ABUSE OF GOD-GIVEN GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY

  ”And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” —I Kings 21:7-10

 And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Have you killed and also taken possession?” ’And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.” ’ ”Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the LORD.  —I Kings 21:19-20

 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. —Matthew 20:25

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. —Mark 10:42

Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. —Luke 22:25

“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” —John 19:10-11

            There are those in government who will use their power positions to get their way. So it was with Jezebel to get land for King Ahab her husband. What was in her evil repertoire?— Abuse of office, fraud, false communication, religious hypocrisy, false witnesses commanded what to say, falsely accusing rebellion against God, falsely accusing rebellion against the king, Naboth’s pre-determined execution, confiscation of Naboth’s family property.   Any of this sound like today?

            We need to be aware of the times, but not fret about the times we are in.   There is nothing new with Jezebel’s abuse of power and we are naïve it we do not think this is not happening today.   Go back through the list and you will see these same things occurring today. If is a fallen, sinful world and only those with blinders on cannot see these things.

            But let us not fret. Pilate said to Jesus, “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus responded to him, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” Those in power of been given those places of power and they will give account to Him who is above all authority whether they believe that or not. Yes, there are those who “lord it over the people” and “exercise authority over them.” There are many in authority to benefit themselves. But the One who has given them their positions of authority will answer to Him for the way they treated that authority.

I grateful my Father to know that You are the Ultimately Authority and nothing is escaping Your notice and all men, including myself, will stand before You one day to answer for the way we lived the life You have given us. May I live faithfully for You in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. May it be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtgIaMxrojw

BE WHERE HE WANTS YOU!

  “What are you doing here, Elijah?” —I Kings 19:9

  “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  “Go… —I Kings 19:13

            Are you in the place God wants you to be? Have you fled because of the threat of adversity? Did you ask the Lord if this is where He wants you?   Listen… for God’s whisper (I Kings 19:12). He is looking to guide you, but you need to hear. Then when He answers you need to obey.

            Elijah had just seen our Lord work in an amazingly supernatural way. He had answered Elijah and received his offering.   This occurred after the worshippers of Baal had called on their god with no answer. Then our Lord gave Elijah power over all the worshippers of Baal and they were all executed. Yes, our Lord worked powerfully on behalf of Elijah to show forth His glory.

            But then Elijah was threaten with imminent death by Queen Jezebel and fled out of fear. Fear will either paralyze us or cause us to flee (Proverbs 29:25). “What are you doing here?” Where does our Lord want you? Two times our Lord asked Elijah this question. Before our Lord asked him this the first time Elijah had been fleeing into the wilderness. He was discouraged to the point of praying to die. He did not want to do this anymore and went to sleep.

            How thankful to know that when we fall into a state of darkness and gloom that our Lord does not give up on us. He continued to minister to Elijah through an angel and His Word. Our Lord knew Elijah would continue to flee for 40 more days to Mt. Horeb. It was there at Mt. Horeb that Elijah was ready to listen and obey God. When our Lord directed Him to go back to where he had fled from, he obeyed. This is what our Lord desires— obedience because of trusting Him. Our obedience shows our trust toward Him. Are you trusting Him?

            Do you and I really trust Him? Where does He desire us to be? Will we obey Him when He shows us? What are you doing here? Go to where He is showing you. He will do the rest.

Dear Father thank You that You do not give up on us when we are discouraged even to the point of wanting to die. Oh that we would be open to Your voice and do what You desire because we trust You knowing that You are fully trustworthy. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsQmsEE_2-s&list=UUf1NPIFOBwzTLVQiEDnq4Cw&index=12

GOD KNOWS YOUR HEART AND MINE!

 And he walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. —I Kings 15:3

 David did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. —I Kings 15:5

 God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ —Acts 13:22

  The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart.” —I Samuel 13:14

            Where’s your heart? What is your heart fixed on? Who is the motivation for your heart? Is there something or someone who has your heart captured? Who or what has it? “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). What do you treasure? Who do you treasure?

            We are told that King David was sought out by God because he would be “a man after his own heart.” David 1- did what was right in the Lord’s eyes 2- did not turn aside from anything the Lord commanded him all the days of his life 3- was wholly true to the Lord his God 4- did everything God wanted him to do… “except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite”—II Samuel 11.

            This is God’s overall assessment of David. What would our Lord God Almighty write about you and me? That is what matters most. What does not matter most, does not matter as top priority is what man thinks about us. “People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7). There are those who speak words that sound good. They do actions that look good, but what is the motivation of their heart? Only God truly knows this. So are we living for the audience of One— our Lord God Almighty? Or are we living for the applause of man and what man thinks of us?

            Again, what will be God’s overall assessment of our lives?   David did well “except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.” Before you say “Well, I would never do what David did. I would not commit adultery. I surely would not have someone killed.” If that is how you think be careful of that pride because “if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (I Corinthians 10:12-13). 

