PREACHING: "Seeking God"
The Bible is full of examples of the lives of many people, and their relationship with the Lord. Some were hot for the Lord, others were cold and still others were lukewarm. In each instance, there are lessons we can learn from their lives. take a moment to examine the life of King Asa , one of the kings of Judah.
You see the life and reign of King Asa in Second Chronicles, chapters 14 to 16. It is also seen in First Kings, chapter 15, but the story in II Chronicles is much more detailed.
Asa's kingdom began when his father, Abijah, died. He was the great-grandson of King Solomon. We know that King Solomon left the path of wisdom (the fear of the Lord - Pr 1:7) and looked for other gods. His son and grandson served the Lord to a point, but not served with all their hearts. After that, when Asa began his reign, the first thing the Bible tells us about him is he started a revival in Judah.
And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God, 3 he removed the foreign altars and high places, destroyed the sacred pillars and toppled the Asherim, 4 and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their parents and observe the law and the commandment. 5 Also removed the high places and incense altars from all the cities of Judah. And under him, the kingdom was at peace. 2 Chronicles 14:2-5
There is a saying that "There is no such thing as an indispensable person." This is a saying false. Throughout history, people have been indispensable. Without them, some sort of major event would not have happened. We see this particularly in the biblical story. At this time, Asa was one of those indispensable people, the person that God used to come back again Judah's heart toward him. Asa
gave God the glory for everything that happened at that time. He did not try to steal the glory for himself, nor rejected an opportunity to encourage people to serve God. His heart was God, hot, not warm, and procrastination help others do the same.
The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought, and has given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
2 Chronicles 14:7 b
Soon after, Judah was attacked by the Ethiopians. Although Judah had a large army, the Ethiopians had an army much larger and more powerful. Instead of fear, or seeking a military alliance to help, King Asa sought the Lord.
Asa cried to the Lord his God and said, Lord, nobody but you to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength, help us, O Lord our God, we rest in thee and in thy name we go against this multitude . Oh Lord, You are our God, let not man prevail against thee. 2 Chron 14:11
People who are hot for the Lord will look at difficult times. Warm people seek help from different sources. Do they pray, but this is reserved only as a last resort. If you are sick, they go first to your doctor, take any medications, visit your healer, perhaps give light a candle in the Catholic church, and then, after everything else fails, ask your pastor's prayer.
My own children have grown to expect God to move in their lives. Throughout their lives, have been in the ministry, and pray for every need. When they do not feel well, do not ask for medicine, not ask to see a doctor, just ask for prayer.
Asa knew his God, and immediately sought help. Of course, God answered and gave the victory (2 Chronicles 14:12-15).
While Asa was back to Jerusalem, a prophet, called Azariah, he went to meet him. He said, "The Lord be with you while you are with Him if you seek Him, He will be found for you, but if you forsake, abandon you "(2 Chronicles 15:2 b). God answered the prayer of Asa king because he was with God. Because he had made a lifestyle seeking God's presence, and helping others do the same or was in a position to receive the blessings of the Lord.
Asa was encouraged by this message (2 Chronicles 15:8). The increased efforts to remove all the idols of Judah, and encouraged people to serve God with all their hearts. He repaired the altar of burnt offering that was in front of the temple, which had been rejected, and gathered all the people in Judah to offer sacrifices to the Lord (2 Chronicles, 15:10-11).
Asa reform was so effective that the people of Judah re-entered into a covenant to seek God (2 Chronicles 15:12). Even people from the ten northern tribes, who had stopped serving the Lord, and came to Judah to join them (2 Chronicles 15:9).
Look what verse 15 says:
And all Judah rejoiced at the oath they had sworn with all my heart and had sought him sincerely, and he was found by them. And the Lord gave them rest on every side.
2 Chronicles 7:14.
14 if my people, upon which my name is humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
We see everything we have to do to seek God, humble ourselves, pray and seek Him and turn to him.
brother to invite you to search for it just so you can overcome evil and live in victory.
