Managing them the way He wanted ~ Bob Coy

A NOT-SO-OBVIOUS ANSWER


"Will a man rob God?" Malachi 3:8 (NKJV)

Will a man rob God? Now there's a question that seems to have an all-too-obvious answer. Of course not! He's too big, too powerful, and too mighty to be robbed by mere man. That's the sentiment God was banking on the Israelites having as He posed this question to them. Rob God? Of course not!

But the answer God gives to His own question isn't what one would expect. "Will a man rob God?" Yes, you actually have robbed me in tithes and offerings! That must have thrown Israel for a loop. Here's God Almighty, telling them that they've been guilty of stealing by withholding their tithes and offering from Him.

What a wake-up call! It was a powerful reminder that their finances really weren't theirs to begin with. They weren't owners but caretakers, entrusted with God's resources. And by not managing them the way He wanted, they were actually stealing from Him!
This is that part of the devotional that might prove to be a bit painful. For just as God asked Israel a question, we need to ask ourselves the same question. Are we robbing God by not managing His resources the way He wants?

We wouldn't normally think of ourselves as robbing from God, but neither did Israel. However, the example is right here in black and white. God expects His people to do certain things with the resources He entrusts to them. And if they aren't doing those things, then they're ripping Him off. 


What a wake up call!

If that describes you, if you've been guilty of robbing God by not giving to the Kingdom causes that He's called you to, the answer isn't to feel defeated or condemned. It's to start making those changes, little-by-little if necessary, that He wants and desires.
Discuss and share with your group about a time you had something stolen from you. How did you feel knowing you’d been robbed? What action did you take?

Dig into Malachi 3:1–15. What is the point the prophet is making regarding our giving? What promise accompanies this rebuke? How is this challenge to be generous applicable to all believers? What changes do you need to make?

Decide as a group to pray for each group member’s personal integrity. Ask God to do a purifying work in your heart and refine the motives that move you to action.

The Strength of Our Life! ~ Raul Ries


“O, Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in you.”
Psalm 84:12



French painter Emile Ranouf had depicted, in one of his paintings, on old man dressed in fisherman’s garb, seated in a boat with a little girl next to him. Both the elderly gentleman and the child have their hands on a huge oar. The old man is looking down fondly at the little girl and apparently told the girl that she may assist him in rowing the boat. The child feels as if she is doing a great task. It is easy to see, however, that it is the old man’s strong, muscular arms that are actually propelling the boat through the water.
It is so easy to get caught up in the tasks that we carry out every day, that we fail to see that God’s hand is on the oar as well, and it is His power that causes us to move forward!
Thought for the Day:

He is the strength of our lives!

Don't be in such a big hurry ~ Joyce Meyer


To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.
— 
Ecclesiastes 3:1
 

We never learn patience without something to be patient about. Patience is something that has to be worked in us — it doesn't just appear. The fruit of patience is in our spirits, because as children of God, the Holy Spirit is resident within us. 

But for patience to be expressed through our souls (our mind, will, and emotions), a work must be done in us. Once the prescribed time of waiting for the birth of each of my children had passed, I tried everything imaginable to bring on labor. I walked, took castor oil, worked harder than usual, hoping it would help "speed things up." With one of them, I even went into the hospital so the doctor would induce labor. It didn't work; I was sent home. The doctor basically said, "Go home and let nature take its course." 

My advice to you from the Word of God and from my experience in life is, "Don't be in such a big hurry." You may be full of dreams for your life, but you may also be trying to achieve your dreams out of season. We can make huge messes in our lives, and sometimes get upset with God because things didn't work out the way we thought the Lord said they would. Things will happen as God said if we wait on His timing. We are the ones in a hurry. God is not in a hurry! 

Stay busy delighting yourself in the Lord, and let Him give you what He wants you to have. If God has placed the desire in you, you can be assured that He will bring it to birth in the right season. Wait on God for direction and instruction on how to proceed, do what He tells you or shows you, but don't go beyond that.              
 

