Keep God at the center (1 Chronicles 13:3)

1 Chronicles 13:3

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

³ It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul.”

 

 

 

 

The ark of God had been in Kiriath Jearim for many years. The neglect of the ark symbolized Israel's neglect for God. Bringing the ark back to the center of Israel's life reflected David's desire to remind the nation of its true foundation - God. Neglecting those things that remind us of God - the Bible, the Church, and contact with Christians - will cause us also to neglect God. We must keep God at the center of our lives.

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reputation ( 1 Chronicles 5:24-25 )

 

1 Chronicles 5:24-25

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

 

²⁴ These were the leaders of their clans: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. These men had a great reputation as mighty warriors and leaders of their clans.
²⁵ But these tribes were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors. They worshiped the gods of the nations that God had destroyed.



 
 

As warriors and leaders, these men had established excellent reputations for their skill and leadership qualities. But in God's eyes they failed in the most important quality - being faithful to God. If you try to measure up to society's standards for fame and success, you may neglect your true purpose - to please and obey God. In the end, God alone examines our hearts and determines our final standing. 

 

 

 

 Joe

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Brother Nick. I love you and miss you!

 

http://www.spicer-mullikinfuneralhomes.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1028012

Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10)

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

New International Version (NIV)

 

 

 

 

⁹ Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” ¹⁰ Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jabez is remembered for a prayer request rather than a heroic act. In his prayer, he asked God to 1.) bless him. 2.) help him in his work ("enlarge my territory"). 3.) be with him in all he did, and 4.) keep him from evil and harm. Jabez acknowledged God as the true center of his work. When we pray for God' blessing, we should also pray that he will take his rightful position as Lord over our work, our family time, and our recreation. Obeying Him in daily responsibilities is heroic living.

 

 

Jabez prayed specifically to be protected from harm and pain. We live in a fallen world with sin, and it is important to ask God to keep us safe from the unavoidable evil that comes our way. But we must also avoid evil motives, desires, and actions that begin within us. Therefore, not only must we seek God's protection from evil, but we must also ask God to guard our thoughts and actions. We can begin to utilize His protection by filling our minds with positive thoughts and attitudes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secret Sins (2 Kings 17:9)

2 Kings 17:9

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

⁹ The people of Israel had also secretly done many things that were not pleasing to the Lord their God. They built pagan shrines for themselves in all their towns, from the smallest outpost to the largest walled city.



 
Ruin came upon Israel for both their public sins and their secret sins. Not only did they condone wickedness and idolatry in public, but they committed even worse sins in private. Secret sins are the ones we don't want others to know about because they are embarrassing or incriminating. Sin done in private are not secret to God, and defiance to Him is just as damaging as open rebellion.



 
 
Joe













 

Heaven (Philippians 3:20-21)

Philippians 3:20-21

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

²⁰ But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. ²¹ He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.


 
The bodies that we will receive in heaven will be glorious. Those who struggle with pain, physical limitations, or disabilities can have wonderful hope in the resurrection.


 
I want to thank everyone for your prayers for my brother. He went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday. He now has a Glorious body that has no pain. Continue to pray for my brother's family.


Nick I will miss you...I know that I will see you again some day.


 
Joe




















 

Spiritual Eyesight (2 Kings 6:15-17)

2 Kings 6:15-17

The Message (MSG)

 

 

 

¹⁵ Early in the morning a servant of the Holy Man got up and went out. Surprise! Horses and chariots surrounding the city! The young man exclaimed, “Oh, master! What shall we do?”
¹⁶ He said, “Don’t worry about it—there are more on our side than on their side.”
¹⁷ Then Elisha prayed, “O God, open his eyes and let him see.”
The eyes of the young man were opened and he saw. A wonder! The whole mountainside full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha!



 
Elisha's servant was no longer afraid when he saw God's mighty heavenly army. Faith reveals that God is doing more for His people than we could ever realize through sight alone. When you face difficulties that seems insurmountable, remember that spiritual resources are there even if you can't see them. Look through the eyes of faith and let God show you His resources. If you don't see God working in your life, the problem may be your spiritual eyesight, not God's power.



 
Joe










 

God cares for us in the little things too.

2 Kings 6:1-6

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

The Floating Ax Head

 

 

6 One day the group of prophets came to Elisha and told him, “As you can see, this place where we meet with you is too small. ² Let’s go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to meet.”

“All right,” he told them, “go ahead.”
³ “Please come with us,” someone suggested.
“I will,” he said. ⁴ So he went with them.
When they arrived at the Jordan, they began cutting down trees. ⁵ But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. “Oh, sir!” he cried. “It was a borrowed ax!”
⁶ “Where did it fall?” the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface.



 
The incident of the floating axhead is recorded to show God's care and provision for those who trust Him, even in the insignificant events of everyday life. God is always present. Placed in the Bible between the healing of an Aramean general and the deliverance of the Israel's army, this miracle also shows Elisha's personal contact with the students in the companies of the prophets. Although he had the respect of kings, Elisha never forgot to care for the faithful. Don't let the importance of your work drive out your concern for human need.




Joe