walk though life with us.

Don’t put God in a box! Let Him speak to you in new and exciting ways. God has made you a promise that He will never leave you or abandon you.  God desires to walk with you through life, will you allow Him?

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 20:1-21:29; Acts 12:24-13:15; Psalm 137:1-9; Proverbs 17:16

1 Kings 18:1-46; Acts 11:1-30; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 17:12-13

God honors big prayers! Have you allowed your situation to stifle your prayers—so instead of praying miraculous prayers, you are praying measly prayers? Elijah knew how to pray big prayers! He called all the false prophets of Baal together for a showdown!

He allowed them to build an altar and put a sacrifice. But their god could not answer. Elijah, bold in faith, dug a trench around his altar, and poured water on it 3 times so that the sacrifice, altar and trench were soaking wet. Elijah called on God to answer by fire– and that is exactly what He did. You see, God will not be mocked.

God knows who He is and He is waiting for his children to acknowledge His power. There is no Biblical prayer that you can pray that God won’t answer! There is no godly dream that you can have that God won’t bring to pass! Don’t let the pressures of life cause you to question if God is able to hear and answer your big prayers! He most certainly will! Start asking God for big miracles today. He can do it! He will prove Himself to be God!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-21; Acts 12:1-23; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 17:14-15

1 Kings 15:25-17:24; Acts 10:24-48; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 17:9-11

Disobedience is a destabilizing force. In the same way that generational blessings can be passed down, so can generational curses/sins. (This is not saying that the blood of Jesus cannot cleanse it. It is a recognition that once sin has entered a natural bloodline, there is a tendency towards a certain type of sin).

For the Kings of Israel, they wrestled with rebellion. King after king was put in place to lead Israel and each one walked in the sins of Jeroboam. One king arose and he met an untimely demise. Another arose and his reign was cut short. And, at each point, the Bible references how it was in the reign of King Asa (a descendant of David whose heart was perfect towards God). He continued to rule in Jerusalem while the northern tribes were in constant change.

You are the only one who can control if sin will run your life. “Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.” (Romans 6:12) Don’t let sin cause instability in your life. Are relationships failing around you? Is it difficult to keep employment? Are your finances constantly in disarray? Check your private life and see if there are areas where you are letting sin reign instead of righteousness! Root it out today and build your life on the Solid Rock who is Jesus!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 18:1-46; Acts 11:1-30; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 17:12-13

1 Kings 14:1-15:24; Acts 10:1-23; Psalm 133:1-3; Proverbs 17:7-8

Our heart governs the affairs of our lives! With each of these kings as they come and go, they are always compared to King David! We all know that David was not perfect! Yet, at each point, God still uses him as an example!

In our society, a flawed man like David could never be an example. Yet, for God, He uses the broken vessels of this world to show His exceeding glory. For all of David’s faults, his heart never changed towards God. (You can see this in Psalm 51). When he was confronted with truth, he did not argue or fight it or make excuses, he yielded to truth.

The heart is our determining factor in everything! Check your heart today to make certain that it has not grown cold towards God. Make certain that your heart is not distorted by unforgiveness, jealousy, strife or anger. Your heart will determine your future!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 15:25-17:24; Acts 10:24-48; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 17:9-11

1 Kings 12:20-13:34; Acts 9:26-43; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 17:6

Getting off track is so easy. Jeroboam had received the Lord’s approval to lead the rest of Israel. He was given his own city from which to rule and he was set as a King of Israel.

His first act as King was to bring back the sins of the past. All these years after the freedom from Egypt, and they still have the Egyptian gods in their heart. The Golden Calf was the god of Egypt. But, this is the image that Jeroboam chooses. He sets up his own priests and his own holy days. He intentionally ignores the feast times that God had already established.

Jeroboam took a blessing and made it a curse! You should be on guard to ensure that you do not corrupt a blessing. If God has blessed you with a new job, don’t undermine it by poor performance. If God has blessed you with a spouse, don’t destroy the relationship by carelessly handling it.

God starts us out with a blessing. We determine whether or not it will remain a blessing.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 14:1-15:24; Acts 10:1-23; Psalm 133:1-3; Proverbs 17:7-8

1 Kings 11:1-12:19; Acts 9:1-25; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 17:4-5

Solomon allows his wealth and riches to lead him astray. He has become so renowned and respected that he loses all sense of wisdom in his personal dealing. Think of it: people came from all over the world to sit and listen to Solomon’s wisdom. He had God’s wisdom for all people but he did not use it for himself!

Solomon married 700 women and had 300 girlfriends. This is clearly not wisdom. Further, he allowed their gods to become his god! How could he turn away from Almighty God after everything God had done for him? God made him the wisest and wealthiest king on earth! This is where David and Solomon were not alike. David never let his heart turn away from God!

When God chose David, He reminded Samuel that God only looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) The greatest work that God wants to do is in your heart! Let Him in and never allow anyone else to enter your heart or gain your loyalty. God made his expectations clear: He will not allow us to serve any other God but Him!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 12:20-13:34; Acts 9:26-43; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 17:6

1 Kings 9:1-10:29; Acts 8:14-40; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 17:2-3

The Temple served one purpose in God’s eyes and that was to visibly honor His name. Among all the great architecture of the land, God wanted a place where people could look and see a representation of his greatness and splendor. But, God was not so concerned about the building as he was in the person who built it.

God spoke to Solomon and reminded him that his behavior as king would determine his legacy not the building that he built. God knew something about Solomon, and really, all humans. Humans celebrate the things we do and sometimes forget about the person we become! Who we are is always more important than the things we do because who we are is a matter of the heart!

God said to Solomon that as long as his heart stayed obedient, someone from his family would sit on the throne forever! God was not expecting perfection, he was expecting humility. David was not perfect but he was humble and when he sinned, he repented. Live your life becoming the person God wants you to be!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 11:1-12:19; Acts 9:1-25; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 17:4-5

1 Kings 8:1-66; Acts 7:51-8:13; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 17:1

Solomon continues to show his wisdom. With the Temple completed, he prepared a great dedication. He and the people offered so many sacrifices that they lost count of how many animals there were.

With all the people watching, Solomon gets on his knees and prays earnestly for Israel. His heart-felt prayer carries Israel until this day. Prayer is such a vital part of our worship lives yet many people neglect it. Solomon’s prayer covered every person in almost every situation. He entreated the Lord to always be in a position to forgive His people.

Solomon knew that the people would mess up but he had already prayed for them that they would be quick to repent so that they could get back in line. Are there areas that you should be covering with prayer? Pray according to the Word and you can have a confidence that God is hearing you and He will answer your prayers!

Tomorrow’s Reading:1 Kings 9:1-10:29; Acts 8:14-40; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 17:2-3