You worship the living God. ~ Mike MacIntosh


Jesus answered and said to them, "Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 

But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken."
Mark 12:24-27

Be encouraged today that you worship the living God. Religions have you worship someone who is dead. But Christianity is about worshiping and serving a God who is alive! That's why Christianity isn't a religion--it's a relationship with the One, True, Living God.

In Daniel chapter 6, after Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, King Darius comes to see if "Daniel, the servant of the living God" (Daniel 6:20) had been able to deliver him. And yes, the living God delivered Daniel! Afterwards, King Darius made a decree for the entire world to read:
"To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions" (Daniel 6:25-27).

Daniel trusted the living God for all of His needs--and you can also trust Him in every need you have, in every circumstance you experience. He is the living God. He is alive and actively working in your life. You don't worship some dead god or an idol; you have the honor and privilege of communicating with and expressing your love to our Lord and Savior. The enemy sure made an effort to kill Him and keep Him dead, but nothing could keep Jesus in the grave. God raised Jesus from the grave, showing His power over death.

As you go about your day today, remember the wonderful blessing that you have. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Whatever circumstances you are facing this week, know that you have a living God to run to, and that you have the Spirit of the living God to guide, direct, teach, and encourage you. Truly we know that we serve the living God.

"My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God" (Psalm 84:2).
"But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King" (Jeremiah 10:10a).

The Fruit and Benefit of Godly Sorrow ~ Wow 7 minute Bible



The Fruit and Benefit of Godly Sorrow


2Corinthians 6:1-8:9; Psalm 120:1-2; Proverbs 22:26-27


We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says:
"In an acceptable time I have heard you, 

And in the day of salvation I have helped you." 

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 

 

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
 

O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
 

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
"I will dwell in them 

And walk among them. 

I will be their God, 

And they shall be My people." 

Therefore 

"Come out from among them 

And be separate, says the Lord. 

Do not touch what is unclean, 

And I will receive you." 

"I will be a Father to you, 

And you shall be My sons and daughters, 

Says the LORD Almighty." 

 

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.




Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one. I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.




For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
 

For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.




For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
 

Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true. And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.
 

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. But as you abound in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us-see that you abound in this grace also.
 

I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 6:1-8:9

WORSHIP
In my distress I cried to the LORD, 

And He heard me. 

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips 

And from a deceitful tongue. 

Psalm 120:1-2
WISDOM
Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, 

One of those who is surety for debts; 

If you have nothing with which to pay, 

Why should he take away your bed from under you? 

Proverbs 22:26-27


Our faith needs exercise ~ Jack Graham

… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…

-- Hebrews 12:1


If there’s one thing we know about exercise, it’s that there is no easy way to get in shape. Working out requires a great deal of determination, dedication, and discipline.


Now, if you’ve ever tried something like running for exercise, you know there are plenty of reasons to give it up once you start doing it. But if you can just stay with it long enough, you’ll soon begin to experience the great pleasure and benefits that come from your efforts.


Well, in today’s verse, the writer of the book of Hebrews tells us that our faith needs exercise, too. In fact, God wants you to be a well-trained spiritual athlete, and with this calling comes the requirement of, well, training!


So don’t miss the race that God has marked out just for you. There are many things in life that are important, but nothing is more important in the life of a Christ-follower.


Internalize the words of Paul in today’s verse. He’s saying, “Don’t stop now. Keep moving forward. There’s a prize for those who run all the way to the finish!”


GOD WANTS YOU TO BE A WELL-TRAINED SPIRITUAL ATHLETE!

Start Seeking God ~ Chuck Swindoll



Start Seeking God
by Charles R. Swindoll



"Lord, I'm back and I diligently seek you." 

How many times have we said this? 

This time stop stalking and sit silently. Wait patiently, seek diligently, sit silently. That means you need to pour out your heart and then deliberately be quiet. Spend a full day in quietness.


Meditation is a lost art in this modern, hurry-up world. I suggest you revive it. Not by endlessly repeating some mantra to get into some other frame of mind. Not that. Simply and silently wait before your faithful God. Read a passage of Scripture, perhaps a Psalm, and let it speak. Say nothing. Just sit silently. Let Him talk. Let Him reassure you that you are fully and completely forgiven and that your shame is gone. Feel His arms around you. Understand the cleansing that He's bringing. Feel again the freshness and relief of His presence.


