That's Not Yours!
1 Kings 21
Building a Community centered on Love
This blog is where I do a Bible Reading. I read a passage from the Bible and then I write down my own thoughts on what I read. I would love to know your thoughts as well!
Showing posts with label 1 Kings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 Kings. Show all posts
Saturday, 4 June 2016
Bible Reading #184 - That's Not Yours!
Sunday, 10 January 2016
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #110
Putting Things Off
1 Kings 1
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 5-6) "Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, 'I will be king.' So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. (His father had never interfered with him by asking, 'Why do you behave as you do?' He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom." (v. 30) "I will surely carry out today what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place."
My Thoughts
King David was getting old and close to dying, and he still hadn't anointed his son Solomon as king to succeed him. David was putting this important event off so much that his other son Adonijah decided he was going to make himself king, and got a bunch of people to rally behind him. Solomon and his mother would have been killed if Adonijah succeeded in making himself king.
David's choice to keep putting this important event off may well have cost the lives of Solomon and his mother. When we put things off for long periods of time as well, there very well can be consequences for doing so. If you put off doing your homework for school, you may end up losing marks which could mean the difference between passing or failing. IF you put off a report at work, you've just slowed down the machine and could lose your job to someone who actually does what they need to do.
Some things, when you put them off, may not cost you anything that's actually important, but you may miss out on some things. It's never fun when you miss out on doing or getting things that you want. Even if you just miss out on getting a limited edition item, you know, a piece of clothing, a baseball bat, a book. I mean, they are not really extremely important to have, but if it's something you want, then you want it, right?
Don't get into a habit of putting things off because it is going to cause problems later on. If you have multiple thing going on at once that each have a sort of deadline, if you will, then you have to filter out which ones are most important. You do that, then you get them all done. If you're able to get most or all, then that's great! That's not going to happen if we put of doing those things though, which is why we need to get things done that need to be done.
David's choice to keep putting this important event off may well have cost the lives of Solomon and his mother. When we put things off for long periods of time as well, there very well can be consequences for doing so. If you put off doing your homework for school, you may end up losing marks which could mean the difference between passing or failing. IF you put off a report at work, you've just slowed down the machine and could lose your job to someone who actually does what they need to do.
Some things, when you put them off, may not cost you anything that's actually important, but you may miss out on some things. It's never fun when you miss out on doing or getting things that you want. Even if you just miss out on getting a limited edition item, you know, a piece of clothing, a baseball bat, a book. I mean, they are not really extremely important to have, but if it's something you want, then you want it, right?
Don't get into a habit of putting things off because it is going to cause problems later on. If you have multiple thing going on at once that each have a sort of deadline, if you will, then you have to filter out which ones are most important. You do that, then you get them all done. If you're able to get most or all, then that's great! That's not going to happen if we put of doing those things though, which is why we need to get things done that need to be done.
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Saturday, 9 January 2016
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #109
Listen to Truth
1 Kings 22
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 16) "The King said to him, 'How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?' " (v. 18) "The king said to Jehoshaphat, 'Didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?' " (v. 20) "And the Lord said, 'Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?' "
My Thoughts
Sometimes it's hard to hear the truth. No one wants to hear that something bad is going to happen to them or that they shouldn't do something that they want to do. I mean, it's your choice isn't it? No one has a right to tell you what you can or can't do, right? But wouldn't you rather hear the truth than hear just what you want to hear?
Ahab wanted to attack Ramoth Gilead and Jehoshaphat said that they should inquire of the Lord first. So Ahab got a bunch of prophets of Baal and they told him what he wanted to hear, that he should go because he would be victorious. Micaiah said otherwise, that Ahab was going to die if he went. But Ahab didn't listen. He wanted to do what he wanted to do and he just thought that Micaiah was saying bad things about him again.
Micaiah was telling the truth. Ahab died in battle by the random drawing of a bow. The truth may be hard to hear, but it is so much better than hearing lies that will make you happy until you realize you've been deceived. If people only lied to you, you would constantly be deceived by them and, while you may never really know, once it comes out, you are going to feel so betrayed.
However hard the truth is to hear, you should be listening to it rather the lies that make you feel good temporarily. lies will break you down in so many ways. Deception, betrayal, hurt, false hope, false confidence. The list could go on.
Lies build you up on an unstable foundation. Eventually, you will crumble and fall down and you will be left in ruins. Truth may break you down to begin with, but it rebuilds you on a much stronger and more stable foundation. That's the difference between lies and truth and what they do to us. Lies destroy, truth constructs and repairs.
