I Chronicles 26

From the Desk of Pastor Miller 

Daily Hope

 

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 6 

It has been an enormously difficult spring and summer for many people in the world!  With the extreme stress and uncertainty of a pandemic, the shut down of the economy, protests in many cities and now the natural disasters along the Gulf and west coasts many are crying out for relief.

 

The sixth psalm is beneficial to us as it describes crying out to the Lord in the midst of extremely trying circumstances. Whether the trouble is physical, emotional or spiritual, the weight was heavy upon him and his first response was to appeal to the Lord for help! Note how the movement in this psalm proceeds from the inner man out. David sets his attention first to his relationship with God and seeks to have restoration there.  Like Job before him (Job 1:4-5) he desired to have a clean slate with the Lord.

 

As the psalmist pours out his fervent prayer, his physical and emotional state is clearly heightened and distressed to the point of concern for his life (v. 5).  Like the writer, many have endured the reality of anxiety, stress and panic in times of crisis and implored the Lord for relief!  While we do not know how long David was in this agitated state, we see that relief does come and a transition occurs beginning in verse 8. 

As you face unusual difficulties apply the formula of psalm six.  Take all your difficulties to the Lord and lay everything before Him.  Tell Him exactly how you are feeling emotionally, physically and spiritually. Allow that honest and open conversation to happen and know that the Lord hears us as we cry out to Him (v. 9).  Relief may not be immediate but like the psalmist we can be assured the Lord is at work!

 

 With an Expectant hope, 

Pastor Miller

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                 CHAPTER: I CHRONICLES 26 

Sons of Meshelemiah = porters                            verse 1- 9 

Concerning the divisions of the porters of the Korhites

was Meshelemiah the son of Kore – of the sons of Asaph

      and the sons of Meshelemiah

were   

Zechariah the firstborn

 Jediael the second – Zebadiah the third

Jathniel the fourth

      Elam the fifth

Jehohanan the sixth

Elioenai the seventh

Moreover the sons of Obed-edom were

Shemaiah the firstborn

Jehozabad the second

Joah the third

Sacar the fourth

Nethaneel the fifth

Ammiel the sixth

Issachar the seventh                                       

Peulthai the eighth = for God blessed him

Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born

that ruled throughout the house of their father

      for they were mighty men of valor

the sons of Shemaiah = Othni – Rephael – Obed

Elzabad – whose brethren were strong men

                  Elihu – Semachiah

All these of the sons of Obed-edom

they and their sons and their brethren

able men for strength for the service

                  were threescore and two of Obed-edom

And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren

strong men – eighteen

 

Sons of Hosah = porters                                       verse 10- 11

 

Also Hosah – of the children of Merari – had sons

Simri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn

yet his father made him the chief)

Hilkiah the second

Tebaliah the third

Zechariah the fourth

                        all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen

 

Gatekeepers of the house of the LORD               verse 12- 13

 

Among these were the divisions of the porters

even among the chief men having wards one against another

to minister in the house of the LORD

And they cast lots – as well the small as the great

according to the house of their fathers – for every gate

 

East & North gate to Shelemiah                          verse 14

And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah

Then for Zechariah his son – a wise counselor – they cast lots

            and his lot came out northward

 

South gate to Obed-edom                                    verse 15

 

To Obed-edom southward – and to his sons the house of Asuppim

 

West gate to Shuppim and Hosah                       verse 16

 

To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth westward

with the gate Shallecheth

by the causeway of the going up – ward against ward

 

Number of individuals assigned to gates given    verse 17- 19

 

Eastward were six Levites – northward four a day

southward four a day and toward Asuppim two and two

at Parbar westward – four at the causeway

and two at Parbar

These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore

and among the sons of Merari

 