            Jesus raised the bar and told us that thinking about sinful actions is sinful itself or thinking particular attitudes toward someone can also be sinful (Matthew 5:28; I John 3:15; James 4:17). So only God truly knows what is going on in the heart. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

            So let us heartily live for the audience of One that will impact other people positively. Oh, Lord help us to do heart checks of our own hearts and have the proper motivation in living for You. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkSBmRAVXNc

BEWARE OF THOSE YOU RECEIVE COUNSEL FROM

 Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?” And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to this people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us,’ thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs.  And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’ ” —I Kings 12:6-11

 And the king answered the people harshly, and forsaking the counsel that the old men had given him, he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” —I Kings 12:13-14

             Who do we listen and take counsel from? Is it from our peers or do we seek the wisdom of the generation before us— those who have more life-experience and have lived for the Lord for many years?  

            Well in the case above Rehoboam did listen to the counsel of both the old men and then of the young men. He chose to go with the counsel of the young men, the ones he grew up with, his peers. That counsel would end up to be destructive and split the nation (I Kings 12:16-19).   It was now a divided nation. What is the motivation of those we receive counsel from? Beware of this.

            We need to be wise in who we seek counsel from and make sure it is counsel from our Lord. Are the people wise we are seeking counsel from? Have they sought to apply God’s Word faithfully to their life? We need godly people to give us counsel.   Beware of receiving counsel from younger people without life experience and application of God’s Word to life.   They make think themselves wise, but if they are not seeking their counsel from the Lord themselves for their own lives, then why receive counsel from them for your own life?

           Just be aware and know those who are seeking to give you counsel. If their own lives do not bear the fruit godly wisdom, then seek not the wisdom they offer. They will have a track record. Who are their peers? Who are they seeking their advice from? See what that is before seeking counsel form anyone. The track record would be the fruit of their life— not just their words, but their actions and the affect of those actions. This will prove whether they live according to the counsel of God’s Word or not.

Dear Father please help me to listen to the counsel of the wise. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus, Your Son. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkHqaBxPoAM

ASTOUNDING!

 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” —I Kings 8:27

 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. —Psalm 96:5

             How amazing is this? He is the one who created the heavens and earth, but they cannot contain Him. This is astonishing. How can we even begin to ponder how grand He is? Look at the universe and wonder? Look into the night sky and consider? See the sun, moon and stars and contemplate how truly mighty He is!   Our Lord God Almighty cannot be contained in a building! And yet…

• “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me.” —Hebrews 10:5
• “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” —I Corinthians 6:19-20
• “Christ in you, the hope of glory”. —Colossians 1:27
• “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” —John 14:9
• “For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.” —John 5:18

This is truly astounding. The One Who cannot be contained in the whole universe came in the Person of His Son, Jesus! We just went through the remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus. How mind stretching is this— “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:16-17).   The One who Created us (Genesis 1: John 1; Colossians 1; Hebrews 1) came into His own created world to be killed by His creation! He did this because of His love for us and so we could be with Him forever. Astounding that He now lives in each person who has called on His Name by His Holy Spirit. Astounding! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOXd2ZwY22o

Thanks You Father for this truly amazing work You have done for us by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. May I now live faithfully for You. So be it!

JOYFULLY SING!

 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!  Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods… . Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.  —Psalm 95:1-3, 6-7

             Do you have a song in your heart for our Lord? Is there joy in your heart toward Him? Are you praising Him for Who He is?   He is Great and above all in heaven and earth. He is the Lord our Maker and we are to worship Him. How wonderful that “we are the people of His pasture!” He is our Shepherd and we are His sheep. This is astounding!

            For all who have called on His Name belong to Him. Those He possesses should be full of joy— their hearts should be overflowing with joy, understanding whose they are! Are you filled with joy? Does your heart sing out to Him because of that joy? If not, why not? Do you not understand Whose you are? Do you not know Him?

            Today, let us come before Him with joyful hearts, worship Him, singing songs of praise and thanksgiving to Him. Yes, dear Father may I start my day this way by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kUfMaYhN_U

OUR LORD SAYS, “VENGEANCE IS MINE!”

 O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve! O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage. They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; and they say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.” Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge— the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath. —Psalm 94:1-11

             Let it be known that our Lord God Almighty does carry out vengeance.   Nobody is getting away with anything.   Easter of 2021… people can ignore what Jesus has done. They can deny what Jesus has done. They can speak against Jesus. But… He will have the last word.

            There are rulers, those in authority that abuse that authority. They are wicked and exult themselves. But they are not getting away with anything. They may speak arrogant words now, but the Lord knows… He hears. Oh, how they may boast now… but the Lord knows and He will have the last word.   Evil rulers crush God’s people, but they will not get away with it. They may think they are, but He will have His way in the end. Wicked rulers destroy the most helpless among us. Our Lord God Almighty sees that and they are not getting away with it— although it may seem so at the moment.

            Yes! ” Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge— the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.” May we shine the Light of our Lord while we live and trust Him to carry out His will in due time.

Yes Dear Father I know that You are ultimately in control.   I will trust You to carry out Your desires. May I do so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.   So be it!

