Tag: Christianity

II Chronicles 13-16 & I Kings 15-16: Seek the Lord

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(IK-15, IIC-13) From his words in II Chronicles 13:8-12, how would you describe Abijah’s relationship with God?

How does that compare with his description in I Kings 15:3?

What applications are there for us as we think about the relationship between our hearts, our words, and our actions?

Despite Abijah’s heart and sins, God established him as king for David’s sake (I Kings 15:4-5).  How does this principle point us to Jesus (see Ephesians 1:3-14, etc.)?

(IIC-13-14, 16) What did Abijah and people of Judah do when they were surrounded in battle (13:13-18)?  Who won the victory?

What did Asa and the people of Judah do when they were outnumbered by the enemy (14:9-15)?  Who won the victory?

What should we do when we need help?  To whom should we look for victory?  Why (16:9)?  In what specific situation(s) do you need to apply this truth today?

(IIC-16) From where did Asa seek help when Israel came against him (v1-3)?  When he was sick (v12)?  What was Hanani’s assessment of Asa’s actions (v7-9), and why?

In what situations are we tempted to look elsewhere for help?  Where else are we tempted to look?  Why?

(IIC-15) What did Azariah call Asa to do, and what would be the result (v2)?

Do you believe this principle is still true today?  Why is the answer important?

How did Asa respond (v8)?  How did Judah respond (v10-15)?

Describe the intensity of their response.  What about yours?

(IK-15-16) Israel’s kings provide a stark contrast to seeking the Lord.  How would you describe their reigns?  What warning(s) do you see for us today?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

The Main Ingredient in Personal Growth – David Mathis (DG)
Grow in grace. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better three-word caption for the Christian life.

20 Quotes from Erik Raymond’s New Book on Contentment – Matt Smethurst (TGC)
“If you are having a hard time being content, make a list of everything you have that you don’t deserve, and then make a list of everything you deserve that you don’t have.” (62)

Running from “the Black Dog” – Scott Slayton
During the late fall and winter months, I fight with what Winston Churchill called “the black dog.” Depression nips at my heels from the first week in November through the end of February….By God’s grace, I’ve learned how to stay one step ahead of the black dog….

You, Yes You, Are a Minister! – Tim Challies
Instructing one another is a hundred different ways of simply bringing God’s truth to bear. Sometimes this is done by a pastor preaching a sermon that calls people away from wrong behavior and toward right behavior. Far more often, though, it happens in the context of normal life, of one Christian interacting with another one. It happens when a friend encourages a friend to just carry on, to keep practicing the spiritual disciplines. It happens when a church member speaks up to tell what God has been teaching her from his Word. It happens when a brother sits with a brother to encourage him with a passage of Scripture.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day ministering to one another in your local church!

Sermon Songs: Revelation 11:15-19

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

Hear the seventh trumpet’s loud call
Heaven sings for all its worth
Behold this earthly kingdom fall
God and Christ come down to earth
He shall now reign, Reign forever
Worship our glorious King!

Nations raged but then God’s wrath came
Came to judge and to destroy
Saints and servants fearing God’s name
Enter into greatest joy
Dwell forever, In His presence
All our hope fulfilled in Him

To the tune of “Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending”

 

Reflections on II Chronicles 9-12

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Rehoboam becomes king, and Israel divides.  Note:

  • Heart for God – The Northern Kingdom strayed from God, so those who set their hearts to seek the Lord left their homes and came to Judah so they might offer sacrifices to God at the temple (11:16-17). Have you set your heart to seek the Lord?  Would you be willing to leave your home behind?
  • Evil heart – Once Rehoboam’s reign was secure, he abandoned the law of God and led Israel to do the same. He did not set his heart to seek God.  Does your heart stray when your situation seems secure?  Is there someone whose influence is leading you astray?

Thanksgiving Collection

On By BrianIn Holidays, PASSION Collections

Here are some good posts for Thanksgiving:

10 Things You Should Know about Thanksgiving – Nathan Finn (Crossway)

5 Readings for Your Thanksgiving Gathering (Crossway)

9 Passages to Read on Gratitude (Crossway)

The Greatness of Giving Thanks – Kevin DeYoung

Blessed Even in the Worst: How to Give Thanks in Every Circumstance – Nancy Guthrie (DG)

Struggling Toward Thanksgiving – Trevin Wax

Q&A#3: Our God Reigns

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#3
Q: What more can we know about God?
A: God is a spirit, present everywhere, and reigning with perfect power, knowledge, wisdom, and goodness.

O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.
– II Chronicles 20:6 (ESV)

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!
– Psalm 31:19 (ESV)

Reflections on I Kings 11-14

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

The kingdom splits into two, and both parts walk away from God.  Observe:

  • Folly – Rehoboam has the opportunity to reign as king over all of Israel, but he accepts bad advice and loses most of the people. Compare the advice from his two sets of counselors.  Why is one set of advice good and the other bad?  How can you know good advice from bad?  Where do you seek advice?  Where should you seek advice?  Why might you seek advice from older godly people?
  • Idolatry – God gives Jeroboam an opportunity to lead the northern kingdom, but Jeroboam leads the kingdom into idolatry. Judah, the southern kingdom, also enters into idolatry. Is someone leading you to live for or trust in something other than God?  Are you wandering from God into idolatry?  What idols are calling your name?

Classic Quote

On By BrianIn Classic Quotes

OldBooksUntil men recognize that they owe everything to God, that they are nourished by his fatherly care, that he is the Author of their every good, that they should seek nothing beyond him – they will never yield him willing service.  Nay, unless they establish their complete happiness in him, they will never give themselves truly and sincerely to him.

– John Calvin

II Chronicle 9-12 & I Kings 11-14: Finish Strong

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(IK-11) Solomon started strong.  How was he led astray (v1-8), and what were the results (v9-43)?

What can we learn from this story about choosing a spouse, and the influence of family?

What could Solomon have done to finish strong (v3-4, see also Proverb 4:23)?

(IK-12, IIC-10) Rehoboam started strong.  How was he led astray, and what were the results?

(IIC-12) Despite his folly, Rehoboam still followed the Lord.  What further led him astray (v1), and what were the results (v2-12)?

What did Rehoboam need to do to finish strong (v14)?

(IK-12, 14) Jeroboam started strong.  How was he led astray (12:25-33), and what were the results (14)?

What did Jeroboam need to do to finish strong (see also Proverb 3:5-6)?

(IK-13) The prophet started out strong.  How was he led astray, and what were the results?

What warning is there for us in this story?

What did the prophet need to do to finish strong (see also Psalm 119:105)?

How might the example of these four men encourage us to finish strong?

What further principles do we learn in Hebrews 10:24-25 and John 15:1-5 that can help us finish strong?

In what ways are you being tempted to go astray?  How do you need to apply the principles of this lesson to your situation?