Sun.’s Devo - God Fulfills His Word

Read: 2 Kings 1:1-2:25; Acts 13:42-14:7; Psalm 139:1-24; Proverbs 17:19-21 Ahab died, and God’s word came true concerning Israel’s downfall. Moab rebelled against Israel and Ahaziah, Ahab’s son fell through the lattice in his bedroom and became ill. He sent messengers to Ekron to ask them to pray to their god Baal-zebub to see if he would recover. They had not made it out of town when Elijah met them. He asked them if Israel had no god that they would have to go to Ekron and ask their god. Then he told them that the Lord said that Ahaziah would die and not recover. *** When Ahaziah’s messengers returned so soon he asked them what happened. They told him and he wanted them to describe the man who told them he would die. When they did, he knew it was Elijah. 
 *** Ahaziah sent an officer with 50 men to go get Elijah and bring him before him. Elijah called down fire and it consumed them. Ahaziah sent another officer with 50 men and the same thing happened. When he sent the third officer with his 50 men, this officer had enough sense to fall down and beg for mercy from Elijah. Then Elijah knew he could go with this man. *** He went to Ahaziah and told him the same thing he had told his messengers. He would die, and he did. Ahaziah had no son, so his brother Jehoram became king. *** It was time for Elijah to be taken from the earth and Elijah and Elisha both knew it. Elijah went first to Bethel, then Jericho then to the Jordan. He struck the Jordan with his cloak and the water parted and he went across. He kept trying to lose Elisha, but Elisha refused to leave him. Finally, Elijah asked him what he wanted. Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit. Elijah told him that if he saw him leave, he would get what he asked. As they were talking, chariots of fire and horses of fire came between them. Elijah went up in a whirlwind to heaven and Elisha saw Elijah go up. *** Elisha tore his cloak in half and put on the cloak that Elijah and left and went back to the Jordan. He did exactly what Elijah had done and the water parted and he walked back into Israel. He retraced Elijah’s path going to Jericho, then Bethel. From there he went to Mount Carmel and then to Samaria. All of these places were strategic places where God had done great things for the people of Israel. While Elisha was at Jericho, he healed the waters that were causing miscarriages. At Bethel, he cursed boys who dishonored him and they were killed by bears. *** In Acts, everywhere Paul and Barnabas went the people were hungry and begged to be taught about Jesus. On the next Sabbath, the synagogue was full of people. The Jews who saw the crowds were jealous and began to contradict what Paul was teaching. Paul told them that because they didn’t want the truth, they would take the truth to the Gentiles, just like the prophets foretold. God’s salvation would be given to the world. *** The Gentiles rejoiced when they heard this and many of them were saved. But the Jews got a bunch of elite people of the city on their side and they began to persecute Paul and Barnabas. They drove them out of town, but Paul and Barnabas shook off the dust from their feet and went to Iconium. The disciples were full of joy and the Holy Spirit. *** In Iconium they spoke at the Jewish synagogue and many came to believe, both Jews and Gentiles. They stayed there for an extended amount of time with great freedom to proclaim Christ. Signs and wonders followed their teaching. The city was divided between those who sided with the Jews and those who sided with the apostles. Paul and Barnabas got news that they wanted to stone them so they fled to Lystra and Derby and continued to preach. *** Lord, may we have that much conviction that we would be willing to suffer harm, persecution, loss of reputation and life for the sake of the truth. Thank you that we have the truth within us and no one can take that from us. May we both live and die for you.

