Backsliding - It Can Happen To Anyone! We Must Be Careful!

2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34
In 17:3, we read of backsliding - in David, Asa and Jehoshaphat. ‘Jehoshaphat walked in the first ways of his father David’(Authorized Version). David, Jehoshaphat’s ancestor, started off so well - ‘the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power’. Things fell apart for him when he set his eyes upon Bathsheba (1 Samuel 17:13; 2 Samuel 11:2-5). ‘Jehoshaphat walked in the earlier ways of his father’(Revised Standard Version). Asa, Jehoshaphat’s father, began well. He did not finish well (14:2; 16:12). ‘In his early years Jehoshaphat walked in the (good) ways that his father David had followed’(New International Version). Sadly, he lost his way - ‘he made a marriage alliance with Ahab’, ‘a man... who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord’(18:1; 1 Kings 21:25). It can happen to anyone! We must be careful!
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

‘He Who Endures To The End Will Be Saved.’

2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14
Keep on going! Don’t give up! Asa began so well - ‘Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God’(14:2). He led the people to the Lord. Under his leadership, the people ‘entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and all their soul’(15:12). Everything seemed to be going so well - until Asa let things slide. He acted ‘foolishly’. He ‘relied on the king of Syria’. He ‘did not rely on the Lord his God’(16:7-9). There were difficult times ahead for Asa. He became seriously ill. Sadly, he did not return to the Lord - ‘even in his disease he did not seek the Lord’(16:12). ‘No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God’. ‘He who endures to the end will be saved’. ‘Let us go on...’(Luke 9:62; Mark 13:13; Hebrews 6:1).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

Prophetically Speaking




Many many years ago long before I had ever used a computer a brother in the Lord prophesied that I would write to the Glory of God, that my writings would be read around the world, and to be quite honest at the time I thought that so called prophet was nutzo.



Yet now over 10 years later, God has blessed me with a online ministry network with over 135 separate ministry sites that share the love of Christ around the world with approximately 1.5 million viewers visiting the overall network in 2007 with only 52 sites. Then over the last five months something else happened unexpectedly.

I was approached by a author who asked me to help him get some manuscripts published. Wow! that was intense. So with a whole lot of hard work, editing, rewriting, some co authoring and designing of the book covers. Two books have been published.

Trust and obey. There’s No Other Way To Be Happy In Jesus.

2 Chronicles 12:1-13:22
‘He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the Lord’(12:14). Read these words, and pray - ‘Lord, may these words never be true of me’. These words are a warning to us. Things will only go from bad to worse if we turn back from following the Lord. ‘As for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken Him’(13:10). Read these words, and pray - ‘Lord, may these words always be true of me’. This is the better way - God’s way: ‘God is with us; He is our Leader’(13:12). We read about unbelief and disobedience. We read about faith and obedience. “Do not fight against the Lord... you will not succeed’. ‘Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey’(13:12; Mission Praise, 760).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

‘All One In Christ Jesus’: Let There Be ‘No Divisions’ Among Us.

2 Chronicles 10:1-11:23
We read here of division among God’s people: ‘Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day’(10:19). What does God say about this? - ‘Do not go up to fight against your brothers (11:4). Jesus tells us that ‘a house... divided against itself cannot stand’(Mark 3:25). Paul speaks to us ‘in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ’. There are to be ‘no divisions’ among us (1 Corinthians 1:10). God’s Word says that we are ‘all one in Christ Jesus’(Galatians 3:28). Far too often, our lives tell a very different story. Division among God’s people is a big problem. We must learn to pray in the spirit of Jesus’ prayer. He prayed that ‘all of them may be one’: ‘May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me’(John 17:21,23).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

"The World Is Ever Near ... But, , Jesus, Draw Thou Nearer, And Shield My Soul From Sin."

