ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 149 - Esther 1-10 (God's Deliverance of the Entire Jewish People)
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'"Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good on the king's behalf, is standing at the house of Haman." Then the king said, "Hang him on it!" So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's wrath subsided."' (Ester 7:9-10)
The book of Esther is one that is filled with powerful illustrations of God's sovereignty. God knew that an evil man will arise in the kingdom of the Medes and the Persians who will seek to annihilate all Jews including women and children and so He raised up Esther, a Jewish girl brought up by her uncle Mordecai, to become Queen.
A certain man named Haman earned the king's favor and was made second in command of the kingdom. Because Mordecai refused to bow to Haman due to his belief as a Jew that he must only bow to God, Haman plotted not only to kill Mordecai but all the Jews including women and children throughout all realm of the kingdom.
This is where Esther comes in as a type of savior of the Jews. She risks her life in coming before the king on his royal throne uninvited (unless the king extended the royal scepter to the uninvited guest, that person would be sentenced to death) in order to plead for the lives of the Jews.
Before Esther would have her chance to make her case in behalf of all Jews before the king, God turns the tide on Haman. Wanting to promote Mordecai for saving his life from an assasination plot, the king asked Haman what he suggested done for the man whom the king wanted to honor.
Thinking that he was that man, Haman suggested to the king: "For the man whom the king delights to honor, let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: "Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!'" (Esther 6:7-9)
And so it was done for Mordecai and as we read from our text above, Haman ends up hanged on the gallows he had made for Mordecai and Mordecai was made second in command after the king and all the Jews throughout the entire kingdom were spared from their enemies who sought to kill them as instigated by the evil Haman.
The story of Esther gives me great inspiration and encouragement regarding the sovereignty of God. It reassures me that God is always in control of everything under the sun and that He is turning the events all around me for my good as Paul taught in his letter to the Romans, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)."
Do you love God and are called by Him to be His child? If so, the promise above is yours and no matter what happens in your life, you can know that "all things will work together for your good."
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Friday, May 29, 2015
Day 148 - Nehemiah 8-10
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 148 - Nehemiah 8-10 (The Importance of Hearing and Teaching God's Word)
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"So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. ..."And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them." (Nehemiah 8:8,12)
After the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt and perhaps out of gratitude to God for His goodness, the people of the captivity living in Jerusalem wanted the Word of God read and taught to them. So they asked Ezra to read God's Word to them and other priests and Levites helped the people to understand the Law and as we read from our text above, the people rejoiced at the teaching of God's Word because they understood it.
The above underscores the importance of preaching and teaching God's Word the Bible to all who would listen to it. God calls a few whom He has chosen and gifts them with the ability to teach and preach His Word so that all may have opportunity to hear and believe in Him and in His Son Jesus Christ. And as we read from our text above, those who heard the teaching "rejoiced greatly because they understood the words that were declared to them."
The apostle Paul wrote to His son in the faith Timothy, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy3:16-17)." Paul also encouraged Timothy to "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)."
As Paul and Timothy were called by God to teach the Word, so also many today are called to the same ministry. The New Testament teaches that God raises up elders within the local church whose job among others is to teach the Bible: "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17)."
Jesus' last words before He ascended to heaven were, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20)."
Based on Christ Words above, every Christian, therefore, is called to a certain degree to teach or share the Word (at the minimum, to explain the gospel in such a way that the unsaved person could understand and make a decision to receive or reject Christ) with the end goal of making disciples.
Every living person is either called by God to share the Word or listen to the Word. Which one are you? In any case, I pray God will grant you the desire to hear and learn God's Word and eventually to share it with others.
Day 148 - Nehemiah 8-10 (The Importance of Hearing and Teaching God's Word)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. ..."And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them." (Nehemiah 8:8,12)
After the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt and perhaps out of gratitude to God for His goodness, the people of the captivity living in Jerusalem wanted the Word of God read and taught to them. So they asked Ezra to read God's Word to them and other priests and Levites helped the people to understand the Law and as we read from our text above, the people rejoiced at the teaching of God's Word because they understood it.
The above underscores the importance of preaching and teaching God's Word the Bible to all who would listen to it. God calls a few whom He has chosen and gifts them with the ability to teach and preach His Word so that all may have opportunity to hear and believe in Him and in His Son Jesus Christ. And as we read from our text above, those who heard the teaching "rejoiced greatly because they understood the words that were declared to them."
The apostle Paul wrote to His son in the faith Timothy, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy3:16-17)." Paul also encouraged Timothy to "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)."
As Paul and Timothy were called by God to teach the Word, so also many today are called to the same ministry. The New Testament teaches that God raises up elders within the local church whose job among others is to teach the Bible: "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17)."
Jesus' last words before He ascended to heaven were, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20)."
Based on Christ Words above, every Christian, therefore, is called to a certain degree to teach or share the Word (at the minimum, to explain the gospel in such a way that the unsaved person could understand and make a decision to receive or reject Christ) with the end goal of making disciples.
Every living person is either called by God to share the Word or listen to the Word. Which one are you? In any case, I pray God will grant you the desire to hear and learn God's Word and eventually to share it with others.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Day 145 - Nehemiah 1-7
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 145 - Nehemiah 1-7 (Principles of Godly Leadership)
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"And they said to me, "The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire."
So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. ...O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man." For I was the king's cupbearer." (Nehemiah 1:3-4, 11)
Nehemiah was a model of a godly leader. When he learned about the dismal condition of Jerusalem, he did not brush aside the problem of his native land like many people do, but sprang into action to do something. Anyone wanting to become a godly leader needs to learn the following principles of leadership that Nehemiah employed in carrying out his vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem which represented not only its national security but its spiritual condition as well:
He mourned before God in fasting and prayer (chapter 1).
The first thing that Nehemiah did after he heard of the problem in Jerusalem was to humble himself before God in fasting and prayer. In the last post, we saw how Ezra the priest did exactly the same thing when he needed to lead a large group of Jews returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. Anyone who wants to be godly leader must begin all undertakings for God in fasting and prayer.
