Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Lesson from Hezekiah
Lesson from Hezekiah
Isaiah 39
Hezekiah tearfully cried out to God when he heard he was going to die. He pleaded with God to live longer. By the grace of God, he was granted 15 more years. Then, we see Hezekiah get spiritually lazy and prideful. A visitor comes to investigate his Kingdom. The story in the Bible of Hezekiah magnifies this visit and the consequences as if the other years were not mentionable, so we learn from this visit. Hezekiah pridefully and foolishly shows off all the details of his kingdom.
God sends a prophet to explain to Hezekiah how self – centered he had become. Hezekiah does not get it. Good times and good incomes with all the good stuff American life can afford can do the same. Christians do better at war, careful to see all of satan’s trick and schemes to divert our attention. “Stand firm, let nothing move you, give your fully to the work of the Lord”…Your spirit is at war all the time with your own carnal selfish heart you were born with. It takes spiritual-will power to choose the spirit’s good influence – do nothing and your default mode is selfishness.
Be careful all the time, especially when life is good. Give even more time to the Lord in thanksgiving and be very careful to boast in His goodness – not your Kingdom. I shamefully know the dangers of boasting in my own Kingdom!
Isaiah 39
Hezekiah tearfully cried out to God when he heard he was going to die. He pleaded with God to live longer. By the grace of God, he was granted 15 more years. Then, we see Hezekiah get spiritually lazy and prideful. A visitor comes to investigate his Kingdom. The story in the Bible of Hezekiah magnifies this visit and the consequences as if the other years were not mentionable, so we learn from this visit. Hezekiah pridefully and foolishly shows off all the details of his kingdom.
God sends a prophet to explain to Hezekiah how self – centered he had become. Hezekiah does not get it. Good times and good incomes with all the good stuff American life can afford can do the same. Christians do better at war, careful to see all of satan’s trick and schemes to divert our attention. “Stand firm, let nothing move you, give your fully to the work of the Lord”…Your spirit is at war all the time with your own carnal selfish heart you were born with. It takes spiritual-will power to choose the spirit’s good influence – do nothing and your default mode is selfishness.
Be careful all the time, especially when life is good. Give even more time to the Lord in thanksgiving and be very careful to boast in His goodness – not your Kingdom. I shamefully know the dangers of boasting in my own Kingdom!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Would We Know if We Were Stubborn?
What if God was trying to get your attention, would you know it? I am continually amazed at how busy my schedule is and others. There is a continual low-level adrenaline going to make every hour worth something to our pleasure. Does God have time to convict you or me of stubbornness? Without extended appointments with God where our mind and soul are still, can we really be a good judge our stubbornness?
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