Tues.’s Devo - Living For Eternity

Read: 2 Kings 17:18-12; Acts 20:1-38; Psalm 148:1-14; Proverbs 18:6-7 Hoshea became the king of Israel and was from Elah, the place David defeated Goliath. He was an evil king who reigned 9 years. During his rule, he had been forced to pay tribute to the King Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria. King Hoshea hired King So of Egypt to help him rid himself of King Shalmanesar’s bondage. It backfired on King Hoshea and he was put in King Shalmanesar’s prison while his army beseiged Samaria for three years until Samaria fell and its inhabitants were exiled to cities in Assyria. All of this disaster fell on God’s people because they worshipped other gods and had forsaken their God. God had sent prophets to them over and over to tell them to repent but they refused to listen. They worshipped worthless idols and became just as worthless. Because they did this, God swept them out of his land except Judah where Jerusalem was. The king of Assyria transported his people to Samaria to live but they soon found out that they had to worship God or the lions would kill them. Shalmanesar sent Jewish priests to Samaria to teach them how to worship the Lord. They taught them but they continued to worship their false gods also. They couldn’t understand that God will have no other god before him. All of this was going on when Hezekiah was made king over Judah. He was a king like David who had God’s heart. He removed the pagan shrines and all the idols that the people had made. He trusted in the Lord the whole time he ruled like no other king had done. God was with him and when he revolted against the king of Assyria and refused to pay him tribute, he won. He also gained territory for his country. Meanwhile, Israel was falling to the Assyrians. In Acts, we have a great picture of Passover. The disciples were meeting on Passover to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. A man fell out of the window to his death below and he was raised up to live. That is the picture of the death and resurrection of Christ. Paul left to arrive in Jerusalem for Pentecost. He has 50 days to get there. He had been told over and over prophetically that jail and suffering lay ahead, but he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go. Knowing it would be his last time to see some of these people he warned them to watch for the wolves in sheep’s clothing. He prayed for them, hugged and kissed them good-bye then left. Paul did not love his life more than he loved God. His life was totally in God’s hands. Lord, help us to live like Paul and realize that it is not this life that is important, it is our eternal life that we live for.

Mon.’s Devo - The Clash of Kingdoms

Read: 2 Kings 15:1-16:20; Acts 19:13-41; Psalm 147:1-20; Proverbs 18:4-5 Today we read about the rise and fall of the kings of Israel and Judah. Amos prophesied in Israel that Jeroboam, the king of Israel would die by the sword. Amaziah, the priest at Beth-el told Amos to go to Judah and prophesy there. Because they refused to heed his words, Amos called forth a famine of hearing the Word of the Lord in Israel. In Judah: Isaiah, Hosea, and Zechariah all prophesied calling Judah to repent. Uzziah was the king for 52 years while in Israel, the kingdom was changing rapidly and so many reigned: Jeroboam, Jeroboam II, and Zechariah, which were all descendants of Jehu. Then Shallum assassinated Zechariah in public becoming the king for a month. He was assassinated by Menahem who was a ruthless ruler who practiced idolatry. He was invaded by King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria. Menahem took all the money he could muster to pay the Assyrians off. When Menahem died, his son, Pekahiah became king. He reigned the last two years of Uzziah’s rule in Judah. Pekahiah was also evil. Pekah usurped his throne and ruled two years. He was evil also. During his reign, King Tiglath-pileser attacked and captured much of Israel’s land. Hosea assassinated Pekah and began to rule Israel. At that time in Judah, Uzziah had died and his son, Jotham began to reign. He was a good king like his father even though they both did not destroy the pagan worship in their land. During his reign, God sent Israel and the king of Aram to attack Judah. Jotham died, and his son, Ahaz became king of Judah. He led his land into horrible idolatry like Israel. The kings of Israel and Aram attacked Jerusalem. King Ahaz of Judah sent every piece of metal he could find in his kingdom to King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria to come and rescue him from the armies of Aram and Israel. When King Ahaz met with the king of Assyria in his capital of Damascus, he saw his altar to his god and sent a drawing back to Judah of the altar. He had one made identical to it and got rid of God’s altar. He also took the bowl where the priests washed, off the backs of the oxen and put it on a stone. (In other words, he desecrated the altar of God and made it into a pagan altar and the priest Uriah went along with it. The king, himself offered burnt offerings on this new altar and did the office of the priest. He reigned in Jerusalem 16 years and when he died, Hezekiah became the next king. Thank God - he will be a good king! In Acts, it sounds like the streets of America. When the disciples started messing with Satan’s kingdom, he became enraged and began his counter-attack. First, the sorcerers tried to use Jesus name for their own benefit, but they realized quickly that Satan would not defend them if they used Jesus’ name and Jesus wouldn’t either since they were using it wrongly. The fear of the Lord fell on the people. In Ephesus, the silversmiths were losing money because Paul preached that their idols were in vain. This seriously hurt the idol-making business so the businessmen stirred up a riot in the streets. Many didn’t even know what it was all about, they just found themselves in the middle of the chaos. That was what it was - utter chaos. Paul’s friends had to keep Paul from entering the place they were rioting to save his life. This is what is happening now. The kingdom of darkness is being exposed and it is trying to stir up division, anarchy and violence because his goal is to kill, steal and destroy. But, be of good cheer because God has come to bring life, restoration and restitution. Lord, help us to see with your eyes. Give us the ability to see what you are doing and how this is fitting right into your plans to restore our nation back to you.

Sun.’s Devo - Israel’s Kings

Read: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29; Acts 18:23-19:12; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 18:2-3 Jehoahaz, Jehu’s son, reigned over Israel and followed the sins of Israel serving the golden calves of Israel. Jereboam had made priests of the lowest people that were not Levites and they offered incense to the Lord. Jehoahaz did the same thing. He made the wrong people the leaders; he put unholy people in charge of holy things. Because he did this, God allowed King Hazael of Aram to defeat them over and over. Finally, Jehoahaz called out for God’s help and God sent a deliverer to rescue them from the tyranny of the Arameans and Israel had peace. Israel continued to sin so God reduced their army and their defense. Jehoahaz died and his son, Jehoash began to rule over Israel in the 37th year of King Joash. He continued to appoint unholy people to lead in spiritual matters and worshipped idols so he only ruled 16 years and died. Before he died, he went to visit Elisha who was dying himself. Elisha told him to take a bow and arrow and shoot it out the window as a sign of victory over Aram. Then he told him to pick up the remaining arrows and strike the ground with them. He struck them three times making Elisha mad. He said that they would only defeat the Armeans three times. If he had struck them over four times they would have completely destroyed them. Elisha died and was buried in a tomb. Years later, a group of Israelites were burying their friend when some Moabite raiders showed up. They hurriedly threw their friend in the tomb of Elisha to flee and he came alive the moment his body touched Elisha’s bones. King Hazael of Aram died and his son, Ben-hadad became king. Jehoash defeated him three times just as Elisha had said and recovered the territory they had lost. Meanwhile in Judah, Amaziah son of Joash began to reign. He reigned for 29 years. He was a good king like his father but still didn’t rid the nation of the idols. He killed the officers who had assassinated his father. He conquered the Edomites and Sela. He challenged Israel to a battle. King Jehoash of Israel tried to dissuade him but Amaziah was too determined. They fought and Israel won. The Israelite army chased the Judeans to Jerusalem where they tore down 600 feet of Jerusalem’s wall and carried off gold and silver and all the articles from the Temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace. They took them and some hostages back to Samaria. Fifteen years later, Amaziah was assassinated like his father and his 16 year old son, Uzziah was crowned king of Judah. Jeroboam II became king of Israel. He was evil, but God used him to recover stolen land of Israel’s for the people’s sake. He died and his son Zechariah became the next king of Israel. In Acts, we meet a new teacher of the gospel, Apollos. He only knew about the baptism of John so Pricilla and Aquila told him about he baptism in the Holy Spirit. He began traveling and teaching in Corinth. Paul went on to Ephesus and taught about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He laid his hands on them and they received it and spoke in tongues. They were also given the power to perform unusual miracles and saw people healed and delivered. Lord, we are living in these days where your healings and deliverances are being poured out on the streets. May your power spread through us.

