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Today is Monday May 11, 2009 and we are beginning our studies on the book I Chronicles. Please read chapters 1-2 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Chronicles%201-2&version=9

Today's Message: What's In A Name?
You may not realize it, but you are a part of the genealogy of Christ, a special person chosen by God himself to serve Him. All who accept God's Son as their Savior are written in the Book of Life.

The book of I Chronicles is the thirteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains twenty-nine chapters. The author of the book is unknown, but it could have possibly been Ezra, the prophet. The purpose of the book was to record the religious history of Judah. What we are to learn from the book is that God blesses those who exalt Him.

The first nine chapters of I Chronicles may first appear to be an unimportant list of names. They were not all great men of faith like Abraham and David, but they all were needed. This ancient genealogy reveals the exact plan of our Creator in selecting the people whom He qualified to serve Him, beginning with Adam. "Adam, Sheth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered, Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth............Abram; the same is Abraham. The sons of Abraham; Isaac, and Ishmael.................And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac; Esau and Israel." (I Chronicles 1:1-4, 27-28,34). Israel is God's given name for Jacob. This genealogy was exceedingly important after the Israelites' captivity. The long list of genealogies was to encourage the Israelites, to realize how God foretold their return to Jerusalem. It showed how God continued to protect the family line of the coming Messiah, whose descent can be traced from Adam through Abraham and David.

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is traced through the very names recorded in the Chronicles. The book of Matthew also records the genealogy up to Jesus' birth, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;...........And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations." (Matthew 1:1-6,16-17). It was important that Jesus be born a Levite. Unless a man's name had been included in the genealogy of Levi, he could not minister in the Temple.

The Chronicles cover the same history as II Samuel, I and II Kings. However, the Chronicles focus on Judah and Temple Worship and the prophetic promises of the Messiah centered on them. Their primary purpose is to emphasize the importance of worship and having a right relationship with the three persons of God that make One Great God, 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.

Today, Christian's who accept Jesus Christ become part of the genealogy of Christ. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (I Peter 2:9-10). 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. "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).

Christ is Lord of our lives and oversees every detail. You can be sure that things that happen to believers are never "accidents"; they are allowed by our Lord, the Master Engineer. He is preparing us to be the person He can use to accomplish the purpose for which He created us. As we prayerfully read all His Word, He continually reveals His will to us. Although we cannot understand many of the things that He brings into our lives, by faith we can be sure that all things work together for our own good and for His glory. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 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 8:26-28).

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
You make Your truths known to us through the ancient words of Scripture. With the Holy Scriptures as our guidebook we align human philosophy with Your truths rather than adjust Scripture to affirm the viewpoint of man. When Scripture brings conviction we call upon You for strength and courage to make the necessary changes so that we live holy lives set apart for Your intended purpose. Then we can more clearly distinguish light from darkness and will keep the forces of evil from overtaking our heart’s affections. We pray for our loved ones who are in bondage to sin. They’ve sought the world’s approval and forsaken Your commands. Satan has corrupted their minds, but I pray that You would sensitize their hearts to godly teaching. Bring them to repentance and righteous living. In Jesus' Name.........Amen.

Have a blessed day/night.
God Bless,
Christina

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