Sat.’s Devo - Ahab’s End -

Read: 1 Kings 22:1-53; Acts 13:16-41; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 17:17-18 In verse 41 we learn that Jehoshaphat became the ruler of Judah in Ahab’s fourth year of his reign over Israel. Jehoshaphat made peace with Ahab, where his father Asa had been in constant wars with Israel. Jehoshaphat reigned for 25 years and walked with the Lord. He had the male prostitutes who served Baal exterminated from the land. *** Israel had experienced peace with Syria for three years. In Jehoshaphat’s third year of reigning over Judah he went to visit Ahab in Israel. Ahab asked Jehoshaphat if he would join him in getting Ramoth-gilead back from Syria. Jehoshaphat agreed to help him. When it came time to go to fight, Jehoshaphat asked if they could find a prophet of the Lord and ask him if they would have success. *** Ahab brought all of his false prophets out who all agreed that they would win. Jehoshaphat asked if their was a true prophet of the Lord they could ask. Ahab knew one named Micaiah but he said Micaiah didn’t like him and always prophesied evil against him. Jehoshaphat still wanted to ask him, so Ahab had him brought to them. *** Micaiah was prepped to agree with Ahab’s prophets who prophesied success. He said he would only say what the Lord says. But, he sarcastically told Ahab to go and he would triumph. Ahab knew he was lying and told him to give him the truth. Micaiah told him he saw the Lord on his throne asking his host who could entice Ahab to go to battle so that he might die. One of the host said he would go and be a lie in the mouth of his prophets. The Lord told him that that would work and sent him. *** Zedekiah, one of the false prophets struck Micaiah on the cheek and asked him if the Spirit of the Lord left him and went into Micaiah. Micaiah answered and told him that he would find out when he has to flee into an inner chamber. *** Ahab had Micaiah seized and taken back to the city and put in prison till he returned. Micaiah said if Ahab returns then what he said was not from the Lord. *** So Ahab and Jehoshaphat went to battle against Syria in Ramoth-gilead. Ahab told Jehoshaphat to go out in his royal robe and he would disguise himself as a regular soldier. Jehoshaphat fell for Ahab’s “set up.” But, the commander of the Syrian army had told his officers to only contend with the king of Israel. They thought Jehoshaphat was him until Jehoshaphat cried out. Then they knew he was not Ahab. *** One of the Syrian soldiers sent a random arrow into the midst of the battle and it hit Ahab right in the narrow space in his armor between the armor and the breastplate. He sat on the battlefield propped up in his chariot where he died watching the battle. They washed the blood from his chariot at the same place he had had Naboth stoned. The dogs came and licked his blood just like the prophet had prophesied. Ahaziah, Ahab’s son reigned in his place. He only reigned for two years because he was so evil. He served Baal just like his father had done. *** When Jehoshaphat died, Jehoram his son reigned over Judah. *** In Acts, Paul and his companions were in Antioch and had gone to the synagogue to hear the reading of the Law on the Sabbath. The rulers of the synagogues asked them to come and give the people a word of encouragement. Paul stood up and told them about God’s plan starting with God’s promise to give them the land of Israel. Then Moses led them out of Egypt into the land. They were led by judges and prophets. Then, they asked for a king and God gave them Saul for 40 years. Then he removed him and gave them David who was a man after his heart and did his will. Of David’s offspring, he gave Israel a Savior who was Jesus. John had prophesied his coming. *** The people of Jerusalem did not recognize him or understand the prophecies concerning him which they read every Sabbath. They condemned him just like the prophets said they would. Though they found no fault in him, they had him crucified and put in a tomb. He rose on the third day and appeared to those who had come from Galilee to Jerusalem and Paul and his companions were now his witnesses. Jesus was the first, not to die, but to have eternal life. Now he is offering forgiveness of sins to everyone and freedom from the law of Moses. Everything they were going through had been foretold by the prophets. *** We are going through a similar transition from the Church Age to the Kingdom Age. It has all be prophesied by the prophets and is written all through the Bible. We will see God’s changing of the guard and will see God’s people exalted to rule the mountains of society in the world. We will see a great revival of souls and the taking away of the evil followers of Satan. We will do the works of Christ and prosper on the earth. *** Lord, may we not grow weary in doing good, but endure till the end. Those that wait upon You will receive strength to rise up like eagles and fly. Thank you for your great promises.

