Read: 2 Kings 17:1-18:12; Acts 20:1-38; Psalm 148:1-14; Proverbs 18:6-7
The king of Judah was Ahaz and the new king of Israel was Hoshea which were both evil kings Hoshea decided to stop paying Assyria tribute which caused Assyria to invade them, put him in jail and lay siege to Samaria, their capital. The king of Syria eventually moved Israelites out of Samaria and replaced them with people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim. The real reason all this happened was because Israel had turned away from God. In Deuteronomy 28 we have the conditions of the curse of turning from God. In verse 25 it says that they would be smitten before their enemies and removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. This is exactly what was happening.
The people must have been crying out to the Lord because God sent Judah a godly king in Hezekiah. His grandfather was the priest, Zechariah. He cleaned up the idolatry in Judah. It says that there was not another king like him before or after him that obeyed God like he did. God gave him success in whatever he tried. He refused to honor the king of Assyria.
While Judah was experiencing the blessing of God on a nation who makes God their king, Israel was another story. Under King Hoshea’s reign, the Assyrians marched against Samaria and played siege to it. This is the result of rebelling against God.
In Acts, the Jews are constantly trying to take Paul out. He manages to escape every time because God is not through with his ministry. Paul feels compelled to go to Jerusalem knowing that prison and hardships await him. Paul was not afraid of discomfort. He gave his farewell speech to his disciples in Ephesus and prayed for them.
Ministry is rewarding but sometimes hard and sad. Paul was not afraid of what men could do to him, his goal was to please his heavenly Father.
Lord, help us to be like Paul and know that every trial we go through is worth it.
Friday, June 30, 2017
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Thurs.’s Devo -The Power of the Gospel
Read: 2 Kings 15:1-16:20; Acts 19:13-41; Psalm 147:1-20; Proverbs 18:4-5
The kingdom changed kings so often, with only a few good kings like Judah’s kings Uzziah and Jotham. Their fear of God didn’t pass to their posterity because Jotham’s son, Ahaz was as evil as they came. Because of his idolatry, God sent the kings of Aram and Israel against Judah. Ahaz went to Damascus to meet with King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria to ask for help. While he was in Damascus, he noticed their altar and took notes. He sent a model of it with instructions to Urijah, the priest to make one just like it. It was made by the time he got home. The king offered sacrifices and offerings on it profaning God’s law. He removed the basin that was used for washing the priests’s hands off of the snacks of the bronze oxen and placed in on the stone pavement. He did everything to pervert God’s way. He reigned 16 years which is a long time of sin and evil reign. His son, Hezekiah ruled after him.
In Israel, there was no good king, only a line of short-lived kings who led Israel further and further away from God.
In Acts, we have total chaos caused by the truth. While in Ephesus, the truth was being proclaimed and it was a huge threat to the silversmiths who made idols. If they started believing in Jesus, their business would greatly suffer. So, they started a riot on the basis of religion. Demetrius led this chaos which people were there and didn’t even know what they were yelling for. The city clerk calmed them down and assured them that this was the city of Ephesus and keepers of the shrine of Artemis which wouldn’t go down over a few dissenters. Since Paul and his men had not done anything wrong legally, they needed to settle this in court. Little did this city clerk know the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It could bring down every demon in hell and one day he would
Lord, help us to remember the power of the gospel.
The kingdom changed kings so often, with only a few good kings like Judah’s kings Uzziah and Jotham. Their fear of God didn’t pass to their posterity because Jotham’s son, Ahaz was as evil as they came. Because of his idolatry, God sent the kings of Aram and Israel against Judah. Ahaz went to Damascus to meet with King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria to ask for help. While he was in Damascus, he noticed their altar and took notes. He sent a model of it with instructions to Urijah, the priest to make one just like it. It was made by the time he got home. The king offered sacrifices and offerings on it profaning God’s law. He removed the basin that was used for washing the priests’s hands off of the snacks of the bronze oxen and placed in on the stone pavement. He did everything to pervert God’s way. He reigned 16 years which is a long time of sin and evil reign. His son, Hezekiah ruled after him.