Ahab wanted to attack Ramoth Gilead and Jehoshaphat said that they should inquire of the Lord first. So Ahab got a bunch of prophets of Baal and they told him what he wanted to hear, that he should go because he would be victorious. Micaiah said otherwise, that Ahab was going to die if he went. But Ahab didn't listen. He wanted to do what he wanted to do and he just thought that Micaiah was saying bad things about him again.
Micaiah was telling the truth. Ahab died in battle by the random drawing of a bow. The truth may be hard to hear, but it is so much better than hearing lies that will make you happy until you realize you've been deceived. If people only lied to you, you would constantly be deceived by them and, while you may never really know, once it comes out, you are going to feel so betrayed.
However hard the truth is to hear, you should be listening to it rather the lies that make you feel good temporarily. lies will break you down in so many ways. Deception, betrayal, hurt, false hope, false confidence. The list could go on.
Lies build you up on an unstable foundation. Eventually, you will crumble and fall down and you will be left in ruins. Truth may break you down to begin with, but it rebuilds you on a much stronger and more stable foundation. That's the difference between lies and truth and what they do to us. Lies destroy, truth constructs and repairs.
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Monday, 2 November 2015
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #43
God Keeps His Word
1 Kings 15
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 3-5) "He (Abijah) committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been. Nevertheless, for David's sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong. For David had done what was right in the eyes of the Lord and had not failed to keep any of the Lord's commands all the days of his life--except in the case of Uriah the Hittite."
My Thoughts
God made a promise to David that he would never fail to have a son on the throne. We see in these verses that God's promise to David was kept. Even when there was an evil king, God gave him a son to succeed him as king. Sometimes, though the father did evil in God's eyes, the son did the opposite and did what was right in God's eyes. The children do not always follow in the footsteps of their parents.
The promises that God makes to us are always kept. He never fails, no matter what. God's love is unconditional and no matter what we do, have done or ever will do can ever take His love away from us. Neither the promises that He makes to us. God's word is always true, and never does He deceive us.
Even though David committed adultery with Uriah's wife and had Uriah killed to cover it up, God kept his word to him. David was not perfect; none of us are or ever can be. David's heart was fully committed to God and that is what matters. Asa, who succeeded Abijah, had a heart that was fully committed to God as well. Even though Asa did not remove the high places, he still did what was right in God's eyes.
Because God keeps His word to us, we need to do the same. If you make a promise or a vow to God, you had better keep it. Be very careful to keep any promise you make to God or any vow. I would advise against doing this because it can cause a lot of problems for you. You know that God will keep His end of it, so you need to ensure that you keep your end. That is why we need to be careful not to bargain with God. We are likely to fail to keep it and that will cost us. There will be consequences, especially spiritually.
Remember, any promise that God makes to you, He will keep it without fail. Every single promise you find from Him in the Bible, or even if it is a personal experience for you, will not fail. Trust in that and have faith in Him. Remember as well to be careful about making promises, especially to God. Don't make promises you can't keep.
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The promises that God makes to us are always kept. He never fails, no matter what. God's love is unconditional and no matter what we do, have done or ever will do can ever take His love away from us. Neither the promises that He makes to us. God's word is always true, and never does He deceive us.
Even though David committed adultery with Uriah's wife and had Uriah killed to cover it up, God kept his word to him. David was not perfect; none of us are or ever can be. David's heart was fully committed to God and that is what matters. Asa, who succeeded Abijah, had a heart that was fully committed to God as well. Even though Asa did not remove the high places, he still did what was right in God's eyes.
Because God keeps His word to us, we need to do the same. If you make a promise or a vow to God, you had better keep it. Be very careful to keep any promise you make to God or any vow. I would advise against doing this because it can cause a lot of problems for you. You know that God will keep His end of it, so you need to ensure that you keep your end. That is why we need to be careful not to bargain with God. We are likely to fail to keep it and that will cost us. There will be consequences, especially spiritually.
Remember, any promise that God makes to you, He will keep it without fail. Every single promise you find from Him in the Bible, or even if it is a personal experience for you, will not fail. Trust in that and have faith in Him. Remember as well to be careful about making promises, especially to God. Don't make promises you can't keep.
Previous PostNext Post
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Thursday, 29 October 2015
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #39
Depression
1 Kings 19
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 3-8) "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life...He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." ...All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." ...there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights..."
My Thoughts
Elijah was depressed. He was afraid because his enemies were pursuing him and depressed because he was alone, or at least he felt that way. Elijah was so depressed, in fact, that he prayed he would die. He prayed that God would take his life because he'd had enough. God was not angry with Elijah though. God sent an angel to him and fed him food and water. Then God led him to a good friend.
Even as followers of Christ, we can become depressed. We are not immune to these things. God does not become angry with us because we become depressed. So many people today have depression, and that in itself is depressing. People need to know, though, that someone loves them. They are a part of this world and their life matters. You matter to someone and if you were just gone one day because of some harsh decision, the world would never be the same for hose who love and care for you.
Depression is still not one hundred percent understood, but what I do know is that if you are depressed, do not hide it inside. Fight, literally, for your life. Fight the thoughts and the feelings. You need to continue to take care of yourself. That means that you need to eat, and not excessively, nor a bunch of junk food either. Seek out the company of a good friend or someone you trust. Even if it is just for their company and comfort. They may be able to give you some advice as well. Just do not bottle everything up inside.
No matter how depressed you are, no matter how horrible you feel, you have to take care of yourself and spend time with a good friend or mentor. Don't forget to talk to God as well. God will be your comfort and your guide in those times. Just talk to Him. Things will get better if you allow it. Whatever is making you depressed, it is all lies from Satan. Please don't listen to him. Listen to the voice of truth.
The last thing I want to say right now is that if you think that no one loves you, then you need to think again. God loves you. I'm sure your family does, and your friends as well, and if no one else will say so, then I will. I love you. Whoever you are reading this, know that I love you. I love you because the love of God is in me and overflowing. I know this is coming from some guy over the internet who you don't even know, but that does not matter one bit. I don't care who you are, what I said still stands. Please take this to heart and know that you are loved.
Previous PostNext Post
Even as followers of Christ, we can become depressed. We are not immune to these things. God does not become angry with us because we become depressed. So many people today have depression, and that in itself is depressing. People need to know, though, that someone loves them. They are a part of this world and their life matters. You matter to someone and if you were just gone one day because of some harsh decision, the world would never be the same for hose who love and care for you.
Depression is still not one hundred percent understood, but what I do know is that if you are depressed, do not hide it inside. Fight, literally, for your life. Fight the thoughts and the feelings. You need to continue to take care of yourself. That means that you need to eat, and not excessively, nor a bunch of junk food either. Seek out the company of a good friend or someone you trust. Even if it is just for their company and comfort. They may be able to give you some advice as well. Just do not bottle everything up inside.
No matter how depressed you are, no matter how horrible you feel, you have to take care of yourself and spend time with a good friend or mentor. Don't forget to talk to God as well. God will be your comfort and your guide in those times. Just talk to Him. Things will get better if you allow it. Whatever is making you depressed, it is all lies from Satan. Please don't listen to him. Listen to the voice of truth.
The last thing I want to say right now is that if you think that no one loves you, then you need to think again. God loves you. I'm sure your family does, and your friends as well, and if no one else will say so, then I will. I love you. Whoever you are reading this, know that I love you. I love you because the love of God is in me and overflowing. I know this is coming from some guy over the internet who you don't even know, but that does not matter one bit. I don't care who you are, what I said still stands. Please take this to heart and know that you are loved.
Previous PostNext Post
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Friday, 16 October 2015
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #26
Wisdom
1 Kings 3
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 9) "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
My Thoughts
God had said to Solomon in a dream "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." How amazing is that? Can you imagine: God says to you to ask for whatever it is that you want! What would you say? What do you ask for? This is similar to thinking of what your three wishes would be if a genie gave you three wishes. Obviously, you always save the last wish and ask for three more, or you just ask for unlimited wishes, right? Okay, realistically now, what would you ask for from God if He gave you the chance?
You could ask for a long life. Wealth, fame, power and authority, eternal happiness, maybe even a super power! Many things, there are, that you could ask for! What did Solomon ask for? He asked for a discerning heart, to distinguish between right and wrong. That is wisdom. Making wise choices is important. Solomon was one of the wisest, if not THE wisest person to live. Solomon's choice pleased God.
As he was king and governed a nation, Solomon wanted to govern his people, who were God's people, wisely. He aspired to be a wise ruler, or rather, leader. Wisdom isn't only important if you are some kind of leader. You make choices, every day, hundreds or more choices. What to wear, what to eat, when to leave the house. Some choices become routine, but they are still choices. Making wise choices will lead you down the righteousness. That's where we want to be.
Every single day, when you wake up, ask God for wisdom. Wisdom for all the choices you make each day. Wisdom for the tough decisions and situations. Wisdom so that when you are stressed, you don't do things that will make it worse. Keep asking for wisdom. It doesn't take much time to say "God, please give me wisdom for the choices I make today." Say it while you go to the bathroom. Make it a part of your routine.
Making a wise decision could mean the difference between loss or gain, success or failure. Try not to be too hasty in making decisions, especially important ones. You'll know if they're important by how you feel about it. If it's hard to choose, or it causes you stress or anxiety, it's probably a more important decision. Pray before you make the final choice, and make sure that you choose what it is God wants.