God will give you a fresh start if you'll stop fighting. It works. I know. I've been there. Just submit to Him and accept His grace.


God will keep His promise to forgive and welcome you home.
His mercies are new every morning.


Have you paid the price to develop healthy allies? (95-4) ~ Barry Werner



Have you paid the price to develop healthy allies? (95-4)



The term “building alliances” seems to be replaced in today’s language by the term “networking.” Whether you use the term alliances or network, effective leaders pay attention to this function of leadership. Read 2 Samuel 15:32-36 and 16:15-17:23.
David used his resources to help others succeed. He genuinely befriended people and repaid loyalty. Because of these things he had loyal friends who were willing to invest their resources in his continued success.
Having worked on movie scripts for many years in my past life, it is hard to read this story of intrigue without seeing a “spy novel” that should become a film. Hushai, a friend of David, literally put his life on the line for the king. He and David devised a dangerous strategy of placing Hushai as a mole in Absalom’s court. This guy had guts, courage and cunning. He was willing to step in when no one else could successfully have served in this manner. Why? Because he and David had cultivated a deep and trusting relationship over many years.
Great leaders must have allies. Wise leaders understand that it is time, thoughtfulness and devotion that are the fertilizer that causes relational alliances to grow. Allies are expensive but genuine allies are valuable because they cannot be bought.
Have you paid the price to develop healthy alliances – a network of loyal allies that you will be able to call on for help in your time of need?
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"Unusual" Consequences of Accessing Grace through Faith ~ Bob Hoekstra


Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented. (Hebrews 11:36-37)
Very often, when people are trusting in the Lord to work by His grace, they anticipate many delightful workings of God (such as we have seen in the testimonies of Hebrews 11). These saints "subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens" (Hebrews 11:33-34). Yet, others experienced what might be called "unusual" consequences of accessing grace through faith. They had to trust in the Lord when the aforementioned blessings did not occur. They had to trust God to sustain them in and through great difficulties of life.
Some had to endure by faith "trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment." Jeremiah exemplifies these. "O LORD…I am in derision daily; everyone mocks me…Therefore the princes were angry with Jeremiah, and they struck him and put him in prison" (Jeremiah 20:7; 37:15). Some "were stoned." Zechariah was killed in this fashion when he gave warnings from the Lord. "So they conspired against him, and…stoned him with stones" (2 Chronicles 24:21). Some "were sawn in two." Tradition tells us that Isaiah died in this vicious manner. Some "were tempted." In the midst of their sufferings, they were further pained by enticements to ungodly responses. Job endured this through bad counsel from his own wife. "Do you still hold to your integrity? Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9). Some "were slain with the sword." King Saul ordered godly priests to be executed this way, because they were loyal to David: " '…kill the priests!' So Doeg the Edomite…killed on that day eighty-five men…." (1 Samuel 22:18). Others "wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented." By faith, these saints had to endure homelessness, poverty, distress, and harassment.
These servants of the Lord (who are all examples of living by faith!) are a reminder to us that our trials, sufferings, and anguishing impossibilities do not necessarily mean we are failing to trust God. These challenges often mean that we are being given an opportunity to humbly, dependently, draw upon the grace of God in ways that we need to experience or others need to observe.
Lord God of the "unusual" blessing, please give me the wisdom to discern and the grace to endure when Your answer to my prayer is to allow a mocking, a verbal stoning, an affliction, or a season of lack, in Jesus' name, Amen.

God is in the process of changing us. ~ David McGee


1 Corinthians 3:1-2
"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;"
NKJV

Life Lesson God is in the process of changing us.

Paul has written that there are two kinds of people; believers and unbelievers. Now he writes of two kinds of believers, mature (carnal) or immature.

