Obedient BlessingsBible Reading: 1Kings 6:11-12: And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:Solomon is being told of a promise that was made before his time. 2 Samuel 7:13: He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 1 Chronicles 22:6: Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel. Only three other times does the Bible tell us that God actually visits Solomon. 1 Kings 3:5: In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. In this instance Solomon asks for wisdom and God honors his request. 1 Kings 9:2: That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon. God visits Solomon after Solomon has received blessing to remind Him of their agreement. 1 Kings 11:11: Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Here God pronounces judgement upon Solomon What governs the way we are supposed to live our lives? We are under the Grace Age where only by the Grace of God are we given Salvation. What about the 10 commandments? Are we still under the Law? Grace rescues us from the penalty of the Law but not from the obligation of the moral issues. When Jesus died on the cross didn't that wipe out the law? Matthew 5:17: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. Listen to how James refers to the law of morality in James 1:25. James 1:25: But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Why liberty? If we adhere to these laws our lives will be free from guilt and shame. We can maintain a strong relationship with Jesus. Jeremiah tells us that the Law will be written in man's heart. Everyone will know. That is why I know that there are no true atheists. They just follow the Master of lies. The God of this world according to 2 Corinthians 4:4. 2 Corinthians 4:4: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. They have become so skilled at lying that the can even lie to themselves about God. My God is a Just God. Jesus will one day sit on the throne and the Bible tells us that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. When that day comes every man will know because a just God would not judge a person who did not! God has written His law into our hearts. 1 Kings 6:11-13: And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel. How do we d this? What does it mean? Psalms 101:1-8: I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD. What does it mean to walk in my statutes? To execute my judgments? To keep all my commandments? Is being religious enough? I will sing of Mercy and Judgment Are supposed to Praise God for His judgment upon us? We are to Glory in Tribulations. Romans 5:3: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience. Listen to what Peter writes: 1 Peter 4:13: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. We are to rejoice in suffering and glorify our tribulations. Then we can experience exeeding Joy!! If we are mired in the depression of the world around us our life is pretty dark isn't it. If we allow Jesus to be our light and the supply of our Joy, then our heartaches will be fewer and far between. Verse 2 - I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. It is impossible for us to be perfect. Only Jesus could ever accomplish that. Yet we can walk with wisdom. We can seek Jesus before we make a decision We can wisely behave by depending on God for our guidance instead of our own feelings. “O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” David knew that only when he was maintaining a fellowship with God was it possible for him to live a Godly life. It is the same with us. Only through Jesus do we have a chance against Sin. Verse 3 - I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. Are you serious this morning about Jesus? Set no wicked thing before your eyes. Weed out the sin that you have been allowing to linger like a long lost friend. Are we afraid to let go of our Sins because we believe secretly that God will fail us one day and we will at least then have a familiar face to comfort us? Verse 4 – A froward heart shall depart from me. This man is making a decision. Are you willing to do this for Jesus? I will not know a wicked person. Verse 5 - Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Our selection of friends is usually a testament of our dedication to Jesus. Sin rubs off of one person and sticks to another with tremendous ease! Verse 6 – Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. Unless our eyes and mind is focused on Christ we will not overcome the obstacles of Sin. Verse 7 and 8- He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LO! RD. It is ok to know sinners. But do not make them you best friends!! Your testimony to them will be wiped out if you seek their level. Ask God for Wisdom, he is ready to provide that knowledge. When you receive Blessing form God remember where you were before His Grace. Clean Your house. Make you life a life that is pleasing to Jesus. Rejoice in tribulations and have eternal Joy that Jesus died for your sins!! Praise the Lord!! Back to Hope Chapel
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