Scannin History...

A Sabbath's rest? The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath!
We have finished 1 Kings. The central figures of David, Solomon, and now Elijah are passing from the scene. Israel has wandered away from God. God will send a series of prophets with messages to turn back to him, or face punishment and judgement. Yet during it all, God has a plan. Skipping ahead, read Isaiah ch 52-53. You might find yourself time travelling forward about 700 years! Happy Easter all...what a wonderous and wonderful plan!

It is Good Friday, the gift is being prepared!

It is Good Friday. Truly a time to take stock in all the Lord has done for us.
In 1 Kings 20-22 we are racing through history. King Ahab was wicked and did not follow the Lord. He was defeated many times in battle and eventually died. The wickedness of his life did not end there, as the legacy he passed down was the way he lived. Such an important aspect we overlook. Obedience brings blessing, whereas disobedience, well we can read about those results.
What do others learn from you? How do we communicate the events of Easter season? Have YOU ever washed feet? As the high priest of your family, how are YOU serving? Keep in mind that the events of Good Friday were necessary to carry out God's plan. It can only be a gift if you accept it, otherwise, it is an unknown box.....

Been there, done that

Today, we read 1 Kings 12-16. It is a period of change for Israel. King Solomon has died and his son Rehoboam is ruling in Judah. Meanwhile civil war has stripped Rehoboam of the 10 northern tribes. A succession of ungodly kings lines both sides. Just try to keep track. Amazingly, lessons are not learned. Over and over again, sons commit the sins of their fathers. Now we can see the importance of a legacy! One verse that is especially troubling to me is ch 12 v 28. Northern King Jeroboam make two golden calves to worship....now, let me see, where did hear about that before....oh yes, MOSES on Mt. Siani! Israel has already been through that!!! What we do not learn from history, we are bound to repeat!

Time of the Masters....

Fitting that today starts the Masters golf tournament, for we read in 1 Kings 17-19 about one of the true masters of prophecy in Israel, Elijah. Elijah was a great prophet in Israel. He followed the Lord during a time when most did not. Like you today! God used nature to punish as seen in the severe drought that hit. Elijah took on the prophets of Baal, a false god, in a contest to determine who is the rightful god. Strangely, this goes against Moses' commandment from God (and Jesus' reiteration with Satan) that you should not put the Lord God to a test. One verse, ch 18,v21 really stands out to me and is quite applicable even today "who will you serve, if it is God, follow him. If it is Baal (or some other idol) then follow it.". One cannot serve 2 masters!

Having everything you want....and more

Worshipping the Wildcats...might have led to Solomon's downfall!
In 1 Kings 9-11 we read about Solomon's excesses. The wives, horses, gold, precious metals, etc. The Lord warned Solomon about such activity, yet he continued. Check out Duet 17:14-20 for God's warning towards the kings of Israel. This warning was 1,000 years before Solomon! And what did Jesus say in Matt 6:24 (serving 2 masters).
Thankfully, God has preserved the scriptures through man to provide us a tool, a guide to healthy living. We only need follow it. As is noted in 1 Kings 9:4-5, obedience is key.
So was Solomon a failure?

Where is God?

Today, in 1 Kings ch 5--8, we read about the building of Slomon's temple to the Lord. Solomon's father David had desired to build such a temple, but was forbidden by God due to the many wars and much bloodshed David oversaw.
Solomon was wise to understand that God did not need the temple (ch 8v27). God cannot be contained, he is everywhere (omnipresent). We would be wise to remember that when we try to hide our sins from God. He knows. He also knows our hearts (omniscient). He desires a relationship, that is why He has been involved since time began, that is why He is involved now. Like any relationship, it takes work. And communication. Don't be afraid to pray....God is listening!

Endings and beginnings

Out with the old, in with the new. As March has ended, April now begins. In our readings of 1 Kings 1 through 4, we see the end of David's life and the beginning of Solomon's reign. Once King David died, Solomon quickly settled all affairs of the state and debts owed. Solomon cleaned the slate so to speak. God blessed Solomon. In a dream, he asked Solomon what he would like. In 1 Kings 3:9, Solomon asked for wisdom over wealth and power. God blessed him with the others also. Some of Solomon's wisdom can be seen in C3, v 16-28. This wisdom seems so simple. With everything going for him, Solomon seemed destined for success and greatness. He sought the Lord.....until.....