His rationale: 1) They don’t follow cultural trends, 2) They are civilly disobedient, 3) It is not in the government’s best interest to tolerate them
“Then Haman said to King Xerxes, ‘There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents [375 tons] of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.’” [1]
What did God’s people do?
They wept, fasted, and prayed. God worked everything out so that on the day appointed for their destruction, they were not destroyed. The lobbyist was, however, executed.
“Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” [2]
Let us pray for believers in the God of the Bible who are holding to their faith in Christ despite governmental persecution.
[1] Esther 3:8-9
[2] 1 John 5:4-5
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Friday, July 27, 2018
Blessed Are The Meek
“The Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the meek with salvation.” “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” [1]
“During a conflict, when we are unable to control or influence circumstances, our response may include frustration, bitterness, anger, and/ or withdrawal. But if we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can accept God’s ability to make our out-of-control circumstances work out for our good, and for the good of those around us. When exercising meekness, we may appear outwardly weak to others but in truth be inwardly resilient and strong. Sometimes we are placed in a position of weakness where we must persevere by dependence on God. The use of the Greek word ‘meek’ when applied to animals means ‘tame.’ In other words, such animals have not lost their strength but have learned to control the destructive instincts that prevent them from living in harmony with others.” [2]
“Lord Jesus, please keep us meek when meek is the last thing we want to be. Give us the wisdom to make the right choice in every circumstance. For Your glory and the blessing of those around us, I pray, in Your Name Jesus. Amen.”
[1] Psalm 149:4; Matthew 5:5
[2] Abridged: “Dictionaries – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology – Meekness”
“During a conflict, when we are unable to control or influence circumstances, our response may include frustration, bitterness, anger, and/ or withdrawal. But if we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can accept God’s ability to make our out-of-control circumstances work out for our good, and for the good of those around us. When exercising meekness, we may appear outwardly weak to others but in truth be inwardly resilient and strong. Sometimes we are placed in a position of weakness where we must persevere by dependence on God. The use of the Greek word ‘meek’ when applied to animals means ‘tame.’ In other words, such animals have not lost their strength but have learned to control the destructive instincts that prevent them from living in harmony with others.” [2]
“Lord Jesus, please keep us meek when meek is the last thing we want to be. Give us the wisdom to make the right choice in every circumstance. For Your glory and the blessing of those around us, I pray, in Your Name Jesus. Amen.”
[1] Psalm 149:4; Matthew 5:5
[2] Abridged: “Dictionaries – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology – Meekness”
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Perfected Forever by Jesus Christ
Never feeling good enough… never feeling approved… always feeling guilt and shame is a miserable place to be. That is why the Gospel is such Good News. Jesus Christ with one sacrifice wiped out the sins of everyone who believes in and confesses Him. God does not remember our sins when we trust in Christ as our Savior and Lord.
No matter what we have done, no matter who we are, we can come boldly to the Holiest place, before God our Creator, and receive HIS help and HIS life to flow through us. Praise the Lord!
“…After He [Jesus Christ] had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, for by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, …let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day [of the Lord] approaching.”
Hebrews 10:12, 14, 17, 19, 24-25
No matter what we have done, no matter who we are, we can come boldly to the Holiest place, before God our Creator, and receive HIS help and HIS life to flow through us. Praise the Lord!
“…After He [Jesus Christ] had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, for by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, …let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day [of the Lord] approaching.”
Hebrews 10:12, 14, 17, 19, 24-25
Friday, July 13, 2018
Make God’s Praise Glorious!
God is our Creator and Sustainer.
He saves us from the evil one and from our sin.
Let all who know and believe in Him praise His Holy Name!
“He [Hezekiah] stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets.” [1]
King and prophets have endorsed worship music to the Lord!
The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. [2]
“…And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel.” [3]
“So, all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped. Moreover, King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So, they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.” [4]
“So, there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.” [5]
One of the primary objectives of God’s people is to encourage and make way for people to worship the Lord with music and singing.
