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  • The Reason For The Failure

    2 Chronicles 12:14 “(13 So King Rehoboam grew strong in Jerusalem and reigned. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite. 14  “And he (king Rehoboam) did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD.”

    Now and then we hear the shocking and disappointing news of a Christian leader who has blown it and we ask WHAT HAPPENED.  We want to know what led to the failure.  We want to know the reasons for the failure.  

    Having unfortunately dealt with quite a few who have fallen I believe the answer to WHAT HAPPENED in many cases is found in 2 Chronicles 12:14b.  The evil actions were preceded by the NEGLECT of seeking the Lord.  

    Let’s look a little more at Rehoboam and his failure. Our Bible can be very brutal at times in SPEAKING THE TRUTH.  The writer could have only said King Rehoboam did evil.  That statement is bad enough.  But the writer gives the reason for the evil practices of Rehoboam and what an indictment on Rehoboam. Let the words “BECAUSE he did not prepare his heart of seek the Lord” penetrate deep into your soul and heart.  

    WHAT HAPPENED?  Rehoboam did not MAKE time for the things of the Lord and it sure appears he had no desire for learning about the Lord.   He did evil BECAUSE he had no desire to seek and know the Lord. 

    Instead of Rehoboam’s heart being filled with the Word of God that would lead to the worship of God, Rehoboam’s heart was filled with evil intentions that led to wickedness.

    Instead of walking with the Lord King Rehoboam did wicked things against the Lord. 

    May this verse that tells of the evil actions of a king challenge us to desire and delight to know God.  We must be INTENTIONAL about filling our hearts with the Word of God and then practice righteousness!  May there never be a report that we failed BECAUSE WE DID NOT PREPARE OUR HEARTS TO SEEK THE LORD.

    Have you been neglecting your time with the Lord?

    Continue Strong being intentional in seeking the Lord, 
    And Remember to Date the Word

  • Doing Simple Kindnesses 

    Romans 12:13 “distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”

    The transformation of the believer’s heart is seen in the believer having a heart for helping others, especially believers, in need.  Let me state that again and allow you to read it and read it a little slower as you must not miss this truth.  The transformation of the believer’s heart is seen in the believer having a heart for helping others, especially believers, in need. 

    Do you have a heart to help others in need, especially other believers in need?

    One of the first actions we find in the early church was it helping those in need.  (Acts 2:44  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45  and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.) Pastor James preached that true religion was actively helping widows and orphans IN THEIR TROUBLE or NEED.  (James 1:27)

    I ask again, do you have a heart to help others in need?  

    Based on the teaching of Paul in Ephesians 4:28 the believer is to be earning an honest wage so they can HELP a person in need.  Notice Ephesians 4:28.  “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”

    Believers are looking for ways to help those who need help! 

    Believers are also hospitable.  Paul writes given to HOSPITALITY.  Hospitality is the welcoming into one’s home, even to a stranger.   Peter would write in 1 Peter 4:9 “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.” I like to say be hospitable, not hostile!  

    I think “distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality” are simple acts of kindness.  It is Christianity in action.  It is DOING for another.

    A thought: Be sure at some point this Christmas to watch A Christmas Carol

    Continue Strong doing acts of kindness,
    And Remember to Date the Word

  • Being A Brother’s Helper

    Hebrews 12:12 “Therefore, strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,”  

    More than being our brother’s keeper we are our brother’s HELPER.  

    As brothers or sisters struggle and stumble in the race they are running for the Lord, other believers are instructed to come along side to help them stand back up and stay in the race and finish the race.  While the runner is instructed to run the race with endurance in Hebrews 12:1 we now find the runner is in need of encouragement.   

    This idea of being a brother’s helper is not only found here but also in 1 Thessalonians and in Galatians.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Paul writes, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, encourage the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”  In Galatians 6:1 Paul writes, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

    Did you notice in both the verses Paul wrote to brethren? He could have written to just pastors or elders or deacon but he wrote to the BRETHREN.  This means everyone in the body of Christ is to be looking out to help any brother or sister that starts to struggle.   

    As you run your race for the Lord keep a sharp lookout for other believers who need a good word of encouragement and/or a sound piece of wisdom.  Ask God to help them and as you ask Him ask Him how you might can help them.   

    The race that we as believers run is at times very hard. Hebrews 12:12 tell us to help a weak brother become stronger.

    Continue Strong helping others become strong,
    And Remember to Date the Word

  • Speak To Be Remembered

    Ecclesiastes 12:11 “The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.”