2 Chronicles 8:1-9:31
In Solomon, we see strength and weakness. He was strong - ‘the House of the Lord was completed’(8:16). He was also weak. He was infatuated with foreign women, who did not belong among the redeemed people of God. He married ‘Pharaoh’s daughter’, a woman who had no love for ‘the holy places’ of worship (8:11). To the queen of Sheba, a woman who had more love for ‘her own land’ than for life among the people of God, ‘Solomon gave all that she desired’(9:12). Solomon was a complicated man. He had a real love for the Lord, yet the world still had a strong hold on him. “O let me feel Thee near me: the world is ever near; I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear; My foes are ever near me, around me and within; but, Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin’(Church Hymnary, 434).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

God Will Bless Mightily - When His People Pray Earnestly

2 Chronicles 7:1-22
In verse 14, there is a call to prayer and promise of blessing: ‘If My people who are called by My Name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their hand’. Why is there so little blessing? - ‘You do not have, because you do not ask’. God will bless mightily - when His people pray earnestly. Why does the devil have so many victories among us? - ‘Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’. God will lead us in His way of victory - when we stop tolerating the devil, and start resisting him. Why does God seem so far away? - ‘Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you’(James 4:2,7-8). God will come near to us - if we will let Him. ‘I stand at the door and knock; if any one... opens the door, I will come in...’(Revelation 3:20).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

Look For God’s Blessing In The Pulpit. Look For His Blessing In The Pews.

2 Chronicles 5:2-6:42
Without the blessing of God, our worship is empty. We must look for God’s blessing in the place of worship. What we must pray for is this: ‘the glory of the Lord filled the House of God’(5:14). We must look for God’s blessing in the pulpit, praying that the preachers of God’s Word will be ‘clothed with salvation’. We must look for God’s blessing in the pews, praying that all of God’s people will ‘rejoice in His goodness’(6:41). Where does the blessing come from? - It comes from this: God is ‘good’ and ‘His steadfast love endures for ever’(5:13). All of our praying for the Church can be summed up in this prayer: ‘O Lord God... Remember Your steadfast love...’(6:42). More than anything else, we must pray for this: ‘God’s love... poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit...’(Romans 5:5).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

Real Work For The Lord Emerges Out Of True Worship Of The Lord.

2 Chronicles 3:1-5:1
‘Work in the Temple of the Lord’(4:11; 5:1) is no ordinary work. This work is ‘most holy’(3:8,10; 4:22). Real work for the Lord emerges out of true worship of the Lord. If we are to be the Lord’s workers, we must first be His worshippers. Worship comes first. This is vitally important. Take away worship from the place of highest priority, and you have nothing left - nothing which can really be called the work of the Lord. You may have busy people, doing this, that and the other, but you will not have servants of the Lord doing the work of the Lord - without worship. We sometimes ask, “Where are the workers?”. God asks, “Where are the worshippers?”. Begin to worship the Lord. Keep on worshipping Him. Worship the Lord, and let Him show you ‘what you must do’(Acts 9:3-6).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

The ‘Wisdom’ Which Leads To ‘Salvation Through Faith In Christ Jesus’

2 Chronicles 1:1-2:18
‘Give me wisdom’(1:10). What is the greatest wisdom of all? - It is the ‘wisdom’ which leads to ‘salvation through faith in Christ Jesus’. Where do we find this wisdom? - Read ‘the Holy Scriptures’. Ask God for wisdom - ‘Open my eyes that I may see the wonderful truths in Your Word’. Ask the question concerning salvation - ‘What must I do to be saved?’. God will give you His answer - ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved’(2 Timothy 3:15; Psalm 119:18; Acts 16:31). Salvation cannot be earned. It can only be received as a gift. It is ‘the gift of God’(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8). What is wisdom? - It is to say, with Solomon, ‘Our God is greater than all other gods’(2:5). Nothing else and no-one else can even begin to compare with the Lord. Be wise. Build your life on Him (Matthew 7:24-27).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

Give Joyfully, Generously And Wholeheartedly.