Keepers of the treasures of the house of the LORD

                                                                                          verse 20- 24 

And of the Levites – Ahijah

was over the treasures of the house of God

and over the treasures of the dedicated things

As concerning the sons of Laadan – the sons of the Gershonite Laadan

chief fathers – even of Laadan the Gershonite – were Jehieli

the sons of Jehieli = Zetham – Joel his brother

                  which were over the treasures

of the house of the LORD

Of the Amramites – and the Izharites – the Hebronites 

and the Uzzielites

and Shebuel the son of Gershom – the son of Moses

was ruler of the treasures 

List of clan of Amram                                         verse 25- 28 

And his brethren by Eliezer = Rehabiah his son

Jeshaiah his son – Joram his son

Zichri his son – Shelomith his son

which Shelomith and his brethren

were over all the treasures of the dedicated things

                        which David the king – and chief fathers

                                    the captains over thousands and hundreds

                                                and the captain of the host had dedicated

Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the

house of the LORD

And all that Samuel – the seer – and Saul the son of Kish

and Abner the son of Ner

and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated

And whosoever had dedicated any thing

it was under the hand of Shelomith

                        and of his brethren 

List of clan of Izhar                                             verse 29 

Of the Izharites

Chenaniah and his sons were

for the outward business over Israel

                  for officers and judges 

List of clan of Hebron                                         verse 30- 32 

And of the Hebronites – Hashabiah and his brethren

men of valor -a thousand and seven hundred

were officers among them

of Israel on this side Jordan westward

in all the business of the LORD

and in the service of the king

Among the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief

even among the Hebronites

                        according to the generations of his fathers

            in the fortieth year of the reign of David they

were sought for and there were found

among them mighty men of valor at

                                                Jazer of Gilead

And his brethren – men of valor

            were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers

                        whom king David made rulers

over the Reubenites – Gadites

                                                the half tribe of Manasseh

for every matter pertaining

to God and affairs of the king 

 

COMMENTARY:           

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers 

: 6        Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they were might men of valor. (4474 “ruled” [mimshal] means dominion, a person who rules or commands; especially understood as having primacy of authority, lords, sovereign authority, dominion)

DEVOTION:  This family was blessed of the LORD because of their service to the LORD. It is thought that the Ark of the Covenant was kept in his home for a time period before it was moved to Jerusalem properly. While it was in the house of Obed-edom his household was blessed with many children.

Children are a blessing of the LORD. This was the thought in those days but today it is not the thoughts of many. It seems that children have become a burden rather than a blessing today for many people.

The LORD counts children as a blessing because large families were able to work the land and produce the necessities of life for the community as well as the family.

Also large families could handle many responsibilities and that is what happened in the family of Shemaiah. He was given more responsibility because he was able to have enough children to cause the LORD’S work in the Temple to flourish.

We need to consider the fact that the LORD wants us to have a family the size of which can help the local church move forward for the LORD. This is true because if our children become followers of the LORD they can raise children who will become followers of the LORD and so on.

There are generations of believers that have helped the work of the LORD move forward because the father or grandfather raised them to love the LORD. How is your clan doing in its service to the LORD?

CHALLENGE:  We need a generation with great ability to take positions of authority to help the work of the LORD to move forward today. 

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers 

: 12      Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD. (4931 “wards” [mishmereth] means guard, obligation, what is to be held in trust, service duty, work that a person is obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons)

DEVOTION:  When the LORD organized the work and worship in the Temple HE did it in such a way that everyone knew their responsibility and nothing was left to chance.

There were no excuses for anyone who was a Levite to not know what the LORD expected of them. Their family was given a responsibility and it was pasted on from one generation to another.

The LORD wanted consistency in the ministry of the Temple. HE didn’t want there to be any disorganization. If they were obedient to their calling everything would be done decently and in order.

This is to be true today in the church. The officers of the church have not changed since the creation of the church. There were to be pastors and deacon and other officers that were to make sure that things were done properly and that everyone was taken care of in the church. No one was to be forgotten. The widows and others who had special needs were to be taken care of by the congregation.

Today we find that sometime there are people who don’t understand their responsibility to others in the church. There needs to be training in this area when new members come into the church.

Everyone is important to God and everyone in the church should be working together to see that the needs of every member are met whether it was for physical or spiritual needs. Now one should be left behind..

CHALLENGE: Is the church making sure that all the members know what their responsibility to each other is and are they making sure that it is happening?

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: 14      And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward       (3289 “counselor” [ya‘ats] means to advise, to deliberate, to resolve, consult, determine, guide, or purpose)

DEVOTION:  The responsibility of guarding the entrances into the Temple was an important responsibility. They had to keep people out who were not ceremonially clean. They had to take people out who were disruptive to the worship of the LORD. They had to be strong individuals to be able to handle people. They had to be able to discern who were there to worship and who were there to disrupt.

Here we are told that Zechariah had insight into how to determine how to handle all situations at the entrance to the Temple.

