by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Chronicles 28-29
Remember : the temple represents God’s presence – which also means His involvement.
Ahaz had turned to such evil that not only did he worship other gods, but this king destroyed the utensils of the temple and closed its doors. We’ve never seen this in Judah before. Horrible times in God’s promised Land.
Thankfully, however, Hezekiah becomes king and begins to restore things. He opens the doors of the temple and begins the repairs. He also re-institutes the sacrifices with the priests and Levites.
Interestingly, the people are ready for this good change, because when Hezekiah calls for the burnt offerings, more are brought than the priests can handle. They have to have the Levites pitch in with the work.
Now we get a hint as to how Ahaz could have gotten so far off course. When Hezekiah calls for the priests and Levites to consecrate themselves, the “Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests.” (29:34)
The priests had lost their zeal for God and had allowed Ahaz to run amok. God’s men, who should have been upholding His purposes – even when evil kings were on the scene – had stepped down from their post. They had allowed the temple to be ransacked and closed.
Today, if you look around you can see some of God’s men who are more faithful to the current trends of thought than they are to God. It is sad when this happens. God’s leaders are the keepers of the flame. Without those keepers doing their jobs, the flame can go out – or become very dimly lit.
It’s interesting in Hezekiah’s day, however, that the regular people and the Levites are more eager to get back with God’s program than the priests.
If the leaders won’t do it, God will raise up others who will.
I pray that the Christian leaders of today will rise to the occasion as our Father is calling for restoration. Many of them will.
But where leaders won’t, God will go to the next level and raise up other believers to stand up for Him.
Our God needs a voice in our present day, pleasure-driven society.
John 17
This chapter is what I call the “real Lord’s Prayer.” I know that we recite another one together, but this chapter is the real deal.
When you understand about prayer, you understand that God wants His people to ask Him for His purposes.That’s one of our privileges as a believer. It all goes back to the beginning (Genesis 1-3),when He put man into the earth to “have dominion,” and “rule over” everything. Man has been given a certain amount of authority on the earth, which includes free will and the charge to ask for what we want from God. (His will).
I think that this prayer we see here is one of Jesus’ primary missions in coming to the earth.
If there was ever anyone who was in God’s perfect will and who could count on God’s will being done in His life it would be Jesus. Right? Well, isn’t it interesting that He tells God that the time had come? “Glorify Thy Son.” (V.1) Why? A man needed to pray that.
Then He goes on to pray for us. He prays that God will keep us from the evil one, and He says some shocking things.
“As Thou didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”(V.18). We are to represent Him when He has gone.
Just in case you may be thinking that this prayer was for the disciples of that day, look at verse 20. “I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word.” That’s us!
The next part of the prayer is one that the Lord is really working on today. He prays that we will be one – with Him and with each other, so that people will know that He had been sent by God. And that God loves us – just as much as He loves Jesus. (V. 23) Wow!! And again I say, wow!!
As soon as the church was instituted after Jesus ascended to Heaven, the church started dividing up. One group thought this; the next group thought that. Look at the many denominations and doctrines out there now, and we see where this division has taken us. A house divided.
Now I’m not endorsing Universalism, I am endorsing all Christian churches which believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, He paid the price for our sins on the cross, and He has sent his Holy Spirit back to earth to live within our hearts. If we believe that, then we need to honor each other and reach out for the common purpose of affecting our communities.
I think that when we get to Heaven, we are going to find that none of us was completely right or wrong. We all know in part and see in part, and we can learn from each other.
My husband, Mickey, does a lot of teaching along these lines. He says that we are twelve tribes, but one nation. As the tribes of Israel each had their own banner, customs, and leadership, so do our Christian “tribes.” But when they went to war, they went as a nation.
When our different Bible-believing denominations come together for His purposes – to bring His plans into the earth – we need to come together in humility, appreciating each other, loving each other, and affecting our communities as one.
Remember when we have seen all of the barbaric things happening in the early chapters of the Bible? Remember that God’s plan all through that was to raise up a nation which could introduce His plan of redemption into the world? And a nation that could bring forth a Savior? All of God’s dealings with the Jews under the Old Covenant were to introduce the necessity for a blood sacrifice and a true walk with God.
Well, look at verse 24. Jesus says that God had loved Him before the foundation of the world. Before any of what we see was even here, God’s plan of redemption had been established.
Does this make your head tilt? It should,because none of us are really walking in all that has been provided for us. There is always more to learn and more to reach out for as we journey with the Lord.