1 Chronicles 29:6-30
The Temple of the Lord did not come easily. It had to be built. This involved God’s people in much sacrificial giving. This was a great challenge. The Lord’s people rose to the challenge. They gave to the Lord- joyfully, generously and wholeheartedly (9). This giving was an expression of their worship. They were saying to the Lord, ‘Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty’(10). Worshipping the Lord like this transforms our giving. It is no longer a legalistic burden - “Why do I have to give so much?” It becomes our joyful privilege. Our giving becomes thanksgiving. We thank the Lord for all that He has done for us. Let us give ‘with great gladness’- ‘Our God, we thank You... Everything comes from You. We give only what has come from Your hands’(22, 13-14).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

Let Us ‘Dedicate Ourselves To The Lord Today.’

1 Chronicles 28:1-29:5
Some servants of the Lord complete their ministry without seeing their vision becoming a reality. This is what happened to David. He had the initial idea - ‘I had my heart set on building the Temple...’. He had begun thinking about how the Temple could be built - ‘I made preparations for building’. It was not to be - ‘God said to me, “You may not build a House for My Name”’. This was not, however, God’s last Word to David. There was also a Word of hope - ‘It is Solomon your son who shall build My House’(28:2-3,6). Solomon was ‘young and inexperienced’. He was taking on a huge task. He needed God’s Word of encouragement - ‘...the Lord God is with you...’. He needed the support of the people - ‘all the people will be wholly at your command’. Let us ‘dedicate ourselves to the Lord today’(28:20-29:1,5).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

When Our Service Of Worship Ends, Our Service In The World Begins.

1 Chronicles 26:1-27:34
We are called to serve God. At the heart of our service, there is this - ‘ministering in the House of the Lord’(26:12). Part of our worship involves the dedication of ‘gifts for the maintenance of the House of the Lord’(26:27). There is more to serving God than worshipping Him in His House. There is more to serving God than supporting the work which takes place within His House. We are to serve Him in the world. When our service of worship ends, our service in the world begins. We must offer our whole life to God - not only the ‘religious’ part. For God’s people, there were responsibilities outside of the House of the Lord - ‘the service of the king’ and ‘the affairs of the king’. We are to serve God in our everyday life. This is part of our obedience to God. Be faithful in ‘all the work of the Lord’, ‘in everything pertaining to God’(26:30,32).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

New Life In The Son - A Time For Salvation (Ecclesiastes 3:1-14)

Here's a link to a sermon I preached recently.

I hope that God will bless you through the preaching of His Word.

We’re Only Sinners Who’ve Been Saved By The Grace Of God.

1 Chronicles 24:1-25:31
The work of God was to be done ‘as the Lord God of Israel had commanded’ (24:19). The Lord is our Commander-in-Chief. No-one else can take His place. Never imagine you’re ‘the king of the castle’. We’re only sinners who’ve been saved by the grace of God. We’re ‘the dirty wee rascals’-’all our righteous acts are like filthy rags’(Isaiah 64:6). That’s what we are in ourselves - nothing more than ‘dirty wee rascals’. The Lord has done something wonderful for us. He has given us new clothes - ‘the clothes of salvation’(Isaiah 61:10). Let’s never ‘get too big for our boots’. There’s only one ‘King of the Castle’. Let us ‘exalt Him’- ‘You, O Lord are exalted for ever’(25:5; Psalm 92:8). ‘The Lord reigns...’. Let’s be content to be ‘Castle Kids’- ‘children of the living God’(Psalm 93:1; Romans 9:26).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

Some new posts at my “Christ in all the Scriptures” blog

As We Work For God, Let Us Never Forget To Thank Him And Praise Him.