Fri.’s Devo - God’s Victories

Read: 1 Kings 20:1-21:29; Acts 12:24-13:15; Psalm 137:1-9; Proverbs 17:16 King Ben-hadad from Syria came with 32 other kings to threaten Ahab, king of Israel. They asked for the king’s silver and gold and his best wives and children. (I wonder if he would have taken Jezebel.) *** King Ahab agreed to his terms. Then Ben-hadad’s messengers added that they would go through his personal house and the house of his servants and take whatever they wanted. The servant of Ahab would not agree to this. They didn’t want their stuff taken. So Ahab told the messengers he would agree to the first thing, but not this. *** Ben-hadad boasted that he was coming and nothing would be left of Samaria when he was finished. Ahab answered that he shouldn’t boast so hastily. Then Ahab commanded his men to take their positions to defend the city. *** A prophet came to king Ahab and told him God would give the great mulitude of Ben-hadad’s army over to him so he would know he was the Lord. Ahab asked him who he should send into battle and he told him to send the governors of the districts and he should lead the charge. Ahab obeyed and got the 232 governors to come with him and his army. *** They attacked at noon while Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in his tent. When Ben-hadad was told Israel was coming, he told his men to take them alive. Israel didn’t come to take prisoners, they were fighting for their lives so they began striking down the Syrians till they fled. Ben-hadad also fled. *** The prophet came back to Ahab and told him to get ready because in the spring, the Syrians would return. *** The servants of Ben-hadad told him that Israel’s god was only over the hills, so they needed to fight them in the plains. So, that was the plan. *** In the spring, Ben-hadad returned and Israel was ready for them. Israel looked like two little flocks of goats compared to the Syrian army that covered the land. *** A man of God came and told the king of Israel, because the Syrians have said that God can only fight in the hills, He was going to give them the victory. *** Israel camped opposite the Syrian army for 7 days and on the seventh day, they began fighting. The people of Israel struck down 100,000 Syrians in one day. The rest fled to Aphek where the wall there fell down and killed 27,000 of them. *** Ben-hadad fled and went into the inner chamber of the city. He told his men that he had heard the kings of Israel believed in mercy so they should humble themselves and ask for their lives. When Ahab said that he was his brother, they knew this was the sign that meant they would be saved. Sure enough, Ben-hadad promised to give back the cities that his father had taken from Israel and to let them sell their merchandise in Samaria. They made a covenant and Ahab let Ben-hadad go. *** The prophet came wounded to Ben-hadad and told him that he had been put in charge of guarding a Syrian solder with his life. He got busy and the man escaped. When Ahab heard this, he told him that he would have to die. The prophet took his bandage off his head and Ahab recognized him as one of the prophets. He told Ahab that he had just let Ben-hadad go and the Lord had meant him to die, so he would pay for it with his own life. *** Meanwhile, Ahab wanted the vineyard that was next to his house to make into a vegetable garden. But, the vineyard belonged to Naboth and had been his inheritance from generations of wine makers. He refused to sell to Ahab. When Jezebel found out she told Ahab she would get Naboth’s land for him. She wrote letters to the elders and leaders in Ahab’s name, sealed with his seal. They said to send Naboth to trial and pay two false witnesses to say he cursed God and the king. Then sentence him to die and stone him. *** When Naboth was dead, Jezebel told Ahab to go and take possession of his land. God sent Elijah to meet Ahab as he was coming to get Naboth’s land. He told him that because he had killed to take Naboth’s land, he would die in the place they stoned Naboth, and Jezebel would would die within the walls of Jezreel. Ahab’s house would end up like Jereboam and Baasha’s where they would all end up eaten by birds or dogs. (In other words, they would end up in hell.) *** When Ahab heard his fate he humbled himself and wore sackcloth and fasted and was very depressed. God saw this and promised this disaster would not happen in his lifetime but would fall upon his sons. *** In Acts, Barnabas and Saul had taken the gifts of the people to Jerusalem and then returned to Antioch. There, Barnabas and Saul were anointed and set apart to be missionaries. They went throughout Seleucia and Cyprus proclaiming the news of Christ in the synagogues of the Jews. At Paphos, they ran into a magician and false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He asked to hear from Saul, Barnabas and John. Another magical opposed the message. Saul called him a son of the devil, and enemy of all righteousness, full of deceit and villainy. He cursed him with blindness because he caused the people to be spiritually blind with his lies. He was immediately made blind and when the people saw this, they were astonished at the power of the Lord. *** Paul and Barnabas continued on their way till they came back to Antioch. As they sat in the synagogue that Sabbath, the leader read from the Law then asked if they had any words of encouragement. *** Today, we read how important the role of the prophet was in history. The prophet is still that important now. We need to hear the word of the Lord for our lives because he is still speaking though his prophets and to us by his Holy Spirit. *** Lord, may we hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit in our lives and follow it. We read and believe that you bring victories to the weak who trust in you. We believe we will see victories in our lives and in our land.