He prepared himself in order to carry out his vision (chapter 2:1-9).
Nehemiah risked his own life in coming before the king's presence as a cupbearer with a sad disposition and by asking the king's permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. But God was with Nehemiah. Not only was he not killed by the king, all of his request with regards to his plans to rebuild Jerusalem were granted him including all the resources he needed.
He surveyed the scope of the word needed in order to fulfill his vision (chapter 2:11-16).
Without telling anybody what was in his mind to do, Nehemiah arose in the night and went all around Jerusalem in order to survey the work that was needed to be done. Leaders must thoroughly know the full extent of the work to be completed in order to fulfill his vision. Leaders must be willing to pay the price of fulfilling his vision before he asks others to join him in the journey.
He challenged the people he needed to help him fulfill his vision (chapter 2:17-18).
After fasting and praying and making all the necessary preparations in order to fulfill his vision, it was time for Nehemiah to cast his vision to others who can help him in its fulfillment. No great work had been done through the work of a single person. All great work on earth were done through the united effort of many people led by one leader who had the vision of what he wanted accomplished.
He refused to allow external opposition to kill his vision.
Israel never ceased to have enemies who will stop at nothing in order to thrwart their welfare and even completely annihilate them as a people. Nehemiah's time was no different. Evil men who did not have the welfare of the Jews in mind wanted to kill Nehemiah's vision to rebuild Jerusalem. But Nehemiah refused to allow them to stop the work God had called him to do. He sought God's help and he equipped his people for battle. The result was that the wall was swiftly finished and the people's faith in God was restored as well.
He rebuked internal oppression that threatened to kill his vision (chapter 5:1-13).
Besides external opposition, every leader must also deal with internal problems with the people he leads. In Nehemiah's case, the internal problem came in the way of oppression by the rulers towards their fellow Jews. Those rulers charged usury and enslaved the less fortunate among the people. Nehemiah rebuked the guilty for their oppressive crime and because God was behind him, the people listened and acknowledged their error and made right with the people they oppressed.
Day 145 - Nehemiah 1-7 (Principles of Godly Leadership)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"And they said to me, "The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire."
So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. ...O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man." For I was the king's cupbearer." (Nehemiah 1:3-4, 11)
Nehemiah was a model of a godly leader. When he learned about the dismal condition of Jerusalem, he did not brush aside the problem of his native land like many people do, but sprang into action to do something. Anyone wanting to become a godly leader needs to learn the following principles of leadership that Nehemiah employed in carrying out his vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem which represented not only its national security but its spiritual condition as well:
He mourned before God in fasting and prayer (chapter 1).
The first thing that Nehemiah did after he heard of the problem in Jerusalem was to humble himself before God in fasting and prayer. In the last post, we saw how Ezra the priest did exactly the same thing when he needed to lead a large group of Jews returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. Anyone who wants to be godly leader must begin all undertakings for God in fasting and prayer.
He prepared himself in order to carry out his vision (chapter 2:1-9).
Nehemiah risked his own life in coming before the king's presence as a cupbearer with a sad disposition and by asking the king's permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. But God was with Nehemiah. Not only was he not killed by the king, all of his request with regards to his plans to rebuild Jerusalem were granted him including all the resources he needed.
He surveyed the scope of the word needed in order to fulfill his vision (chapter 2:11-16).
Without telling anybody what was in his mind to do, Nehemiah arose in the night and went all around Jerusalem in order to survey the work that was needed to be done. Leaders must thoroughly know the full extent of the work to be completed in order to fulfill his vision. Leaders must be willing to pay the price of fulfilling his vision before he asks others to join him in the journey.
He challenged the people he needed to help him fulfill his vision (chapter 2:17-18).
After fasting and praying and making all the necessary preparations in order to fulfill his vision, it was time for Nehemiah to cast his vision to others who can help him in its fulfillment. No great work had been done through the work of a single person. All great work on earth were done through the united effort of many people led by one leader who had the vision of what he wanted accomplished.
He refused to allow external opposition to kill his vision.
Israel never ceased to have enemies who will stop at nothing in order to thrwart their welfare and even completely annihilate them as a people. Nehemiah's time was no different. Evil men who did not have the welfare of the Jews in mind wanted to kill Nehemiah's vision to rebuild Jerusalem. But Nehemiah refused to allow them to stop the work God had called him to do. He sought God's help and he equipped his people for battle. The result was that the wall was swiftly finished and the people's faith in God was restored as well.
He rebuked internal oppression that threatened to kill his vision (chapter 5:1-13).
Besides external opposition, every leader must also deal with internal problems with the people he leads. In Nehemiah's case, the internal problem came in the way of oppression by the rulers towards their fellow Jews. Those rulers charged usury and enslaved the less fortunate among the people. Nehemiah rebuked the guilty for their oppressive crime and because God was behind him, the people listened and acknowledged their error and made right with the people they oppressed.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Day 144 - Ezra 8-10
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 144 - Ezra 8-10 (Fast and Pray)
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"Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, "The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him." So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer." (Ezra 8:21-23)
Ezra had been called by God to lead the Jews from the captivity in Babylon back to Jerusalem in order to rebuild the temple with the full support of the king and his entire domain. In fact, the total offering of the king and his officials and all the Jewish people for the work of building the house of God amounted to 24 tons of silver, 7,500 pounds of silver utensils, 7,500 pounds of gold, 20 gold bowls, equal in value to 1,000 gold coins, and 2 fine articles of polished bronze, as precious as gold.
Ezra was in a difficult spot. He and his caravan of Jews returning to Jerusalem had to travel 900 miles, the same distance between Philadelphia and Orlando, along with little children and the elderly and with all their flock and possessions and the valuable offering I mentioned above. They had to do that long trip by foot and through perilous roads strewn with bandits and enemies of the Jews.
As we read from our text above, Ezra was ashamed to request protection from the king because he had told him that "The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him." So he did what he knew he must, he led the people to fast and pray and God answered their prayers.