In Israel, there was no good king, only a line of short-lived kings who led Israel further and further away from God.
In Acts, we have total chaos caused by the truth. While in Ephesus, the truth was being proclaimed and it was a huge threat to the silversmiths who made idols. If they started believing in Jesus, their business would greatly suffer. So, they started a riot on the basis of religion. Demetrius led this chaos which people were there and didn’t even know what they were yelling for. The city clerk calmed them down and assured them that this was the city of Ephesus and keepers of the shrine of Artemis which wouldn’t go down over a few dissenters. Since Paul and his men had not done anything wrong legally, they needed to settle this in court. Little did this city clerk know the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It could bring down every demon in hell and one day he would
Lord, help us to remember the power of the gospel.
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Wed.’s Devo - The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Read: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29; Acts 18:23-19:12; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 18:2-3
Jehu was a zealous king for the Lord but he faded in his latter days and his son, Jehoahaz took his place. He was evil in God’s eyes so God delivered Israel into the hands of Hazael, king of Syria and Ben-hadad his son. This caused Jehoahaz to call out to God and God responded and sent them a savior. Unfortunately, there evil ways continued and they didn’t repent so God greatly reduced their army. Jehoash, his son reigned in his stead.
Elisha was about to die when Jehoash went to see him. Elisha told him to shoot an arrow of victory out the window to show that Israel would be delivered from the rule of the Arameans. Then he told him to take the rest of the arrows and strike them on the ground. The number of times he struck them determined how many times they would defeat the Arameans.
Elisha died. He had asked of Elijah a double portion of his spirit. They had both raised one man from the dead. But when a random corpse was thrown into Elisha’s grave, he popped back to life fulfilling Elisha’s double portion promise.
Finally, Judah has a good king in Joash’s son, Amaziah. He brought justice and killed the wicked leaders leaving their children to make their own choices according to God’s law. He challenged the king of Israel to a battle. The king of Israel, Jehoash told Amaziah he was a fool to challenge him because he would never win. Amaziah attacked instead and was captured. Jehoash took Jerusalem and looted the temple taking all the gold and silver back to Samaria.
Amaziah’s son was chosen to rule in his father’s place. His name was Azariah and he was 16 years old. He was able to rebuild Elath and restore it to Judah. In the meantime in Israel, Jeroboam became the new king. He was evil but he did save Israel and recover Damascus and Hamoth. His son, Zechariah ruled after him.
In Acts, Paul stayed in Antioch for a while then went to visit the other churches in that area. God sent a man to Ephesus named Apollos who was a man of the scriptures. Aquila and Priscilla welcomed him and taught him further about the Lord.
At some of Paul’s stops he asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed. They had never heard about the Holy Spirit so he explained to them about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He explained that there are many baptisms. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance and included water baptism, but the baptism in the Holy Spirit was Jesus’ baptism which included speaking in tongue. It gave the believer power to be witnesses. Speaking in tongues which is the ability to say what God is saying in a language that bypasses our understanding. That way we can pray things we don’t know to pray because we are limited to our knowledge. God’s knowledge is not limited to our understanding. Twelve men received this gift and Paul spoke boldly in the synagogue there. He received so much opposition he moved his teaching out of the synagogue to a lecture hall. He stayed there making disciples for two years.
Lord, help us to desire everything that You have given us to be victorious in this world. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit and his baptism.
Jehu was a zealous king for the Lord but he faded in his latter days and his son, Jehoahaz took his place. He was evil in God’s eyes so God delivered Israel into the hands of Hazael, king of Syria and Ben-hadad his son. This caused Jehoahaz to call out to God and God responded and sent them a savior. Unfortunately, there evil ways continued and they didn’t repent so God greatly reduced their army. Jehoash, his son reigned in his stead.
Elisha was about to die when Jehoash went to see him. Elisha told him to shoot an arrow of victory out the window to show that Israel would be delivered from the rule of the Arameans. Then he told him to take the rest of the arrows and strike them on the ground. The number of times he struck them determined how many times they would defeat the Arameans.