Thurs.’s Devo - Elijah Passes His Mantle to Elisha -

Read: 1 Kings 19:1-21; Acts 12:1-23; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 17:14-15 When Ahab got to Jezreel where Jezebel was, he told her all Elijah and done and how he had killed all the prophets of Baal. She sent a message to Elijah saying by tomorrow at this time, she was going to do to him what he did to her prophets. He was afraid and fled to Beersheba in Judah. He left his servant there and went into the wilderness alone. He sat down under a broom tree and asked to die. He went to sleep and was awakened by an angel who told him to eat and drink. There was some hot bread cooking and a jar of water. He did, then went back to sleep. It happened again and he ate. This time the angel told him that it would sustain him for 40 days and nights till he got to Horeb, the mountain of God. *** He came to a cave and the Lord asked him what he was doing there. He told him the people of Israel had torn down his altars, killed his prophets and forsaken him. Now they wanted to kill him also. The voice told him to go and stand on the mountain to meet the Lord. *** The Lord brought a strong wind, that tore the mountains so that rocks fell, then there was an earthquake, and next there was fire. In all these things, he didn’t hear the word of the Lord. Then he heard a low whisper and went and stood in the entrance of the cave. *** Again, the Lord asked him what he was doing here. Elijah told God again what Israel had done and how they wanted to kill him. God told him to go to the wilderness of Damascus and anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. He was also to anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi to be king over Israel and he was to anoint Elisha to be the prophet in his place. Whoever escaped Hazael’s sword, Jehu would kill and whoever escaped Jehu, Elisha would kill. Seven thousand would survive in Israel who had not bowed to Baal. *** Apparently Elijah was so ready to die, he went first to anoint Elisha to take his place and left the other two requests for him to do. He found Elisha plowing his father’s field with 12 yoked oxen. Elisha was with the 12th one. Elijah cast his cloak on him and Elisha ran after Elijah begging him to wait till he told his family good-bye. He sacrificed his 12 oxen and gave it to the people, then followed Elijah and became his apprentice. *** In Acts, they were killing the believers also. Herod was king and became a persecutor of the church. He killed James and John and when he saw this pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter. It was the time of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. *** They put Peter in prison with four squads of soldiers guarding him till the end of the Passover, then he would be brought to trial and killed. The church prayed earnestly for him. The night before he was to be brought before Pilate, Peter was chained between two soldiers with sentries guarding the door of the prison. An angel of the Lord woke Peter and told him to put on his clothes and sandals and wrap his cloak around him and follow the angel. He did, thinking he was dreaming. They passed the guards and came to the gate leading to the city. It opened for them and when they had passed through it, the angel disappeared and Peter woke from his dream. He was at the house of Mary, John’s mother and knocked on the door. Many believers were there praying for him. The servant girl went to the door and came back telling the people that Peter was at the door. When Peter continued knocking they finally opened the door and were amazed to see him. He explained what had happened, then left town. *** The next day, at the prison there was chaos when they found Peter gone. The soldiers were killed, but Peter escaped to Caesarea. *** Later, the people of Tyre and Sidon came to beg Herod to make a covenant of peace with them because their country depended on Israel for food. Herod came to his throne to give them his decision and when he gave his speech, the people shouted that he was a god, not a man. Immediately, the angel of the Lord struck him down because he received their praises and didn’t give God the glory. His body was eaten by worms and he died. *** When God begins to move on the earth in signs and wonders, judgment comes to those who oppose it. We will witness this same move of God and judgement on the wicked very soon. *** Lord, may we fear you above our lives. May we not grow weary like Elijah, but endure till the end. Great victories are for those who endure. Give us strength and courage to stand in the whirlwinds, the shakings, and the fiery trials so we can hear your voice in the end.