I love to praise and worship our Lord Jesus Christ with His people in His house.
[1] 2 Chronicles 29:25
[2] 2 Chronicles 29:26
[3] 2 Chronicles 29:27
[4] 2 Chronicles 29:28-30
[5] 2 Chronicles 30:26-27
He saves us from the evil one and from our sin.
Let all who know and believe in Him praise His Holy Name!
“He [Hezekiah] stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets.” [1]
King and prophets have endorsed worship music to the Lord!
The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. [2]
“…And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel.” [3]
“So, all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped. Moreover, King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So, they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.” [4]
“So, there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.” [5]
One of the primary objectives of God’s people is to encourage and make way for people to worship the Lord with music and singing.
I love to praise and worship our Lord Jesus Christ with His people in His house.
[1] 2 Chronicles 29:25
[2] 2 Chronicles 29:26
[3] 2 Chronicles 29:27
[4] 2 Chronicles 29:28-30
[5] 2 Chronicles 30:26-27
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Relying on the Lord for Salvation
Once upon a time, a King of Judah named Amaziah hired 100,000 mighty men of valor from Israel for 100 talents of silver [$170,000 or $17 per man]. But after he did this, a man of God came to him, and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the Lord is not with Israel.” Amaziah then asked the man of God, “But what shall we do about the 100 talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?” The man of God answered him, ‘The Lord is able to give you much more than this.’” He listened to the man of God. The battle was won. [1]
The Lord graciously helps us when we trust in Him for salvation. He is our Savior! Saving is what He does.
Truly, our Lord Jesus Christ saves to the uttermost all who come to God through Him.
“He [Jesus] is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” [2]
[1] 2 Chronicles 25:6-7, 8-9, 11
[2] Hebrews 7:25
The Lord graciously helps us when we trust in Him for salvation. He is our Savior! Saving is what He does.
Truly, our Lord Jesus Christ saves to the uttermost all who come to God through Him.
“He [Jesus] is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” [2]
[1] 2 Chronicles 25:6-7, 8-9, 11
[2] Hebrews 7:25
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Daring to Speak FOR God when Speaking AGAINST God is Trending
Zechariah is a not-so celebrated Bible hero. His father saved a king. That king executed Zechariah. Why? He dared to speak FOR GOD when speaking against God was trending.
“He [the Lord] sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen.
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, ‘Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’
So, they conspired against him [Zechariah], and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord. Thus, Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his [Zechariah’s] father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, ‘The Lord look on it, and repay!’” [1]
The kindness Jehoida had shown Joash was that he saved Joash from being killed by his mother Queen Athaliah. Jehoida hid Joash for seven years. He raised him for seven years and ensured that he was enthroned as king after his mother was executed.
The Lord repaid Joash for his iniquity (unequal treatment) against Jehoida and his son Zechariah. During the very next spring, the Syrian army came against him with a small company of men and defeated Joash’s much greater army – why? – because Joash had led his people to abandon the Lord. Not only that, but Joash was wounded during the battle, and later assassinated while in lying on a bed in a recovery room. [2]
Zechariah is undoubtedly enjoying a heavenly time with his Creator and Redeemer.
“Lord, please turn people back to You. Help me and Your people to speak FOR YOU even when speaking against You is trending.”
[1] 2 Chronicles 24:19-22
[2] 2 Chronicles 24:23-25
“He [the Lord] sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen.
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, ‘Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’
So, they conspired against him [Zechariah], and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord. Thus, Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his [Zechariah’s] father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, ‘The Lord look on it, and repay!’” [1]
The kindness Jehoida had shown Joash was that he saved Joash from being killed by his mother Queen Athaliah. Jehoida hid Joash for seven years. He raised him for seven years and ensured that he was enthroned as king after his mother was executed.