Carnal is from the word, Carna, which means flesh. You have an old nature and a new nature. Your old nature is carnal. You have probably heard the word Carnival (Carna Vale) which literally means farewell to the flesh. Originally, parties were held before the week of Lent to usher in this time of dying to the flesh. Mardi Gras, a much less spiritual party celebrated in New Orleans and other places around the world started in this way.

God is in the process of changing us. The way we grow in God is by doing the things He has told us through His Word.
1 Peter 2:2 "...as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby," NKJV
Jesus told us that, "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). It would seem that Jesus placed great importance on His followers learning the scriptures. Many contemporary Bible teachers would do well to make note of this.

As we read and draw our nourishment from God's Word, we begin to grow in our new nature. Our lives begin to reflect changes by saying "yes" to the Holy Spirit. We are being conformed to the image of Jesus. Personal time in the Bible, in prayer, in faithful attendance of a Bible teaching church are all indications of spiritual maturity and are all important for our continued spiritual growth. 

Do you see these things in your life? 

Take a close look ...maybe even ask a friend or family member. Are these things apparent in your life? God does not want us to remain babes in Christ, but to enjoy the full blessing of walking in His will.

Dear Father,
Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your desire to use me in the Harvest. Lord, I know I have made excuses and yet You and Your Word are still willing to guide me even in my selfishness. Thank You for teaching me. Forgive me for any envy, strife or division I have caused. I desire to know more and more of You. Thank You for loving me and for having a great plan for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David

Passing Kings & Kingdoms & The Enduring Throne Of God ~ Kay Arthur


Jeremiah, Part 1 (Return To Me)

Program 40 – Passing Kings & Kingdoms & The Enduring Throne Of God


Have you ever sung that chorus, “Jesus, Jesus, there is something about that name”? Remember it says, “Kings and kingdoms will all pass away.” But His name will never pass away. There is something about His name. He endures. His sovereignty rules over all. And what is the foundation of His throne? It‟s righteousness and justice. And that is a throne you can trust. And we‟ll talk about it today.

Today, Beloved, as we look at Jeremiah chapter 22, the final chapter in our lesson for this week, we are going to see kings and kingdoms pass away, but we are going to see God remain on His throne.

It‟s so important to me to put you into historical context. I do pray that you have gone to our website “preceptsforlife.com,” and you have downloaded this historical account so that you can keep everything together, and you have the map so that you can look at what‟s happening.

But in Jeremiah chapter 22 what we have is Jeremiah talking to us in this chapter and recording in chapter 22 the account of three of Judah‟s kings, the account of Shallum or Jehoahaz, the account of Jehoiakim. And Jehoiakim is also called Eliakim. And then you have an account of Jehoiachin, Coniah or Jeconiah. But this is what we see in Jeremiah chapter 22.

Now Jeremiah is going to talk about justice. Jeremiah is going to talk about righteousness. And what I would like you to do is I would like you to begin by going with me to Psalm 97. Get this and understand, “The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad. Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” (Psalms 97:1-2)

In other words, what is God‟s rule based on? What governs the way God rules? It is righteousness and it is justice, and they are the foundation of His throne.

And then you look at Psalm 106. And in Psalm 106 there is a charge to you and to me. But I‟m going to start in verse 1, and read through verse 3. “Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the LORD, or…show forth all [of] His praise?” (Psalms 106:1-2)

And then he says this, “How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times!” (Psalms 106:3)

As we bring this week to a close, my heart‟s desire for you is the same as my heart‟s desire for me, that I will practice righteousness all my days, that I will live in a way that shows the justice of God, that I will be kind and I will be fair, and I will be compassionate, and I will deliver the widow, and the alien, and the orphan, and that I will treat my brother fairly because I belong to God, Almighty.

That‟s what he‟s talking about. Now the word “justice” is very important and the word “righteousness.” And the first mention of justice is in Genesis chapter 18, verse 19. And if you‟ll turn in your Bibles in Genesis 18, verse 19. God is talking to Abraham.

Now listen carefully, God is about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because their iniquity has come up before Him. It is a city that has Lot in it who is a righteous man, whose soul is
being vexed by the people in it because it is a city that is filled with homosexuality. And God is going to destroy them.