Sat.’s Devo - A True King Comes to the Throne

Read: 2 Kings 10:32-12:21; Acts 18:1-22; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 18:1 Jehu had served the Lord well in destroying the family of Ahab so God told him his descendants would be kings for four generations. Jehu didn’t do so well in obeying the Law of the Lord with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit which was the worship at the golden calves at Dan and Bethel. When Jehu died, God began to whittle down the territory that Israel had gained. King Hazael conquered the land east of the Jordan River. Jehu’s son, Jehoahaz became king for 28 years. (When Pence becomes President after Trumps next four years, he would have been in politics about 28 years.) Meanwhile in Judah, there was a lot of drama unfolding. Athalia, who was the queen mother of King Ahaziah started killing all of the men who would be eligible for the throne. Her sister, Jehosheba stole the new-born heir named Joash and hid him in the temple with the priests. Athaliah reigned for 7 years. Athalia’s name means “God’s due season”. When the seven years were up, Joash was 7 and it was time for a changing of the season. Jehoiada, the priest stationed men with swords and shields all around the Temple as they brought Joash out of hiding and pronounced him king, placing a crown on his head. Jehoiada had Athaliah killed at the gate of the city. They made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people that they would save the Lord. They all went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. During his reign, Joash did what was pleasing in God’s sight because he allowed the priest, Jehoiada to instruct him. Joash repaired the Temple and corrected the financial corruption in the priesthood. I bet it was this that caused his officers to assassinate him. Joash died at the hands of his trusted advisors. Joash’s name means “Jehovah has become a man” and he was a type of Jesus. Jesus’ own brothers killed him without a cause so we can guess that Joash was killed because of jealousy just as Jesus was. In Acts, we read about the spread of the gospel through Paul and the apostles in Corinth. God gave Paul a vision telling him not to be afraid to speak out or no one would attack him. He also told Paul that He had many followers. God gave Paul this dream to prepare him for what would happen next. Paul was brought to trial by Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue and accused of changing their way they worshipped God. The new governor, Gallio sat in the judgment seat when Paul was brought in. When he realized this as a case about their religion, he kicked them out of his courtroom and Soshtenes was beaten by the followers of Christ. God defended Paul just as he told him he would. Paul traveled on to Ephesus, Jerusalem then back to Antioch. Lord, this is a great reminder that our reward and acceptance is not on this earth but in the heavenly realm with you. Our reward comes when we stand before you and are rewarded according to everything that is true.

Fri.’s Devo - The Rise of Jehu -

Read: 2 Kings 9:14-10:31; Acts 17:1-34; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 17:27-28 Yesterday, we read where King Joram of Israel had been injured fighting King Hazael of Aram and King Ahaziah of Judah had come to see about King Joram. Jehu rode up with his men to take over the kingdom. Both of the kings rode out to meet Jehu to find out if he was coming in peace. Jehu’s reply was, “How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are all around us?” That told them that Jehu was not coming in peace. As they turned to flee, Jehu shot Joram between the shoulders, piercing his heart, and he sank down dead in his chariot. Jehu had him thrown into the plot of land that had belonged to Naboth, just as Elijah had prophesied. Jehu chased Ahaziah and killed him also. Jezebel painted her eyes to meet Jehu. She was not trying to captivate him but overpower and intimidate him. To paint their eyes, they would put black charcoal on her eyelids much like the gothic-look of today. Jehu asked if there was anyone up there who was on his side and two eunuchs stuck their heads out. Jehu told them to throw her over and they did. Her body splattered on the ground where the birds ate her body just as was prophesied. Next, Jehu had the sons of Ahab killed. So 70 sons of Ahab had their heads cut off and delivered to Jehu. He piled them by the city gate for all to see. He wanted them to know that this was a people’s choice. He had killed the kings, but they had killed the sons. Jehu set out for Samaria and met some of the relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah. He had 42 of them killed since they were on Ahab’s side. Jehu then had all the prophets of Baal come to a meeting where he told them they would worship Baal. He had them put on a robe and made sure there was no one in the place that wasn’t a worshiper of Baal, then he had them all killed. Jehu is the picture of President Trump and we are about to see some heads roll. Seventy, to be exact with 42 others later. Jezebel is Hillary who is going to be judged and Joram is Obama. God is sitting on the throne of Justice and he is bringing down his gavel to pronounce sentences on some very deceitful people. In Acts, we see that when people disagreed with Paul’s teaching some of them actually checked it out in the Word and found the prophesies and knew that what they were preaching was truth. They traveled to Thessalonica which was a Greek city. They had statues of so many Greek gods that they worsiped but God gave Paul great strategy. He had seen a statue that read, “To the Unknown God”. He used that as his sermon theme. He preached to them that he knew the “Unknown God” and his name was God - creator of heaven and earth. He preached to them to the resurrection of the dead through the salvation of Jesus. Some laughed, others were intrigued and wanted to talk further and some followed and became believers. Lord, help us to see that not everyone is going to like us or believe what we say, but the ones who do are worth all the persecution and misunderstanding of the others.

Thurs.’s Devo - The Battle is On

Read: 2 Kings 8:1-9:13 Acts 16:16-40; Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 17:26 Elisha told the woman of Sarapheth to move her family out of Israel for 7 years because God had called a famine in the land. People say that God doesn’t bring bad things when he clearly does. His purpose is to get us to repent here on earth so he doesn’t have to judge us later. God wanted to spare the woman and her family because they had been faithful to Him. When the famine was over, she came back for her land. The king of Israel had asked Gehazi to tell him some of the stories of Elisha. He was talking about her story and how Elisha brought her son back to life when she walked in to ask for her land. Gehazi recognized her and let her confirm her story. The king ordered all of her possessions to be given back to her and any proceeds of her land while she was gone. That is how the faithful fair in a time of judgment on the earth. We have everything restored to us that was lost during the trial. We can demand that by going to the king, God and presenting our case. A week ago we read that Elijah was to anoint three people, but he only anointed one of them. He anointed Elisha to take his place. He must have given him the job of anointing the other two, because he does so today. Elisha anoints Hazael to be the king of Aram and Jehu to be the king of Israel. Jehoram was the king of Judah but he married Ahab’s daughter joining Israel and Judah by this marriage. This was a bad covenant and bad for Judah. Judah lost control over Edom and led Judah into worse idolatry. His son, Ahaziah ruled after him. His mother was Athalia who was Ahab’s mother so he followed after the sin’s of Israel. Ahaziah, king of Judah, joined his uncle Joram, king of Israel in a war against Hazael, king of Aram. Joram was wounded in the battle and went home to recover. Ahaziah came to visit him in Samaria. That was when Elisha gathered a group of prophets and took off for Ramoth-gilead to anoint Jehu the next king of Israel. Jehu was a commander of the army of Israel. He was told by the prophet to destroy the family of Ahab and avenge the murder of God’s prophets that Jezebel killed. The entire family of Ahab was to be wiped out. Then the prophet ran for his life. When Jehu was asked what the prophet said, he told them that the Lord had anointed him king over Israel. His men when out and spread the news and someone blew the ram’s horn and shouted, “Jehu is king!” In Rabbi Michael Kahn’s book, The Paradigm, he explains how the kings of Israel match the presidents of the US. Jehu would be President Trump and Ahab and Jezebel would be Bill and Hillary Clinton. In Acts, we see the bold confidence of Luke, Paul and the believers. They cast a spirit of divination out of a girl and her owner was enraged because his source of money was now gone. They had Paul and his men beat and thrown into prison. Paul and Silas sat in jail singing praises to the Lord when he answered with an earthquake that opened the doors of the prison and took the chains off every prisoner. The jailer thought they had escaped and drew his sword to kill himself. Paul stopped him and told him they were all there. The jailer fell down and repented and received the Lord right there. Then he invited the disciples of Jesus to his home to tell his family. In the morning new came to release them but they protested became they were Roman citizens and they knew their rights had been violated. The city officials came and apologized and set them free. That is a picture of what we should be like. Our rights have been violated by the left extremists and we need to demand them back. As Christians, we are not suppose to be passive but warriors who stand for what is right. Lord, help us to prepare for the fight because the fight is coming. We will win!

Wed.’s Devo - Confident Faith

Read: 2 Kings 6:1-7:20; Acts 15:36-16:15; Psalm 142:1-7; Proverbs 17:24-25
The school of the prophets that Elisha led was growing so they needed another place to meet. As they were building it, one of the prophets lost his axe head in the river. He was distraught because it was borrowed. Elisha threw in a stick and it floated to the top where he could get it.
I can’t help but comparing that to our lives. The axehead can represent borrowed troubles that cause us to get separated from the body and our mission. All we have to do is throw something lighter at it like praise and it will surface so we can see it for what it really is. It is all about having spiritual eyes.
Gehazi found his spiritual eyes in our next story.
The king of Aram and Israel was in constant war but Elisha would tell King Jehoram every plan of the Arameans. When the army officer found out what was going on he sent his army to find Elisha. Elisha was at Dothan so they woke up to find that the whole army had surrounded them. Gehazi walked out and saw them and came in in a flurry of fear. Elisha told him to not be afraid because there were more on their side than on theirs. When he looked out again, Gehazi saw the army of God on the mountains in chariots of fire. Elisha prayed that the Aramean army would be blinded and they were. He went out and led them to Sarmaria where he prayed for their eyes to be opened. When they were opened and they found out where they were, they were the ones afraid. Elisha told the king to feed them and send them home.
They returned later and besieged Samaria. With no way to get water, the people were starving. They were eating bird poop, but when they started eating their own off-spring, the king sent for Elisha. (Amazing how everyone blames God and the people of God for all their consequences of their own sins.) Elisha told Jehoram’s officer that tomorrow there would be so much food that six quarts of choice flour would sell for one piece of silver. The officer didn’t believe him so he told him that he would only live to see it but not partake in any.
Four lepers were sitting at the gate of the city waiting to die. They decided to go surrender to the Armean army since they had no other option. When they got to their camp it was totally empty of people but laden with supplies and food.
God had scared the Arameans that night with the sound of horse hoofs. They thought Israel had hired the Hittites and Egyptians to attack them so they ran.
The four lepers got all they could carry and eat, then decided they should share this with the king. He sent out spies and found what they said to be true. The people stampeded out to the camp and ravaged it, trampling the officer who didn’t believe. Everything that Elisha said came true.
In Acts, Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement about whether to take John Mark with them or not. They split and Barnabas took John Mark to Cyprus. Paul took Silas and went to Syria, Cilicia, Derbe, Lystra and all through the land strengthening the churches. In Lystra he met a young disciple named Timothy. They took him with them and continued through Phrygia, Galatia and Troas.
In Troas, Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for them to come help them. This man was an angel of Macedonia. One of the people they met and converted was Lydia, a seller of purple and a wealthy business woman. She invited them to come stay at her house.
Lord, may we walk in the confident faith of Elisha and Paul.