Last week, I met a brother in the Lord who was born and raised here in New Jersey and who is planning on going to the refugee camps in Jordan along the border of Syria in order to serve the people there - all Muslims. I am so blessed by the courage and faith of my new friend. I know that the reason why he is not afraid to go to that dangerous place with a very real possibility of dying or being kidnapped by ISIS is because like Ezra, he knows that God will protect him.
You and I will likely never be called to go to a place where we could be killed but we all daily face trials and problems for which we need to seek the Lord's help. I pray that we will do as Ezra had done and entreat God with fasting and prayer.
Day 144 - Ezra 8-10 (Fast and Pray)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, "The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him." So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer." (Ezra 8:21-23)
Ezra had been called by God to lead the Jews from the captivity in Babylon back to Jerusalem in order to rebuild the temple with the full support of the king and his entire domain. In fact, the total offering of the king and his officials and all the Jewish people for the work of building the house of God amounted to 24 tons of silver, 7,500 pounds of silver utensils, 7,500 pounds of gold, 20 gold bowls, equal in value to 1,000 gold coins, and 2 fine articles of polished bronze, as precious as gold.
Ezra was in a difficult spot. He and his caravan of Jews returning to Jerusalem had to travel 900 miles, the same distance between Philadelphia and Orlando, along with little children and the elderly and with all their flock and possessions and the valuable offering I mentioned above. They had to do that long trip by foot and through perilous roads strewn with bandits and enemies of the Jews.
As we read from our text above, Ezra was ashamed to request protection from the king because he had told him that "The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him." So he did what he knew he must, he led the people to fast and pray and God answered their prayers.
Last week, I met a brother in the Lord who was born and raised here in New Jersey and who is planning on going to the refugee camps in Jordan along the border of Syria in order to serve the people there - all Muslims. I am so blessed by the courage and faith of my new friend. I know that the reason why he is not afraid to go to that dangerous place with a very real possibility of dying or being kidnapped by ISIS is because like Ezra, he knows that God will protect him.
You and I will likely never be called to go to a place where we could be killed but we all daily face trials and problems for which we need to seek the Lord's help. I pray that we will do as Ezra had done and entreat God with fasting and prayer.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Day 143 - Ezra 5-7
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 143 - Ezra 5-7 (No One Can Oppose You if God is With You)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"At the same time Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: "Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?"... But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius." (Ezra 1:3-5)
In chapter 4 of Ezra, king Artaxerxes of Persia and Babylon issued a decree at the request of the enemies of the Jews to stop all work in rebuilding the temple. So for many years, the unfinished temple frame remained just that - until we come to our text above where we find certain prophets of the Jews sent by God to rally the people to resume building the temple.
As was the at first, those who opposed the Jews' rebuilding the temple arose with the governor of the region leading them in order to make the Jews stop their workk of rebuilding. But as we read from our text, those officials could not stop the Jews and were forced to write a letter to king Darius requesting that a search be made verifying the claims of the Jews that king Cyrus issued a decree to build the temple in Jerusalem.
So, king Darius ordered the search and found that indeed king Cyrus issued the decree regarding the building of the temple as claimed by the Jews. Not only that, God had apparently prepared Darius to become a believer in the God of Israel, perhaps thru the witness of Daniel who served in the king's court, so that he issued his own decree ordering his entire domain to help in the rebuilding of the temple.
Wow! What a great testimony about God's sovereignty and of His loving care for His people! The Jews finally finished the temple and once again began observing God's commandments on how to worship Him as prescribed to Moses. When we obey God's will despite strong opposition or even persecution, God's eyes will be upon us as it were on the Jews who obeyed God in resuming the building of the temple despite opposition from their enemies.
Today more than ever in our society, Christians are faced with tremendous opposition and even sever persecution from those who hate Christ. Let us be encouraged by our lesson today and let us bravely obey God's will despite the threat of ridicule from others or even the risk of losing our employment. God is able to move the hearts of even the most powerful person in the world in order to accomplish His purposes.
Day 143 - Ezra 5-7 (No One Can Oppose You if God is With You)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"At the same time Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: "Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?"... But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius." (Ezra 1:3-5)
In chapter 4 of Ezra, king Artaxerxes of Persia and Babylon issued a decree at the request of the enemies of the Jews to stop all work in rebuilding the temple. So for many years, the unfinished temple frame remained just that - until we come to our text above where we find certain prophets of the Jews sent by God to rally the people to resume building the temple.
As was the at first, those who opposed the Jews' rebuilding the temple arose with the governor of the region leading them in order to make the Jews stop their workk of rebuilding. But as we read from our text, those officials could not stop the Jews and were forced to write a letter to king Darius requesting that a search be made verifying the claims of the Jews that king Cyrus issued a decree to build the temple in Jerusalem.
So, king Darius ordered the search and found that indeed king Cyrus issued the decree regarding the building of the temple as claimed by the Jews. Not only that, God had apparently prepared Darius to become a believer in the God of Israel, perhaps thru the witness of Daniel who served in the king's court, so that he issued his own decree ordering his entire domain to help in the rebuilding of the temple.
Wow! What a great testimony about God's sovereignty and of His loving care for His people! The Jews finally finished the temple and once again began observing God's commandments on how to worship Him as prescribed to Moses. When we obey God's will despite strong opposition or even persecution, God's eyes will be upon us as it were on the Jews who obeyed God in resuming the building of the temple despite opposition from their enemies.
Today more than ever in our society, Christians are faced with tremendous opposition and even sever persecution from those who hate Christ. Let us be encouraged by our lesson today and let us bravely obey God's will despite the threat of ridicule from others or even the risk of losing our employment. God is able to move the hearts of even the most powerful person in the world in order to accomplish His purposes.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Day 142 - Ezra 1-4
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 142 - Ezra 1-4 (An Amazing Prophecy Fulfilled)
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"Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem." (Ezra 1:2-3)
Nearly 150 years before Cyrus was born, the prophet Isaiah foretold of his birth and the works that God had predetermined for him to accomplish, namely, to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple of the Lord after the seventy years of captivity appointed for the Jews in Babylon:
"Who says of Cyrus, "He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, "You shall be built," And to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid (Isaiah 44:28)."'
