A Child of God 05.12.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Monday May 12, 2008 and today we begin our study on the book of I Chronicles. The book of I Chronicles is the thirteenth book of the Old testament and contains 29 chapters. The author of the book is unknown, but could possibly be Ezra and was written to Israel. The purpose of the book is the record of the religious history of Judah and to and to show that when God is exalted (acknowledged) His people are blessed.

Please read I Chronicles Chapters 1-2 in your Bible, or Click Here to read. In today's reading we will learn about the geneolgy from Adam to the descendants of Judah. Today's message focuses on the lineage leading to the birth of Jesus, we are blessed to be children of God and He wants to personally be involved in every one of our lives. He desires to guide us through every detail, but He also blesses us with the gift of free will either to do His or follow the world.

I Chronicles opens with the longest genealogical record in the Bible and covers about 4000 years before Christ (chapters 1 -- 9). Its second chapter is devoted to the descendants of Judah because the promised Messiah would descend from this tribe. The first nine chapters of I Chronicles may first appear to be an unimportant list of names. But, this ancient genealogy reveals the exact plan and choices of our Creator in selecting the people whom He qualified to serve Him.

The record begins with Adam, the first man created by God, "Adam, Sheth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered, Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth." (I Chronicles 1:1-4). Then to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, here Jacob is called his God given name, Israel, "And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac; Esau and Israel." We learn later on of the lineage of David (Chpater 3). Abraham and David were ancestors of both Joseph and Mary. The royal Davidic lineage of Jesus as the Messiah is traced to Joseph in Matthew and the actual human bloodline is traced through Mary in Luke.

These two chapters of genealogy are pages of names that reveal the selective process of Divine direction from Adam through Noah, Abraham, and David, and are in keeping with prophecy concerning Jesus who died for our sins.

The Chronicles cover the same history as II Samuel and the two books of the Kings. Their primary purpose is to emphasize the importance of worship and a right relationship of the believer with the One True God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, emphasis is made of the importance of the Law and Temple restorations which are associated with them. The Chronicles focus on Judah and Temple Worship and the prophetic promises of the Messiah centered on them.

God decided who would be included in the genealogy of Christ. He is personally involved in every Christian's life, desiring to guide us through every detail. But He gave everyone a free will either to do His will or to follow the deception of the human mind. God says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Although we cannot understand many of the things He brings into our lives, by faith we can be sure that God knows our hearts, "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:27-28).

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." (Ephesians 1:4-12).

Christians must not allow themselves to be molded by the world's standards, but submit to God's purpose in their lives.

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through the first Adam (I Chronicles 1:1). Christ is the last Adam. We have eternal life because the last Adam was made with a life-giving Spirit. "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening (life-giving) spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven." (I Corinthians 15:45-47).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We are but clay in Your hands, Lord. May You break down the hardened walls of our heart and reshape us into a useful vessel that is fully yielded to Your workmanship. As we are crafted by the Master Potter, painful as it may be, let our confidence be founded upon the Rock of Ages rather than the shifting sands of our circumstances. May we be faithful and obedient so that You pour out Your glory and honor through us, Your yielded vessels. In Jesus' name........Amen.

Have a great day and week,
God Bless,
Christina

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