The Bible is full of examples of the lives of many people, and their relationship with the Lord. Some were hot for the Lord, others were cold and still others were lukewarm. In each instance, there are lessons we can learn from their lives. take a moment to examine the life of King Asa , one of the kings of Judah.
You see the life and reign of King Asa in Second Chronicles, chapters 14 to 16. It is also seen in First Kings, chapter 15, but the story in II Chronicles is much more detailed.
Asa's kingdom began when his father, Abijah, died. He was the great-grandson of King Solomon. We know that King Solomon left the path of wisdom (the fear of the Lord - Pr 1:7) and looked for other gods. His son and grandson served the Lord to a point, but not served with all their hearts. After that, when Asa began his reign, the first thing the Bible tells us about him is he started a revival in Judah.
And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God, 3 he removed the foreign altars and high places, destroyed the sacred pillars and toppled the Asherim, 4 and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their parents and observe the law and the commandment. 5 Also removed the high places and incense altars from all the cities of Judah. And under him, the kingdom was at peace. 2 Chronicles 14:2-5
There is a saying that "There is no such thing as an indispensable person." This is a saying false. Throughout history, people have been indispensable. Without them, some sort of major event would not have happened. We see this particularly in the biblical story. At this time, Asa was one of those indispensable people, the person that God used to come back again Judah's heart toward him. Asa
gave God the glory for everything that happened at that time. He did not try to steal the glory for himself, nor rejected an opportunity to encourage people to serve God. His heart was God, hot, not warm, and procrastination help others do the same.
The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought, and has given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
2 Chronicles 14:7 b
Soon after, Judah was attacked by the Ethiopians. Although Judah had a large army, the Ethiopians had an army much larger and more powerful. Instead of fear, or seeking a military alliance to help, King Asa sought the Lord.
Asa cried to the Lord his God and said, Lord, nobody but you to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength, help us, O Lord our God, we rest in thee and in thy name we go against this multitude . Oh Lord, You are our God, let not man prevail against thee. 2 Chron 14:11
People who are hot for the Lord will look at difficult times. Warm people seek help from different sources. Do they pray, but this is reserved only as a last resort. If you are sick, they go first to your doctor, take any medications, visit your healer, perhaps give light a candle in the Catholic church, and then, after everything else fails, ask your pastor's prayer.
My own children have grown to expect God to move in their lives. Throughout their lives, have been in the ministry, and pray for every need. When they do not feel well, do not ask for medicine, not ask to see a doctor, just ask for prayer.
Asa knew his God, and immediately sought help. Of course, God answered and gave the victory (2 Chronicles 14:12-15).
While Asa was back to Jerusalem, a prophet, called Azariah, he went to meet him. He said, "The Lord be with you while you are with Him if you seek Him, He will be found for you, but if you forsake, abandon you "(2 Chronicles 15:2 b). God answered the prayer of Asa king because he was with God. Because he had made a lifestyle seeking God's presence, and helping others do the same or was in a position to receive the blessings of the Lord.
Asa was encouraged by this message (2 Chronicles 15:8). The increased efforts to remove all the idols of Judah, and encouraged people to serve God with all their hearts. He repaired the altar of burnt offering that was in front of the temple, which had been rejected, and gathered all the people in Judah to offer sacrifices to the Lord (2 Chronicles, 15:10-11).
Asa reform was so effective that the people of Judah re-entered into a covenant to seek God (2 Chronicles 15:12). Even people from the ten northern tribes, who had stopped serving the Lord, and came to Judah to join them (2 Chronicles 15:9).
Look what verse 15 says:
And all Judah rejoiced at the oath they had sworn with all my heart and had sought him sincerely, and he was found by them. And the Lord gave them rest on every side.
2 Chronicles 7:14.
14 if my people, upon which my name is humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
We see everything we have to do to seek God, humble ourselves, pray and seek Him and turn to him.
brother to invite you to search for it just so you can overcome evil and live in victory.
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