Wed.’s Devo - The Clash of Prophets -

Read: 1 Kings 18:1-46; Acts 11:1-30; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 17:12-13 The famine in Israel had lasted 3 years and it was so severe that Ahab called in his household commander, Obadiah to help find a little grass to save their horses and mules. They set off in opposite directions looking for grass. *** Obadiah greatly feared the Lord and honored the prophets. When Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, he hid one hundred of them and kept them alive with food and water. While he was looking for grass, he ran into Elijah. Elijah told him to tell Ahab he wanted to meet with him. Obadiah was skeptical at first, but Elijah promised him he would show up for the meeting. *** When Ahab saw Elijah, he blamed him for the famine but Elijah made it clear that the fault of the famine rested on Ahab and his worship of idols. Elijah told Ahab to bring all Israel and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah and meet him at Mount Carmel. *** Ahab gathered all the people, except Jezebel who surprisingly didn’t know about this meeting. *** Elijah asked the people how long they were going to waver between worshipping God or Baal. He told them to bring out two bulls and each of them would pray to their god and the one who answered by fire is the real God. The people liked this idea. *** They brought out the bulls and Elijah let the false prophets choose their bull and go first. They prayed to Baal from morning till noon. Nothing happened so Elijah began to mock them saying maybe their God was entertaining himself, or using the bathroom, or asleep, or on a trip. The false prophets cut themselves and raved till the afternoon. *** Then it was Elijah’s turn. He repaired the altar of the Lord that had been torn down. He took 12 stones for each of the tribes of Israel and built an altar. He put the wood on the altar and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he dug a trench around the altar that would hold about 14 quarts of water. Then he had them fill four jars of water and pour it on the wood. (Remember, water was like gold at that time.) He had them do it three times until the water overflowed the altar and filled the trench he had dug. *** At the time when they would be offering up the evening sacrifice in Jerusalem, Elijah prayed to the Lord to make himself known so the people would turn their hearts back to him. Fire fell and consumed the burnt offering. When the people saw this, they fell on their faces and proclaimed that God was the Lord. Elijah called for the prophets of Baal to be seized and had them taken to the Kishon brook where he slaughtered them. *** Elijah told Ahab to go and eat and drink because he was hearing the sound of rain. Ahab obeyed, while Elijah went to pray. Seven times he sent his servant to see if there was a cloud in the sky and the seventh time, he came back and reported that there was a small cloud rising from the sea. *** Elijah told him to go tell Ahab to get home quickly or he would be stopped by the rain. In a little while, the sky grew dark and there was much wind and rain. God allowed Elijah to outrun Ahab’s chariot and he beat Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. *** This story is like David against Goliath, only it is one prophet of God against 950 prophets of Satan. It doesn’t matter how many there were, God would still win. We serve the God who create the universe and made man to dwell on it. If God be for us, who can be against us! *** In Acts, the apostles and believers began to hear the reports of how the Gentiles were receiving the good news of the gospel. Some of the devout Jews in Jerusalem rebuked Peter for eating with Cornelius who was uncircumcised. He explained to them the vision the Lord gave him and what happened at Cornelius’ house and they had nothing else to say except to praise God that he was giving salvation to the Gentiles also. *** The Jews had scattered after Stephen had been martyred and they went to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch. There they spread the news about Jesus. Many received the good news and became believers. When the believers in Jerusalem heard about this, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. He was greatly encouraged when he saw their faith and told them to continue being faithful. Barnabas went to Tarsus and found Saul and brought him to Antioch and they stayed there for a year teaching the people and disciplining them. The believers were called ‘Christians.’ *** Prophets came to Antioch and Agabus prophesied that a world-wide famine was coming over the world. The disciples determined to give what they could to the believers in Judea. They sent their gifts through Barnabas and Saul. *** Lord, thank you for always showing us how powerful you are. You are afraid of nothing. Help us to have that courage in our daily walk. May we fear nothing but You.

