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.
1 Kings 8:61
61 Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.” ESV
- Later in life Solomon himself would have done well to listen to his own advice. I think most of the time we are fully capable of giving ourselves great advice. If someone else came to us with the same problem we would give them good advice the trick is both in doing, and making your choice before the heat of a moment filled with emotion. 2 Chron 12:14
- What areas are you not taking your own advice? “I know I really should….” “I probably shouldn’t… But” Why is it hard to take your own advice?
- Are you making choices ahead of time or do you wait until emotions are high and you can no longer think straight.
1 Kings 8:48
48 if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen, and the house that I have built for your name, ESV
- If, they repent with ALL. I think a lot of times we repent half way. Really we aren’t sorry for what we did and really don’t want to change but we are sorry we got in trouble or that you were hurt by what we did. But when we apologize or repent without changing we are admitting but not repenting. Prov 28:13 tells us it is the one that repents and forsakes their sin that finds mercy. God help me to repent whole heartedly, help me to see my sin like you see it. Help me to hate sin and depart from it. Help me to bring you glory in all I do.
- 1 kings 11:6;
Acts 12:5
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. NIV
- Peter was in prison, BUT… but means to forget what comes before it. The way it is stated here implies that the prayers of the church had a direct impact on Peter getting rescued from prison. Then this is not a random act of sovereignty on God’s part but a response by God to the churches prayers as promised by Jesus in the gospels. Matt 21:22; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:13; 15:16; 16:23;
- If this is a response to their prayers prayer is the most powerful force available to us. Through prayer we are connected to the God of the universe. Prayer is available to you at any time what are you doing with it? What are you seeking God about in prayer? Earnetly/fervently = Greek word 1619 adverb from 1618 coming from 1614 intent, with out ceasing, stretched out. Am I praying for anything like that. Is there anything that you are holding onto in prayer intently stretching out for . 1 Thess 5:17
Acts 14:19
19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. NIV
- People are fickle and easily swayed. One minute we find them ready to worship the next we find them stoning Paul. Prov 29:25; John 2:24;
- Vs 20; 1 Cor 15:33; This verse displays the amazing power of influence. The crowd was set on something then a few Jews came from Antioch and we able to persuade the whole crowd in a completely opposite direction. Who is influencing you?
Acts 6:10
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke
NKJV
- He wasn’t on His own. He was able to do so much because he was filled with the Spirit.(vs 5 & 8) The overflow of God’s spirit from his life was more then they could handle.
- Are you over flowing? Acts 1:8
- Lord Help Me to Overflow with your Spirit.
Acts 4:21
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. NKJV
- vs 16 Lord help me to keep my eyes on you. When we get focused on ourselves we will walk away from God’s plan because it makes us uncomfortable, it would take us into the unknown.
- The appropriate response to a miracle is glorifying God.
1 Sam 13:12
12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” ESV
- Saul’s excuses continue. As he moves on he states how because of Samuel being late and the people leaving he was forced to do what was forbidden. This is in no way shape or form his fault or even a sin in his eyes. He has no intent of changing. When you get confronted with your sin, or mistakes do you look for a reason you don’t need to change why it wasn’t your fault, or how you can change to prevent it from ever happening again?
Josh 24:22-23
22 Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” 23 He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.” ESV
- Vs 15 states the question, “Whom will you serve?” Choosing God means removing anything else from the number 1 place in your life. Living for God will require sacrifice, sometimes things will be hard. Are you willing to follow God when it is hard? If so it is time to let go, to get rid of any areas that we have held back anything we have been doing our own way. It is time to find accountability or a witness. He used the congregation to hold each other accountable. Who will call you out if you begin to buckle when living for God isn’t easy? Prov 27:6, 12;
- I think a lot of people want to follow God and have it cost them nothing. Luke 14:27-33 says that we need to count the cost and place God above all. We need to be willing to lay down anything that would come between us and God. Following God means I need to carry my cross Matt 10:38; you need to be ready push on and stick to your word even if it causes you pain Ps 15:4. Christianity isn’t a way out of all of life’s problems.
1 Sam 2:3
3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. ESV
- Your Tongue is under your control. It doesn’t speak with out your permission. You may not think before granting your mouth permission to speak but it doesn’t speak without permission. Lord help me to take responsibility for my words. Help me to only speak what will build people up. Let no arrogant, harsh, corrupt, or degrading words come out of my mouth, help me to guard my tongue. PS 141:3; Prov 18:21;