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them. Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury: “I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.” I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession. You will break themd with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.” Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth.   Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.” —Psalm 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On-whMoulOM Yes, our Lord God Almighty says, “leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Romans 12:19). He will have the last say… the last word… trust Him.

GOD’S WORD PROVES TRUE— READ IT FOR YOURSELVES!

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.  “For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?” —II Samuel 22:31-32

 The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore. —Psalm 93

              God’s way is perfect! Who else can this be said about? Surely not me and surely not you. Our ways are far from perfect. There are those who may think that they are perfect, but that is an illusion and deception.   There is only One who is perfect and that is our Lord God Almighty.

              His Word proves to be true. No one can prove otherwise. Oh, there have been many that have set out to prove His Word false, but they end up understanding that His Word is true. Read about Josh McDowell— https://www.amazon.com/Evidence-That-Demands-Verdict-Life-Changing/dp/1401676707/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3475HN61AMSU0&dchild=1&keywords=josh+mcdowell+evidence+that+demands+a+verdict&qid=1617450361&sprefix=Josh+Mc%2Caps%2C350&sr=8-3 Starting out to prove the Bible wrong and finding out the evidence of God’s Word proved to be true.   So too with Lee Strobel. He also set out to prove the Word of God false and came to the opposite conclusion. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310345863/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=jrd.mpCTz3g998GxWBMBDA&hsa_cr_id=1264584810601&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=b3ce7aba-b394-49e4-9b04-07c01b59f8bb&pd_rd_w=xouOU&pd_rd_wg=thtzX&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_0_img

              The sea of humanity can rise up against the truth of God, but they cannot overcome the truth of God’s Word. Our Lord God Almighty is from eternity past. Mankind is but a temporary moment. But, to know Him is to understand that He is the One who has established this world and it is He who ultimately reigns. What a joy to know Him and that He is our protector. Death cannot harm us. Instead it ushers us into His very presence… forever in that perfect place!

              Yes, His Word is trustworthy and proves to be true. Be like a McDowell or a Strobel and look into His Word yourself instead of listening to all the nay-sayers that regurgitate platitudes that they themselves have heard. Want to know the Truth? Read God’s Word for yourself. Don’t be washed along with the roaring waves of rebellious humanity that seek to drown out the Truth. Check it out for yourselves https://live.bible.is/

              This Easter week-end of 2021, instead of focusing on Easter bunnies, chocolate, candies and fairy tales, why not look into the Truth of God’s Word!   Dear Father for the many who may be reading this may they truly check out Your Word and come to a knowledge of the Truth.   May it be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son, Jesus!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-PYpyaGXYc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw

BEAR FRUIT… EVEN IN OLD AGE!

 The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. —Psalm 92:12-15

             Those who are living for the Lord are like trees that flourish. They flourish in the presence of our Lord. Because these trees are full of sap and green, they still bear fruit in old age. Is that the type of tree I am? Is that the type of tree I want to be? Yes, may it be so!

           These “trees” declare that our Lord God Almighty is upright, that He is our rock and that there is no unrighteousness in Him. May I be a tree like that and declare these things to others that they may be encouraged as followers of Jesus or those who do not know Him be encouraged to trust Jesus and live for Him.

            Many trees that are aged do not bear healthy fruit or may not bear fruit at all.   Eventually they are cut down to make way for new trees to be planted. But for those who follow Jesus , that are abiding in Him, they are able to bear fruit even in old age. This can only happen as we stay in His presence, abiding in Him (John 15:1-8).   Fellow follower of Jesus let us be bearing fruit now and in old age— abide in Him!   Dear Father may this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXNo3zmX1TY

THE LORD IS MY REFUGE—- I TRUST HIM & WILL NOT FEAR DEATH!

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,  nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. —Psalm 91:1-6

Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. —Psalm 91:9-10

Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. —Psalm 91:14-16

            The Lord is my shelter and I will abide in Him.   I will trust Him to deliver me from whatever He desires to deliver me from. Is Satan scheming to trap me? I will trust in my Lord to deliver me. Is there a deadly pestilence? I will trust the Lord to deliver me. I will rely on His faithfulness to shield me. I will not fear anything that could kill me whether it is that which lurks in the darkness or that which looms in the light. I will trust Him to rescue me and to cause me to live as long as He wants me to live. Besides, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Philippians 1:23). Yes, the Apostle Paul said that. He was saying he’d rather die and be with Jesus. Is that our mindset? If not, we need to reflect on who/where our trust is really in!

            If we fear death then how do these verses apply to us? —“Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15). By the death of Jesus we are freed from the fear of death because He overcame death so we can also overcome death by His death and resurrection for us! We are in the Easter/Passover season. This is what we celebrate! Let us do so!

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. —I John 5:1-4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrgl9z3grKU

Dear Father I am so grateful that I can trust You fully with my life. I thank You for Jesus and all that He has done for me and through me. What joy to not fear death and to know I have overcome it through Jesus. Now, may I encourage others to trust Him as well. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsQmsEE_2-s