Inspiration of God 04.27.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday April 27, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of I Kings. Please read Chapters 14-15 or Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Kings%2014-15&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Ahijah's prophecy; reign and death of Rehoboam; Abijam's wicked reign and Asa's good reign in Judah. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that the Bible is the only book inspired by God.

Jeroboam forsook his God-given opportunities for what he thought were political advantages. The withered hand, the rent altar, and the message of rebuke from the mysterious young prophet of Judah were some of the many warnings to this self-serving king who in spite of them continued to reject God.

Then, a time came when Jeroboam's eldest son became seriously ill. "At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick." (I Kings 14:1). Surely in his heart Jeroboam realized that the false priests he had hired could not provide comfort or receive any message from the One True God. But it was also obvious that his calf gods could not help him. The seriousness of his own son's illness caused him to send his wife disguised as a peasant to Ahijah the prophet whom he had ignored, who was now very old and blind, seeking assurance that their son would not die. "And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child." (14:2-3).

The blind prophet at Shiloh boldly said, "Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel, And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes; But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back: Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone. Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat: for the LORD hath spoken it. Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die." (14:7-12).

What stands out is the contrast between the clever, well-planned attempt of King Jeroboam to deceive the prophet of God and the prophet's open, straightforward answers. Our God deals in simplicity and truth.

Beware of any person whose conversation, conduct, or activities promote other books as equal to the only God-inspired Guide to Life. Satan is the instigator of deception and lies. The Holy Spirit guided the Apostle Paul to write, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9).

Ignoring any portion of the Word of God or adding to God's Word is as wrong as taking away from it. There are many good Christian books, but the Bible is the only inspired Guide from our Creator. "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Revelation 22:19).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through Asa's ridding the land of idols and sodomites (I Kings 15:11-14). Christ cleansed the Temple, "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (Matthew 21:12-13). As Christians, we are the Temples of God, bought with His own blood and are cleansed of all unrighteousness when we confess our sins.

Today's Psalm: 48:14
"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death."

Have a great day and week.
God Bless,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net