I hope you will read this chapter several times. This is the prayer that Jesus prayed for you! Think about it and meditate on it.
Are you living up to what Jesus did for you? Let’s keep moving forward – pressing toward the mark.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Chronicles 23-24
God always has a remnant.
For Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, to be queen of Judah was like Satan himself taking over God’s country. The temple was trampled, many of the holy things of the house were transferred for use by the priests of the Baals.( Baal was her God, just as he was her parents’). Hard times in Israel.
Yet God’s righteous man arose with a plan. Jehoiada, the priest, rallied some faithful leaders and they surrounded Joash, took him out of hiding, and crowned him king. Then they seized Athaliah and put her to death.
Joash was only seven years old when he was crowned king, but he had a wonderful mentor in Jehoiada. The priest led some people to destroy all of the altars and items of Baal, and they set out to restore the temple. Joash followed his lead and began raising money to restore the temple.
“Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.”(24:2)
It’s interesting to note here that as soon as a leader arose, there were many who followed. That’s something for us to consider today. When we look at our nation and see the immorality, the seeming apathy of believers, and the general trends of thought, we might think that there is no hope for us. But that’s not true.
There are many who want God’s purposes to be done, but they don’t have the drive or the gift to take charge. God is looking for some who will step up to the challenge.
When leaders step forth, there are those who will follow. You can see that in some of the grass-roots movements which are rising up in our nation today. There are many – looking for a leader to challenge them.
People with vision and determination to affect change will always be in high demand. By God and by men.
Leaders, however, can take people in either direction – up or down. So it’s important to take care just whom you are aligned with.
After Jehoiada’s death, Joash listened to others and forsook the true God, going after the Asherim and other idols. When Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, tried to bring them back to the Lord, Joash had him killed.
The child king, who had helped lead his people back to the Lord, forsook his God at the end of his life. (Reminds you of Solomon, doesn’t it)?
I never want to turn away from my God , or to get lukewarm. I want to bear fruit all the days of my life.
John 15
This chapter is the key to a true life in Christ. Jesus gives us the imagery of a vine with many branches. He’s the vine and we are the branches.
So how are we connected? We are connected by the life flow of the Holy Spirit. We don’t each have our own root systems; our roots are in Jesus. As the sap flows from the roots of the vine and gives life to the branches, so does God’s anointing – His Holy Spirit – flow from Jesus and give us life.
When a vine grows, every healthy branch will bear fruit. Every branch which has the flow of sap coming in fullness will produce the purpose. In the same way, if there is a steady flow of God’s anointing, the Holy Spirit through us from Jesus, we will be producing fruit. The only way we don’t produce the fruit is if we disconnect ourselves from the vine.
Branches which don’t produce fruit are not connected – they are fake branches. Those branches will be cut off and thrown away. And if we, as a branch do produce fruit, we will be pruned so that we will be more fruitful. Through His Word and correction He will keep us vital.
I love this image. This shows how Christianity is so different from all other religions. Every other religion has a list of rules which people are to follow. These rules are to make one holy, with sometimes promises of a hereafter.
Christianity is totally different. It’s not a set of rules; it’s a life. It’s God’s life within us.
We have literally a new birth within our spirits so that we have God’s very life – the sap of the vine – leading us, guiding us, giving us wisdom, and even empowering us to live this new life.
For those who have never tasted of this life, it sounds like science fiction, but for those who have tasted of it, this is very real. As we read these passages we begin to understand why we feel so different and look at life so differently after we become born again. We are changed; we are different.
This reminds me of the story about Augustine, who wrote the City of God, and other works in the early centuries of Christianity. Augustine had been an atheist, living an extremely worldly lifestyle up until the time he met his Savior. During that time, he lived with a mistress for many years.
About ten years after his salvation, Augustine happened to meet his old lover on the street. She ran up to speak to him, but he walked by her, seeming not to notice her. She said, “Augustine, look at me. It is I!” He turned and looked at her and said, “But it is not I.”
Augustine was referring to the fact that he had been totally changed. He was not the old man, Augustine, but a new man, God’s man. A new creature in Christ.
Augustine was now living – not a life of the flesh, but a life of the spirit – with the source of his life being from his Savior.
This is so important. As children of God, we are no longer who we were before we got saved, but now we are His people. Our sins have been forgiven and we have the privilege of walking in the newness of life He has given us.
