May 2023 – I'm Following Jesus

King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]

Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Chapters: I KINGS 3-4, II CHRONICLES 1
Study: Effective Prayer
King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]

Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Chapters: I KINGS 3-4, II CHRONICLES 1
Study: Effective Prayer

Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,

I will admit that I was not very focused on the reading for today, I bought a truck from my brother and trying to get that on the road. While doing that I was reading through job applications that were sent to me, and I was also praying that God give my beloved a job so he does not behind on his bills. Sometimes we get so focused on what we think needs to be done that we lose sight of what God actually wants for us to get done. God, keeps things simple for us, in fact, Jesus, said it this way.

[Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.]

Let me tell you, we have enough to deal with today, it does no good to worry about tomorrow, and if we are trusting God, He will provide for our every need. I have had people tell me that God does not do anything for them even though they keep praying and asking God for help. Well, the Bible says this, [James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.]

We need to be careful of how we are asking God for the things that we need, it needs to be from the heart and it also needs to be the right mindset. If we ask God for anything with a doubtful or even fearful attitude, then we cannot expect Him to give it to us. Jesus, said it this way, [Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.]

I understand that we get into rough patches to where God really does bring us to live each day our daily bread and that can discourage us when the bills are due and all we have is hope and a prayer. We need to have the right mindset when we pray otherwise we will remain with this doubtful attitude, which will prolong those patches. Also, we need to be humble, if we go to God with an attitude that either makes Him feel as though we are demanding Him or trying Him, then we will get nothing, [James 4:8-10 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.]

The Book of 2 Chronicles is the fourteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirty-six chapters. The timeline for these events took place between 1015 BC to 610 BC. The author of the book is Ezra, and was written to the Jews who were in captivity in Babylon for seventy years. The purpose of the book was to record the events that took place in Judah that brought them into captivity. What we are to learn from the book is that the blessings God gives to us comes through humbling ourselves and seeking His wisdom in all that we do, [2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.]

In the beginning of his reign as king, Solomon did great, his heart was solely on God, just like his father, he ran the kingdom under the authority of God and prospered greatly. One of the very first things that he did was gather the entire congregation in front of the tabernacle that God has Moses built and offer offerings upon it.

[2 Chronicles 1:1,3-6 And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. 3 So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. 4 But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. 5 Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it. 6 And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.]

[for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God,] The place where the tabernacle was the place of worship for God, and where the altar of burnt offerings was, which is where the sacrifices according to the Law, were offered up to God. The Ark of the Covenant was in Jerusalem, (remember David had it brought up and made a special tent for it). David, was particularly concerned about the Ark of the Covenant because it had been displaced for quite some time after it had been taken from the tabernacle, then later returned, but it was never placed back in the tabernacle, [1 Samuel 7:1 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.]

[and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.] Okay, you can give a million burnt offerings or even offer your own life as a living sacrifice (giving yourself as a human sacrifice will not save you or anyone) to God, but unless you are one; saved, and two; sincere about it, God will not recognize it, [Romans 3:22-24 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:]

Now, as we continue reading 1 Kings, it also gives the account of Solomon going to Gibeon, but we also learn of something else, Solomon, forming a treaty with the king of Egypt, and marrying one of his daughters, [1 Kings 3:1-3 And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about. 2 Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days. 3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.]

[and took Pharaoh’s daughter,] This was no doubt a part of the treaty that Solomon had made with the king of Egypt, but God, seeing this as a potential problem, thought it necessary to speak with Solomon. That night, He actually spoke to Him in a dream, [2 Chronicles 1:7-10 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. 8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. 9 Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?]

[In that night did God appear unto Solomon,] You see, if God has something to say to us, He will get our attention one way or another. There is nothing that God places before us that is too hard for us, but the key to seeing it through is asking for the right things. God was pleased with Solomon’s request and actually granted it.

[1 Kings 3:10-14 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.]

[And the speech pleased the Lord,] Do you know why the prayer pleased God? Solomon, did not ask for riches or even to live longer, he asked for wisdom to judge the nation with the righteous judgment that his father had. You see, God responds more to how we treat others, so, the most effective prayers are the ones of faith our family, loved ones, and even our enemies, [James 5:13-16 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.]

