Twice Blessed

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Knowing When God Has Established You

Watch how David saw God working, "Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house. So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel" (1Chronicles 14:1, 2).

Does All Suffering Come From Personal Sin?

Read the following and pick up on the assumption of the disciples of Jesus, "Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'" (John 9:1, 2).

Recognizing the Hand of God

After Saul died, Israel had no king. However, the nation gathered together at Hebron to David and said to him, "Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in time past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD your God said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over My people Israel'" (1Ch 11:1, 2).

Who Do Your Actions Show Your Father Is?

Listen carefully to Jesus, "I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father" (John 8:37, 38). First, hear Jesus say that if His word has no place in us, we have the capability of murdering someone. Second, He told the Jews that they sought to kill Him, because they were merely doing what they had seen with their father, whom Jesus later revealed was the devil. Jesus spoke and did as He had seen with His Father, and it was obvious

Who Do Your Actions Show Your Father Is?

Listen carefully to Jesus, "I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father" (John 8:37, 38).

The House of Saul

First Chronicles 8 shows the house of Benjamin and King Saul's part in it. How significant that God took from the tribe of Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob, a king. We would have figured that the first king of Israel would come from the tribe of Reuben, Jacob's oldest son, but since that son sinned, his tribe did not become the kingly tribe.

Are You Going Where Jesus Went?

Jesus told the Jews who did not yet believe in Him or obey Him, "I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come" (John 8:21). They questioned whether He would kill Himself (v. 22), and go to hell rather than heaven, because they assumed they were not going to hell, but to heaven. He answered their questioning, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins" (vv. 23, 24). The first and primary ingredient for going where Jesus went is to believe that He was the Coming One, of whom the Old Testament spoke.

The Line of the Priests

Priests minister to God for the people and to the people for God. Therefore, God provided Israel with a line of priests, even high priests, that He might have a relationship with Israel. First Chronicles 6 shows the descendants of Levi from whom came both the priests and the high priests. No one from any other tribe of Israel or nation of the world could be a priest to God during the days that the Law of Moses was the Law of God.

Jesus Ignored the Scribes and Pharisees

To read the Bible in a year, read John 8:1-20. Jesus stayed outside of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives (John 8:1), but He went to the temple in the morning and taught the people (v. 2). Then the scribes...

Why You Need to Know the Sons of David

To read the Bible in a year, read First Chronicles 3-5. Names, names, and more names, that seems to be the Book of First Chronicles so far. However, every part of it carries significance. For example, chapter 3 begins by...

Despising the Greeks Made Jews Question Jesus

As Jesus taught and worked miracles, many wondered whether He was the Christ. The Pharisees could have none of that, so, they decided to arrest Him (John 7:32). Knowing that the Pharisees had taken such action, Jesus said, "I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come" (vv. 33, 34).

God Knows All the Families of the Earth

While the genealogies that cover the first nine chapters of First Chronicles shows primarily the lineage of Israel, so that eventually we could identify the Christ when He came into the world, yet, the genealogies also show that God knows all the families of the earth.

The Brothers of Jesus

What would it have been like to have been a brother of Jesus? Well, we know that initially, they had a hard time believing that He was the Christ. In John 7, the Bible says that since the Jews sought to kill Jesus and it was not time for Him to die yet, that He stayed in Galilee (John 7:1).

A King Who Read the Scriptures Publicly

Imagine the following happening in some country today, "Now the king sent them to gather all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem to him. The king went up to the house of the LORD with all the men of Judah, and with him all the inhabitants of Jerusalem--the priests and the prophets and all the people, both small and great.

What Do You Do When You Do Not Understand?

It seems that everyone responds differently to the Lord when they do not understand what He has said, why He has said it, or what He has done.

What Shall We Conclude About the Word of God?

Isaiah the prophet spoke a word from God to King Hezekiah. The king concluded, "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!" (2Kings 20:19).

Concentrate on the Big Picture

Jesus refused to engage in talk that took Him away from His purpose. Watch what He did in the following account, "And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, 'Rabbi, when did You come here?' Jesus answered them and said, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled'" (John 6:25, 26).

It's Just a Bronze Thing

When Hezekiah became king of Judah, he removed idolatry from the land and notice one form that he removed, "He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan" (2Kings 18:4).

Jesus and Mountains

Rather than basking in His celebrity status, look at what He did next, "And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples" (v. 3)

Partial Obedience Has Consequences

Azariah, known as Uzziah in other places, became king of Judah and like many kings before him, he did the right things, with a couple of exceptions (2Kings 15:1, 2).

A World-Wide Resurrection Is Coming

Jesus assured us that the hour is coming when everyone in the graves will hear His voice and come forth (John 5:25). He has the power and authority to execute this huge miracle, because, as Jesus said, "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man" (vv. 26, 27).

Limited Goodness

ehoash became king of Judah (2Kings 12:1), and he did what was right, but not all the way, for the Bible notes, "Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

Do You Want Things to Get Better?

