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Seek His Grace
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Here's an unequivocal1 statement.
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Everything we have is God's.
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(It came from Him and we are each responsible as to how it was, is and
shall be used.)
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Everything is God's. Past, present and future.
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Gestate2 on the above statement. The deeper you go in pursuing
it's implications, the more you will understand the character of Him who
created you. For His good pleasure.
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Seek His Grace.
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We already know what grace* is no so?
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This story is for those who have faith that God is who He says He is.
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It's a story of our Wonderful, Living, Loving God.
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It's a true story, an historical chronicle and it's printed out here for
our benefit - our sure, shortly-coming eternal benefit.
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It is the story of a nation who made a Covenant with God - an unending
agreement; and pertains to those persons in that nation who believed or
didn't. [Ezra 9]
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These historical events were recorded by God for us to read and learn from
so that we each can choose the path that we wish to follow. To see how
much we believe in Him.
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If you choose to believe that this power can be used by you for the spiritual
benefit of all whom you know and don't know, and "put your money where
your mouth is" - expect some imminent action.
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This is a story for Christians, those who want the glory to go to God rather
than keep it for themselves:
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So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David:
and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten
years. And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of
the LORD his God: For he took away the altars of the strange gods,
and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the
law and the commandment. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah
the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. And
he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war
in those years; because the LORD had given him rest. Therefore he said
unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls,
and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before
us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him,
and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. And
Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah
three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew
bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty
men of valour. And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with
an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto
Mareshah. Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array
in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. And Asa cried unto the LORD his
God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with
many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we
rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou
art our God; let not man prevail against thee. So the LORD smote
the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. And
Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and
the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves;
for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they
carried away very much spoil. And they smote all the cities round about
Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the
cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them. They smote also the
tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned
to Jerusalem.
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And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: And he went out
to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin;
The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him,
he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Now
for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without
a teaching priest, and without law. But when they in their trouble did
turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor
to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants
of the countries. And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city:
for God did vex them with all adversity. Be ye strong therefore, and let
not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. And when Asa heard
these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and
put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin,
and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed
the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD. And
he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of
Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel
in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in
the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. And they offered unto the LORD
the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred
oxen and seven thousand sheep. And they entered into a covenant to seek
the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death,
whether small or great, whether man or woman. And they sware unto the LORD
with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.
And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart,
and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the
LORD gave them rest round about. And also concerning Maachah the
mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because
she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped
it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron. But the high places
were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect
all his days. And he brought into the house of God the things that his
father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold,
and vessels. And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth
year of the reign of Asa.
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In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel
came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let
none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. Then Asa brought out silver
and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's
house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
There is a league between me and thee, as there was between
my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go,
break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies
against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim,
and all the store cities of Naphtali. And it came to pass, when Baasha
heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah,
and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith
Geba and Mizpah. And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah,
and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not
relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria
escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge
host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely
on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the LORD
run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the
behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein
thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he
was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed
some of the people the same time. And, behold, the acts of Asa,
first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of
Judah and Israel. And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was
diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great:
yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. And
Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his
reign. And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for
himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled
with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries'
art: and they made a very great burning for him.
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And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself
against Israel. And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah,
and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which
Asa his father had taken. And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he
walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments,
and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom
in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had
riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways
of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even
to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to
Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them he sent
Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel,
and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah,
Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And they taught in
Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went
about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. And the
fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were
round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Also some
of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and
the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams,
and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. And Jehoshaphat waxed great
exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. And he
had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men
of valour, were in Jerusalem. And these are the numbers of
them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of
thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred
thousand. And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him
two hundred and fourscore thousand. And next him was Amasiah the
son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him
two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty
man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore
thousand ready prepared for the war. These waited on the king, beside those
whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.
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Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity
with Ahab. And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria.
And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people
that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him
to Ramothgilead. And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of
Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am
as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be
with thee in the war. And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire,
I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day. Therefore the king of Israel
gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall
we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go
up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand. But Jehoshaphat
said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might
enquire of him? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There
is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him;
for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is
Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said,
Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla. And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat
king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their
robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria;
and all the prophets prophesied before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah
had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou
shalt push Syria until they be consumed. And all the prophets prophesied
so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver
it into the hand of the king. And the messenger that went to call
Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare
good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee,
be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. And Micaiah said, As
the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak. And when he
was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead
to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and
they shall be delivered into your hand. And the king said to him, How many
times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in
the name of the LORD? Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon
the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These
have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house
in peace. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee
that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil? Again he said,
Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne,
and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his
left. And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he
may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner,
and another saying after that manner. Then there came out a spirit, and
stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto
him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the
mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice
him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of
these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee. Then Zedekiah
the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said,
Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee? And Micaiah
said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner
chamber to hide thyself. Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah,
and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's
son; And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison,
and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until
I return in peace. And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace,
then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye
people. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up
to Ramothgilead. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise
myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king
of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle. Now the king
of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with
him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king
of Israel. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat,
that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed
about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him;
and God moved them to depart from him. For it came to pass, that,
when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of
Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him. And a certain
man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints
of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand,
that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. And the battle
increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up
in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the
time of the sun going down he died.