When we read the Bible we find occasions where a seeming unknown individual is given a special mention. Here we have a son of Zechariah being called a wise guide or consultant. When we see a list of names, we sometimes want to skip the chapter. But there are gems in chapters of lists. Each person is important to God. Each of us is important to God.

Some of us will receive special mention by those around us. God makes special mention of those HE knows and uses for HIS glory. This man was one of those individuals.

Are we going to be noted for our wise guidance of others? This individual was just a gatekeeper. Even wise individuals had to serve as gatekeepers in the land of Israel.

We sometimes think that we are too smart to do seemingly menial tasks for the LORD. We are not!!! Everyone has to do their part in the service of the LORD.

Sometimes smart people have to do tasks for which they think they are too smart. We need to watch our thinking about menial tasks. Let us not put down people who are responsible for menial tasks. Let us encourage them in what they are doing for the LORD. Let us thank them for what they are doing for the LORD.

In our local churches we need individuals who are good ushers. They help people find places in the church. They seat people as they come in. They take up the offering. They check the parking lot to see that nothing is happening to the cars. They give out bulletins and guest pamphlets. They control the atmosphere of a worship service by their actions. Sometimes they might even have to take individuals out who are being disruptive. They are important to the smooth running of a worship service.

CHALLENGE: A good usher is precious. Serving in the church in the background is very important to a church. Volunteer for this type of responsibility in your church sometime. 

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers        

 : 20      And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things. (214 “treasures” [’owtsar] means storehouse, depository of precious objects and wealth, or supplies)

DEVOTION:  The wealth of the LORD was collected in many ways to support the house of the LORD and HIS servants the priests and Levites.

This money was kept by the Levites for the use in the Temple. There were collections boxes at the entrance to the Temple for individuals to put their Temple taxes in as they came to worship the LORD.

In many churches today there is not a collection plate passed but there are boxes at the entrance of the church for people to place their tithe in to support the work of the LORD in the local church.

Here we have individuals who stood at the entrance of the temple called gatekeepers who watched the money to make sure that it went into the treasury of the house of the LORD. These gatekeepers were assigned a spot to watch and they watched to make sure that everything was done decently and in order in the giving to the LORD.

Today it would be the ushers that would be involved in the collecting of the tithes and offering. They would collect it and count it to make sure of the amount and then set up a deposit at a local bank to make sure that the needs of the church were met on a regular basis.

The LORD expects HIS people to support the local church to the best of their ability. This does include a tithe but sometimes even more than a tithe. There are offerings taken when there are special needs presented to the congregation.

All giving is to be done cheerfully. There should not be any giving done in a grudging manner or because it is thought necessary. It should be done because the individual wants to please the LORD. It needs to be remembered that the LORD blesses according to our attitude in giving. If we give bountifully from the heart, HE will bless bountifully.

However, this doesn’t always mean that if we give money, HE is going to give us more money. There are other types of blessings that we can expect when we give. Too often there are pastors or preachers who tell people that if they give God ten dollars, HE will give them back a hundred dollars and so on. This is not what is taught in the Word of God. We should not give to get but give because of our love for the LORD and HIS work.

CHALLENGE: Giving is part of our worship of the LORD. It should be from a heart that is thankful for the salvation the LORD has provided.

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: 27      Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD. (2388 “maintain” [chazaq] means to be/grow/make strong, to prevail, to restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken, strengthen, or become strong.)

DEVOTION:  It seems that after the children of Israel won a battle, they would take the winnings from the battle and dedicate a portion to the house of the LORD. This portion could have been a tenth or tithe of what was taken from the enemy or more. It was taken to the treasury of the LORD as a thank offering for victory.

Sometimes the entire amount was to be given to the LORD like in the battle of Jericho where all of the spoils were to go into the treasury of the LORD. Achan, took some of the spoils and hid it under his tent which caused the children of Israel to lose the next battle against a much smaller city.

The LORD revealed that there was sin in the camp and showed who the one who has caused the loss of life and loss of blessing. If we are not willing to give the LORD a portion of our income, we will be asking for HIS judgment on us which can cause us a problem in future blessings until we straighten out what we are doing with our wealth that HE provides for us on a regular basis according HIS promise to HIS people.

The LORD wants to bless HIS people as long as they are willing to give their thank offerings to HIM on a regular basis. Our wealth is supposed to be accumulating in heaven not here on this earth.

