Kidgell Publishers

Monday, January 23, 2012

Devotion Thoughts - 17/07/2011

1 Chronicles 24:1-31

David distributed ... according to their offices in their service (24:3).

The ordering of the worship was strictly set out according to the availability and ability of those chosen for the ministry. The ministry is not something just anyone could do. Jeroboam, first king of the northern kingdom (Israel), and not God, appointed 'priests' with no ministerial credibility in God's eyes; the result was that idol worship was the norm in Israel (1 Kings 12:31).

Unfortunately, there are many today for whom service in the church is a career and not a calling, and are leading many astray. 'Ministers', without the Holy Spirit indwelling them to guide and teach them the true meaning of God's word, tend to teach what is contrary to the Bible. That is why John warns us to beware of evil spirits (1 John 4:1); they lead astray Bible 'teachers' who are not born again. Believers, having the Holy Spirit in their hearts, know the truth which has set them free (John 8:32).

1 Chronicles 25:1-31

The sons of Asaph ... prophesied ... (25.2) ... the sons of Jeduthun ... prophesied with a harp ... [and] gave thanks and to praise the LORD.... (25:3) ... with music and song and ... with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God ... (25:6).

Many and varied were the ministries, with music providing a very important ministry that enhanced the worship of God. It's going to be quite something to hear the angel Gabriel tootin' his horn (trumpet)!

1 Chronicles 26:1-11

Concerning the divisions of the porters ... (26:1)... they were mighty men of valour....(26:6) ... strong men (26:7) ... able men for strength for the service (26:8).

Those chosen to serve God as porters had to be good men 'of valour' who had the strength for the moving of the equipment used in worship. That they are named shows that this was not merely a task for lesser men; it was important work! In fact, all work for God is important! We must rejoice in whatever service we can render for our loving God!

Romans 4:1-12

You cannot make God accept you because of something you do. God accepts sinners only because they have faith in Him (v.5,CEV).

Some religions teach that you must be busy doing things for God so that He will accept you into His kingdom. Clearly, this is not what the Bible teaches, as in 'Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us (Titus 3:5). If we were able to 'earn' credits with service for God, we would have Him in our debt, and could use that against Him. But He owes us nothing, and we can never expect to hold anything over God. Besides, who decides what service is acceptable to God? Us or God?
Just serve Him as a matter of course, and leave our rewards to Him.

Psalm 13:1-6

I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me (v.6).

In spite of the troubles that He is enduring, the psalmist ends his complaints with words of praise and an acknowledgment that, when all is said and done, The Lord has blessed him. Let us also count our many blessings and thank God for all He has done for us and all that He means to us.

Proverbs 19:15

Laziness brings on sleep, and an appetite for rest brings on hunger (v.15,ERV).

Paul must have had the following verse in mind when he wrote: '... this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat' (2 Thessalonians 3:10). The lesson is clear enough: God does not approve of idleness. Do as Jesus did Who said: 'I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work' (John 9:4).

Devotion Thoughts - 16/07/2011

1 Chronicles 22:1-19 1 Chronicles 23:1-32

[The Levites were appointed] to praise and glorify the LORD every morning and every evening (23:30,GNB).

The worship of God must be a very disciplined matter. Almighty God must be first in all our thoughts and be consulted about all matters relating to our lives. Don't ever rush into each day with the thought that you have to 'get on with things'. Before ever we commence any daily activity, we must 'acknowledge Him in all our ways' (Proverbs 3:6) at the beginning of each day, then He will gladly 'direct our paths' through the day so that each day is well and efficiently used and brings us the most benefit. Do this, trust God, and you will be amazed at how much more you achieve in life, and be full of praise for God at the end of each day!

Romans 3:9-31

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one... (v.10).
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (v.23).

There is not one person who can claim to be righteous unless their sins have been washed away in the blood of Jesus Christ. The only people who will dwell in heaven are those who have confessed that they are sinners, asked God for forgiveness, and relied on the blood of Jesus sacrificed on Calvary to take all their sins away. Only then are they cleansed from sin so that God can indwell them (Revelation :14). But once God indwells us we do not 'come short' of having God's glory in our lives! The fulness of God will be in us, enabling us to live powerful God-honouring lives!

Psalm 12:1-8

The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted (v.8).

When corrupt individuals are praised then more and more sinners will be encouraged to parade their sinful lifestyles for all the world to see. By God's grace, true Believers have His power within them so that they do not practise sinful behaviour.

Proverbs 19:13-14

Stupid children can bring their parents to ruin. A nagging wife is like water going drip-drip-drip (v.13,GNB).