Elisha died. He had asked of Elijah a double portion of his spirit. They had both raised one man from the dead. But when a random corpse was thrown into Elisha’s grave, he popped back to life fulfilling Elisha’s double portion promise.
Finally, Judah has a good king in Joash’s son, Amaziah. He brought justice and killed the wicked leaders leaving their children to make their own choices according to God’s law. He challenged the king of Israel to a battle. The king of Israel, Jehoash told Amaziah he was a fool to challenge him because he would never win. Amaziah attacked instead and was captured. Jehoash took Jerusalem and looted the temple taking all the gold and silver back to Samaria.
Amaziah’s son was chosen to rule in his father’s place. His name was Azariah and he was 16 years old. He was able to rebuild Elath and restore it to Judah. In the meantime in Israel, Jeroboam became the new king. He was evil but he did save Israel and recover Damascus and Hamoth. His son, Zechariah ruled after him.
In Acts, Paul stayed in Antioch for a while then went to visit the other churches in that area. God sent a man to Ephesus named Apollos who was a man of the scriptures. Aquila and Priscilla welcomed him and taught him further about the Lord.
At some of Paul’s stops he asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed. They had never heard about the Holy Spirit so he explained to them about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He explained that there are many baptisms. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance and included water baptism, but the baptism in the Holy Spirit was Jesus’ baptism which included speaking in tongue. It gave the believer power to be witnesses. Speaking in tongues which is the ability to say what God is saying in a language that bypasses our understanding. That way we can pray things we don’t know to pray because we are limited to our knowledge. God’s knowledge is not limited to our understanding. Twelve men received this gift and Paul spoke boldly in the synagogue there. He received so much opposition he moved his teaching out of the synagogue to a lecture hall. He stayed there making disciples for two years.
Lord, help us to desire everything that You have given us to be victorious in this world. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit and his baptism.
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Tues.’s Devo. - The Importance of a Mentor
Read: 2 Kings 10:32-12:21; Acts 18:1-22; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 18:1
In 2 Kings 1 we read the story of Ahazariah who fell through the lattice of his house. He didn’t have a son, so his brother, Jehoram reigned in his throne. Ahazariah’s mother was Athalia who proceeded to destroy all the royal family. Jehoram’s daughter, Jehosheba took the newborn of Ahazaiah and hid him away for six years. The baby, Joash, was raised by the priest in the temple. Meanwhile, Athaliah ruled the land of Judah.
In the seventh year of her reign, the priest Jehoiada had the priest surround Joash and place him in the temple where the king should sit and blew the trumpet and everyone proclaimed him king. Athaliah heard the shout and ran to see what was happening. Athaliah was chased out of the temple and killed. Joash reigned forty years under the tutorship of of Jehoiada, the priest. Joash had the temple repaired and required accountability among the priests. He was a good king.
He was murdered by three men of his kingdom and his son, Amaziah succeeded him.
In Acts, Paul is in Corinth. There he met Aquila and Priscilla who were a married couple that had been ordered to leave Rome because they were Jews. Since Aquila was a tent maker also, Paul stayed with him as he continued speaking in the synagogue about Jesus. When the Jews became abusive, Paul left and told them he was going to the Gentiles. Despite his opposition, many came to the Lord and believed his message. One of them was the ruler of the synagogue and his whole family. God encouraged Paul in a dream that he would take care of him and not to leave the city so Paul stayed for a year and a half. At one time he was brought before the proconsul and accused of teaching doctrine not taught in the law. The proconsul refused to hear the case and threw them out because he wasn’t going to listen to things concerning their law. The tables turned and the man accusing Paul was beaten by his own people.
Paul was able to stay in Corinth till God sent him, with Aquila and Priscilla, to Ephesus where he taught in the synagogue. The people were receptive so Paul left Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus and went on to Caesarea and Antioch.
In both of these scriptures we see the importance of having a strong mentor to guide us. Joash had Jehoiada and all the new converts had Paul. If you don’t have a mentor in your life, pray and ask God to send you one. The Holy Spirit is the greatest guide we could have but sometimes we need some flesh and blood.