Now, many will speculate that God had given Solomon this dream in order to show him that wisdom was more valuable than anything he would ever receive apart from his salvation. I believe that God used that opportunity to show Solomon what was more important. God, is not against us having wealth, He is against us taking credit for the wealth and using it for our own glory, [1 Corinthians 10:31-33 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.]

[And if thou wilt walk in my ways,] This is the key to not only a prosperous and honorable country, but a prosperous and honorable life to every Christian, we are to lean on God’s understanding and not our own. In our own wisdom we fail, in His wisdom we not only succeed, we get more than we ever desire or ask for, [Ephesians 3:19-21 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.]

This is why our once God centered countries are turning into one big nightmare, they stopped walking in the ways of God and in the keeping of His commands. You can be sure that as soon as you ask God for something, He will prove you, and Solomon’s first test of wisdom came as two women who happened to be prostitutes had given birth to babies and one of them died. They sought his help in determining who got to keep a baby.

[1 Kings 3:17-20,22 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. 18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. 19 And this woman’s child died in the night; because she overlaid it. 20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.]

[Thus they spake before the king.] Now, I understand that this may seem like a strange request to bring before the king, but what was even stranger was the response that Solomon gave them, [1 Kings 3:24-28 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. 25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. 26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. 27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.]

[And all Israel heard of the judgment] Why did this particular decision bring so much honor and respect to Solomon? They saw that the wisdom he had in dealing with this matter was not from man, but God. God, had given Solomon more than ordinary wisdom, He enabled him to make righteous judgment. Because if this, they reverenced him as a wise, judicious, and faithful king, and feared to do anything of a criminal nature out of fear that he would discover it quickly, and bring them to shame and punishment. Godly leadership will always prevail and bring protection and prosperity from God in our nation that exceeds our expectations. Because Solomon ruled with God’s wisdom he actually increased in wealth, but notice what happens that his father did not do.

[2 Chronicles 1:13-16 Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel. 14 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 15 And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance. 16 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price.]

[and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots,] These things were not allowed as king as the more they had in wealth and material things the further they got away from God. The Law stated, [Deuteronomy 17:16-20 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. 17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. 18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: 20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.]

The king or leader of any nation, must carefully avoid every thing that would turn them from God. Riches, honors, and pleasures, are three great hindrances of godliness, (the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, and the pride of life,). It is not enough to have Bibles, but we must use them, use them daily, as long as we live. It takes more than a godly king to rule a nation, it takes a godly administration as well. At this point, Solomon knew the importance of having other Godly people around him who would help him rule, and an account is given as to who they were.

[1 Kings 4:1-5,21,27,34 So king Solomon was king over all Israel. 2 And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest, 3 Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder. 4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests: 5 And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king’s friend: 21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. 27 And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon’s table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. 34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.]

[from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.] Remember, God had told David that this would happen as long as Solomon kept his faith. All of Israel might not have been Godly, but they knew that God’s hand was on Solomon and the great team of godly men to help him rule. [Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,] Do you see who it is that is first mentioned in helping Solomon succeed as king? We need our pastors and other ministers of God to give us the spiritual wisdom we need to do our secular jobs. Not every one of God’s people are called to serve in His Church, He needs faithful, Godly men and women in every position to serve Him wherever He leads them, [Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:]

Today’s Prayer: God, It really does bring You great joy to You see Your children blessed with the things they ask You for, especially when they are faithful to You. The key to our success and prosperity is living a godly life and guiding others in the way that You would have them. God, we do not need to ask You for wealth, weapons, or the desire that our enemies perish, we need only to ask for Your wisdom to rule our own hearts with a perfect heart. Lord, Lead me and guide me, give me Your wisdom and understanding, as Your Word teaches me the knowledge I need to be who You called me to be. As I come to know Your will, give me the skills, talents, and people I need to become wise. Let me not even ask You for anything without asking You what it is that You want me to have. And let me never forget all that You have done for me, and that I have never lacked when I put my faith and trust in You, and I will never lack as long as I am grounded and rooted upon the foundation of Your Son. You deserve praise and glory for all that I am and have, and I will gladly give that to You. I love and ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina