LESSONS LEARNED?
Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 13-14
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is located on one of the roof portions of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem. Here, you can see two Ethiopian nuns in front of their home in the courtyard of the church.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 14:11
And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”
Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, had forsaken the counsel of his father and that of the elders, and the nation was split in two. Jeroboam, who had returned from exile in Egypt after the death of Solomon, ruled the north and Rehoboam the south. When Rehoboam humbled himself and prayed, things would go well. But he sought the Lord only when he was in trouble.
Jeroboam also forsook the Lord and appointed false priests and established the religion of Egypt, the worship of golden calf gods. War between the north and the south was fairly constant. What a tragedy!
Rehoboam died. His son Abijah ruled in the south. War continued. Then came King Asa, great-grandson of King David. Our key verse says it all! Can we learn from these stories, or must we repeat over and over the poor decisions of former generations?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, help me to learn the lessons of history, I pray. Like Asa, I cry out to You for Your help. May I receive the grace from You to rest on You. I ask this, not only when I’m in trouble, but every day! In the Name of the One who cried out to You again and again as recorded in the Gospels, the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!!! (Luke 22:39-46).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Information on excellent, educational, and informational reading is important for me. A great read is a book called, “The Blessing.” It’s all about experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. The authors, Trask and Goodall, begin the book with these words about their country, “The decadence and darkness of our nation is more profound than it has been since the founding of this nation more than two centuries ago. The only power that can cleanse and restore this nation is the power of Christ.” I have read parts of this book before, but this time I’m reading it all carefully. My wife bought copies for each of our grandchildren. We gave them out at a gathering of our family when we had the opportunity for a serious devotional exercise. Click here for ordering information on “The Blessing.”
Like King Asa, I recognize that only God can help me, my family and all with whom I’m in contact.
Yours for the most powerful blessing, the intervention of the Holy Spirit in our lives,
David
The entrance to one of the rooms at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem.
Centuries old Christian symbols in the walls of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church courtyard.
“Like King Asa, I recognize that only God can help me, my family and all with whom I’m in contact.”
Amen brother David… God Bless
Amen, David.
So true! Amen, David.
AMEN David !
Yes, Amen David!
This is true indeed.
Amen & Amen!!
“Yours for the most powerful blessing, the intervention of the Holy Spirit in our lives.” Indeed, indeed, David. Blessings fellow saints in the Lord.
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” Jude 1:20-21 ESV
I Have This Hope – [Lyric Video] Tenth Avenue North
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oncIQo5ub0c
Amen! Thank you Beverlee for posting that link… “I have this hope”
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has
poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
whom He has given us.” Romans 5:5
Amen, Irene!
Amen David. I got a copy of this book when you mentioned it before. Wonderful and informative read and used it in a bible study at church. Would be good to read it again and recommend it also. Glad I was baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1972 in ON. Has helped me through many tough situations. God bless you saints.
Our leader spoke at that church on my first trip to Israel and this beautiful African lady sitting beside me ministered to so kindly when I was so sick after floating in the Dead Sea. Will never forget it. God bless the Ethiopian church and that lady.
David Remember,
The Way of Life,
The Second Commandment of the Teaching means,
Commit no murder, adultery, fornication or theft.
Practice no abortion or infanticide.
No magic, No sorcery.
Be Conservative
Remember
[22] When men drink they forget to be friendly with friends and brothers, and before long they draw their swords.
[23] And when they recover from the drinking, they do not remember what they have done.
[24] Gentlemen, is not drink the strongest, since it forces men to do these things?”
A drinking workman will never grow rich.
My son test yourself all your life long; note what is bad for you and do not indulge in it for not everything is good for every one nor do we all enjoy the same things.
29 but drink makes for bitter feelings and leads to offence and retaliation. 30 Drinking inflames a fool’s anger to his own hurt; it saps his strength and exposes him to injury
25 Do not try to prove your manhood/womanhood by drinking, for drink has been the ruin of many.
19 A drinking worker never grows rich; carelessness in small things leads little by little to ruin.
8 A drunking wife is a great provocation; she cannot keep her excesses secret
God Bless you Pastor David for those special photos you have posted; blessings on Norma-Jean and your children for their input into this daily manna. Your prayers and explanation of scripture and the photos, are truly helpful to enhance this precious Word of Life! Thank you for the helpful links you provide!!
Amen. Thank you for everything you do!