Sometimes our thinking is wrong because of what some are teaching on television and in some of our churches. We need to make sure that we tithe from not only our earning but also from gifts that the LORD sends our way on a regular basis.

Each battle that HE gives us victory over should cause us to want to give HIM a gift.

CHALLENGE:  Have you won any victories lately? Are you showing your gratitude by sharing with the LORD? 

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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group) 

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible) 

Samuel the seer                                                         verse 28 

God the Father (First person of the Godhead) 

God – Elohim (Creator)                                           verse 5, 20, 32

LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)   verse 12,                                                                                                     22,  27, 30

House of the LORD                                                  verse 12, 22, 27

House of God                                                             verse 20

Business of the LORD                                              verse 30 

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)    

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins) 

Blessed                                                                        verse 5

Service                                                                        verse 8

Minister                                                                      verse 12

Wise                                                                            verse 14

Seer                                                                             verse 28 

Israel (Old Testament people of God) 

Division of Porters                                                 verse 1- 19

Mighty men of valor                                              verse 6, 31, 32

Strong men                                                               verse 7, 9

Able men                                                                   verse 8

Wise counselor                                                       verse 14

Treasurers of the house of God                         verse 20

Treasures of the dedicated things                    verse 20, 26

Treasures of house of the LORD                       verse 22

Ruler of the treasures                                          verse 24

Spoils for war                                                         verse 27

Business of the LORD                                           verse 30 

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

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DONATIONS:

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QUOTES regarding passage

The treasuries consisted of the revenues from tithes, offerings, and other sources which were presented to the Lord by His people (cf. Ezra 2:69). (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 1 Chronicles. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 614). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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26:20 treasures. The Levites watched over the store of valuables given to the Lord. This is a general reference to all the precious things committed to their trust, including contributions from David and the people, as well as war spoils given by triumphant soldiers (vv. 26, 27). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Ch 26:20). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

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v. Treasurers (26:20–28). These were associated with the gatekeepers because the temple treasuries or storehouses (vv. 15, 17) were situated near the gates (cf. 9:26; Neh. 12:25). Two separate treasuries are mentioned: the general account (the treasuries of the house of God, v. 20, cf. v. 22) which was supervised by the Gershonites (vv. 21–22), and a special account for the treasuries for the dedicated things (v. 20, cf. v. 26) under the control of Shelomith, an Amramite (vv. 23–28; cf. 28:12).

The ‘dedicated things’ were spoils of war (v. 27), provided by David (v. 26; cf. 1 Chr. 18:11; 2 Chr. 5:1), and other leaders (v. 28). The events to which verse 28 refers are not otherwise mentioned, except perhaps in the case of Saul (cf. 1 Sam. 15:21). A statement that these gifts were for the temple’s repair (v. 27; cf. nrsv, rsv, ‘maintenance’; reb, neb, ‘upkeep’) is unexpected, since it had not yet been built. Either this is a hint of a later date for the paragraph, or the word must be understood in the sense of ‘strengthening’. (Selman, M. J. (1994). 1 Chronicles: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 10, p. 252). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)

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20 The gatekeepers’ “positions of trust” (see comments to 9:22) included two major treasurerships: the one over the treasuries of the temple (vv.20–22), with their offerings and valuable equipment (cf. 9:28–29), and the other over the treasuries of dedicated objects (vv.23–28). (Payne, J. B. (1988). 1, 2 Chronicles. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 427). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

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Observe, 1. There were treasures of the house of God. A great house cannot be well kept without stores of all manner of provisions. Much was expended daily upon the altar-flour, wine, oil, salt, fuel, besides the lamps; quantities of these were to be kept beforehand, besides the sacred vestments and utensils. These were the treasures of the house of God. And, because money answers all things, doubtless they had an abundance of it, which was received from the people’s offerings, wherewith they bought in what they had occasion for. And perhaps much was laid up for an exigence. These treasures typified the plenty there is in our heavenly Father’s house, enough and to spare. In Christ, the true temple, are hid treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and unsearchable riches. 2. There were treasures of dedicated things, dedicated mostly out of the spoils won in battle (v. 27), as a grateful acknowledgment of the divine protection. Abraham gave Melchisedec the tenth of the spoils Heb. 7:4. In Moses’s time the officers of the army, when they returned victorious, brought of their spoils an oblation to the Lord, Num. 31:50. Of late this pious custom had been revived; and not only Samuel and David, but Saul, and Abner, and Joab, had dedicated of their spoils to the honour and support of the house of God, v. 28. Note, The more God bestows upon us the more he expects from us in works of piety and charity. Great successes call for proportionable returns. When we look over our estates we should consider, “Here are convenient things, rich things, it may be, and fine things; but where are the dedicated things?” Men of war must honour God with their spoils. 3. These treasures had treasurers, those that were over them (v. 20, 26), whose business it was to keep them, that neither moth nor rust might corrupt them, nor thieves break through and steal, to give out as there was occasion and to see that they were not wasted, embezzled, or alienated to the common use; and it is probable that they kept accounts of all that was brought in and how it was laid out. (Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 578). Peabody: Hendrickson.)