Tues.’s Devo - The Miracles of Elisha

Read: 2 Kings 4:18-5:27; Acts 15:1-35; Psalm141:1-10; Proverbs 17:23
The son of the woman from Shunem grew old enough to work with his dad in the field. One day his head hurt so bad he had to be carried in from the field. By noon he had died. The mother rode a donkey to where Elisha lived. She blamed him for his death and told him she wasn’t leaving without him. Elisha had sent Gehazi to put his staff on the child’s head but he didn’t wake up. Elisha had to lay on top of him eyeball to eyeball, mouth to mouth and hand to hand. Finally the child became warm and sneezed seven times and woke up. His mother was overwhelmed with gratitude.
There was a famine in the land and the group of prophets were gathering plants and vegetables for a pot of stew. Someone accidentally brought a plant that was poisonous. They cried out to Elisha and he brought some flour and put it in the stew. It was now good to eat.
One day during the famine, a man from Baal-shalishah which means “Lord of the third part” came and brought them a sack of grain and 20 loaves of barley bread made from his first fruits to give to the prophets. There was no way it would feed all 500 of the prophets but Elisha told his servant to give it to them and that there would be left overs. He did and there was. (Jesus fed 5,000 with 5 loaves and two fish!) God was indeed the Lord of the third part which was his part from Heaven.
Naaman was the commander of the army of Aram. The king greatly revered Naaman, but Naaman had leprosy. Naaman’s wife had a young servant girl who had been captured from Israel. She told her mistress that if Naaman lived in Israel, the prophet would heal him. When the wife told Naaman, he sent money and gifts to the king asking him to heal his leprosy. The king of Israel read the letter and thought that Aram was picking a fight with him. Elisha heard about it and told the king to send the man to him, so he did. When Naaman came to Elisha’s house, he didn’t even come out to meet him. He sent his servant to tell him to wash in the Jordan river seven times.
Naaman was insulted that Elisha didn’t come out to meet him and that he would send him to a muddy river to bathe in seven times. He was about to leave mad when his own servant convinced him to try. He did and came out clean as a baby. He was so elated, he went back to Elisha and this time Elisha met him. He offered him silver, gold and clothing but Elisha refused it. Naaman vowed he would never bow to the gods of his land again but only serve the God of Israel.
He and his men left very changed on the outside and the inside, but Gehazi was filled with greed. He ran after them and concocted a story to get some of his gold and clothes. He then hid it and went back to Elisha’s. Elisha asked him where he had been and he lied and said, nowhere. Elisha called him out on it and told him that this was not the time to receive gold and clothing. Since he did and lied about it the leprosy that left Naaman would remain on Gehazi and his family forever. He walked out covered with leprosy.
In Acts, Paul and Barnabas were back at Antioch. A group from Judea arrived and began teaching the converts that they must be circumcised to be saved. Paul and Barnabas argued with them about this so the delegates sent them to Jerusalem to talk to the leaders there and get their opinion. There was a great division about it there also. As the elders met to discuss the hot topic, Peter stood up and spoke about the grace of God. James confirmed it with scripture from the Old Testament. They decided that instead of laying heavy burdens on them they should just keep it simple. They came up with sins the Gentiles should repent of. Since most of them came from idolatry, the teaching was about abstaining from their old way of worship of gods to true worship of the only God. They were to abstain from eating food offered to idols and drinking blood or meat of strangled animals and to abstain from sexual immorality. They brought this message back to Antioch where the people rejoiced at the encouraging words.
Lord, help us to not be turned away by the glitter of worldly things to disobey your truth.

Mon.’s Devo - Sold Out For Jesus

Read: 2 Kings 3:1-4:17; Acts 14:8-28; Psalm 140:1-13; Proverbs 17:22
Joram the king of Israel was an evil king who worshipped idols. King Mesha of Moab paid tribute to Israel of 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams. When Ahab died, he rebelled against the king of Israel. Israel asked King Jehoshaphat of Judah to join him in attacking Moab. The king of Edom joined them but after seven days of traveling, they were out of water. They didn’t know what to do and were afraid they would all die except King Jehoshaphat. He asked if there was a prophet they could ask. One of King Joram’s king knew about Elisha so they sent for him.
Elisha told them to go and ask their own gods. King Joram said it was God who brought them together so they needed to ask him. Elisha made it clear that the only reason he would ask God for them was because of King Jehoshaphat, who feared the Lord. Elisha asked for someone to play the harp so he could hear from God.
God answered and said that they would have plenty of water and they would defeat the Edomites. The next day, the valleys were filled with water. When the Edomites approached, they thought the water was blood. They surmised that the armies had killed each other and went for the spoil. As they approached the Israelite army, The Israelites ran out of their tents and conquered them.
There was a prophetess who lost her husband. She was going to jail if she didn’t pay her creditors. Elisha told her to borrow as many empty jars as she could and go into her house with her sons and shut the door. Then she was to start filling the jars with oil. The oil kept coming till all the jars were filled. Elisha told them to sell the oil and pay her debts.
Another wealthy woman recognized that Elisha was a holy man and made a place for him to stay anytime he came to her city of Shunem. Elisha wanted to repay her and found that she had no son so he told her that next year at that time she would be holding a son.
In Acts, Paul and Barnabas were in Lystra and met a man with crippled feet. They told him to stand up and walk and he did. The people thought that Paul was Hermes and Barnabas was Zeus. They ran to get sacrifices to present to them.
Paul and Barnabas tried to convince them they were just people when some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium. They turned the people against Paul and Barnabas and now they wanted to stone them. They did stone them but not to death. The next day, they left for Derbe and preached the good news on their way home to Antioch. They gave the report of all God had done for them and all the suffering they were blessed to endure for the name of Christ.
Lord, help us to see that persecution follows a heart that is sold out and doing the works of Jesus. We look forward to that day.

Sun.’s Devo - Elijah’s Leaving and Elisha’s Entrance

Read: 2 Kings 1:1-2:25; Acts 13:42-14:7; Psalm 139:1-24; Proverbs 17:19-21
First and Second Kings was written by the prophets about both kingdoms with Israel as its biggest focus. The Kings were written during the time of exile. The Chronicles were written by the priests, mainly Ezra, after the exile and his perspective as he looked back. The Chronicles focus is Judah since that is where the Temple was and where the priests lived.
After Ahab died, his son Ahaziah ruled. He fell through the lattice work of his second story and was badly injured. He sent his messengers to ask the prophets of Baal-zebub in Ekron if he would live. On the way, Elijah met them. God had told him to stop them and give them His answer.
When they returned with the answer so soon after they had left the king asked them why. They told him about meeting Elijah and what he said. Elijah had wanted to know why he sent for answers from Baal instead of the God of Israel. He told him that because he did that he would not get out of bed but die there. When they described Elijah, Ahaziah recognized who it was and sent 50 men to get him. He had fire consume them from heaven. Ahab sent another 50 and the same thing happened. He sent another 50 but this officer climbed the mountain that Ahab was sitting on and bowed down in humility and respect and begged him not to kill him. God told Elijah to go with him. He went and told the same thing. He died with out a successor so his brother, Joram became king.
Elijah was about to be taken in a whirlwind to heaven and Elisha knew the time was coming so he refused to leave his side. Elijah went to Bethel, Jericho, to the Jordan River and everywhere they went they met prophets who told Elisha that God was taking Elijah that day. Elijah was revisiting the place where God called Abraham, the place where Israel had their first victory and back across the River that they had crossed to get to their promised. Only this time he was going across to the other side. It was like he was walking full circle the story of their people.
Elisha had one request, that he would be given a double portion of his spirit. Elijah told him that if Elisha saw him leave, then he would get his request. Elisha did see Elijah leave when a fiery chariot came down from heaven and took Elijah up in a whirlwind. Elijah’s cloak was left behind so Elisha put it on and came back to the Jordan River and struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and it parted.
Elisha retraced the steps of Elijah.
Soon, Elisha got to use his new anointing. The waters of Jericho were bad and causing infertility in the land and the women. Elisha put salt in the water and it cleansed the water.
Elisha then went to Bethel where a group of boys called Elisha names, mocking him. Elisha cursed them in God’s name. Two bears came out of the woods and killed them.
In Acts, Paul left them begging for more that Sabbath. When he returned the next week, the place was packed and the Jewish leaders were jealous of all the attention that they were getting. They slandered them and argued everything they said. Paul wiped the dust off his feet and told them that they offered them the good news first but now they were free to take it to the Gentiles. They left and went to other towns where the same thing happened.
At one place a mob of Gentiles and Jews planned to attack and stone them but they learned of the plot and fled to Lycaonia.
Lord, help us to realize that the gospel is not welcomed by the world because it is the power to change and save.