'"Thus says the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held--to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. For Jacob My servant's sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name;
I have named you, though you have not known Me."' (Isaiah 45:1-4)
Day 142 - Ezra 1-4 (An Amazing Prophecy Fulfilled)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem." (Ezra 1:2-3)
Nearly 150 years before Cyrus was born, the prophet Isaiah foretold of his birth and the works that God had predetermined for him to accomplish, namely, to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple of the Lord after the seventy years of captivity appointed for the Jews in Babylon:
"Who says of Cyrus, "He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, "You shall be built," And to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid (Isaiah 44:28)."'
'"Thus says the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held--to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. For Jacob My servant's sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name;
I have named you, though you have not known Me."' (Isaiah 45:1-4)
Historical documents discovered in Babylon showed accounts of how Cyrus was able to conquer Babylon without resistance. He stopped the flow of water on the river Euphrates that flowed through the center of the great city which allowed his army to go through its bronze gates which were unshut just as Isaiah prophesied it would 150 years before it happened.
Either through the witness of Daniel who served as chief among the officials both of the Babylonians as well as the Persians or through Cyrus' own reading of the book of Isaiah where he learned about the prophecy about him, Cyrus apparently believed in the God of Israel as the One true God as we read from our text above in Ezra.
The life of Cyrus and how God called him by name before he was even born proves that the Bible is indeed the Word of God and that everything written in it will be fulfilled. Among those things that the Bible says will still be fulfilled in the future is the rapture of the Church - the snatching away of all living followers of Christ. Those who do nor belong to Christ will find themselves left behind on earth to face the Great Tribulation - a seven year period of God's terrible physical judgment on earth.
Are you still a doubter of the Bible? If the prophecy about Cyrus and its fulfillment does not convince you that the Bible is the Word of God, then I don't know what will. If you do believe that the Bible is God's Word in its entirety and that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, you are blessed.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Day 141 - 2 Chronicles 35-36
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 141 - 2 Chronicles 35-36 (Ignore God's Word to Your Own Peril)
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"Then they burned the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its precious possessions. And those who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon, where they became servants to him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years." (2 Chronicles 36:19-21)
The unthinkable finally happened. The temple of God which Solomon had built over four hundred years earlier and which God had said that He would dwell in it for as long as Israel remained faithful to Him but that He would depart from their midst and destroy the temple if they served other gods was burned to the ground by the Babylonians.
Also, Israel had existed for 490 years in the land which God had given unto them. They were commanded in the law of Moses to let the land rest every seven years. Six years they were to plant but on the seventh year they weren't to plant. They were to eat just that which grew up by itself. They were to let the land rest in the seventh year.
But they ignored God's commands. And so we read from our text above that they were to become servants to the Chaldeans and the Persians "to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years." Herein lies a crucial lesson for all people: What God says He will fulfill.
God said that He would destroy the temple if the Jews worshipped idols and He did. God said that the land must have its Sabbath rest and He let the land become desolate for seventy years to make up for the 490 years that the Jews did not give the land its Sabbath.
God has said many things in His Word the Bible and we can be sure that every single one of those things will be fulfilled as Christ Himself assured all: "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled (Matthew 5:18)."
Among all the things God has said in the Bible, this one may be the most important since for the person who ignores it would mean spending eternity in hell:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)."
Day 141 - 2 Chronicles 35-36 (Ignore God's Word to Your Own Peril)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"Then they burned the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its precious possessions. And those who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon, where they became servants to him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years." (2 Chronicles 36:19-21)
The unthinkable finally happened. The temple of God which Solomon had built over four hundred years earlier and which God had said that He would dwell in it for as long as Israel remained faithful to Him but that He would depart from their midst and destroy the temple if they served other gods was burned to the ground by the Babylonians.
Also, Israel had existed for 490 years in the land which God had given unto them. They were commanded in the law of Moses to let the land rest every seven years. Six years they were to plant but on the seventh year they weren't to plant. They were to eat just that which grew up by itself. They were to let the land rest in the seventh year.
But they ignored God's commands. And so we read from our text above that they were to become servants to the Chaldeans and the Persians "to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years." Herein lies a crucial lesson for all people: What God says He will fulfill.
God said that He would destroy the temple if the Jews worshipped idols and He did. God said that the land must have its Sabbath rest and He let the land become desolate for seventy years to make up for the 490 years that the Jews did not give the land its Sabbath.
God has said many things in His Word the Bible and we can be sure that every single one of those things will be fulfilled as Christ Himself assured all: "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled (Matthew 5:18)."
Among all the things God has said in the Bible, this one may be the most important since for the person who ignores it would mean spending eternity in hell:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)."
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Day 140 - 2 Chronicles 32-34
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 140 - 2 Chronicles 32-34 (Amazing Grace)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. Therefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon. Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God." (2 Chronicles 33:10-13)
Manasseh was one of the most wicked kings of Judah despite the fact that his father Hezekiah was one of the most godly kings. During the reign of Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came to attack Judah and instead of surrending to his much stronger enemy, Hezekiah called on the Lord for help and then encouraged his people by saying:
"Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles." (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)
God honored Hezekiah and delivered him from the powerful king of Assyria by sending His angel to kill their army without a single Jew having to fight.
In contrast, Hezekiah's son, Manasseh, committed unimaginable evil so that caused God to him to be taken captive with hooks to Babylon. Read for yourself the evil that Manasseh did:
"And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger. He even set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God..." (2 Chronicles 33:6-7)
We read, however, that Manasseh humbled himself before God and repented of his sins and God "received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God (2 Chronicles 33:13)."
I entitled this devotional, "Amazing Grace" because I think it best describes God's favor on Manasseh. Manasseh deserved to spend the rest of his life in captivity and punishment in Babylon but instead, God brought him back and restored his kingship in Jerusalem and allowed him to reign for fifty-five years as the longest serving king of Judah. That is God's amazing grace.
