True Word of God 04.26.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Saturday April 26, 2008 and today we will continue our study on the book of I KIngs. Please read Chapters 12-13 in your Bible or Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Kings%2012-13&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Rehoboam and Jeroboam, tribes rebeling against Rehoboam and going to Jeroboam, an unnamed prophet, and the death of a disobedient prophet. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that there is only one True Word of God and we are to follow that and only that.

King Solomon's son, Rehoboam inherited the power and a treasury full of wealth. However, Solomon left the kingdom morally and spiritually bankrupt. "And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee." (1 Kings 12:1-4).

Rehoboam foolishly took the counsel of a young man which threatened the nation with additional taxes and even more cruel treatment. "And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.....So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents." (12:13-14,16). This blunder caused the people to rebel and declare a new king as the Lord had earlier ordained. "So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only." (12:19-20).

However, Jeroboam feared that if people returned to Jerusalem to worship, His Northern Kingdom would return to the house of David therefore he built two golden calves. "And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan." (12:26-29). But the true God-appointed priests refused to participate in Jeroboam's two unauthorized locations at Dan and Bethel and moved to Jerusalem. In order to maintain his two altars, King Jeroboam was forced to hire men who were willing to participate in the worship of idols.

There is much in our religious lives today that is as cheap and superficial as the First Church of Jeroboam. Men, methods, and movements can all be bought with money, and only a few remain who cannot be bought with the king's influence or rewards.

Beware of the influence of those who should know the right answers, yet whose daily conduct and conversation reveal an inconsistent life. It is not difficult to recognize obvious sins such as theft, murder, or adultery and reject them. Christians often miss God's best by becoming involved in something that is not spiritually profitable. We must beware the suggestions or activities of "friends" that would get us sidetracked from doing what God has given us to do, even when it seems to be only "temporary." Satan will often use an "old prophet" to influence us from doing what we know is the will of God. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves......Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:15,21).

The greatest danger to the Church is not the outside world, but in fundamentally-sound believers who, have lost their "first love" and grown indifferent. "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." (Revelation 2:1-5).

It is of utmost importance that Christians guard against plans that distract us from the true written Word of God. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33). Distorting God's Word in order to justify our actions is never acceptable to God and will always lead us to failure, not only spiritually, but in all that we do. Some may live for the world and have many things, but eventually all that will end if we are not guarded with the shield of God.

Today's Psalm: 119:114-116
"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope."

Today's Prayer: Psalm 28
Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle. Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up. Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

Have a great day and weekend.
God Bless,
Christina

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P.S. I apologize for not getting this out yesterday, today's message will be posted this afternoon.