November 29, Scripture thoughts
I was hanging out with God early this morning and read some scripture that hit me square in the face.
The beginning chapters of 2 Chronicles is about Solomon building God's temple. This is the one David, Solomon's Dad wanted to build but God wouldn't allow it because David's hands had shed blood. David helped gather the materials but the actual building project was left up to Solomon. Upon completion of the temple theres an incredible worship experience between Israel and God. Chapter six is devoted to Solomon's prayer of dedication. You gotta read chapter six. Israel experiences worship in a way we'll probably never see this side of heaven. Chapter 7 God appears to Solomon. Read these verses and notice my highlighted portions.
2 Chronicles 7:17-22
"As for you, if you walk before me as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, [18] I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man to rule over Israel.' [19] "But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, [20] then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. [21] And though this temple is now so imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and say, 'Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?' [22] People will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them--that is why he brought all this disaster on them.' "
Do you understand what God is saying to Solomon? If you live by my decrees, I will bless you. In other words, the blessings will only come if you live by God's standards. And if Solomon doesn't, there are consequences. If you continue to read the Old Testament Israel turns their back on God after being so richly blessed. Beginning to sound familiar? Read with me the consequences of Israel's sin.
Psalm 74:7-9
They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
[8] They said in their hearts, "We will crush them completely!" They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land. [9] We are given no miraculous signs; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.
This is refereeing to the temple, the very one Solomon built and its been destroyed. Why, consequences of sin. Please hear my heart. All bad things in life do not happen because of sin. My Mom was a health nut and one of the Godliest women I ever knew, yet she died of cancer. Children being molested by adults they trust is not the child's fault. A soldier dying in combat is not their fault. But, a lot of time we suffer bad times and they are self inflicting. America, Christians, please take notice. We are blessed beyond measure yet we've turned our backs on God. Pray with me that God will use His church and His people to draw America back to Christ. People of 5 Point, pray with me that it starts in out hearts and we can truly make a difference.
The beginning chapters of 2 Chronicles is about Solomon building God's temple. This is the one David, Solomon's Dad wanted to build but God wouldn't allow it because David's hands had shed blood. David helped gather the materials but the actual building project was left up to Solomon. Upon completion of the temple theres an incredible worship experience between Israel and God. Chapter six is devoted to Solomon's prayer of dedication. You gotta read chapter six. Israel experiences worship in a way we'll probably never see this side of heaven. Chapter 7 God appears to Solomon. Read these verses and notice my highlighted portions.
2 Chronicles 7:17-22
"As for you, if you walk before me as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, [18] I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man to rule over Israel.' [19] "But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, [20] then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. [21] And though this temple is now so imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and say, 'Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?' [22] People will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them--that is why he brought all this disaster on them.' "
Do you understand what God is saying to Solomon? If you live by my decrees, I will bless you. In other words, the blessings will only come if you live by God's standards. And if Solomon doesn't, there are consequences. If you continue to read the Old Testament Israel turns their back on God after being so richly blessed. Beginning to sound familiar? Read with me the consequences of Israel's sin.
Psalm 74:7-9
They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
[8] They said in their hearts, "We will crush them completely!" They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land. [9] We are given no miraculous signs; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.
This is refereeing to the temple, the very one Solomon built and its been destroyed. Why, consequences of sin. Please hear my heart. All bad things in life do not happen because of sin. My Mom was a health nut and one of the Godliest women I ever knew, yet she died of cancer. Children being molested by adults they trust is not the child's fault. A soldier dying in combat is not their fault. But, a lot of time we suffer bad times and they are self inflicting. America, Christians, please take notice. We are blessed beyond measure yet we've turned our backs on God. Pray with me that God will use His church and His people to draw America back to Christ. People of 5 Point, pray with me that it starts in out hearts and we can truly make a difference.
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