Those of us who have received forgiveness through Jesus Christ know what God's amazing grace is. The Bible says that everyone has sinned against God and deserves eternal punishment in hell. But "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)."
Have you experienced God's amazing grace in your life? You don't have to be as bad as Manasseh to need God's forgiveness. All who have not yet confessed their sins before God and asked for forgiveness in Christ is condemned to hell, as Christ Himself has said:
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God....36He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:18, 36)
Everyone who has been saved from the wrath of God and from the condemnation of hell knows first-hand about God's amazing grace. Those who don't most likely have not yet been saved for they know not about the great deliverance from the captivity of sin just as Manasseh did and many other sinners like me do.
Day 140 - 2 Chronicles 32-34 (Amazing Grace)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. Therefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon. Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God." (2 Chronicles 33:10-13)
Manasseh was one of the most wicked kings of Judah despite the fact that his father Hezekiah was one of the most godly kings. During the reign of Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came to attack Judah and instead of surrending to his much stronger enemy, Hezekiah called on the Lord for help and then encouraged his people by saying:
"Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles." (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)
God honored Hezekiah and delivered him from the powerful king of Assyria by sending His angel to kill their army without a single Jew having to fight.
In contrast, Hezekiah's son, Manasseh, committed unimaginable evil so that caused God to him to be taken captive with hooks to Babylon. Read for yourself the evil that Manasseh did:
"And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger. He even set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God..." (2 Chronicles 33:6-7)
We read, however, that Manasseh humbled himself before God and repented of his sins and God "received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God (2 Chronicles 33:13)."
I entitled this devotional, "Amazing Grace" because I think it best describes God's favor on Manasseh. Manasseh deserved to spend the rest of his life in captivity and punishment in Babylon but instead, God brought him back and restored his kingship in Jerusalem and allowed him to reign for fifty-five years as the longest serving king of Judah. That is God's amazing grace.
Those of us who have received forgiveness through Jesus Christ know what God's amazing grace is. The Bible says that everyone has sinned against God and deserves eternal punishment in hell. But "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)."
Have you experienced God's amazing grace in your life? You don't have to be as bad as Manasseh to need God's forgiveness. All who have not yet confessed their sins before God and asked for forgiveness in Christ is condemned to hell, as Christ Himself has said:
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God....36He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:18, 36)
Everyone who has been saved from the wrath of God and from the condemnation of hell knows first-hand about God's amazing grace. Those who don't most likely have not yet been saved for they know not about the great deliverance from the captivity of sin just as Manasseh did and many other sinners like me do.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Day 139 - 2 Chronicles 29-31
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 139 - 2 Chronicles 29-31 (Hezekiah's Recipe for Church Revival)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/)
"Hear me, Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the holy place. For our fathers have trespassed and done evil in the eyes of the LORD our God; they have forsaken Him, have turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the LORD, and turned their backs on Him. They have also shut up the doors of the vestibule, put out the lamps, and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel. Therefore the wrath of the LORD fell upon Judah and Jerusalem, and He has given them up to trouble, to desolation, and to jeering, as you see with your eyes. For indeed, because of this our fathers have fallen by the sword; and our sons, our daughters, and our wives are in captivity." (2 Chronicles 29:5-9)
Hezekiah assumed a kingship that was in shambles. The people's sons, daughters and wives were in captivity in the land of their enemy; the house of God was in disrepair and filled with rubbish; and the people had not observed the prescribed worship and sacrifices for many years. Besides all that, the people had been living in disobedience to God and were worshipping the idols of the nations that were their enemies.
These conditions were enough to discourage any leader and to give up any attempt to restore the nation to once again become the people of God that they once were and that they were supposed to be. But Hezekiah refused to give up on his people and on his God. As leader of God's people, Hezekiah carried out a what I refer to as his recipe for the spiritual revival of Judah:
He gathered the leaders and exhorted them to lead the cleansing of the temple (2 Chronicles 29:4-11).
The first duty of any leader is to gather all those whom God has called to shepherd and serve His people so that he can have a united front. Failure to implement this foundation step of leadership will make the leader ineffective in all other attempts to revive his congregation.
The physical cleansing of the temple represents the spiritual cleansing of the hearts of God's people from sin. Before God can fill us with Himself, we need to purge ourselves from all the rubbish residing in our hearts and minds.
He restores true worship of God among the people (2 Chronicles 29:20-36).
After the Levites cleansed the temple of God, Hezekiah led the people in restoring true worship of God. He ordered the priests to carefully follow the way of worship prescribed and accepted by God through Moses. Jesus said the He is the only way, truth and life and that no one can approach the Father except through Him. There can be no real spiritual revival apart from the people worshipping Jesus as God.
He called on all God's people even beyond Judah to follow the Lord (2 Chronicles 30:1-22).
Despite the people outside the tribe of Judah being at enmity with them, Hezekiah still reached out to the rest of Israel inviting them to return to the true worship of God in Jerusalem. We read that the people of Israel laughed and mocked at the messengers whom Hezekiah sent out to invite the people but some from the tribes of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
God's leader today must send out his congregation to proclaim the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the unbelieving world. As Jesus warned, the vast majority of people will reject the gospel but some will receive it and they will come worship Him as their Lord and Savior.
He set the example of sacrificial offering for the work of the Lord (2 Chronicles 30:24).
We read that Hezekiah gave from his own possessions a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep and the leaders gave as well. When the main leader of the people set the example of selfless sacrifice, the other leaders will also follow after his example and then all the rest of the congregation will follow suit. This is what happened with the people that Hezekiah led. This is also what happened to the people whom David and Solomon led when they led in the sacrificial offering.