And He says in verse 19, speaking of Abraham, “„…I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.‟” (Genesis 18:19)

He‟s saying, “Listen, shall I hide from Abraham what I‟m going to do? I‟m going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. But, “„…I have chosen him…that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice….‟” (Genesis 18:19)

Are you teaching your children righteousness? Are you teaching them justice? Are you teaching them what it is to serve the Lord and who the Lord is about? And then He says, “[Indeed] …„The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is…great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.‟” (Genesis 18:20) And then he‟s going to go down and deal with them.

But what I want you to see is the righteous versus the unrighteous and the judgment of God, a just God that must come upon them. When we look at 2 Samuel chapter 8, verse 15, we see a word about David. And I would like you to go there, 2 Samuel chapter 8, and it is verse 15. And this is what it says, “So David reigned over all [of] Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people.” (2 Samuel 8:15)

When they begin to list the kings in 2 Kings they will say and this king did evil; he walked after his father, but even though that it is a king far removed from David, like Josiah, it says [“And Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord; he walked after the ways of his father David.”] (2 Kings 22:2) And it points way back generations to David. Why? Because, “…David administered justice and righteousness for all his people.” (2 Samuel 8:15)

Isaiah the prophet mentions justice more than any Old Testament prophet. He mentions it 26 times. And in the book of Isaiah in chapter 1, verse 17, we have him using the word justice for the first time. And he tells them in verse 16, “„Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.‟” (Isaiah 1:16-17) Seek justice.

And then when you come to the last mention of justice in Isaiah, it is Isaiah chapter 61, and it is verse 8. And this is what He says, “For I, the LORD, love justice, I hate robbery in the burnt offering….” (Isaiah 61:8) In other words, you‟re bringing me a burnt offering, but you‟re stealing part of the offering. “…And I will faithfully give them their recompense…,” when they do this, “…and make an everlasting covenant with them.” (Isaiah 61:8) He is saying that He will make an everlasting covenant with those that love justice.

When you come to Jeremiah chapter 2, the Lord says, “…„What injustice did your fathers find in Me, that they went far from Me and [they] walked after emptiness and became empty?‟” (Jeremiah 2:5) You cannot find injustice with God. And if you think you find it, you walk after emptiness and you become empty.

In Jeremiah chapter 4, in verse 2, the very first reference in Jeremiah to justice. And He‟s saying, “„If you will return, O Israel,‟ declares the LORD, „Then you should return to Me…if you will put away your detested things from My presence, and will not waver (Jeremiah 4:1) “…[If] you will swear, “As the LORD lives,” in truth, in justice…in righteousness; then the nations will bless themselves in Him, and in Him [will they] glory.‟” (Jeremiah 4:2)

In other words, if they can see justice and righteousness in you then that will draw the nations to God, but of course, he didn‟t see that. And so God had to judge them.

Now we were in Jeremiah chapter 22. And I left you with Shallum. Another name for Shallum is Jehoahaz. And he is put by the people on the throne after Josiah dies. As a matter of fact, let me just simply take you back to 2 Kings chapter 24 so that you see this. In verse 33, Pharaoh Neco comes, and what does he do? He kills Josiah, remember that? He‟s going up north to Carchemish. He wants to support the Assyrians. And the Babylonians are at war, and they are conquering and taking over the territory. And it says when they buried Josiah, “…Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz…,” that‟s Shallum, “…the son of Josiah and anointed him and made him king in the place of his father. Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king…he reigned three months in Jerusalem….” (2 Kings 23:30-31) That‟s all.

And it says, “He did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.” (2 Kings 23:32) It doesn‟t point back to David; it doesn‟t point back to justice. And “Pharaoh Neco imprisoned him at Riblah….” (2 Kings 23:33)

Now remember, Riblah is on the way up to Carchemish. “…In the land of Hamath…,” (2 Kings 23:33) it‟s right there next to Hamath, “…that he might not reign in Jerusalem….” (2 Kings 23:33) And Pharaoh Neco, now this is Egypt., “…Imposed on the land…,” on the Jews, “…a fine of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. (2 Kings 23:33) And “Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and [he] changed his name to Jehoiakim….” (2 Kings 23:34) This is the king that we‟re going to look at next.