    The teacher (parent, pastor, professor, coach, etc,) teaches so that there will be application of the instructions.  This does not happen by accident.  In the context of Ecclesiastes 12:11, we find the preacher – the teacher – explaining their work. Starting at verse 9 he writes, “Moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. 10  The Preacher sought to find acceptable words, And what was written was upright—words of truth.” 

    To unpack all that is in Ecclesiastes 12:9-10 could fill a book on becoming an effective communicator.  As I have sought to learn and to teach communication, I summed up the responsibility of the teacher/speaker by saying they are to SPEAK TO BE REMEMBERED.  Now quickly I say it is not the PERSON speaking to be remembered but the PRINCIPALS that are taught are remembered.  

    Why would one want to speak to be remembered?  Because in verse 11 we learn what happens as truth is taught.  The words of the wise serve to MOTIVATE you to ACTION – TO DO SOMETHING.  A goad, if you are wondering and you probably are, is an instrument to, shall we say, encourage an oxen or a cow to move forward.  A good teacher is going to call for you to TAKE ACTION.  Think, for instance, of James as he says, “Be a DOER of God’s Word not just a hearer.  

    A second benefit of speaking to be remembered is the teaching of truth is like a well-driven nail that holds a building together.  The words of the Scholar are to be APPLIED and the application of the truth holds your life together. 

    When the teacher does the hard work of studying and finding acceptable words to speak the student not only learns but REMEMBERS.  As information and instructions are applied one is on their way to a well-lived life.

    Teacher: are you speaking to be remembered?
    Student: Are you listening and applying the lessons from your teachers?

    Continue Strong with memorable messages about the Message!
    And Remember to Date the Word

  • Treat Others Better Than You Would Treat Yourself

    Romans 12:10 “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;”

    Getting saved brings about TWO new relationships.  The first new relationship is with God, and He is now our FATHER!  Part of our great salvation is we are adopted into the family of God.  Being in the FAMILY of God brings about a new relationship with people, with the OTHERS of this world. We have a new vertical relationship with God whereby He is our Father, and we have a new horizontal relationship with people who are saved as they are our BROTHERS AND SISTERS. 

    Romans 12 is now addressing this new horizontal relationship.  Romans 12:4-8 taught how we use our spiritual gifts to edify each other.  Moving into verses 9-10 we are to genuinely love one another, being kindly affectionate to one another.  The idea of kind affection speaks of being DEVOTED to another.  It means being there when they need you.  An example would be Ruth being there for Naomi. 

    The apostle Paul now moves us to a new level of LIVING, a new level of LOVING others – as we are to HONOR others ABOVE ourselves. We are to GIVE PREFERENCE to others!  

    For the Christian, it is others BEFORE us and others ABOVE us!  

    This new level of treatment means we don’t just treat people like we want to be treated but rather we treat them BETTER than we want to be treated!  

    We must ask: Do you treat OTHERS better than you treat yourself?  

    The version of the International Standard says, “Be devoted to each other with mutual affection. Excel at showing respect for each other.”  What a different world we would have if we EXCELLED at RESPECTING one another!!! 

    Others BEFORE you and others ABOVE you!  

    Continue Strong treating others BETTER than you treat yourself,
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • The Transformed Life Takes New Actions

    Romans 12:9 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” 

    Romans 12 lays out NEW ACTIONS for believers.  The apostle Paul writing according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wants to have inward transformation bringing about outward application.  We are now approaching daily living differently and living drastically differently from our old, past life.  For instance, we now have a different love in which our love is sincere or PURE.  We are not loving others to be loved, but loving others because they need to be love. We love the way Christ loved and that means we love when a person is not lovable.  I like to say the time a person needs love the most is the time they deserve it the least. 
    (If you are wondering just how different the Christian’s love is one only needs to read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a as it describes love: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.  (I find this list so convicting))  

    Our love for others is to be sincere!  

    When it comes to evil we are to hate it.  Yes, HATE IT.  It does not say hate the evil person but to hate the EVIL.  The believer finds a distaste for evil that they may have found enjoyable at one time. What brings about this distaste is growing in a reverence for God.  Proverbs 8:13 says, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil.”  Our love for Him and reverence of Him causes us to hate what He hates.  

    Then we hold tight to what is good. We are good in our living and we are doing good for others, especially those of the household of God (Gal. 6:10)

    Changes have come to the believer!