Tomorrow, we will learn about how king Hezekiah continued to lead his people during a time of severe trial in his kingship of Judah. Are you called to lead God's people? Heed Hezekiah's recipe for spiritual revival and like him, God will make you prosper in all you do:
"Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered." (2 Chronicles 31:20-21)
Day 139 - 2 Chronicles 29-31 (Hezekiah's Recipe for Church Revival)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/)
"Hear me, Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the holy place. For our fathers have trespassed and done evil in the eyes of the LORD our God; they have forsaken Him, have turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the LORD, and turned their backs on Him. They have also shut up the doors of the vestibule, put out the lamps, and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel. Therefore the wrath of the LORD fell upon Judah and Jerusalem, and He has given them up to trouble, to desolation, and to jeering, as you see with your eyes. For indeed, because of this our fathers have fallen by the sword; and our sons, our daughters, and our wives are in captivity." (2 Chronicles 29:5-9)
Hezekiah assumed a kingship that was in shambles. The people's sons, daughters and wives were in captivity in the land of their enemy; the house of God was in disrepair and filled with rubbish; and the people had not observed the prescribed worship and sacrifices for many years. Besides all that, the people had been living in disobedience to God and were worshipping the idols of the nations that were their enemies.
These conditions were enough to discourage any leader and to give up any attempt to restore the nation to once again become the people of God that they once were and that they were supposed to be. But Hezekiah refused to give up on his people and on his God. As leader of God's people, Hezekiah carried out a what I refer to as his recipe for the spiritual revival of Judah:
He gathered the leaders and exhorted them to lead the cleansing of the temple (2 Chronicles 29:4-11).
The first duty of any leader is to gather all those whom God has called to shepherd and serve His people so that he can have a united front. Failure to implement this foundation step of leadership will make the leader ineffective in all other attempts to revive his congregation.
The physical cleansing of the temple represents the spiritual cleansing of the hearts of God's people from sin. Before God can fill us with Himself, we need to purge ourselves from all the rubbish residing in our hearts and minds.
He restores true worship of God among the people (2 Chronicles 29:20-36).
After the Levites cleansed the temple of God, Hezekiah led the people in restoring true worship of God. He ordered the priests to carefully follow the way of worship prescribed and accepted by God through Moses. Jesus said the He is the only way, truth and life and that no one can approach the Father except through Him. There can be no real spiritual revival apart from the people worshipping Jesus as God.
He called on all God's people even beyond Judah to follow the Lord (2 Chronicles 30:1-22).
Despite the people outside the tribe of Judah being at enmity with them, Hezekiah still reached out to the rest of Israel inviting them to return to the true worship of God in Jerusalem. We read that the people of Israel laughed and mocked at the messengers whom Hezekiah sent out to invite the people but some from the tribes of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
God's leader today must send out his congregation to proclaim the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the unbelieving world. As Jesus warned, the vast majority of people will reject the gospel but some will receive it and they will come worship Him as their Lord and Savior.
He set the example of sacrificial offering for the work of the Lord (2 Chronicles 30:24).
We read that Hezekiah gave from his own possessions a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep and the leaders gave as well. When the main leader of the people set the example of selfless sacrifice, the other leaders will also follow after his example and then all the rest of the congregation will follow suit. This is what happened with the people that Hezekiah led. This is also what happened to the people whom David and Solomon led when they led in the sacrificial offering.
Tomorrow, we will learn about how king Hezekiah continued to lead his people during a time of severe trial in his kingship of Judah. Are you called to lead God's people? Heed Hezekiah's recipe for spiritual revival and like him, God will make you prosper in all you do:
"Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered." (2 Chronicles 31:20-21)
Monday, May 18, 2015
Day 138 - 2 Chronicles 25-28
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 138 - 2 Chronicles 25-28 (Are You a Two Timer Believer?)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/)
"Now it was so, after Amaziah came from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the people of Seir, set them up to be his gods, and bowed down before them and burned incense to them. Therefore the anger of the LORD was aroused against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, "Why have you sought the gods of the people, which could not rescue their own people from your hand?" (2 Chronicles 25:14-15)
It must have taken king Amaziah a lot of courage and faith to obey the Word of God spoken through a prophet of God to discharge the one hundred thousand strong army from Israel that he hired just because God told him to do so. Yet, as we read from the rest of our Scripture passage, Amaziah was unfaithful to God in most other things including worshipping the gods of the nations who were his enemies.
King Amaziah was what I would call a two timer believer - he obeyed God in some things and didn't obey Him in most. If we are truly honest with ourselves, we will admit, to to a certain degree, to being guilty of double crossing God. On the one hand, we obey God by going to church or even attending Bible study and on the other hand, we become unfaithful to the Lord by committing such sins as cursing, getting under the influence of alcohol or drugs, sex outside of marriage, gossip and back-biting, gambling, refusing to work, etc.
Just as God rebuked Amaziah by telling him, "Why have you sought the gods of the people, which could not rescue their own people from your hand?" God is also telling us, "Why are you seeking the very same idols of sex, alcohol, drugs, gossip, gambling and laziness and irresponsibility that have ruined an innumerable number of lives and families and have not been able to rescue even a single person from his problems?
Blinding people to the destruction caused by sin and getting them to serve sin instead of God is what Satan is so good at doing. The person who does not possess the Holy Spirit of God is helpless to resist Satan and sin and his only hope for salvation is by surrendering to Christ and accepting Him as Lord and Savior.
The true believer in Christ, however, is not immune to sin and the deception of Satan. Unless the Christian is totally yielded to the Holy Spirit and is daily immersed in the Word of God and in the service of the ministry of Christ's Church, he or she is vulnerable to sin and becoming two timer believer.
May God help you and me to be disciplined enough to daily read His Word and walk constantly in dependence on the Holy Spirit in everything so that we might resist the devil and not fall into his trap.
Day 138 - 2 Chronicles 25-28 (Are You a Two Timer Believer?)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/)
"Now it was so, after Amaziah came from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the people of Seir, set them up to be his gods, and bowed down before them and burned incense to them. Therefore the anger of the LORD was aroused against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, "Why have you sought the gods of the people, which could not rescue their own people from your hand?" (2 Chronicles 25:14-15)
It must have taken king Amaziah a lot of courage and faith to obey the Word of God spoken through a prophet of God to discharge the one hundred thousand strong army from Israel that he hired just because God told him to do so. Yet, as we read from the rest of our Scripture passage, Amaziah was unfaithful to God in most other things including worshipping the gods of the nations who were his enemies.
King Amaziah was what I would call a two timer believer - he obeyed God in some things and didn't obey Him in most. If we are truly honest with ourselves, we will admit, to to a certain degree, to being guilty of double crossing God. On the one hand, we obey God by going to church or even attending Bible study and on the other hand, we become unfaithful to the Lord by committing such sins as cursing, getting under the influence of alcohol or drugs, sex outside of marriage, gossip and back-biting, gambling, refusing to work, etc.
Just as God rebuked Amaziah by telling him, "Why have you sought the gods of the people, which could not rescue their own people from your hand?" God is also telling us, "Why are you seeking the very same idols of sex, alcohol, drugs, gossip, gambling and laziness and irresponsibility that have ruined an innumerable number of lives and families and have not been able to rescue even a single person from his problems?
Blinding people to the destruction caused by sin and getting them to serve sin instead of God is what Satan is so good at doing. The person who does not possess the Holy Spirit of God is helpless to resist Satan and sin and his only hope for salvation is by surrendering to Christ and accepting Him as Lord and Savior.
The true believer in Christ, however, is not immune to sin and the deception of Satan. Unless the Christian is totally yielded to the Holy Spirit and is daily immersed in the Word of God and in the service of the ministry of Christ's Church, he or she is vulnerable to sin and becoming two timer believer.
May God help you and me to be disciplined enough to daily read His Word and walk constantly in dependence on the Holy Spirit in everything so that we might resist the devil and not fall into his trap.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Day 137 - 2 Chronicles 21-24
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 137 - 2 Chronicles 21-24 (Your Greatest Lifework May be Yet Ahead)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/)
"Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba. Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; he was one hundred and thirty years old when he died." (2 Chronicles 24:1-2, 15)
Judging from our Scripture passage for today, Jehoiada the priest was at least 90 years old when he showed his strength to the kingdom of Judah in bringing out prince Joash from hiding in the temple from his birth until his seventh year. Joash was the only legitimate heir to the throne left because queen Athaliah had killed all the royal heirs.
Jehoiada's care for Joash from the time of his birth, hiding and protecting him from being murdered by Athaliah, and later on as chief adviser during Joash's reign as king, shows that Jehoiada's greatest life work didn't happen until during his old age. This fact is evidenced by the record of the Bible stating that "Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest (2 Chronicles 24:2)" but then after his death, Joash departed from God and did evil.
The life of Jehoiada should be a great inspiration to all of us that our greatest life work could be yet ahead of us even in our old age as long as we, like Jehoida, possess the courage and faith to always do the right thing before God and man.
You might be reading this post and you are a parent or an aunt or uncle of a young person or persons; your greatest life work could be as a godly mentor and influence on that youngster who, as a result of your influence or lack thereof, could either become an agent of God for good or an agent of Satan for evil.
I have decided that I will dedicate the rest of my earthly life in being a godly influence to my children and to as many people as God will allow me to help to become fully dedicated followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope that you will also make that your goal for the rest of your life.
Day 137 - 2 Chronicles 21-24 (Your Greatest Lifework May be Yet Ahead)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/)
"Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba. Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; he was one hundred and thirty years old when he died." (2 Chronicles 24:1-2, 15)
Judging from our Scripture passage for today, Jehoiada the priest was at least 90 years old when he showed his strength to the kingdom of Judah in bringing out prince Joash from hiding in the temple from his birth until his seventh year. Joash was the only legitimate heir to the throne left because queen Athaliah had killed all the royal heirs.
Jehoiada's care for Joash from the time of his birth, hiding and protecting him from being murdered by Athaliah, and later on as chief adviser during Joash's reign as king, shows that Jehoiada's greatest life work didn't happen until during his old age. This fact is evidenced by the record of the Bible stating that "Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest (2 Chronicles 24:2)" but then after his death, Joash departed from God and did evil.
The life of Jehoiada should be a great inspiration to all of us that our greatest life work could be yet ahead of us even in our old age as long as we, like Jehoida, possess the courage and faith to always do the right thing before God and man.
You might be reading this post and you are a parent or an aunt or uncle of a young person or persons; your greatest life work could be as a godly mentor and influence on that youngster who, as a result of your influence or lack thereof, could either become an agent of God for good or an agent of Satan for evil.
I have decided that I will dedicate the rest of my earthly life in being a godly influence to my children and to as many people as God will allow me to help to become fully dedicated followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope that you will also make that your goal for the rest of your life.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Day 136 - 2 Chronicles 18-20
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 136 - 2 Chronicles 18-20 (What Does God Think of Christians Who are Allied with the Ungodly?)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/)
"Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab...And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you."...After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted very wickedly. And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber. But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works." Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish. (2 Chronicles 18:1; 19:2; 20:35-37)
Jehoshaphat is considered one of the good kings of Judah having led his people to follow God faithfully with a loyal heart. He had one weakness, however, and that is he liked to align himself with the wicked kings of Israel, namely Ahab and Ahaziah, two of the most evil kings of Israel. Perhaps in his mind, Jehoshaphat was hoping that he could win over those non-believing kings through his alliance with them; but as we learn from our Scripture passage for today, God was angry with him for his foolish actions.
Clearly, God in no way approves His people being allied with the wicked of this world. Now, the Bible calls all unsaved people wicked but there is a separate group of people whom God isolates as being those whom His people must not be allied with - they are those who promote their evil deeds and lead others to follow after them in their sins. Such were kings Ahab and Ahaziah.
How do can we know that the above is true? Jesus called Himself a friend of sinners which was a reference to His divine purpose in coming to earth, that is, to save sinners. Unlike Jehoshaphat, Jesus was not influenced by the sins of those whom He sought to befriend. The exact opposite was true; Jesus influenced the wicked so that many of them repented of their sins and became His followers. Jesus never consented even remotely with the sins of the wicked, unlike others.
Christians, make no mistake about it; we are living in the last days of apostasy when many who are naive will be led astray by Satan to compromise their beliefs for the sake of not offending the world and for the sake of being accepted by masses. If you have no clue about what I am saying, I urge you to re-read our Scripture passage again and I pray that God would enlighten you to comprehend His Word.