Sat.’s Devo - Ahab’s Fall

Read: 1 Kings 22:1-53; Acts 13:16-41; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 17:17-18
Israel had three years of peace with the king of Aram. Jehoshaphat, king of Judah went to visit King Ahab of Israel. While he was there, King Ahab mentioned that Ramoth-gilead was his city, but the king of Aram controlled it. He asked Jehoshatphat if he would help him get it back. Jehoshaphat said he would, but wanted to ask a prophet of God first. Ahab brought all his new prophets of Baal in. He had found 400 of them after Elijah had the others killed.
His prophets all prophesied victory but Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet of God available they could ask. Ahab told him of Micaiah but said he hated him because he never prophesied good for him.
Jehoshaphat insisted on asking him first and when he came he sarcastically went along with the false prophets. When Ahab rebuked him, he told the truth. It would not go well for Ahab. He would die in battle and they would not prosper.
One of the false prophets slapped him and Ahab threw him in prison till he returned. Micaiah told him he would not return and that God had showed him that He sent a lying spirit to his prophets so they wouldn’t tell the truth.
They went into battle and the leader of Aram told his soldiers just to kill the king of Israel. Ahab had discussed himself as a regular soldier. One of the men of Aram shot off an arrow into the midst of the Israelite men and it hit right in the very small slit between his armor. Ahab died that afternoon and the battle was over. His blood was washed in the same pool that Naboth’s blood was. It was the pool that the prostitutes bathed in.
Judah had had two good kings: Asa and Jehoshaphat. The next king was Jehoram became king. Israel had had bad kings. When Ahab died, his son, Ahaziah ruled. He was evil also and served Baal.
In Acts, Paul was in the synagogue in Antioch for the Sabbath. After the daily reading of the Torah, the priest asked if anyone else had any encouraging words anyone wanted to add. Paul stood up and addressed the Jews and the god-fearing Gentiles. He took them through the history of the Jew from the time of Egypt and Moses up to then. He explained that everyone had been looking forward to Jesus and when he came, very few recognized him. He reminded them of the words of Habakkuk who told them that God would do something new and it would be hard for the mockers to see it. He warned them not to be like them but to open their spiritual eyes to believe.
We are always being called to open our spiritual eyes and believe past what we see.
Lord, we choose to see beyond this natural world and all its chaos to see the peace you have for us.

Fri.’s Devo. - The Prophets and the Governors

Read: 1 Kings 20:1-21:29; Acts 12:24-13:15; Psalm 137:1-9; Proverbs 17:16
Yesterday, we read that Elijah was sent to anoint another king for Aram and Israel but now we will see how it plays out. The future is set in heaven but it plays out on earth in slow motion.
King Ben-hadad came to Ahab with his threatening words and fear caused the great Ahab to tremble and tell him that he would give him his silver, golds, wives and the best of his children. But when Ben-hadad said he would take his possessions from his own house and the house of his officers Ahab drew the line. Amazing that he would value his possessions over his own family. King Hadad came to attack Jerusalem.
God sent a prophet to King Ahab saying that today, he would hand them over to him to let Ahab know that there was a king in Israel. The prophet told Ahab to set his 232 provincial commanders as his first army. These men approached the officers of Aram who were drinking themselves into a drunken stupor. They immediately responded with a man-to-man battle, but told their men not to kill Israel’s men, but take them prisoners.
The officers of Israel killed each of their opposers causing the whole army of Aram to panic and run.
The prophet told King Ahab that they would come back in the spring.
In the spring the army of Aram reassessed and decided to fight Israel on the plains. The Israelites killed 100,000 of them and their wall fell, killing another 27,000 of them. Benhadad and his men decided to bank on Israel’s mercy so they put on sackcloth and humbled themselves before Ahab. Ahab was soft and made a treaty with them and sent them home. That was a mistake.
The prophet came back and told them that God had destined Ben-hadad to die and Ahab had let them live, so he would die in his place, and his people would die instead of Aram’s. Ahab went home angry and sullen.
But…not too sullen. He decided he wanted Naboth’s vineyard that was right next to his palace for a vegetable garden. That just doesn’t make good gardening sense. But he wanted it so Jezebel said, he should have it. Since Naboth refused to sell the king his family’s inheritance, Jezebel conspired a way to have him killed and seize it.
God sent Elijah to Ahab on the day he was to get Naboth’s vineyard. He told him that because he killed Naboth and stole his property, the dogs would lick his blood the same place they licked Naboth’s. Jezebel would die in Naboth’s land to atone for his death. All of Ahab’s descendants would die also.
What Ahab did to Naboth was despicable but the worse thing Ahab did was to let himself be influenced by his wife, Jezebel to worship other gods.
Ahab dressed in sackcloth and mourned and repented. God sent Elijah back to him to tell him that because he repented, he would not live to see his kingdom taken from him but it would happen after his death.
In Acts, we see Barnabas and Saul traveling from town to town ministering the gospel until they came to Paphos. The governor there was very interested in hearing the word of God but the sorcerer did everything he could to keep him from meeting with them. Paul stopped and rebuked the sorcerer saying putting a curse of darkness over him. He was immediately struck with blindness which made the governor become a believer.
Reading both of our scriptures today, two things jump out at me. The first is the importance of the prophet to hear God’s voice and say it. The second is the importance of the provincial officer which was like the governor in the New Testament. I think of what is going on in our nation and see how important the governor is and how important it is to have godly people in these positions.
Lord, how great and powerful you are!

Thurs.’s Devo - God’s Ways are Higher

Read: 1 Kings 19:1-21; Act 12:1-23; Psalm 136:1-26; Provers 17:14-15
Elijah came back to Jerusalem expecting to see reform but that is not what happened. When Ahab told Jezebel everything that happened, she was not impressed - she was ticked! She sent a message to Elijah that he would be dead in a day. He fled to Beersheba, the same place that Hagar fled when she was kicked out of Abraham’s house by Sarah. She went and sat waiting to die. She didn’t die there and neither did Elijah though he prayed he would. He was tired and ready to leave. God did give him his request but he had to finish his destiny first. He was to eat the food and water that the angel gave him because he was going on a 40 day fast all the way to Mt. Sinai. Sinai was where the people had made a covenant with God to follow his laws and serve him.
When he got there God came and listened to his report. The people had broken his covenant, torn down his altars and killed his prophets. Now they were trying to kill him also.
God told him to go back and anoint Hazael as the king of Aram, Jehu to be the king of Israel and Elisha to replace him as God’s prophet. These three people would be the ones that would bring judgment to the people for breaking his covenant.
The first person that Elijah came to was Elisha who was plowing his father’s field with a team of oxen. Elijah threw his mantle on his back and walked off. Elisha wanted to say good-bye to his parents first. He used the wood from the plow and sacrificed his team of oxen on it. He gave the meat to the townspeople and went with Elijah as his assistant.
In Acts, King Herod Agrippa started persecuting the believers and had James killed and Peter put in prison. He had planned to bring him out after Passover and try him for treason. The night before his trial, God sent angels to release Peter from jail and set him free. He passed 16 soldiers who were in charge of him and was led out the gate of the city. He came back to tell Mary and the church that had been praying for him. Then he left the city.
The next day, when they came to get Peter, he was no where to be found so the guards were killed. Herod died soon after that when he allowed to the people to worship him as God. He was immediately struck with illness and died full of worms.
When the power of God falls, the fear of the Lord also falls and judgement comes. The power of God causes people to make a decision.
Lord, help us to see that our ways are not your ways but your ways are bigger and better. May your power fall on our land and cause people to make a decision.