Jesus found a man in Jerusalem who was waiting to be healed of paralysis (John 5:1-4). Next this happened, "Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, 'Do you want to be made well?'" (vv. 5, 6).

Doing As Told

Elisha told one of the sons of the prophets to take some oil and go to Jehu and anoint him as king over Israel (2Kings 9.1-3). The Bible shows that the young man did as he was told, "So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth Gilead

What Is Your Food?

Jesus had been talking with a woman and when she left, His disciples returned from buying food in a town and urged Him to eat (John 4:31).

Attitude Towards the Things of Others

The place where Elisha and the sons of the prophets (believed to be students, men in training to be prophets), lived became too small and they requested of Elisha that they go construct a new place and he gave the go ahead (2Kings 6:1, 2).

Baptism Became a Sign

To show that baptizing disciples mattered, listen to what John the apostle wrote, "Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.

A Woman Who Sought the Lord

In yesterday's devotional from the Old Testament, we saw a king who did not seek Yahweh God of Israel, but the false god of Ekron.

Baptism Is Important

Do not let anyone ever tell you that baptism is not important or that it is not necessary for salvation. Just consider the following, "After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.

Why Go to a Source Other Than God?

Second Kings begins this way, "Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria, and was injured; so he sent messengers and said to them, 'Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury'" (2Kings 1:1, 2).

A Pharisee Sought Jesus?

f you know anything about the Pharisees, you may be surprised by a man who visited Jesus, "There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews" (John 3:1).

A Good Man and a Wicked King

King Ahab saw a garden that he liked and it was next to his palace (1Kings 21:1). He approached the owner, offering him either money or a vineyard which was better (v. 2).

Jesus Attended a Wedding

Jesus did things that some men think men should not do. Look at one of those things, "On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.

A Good Prophet and an Evil Queen

Elijah had all the false prophets killed, and King Ahab told his wife Jezebel about it (1Kings 19:1). She was as happy about that as momma bear is when her cubs have been robbed.

Jesus Greater Than John

People wondered if John the Baptizer was the Christ, but John denied it. After pointing out Jesus one day, John declared, "This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water'" (John 1:30, 31).

From the Dust to the Throne to the Dogs

To read the Bible in a year, read First Kings 16-18. God can reverse our life situation in ways that we cannot imagine, taking us from bad to good to bad or from good to bad to good. The former...

The Exalted Status of Jesus Christ

To read the Bible in a year, read John 1:1-28. After declaring that Jesus was in the beginning with God and that He was God, John then wrote, "He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through...

Why Pretend?

To read the Bible in a year, read First Kings 14 and 15. The son of Jeroboam became very sick. Then Jeroboam sent his wife to the prophet Ahijah to find out what would happen to their son (1Kings 14:1-4)....

The First Words of Jesus to His Disciples

What would Jesus say for His first words to His disciples after His resurrection? Luke told us, "Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, 'Peace to you'" (Luke 24:36).

He Revised History

Revisionists have been rewriting history for a long time. First Kings chapter 12 shows an incident when King Jeroboam did it. Shortly after Israel divided from Judah, King Jeroboam feared that his people might go back to King Rehoboam and Judah.

Hearts Aflame!

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 24:1-35. After His resurrection, Jesus talked with two men, but He kept them from recognizing Him. He wanted to know what they were talking about, and they told Him about Jesus...

There Was No More Spirit in Her

To read the Bible in a year, read First Kings 10 and 11. Solomon answered all the hard questions of the Queen of Sheba. That was impressive enough. However, there was more. "And when the queen of Sheba had seen...

It Is All About Attitude

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 23:39-56. One of the criminals crucified with Jesus, said to Him, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us" (Luke 23:39). Even in torturous death, that criminal had a hard...

A Glorious Moment For Israel

To read the Bible in a year, read First Kings 8 and 9. Israel had gone from a mere family that had to move to Egypt, because of a famine in the place where they had been living, to slaves...

A Worse Fate Awaited Jerusalem

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 23:27-38. As the Romans led Jesus to the place of crucifixion, many people followed and wailed, especially the women (Luke 23:27), to whom Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep...

A Magnificent House

To read the Bible in a year, read First Kings 6 and 7. The temple Solomon built for God was not the largest building ever, but it was not smallest either. As you read the following, keep in mind that...

What Enemies Will Say

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 23:1-26. Enemies will say anything about you to destroy you or to keep you from gaining a prominent position. Americans, keep this in mind as we listen to the campaigning for...

The Beginning of Solomon's Way

To read the Bible in a year, read First Kings 3-5. Solomon did many good things when he started his reign as king. First Kings 3:1 notes that he made peace, "Now Solomon made a treaty with Pharaoh king of...

Peter Sat Among Them

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 22:54-71. The leaders of the Jews arrested Jesus, but look at who tagged along, "Having arrested [Jesus], they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed...

