Archive for the 'General' Category

Ask First

John 16:24

24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full .  NKJV

-       John 15:11;

-         Your asking comes before God’s answering. Are you waiting for an answer to a question you haven’t asked? God help me to always seek you first and not to try to do things on my own 1 Chron 14:10. Help me to cast my cares on you 1 Peter 5:7. I believe by placing my trust in you I can be released from the burden of worry Phil 4:6;

Want direction?

1 Chron 14:10

10 And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” ESV

-       God spoke to David in response. If you want direction from God you need to learn to ask.

-         If we don’t cast our cares on him they will remain our burden 1 Peter 5:7; We are not supposed to be worried about things we are supposed to pray Phil 4:6; . Have you gone to God to determine your direction. The answer is waiting for the question John 16:24;

Just Admit it

Ps 51:1-3

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. ESV

-         David starts out this chapter by acknowledging his sin. He doesn’t blame anyone else he just says he knows his transgressions. He knows his sin. He repents and asks God to forgive him and make him clean. This act separates him greatly from Saul and from most people for that matter who want to blame others for their mistakes. We to need to admit and repent. . Gen 3:12; 1 Sam 13:11-12; 15:13-28;  2 Sam 12:13; Prov 24:12; Prov 28:13;

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Will you simply recite?

Ps 50:16

16 But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? ESV

-         James 1:22; There are those who want to recite God’s law but don’t want to obey it. God tells them they are in trouble. They think they are okay because they haven’t reaped the consequences of their sin yet. Vs 21 the time will come when you will give an account.

-         The following verses give a list of things that mark what God calls wicked.

1.      Hate discipline vs 17;  Prov 1:5;

2.      Cast God’s word behind them. (hear but don’t do) Vs 17; James 1:22;

3.      Are pleased with others sin vs 18

4.      Keep company with the adulterers (those living in sin) vs 18; Ps101:6

5.      Let their tongue speak freely vs 19;  Ps 39:1; 141:3; Prov 18:21

6.      Speak lies vs 19;  Ps 34:13

7.      Slander their own family vs 20

8.      Justify their sin in their own mind. Vs 21;

Give, Thanks, Help, Glory

Ps 50:14-15

14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” ESV

-   Giving to God is an act of thanks. It recognizes God as your source.

-         The second half of the sentence is built on the first. So if you do the first and give recognition to God as your source, and then call out for help in your day of trouble He said He would be your source for help too, and that you could then give Him glory.

Why Give

Ps 50:10

$ 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. ESV

-     All is the Lord’s. We give not because he is in need but as an act of love, honor and thanks.

Whole Heart

1 Kings 11:6

6 So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and did not wholly follow the Lord, as David his father had done. ESV

-         Solomon didn’t follow whole hearted and that is called evil. Are you following whole hearted? Is there anything that you may have held back? God if there is anything that I have not fully given to you show me. Help me to let it go and to seek you with all my heart. Jer 29:13;

-         1 Kings 8:48;

Yesterday’s Encounter with God

1 Kings 11:9

And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice ESV

-         First, note that he turned away. Just because you were right with God doesn’t mean you can never turn away. Matt 24:12; Rev 3:5;

Solomon had seen God apprear twice and had been warned by God, yet still he turned away. Yesterdays encounters with God no matter how great can not sustain you today. A great meal no matter how good won’t sustain you for years to come. You need to keep seeking God. If you let compromise in, your closeness with God will begin to fade away. 1 Cor 16:13; Rev 2:5

Extending Grace

1 Kings 13:33

33 Even after this, Jeroboam did not change his evil ways, but once more appointed priests for the high places from all sorts of people. Anyone who wanted to become a priest he consecrated for the high places. NIV

-         God extends grace to all, but many reject it. Jeroboam got a warning accompanied by signs, yet he chose to harden rather than repent (Heb 3:8). Rom 10:13 says that whoever calls. The offer to call is open but we must receive it. Matt 22:14 says many are called but few are chosen. Most of the people called don’t receive what God offers. Jesus said in Matt 7:13-14 That wide is the way that leads to destruction and many find it but that they way of life is narrow and few find it. God help me receive the grace you have given and to live to please you. Help me to introduce you to others in a way that will lead them to respond to your extended grace.