Oh, I hope we can get this!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Chronicles 21-22
These kings just can’t seem to stay on track. Jehoshaphat has seen some terrific moments with God, yet in his last years, he allies with the king of Israel. The Word says, “He acted wickedly in so doing.”(20:35)
The high places had not been torn down, and when Jehoram, Jehoshaphat’s son takes the reigns, he reverts back to doing evil in God’s sight. He wants to be like the kings of Israel. (They must seem more sophisticated to him). The greatest abomination is that he marries the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, two of the most evil people in the Bible.
Jehoram slays all of his brothers so that he won’t have any competition. His days are numbered. He dies after eight years as king , departing “with no one’s regret.”(21:20)
Ahaziah, his son, rules in Jehoram’s place, but for only one year. He also walks in the counsel of Ahab and Jezebel, and is killed by Jehu.
So Athaliah, his mother takes over the kingdom. The daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, she is an incredibly wicked person. Athaliah kills every member of the royal family (including her own grandchildren).
Only one grandchild, Joash, is hidden from her sight so that he is safe during Athaliah’s reign.
When we look at Ahab and Jezebel we see the epitome of evil, and it’s hard to imagine anyone wanting to be like them. Yet the arrogance that goes with such evil, causes some to be swayed in that direction. Especially the young and foolish.
Today there are some incredibly evil people who project such confidence and sophistication, that they tend to lure others into their camp. There are those who want to look good to men, and they can be fooled.
When I look at Ahab and Jezebel, I see some of those influential people.
I pray that you and I won’t be fooled by such behavior. We will be those who are willing not to look so good to men, if that’s what it takes.
When my son was little, he had a Tee shirt that said: Any dead fish can float down stream. Go against the flow. I’ve always liked that concept, because unless we are willing to go against the flow, we will never be who God wants us to be.
It takes courage and determination to be willing to sometimes look foolish to the arrogant. But that’s our call. We are to please God rather than man.
As we are doing this, we are not alone. Of course, we have the Lord always with us. But also, there are many others just like you and me. Those who truly want their lives to be lived for Him.
John 14
There have been seasons in my life when I would read the next four chapters of John everyday. If you want to understand what it means to be a christian, this is a good place to start.
Jesus is preparing His disciples befroe he leaves. The dispensation is about to change, and He is giving them an introduction into the new life they are about to receive. It’s easier to understand when you have the Holy Spirit teaching you. (There must have been a lot of “huh’s?” that day).
There are so many powerful nuggets here.
- I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me. (V. 6)
- He who has seen me has seen the Father. (V. 9)
- He who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works shall he do; because I go to the Father. (V. 12)
- If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (V. 14)
- In that day, you will know that I am in you and you in Me, and I in you. (V.20)
- If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our abode with him. (V. 23)
- The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things.( V. 26)
It’s clear that Jesus is introducing something new to these people. They are about to enter into a new life of relationship with the Father, which mankind has not known up until now.
He will be living in them, teaching them. They will be the representatives of God Himself on the earth. They will pray and have their prayers answered.
These new people will even do the works of Jesus.
Christianity has been so watered down over the years that it’s hard for some to see what this is saying. I pray that you and I see it.
To be a true, believing Christian is the most powerful position on earth. Men may never even see the power or know what you are doing. But you know and God knows.
In your secret place, as you pray and speak the Words God gives you to speak, you are representing Him on the earth. As you speak with boldness, the heavens and the earth will shake. The demonic forces will have to flee, and angels will come upon the scene.
Our prayers and declarations will make things happen in the earth!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Chronicles 19-20
We could use a little Jehoshaphat-speech today, couldn’t we? He establishes judges throughout the land, and reminds them of their responsibilities.
“Now then let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be careful what you do, for the Lord your God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or a taking of a bribe.”(19:7)
Don’t you wish that all of our judges today would heed that advice? If they would, our world wouldn’t be in such a mess.
Now we come to a story which is a pillar of faith for us…and very instructional, if we take note.
Jehoshaphat suddenly comes under attack. Several armies have aligned and they are marching to battle against Judah. Jehoshaphat is afraid, but he knows what to do. He turns to the Lord, and proclaims a fast throughout Judah. Then he asks for a word from God as to the necessary of action.
“O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, for our eyes are upon you.”(20:12)
So the spirit of the Lord comes upon a prophet and gives direction.
“Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s”(20:15).
Jehoshaphat and his assembly kneel and worship the Lord, and stand up to praise Him.
So early in the morning, they go out to meet the armies in battle, but the warriors don’t go first; the singers and praisers go first, proclaiming the mercy of the Lord.