Previous PostNext Post
You could ask for a long life. Wealth, fame, power and authority, eternal happiness, maybe even a super power! Many things, there are, that you could ask for! What did Solomon ask for? He asked for a discerning heart, to distinguish between right and wrong. That is wisdom. Making wise choices is important. Solomon was one of the wisest, if not THE wisest person to live. Solomon's choice pleased God.
As he was king and governed a nation, Solomon wanted to govern his people, who were God's people, wisely. He aspired to be a wise ruler, or rather, leader. Wisdom isn't only important if you are some kind of leader. You make choices, every day, hundreds or more choices. What to wear, what to eat, when to leave the house. Some choices become routine, but they are still choices. Making wise choices will lead you down the righteousness. That's where we want to be.
Every single day, when you wake up, ask God for wisdom. Wisdom for all the choices you make each day. Wisdom for the tough decisions and situations. Wisdom so that when you are stressed, you don't do things that will make it worse. Keep asking for wisdom. It doesn't take much time to say "God, please give me wisdom for the choices I make today." Say it while you go to the bathroom. Make it a part of your routine.
Making a wise decision could mean the difference between loss or gain, success or failure. Try not to be too hasty in making decisions, especially important ones. You'll know if they're important by how you feel about it. If it's hard to choose, or it causes you stress or anxiety, it's probably a more important decision. Pray before you make the final choice, and make sure that you choose what it is God wants.
Previous PostNext Post
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #17
Position of Authority
1 Kings 16
(v. 30) "Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him."
My Thoughts
Wow, for such a long time, at least about 38 years, there were nothing but evil kings for ruling over Israel. Each of them kept adding to sins of the one who came before. These men obtained a huge position of authority. Being king is not something anyone can do. It is a huge responsibility and also dangerous. If there was someone who didn't like you as king, they could very easily plot against you. This happened numerous times in the Bible and otherwise.
Even though some of these kings accomplished great things like building cities, they were not in good standing with God. Their hearts were not fully committed to Him, but divided. Jesus has said that you cannot serve two masters. Your heart cannot be divided between God and something else, your heart must be centered on God and nothing else comes before Him.
When God gives you a position of authority, it is not wise to abuse that authority. If you end up president, you need to ask God for wisdom in how He wants you to lead the country. A police officer needs to follow the law and cannot abuse his authority by bullying anyone or making excuses that it's okay because he's a cop. As any kind of leader, you should lead people with the wisdom and the love and grace of God. God will guide you in how to lead, if you only ask.
Being a leader is a lot of responsibility. You have a reputation that you need to maintain and people that look up to you. If you are their leader, and they respect you, then a lot of time, they will follow what you do. You see it all the time with celebrities. Their fans want to be exactly like them and to have everything to do with them. They have to be careful what they say and do because their fans are likely to adopt any position they take, values they have, even attitude.
If you lead people wrong, then not only are they responsible for the wrongs that they willingly followed, but you are responsible for them as well. You will be responsible for committing your own wrongs, and then you will be responsible for the wrongs that you caused others to commit. Honor God in whatever position you have, whether as a manager, a police officer, in government, a CEO or wherever you are any kind of leader, or even if you are not any kind of leader. Lead with the wisdom you gain from taking to God and ask Him to guide you in how to lead your followers.
Previous PostNext Post
Even though some of these kings accomplished great things like building cities, they were not in good standing with God. Their hearts were not fully committed to Him, but divided. Jesus has said that you cannot serve two masters. Your heart cannot be divided between God and something else, your heart must be centered on God and nothing else comes before Him.
When God gives you a position of authority, it is not wise to abuse that authority. If you end up president, you need to ask God for wisdom in how He wants you to lead the country. A police officer needs to follow the law and cannot abuse his authority by bullying anyone or making excuses that it's okay because he's a cop. As any kind of leader, you should lead people with the wisdom and the love and grace of God. God will guide you in how to lead, if you only ask.
Being a leader is a lot of responsibility. You have a reputation that you need to maintain and people that look up to you. If you are their leader, and they respect you, then a lot of time, they will follow what you do. You see it all the time with celebrities. Their fans want to be exactly like them and to have everything to do with them. They have to be careful what they say and do because their fans are likely to adopt any position they take, values they have, even attitude.
If you lead people wrong, then not only are they responsible for the wrongs that they willingly followed, but you are responsible for them as well. You will be responsible for committing your own wrongs, and then you will be responsible for the wrongs that you caused others to commit. Honor God in whatever position you have, whether as a manager, a police officer, in government, a CEO or wherever you are any kind of leader, or even if you are not any kind of leader. Lead with the wisdom you gain from taking to God and ask Him to guide you in how to lead your followers.
Previous PostNext Post
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do. Thanks for reading, Godbless!