The Lord repaid Joash for his iniquity (unequal treatment) against Jehoida and his son Zechariah. During the very next spring, the Syrian army came against him with a small company of men and defeated Joash’s much greater army – why? – because Joash had led his people to abandon the Lord. Not only that, but Joash was wounded during the battle, and later assassinated while in lying on a bed in a recovery room. [2]
Zechariah is undoubtedly enjoying a heavenly time with his Creator and Redeemer.
“Lord, please turn people back to You. Help me and Your people to speak FOR YOU even when speaking against You is trending.”
[1] 2 Chronicles 24:19-22
[2] 2 Chronicles 24:23-25
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Wise Men Still Worship Jesus
The three wise men chose to worship a baby born to a poor couple than a king who had soldiers to do his bidding. They chose to travel a far distance to worship Jesus rather than stay at home. They chose to bring Jesus gifts rather than spend money on themselves. Wise men (and women) still worship Jesus.
King Jehoshaphat also chose to worship the Lord and to rely on his singers of praise more than on his soldiers. The Lord worked a mighty miracle for Jehoshaphat and his people as they simply praised and honored the Lord.
Be assured that worshiping the Lord with His people is the wise thing to do. The Lord gives victories to those who worship and honor Him.
“Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.’ And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
‘Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.’
Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
So, when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.
When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much.
And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the Lord; therefore, the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day.
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies.
So, they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the Lord.
And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.” [1]
[1] 2 Chronicles 20:20-22, 24-30
King Jehoshaphat also chose to worship the Lord and to rely on his singers of praise more than on his soldiers. The Lord worked a mighty miracle for Jehoshaphat and his people as they simply praised and honored the Lord.
Be assured that worshiping the Lord with His people is the wise thing to do. The Lord gives victories to those who worship and honor Him.
“Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.’ And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
‘Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.’
Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
So, when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.
When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much.
And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the Lord; therefore, the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day.
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies.
So, they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the Lord.
And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.” [1]
[1] 2 Chronicles 20:20-22, 24-30
Saturday, July 7, 2018
Paying a Price to Speak for God
I remember the first time that I received an honorarium for speaking at a church. I was surprised. I was thankful that a church would even let me stand in their pulpit and talk about God.
Recently, I was enjoying fellowship with another pastor, and we were talking about the state of our nation and the state of Christian witnessing in the USA. He made a joke about non-prophet organizations. That is, Christian organizations and churches that lack prophetic luster.
Micaiah spoke what God told him to speak and paid a price for it. He spoke the truth to an evil king. As a result that king ordered Micaiah to be incarcerated and to be fed with the bread and water of affliction.
“Jehoshaphat said, ‘Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?’ So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.’ And Jehoshaphat said, ‘Let not the king say such things!’” [1]
If ever there was a time that our nation needed to hear from the LORD, it is NOW.
“Holy Spirit of God, please help us to speak God’s Word with anointing and prophetic precision. Please make us bold to speak, like Micaiah, so whatever needs to be said is said even if we have to pay a price for it. This we pray in the Name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Amen!”
[1] 2 Chronicles 18:6-7
Recently, I was enjoying fellowship with another pastor, and we were talking about the state of our nation and the state of Christian witnessing in the USA. He made a joke about non-prophet organizations. That is, Christian organizations and churches that lack prophetic luster.
Micaiah spoke what God told him to speak and paid a price for it. He spoke the truth to an evil king. As a result that king ordered Micaiah to be incarcerated and to be fed with the bread and water of affliction.
“Jehoshaphat said, ‘Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?’ So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.’ And Jehoshaphat said, ‘Let not the king say such things!’” [1]
If ever there was a time that our nation needed to hear from the LORD, it is NOW.
“Holy Spirit of God, please help us to speak God’s Word with anointing and prophetic precision. Please make us bold to speak, like Micaiah, so whatever needs to be said is said even if we have to pay a price for it. This we pray in the Name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Amen!”
[1] 2 Chronicles 18:6-7
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