But it says, “…But he took Jehoahaz away and brought him to Egypt, and he died there.” (2 Kings 23:34) This is the one, as we saw yesterday, that you are to weep for because he never saw the land again. We‟ll be right back.

I‟m so glad you‟re back. We‟re right in the middle of the history. Remember, Pharaoh Neco, has left Egypt he is on his way up to support Assyria as they fight at Carchemish. And he is delayed by King Josiah coming out. He‟s in a hurry to get out there, and he‟s delayed. So he comes back and it‟s almost like, “I‟m going to get you Jews for doing that to me.”

And so the Jews have put Shallum, Jehoahaz, on the throne to rule, but he only rules for three months because Pharaoh Neco takes him, deposes him, and puts Jehoaikim on the throne, and takes Shallum, who is called is called Jehoahaz, down to Egypt.

Now let‟s look at Jehoaiakim, Jeremiah chapter 22, verse 13. “„Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness….‟” (Jeremiah 22:13) Now remember all this week we‟ve been looking at justice and righteousness. And so he says, “Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness.” In your Bible take a pencil and write, “Jehoiakim.” He‟s going to tell us that it‟s Jehoaikim in verse 18, but you need to know what‟s going on. Watch the contrast between Jehoaikim and his father Josiah.

It says, “„Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness and his upper rooms without justice….‟” (Jeremiah 22:13) Now how does he do that? He “„…uses his neighbor‟s services without pay and [he] does not give him his wages.‟” (Jeremiah 22:13) In other words, he takes away, or he keeps from him, that which he has rightfully earned. That should tell you something about who gets taxed and who doesn‟t get taxed and that.

And he says, “„Who says, „I will build myself a roomy house….”‟” (Jeremiah 22:14) Now this is the king, and the king is building his house. This is the government, the government is building the government‟s house. “„“…With spacious upper rooms, and cut out its windows, paneling it with cedar and painting it bright red.”‟” (Jeremiah 22:14)

He says, “„[Did] you become a king because you [were] competing in cedar…?‟” He says, “„…Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness…?‟” (Jeremiah 22:15) Now remember, that‟s “Josiah.” So with a pencil write Josiah there. “„…Then it [went] well with him.‟” (Jeremiah 22:15)

I want you to get the point. It will go well with you with God when you do justice and righteousness. It may not do it in the society in which you live. And you may suffer as Jeremiah suffered, but in the end it will go well with you. When you stand to the judgment seat of Christ to answer for the deeds done in your body, if you walk in righteousness and justice it will go well with you.

It says, “„He…,‟” speaking of Josiah, “„…pled the cause of the afflicted and [the] needy; then it was well. Is [that not] what it means to know Me…?‟” (Jeremiah 22:16) Beloved, you show your knowledge of God by the way that you live. And you see that Jehoiakim was an evil king. He says, “„But your eyes…,‟” speaking of Jehoiakim, “„…and your heart are intent only [on]…dishonest gain….‟” (Jeremiah 22:17)

What about you? Are you just greedy? Do you have to have money? Do you have to get things in your dishonest gain? “„…On shedding innocent blood…on practicing oppression and extortion.‟” (Jeremiah 22:17)

“Therefore…,” when you see a “therefore” look at what it‟s there for, “…thus says the LORD in regard to Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, „They will not lament for him….‟” They lamented for Josiah, but not for you. “„…“Alas, my brother!” or, “Alas, sister!” They will not lament for him: “Alas for the master…Alas for his splendor!” (Jeremiah 22:18) He will be buried with a donkey‟s burial, dragged off and thrown beyond the gates of Jerusalem.‟” (Jeremiah 22:19) Just a bunch of trash. “„Go up to Lebanon and cry out…lift up your voice in Bashan; cry out from Abarim, for all your lovers have been crushed.‟” (Jeremiah 22:20)