Wed.’s Devo - Satan’s Kingdom Falls and God’s Kingdom Rises

Read: 1 Kings 18:1-46; Acts 11:1-30; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 17:12-13
The Kings are the history of Israel’s kings with Judah’s kings in the background but the Chronicles are the history of Judah’s kings with Israel’s kings in the background.
The drought had brought a famine and it had been going on for three years. Ahab and his officer, Obadiah had separated to look for grass for Ahab’s horses and mules. Obadiah, a godly man, ran into Elijah who was looking for Ahab. He told Obadiah to have Ahab, the people and all the 850 prophets of Baal and Ashtorah meet him on Mt. Carmel where God was going to give them rain.
When they got there, Elijah had Ahab give him two bulls, one for the Baal prophets and one for the Lord. He told them that they were both going to make a sacrifice to their god and the one who answered with fire would be the true God. The prophets of Baal would go first.
They prayed, danced, cut themselves and did all sorts of ritualistic acts from morning till afternoon with no results. Now it was Elijah’s turn and it was also the time of the evening sacrifice in the temple on earth and in heaven. Elijah prepared his sacrifice the had them pour water three times on the altar till it overflowed the altar. The thing they were in short supply was water. That was their sacrifice.
Then Elijah looked to heaven and prayed for God to answer with fire. As soon as he finished, fire came from heaven and consumed all the sacrifice, licked up the water and the people fell face down on the ground.
Elijah commanded that they capture all the false prophets and took them down to the Kishon Valley where Elijah had them killed. (There is quicksand there so that might have been how he killed them.)
He told Ahab to eat and drink because a rainstorm was on its way. Then Elijah went to the tope of the mountain and prayed it in. It came and God gave Elijah supernatural strength to out run Ahab’s chariot back to Jezebel.
In Acts, Paul returned to Jerusalem with his story of how God sent him to the Gentiles and they received the Lord and the Holy Spirit. They were amazed. Others started spreading the gospel to the Gentiles and they were receptive also. They began to see that the good news of Jesus was for everyone. Antioch was one of the towns that the gospel was spreading quickly so the believers in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to help. He sent for Paul and together they began the first church. They stayed there for a year teaching the people and discipling them. They started calling believers, “Christians.”
One of the prophets, Agabus had a word about a famine that was coming to the entire Roman world. Everyone gathered supplies to help the ones affected by it.
Lord, thank you for the spreading of the gospel. May we be bearers of your good news.

Tues.’s Devo - When the King is Unrighteous, the Whole Nation Suffers

Read: 1 Kings 15:25-17:24; Acts 10:34-48; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 17:9-11
The prophecy over Jeroboam’s family was completed during Nadab’s rule. Nadab was assassinated by Baasha who killed all of the royal family. He ruled for 24 years doing as much evil as the kings before him. God sent his prophet to rebuke him and pronounce judgment on him and his posterity. When he died, his son, Elah ruled for 2 years. His chariot commander, Zimri killed him when he was drunk and also killed his entire family.
Zimri’s reign lasted 7 days because the Philistines attacked and made Omri the king. Zimri ended up killing himself in the fire that destroyed Tirzah, Israel’s capital.
The kingdom of Israel was split between the supporters of Omri and the supporters of Tibni. Tibni was killed and Omri became the king. He ruled for 12 years and made Samaria the capital. Omri was an evil king who worshipped idols. He had a son who would be the worse king. His name was Ahab who married Jezebel. Jezebel brought the worship of Baal to Israel.
Because of the idolatry in Israel, God sent Elijah to tell Ahab that He was closing up the heavens and there would be no dew or rain until he said so. Then Elijah hid beside the Kerith Brook where the ravens fed him.
When the brook dried up, God sent him to the village of Zarephath near the city of Sidon because there was a widow who was to feed him. What a surprise when he found her and she only had enough flour for one day. Elijah told her to make him some bread out of it for him and some for her and her son. She did and her flour and oil multiplied every day.
After a while, her son got sick and was dying. She blamed Elijah for his fate so Elijah took it to the Lord. God raised up her son and she never doubted he was from God again.
In Acts, Peter and Cornelius met and exchanged stories. Peter realized that the gospel was for everyone and shared with Cornelius and his men the Good News. They believed and were filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues. Peter then baptized them in water and stayed with them for several days, teaching them the Word.
Lord, thank you for the wonderful days we are in. May we walk in power and wonder.

Mon.’s Devo - The Gospel for All

Read: 1Kings 14:1-15:24; Ats 10:1-23;Psalm133:1-3; Proverbs 17:7-8
Jeroboam and his wife had their first son who was very ill. He sent her to the prophet Ahijah but told her to disguise herself. God told Ahijah who was coming to see him and what to say to her, so he blew her disguise the minute she walked into the door. He, who was almost blind could see in the spirit better than in the natural.
Ahijah said that because Jeroboam had done more evil than all who had lived before him, God was going to bring his dynasty down and all of his male descendants would face disaster. Their son, was the only good thing that had come from Jeroboam and he would die when she entered her house.
She went home and her son died when she stepped through the door of her house. The prophet had also said that God would raise up a king over Israel who would destroy the family of Jeroboam and it would start that very day. (I wonder if that king was born that day.) The people of Israel would be punished for their idolatry.
Jeroboam ruled for twenty-two years and died. His son, Nadab became king.
Meanwhile in Judah, Rehoboam ruled for 17 years. The people of Judah were also worshipping idols. King Shishak of Egypt invaded Jerusalem and stole everything from the Temple treasury and the king’s palace.
There was constant war between Judah and Israel.
When Rehoboam died, his brother, Abijam became king. They had the same mother, Maacah who is mentioned three times. She had them set her up as the queen mother. She was a powerful influence of evil on her sons but her grandson, Asa did away with her power and had her deposed. Asa had a heart for the Lord and the kingdom flourished under his rule.
He took the gold that was left in his kingdom and made a treaty with Ben-hadad, the king of Aram. Ben-hadad broke his treaty with Israel to form one with Asa. Together they stopped the building of the fortification of Ramah. Ramah was the city and gateway from Israel to Judah. People could come to Jerusalem to worship the Lord through Ramah so it was a strategic city.
When Asa died, his son, Jehoshaphat became king.
In Acts, there was a man who was the captain of the Italian Regiment. He feared God and gave to the poor. An angel came to him one day and told him to have his servants go to Joppa and bring Peter to him.
The day the men were to find Peter, God gave Peter a vision. He saw the sky open and a large sheet let down with all sorts of animals, reptiles and birds. A voice told him to kill and eat them. These creatures were not on the Jewish kosher list and Peter protested to the Lord. God said, “Don’t call something unclean if God has made it clean.” He saw the same vision three times and as he was contemplating what it might mean, the men from Cornelius knocked on the door.
God told Peter that they were coming and that he was to welcome them as being from Him.
Cornelius and his men were the unclean animals on the sheet. God was trying to get rid of his prejudices so that he would minister the God News of Christ to these men.
Lord, help us to be accepting of all your created beings, knowing that only You know the ones you have chosen.

Sun.’s Devo - The Best is Yet to Come

Read:1 Kings 12:20-13:34; Acts 9:26-43; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 17:6
When the people of Israel found out that Jeroboam had returned from Egypt, they made him their king. Rehoboam was left with some of Benjamin and Judah. Jeroboam made Shechem his capital which was the land between the two mountains Ebal and Gerizim. It was the place that Joshua asked the people to choose who they were going to serve - the gods of the land, or the God of Israel. Jeroboam chose the gods of the land. He also built up the town of Peniel which means “turn to God”.
Jeroboam wanted to make sure the people didn’t go back to Jerusalem on the feasts days and decide to side with Rehoboam, so he made two golden calves and set them at opposite sides of the land - Dan and Bethel. He told them that these were the gods that brought them out of Egypt so they should worship there. These gods became idols that began Israel’s deep downfall. He also appointed priests to serve that were not Levites since most of them were in Judah. He set up a feast holiday on the eighth month on the fifteenth day to imitate the Feast of Tabernacles held in the seventh month on the fifteenth day. He was a perfect anti-christ who set up everything in his kingdom to mirror God’s kingdom.
God sent a prophet to the altar at Bethel right when Jeroboam was there offering incense during his fake feast. He prophesied that one day a boy named Josiah would sacrifice the false priests on that altar. As a sign, the altar would split apart and its ashes would be poured out on the ground.
Jeroboam raised his hand to order the prophet’s death but his arm froze in mid-air. The altar split and its ashes poured out on the ground. Instead of ordering his death, he begged him to pray for his arm. The prophet did and Jeroboam asked him to his palace to eat and for a reward. The prophet told him he could never eat with him or get a reward. He was to leave immediately and go home another way.
An old prophet of Bethel was told the events and went after the young prophet. He told him that God had told him to bring him home with him to eat and drink with him, though he was lying. The young prophet obeyed and went home with him but after eating, the older prophet prophesied his death. When the young prophet left, a lion came and killed him. The older prophet went and found his bones and buried them asking to be buried beside him when he died to honor him as a true prophet.
So, what was that all about? I think that the young prophet was a type of Jeroboam. Jeroboam had started out with a prophecy from the Lord that he would be king over 10 tribes. Along the way, he lost sight of God’s word and made poor decisions. It would cost him his life just like the young prophet lost his life when he didn’t do exactly what God had told him to do.
It is a remarkable lesson in obedience.
In Acts, Paul became a true picture of the power of God to save a person. His change was a powerful as the things he did. He became such a threat to the way of religion that they had to send him to Tarsus, his hometown.
Paul was a testimony, but Peter’s miracles were his testimony. He raised a paralytic from his bed and the whole population of Lydda and Sharon turned to the Lord when they saw it.
In Joppa, one of the Greek female merchants died. Her name was Dorcas. The whole town was mourning her death so Peter went up to where she was laid out for burial and raised her from the dead. News traveled throughout the town and many came to believe in Jesus.
Lord, thank you for these wonderful testimonies of your power. We are looking forward to doing these things and greater.

