Showing posts with label King Solomon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label King Solomon. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY TUESDAY

Today's scriptures are about separating ourselves from the evil ways of the world. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we're making a covenant with God, confessing our desire to become like Christ. In order to do that, there are certain ways we must conduct ourselves, and its noted, by Jesus Himself, that it's hard to do without the correct surroundings. Our minds absorb everything it comes in contact with, so if we continuously surround ourselves with evil, we'll eventually conform to its ways. It doesn't matter how strong you are in your faith, how much you go to church, or read the bible. Most people justify their sins with this quote, "nobody's perfect, Jesus was the only perfect man". Although that is a fact, it doesn't give us the license to go out and do whatever we want to do, and then beg God to help us out of our mess later. God wants us to seek Him everyday, and in all things, and if we're doing that, then we have no time to "not be perfect". We have good intentions, but the fact is, the flesh is weak, and won’t keep us from sinning, because it wants just that. Let's look at the story of King Solomon. His father King David was one of God's most beloved children. He made some mistakes in his life, but he always stayed true to God. He sought Him in everything, and was always honest about his weaknesses. David loved his son Solomon very much, and before he died he said to him: "I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. "So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: 'If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel." (1 King 2: 2-4 NIV) Notice some of the key things David pointed out to his young son. David had already experienced hardship and punishments, but he endured because of his love for God. He was basically telling his son to be a man of integrity, and most importantly, to try his best and do right by God. At the beginning, Solomon took his dad's advice, and God blessed him to be the wisest Kings of all of Israel. Then we get down to chapter 11, oh boy. It's written: King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women… (1 King 11:1) Now let's stop right there. God told Solomon to stay away from these women, because they worshipped false gods. He warned him that if he were to get involved with them, they would surely turn his heart away from Him. It's written: ...He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. (1 King 11:2-4) Why do you think, if Solomon was the wisest King to have ever reigned, he got so caught up in such a way? The answer is because he trusted the strength of himself, over the commandments of the Lord. I'm sure he thought to himself, "I can handle this, or I'm the King I can have whoever I want". Who knows what he was thinking, but obviously he wasn't wise enough to avoid falling into the trap of the enemy, because he chose to surround himself with the evils of the world. God had mercy on Solomon because of his father David, but He was truly hurt and disappointed. What I personally take from King Solomon is how to know my limits. I understand that my life has to change, and I must be very conscious of the things and people I surround myself with. After all, God has blessed me with the gift of Salvation, as well as the privilege to teach His Word, and I’m grateful. He also gave us commandments for a reason, and if we don't have laws, there would be utter chaos throughout the world. If you confess to be a Christian, then people, who walk past you on the street, should know there's something different about you. If you're associated with a people who are still lost, know your limits with those people. You can't hang out with them every weekend, because they're ways will eventually rub off on you, no matter how long you've been saved. Surround yourself with people who love God just as much as you do. Keep in company with people who will help you grow Spiritually, and encourages you to stay on the right path. Never think you're above anything. Make sure your heart stays 100% true to God, because He's the only way to living in abundance. The two advantages we have over Solomon are the blood of Jesus, which makes us righteous, and God's Holy Spirit, which gets us through each day. I thank God for those essential gifts, and I will always consult Him in everything I do. Get to know Jesus right now, and allow God to show you how as well. Take the God Quiz today. My favorite verses today are: The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:11-14)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455307&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Daily Devotional Day & Night Post Number 200!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I'm very blessed to have made it through the week in good health and Spirits, God is good! I'm learning how to be more grateful for my blessings, because a lot of things we think are burdens are truly blessings. If you have a home to sleep in and food to eat you're blessed, because there are far too many people in this Country, and others, who aren't that fortunate. Let's continue to keep the people in Haiti in your hearts and prayers, because they're still suffering. Just because the media has turned its cameras back to Tiger Woods, doesn't mean that their struggle has ended. Although, Tiger needs our prayers too; when I think of him, and all of the ridicule and pressure he has to endure, I think: "he who is without sin, throw the first stone" (John 8:7). His issues are between him, God, his wife, and children, and it's none of our concern. At the same time, it's written, "To whom much is given, much is required" (Luke 12:48), so touché. I want all of you to enjoy your weekend, let's pray that we don't get any more snow for the remainder of the winter. Be blessed family!

Today’s scriptures are about asking for, and receiving the Wisdom of God. Okay, let’s start by taking inventory...1) we understand that God is the creator of all things. 2) He's the Alpha and the Omega; the ONE true God. 3) He's ever present, in all places, and knows all things. 4) He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die for the sins of all mankind. 5) He's a loving God, who's slow to anger and quick to forgive. 6) He offers Salvation from the penalties of sin to anyone who asks in the Name of Jesus. 7) He answers every prayer of the Righteous, and all that's in His WILL is given. These seven statements simply scratch the surface of who our Heavenly Father is. He is in fact larger than life, but He knows each of us on a personal level. God’s so close to us that He knows our every thought before we think it. Now the question is how close are you to Him? Jesus gave us the ultimate Laws, “Love God with all of your heart and soul, and Love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matt 22:37-40). God will always love us, but He’s given us somewhat of a choice to Love Him in return. The only way to adequately love God is to Seek Ye First the Kingdom. Go to Him with a sincere and loving heart and ask for His help, and thankfully we’re blessed with His Holy Spirit to help us along the way. It’s written: The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. (Prov. 15:14) Let’s look at the life of King Solomon, the son of King David. God had made a promise to David that his descendent would inherit the Kingdom. King Solomon was a righteous man of God, but He didn’t know how to be a King, or how he was supposed to serve God, so he did the only logical thing, and asked. Solomon went to Gibeon, known as the “Great High Place” (or Temple), and gave his burnt offering. That night God came to him in a dream and said: “Ask! What shall I give you?”(1 King 3:4) Solomon went on to acknowledge the fact that he was chosen because of his father, but what’s even more fascinating is what he asked next. It’s written: Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. (1 King 3:7-12) Solomon went on to be the wisest man of all time, just because he knew what, when, and how to ask. Jesus gives us full access to ask God for anything, anytime, or anywhere, and wisdom is something we need to be a positive asset to the Kingdom of God, so He will surely give it when sought. If you want a change in your life, but isn’t sure how to do it, then you need wisdom. Go to God with humility, just as Solomon did, and ask, seek, and knock, in the Name of Jesus. Remember, Jesus is the only way, so if you don’t know Him, please pray and seek Him out. If you need a prayer partner, never hesitate to contact me. My favorite verse today is: If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455247&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!

For archived devotionals, visit my blog at: http://dailydevotionalangelicchef.blogspot.com/

Thanks to everyone that signed up for the group so far. If you haven't done so, please take a few minutes to sign up. I've learned that if you don't have a Yahoo e-mail address or sign-in, you're only allowed to subscribe to the e-mail part of it, unless, you sign up for a yahoo id. If you already have a yahoo ID or e-mail address, you can join the group and see the full group page. I have some links, documents and recipes on the database link. You can also share your contact information, or recipes, on the database link, and choose to share them with the entire group, or just have them on the group page.

To subscribe (don't have a yahoo ID) click on this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/AngelicOne?user=enter+email+address&Click+here+to+join+AngelicOne.x=59&Click+here+to+join+AngelicOne.y=29

To Join (do have a yahoo ID) click on this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AngelicOne/join

To share with the group, send your e-mails to: AngelicOne@yahoogroups.com