All those people that supported you in your sin, all those politicians and those that played politics and came along side of you, they will be crushed. He said, “„I spoke to you in your prosperity; but you said, “I will not listen!” This has been your practice from your youth….‟” He‟s talking to the nation now. He says, “„…That you have not obeyed My voice.‟” (Jeremiah 22:21)

Oh, Precious Ones, He‟s talking to Israel. But this is us, this is America. We have not obeyed his voice. “„The wind will sweep away all your shepherds….‟” Your rulers. He says, “„…And your lovers will go into captivity; then [surely] you will…be ashamed and humiliated because of all your wickedness. (Jeremiah 22:22) You who dwell in Lebanon, nested in the cedars, how you will groan when pangs come upon you, pain like a woman in a childbirth! As I live,‟ declares the LORD….” (Jeremiah 22:23-24)

Now He‟s going to move from Jehoiakim, who is also called Eliakim, to Coniah, or Jeconiah, or Jehoiachin. And He says, “„As I live,‟ declares the LORD, „even though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were a signet ring on My right hand…I [will] pull you off….‟” (Jeremiah 22:24) Even though you‟re a signet ring, even though you were the one that I made my stamp with, He says, “„And I will give you over into the hand of those who are seeking your life….‟” (Jeremiah 22:25)

They were in the hands of Pharaoh Neco, but now Babylon is coming against them. Read your chart, look at the map, and watch Babylon come down against them. He says, “„…Even into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon…into the hand of the Chaldeans. I will hurl you and your mother who bore you into another country where you were not born, and there you will die.‟” (Jeremiah 22:25-26) Another king bites the dust, “„But as for the land [for they] which they desire to return, they will not return to it. Is this man Coniah a despised, shattered jar…?‟” (Jeremiah 22:27-28)

And remember, he takes the pot and he shatters the pot? So that they can see what he is going to do. “„Is…Coniah a despised, shattered jar? Or is he an undesirable vessel? Why have he and his descendants been hurled out….‟” (Jeremiah 22:28) Why have they been thrown out? And he throws it. And he says, “Why have they been hurled out?” “„…Cast into a land that they had not known? O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD!‟” (Jeremiah 22:28-29)

And this is what I would say, „Oh America, America, America, hear the word of the Lord. “„Thus says the LORD, “Write [him]…down childless, a man who will not prosper in his days; for no man of his descendants will prosper sitting on the throne of David or ruling again in Judah.”‟” (Jeremiah 22:30) Jeconiah had children, but you might as well write him down as childless. Why? Because he will never have a son that will sit on the throne of Judah, and this is the way that chapter 22 ends.

And chapter 23 begins with, “„Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering…My [flock]!‟” (Jeremiah 23:1) Who are those who destroy a nation, that scatter the flock, those that do not do justice, those that do not execute righteousness?

Oh Beloved, know this, He is the King of the nations. And all the nations will someday give an account to God. God‟s throne is a throne of righteousness and justice. (See Psalms 97:2) Remember that and live accordingly.

Molded into Godly Character ~ Rick Warren


“Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 NIV).

Your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act.

God uses his Word, people, and circumstances to mold us. All three are indispensable for character development. God’s Word provides the truth we need to grow, God’s people provide the support we need to grow, and circumstances provide the environment to practice Christlikeness.

If you study and apply God’s Word, connect regularly with other believers, and learn to trust God in difficult circumstances, I guarantee you will become more like Jesus.

Many people assume all that is needed for spiritual growth is Bible study and prayer. But some issues in life will never be changed by Bible study or prayer alone. God uses people. He usually prefers to work through people rather than perform miracles, so that we will depend on each other for fellowship. He wants us to grow together.

In many religions, the people considered to be the most spiritually mature and holy are those who isolate themselves from others in mountaintop monasteries, uninfected by contact with other people.

But this is a gross misunderstanding. Spiritual maturity is not a solitary, individual pursuit!

You cannot grow to Christlikeness in isolation. You must be around other people and interact with them. You need to be a part of a church and community.

Why? Because true spiritual maturity is all about learning to love like Jesus, and you can’t practice being like Jesus without being in relationship with other people.

Remember, it’s all about love—loving God and loving others.

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