Lord, raise up mentors and strong leaders in our generation. May we be examples of your Word.
In 2 Kings 1 we read the story of Ahazariah who fell through the lattice of his house. He didn’t have a son, so his brother, Jehoram reigned in his throne. Ahazariah’s mother was Athalia who proceeded to destroy all the royal family. Jehoram’s daughter, Jehosheba took the newborn of Ahazaiah and hid him away for six years. The baby, Joash, was raised by the priest in the temple. Meanwhile, Athaliah ruled the land of Judah.
In the seventh year of her reign, the priest Jehoiada had the priest surround Joash and place him in the temple where the king should sit and blew the trumpet and everyone proclaimed him king. Athaliah heard the shout and ran to see what was happening. Athaliah was chased out of the temple and killed. Joash reigned forty years under the tutorship of of Jehoiada, the priest. Joash had the temple repaired and required accountability among the priests. He was a good king.
He was murdered by three men of his kingdom and his son, Amaziah succeeded him.
In Acts, Paul is in Corinth. There he met Aquila and Priscilla who were a married couple that had been ordered to leave Rome because they were Jews. Since Aquila was a tent maker also, Paul stayed with him as he continued speaking in the synagogue about Jesus. When the Jews became abusive, Paul left and told them he was going to the Gentiles. Despite his opposition, many came to the Lord and believed his message. One of them was the ruler of the synagogue and his whole family. God encouraged Paul in a dream that he would take care of him and not to leave the city so Paul stayed for a year and a half. At one time he was brought before the proconsul and accused of teaching doctrine not taught in the law. The proconsul refused to hear the case and threw them out because he wasn’t going to listen to things concerning their law. The tables turned and the man accusing Paul was beaten by his own people.
Paul was able to stay in Corinth till God sent him, with Aquila and Priscilla, to Ephesus where he taught in the synagogue. The people were receptive so Paul left Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus and went on to Caesarea and Antioch.
In both of these scriptures we see the importance of having a strong mentor to guide us. Joash had Jehoiada and all the new converts had Paul. If you don’t have a mentor in your life, pray and ask God to send you one. The Holy Spirit is the greatest guide we could have but sometimes we need some flesh and blood.
Lord, raise up mentors and strong leaders in our generation. May we be examples of your Word.
Monday, June 26, 2017
Mon.’s Devo - The Birthing of the New
Read: 2 Kingd 9:14-10:31; Acts 17:1-34; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 17:27-28
Jehu saw that he had a following, so he rode to Jezreel to face Joram. He met Joram on the plot of land that Ahab had stolen from Naboth years ago. Joram asked if he came in peace and Jehu answered, “How can there be peace as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abounds?” Joram then fled but Jehu shot him with an arrow in his back which pierced his heart. Jehu had his body thrown on the plot of Naboth’s.
He also killed Ahahah, king of Judah in Meddigo. He went back to Jezebel to finish his destiny. Jezebel was waiting for him and dressed to seduce. When he saw her on her balcony she called down, “Have your come in peace, Zimri, you murderer of your master?” She was referring to Zimri in 1 Kings 16:8-13. Zimri was the master of King Elah who was a very wicked king. Zimri went and killed the king and all his brothers according to God’s word by Jehu, the prophet. How fitting for a prophet named Jehu to prophecy the overthrow of the kingdom in his day and it be fulfilled again by a man of the same name. God does have a way of bringing things back around.
Jehu proceeded to rid the land of all of Ahab’s descendants and all of Ahaziah’s descendants. Then he called all the prophets of Baal to a convention and killed them. So, Jehu did just what the Lord told him to do. Because he did, God told him that one of his descendants would rule on the throne up to four generations. Sadly, he didn’t worship the Lord with all his heart and turned to idolatry.