    Continue Strong with a love that hates and does the most good,
    And Remember to Date the Word

  • First Things First – Worship Precedes Work

    Genesis 12:8 “And Abraham moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.”  

    As Abraham makes his way into the land God has directed him, he will first set up an altar.  This altar was not to be worshipped but rather used to direct him to worship God.  As important as it is that he built the altar we should note the timing of the building.  

    Abraham demonstrates first things first by setting up an altar to God first. 

    The gentleman who discipled me 40-plus years ago told me I had to decide what was going to be first.  Looking back, I remember him pointing out Genesis 12:8 as a guiding verse for deciding what would be first.  He compared Abraham’s decision with the Jews returning to Judah in the days of Haggai and how they DID NOT put God first.  Haggai, the prophet of God, had to confront God’s people about where God’s house fit on their list of priorities.  They had made the rebuilding of their homes and their farms a higher priority than taking care of God’s house.  Haggai called on God’s people to consider their ways or to consider their priorities.  (Haggai 1:2-8)

    Abraham made the worship of God a priority.  For him, it was worship first and then work. 

    A thought based on personal practice: First thing in the morning a person should worship God individually and on the first day of the week a person should worship God corporately.   Is that your practice?  

    Start your day with worship and start your week with worship.   

    Continue Strong with Jesus First!
    And Remember to Date the Word

  • Remember The Blessing Of God At Meal Time

    Deuteronomy 12:7 “And there you shall eat before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the LORD your God has blessed you.”

    Each meal we eat should be a reminder of the blessings of God.  As you have asked Him to provide your daily bread (Matthew 6:11 “Give us this day our daily bread) you then sit down to a meal that is an answer to prayer.)

    Have you thought about the fact that every meal is an answer to prayer?

    As you enjoy your meal it should be a joyous time filled with thanksgiving and praise to God who has blessed you!  Your mealtime should be a reminder that every good and perfect gift has come down from above (James 1:17).  It should be a reminder of the gifts and talents the Lord has provided you with in order for you to provide for you and your family. 

    Maybe I stretch this a little but every meal should be approached as a Thanksgiving Day meal where we reflect on the blessings of God and give Him thanks for being so good to us.  Maybe something to consider??!!  

    God is great. God is good. Let us THANK Him for our food. Amen

    Continue Strong enjoying your meals with thanksgiving,
    And Remember to Date the Word

  • Simple But Profound Actions As A Believer

    Hosea 12:6 “Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, and wait for your God continually.”

    Hosea calls God’s people to return to Him.  They had become wayward and were not walking in His way.  Hosea wanted them to repent.  To repent is to change the direction one is going.  One is to turn around.  A  person is to make a U-turn.  

    Is this a message you need because of some decisions you have made?  Do you need to repent of those decisions? 

    As one comes back to God it will always include a renewed obedience to God shown in how we treat others.  We are to be kind to one another and make sure each person is treated fairly!  

    How is your Christianity on display with others?   Do they experience acts of kindness?  Do they find that you stand up for them? 

    We are to wait – yes – wait on the Lord – meaning we now rely on the Lord.
    The return to God means dependence on God.  Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” 

    Waiting on God is not a waste of time!

    Continue Strong loving people and loving God,
    And Remember to Date the Word

  • It Is Time To Sing To The Lord

    Isaiah 12:5 “Sing to the LORD, For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earth.”

    Salvation brings into our hearts a new song! Psalms 40:2-3 says, “He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.”  As sinners saved by grace, we should be singing of the excellent things God has done for us!

    Along with this verse, we find the appeal to sing in 
    Psalms 33:3  Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
    Psalms 96:1  Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
    Psalms 98:1  Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.
    Psalms 149:1  Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints.
    Isaiah 42:10 Sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, You coastlands and you inhabitants of them!

    In our new song, we are to sing about our great God. For instance, our verse says, “Sing to the LORD, For He has done excellent things.”  David declared in Psalm 59:16 that he would sing of God’s power; He said he would sing aloud of God’s mercy in the morning;   

    In Psalms 13:6 he said,  “I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.”
    Psalms 89:1 declares “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.
    Psalms 101:1 proclaims I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.
    No wonder we are to “Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God,” Psalms 147:7

    What are you singing about today?  SING A SONG to the Lord and sing songs about the Lord! 

    Declare that you “will sing a new song to God; On a harp of ten strings you will sing praises to Him.” Psalms 144:9

    Continue Strong worshiping God with singing,
    And Remember to Date the Word