Sat.’s Devo - The Rising and Falling of Kingdoms

Read: 1 Kings 11:1-12:19; Acts 9:1-25; Psalm131:1-3; Prov. 17:4-5 Solomon’s sins are described in his three adversaries. His first adversary was Hadad from an incestrous family line. Hadad means “I will love.” That was Solomon’s downfall. He determined to love the women that God told him not to love. They were from other lands and served other gods. They seduced Solomon into worshipping their gods and building temples to them. Solomon’s second adversary was Rezon which means “to wax lean”. He was from Eliada meaning “God is knower”. God knew Solomon’s sins and caused his kingdom to get weaker and weaker. Solomon’s third adversary was someone in his own kingdom who was one of his officials. His name was Jeroboam which means “let the people contend”. He was from Zeredah which means “the adversary rules”. Solomon’s son, Rehoboam would be the next king, but because of Solomon’s rebellion, he would only rule Judah. God raised up Jeroboam to contend for the people; he would be the adversary that ruled the rest of the kingdom. In Acts, Saul was on a mission to free the world of Christians. He went to the high priest and requested letters for the synagogues in Damascus which would ask for their cooperation in arresting Jesus’ followers. He would then bring them back to Jerusalem chains. He was granted his request. On his way to Damascus to carry out this plot, he was arrested instead by a bright light from heaven. He heard the voice of God saying, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” When Saul asked who he was, he responded that he was Jesus, the one he was persecuting. Then, Jesus told him to get up and go into the city where he would be told what to do. He realized that he was blind and had to be led by the hand to Damascus where he remained blind for 3 days. God spoke to Ananias, a believer and told him to go to Straight Street to the house of Judas and ask for Saul of Tarsus. Ananian had heard of Saul and thought surely God had made a mistake. But God told him to go because Saul was his chosen instrument to take his message to the Gentiles. Ananias went and when he told Saul that he came to pray for his sight and for him to receive the Holy Spirit, his blindness fell off like scales. He could see and was filled with the Holy Spirit. He went immediately to the people and started preaching that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. Jews who did not believe plotted to kill Saul but his fellow believers found out and lowered Saul in a large basket through an opening in the wall. Talk about a transformation and a new birth - Saul got that. Lord, help us to remember the transformation of Saul when we think of people who are so far from the kingdom. Help us to have faith to believe that you can make anyone brand new.

Fri.’s. Devo - The Wealth of the Kingdom

Read: 1 Kings 9:1-10:29; Acts 8:14-40; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 17:2-3

The wealth of Solomon and his kingdom is beyond my imagination.  Just the number of the gold mentioned was over 26 tons and more came every year.  Solomon’s kingdom was a picture of the last millennium when Jesus will be the king.  All the people prospered and everyone could afford the best.  

The queen of Sheba came to see what she had heard just to make sure it was true.  She found it to be greater than she had heard.  The opulence of his kingdom was not as impressive as his wisdom to rule in such wealth.  The wisdom of God is above gold and rubies.  She came bearing gifts but left with all she could want.  Many scholars believe that she also left carrying Solomon’s child.

Everything about Solomon’s kingdom shone with the glory and abundance of God.

In Acts, the Ethiopian that Philip met might have been an offspring of Solomon and the queen of Sheba.  The Holy Spirit was falling on people like gold in Solomon’s days.  The eunuch from Ethiopia was traveling down the road that led from Jerusalem to Gaza.  He was reading the Torah.  Where did he get a copy of the Torah?  Was that one of the gifts given the queen of Sheba many generations back?  The Queen of Sheba was given anything she asked for and she knew that Solomon’s wisdom came from that book.  

Anyway, he was reading from the book of Isaiah which has more prophecy about Jesus than any other book in the Old Testament.  Phillip was able to take him through that book and show him Jesus.  He wanted to receive him right away and be baptized.  As soon as Phillip brought the Ethiopian out of the water, Phillip was translated to the town of Azotus, his next assignment.  He preached the Good News to them and every town on his way to Caesarea.  

We are going to start living the book of Acts!  Isn’t this exciting!

Lord, help us to desire your wisdom above your gifts.  May we flow in your gifts in wisdom.  

Thurs.’s Devo - The Dedication of the Temple

Read: 1 Kings 8:1-66; Acts 7:51-8:13; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 17:1

Once the Temple was finished the only thing missing was the presence of the Lord.  The Ark was brought up from Zion, the city of David and placed in the Holy of Holies.  When the priests left the room a thick cloud of God’s glory so filled the whole Temple that the priests could no longer continue their service.  (God interrupts everything when he comes into the room.)  

Solomon turned to the people and pronounced a blessing over them.  Then he stood before the ark of the Lord and lifted his hands to heaven and prayed aloud.  He praised the Lord of heaven and earth for his faithfulness to them and asked for his blessing.  

He prayed for several groups of people: anyone who does wrong to another person, if Israel is defeated by their enemies, if there is no rain because of their sin, if there is a famine or plague due to their sins, if foreigners come and choose their God, and if any one sins against God.  Any of these people may  come here to pray, repent and find mercy, forgiveness and help.  Solomon thanked God for the rest He had given them and covenanted with God to obey him in all that they did.

Then Solomon offered 142,000 sacrifices and dedicated the Temple of the Lord with all the people.  They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles for 14 days instead of the normal 7.  Then the people went home joyful and blessed.

In Acts, things were joyful but not in the same way.  Stephen finished his speech condemning them for resisting the Holy Spirit and deliberately disobeying God’s law.  The Sanhedrin was furious and enraged.  They rushed at Stephen to kill him but not before Stephen could tell them he saw heaven open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  He also forgave them for what they were doing.  

Saul was there condoning what was happening and overseeing Stephen’s death.  His wrath moved him to begin a fury of persecutions to other followers of Jesus, scattering the believers.   

Wed.’s Devo - The Temple

Read: 1 Kings 7:1-51; Acts 7:30-50; Psalm 128:1-6; Proverbs 16:31-33
The Temple was constructed to be a replica of the Garden of Eden and heaven so you see the pomegranates, flowers, angels, wood and things you would see in a garden. Solomon had several buildings built and one of them was the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. Another was the Hall of Pillars which probably represented the pillars of the faith. His throne room was called the Hall of Justice where he handled legal matters. God’s throne is where he sits to do the same. We are told to come boldly before his throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace at a time that we need it (Hebrews 4:16).
The Sea was a huge bowl of water where the priest would wash themselves before and after sacrificing. Huge water carts were stationed at the entrances for the people to wash. It was a type of baptism, just as walking through the Red Sea was a type of baptism (Hebrews 11:29). There is a sea of glass before the Throne of God in heaven: “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne…” Revelation 4:6.
In Acts, Stephen was still giving his defense to the Sanhedrin. In his recounting of their history, you will see that every deliverer that God sent them was rejected by them at first. Moses, the one who was to deliver them from oppression and bondage was rejected by his people. But God used him anyway. Joshua led them into their promised land and David became their first king. But it was Solomon who built the Temple even though God doesn’t dwell in buildings. God is all-consuming and his throne is in Heaven and earth is his footstool.
The Sanhedrin was quiet until tomorrow’s reading.
Lord, thank you that your Word is the truth and our standing in this world is fickle and unsure, but our standing with you is solid, built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

Tues.’s Devo - Building the Kingdom

Read: 1 Kings 5:1-6:38; Acts 7:1-29; Psalm 127:1-5; Proverbs 16:28-30
Solomon sent a message to King Hiram of Tyre asking him for timber to build the Temple of God. In exchange, Solomon would provide him wheat and oil for his people. This was a great alliance of peace and provision for all.
David began his great building project in the season of Pentecost. He finished it after the Feast of Tabernacles taking seven and a half years to build.
Everything in the Temple represented what we would see in the Temple in heaven. Angels were at every opening or door and everything was overlaid with gold to show the glory of God.
In Acts, the high priest asked Stephen if the accusations about him were true. Stephen gave them the story of their nation, starting with Abraham. God sent Abraham to walk out the Promised Land but gave him no land. God told him that his descendants would return to this land after 400 years, even though, at the time, he had no son.
God have Abraham the covenant of circumcision and when he had Isaac, he circumcised him. Isaac had Jacob who had 12 sons who became the patriarchs. Ten of them became jealous of their brother Joseph and sold him into slavery. He ended up in Egypt where he gained favor and position. He was in position to save his family from starvation when the famine hit. They prospered for a while until a new Pharaoh came to power in Egypt. He oppressed God’s people till it was time for them to be delivered. God raised up Moses to deliver them. Moses thought they would recognize his mission to help them but they didn’t. They rejected Moses who fled to Midian where he had two sons.
Lord, thank you that your Word is always our defense. May we build your Kingdom upon your Word.