You may inherit all you own from your parents, but a sensible wife is a gift from the LORD (v.14,CEV).

A sensible wife is a great blessing for what she brings to the union helps when there are no worthwhile material blessings. Never fail to give thanks to God if you have a sensible wife! God's favour is on you!

Bible Poetry: Proverbs 18:14-15

Proverbs 18:14-15

Being cheerful helps when we are sick, but nothing helps when we give up (v.14,CEV).

If, when we are sickly, we still give a smile,
we will feel much better within a short while;
but if we feel hopeless, and think all is lost,
then nothing will help us no matter the cost.

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge (v.15,ESV).

Those who know seek more to 'know',
and listen, that their 'know' can grow!

Bible Poetry: Psalm 3:1-8

Psalm 3:1-8

But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. (v.3).

What wonderful peace David enjoyed because of his faith in God. Even when his world was in turmoil, with his own son, Absalom, trying to kill him, David saw his God as a protector (shield), as someone to worship for the great glory in Himself, and One Who can lift up Believers when they are feeling down.

My glorious God is my Protector;
when I'm down He lifts me up;
He alone has earned my worship;
He alone can fill my cup!

Devotion Thoughts - 05/07/2011

1 Chronicles 1:1-54. 1 Chronicles 2:1-17

'Adam, Sheth, Enosh ... (1.1) ... [to] ... David ...' (2.15).

This is part of the genealogy of Jesus from Adam to King David. Because the genealogical records of the Jews were destroyed when Titus conquered Jerusalem in 70 A.D., there is no certainty about who the descendants of Aaron are who had the responsibility for offering the sacrifices on behalf of the people. But the genealogy of Jesus, a descendant of King David, is known. In place of the Temple sacrifices annually on the Day of the Atonement, Jesus was sacrificed on a cross on Calvary's hill, a sacrifice that is totally efficacious forever for every Believer. Never again does a sacrifice have to be made for atonement for sin!

Acts 23:11-35

'... the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome' (v.11).

God had a plan for Paul's life, just as He has for every Believer. To be a winner in God's plan we must surrender our plans and wills to Him. Of course He might choose to use our plans, but He is just as likely to set us off in a whole new direction. That is why we must not insist in God using 'our' plans. In the long term, the benefits from serving God are far greater than what we, with our limited resources, can gain by our efforts.

Bible Poetry: Proverbs 17:27-28

Proverbs 17:27-28
Intelligent people choose their words carefully. Those who know what they are doing remain calm. (v.27,ERV). Silent fools seem wise. They say nothing and appear to be smart. (v.28,ERV).

If we choose our words with care
and we never rant nor swear,
we will be considered as intelligent;
if we do not have much brain
but from talking we refrain
we will still seem wise of purpose and intent!

Devotion Thoughts - 25/06/2011

2 Kings 9:14-37. 2 Kings 10:1-31
The LORD said to Jehu, "You have done well. ... You destroyed Ahab's family the way I wanted you to... " (10:30)...But Jehu was not careful to follow the law of the LORD with all his heart. Jehu did not stop committing the sins of Jeroboam that caused Israel to sin. (10:31). (ERV).

Ahab's dynasty started with murder and the usurping of the throne of Israel, and ended the same way, with Jehu wiping out Ahab's family. Ahab's family murdered the Lord's servants (9:7), and made the deliberate choice to be idol worshippers. God saw that there was no point in allowing them to continue in their evil ways.

Acts 17:1-34
God began by making one man, and from him he made all the different people who live everywhere in the world. He decided exactly when and where they would live (v26,ERV).
It is through him that we are able to live, to do what we do, and to be who we are. ...'We all come from him.' (v.28,ERV).

Having created us, God has a right to use us as He sees fit. It is up to each individual to realise this, and to make the most of the situation. Having given us His Word for our guidance, it pays us to get to know what He wants of us and to fit in with Him. And to those who give Him their all He gives His best - eternal life with Him in the wonderful new heaven and earth that will replace the spoiled earth we currently live in.

Psalm 144:1-15
LORD, why are people important to you? Why do you even notice us? (v3,ERV).

Those are interesting questions. As we read through the Bible we find the answer very simple: God made us because He wants to have fellowship with us. But because of Satan the serpent, Adam and Eve were enticed into sin, a condition inherited by their descendants, all of mankind. A holy God does not fellowship with unholy people, so God made a plan by which we can become holy: believe in Jesus for salvation and cleansing. Forgiven sins are gone forever, making us holy, and enabling God to fellowship with us. That is why we are important to Him!