CONSEQUENCES FOR DISOBEDIENCE And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded. Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant.” —I Kings 11:9-11             There are consequences to disobedience. Do we think that when we disobey what we…

HE KNOWS! (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind), 40 —I Kings 8:39 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. —John 2:25 Lord, You know everyone’s heart. —Acts 1:24 God, who knows the heart … —Acts 15:8 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. —Matthew 6:21 For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. —Matthew 12:34 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. —Matthew 22:37             Only God knows what is in a person’s heart.   He knows what we are…

PARADISE And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:42-43             Paradise! We are surely not in paradise now! Oh, how people think of being in a paradise, but they think in earthly, worldly terms.   What would one think is paradise on earth? I am sure it would include things like: no problems or conflict, beautiful weather, fine food… After that the list may change dependent on a person’s preference and values. But, there is no such paradise on earth. If is a fallen, sinful world with…

GIFTS OF GOD Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.   And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days. 14 —I Kings 3:12-14             The mind you have has been given to you by God. Solomon desired to have an understanding mind to be able to govern the people wisely and God gave…

FEAR NOT DEATH! When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,—I Kings 2:1   Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. —I Kings 2:10               Death… is “the way of the whole earth.” For those…

FAITH TESTED & THE LOST CALLED And when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was working destruction among the people, “It is enough; now stay your hand.” —II Samuel 24:16 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the…

JESUS— GIVEN FOR US! This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.  Luke 21:19-20             Remember! Jesus gave His life for us… The illegal trials, the verdict of death, the mocking, the blindfolding, the beatings, the cross carrying, the cruel execution… He was given for us even though His innocence was known! Jesus was God’s GIFT to us— “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” (John 3:16). “Nor can…

THE PRIORITY TO LISTEN, LEARN AND OBEY And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him. —Luke 21:8 The people were so eager to hear Jesus that they came early in the morning. How about you and I— how eager are we to hear Jesus? Is this the first desire we have when we wake up? Do we want to hear what He has to say to ready us for the day ahead? — “The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word.   He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear…

JESUS’ COMING IS NEARER! Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. —Luke 21:28             The disciples asked, “When will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” Jesus responded— Don’t be deceived. Many will come in My name You will hear of wars and rebellions Nations and kingdoms will rise against each other There will be earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places There will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven Before this they will seize you and persecute you Because of My name they will deliver…

THE SON OF GOD AND MAN But he said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is David’s son? For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ 44 David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?” —Luke 20:41-44             Jesus asked a question and He did not get a response? The answer to that question would be an acknowledgement that David called one of his descendants Lord— God in the flesh. This is something the people did not understand. Yes, the Christ would be “David’s son”— a descendant of David,…