As the praisers go forward, the Lord sends ambushments against the armies and they are routed. What a day! It doesn’t say what the “ambushments” are. They may be hallucinations, or angels, or confusion. When God shows up, He can get the job done.
After the aggressive armies leave, the army of Judah spends three days gathering all of the treasure left by the fleeing ones. What a rout!
Now we can use these principles in our daily battles. We don’t have foreign armies invading our territory, but we do have our enemy, the devil trying to do it. He comes after us through our minds, attempting to bring temptation or fear. Or through others at work, or sometimes even our families.
If we turn to the Lord and ask for His wisdom on the issue, He will show us the way out of the battle. In fact, He will turn the battle on the enemy, and we will be left in a better state than before.
The keys are to praise Him, listen to Him, and do what He says. If we lead every battle with praise and obedience, we will win!
John 13:21-38
A new commandment comes as Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure.
“Love one another, even as I have loved you…By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”(V. 34-35)
There are several words for “love” in the Greek and used in the New Testament. One means brotherly love, another means romantic love, but this one is different. This word is “agapeo,” which means “love like God loves.”
God loves in a different way. His love is full of mercy and compassion. It is also full of honesty.
If we love only with the “brotherly love,” we don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. If we see grave error in their lives, we overlook it, thinking they have a right to their own opinion.
God’s type of love is more like a parent’s love. As parents, we always are looking for the best in our children, but if they are playing in the street, we get them out. We love them – and we want their safety. God’s love wants our safety.
There are times when humanistic ideology mixes up these types of love. The adherents to this ideology think if you ever speak the “truth” to someone, you are judging them. I say, if you are really a friend – the way God is your friend – you will speak the truth.
Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean we go around bossing and correcting everyone. But occasionally we will encounter a friend about to get themselves into real trouble. God’s love will confront – in a compassionate way, and offer prayer. Definitely, there needs to be God’s leading as we do it.
When we are moving along a path of error, our Father God’s love is right there, wanting so much to help us to get on the right path. When we repent and turn, His love then empowers us to continue our righteous walk with mercy and truth.
God’s love is real, honest, and empowering. That’s the love we are to represent to the world. It’s something to think about, isn’t it?
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Chronicles 17-18
False prophets! What an abomination!
The king of Israel wants to pretend to hear from God, but he only wants good words spoken over him. He wants his ears tickled. So he gathers to himself four hundred false prophets who will stand before him and say what the king wants to hear.
Ahab asks Jehoshaphat to go to battle with him, and Jehoshaphat agrees. However, the king of Judah suggests that they hear from God before going. The four hundred prophets gather before them and with great demonstration, say that there will be victory.
Jehoshaphat must have recognized some error, because he wants to know if there are any other prophets. There is one more, but he always says bad things.
So Micaiah speaks the true word of God – which is a warning that Ahab will die if he goes. Needless to say this word is ignored, and comes true. The kings go out to battle, and Ahab gets killed.
This sounds like what’s going on today, doesn’t it?
II Timothy 4:3 says “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”
There are many today who want to ignore the truths of the Bible and make up their own doctrine in accordance with their evil desires. That trend is rampant.
So to ease their consciences, they accumulate teachers who will tickle their ears. There are now many false prophets who say what men want to hear, and not what God is really saying.
That’s why the Bible is so important. God’s Word is written down, and He speaks to us personally as we read it.
As we read it, we get wisdom as to what is from God and what isn’t. The abundant life that Jesus has provided comes to us as we live by God’s principles. There is tremendous reward in living honestly with God.
John 13:1-20
By the prophetic demonstration of washing their feet , Jesus shows one of the guidelines for his disciples. Go in humility and not in arrogance. The least shall be the greatest; the leader is the servant.
The ones who are to go out must follow His example. In a world where the leaders have strolled among the people in long robes and phylacteries, pompously lording over their followers, this has to seem strange. However, it’s the way of Jesus.
Jesus, the Son of God, the One who has demonstrated God’s healing and miracle-working power, is about to lay down His life and die a cruel death for us. The greatest is becoming the least, but from that obedience, He will become the greatest again – as He ascends into heaven.
This paradox is one of the hardest to understand and “get right.” As God’s children, we certainly are not worms, we are children of the King. However, as we interact with others, we should not have a pious, better-than attitude, because the Lord has instructed us against that. Our reward comes from Him.
In fact, when we get to the whole counsel of God, we see that He exalts the humble. But resists the proud.
Today, as we deal with those around us, let us truly represent God. Let us regard them as highly as ourselves, and show them God’s redeeming love. We are important – but so are they!