In Acts, the good news raised so much opposition and animosity because the truth is dangerous to the kingdom of Satan. When he feels truly attacked, he fights back. He is fine when we keep it in our churches. That doesn’t harm his kingdom, but when we go out of the boundaries of the church and start proclaiming the kingdom to the world, he gets nervous and defensive…very defensive. That is how we know we are on the right track. Look at what is happening in our world. People are doing such mean and vile things to Christians. We must be on the right track! Paul used all the attention as an opportunity to preach and we need to do the same thing. It is not the time to be quiet and retreat into the walls of the church. It is time to be loud and let our voice be heard.
Both our readings have to do with the perfect timing of the Lord. We are living in a “now time” when God is going to restore what is rightfully ours and what is rightfully His on this earth. When ever God births something new on the earth it comes through much travail and labor in the spirit. This is the season we are in…a time of birthing. It is time for the baby to come forth.
Lord, use our voice to speak truth and birth life to the world.
Jehu saw that he had a following, so he rode to Jezreel to face Joram. He met Joram on the plot of land that Ahab had stolen from Naboth years ago. Joram asked if he came in peace and Jehu answered, “How can there be peace as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abounds?” Joram then fled but Jehu shot him with an arrow in his back which pierced his heart. Jehu had his body thrown on the plot of Naboth’s.
He also killed Ahahah, king of Judah in Meddigo. He went back to Jezebel to finish his destiny. Jezebel was waiting for him and dressed to seduce. When he saw her on her balcony she called down, “Have your come in peace, Zimri, you murderer of your master?” She was referring to Zimri in 1 Kings 16:8-13. Zimri was the master of King Elah who was a very wicked king. Zimri went and killed the king and all his brothers according to God’s word by Jehu, the prophet. How fitting for a prophet named Jehu to prophecy the overthrow of the kingdom in his day and it be fulfilled again by a man of the same name. God does have a way of bringing things back around.
Jehu proceeded to rid the land of all of Ahab’s descendants and all of Ahaziah’s descendants. Then he called all the prophets of Baal to a convention and killed them. So, Jehu did just what the Lord told him to do. Because he did, God told him that one of his descendants would rule on the throne up to four generations. Sadly, he didn’t worship the Lord with all his heart and turned to idolatry.
In Acts, the good news raised so much opposition and animosity because the truth is dangerous to the kingdom of Satan. When he feels truly attacked, he fights back. He is fine when we keep it in our churches. That doesn’t harm his kingdom, but when we go out of the boundaries of the church and start proclaiming the kingdom to the world, he gets nervous and defensive…very defensive. That is how we know we are on the right track. Look at what is happening in our world. People are doing such mean and vile things to Christians. We must be on the right track! Paul used all the attention as an opportunity to preach and we need to do the same thing. It is not the time to be quiet and retreat into the walls of the church. It is time to be loud and let our voice be heard.
Both our readings have to do with the perfect timing of the Lord. We are living in a “now time” when God is going to restore what is rightfully ours and what is rightfully His on this earth. When ever God births something new on the earth it comes through much travail and labor in the spirit. This is the season we are in…a time of birthing. It is time for the baby to come forth.
Lord, use our voice to speak truth and birth life to the world.
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Sun.’s Devo - God’s Timing
Read: 2 Kings 8:1-9:13; Acts 17:1-34; Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 17:26
Elisha told the woman who had given him a home that there was going to be a famine so she needed to find another place to live to survive. She moved to the land of the Philistines for seven years. When the famine was over she came back to the king to claim her land.
King Joram was visiting with Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, who wanted to know all the adventures Gehazi had had with Elisha. He was on the part of the story about the woman whose son had been restored, when she walked in. Talk about a set-up. The king was so impressed he ordered her land to be restored and all the fruits of her land since the day she had left to be restored also. This is such a Biblical concept. When we take care of God’s servants, God takes care of us.
There was a change of guards in the house of the kings. Ben-hadad, Syria’s king, was murdered and usurped by Hazael who became a very wicked king. Judah’s king went to Jehoshaphat’s son, Jehoram who married Ahab’s daughter and became a very wicked king. Ahab’s son, Joram, was king of Israel who followed in his father’s footsteps. (So, the king of Israel and the king of Judah were brother-in-laws.) Therefore, the whole land was being ruled by wicked kings.