Mon.’s Devo - God’s Government on Earth

Read: 1 Kings 3:3-4:34; Acts 6:1-15: Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27
Solomon loved the Lord, but like David he worshipped at the local places. The most popular one was at Gibeon. As he was offering sacrifices, God came in a dream and asked him what he wanted. He told God that he wanted discernment and wisdom to lead the people. God was very pleased with is answer and told him that he would give him a wise and understanding heart. He would also give him what he didn’t ask for - riches and fame.
Solomon returned home and worshipped the Lord before the ark of His Presence. He had a feast and invited all his officials to join.
Not long after this, his gift from the Lord manifested so that all could see. A woman brought a baby she claimed was hers. Another woman also claimed the baby was hers. Solomon ordered the baby cut in half so both could have a half of the baby. The real mother gave up rights to the baby to save its life. Solomon gave the baby to her as she had proved she was the mother. Everyone recognized the wisdom that Solomon possessed.
Solomon set his government in place and appointed officers and 12 district governors. They were in charge of providing food for the kings’ household. The people in his kingdom were prosperous and content. They lived in peace and safety.
Solomon’s wisdom spread and many came to hear his thoughts on many things.
In Acts, there was discontent. The Greeks claimed that their widows were not being taken care of like the Jewish widows were. The 12 Apostles met and decided that food distribution was not their calling - preaching and teaching was what they were called to do. So they appointed seven spirit-filled men to head this ministry. Stephen was one of the ones appointed. He also taught and moved in signs and wonders. He became such a threat, that the Jews from other places engaged Stephen in a religious debate. They had false accusers say that Stephen had blasphemed Moses and even God. Stephen was arrested and brought before the High Council. As they were spitting out their lies, Stephen’s face lit up and became bright as an angel - full of the glory of God.
Lord, as we seek your face, we know that your government will come to earth. May we find our perfect place to serve.

Sun.’s Devo - God’s Final Say

Read: 1 Kings 2:1-3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25
David knew he was close to leaving the earth so he called in his son Solomon to give him instructions. He told him to be of courage and be a man. If he followed the Lord and the Law of Moses, he would succeed in all he did and wherever he went. If he remained faithful to the Lord, God would remain faithful to him.
Then David went through a list of people he needed to attend to. Joab was the first. He had killed his other two army commanders Amasa and Abner saying it was an act of war when it was really a time of peace so he needed to die.
He was to show kindness to Barzillai and make him a permanent guest at his table.
Shimei was to die a bloody death for cursing David and his men when they were fleeing Absalom.
Those were David’s last requests and he died.
In Acts, Ananias and his wife, Sappira sold some property. Instead of just giving what they wanted to give which would have been fine, they lied about the amount they sold it for and said they had given the whole amount. They were lying to the Holy Spirit so they fell dead. The fear of God fell on the people when they heard their story.
The apostles were moving in such signs and wonders that sick people were laid out on their mats out in the street so that the shadow of Peter might fall on them and they be healed. People were coming from miles around to be healed and delivered from demons.
The high priest and his officials were filled with jealousy because they were losing favor. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail but an angle came and opened the gates of the jail and set them free. Then he told them to go the Temple and continue to tell the good news. When the high priest sent a messenger to bring them to trial, they found the guards but no prisoners. Then they heard that they were teaching in the Temple. They went to the Temple and got them. When they were questioned as to why they kept teaching in the name of Jesus and blamed them for killing him, Peter and the apostles told them that they had to obey God rather than man. The high priest wanted to kill them but one of the Pharisees named Gamaliel convinced him not to kill them. If they were from God they did not want to be guilty of fighting God but if they weren’t, their doctrine would eventually fade out.
The apostles left praising God for allowing them to be persecuted for him.
Lord, help us to remember that you always have the final say. Everything we do will be judged and only what we have done in your name with the right motives will stand.

Sat.’s Devo - The Beginning of the Apostolic Era

Read: 1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24
In David’s old age his body could not produce enough heat on its own so they brought in a virgin to lay beside him at night and keep him warm. Her name was Abishag from Shunem and she became his care-taker.
Meanwhile, Adonijah was forming a coup to become the next king. Adonijah was David’s fourth son after Absalom. The first three were dead so it stood to reason he would be the next king, except that David had promised Bathsheba that her son, Solomon would succeed him.
Adonijah decided to make himself king, so he had a huge celebration and invited Joab and everyone except Solomon and his supporters. They went to the Stone of Zoheleth which means “Stone of a Serpent” and had a political rally.
Nathan the prophet found out what was happening, he went to Bathsheba and told her that if she wanted to see Solomon come to the kingdom she needed to tell David what was going on. Nathan confirmed what she said. David called in Zadok the priest and sent him with Nathan, Jehoiada and Solomon to Gihon Springs. Solomon was to ride on the king’s own mule and they were to blow the ram’s horn and proclaim him the king.
This was near the place where Adonijah was having his party and when they heard the horn and found out what it meant, they panicked and scattered. Adonijah ran to the horns of the altar and prayed for mercy. Solomon went and told him to go home.
In Acts, the Sadducees were upset that Peter was teaching the people that there was a resurrection from the dead since that was their pet doctrine. They didn’t believe in the resurrection and the Pharisees did. By now, over 5,000 people had come to salvation. Peter had just prayed for a cripple man to rise from his bed which was a picture of resurrection power.
Peter was being questioned for doing a good deed to a crippled man but he made it clear that they were not asking the right question. The right question would be: how did you heal him. Peter answered it. He healed the man by the power of the Holy Spirit. The council had nothing to charge Peter with but they didn’t want him spreading his propaganda which they knew was associated with Jesus. They threatened them and set them free.
Peter went back to the disciples and told them what happened, they remembered what David had said that the kings of the earth prepared battle against the Lord and against the Messiah. From that day on, the disciples walked in miracles, signs and wonders and the place where they met shook as they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and preached with boldness.
The people became so unified that they considered everything they had to belong to the Body of Christ and gave to those who needed.
Lord, we look expectantly for that day when we will all be filled with your Holy Spirit and operate like the Body of Christ.

Fri.’s Devo - David’s Mighty Men; God's Army 6-5-20

Read: 2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23
If we were to look up the meaning of the names of God’s mighty men we would get a picture of what his army looks like.
1. God has made; God-fathered
2. God is gracious; loving; from the house of bread.
3. desolation, trembling
4. God of rejection, trembling
5. striped as for battle; my escape
6. wakefulness; perverse; a trumpet blast
7. father of help; answers
8. built up; haste
9. shady; rest
10. hasty; dropping
11. fatness; in affliction; dropping
12. with me; contentious; from the mountain of the son of the right hand
13. God has built; nakedness
14. my echoes; from the brooks of quaking
15. father of strength of four
16. strong one of death; in the pitied
17. God will hide; he guarded the hearts; of those asleep - Jehovah-given
18. a hearkener; a mountaineer
19. brother of the mother; hostile; a mountaineer
20. God of deliverance; I will take revenge in my arms; pressure
21. God of the people; of the brother of folly; striped as a captive
22. enclosure; fruitful field
23. yawning; the Arab people
24. avenger; given of a station
25. built; of the descendants of troop or a fortune
26. to split; the faithful
27. snorer; the wells - the armor-bearer of God the Father; wounded
28. wakefulness; abundance
29. scrabby; abundance
30. flame of God; terror
God moved David to number the people because He was angry with Israel. To number means to call to accountability. When they were numbered, they were suppose to give a ransom for themselves of a half shekel to the temple (Exodus 30:13) but David didn’t require this of them causing many of them to die in the plague. The plague stopped on the threshing floor of Araunah which means “cause to shout for joy and make to shine.”
David bought this piece of land for the cost of one hundred people if every person was to pay a half of a shekel to be counted. Here would be where he would build the temple.
I looked up the value of a half shekel today and it is worth 14 cents in US money. Not much now but I think back then it was worth much more.
In Acts, Peter and John were at the very place that David had bought for 50 shekels and had no money. With their words of faith they raised a lame beggar to walk which was worth so much more than money. He went leaping and praising into the Temple. That was his first time to be able to go into the Temple in his life.
When a crowd formed to see this great miracle, Peter saw it as a great opportunity to preach the gospel. He explained that all the prophets from Samuel to John the Baptist had prophesied a greater Prophet would come. He had come in the person of Jesus Christ and now they could all have the salvation that he came to give them if they would repent and turn from their sins.
Lord, may we be one of your mighty men who take our place in your army. May we speak to the lame and see them rise and walk in newness of life.