Day 136 - 2 Chronicles 18-20 (What Does God Think of Christians Who are Allied with the Ungodly?)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/)
"Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab...And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you."...After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted very wickedly. And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber. But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works." Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish. (2 Chronicles 18:1; 19:2; 20:35-37)
Jehoshaphat is considered one of the good kings of Judah having led his people to follow God faithfully with a loyal heart. He had one weakness, however, and that is he liked to align himself with the wicked kings of Israel, namely Ahab and Ahaziah, two of the most evil kings of Israel. Perhaps in his mind, Jehoshaphat was hoping that he could win over those non-believing kings through his alliance with them; but as we learn from our Scripture passage for today, God was angry with him for his foolish actions.
Clearly, God in no way approves His people being allied with the wicked of this world. Now, the Bible calls all unsaved people wicked but there is a separate group of people whom God isolates as being those whom His people must not be allied with - they are those who promote their evil deeds and lead others to follow after them in their sins. Such were kings Ahab and Ahaziah.
How do can we know that the above is true? Jesus called Himself a friend of sinners which was a reference to His divine purpose in coming to earth, that is, to save sinners. Unlike Jehoshaphat, Jesus was not influenced by the sins of those whom He sought to befriend. The exact opposite was true; Jesus influenced the wicked so that many of them repented of their sins and became His followers. Jesus never consented even remotely with the sins of the wicked, unlike others.
Christians, make no mistake about it; we are living in the last days of apostasy when many who are naive will be led astray by Satan to compromise their beliefs for the sake of not offending the world and for the sake of being accepted by masses. If you have no clue about what I am saying, I urge you to re-read our Scripture passage again and I pray that God would enlighten you to comprehend His Word.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Day 135 - 2 Chronicles 13-17
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 135 - 2 Chronicles 13-17 (The Danger of Relying on Man Instead of God)
(To View Past Posts Click: http://tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/)
"Then Asa brought silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Ben-Hadad king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, "Let there be a treaty between you and me...And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: "Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars." (2 Chronicles 16:2-3, 7-9)
In chapter of our Scripture reading for today, we find Asa succeeding his father Abijah as Judah's king. Then Zerah the Ethiopian came out against Judah with an army of one million. Asa cried out to the Lord his God and said:
"LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!" (2 Chronicles 14:11)
God heard Asa's prayer and struck the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah so much so that they were overthrown and could not recover. Twenty-six years of peace later, Baasha king of Israel came up against Asa to fight and Asa panicked and took the silver and gold from the house of God and from his own house and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Syria as payment to attack Israel so they will withdraw from Judah.
Herein lies a very important lesson no follower of God can afford to ignore. When Asa cried out to God for deliverance from an army twice the size of his own, God heard him and rescued him. After twenty-six years of peace and comfort, Asa once again faced the inevitable when Baasha, with the support of Ben-Hadad, comes against him for war. This time, Asa relied on Ben-Hadad breaking treaty with Baasha and siding with him instead of relying on God as he did when the Ethiopians attacked him with a million strong army.
What did God think of Asa's actions? As you can read from our text above, God was displeased with Asa and let him know what he missed by not depending on Him - Israel and Syria would have been defeated by him and he (Asa) would have been at peace once again. But because Asa relied on man instead of God, God sent him adversaries so that he was always at war until his death.
So what is the lesson for us as Christians which we cannot afford to ignore? It is this: that must rely on God rather than man. As the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) Asa knew that truth once but then failed to believe it the second time, perhaps because the twenty-six years of peace and comfort mad him lose his reliance on God.
I don't know about you, but I desire to put my trust and reliance on God rather than man. I know it is easier said than done which is why I pray, "Dear God, please help me not to make the mistake that Asa made in relying on man rather than on you. Help me to trust you when it is so much easier to trust in what I have and on what others can do to help me. Amen."
Day 135 - 2 Chronicles 13-17 (The Danger of Relying on Man Instead of God)
(To View Past Posts Click: http://tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/)
"Then Asa brought silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Ben-Hadad king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, "Let there be a treaty between you and me...And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: "Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars." (2 Chronicles 16:2-3, 7-9)
In chapter of our Scripture reading for today, we find Asa succeeding his father Abijah as Judah's king. Then Zerah the Ethiopian came out against Judah with an army of one million. Asa cried out to the Lord his God and said:
"LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!" (2 Chronicles 14:11)
God heard Asa's prayer and struck the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah so much so that they were overthrown and could not recover. Twenty-six years of peace later, Baasha king of Israel came up against Asa to fight and Asa panicked and took the silver and gold from the house of God and from his own house and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Syria as payment to attack Israel so they will withdraw from Judah.
Herein lies a very important lesson no follower of God can afford to ignore. When Asa cried out to God for deliverance from an army twice the size of his own, God heard him and rescued him. After twenty-six years of peace and comfort, Asa once again faced the inevitable when Baasha, with the support of Ben-Hadad, comes against him for war. This time, Asa relied on Ben-Hadad breaking treaty with Baasha and siding with him instead of relying on God as he did when the Ethiopians attacked him with a million strong army.
What did God think of Asa's actions? As you can read from our text above, God was displeased with Asa and let him know what he missed by not depending on Him - Israel and Syria would have been defeated by him and he (Asa) would have been at peace once again. But because Asa relied on man instead of God, God sent him adversaries so that he was always at war until his death.
So what is the lesson for us as Christians which we cannot afford to ignore? It is this: that must rely on God rather than man. As the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) Asa knew that truth once but then failed to believe it the second time, perhaps because the twenty-six years of peace and comfort mad him lose his reliance on God.
I don't know about you, but I desire to put my trust and reliance on God rather than man. I know it is easier said than done which is why I pray, "Dear God, please help me not to make the mistake that Asa made in relying on man rather than on you. Help me to trust you when it is so much easier to trust in what I have and on what others can do to help me. Amen."
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