1 Chronicles 22:2-23:32
We need visionaries. We need managers. We need workers. David was a visionary. He had the original idea of building the Temple. Solomon was a manager. Under his leadership, the vision became a reality. David was important - but he was only involved in the ‘preparation’ for the building of the Temple (22:5). Solomon was important - ‘He shall build a House for My Name’(22:9-10) - but he couldn’t do everything. The people were important. They were the workers. Without the workers, the work remains undone. Each of us must play our part. We must ‘do the work for the service of the House of the Lord’(23:24). In this work, there is something we must never forget - ‘thanking and praising the Lord’(23:30). David, Solomon, the people - they were all important. More important is the Lord. We need Him.

Keep Reminding Satan Of Christ’s Victory. Don’t Let Him Forget It!

1 Chronicles 21:1-22:1
‘Satan stood up against Israel...’(21:1). ‘Satan’is ‘the devil’(Revelation 12:7). He is a powerful enemy. We must not underestimate him. In the service of the Lord, we face strong opposition. It is is not merely human - ‘our struggle is not against flesh and blood’. It is much more powerful - ‘the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms’(Ephesians 6:12). Satan is very powerful. When he wins a victory over you, confess your sin to God and seek His forgiveness, believing that ‘His mercy is very great’(8,13). Be careful not to overestimate Satan. Christ is more powerful (Colossians 2: 13-15; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8). Christ has won the victory. In Him, we have the victory - ‘they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb’(Revelation 12:10-11). Keep reminding Satan of Christ’s victory. Don’t let him forget it!

Victory Belongs To God. Victory Is Given By God.

1 Chronicles 18:1-20:8
Victory belongs to God. Victory is given by God. This is the great lesson of David’s victories - ‘the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went’(18:6,13). There are no ‘giants’ able to stand in the presence of God (20:8). Every ‘giant’ must be brought to the ground. There are ‘giants’ standing in the way of our spiritual growth. The ‘giants’ of unbelief, disobedience, spiritual pride and self-righteousness must not be allowed to hinder our growth in grace. We must fight our spiritual battles in the strength of the Lord, confident that , through His ‘divine power’, ‘every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God’ will be brought to nothing (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Let the ‘giants’ come tumbling down. ‘Grow in the grace and knowledge our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’. Give all the ‘glory’ to Him (2 Peter 3:18).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

Sometimes, God’s “No” Means “Not Now. Later.”

1 Chronicles 16:37-17:27
Sometimes, God’s “No” means “Not now. Later”. David wanted to build a Temple for the Lord. God said, “No”- ‘You shall not build Me a House to dwell in’(1-4). This was not God’s last Word on the matter - ‘one of your own sons... shall build a House for Me’(11-12). One ministry comes to an end. Another ministry begins. We wonder, ‘Has God said, “No”?’. Has He said, “There will be no blessing”?’. God’s “No”may mean “Not yet”. The blessing will come - but not yet. The “No”was spoken to David, yet still, there was the promise of God: ‘the Lord will build you a House’(10). The true servant of the Lord does not say, “The blessing must come in my time”! God’s servant rejoices in the “not yet”blessing of God - ‘still the vision awaits its time... If it seem slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay’(25-27; Habakkuk 2:3).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com

Give Thanks To The Lord. Sing Praises To Him.

1 Chronicles 16:7-36
Here, we are called to worship - ‘O give thanks to the Lord... Sing praises to Him... Glory in His holy Name... Seek His presence continually’(8-11). We are to ‘remember the wonderful works that He has done’. We are to call on others to worship Him - ‘Sing to the Lord , all the earth!’. We ‘worship the Lord’ and, filled with heavenly joy, we say to those around us - ‘Let the earth rejoice... “The Lord reigns!”’(12,23,29,31). In a book of so many names, this marvellous song of praise stands out. It is a high point. Everything else seems so commonplace. Treasure God’s special high points of praise and worship. Don’t despise the ordinariness of everyday life. Why does God give us His high points? - He wants us to return to our everyday life with renewed strength. ‘Wait on the Lord and renew your strength’(Isaiah 40:31).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
http://christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com