Thurs.’s Devo - Great Boldness

Read: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20
I love chapter 22 of Samuel. It is word for word repeated in Psalm 18. It is titled: the song that David sang when God delivered him from all of his enemies and Saul. It was a Messianic Psalm and could read: the song that Jesus sang when God delivered him from all his enemies and Satan. I believe that this is what was happening in the spiritual realm while Jesus was hanging on the cross (Matthew 27:50-54). God came down wrapped in darkness with quaking and thunder and rescued him and supported him. Jesus defeated death, his life was judged and he was found innocent and worthy of victory.
Next we have a list of David’s mightiest men. Let’s look at what their names mean. The first one means “the people of the Word, the wise ones, will return”. He killed 800 men in one battle with his spear. Those who understand the mystery will come back to earth to live in the 8th day.
The second one means “God helps those he loves and is a brother to the rest.” This guy and David stayed and fought the Philistines when the whole army had run. They got a great victory and ‘the rest’ came back for the plunder.
The third warrior’s name means “I will increase the desolation of the curser.”
Then there was the thirty who were lead by Abishai. The names associated with him mean the godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He killed 300 enemy warriors in a single battle which his spear (the Word of God).
The last one mentioned speaks of a people whose foundation is built on the knowledge of God. They will slay giants and chase Satan down to his own house and kill him. They will take the enemies weapons and use the enemies weapons and use them on them. That reminds me of Haman who died on the gallows he had built for Mordecai.
We are living in such a day as this and we can choose to be one of God’s mighty men of faith.
In Acts we have the day of Pentecost when the promised gift, the Holy Spirit fell upon Jesus’ disciples in power and demonstration. Peter stood up with boldness and preached a sermon to the multitude that had come to Jerusalem for the feast. He spoke in Hebrew and they heard it in their language and 3,000 believed. We are walking into a decade of Pentecost where we are going to do the things the apostles did and greater.
Lord, may we rise up and take our rightful place as a mighty warrior in your army. Help us to be bold as lions and not afraid of losing our lives for the gospel.

Wed.’s Devo - Fighting Our Battles

Read: 2 Samuel 20:14-21:22; Acts 1!-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18
Sheba, the Bicri who was trying to usurp the kingdom from David, finally ended up in a town of his own clan. Joab surrounded the walls and his men began constructing battering rams to attack the city. A wise woman yelled out to Joab and asked him why he would attack his own people. Joab told her he didn’t want to attack the city, he just wanted Sheba. She told him to wait and she would have his head tossed over the wall. She told her people and they beheaded Sheba, threw his head over the wall, and Joab went home.
Israel went through a famine for three years and David asked God what they had done to bring this curse. God told him it was what Saul had done when he tried to kill all the Gibeonites. Joshua had made a covenant with the Gibeonites when they first came into Canaan and Saul unknowing of the covenant, tried to kill them all. Israel was now being judged for it.
David went to the source, the Gibeonites and asked them what he could do to atone for them. They asked for seven sons of Saul to execute before the Lord at Gibeon. But, it wasn’t until their bones and the bones of Saul and Jonathan were buried in their family tomb that God ended the famine.
There are issues that God will bring up from time to time that we will need to deal with and bury those bones before we can get free from the lack we are experiencing. We have to do what David did and get to the source then ask God what to do about it and obey.
David met with a giant he couldn’t kill and his commander, Abishai had to come to his rescue. That was when David’s officers realized that David needed to stay home and let them fight his battles. His warriors killed four of the giants of Gath; four of Goliath’s descendents.
We all have giants of our pasts but we have the army of God who is able to take them down.
In Acts, Luke wrote to Theopolis everything that Jesus taught them during the days after his death. Jesus taught then about the Kingdom of God. On one of these encounters, Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem until they had received this gift he was sending. It was the gift of the Holy Spirit. It would be a baptism of power and boldness so that they could be witnesses to the world of the salvation Jesus had brought them. Jesus stayed with them for 40 days, then went back to heaven as they watched. They had 10 days till Pentecost where they stayed in an upstairs room in Jerusalem. There were 120 of them and Peter stood up and reminded them that what Judas had done had been prophesied by David. David had also told them to let someone else take his place. They chose two men who had followed Jesus from the beginning. They chose lots and chose Matthias. His name means “a gift of God”. That was the last time they did anything by lot. The Holy Spirit would now guide them in all of their decisions.
Lord, help us to have ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. Help us to bury some bones we need to bury and prepare our hearts to receive what you have for us.

Tues.’s Devo - David is Restored to his Kingdom

Read: 2 Samuel 19:11-20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17
Today’s reading reads like 2020 elections. David is reinstated and he has to prompt his own party to welcome him back. Once he tells Amasa that he will be his new commander of his army, Amasa gets on board and welcomes him. Those that had been loyal to him and those who hadn’t are now wanting his attention and giving him their support.
The very one that had cursed him, Shimei, had to repent and beg his forgiveness. David’s general, Abishai wanted to kill him but David spared his life. This was a time of celebration, not revenge.
The truth came out about Mephibosheth and how Ziba lied about him. David divided Mephibosheth’s land between him and Ziba. Ziba and his sons had been great supporters of David and there was enough land for both of them.
Barzillai of Rogelim had met David when he was leaving and supplied him and his army with supplies. He also met him on his return. David wanted to him to come live with him in Jerusalem so he could care for him as a reward. Barzillai was old, so he sent his son instead. David promised to give him anything he wanted.
Then the trouble started. The men of Israel complained that David was their king too, so why were they not invited to help bring the king home. It didn’t take long to expose their hearts. One among them rose up and cursed David and told everyone to follow him. His name was Sheba.
David knew that Sheba would cause more trouble than Absalom so he sent his army after him. He told Amasa he had three days to mobilize and army. When he hadn’t returned in three days, David sent his other two generals, Abisai and Joab. Amasa met up with them at the great stone in Gibeon where Joab stabbed Amasa.
According to the commentators, David wanted and promised Amasa to be his commander of his army in place of Joab who was becoming to big in his own eyes. Joab saw this and killed Amasa to make sure he wouldn’t take his place. Once Amasa’s troops saw their commander was dead, they had no choice but to follow Joab.
In John, Jesus reinstates Peter. Peter had gone back to what he knew, which was fishing. When Peter met Jesus the first time, he had been fishing all night and not caught anything. Jesus had told him in the morning to cast his net on the other side wand when he did, he had caught so many fish, the nets broke. This time the same thing happened but none of the fish got away. This was the last time Peter would fish for fish.
Lord, may we have eyes to see that this world is so temporary, we need to fish for men and use our gifts to further your kingdom.

Mon.’s Devo - Death, then Life!

Read: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 16:14-15
David met with his army and appointed generals to fight Absalom. He divided his army in three groups lead by Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. He told them, in the hearing of all his troops, not to kill Absalom. They begged David not to fight since if he died, their efforts would be in vain. He agreed and stayed home.
They fought in the forests where the forest killed more men than the sword. David’s troops won the first day and 20,000 men died. During the battle, Absalom met some of David’s troops so he ran for cover but his hair was caught in the thickets. His donkey ran out from under him but he hung in the tree by his hair. What a sight! His vanity had become his downfall. One of David’s men ran to tell Joab and Joab came and killed him. and let his men finish the job.
When David found out that Absalom was dead, he was sick with mourning, stealing the victory from his men and leaving them in shame. Joab went in to David and talked some sense into him telling him that if he didn’t go out and thank his men for laying down their lives for him, they would all leave him.
David did go out and sit at the gate and all came to hear his words.
Those that had fought for Absalom fled to their homes. They met also and discussed whether to bring David back to be their king again.
In John, the followers of Jesus were having a similar conversation. What would they do now that their king had died and all hope had been lost? Mary went to the tomb as soon as she could after the Sabbath to find that his stone had been rolled away. She ran and told Peter and John. They found the tomb open and saw the linen wrappings that had been around Jesus just lying there. John understood that Jesus had risen just like he said he would.
Mary was outside and as she looked in to the tomb, she saw two angels sitting where they had laid Jesus’ body. The angels asked Mary why she was weeping. She told them it was because someone had taken Jesus’ body. When she turned to leave, Jesus appeared among the flowers. Mary thought he was the gardener at first. She asked him about Jesus’ body and when he called her name she knew he was Jesus. She ran to hug him but he told her that he hadn’t ascended to his Father yet. She was to go and tell the disciples what she had seen.
That night as they were all together in hiding, Jesus appeared among them. He showed them his hands and his side and they were filled with joy. He breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Spirit. He also told them that if they forgave anyones sins, they would be forgiven but if they didn’t forgive them, they wouldn’t be forgiven.
Thomas wasn’t with them, which makes me wonder why. When they told him they had seen Jesus, he told them that he would have to see him for himself before he would believe. He got his opportunity eight days later when Jesus appeared among them again and called Thomas out. Thomas then believed.
It is so easy to be discouraged when our expectations are not met. Our ways and thoughts are not the Lord’s many times, but we can be sure of this - His plan is so much higher and so much better. God always brings life out of death. We have to be born again - raised from the dead to walk in a new life.
Lord, put your thoughts in our heads and hearts and let us wait patiently for your manifestation on the earth.