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Ver. 20. And of the Levites, &c.] The rest of the Levites, as the Gershonites, Amramites, Izharites, and Hebronites, ver. 21, 23. Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God: as the tithes, vessels, vestments, wine, and oil, and other things; such an one was Phinehas at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by Vespasian, who being taken, shewed and delivered the priests’ garments, and many other precious things and sacred ornaments under his care: and over the treasures of the dedicated things: voluntarily devoted for sacrifices and repairs of the temple; and this Abijah had the care of each of those at first, which afterwards were divided, and put under the care of different persons. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 39). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

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FROM MY READING: 

(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)

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1 Kings 12
After Solomon’s death, Rehoboam splits the kingdom
INSIGHT

Because Solomon drifts from the Lord during the latter part of his reign, he does not leave to his successor a healthy, vibrant nation. Israel struggles for moral and political leadership. Rehoboam inherits the throne but places foolish and inordinate financial demands on the nation on the heels of what Solomon had demanded–to build the temple and his palace. The people rebel and the nation divides. The northern part of the kingdom (Israel) follows after Jeroboam while Rehoboam retains control over the southern part (Judah); neither man leads the nation in righteousness and the disintegration that began with Solomon continues. Sin is taking its toll. It always does.                 (Quiet Walk)

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The little phrase “if so be” (Greek ei per) is used four times in the New Testament, each time setting forth a vital spiritual result established on the basis of a vital spiritual premise. The premise in today’s verse is that a new Christian has truly experienced the saving grace of Christ. The result will be that these “newborn babes” will truly “desire the sincere milk of the word” (1 Peter 2:2). The “word” (Greek logikos) is always both pure and reasonable. 

Then, “ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you” (Romans 8:9). When a person truly receives Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells his body, and the result is that he will henceforth live in the guidance of the Spirit instead of the flesh. 

But this life in the Spirit will necessarily entail suffering for the sake of Christ, and this is the premise that assures our future inheritance and glorification. The indwelling Spirit bears witness that we are “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17). 

Finally, our future resurrection is assured by the certainty of the bodily resurrection of Christ. “We have testified of God,” Paul says, “that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not” (1 Corinthians 15:15). Christ’s resurrection is proved as well as any historical fact has ever been proved, so the dead surely rise also. 

These “if so be’s” of Scripture, although seemingly expressed in the form of conditions, actually speak great assurances. The true Christian life is one of thirst for the logical words of God, guidance by the indwelling Spirit of God, certainty of future resurrection, and anticipation of a glorious inheritance in Christ. HMM (The Institute for Creation Research)

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Pieces of the Pattern

BY  BARBARA RAINEY

Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
EXODUS 25:9, NIV

Back when I used to do a lot more sewing, I enjoyed looking through pattern books. It was fun to select the style I wanted and then cut out the small pieces of tissue paper that indicated what went where and how everything fit together. But that’s just it—all those little shapes that represent the sleeves and the bodice and the front and the back don’t mean anything unless they eventually come together to form an article of clothing. Until the parts are applied in the context of the whole, they never achieve the purpose that was intended for them by the dress designer.

Many times in marriage, all we can see are the pieces. We see the romance part. We see the conflict part. We see the housekeeping part. We see the bill-paying part. We see the parenting part. But because we spend so much of our time focusing on the individual parts of our marriage, we don’t always see them in the bigger picture our Designer had in mind But the pattern is there nonetheless, and it’s contained in the package of God’s Word.