To Comfort a King

To read the Bible in a year, read First Kings 1 and 2. The mighty warrior David aged fast and by the time he was in his late sixties, he could not get warm. Seeing him cold all the time,...

Satan Wants You

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 22:31-53. Satan wanted Peter. Jesus told Peter, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat" (Luke 22 ;31). Satan wanted Job also. Peter himself...

The Beginning of the Last Words of David

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Samuel 23 and 24. What are the last words that the magnificent poet David wrote? Listen to him and notice the first thing he noted about what God said to him,...

The Dangers of Zeal

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Samuel 21 and 22. Something bad happened during days of David's reign over Israel. He sought the Lord and received an answer, "Now there was a famine in the days of...

Teaching in the Morning

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 21:20-38. Think about this, "Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him" (Luke 21:38). How do you think it affected their day...

Among the Peaceable

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Samuel 19 and 20. Sheba threatened the unity of the kingdom of Israel. Therefore, David had to have the man removed. The army followed Sheba to a city, and Israel prepared...

The Value of Patience

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 21:1-19. Jesus warned His disciples that they would be persecuted, but that it would turn out to be opportunities to preach. He explained further that many people would hate them, even...

All Israel Against David

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Samuel 17 and 18. Second Samuel 16-18 shows a sad time during the reign of David. Not only was he fleeing his son, but all Israel joined in the chase. "Then...

Preconceived Ideas Lead to Twisting the Scriptures

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 20:27-47. When you approach the word of God, you have to clear your mind and be ready to accept whatever it says, even if it goes contrary to what you believe....

Stealing Hearts

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Samuel 15 and 16. It was not enough that Absalom killed his brother, he wanted the kingdom of his father also. So, he began to gather an army, though only numbering...

What Is Your Authority?

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 20:1-26. Jesus taught and typically the leaders confronted Him (Luke 20:1). They asked, "Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this...

Amnon Had a Friend

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Samuel 13 and 14. Solomon said, The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. (Proverbs 12:26) Solomon knew because he had a brother...

The Lord Has Need of It

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 19:29-48. The time of the death of Jesus approached. As He drew near to the surroundings of Jerusalem (Luke 19:29), He sent two of His disciples and listen to what He...

Show Kindness Without Ceasing

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Samuel 10-12. David fought many wars, but he also looked for any reason to show kindness. For example, the king of Ammon had been kind to David. Then the king of...

Run to See Jesus

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 19:1-28. Regardless of who you are and what others think of you, do everything you can to see Jesus. That is what a man did named Zacchaeus. Jesus traveled by Jericho...

Thinking of God

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Samuel 7-9. David loved God supremely. Therefore, it bothered the king that he lived in a nice home, but that the Ark of the Covenant only dwelt in a tent. This...

Eternal Life

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 18:18-43. Luke wrote, "Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, 'Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'" (Luke 18:18). That question ranks in the top ten of all...

The Sad End of the House of Saul

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Samuel 4-6. The man who became the first king of Israel should have gone down in history gloriously. However, it did not happen that way. The Philistines killed Saul and some...

If You Want It, Keep Praying For It

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 18:1-17. Luke wrote, "Then [Jesus] spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). For years I had prayed that I could do...

Mourning for an Enemy

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Samuel 1-3. The Philistines killed Saul and three of his sons. An Amalekite went to David, hoping to gain favor with the David who had killed many Amalekites, and said that...

The Location of the Kingdom of God

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 17:20-37. The Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come, but He told them that it would not come with observation (Luke 17:20). He also said, "nor will they...

Overcoming Distress

To read the Bible in a year, read First Samuel 30 and 31. While David and his men were away fighting, the Amalekites attacked the city where he stayed and captured his family and the families of his men (1Samuel...

Do Not Be the Offender

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 17:1-19. Jesus warned us that we cannot go through life without encountering offenses, "Then He said to the disciples, 'It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him...

Fighting One Another Hurts Us

To read the Bible in a year, read First Samuel 27-29. Saul pursued David relentlessly. Yet, David would not attack Saul, even when the opportunity came up. Finally, "David said in his heart, 'Now I shall perish someday by the...

What Are You Doing With Your Life?

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 16:19-31. Jesus began a story, contrasting a rich man and a beggar, saying, "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every...

Hardly a Mention of Samuel's Death

To read the Bible in a year, read First Samuel 25 and 26. First Samuel 25 makes this brief pass at the death of Samuel, "Then Samuel died; and the Israelites gathered together and lamented for him, and buried him...

Are You Wasting Someone's Goods?

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 16:1-18. Are you in charge of someone else's things? In other words, do you work for someone? Are you as careful with his or her things as you are with your...

The Three Depressing Ds

To read the Bible in a year, read First Samuel 22-24. Saul pursued after David, but he hid himself, going to a cave. His family went there also, for their lives were in danger as well (1Samuel 22:1). Look who...