Tues.’s Devo - The Price of Disobedience and the Power of God

Read: 1 Kings 15:25-17:24; Acts 10:23b-48; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 17:9-11 Israel’s kings fell into a pattern of sin and death. Jeroboam’s son Nadab reigned over Israel while Asa was in his second year of ruling Judah. (Asa was a good king who honored the Lord.) Nadab walked in wickedness and sin like his father Jeroboam. Baasha of Issachar killed Nadab while they were fighting against Gibbethon and reigned in his place. Baasha had all the family of Nadab killed just like the prophet had said. *** In Asa’s third year of ruling Judah, Baasha reigned over Israel and he was evil just like Jeroboam. Nadab died and his son Elah came to power. God sent Jehu the prophet to tell him that because his father had led Israel to sin and idolatry, he and his house would be killed just like his father had killed the household of Nadab for the same reason. *** Twenty-three years had passed since Asa became king in Judah and Elah only ruled two years in Israel. In Asa’s 27th year of ruling Judah, Elah was killed by his servant Zimri who was one of his chief army commanders. Just like the prophet had said, Elah killed all of Nadab’s household. Zimri reigned only seven days because the troops who were fighting for Israel didn’t like what Zimri had done by killing their king. Led by Omri, the army of Israel went to Tirzah where Zimri was and besieged the town Tirzah. When they took the city, Zimri went into the citadel of the king’s house and set it on fire with him in it. *** Israel was divided - half of them supported Tibni as king and the other half supported Omri. Omri’s side won and Tibni was killed. Asa had now reigned 31 years in Judah when Omri became king of Israel. He reigned over Israel for 12 years, six in Tirzah and six in Samaria which he bought for 2 talents of silver. *** Omri was a very evil king who led Israel into the idolatrous sins of Jeroboam. When he died, his son Ahab became king. Asa had now reigned 38 years in Judah. Ahab reigned for 22 years in Samaria. He took foreign wives and introduced Israel to the worship of Baal and Ashterah. These practices included child sacrifice and all manner of sexual perversion. He did more to provoke God’s anger than any other king had so far. *** A man named Hiel of Bethel went to rebuild Jericho but his firstborn died when he laid the foundation and his youngest son died when he set up the gates, just like Joshua had prophesied. *** Elijah the prophet from Tishbe told Ahab that there would be no dew or rain until he said it would come. Then Elijah went and hid himself by the brook Cherish. God told him that the brook would supply his water and the ravens would bring him meat and bread. He stayed there till the brook dried up. Meanwhile, in the whole land of Israel, there was no rain. *** When the brook dried up, God told Elijah to go to Zerephath because there was a widow there who would feed him. But, when he found her, she had enough flour to feed her and her son and then she was planning to die. Elijah told her to prepare the bread and feed him first, then feed them because her flour and oil would always be full. She obeyed his word and fed Elijah and it was just as Elijah said. *** Time went by and the widow’s only son became very ill and died. She blamed Elijah. Elijah took the dead son up in his chamber and laid him on the bed. Then he stretched himself on the child three times and the child came back to life an Elijah presented him to his mother. She was a total believer in Elijah’s words after that. *** In this reading, God keeps reminding us of what is going on in Judah while there is so much overturning and unrest in Israel. Asa was a God-fearing man so there was peace in Judah, where Israel’s kings had abandoned the Lord and their lives were filled with chaos, murder and deceit. That is the way it is in our lives. When we live our lives for ourselves and leave God out, our lives quickly turn to chaos, but when we honor the Lord first, He brings peace and order even in the midst of chaos in the world. *** In Acts, Peter had agreed to go with Cornelius’ servants to meet him at his house. When they arrived, Cornelius had invited his whole family to come and hear what Peter had to say to them. Cornelius fell on his knees before Peter when he arrived, but Peter quickly told him he was just a man and told him to stand. *** Peter told them about his vision, and Cornelius shared his. Peter realized that God’s plan was to save people of all nations. Then Peter told them the whole story of Jesus and what he did. He explains that all who believe in him will receive forgiveness of their sins. While Peter was preaching, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were there. Peter’s men were amazed as they saw them speaking in tongues and exalting the name of Christ. Peter commanded them to be baptized. They stayed there for several days fellowshipping and teaching them of the way of Christ. *** Acts, is the most exciting book and it is my belief that we are about to enter days much like the days in Acts. People will seek out those who walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and just like God’s Word says, the whole earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. *** Lord, may we prepare our hearts for those days. May we have an answer for the hope we have in you. May your signs and wonders follow us and bring many to know you and your power.