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And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king
Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the
LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. Nevertheless
there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves
out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. And Jehoshaphat
dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba
to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah,
city by city, And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge
not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it:
for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons,
nor taking of gifts. Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites,
and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for
the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to
Jerusalem. And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of
the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. And what cause soever shall
come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood
and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall
even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath
come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters
of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of
Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers
before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.
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It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and
the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites,
came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat,
saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea
on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which
is Engedi. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD,
and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves
together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of
Judah they came to seek the LORD. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation
of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,
And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven?
and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in
thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to
withstand thee? Art not thou our God, who didst drive out
the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to
the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? And they dwelt therein, and have
built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, If, when evil
cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine,
we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is
in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear
and help. And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir,
whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land
of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; Behold, I
say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession,
which thou hast given us to inherit. O our God, wilt thou not judge them?
for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us;
neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. And all
Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their
children. Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah,
the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph,
came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; And he said,
Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat,
Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this
great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. To morrow
go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and
ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves,
stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah
and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them:
for the LORD will be with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with
his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem
fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. And the Levites, of the children
of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise
the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. And they rose early in
the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went
forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants
of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established;
believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with
the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise
the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise
the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to
sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon,
Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of
mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had
made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked
unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to
the earth, and none escaped. And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to
take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches
with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for
themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in
gathering of the spoil, it was so much. And on the fourth day they assembled
themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD:
therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah,
unto this day. Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and
Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy;
for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came
to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the
LORD. And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries,
when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.
So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round
about. And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five
years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years
in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing
that which was right in the sight of the LORD. Howbeit the high
places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their
hearts unto the God of their fathers. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat,
first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the
son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah
king of Israel, who did very wickedly: And he joined himself with him to
make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber. Then
Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat,
saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken
thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to
Tarshish.
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Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers
in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead. And he
had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah,
and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons
of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. And their father gave them great gifts of
silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah:
but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.
Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened
himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also
of the princes of Israel. Jehoram was thirty and two years old when
he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked
in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he
had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was
evil in the eyes of the LORD. Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house
of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he
promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever. In his days the
Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves
a king. Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots
with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed
him in, and the captains of the chariots. So the Edomites revolted from
under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah
revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his
fathers. Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused
the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah
thereto. And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet,
saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast
not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa
king of Judah, But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast
made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the
whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy
father's house, which were better than thyself: Behold, with a great
plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives,
and all thy goods: And thou shalt have great sickness by disease
of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day
by day. Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the
Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the
substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his
wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest
of his sons. And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an
incurable disease. And it came to pass, that in process of time, after
the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so
he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like
the burning of his fathers. Thirty and two years old was he when he began
to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without
being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in
the sepulchres of the kings.
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(2 Chronicles 14 to 21)
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The above story is still relevant today, is in fact the same story in a
better Covenant:
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Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all
our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were
all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the
same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they
drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown
in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we
should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters,
as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat
and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some
of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither
let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of
serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed
of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples:
and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world
are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he
fall.
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(1 Corinthians 10:1-12)
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But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail
untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is
done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail
is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail
shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit
of the Lord is, there is liberty. But
we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are
changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the
Spirit of the Lord.
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(2 Corinthians 3:14-18)
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We must continue to seek His grace:
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Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These
things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh
in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy
labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil:
and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and
hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's
sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat
against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore
from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else
I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his
place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds
of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I
give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise
of God.
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(Revelation 2:1-7)
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1 Equivocal - unambiguous, explicit, emphatic.
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2 Gestate: to carry in the womb during the period from
conception to birth; to conceive and develop slowly in the mind.
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* See "For by Grace Ye are Saved" and "The Grace of God" on this web site
- www.hosanna.org.za
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in
the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made
himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and
was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he
humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name
which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things
under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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(Philippians 2:5-11)
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The word glory appears some four hundred times in my Bible.
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The Lord is trying to get something across!
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Glory: a renown; exalted or triumphant honour, widespread praise;
splendour.
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Hallelujah!
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If the name of Christ Jesus is still working towards the glory of our God,
shouldn't we, who owe our very lives to Him, be actively using it, believing?
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Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with
fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and
to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and
disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without
rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine
as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice
in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in
vain.
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(Philippians 2:12-16)
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