HEART & SOUL
Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 15
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
In the Museum of the Ancient Agora in Athens Greece, you can see four fragments of sculptures, probably from the Temple of Ares dating from 435-420 BC. Today’s reading would have taken place hundreds of years before these were carved. King Asa of Judah ordered the removal of all the idols which some had been worshiping (2 Chronicles 15:8).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 15:7
But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!
God has made us in His image. Therefore, the choice is ours as to whether we serve Him or not. God will not turn us into puppets or robots. At the beginning of our reading, it’s obvious that our decisions about our lives will determine God’s decisions whether or not to bless us or leave us alone to the consequences of His absence from our lives. Verse two tells us that while we are with Him, He is with us, and that if we seek Him, He will be found by us, and if we forsake Him, He will forsake us. God lets us take the lead in our own lives.
King Asa took action, and God responded as a result. First, Asa removed the idols. Second, he restored the altar of the Lord. Third, he made a sacrificial offering to the Lord. Fourth, he even removed his own mother from being honoured as the Queen, because she had made an obscene image of a goddess which was worshiped in neighbouring countries. He cut it down, crushed it, and burned it at the brook just between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. Because of Asa’s decisions to honour the Lord, God responded by blessing Judah with peace.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I have decided to take action in my life to serve You with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. I love You! I pray now for Your peace to fill my being at all times. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer with Your “Yes.” I’m experiencing Your peace now as I pray. In the Name of the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
There is a powerful statement of God’s response to our move toward Him found in Romans 10:1-15. The Apostle Paul quotes from his Hebrew Bible the words of the Prophet Joel, “Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved” (Joel 2:32a). I’ve just taken the time to read chapter two of Joel (click here).
For over 60 years I’ve been telling everybody who will listen to me that I refuse to make it complicated to be saved. It’s so very simple…just call on the Lord. The 100 Huntley Street telecast has produced a very powerful TV documentary on the life of Michael “Bull” Roberts, a career criminal who did just that while lying on a hotel room floor. The Lord responded to this man who had suffered terrible abuse as a child and was declared criminally insane at 16. When he cried out to God, he experienced true love for the first time in his life. I encourage everyone who reads this blog to check out this story by watching this special edition of 100 Huntley Street which I hosted a few years back (click here).
Yours, because as a 16-year-old I called on the Name of the Lord and was “saved,”
David
Remains of grandeur at the east end of the Roman Agora (marketplace) in Athens that once lead to the Temple of Ares. The Bible teaches that the one true God dwells in our hearts since Jesus came and not in temples made with hands. It was in Athens, surrounded by magnificent temples, that the Apostle Paul said “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands” (Acts 17:24).
Looking over the fence into the Roman Ancient Agora where the Temple of Ares was located. Just next door to the Agora is Mars Hill (or Areopagus, “Hill Of Ares”), where Paul delivered his message to the Athenians (Acts 17:22-31).
As I read today’s blog, I’m filled with so much emotion and gratitude all at once.
Trusting God for helping me with the decisions I am making that sometimes seem like they bring persecution……. Grateful to Him for all circumstances and situations because I am learning to see the glass half full; & as His word tells me ” He will not leave me not forsake me.”
Thank you God that You Never make a mistake.
Amen Marti!
Oh, amen, whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. The documentary Notorious to Glorious on Michael Bull Roberts was incredible. Praying for you, dear David. Blessings fellow saints in the Lord.
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! 1 Chron 16:8 ESV
Sanctuary – Lord Prepare Me (with lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_eIJalH8z4
Pastor David, I was so touched and overwhelmed, reading the blog, all the scriptures and watching the 1st and 2nd parts of Michael’s story.
God Bless you for the impact you have had on millions of people over all your years of ministry. Thank you, that we can join together every day on this blog for hope and encouragement from the Word and from you. Great will be your reward in heaven and all those who help you make this possible. I thank the Lord for 100 Huntley St. Eleanor M.
Amen, filled with much emotion as well as I watch this video on Michael Bull Roberts. Oh what love the Lord has for each of us and how He can change our lives.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew Him not.” (1 John 3:1).
God bless you Pastor David and fellow bloggers.
Oh, how beautiful the scripture, you chose, Ger. The words are like honey to the soul. Amen!
Lord God, please help us to be strong in You, to be of good courage, to share the good news of your saving grace. You care about everyone, You desire that none should perish, You want all your people to go into all the world & make disciples, to be salt & light in this dark & weary world. Please help us to do this. Wash us clean of all the junk that wants to hold us back, and fill us with your Holy Spirit so we can be the workers You made us to be. We, and others, desperately need You. Please help. In Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen
Amen! Rob. Everyone in the whole world needs Jesus Christ.
Amen Rob!
Beautiful, Rob–amen!
Amen Rob
Amen, Rob!
How comforting to know that when we call on the Lord He hears our cry and is faithful to answer when we turn to Him with our whole heart.
“Call unto me, and I will answer you, and shew you great and mighty things which you know not. (Jeremiah 33:3)
Also read the two chapter from Joel…thank Pastor David for posting this link!
I was really overwhelmed by the whole blog this morning.
I wrote out a reply it seemed to through, but never showed up. God Bless All. In Jesus’ name.
Yes indeed. Amen Irene!!
God is absolutely Faithful!!!