Mon.’s Devo - The Fall of Nations

Read: 1 Kings 14:1-15:24; Acts 10:1-23a; Psalm 133:1-3; Proverbs 17:7-8 Jeroboam had a son who became terminally ill. Jeroboam had his wife disguise herself and go to Ahijah the prophet in Shiloah who had prophesied his kingship. *** God told Ahijah she was coming and would be disguised even though Ahijah was almost completely blind. He called her out the minute she walked in the door and told her he had some bad news for her husband, Jeroboam. God had placed him as king and told him to follow him and yet he had turned his back on the Lord and followed other gods and done evil things. So, God was going to bring harm on Jeroboam’s house and every male would be destroyed. None of them would be buried except the child that she had come to inquire about. The rest of them would either be eaten by dogs or birds. Then God would raise up a king over Israel that would cut off Jeroboam’s house, God would root up Israel out of the land that he had given them and scatter them on the other side of the Euphrates because Jeroboam had led them to worship other gods. The child that she had come to ask about would die when her feet enter her house. *** It happened just as Ahijah had said, her child died the moment her feet crossed her threshold. All Israel mourned his death and he was buried in Israel. Jeroboam reigned 22 years. When he died, his son Nadab reigned in his place. *** Rehoboam reigned in Judah only 17 years and Judah did evil in the Lord’s eyes, also. They provoked the Lord with their idolatry and worship of Asherah. They did the same thing the nations had done who lived there before them. *** In Rehoboam’s 5th year, the king of Egypt came and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and the king’s house. He also took away the gold shields that Solomon had made. Rehoboam replaced them with bronze shields. *** Everything Rehoboam did was written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings. There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. *** When Rehoboam died, his son, Abijam reigned over Judah. He only reigned over Jerusalem three years and did not follow after the Lord but continued in the sins of his father. When he died, his son Asa reigned. Jeroboam was in his 20th year of reigning over Israel. *** Asa did what was right in God’s eyes and put away the worship of Asherah. He removed Maacah, his own mother from being the queen because she made a disgusting image for Asherah. He took down her image and burned it in the Kidron Valley. Asa’s heart was true to the Lord even though Judah still offered on the high places. *** There was continual wars between King Asa and King Baasha of Israel. Baasha built Ramah between Israel and Judah and wouldn’t allow anyone to travel to Judah. Asa took all the gold and treasures of the temple and and his house and sent it to Ben-hadad of Syria to persuade him to break his covenant with Israel and make a covenant with him. Ben-hadad agreed and began taking territory from northern Israel. Israel got the message and stopped building Ramah. *** King Asa had everyone in Judah help carry the stones Baasha had used to build Ramah to Geba in the land of Benjamin. They also used them to build Mizpah. *** In Asa’s old age, he became diseased in his feet and died. Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place. *** In Acts, there was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius. He was a centurion of the Italian Cohort. He greatly feared and worshipped the Lord as well as his household. One day, he saw a vision of an angel of God. The angel told him that his prayers had been heard and he was sending him a teacher named Simon Peter who was staying with Simon the tanner. When Cornelius came out of the vision he told his servant who was also a devout soldier to go to Joppa and bring back Peter. *** The next day, Peter was praying and went into a trance. He was hungry and was shown a screen with all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds. A voice told him to rise up and kill and eat them. He was alarmed because these animals were not kosher and clean, but the voice told him not to call anything unclean that the Lord calls clean. This happened three times. *** While Peter was contemplating what the vision meant Cornelius’ men arrived and asked for Peter. The Spirit told Peter that three men were looking for him and he was to go down and go with them because God had sent them. *** Peter asked them why they had come and they told him that Cornelius, a centurion who feared God and was respected by the Jewish community was directed by an angel to send for him and ask him to come to his house as his guest. *** For a Jewish person to go and stay with a Gentile would have been taboo, but because the Lord had just given Peter the vision, he understood that he was to go. *** Lord, may we follow you into unchartered territory if you call us there. May we not be afraid of things that go against our traditions. May we be sensitive to your Spirit and what you are doing on the earth. Thank you that you never lead us to where your Spirit has not been.