When wickedness rules there is chaos in the land. Edom and Libnah both revolted from the rule of Judah. Joram went to war against Syria and was wounded. His nephew, Ahaziah from Judah came to visit him. God was not happy with the kings so told Elisha to anoint a new king over Israel. He was to anoint Jehu, another of Jehoshaphat’s sons to rule. Elisha sent one of his prophets to anoint him in secret, then run. He was to rid the land of Ahab’s seed. Jezebel was to die and be eaten by dog’s and Naboth was to be avenged of what Jezebel did to him. Her blood would be shed in his vineyard. When Jehu came out of the room, the men asked him what that was all about. He told him that the prophet had anointed him king so they blew the trumpet and proclaimed him king.
In Acts, many were saved. When Paul and Silas cast the spirit of divination out of a girl and cost her master monetarily, Paul and Silas received a beating and were thrown into the inner part of the jail. The leaders of Macedonia must have heard about what happened the last time Paul was thrown in jail because this time they put them in the inner part of the jail. At midnight, as Paul and Silas were praising God, God caused a great earthquake that shook everyone’s chains off and opened all the doors of the prison. When they didn’t escape, the prison ward fell on his knees and he was saved. By the time they were released from jail, God had saved the man’s household and God got great glory. The next morning the men were released and stood up for their rights as Roman citizens.
Paul and Silas knew their rights as Christians in God’s kingdom and as Romans in the Roman kingdom. Lord, help us to know who we are in You and in the world.
Elisha told the woman who had given him a home that there was going to be a famine so she needed to find another place to live to survive. She moved to the land of the Philistines for seven years. When the famine was over she came back to the king to claim her land.
King Joram was visiting with Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, who wanted to know all the adventures Gehazi had had with Elisha. He was on the part of the story about the woman whose son had been restored, when she walked in. Talk about a set-up. The king was so impressed he ordered her land to be restored and all the fruits of her land since the day she had left to be restored also. This is such a Biblical concept. When we take care of God’s servants, God takes care of us.
There was a change of guards in the house of the kings. Ben-hadad, Syria’s king, was murdered and usurped by Hazael who became a very wicked king. Judah’s king went to Jehoshaphat’s son, Jehoram who married Ahab’s daughter and became a very wicked king. Ahab’s son, Joram, was king of Israel who followed in his father’s footsteps. (So, the king of Israel and the king of Judah were brother-in-laws.) Therefore, the whole land was being ruled by wicked kings.
When wickedness rules there is chaos in the land. Edom and Libnah both revolted from the rule of Judah. Joram went to war against Syria and was wounded. His nephew, Ahaziah from Judah came to visit him. God was not happy with the kings so told Elisha to anoint a new king over Israel. He was to anoint Jehu, another of Jehoshaphat’s sons to rule. Elisha sent one of his prophets to anoint him in secret, then run. He was to rid the land of Ahab’s seed. Jezebel was to die and be eaten by dog’s and Naboth was to be avenged of what Jezebel did to him. Her blood would be shed in his vineyard. When Jehu came out of the room, the men asked him what that was all about. He told him that the prophet had anointed him king so they blew the trumpet and proclaimed him king.
In Acts, many were saved. When Paul and Silas cast the spirit of divination out of a girl and cost her master monetarily, Paul and Silas received a beating and were thrown into the inner part of the jail. The leaders of Macedonia must have heard about what happened the last time Paul was thrown in jail because this time they put them in the inner part of the jail. At midnight, as Paul and Silas were praising God, God caused a great earthquake that shook everyone’s chains off and opened all the doors of the prison. When they didn’t escape, the prison ward fell on his knees and he was saved. By the time they were released from jail, God had saved the man’s household and God got great glory. The next morning the men were released and stood up for their rights as Roman citizens.
Paul and Silas knew their rights as Christians in God’s kingdom and as Romans in the Roman kingdom. Lord, help us to know who we are in You and in the world.
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