I want you to be encouraged that the pattern for your marriage isn’t something you were responsible for creating. It’s not based on feelings that can be strong today and much different tomorrow. The biblical pattern and plan for your marriage was created in the mind of almighty God, whose wisdom is unrivaled and whose love for you is beyond all bounds. If you keep putting the pieces where they belong, His pattern will start to show. His design will take its beautiful shape in the form of your marriage.

 

Small Wonder

We have done only that which we ought to have done. LUKE 17:10

When you think about the great humanitarian efforts achieved by the advance of Christianity over the years, you possibly think of hospitals and rescue missions and hunger relief. But perhaps the power of Christianity is proven best every day in homes and families and marriages like yours—when people who are self-centered by nature put their spouse’s needs before their own. It’s something He only accomplishes in us when we do the following:

1. Put Christ first in all things. When Barbara and I signed the “Title Deed” of our lives over to Christ as a young married couple, we officially gave Him everything that was ours—all rights to our lives, dreams and possessions.

Have we ever failed to remember the One who really owns our hopes, dreams and possessions? Sure. But whenever we’ve been tempted to live for ourselves, we’ve always been able to look each other in the eye and remember a time when we submitted everything of ours into His keeping and signed that title deed.

2. Give up all rights and entitlements. Paul said, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all” (1 Corinthians 9:19). Not a slave to some, but to all. And just as a slave relinquishes all rights to personal time and desires, we as Christ’s followers are commanded to put others above ourselves. It’s the only way to be the kind of wife or husband God intends us to be.

3. Be selfless in the little things. Sometimes I don’t want to get out of my favorite chair to help Barbara carry in the groceries, sweep the kitchen or clean a toilet bowl. But it’s in these minor, everyday moments that we teach our selfish selves who is boss. This is part of what the Bible means when it tells us to “learn to do good” (Isaiah 1:17)—to constantly choose death to self, to always choose sacrificial love until it becomes our first response. (Moments with You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)

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Demonic Discouragement
“Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?” (Job 4:18-19)
This was the strange message delivered to Eliphaz, the first of the three friends who proved such “miserable comforters” to Job in his sufferings, by “a spirit” that “stood still,… an image…before mine eyes” (vv. 15-16). This “thing was secretly [literally ‘stealthily’] brought to me,” said Eliphaz (v. 12), and there is little doubt that its original source was Satan himself, in his efforts to discredit and destroy Job. The “spirit” who instructed Eliphaz was not sent from God, as he may have thought, but was one of those angelic servants who had been “charged with folly” when they followed Lucifer in his primeval rebellion.
Still smarting with wounded pride that God would make His angels mere “ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:14) to Adam and his children, whose own bodies were mere “houses of clay,” built out of the dust of the earth, these demonic rebels hate human beings—especially those who love and serve God—with great passion. If Satan could not destroy Job by tempting him into moral wickedness or rebellion against an “unjust” God, perhaps he could lead him into discouragement, using his self-righteous “friends” to cause him to lose faith in God’s love and care.
But he failed! Job said: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,” and “I know that my redeemer liveth” (Job 13:15; 19:25).
Such defeatism is one of Satan’s most effective weapons. When he strikes with it, we must, like Job, “resist stedfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9), knowing “the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:11).

                   (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)

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PRAYER AND PRAISE:

Prayer request policy: If you want the prayer request to be private or just between me and you please say so in the email. I will pray for those requests. If you don’t mind others praying for the request, than just send the request with no restrictions and I will put it in the devotional for other to pray. We don’t include last names in any of our prayer requests. Thank you.

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Please pray for the persons whose last name begins with the letter “N” on your prayer list, which includes your address book, church directory and email list.

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Please remember to pray for the Biblical churches and pastors in the states of Vermont and South Dakota. (REMEMBER THAT IF YOU KNOW BIBLICAL PASTORS IN THESE STATES TO LET US KNOW THEIR NAMES AND CHURCHES AND WE WILL PRAY FOR THEM)

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Faith and Bible based ministry that encourages the faithfulness of the local church and their leaders to the LORD.

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Please invite friends to visit our website: www.smallchurchministries.org or visit our Facebook page at Small Church Ministries with a Bible logo.. If they would like to receive the devotions via email – please have them send their address to me with “devotional” in the message box. Also, if you don’t receive the devotions because you have visited our website or some other source please sign up. The devotions normally go out each covering a chapter of the Bible each day. In three and a half years the entire Bible is covered. Thank you.