King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: In The Blink Of An Eye
Date: Tuesday May 15, 2012
Today's Chapters: 2 Chronicles 21-24

Hello My Friend,

I never can praise God enough for taking me out of the life I lived before I made the choice to live my life with Christ in it. Once in a while I think, “How did I ever let things get so far out of hand?” and vow to never let myself get to that point again. But I know that no matter how strong my faith in God, in the blink of an eye I could fall, it's not that I do not trust myself, but I know my flesh is weak. Therefore, I am not trusting in my flesh to keep me out of trouble, but the Spirit of God.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” - Galatians 5:1,13,16,17,26.

After Jehoshaphat died, his son Jehoram reigned, since he was married to Ahab's daughter he walked in the wicked ways as she did, bringing that wickedness into Judah. He was so wicked that he killed all of his brothers, who, were godly and better qualified to reign. While God was angry with him He did not destroy him because of the covenant he made with David. “Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel. Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.” - 2 Chronicles 21:4-7.

Any person who puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the only one who can save them and take them to heaven makes a covenant with God. His covenant, “Believe in My Son, receive eternal life.” While God promises eternal life to all who believe in Christ, that doesn't mean they do not face the consequences of their actions should they continue to live in sin. “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” - Romans 13:4,12-14.

Jehoram only reigned eight years, when he was struck with an incurable disease and died. His son, Ahaziah was even more wicked than him, and only reigned one year before the people rebelled, killed him and his brothers too. After Ahaziah died his mother made herself queen and killed every male in the house of David, except one, which her grand-daughter hid from her.

“And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them. And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom. But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah. But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.” - 2 Chronicles 22:8-12.

What a mess? It is definitely true that what you reap is what you sow, those who wickedly seek their way to the top always fall the same way they began. It was important that one male of the seed of David be alive as his lineage or seed would be where Jesus would descend from. All it takes is one person to change a life, but if no one is willing to make a move than nothing will change. “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” - James 2:19,26.

Joash was taught the ways of God through Jehoiada, the priest and Athaliah, and encouraged the kingdom as well. He reigned for forty years, but that quickly came to an end after Jehoiada died. “Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.” - 2 Chronicles 24:17-21.

The problem was that the people wanted to build groves and altars to worship God in their own places rather than take the journey to Jerusalem every time. Zechariah was explaining that it was against the law of God, Joash took his eyes off God for one second and ordered Zechariah to be killed, whom his grew up with, for being the only person to do the right thing. Later on Joash died as a result of his ordering the execution of Zechariah. As Christians, it's very important that we never take our eyes off God for a second, not because we are not forgiven, but because we are forgiven children of the living God. We might get persecuted, mocked, chastened, or even threatened with out lives, but God is always with us and will help us if we come to Him.

“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” - Romans 6:8-12.

Today's Psalm: 86:5 - “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”
Today's Proverb: 24:16 - “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”
Today's Prayer: God, As much as I believe that I can do all things through Christ, I know my flesh is weak, it always gets me in trouble when I take my eyes off You. Lord, lead me and guide me, keep me focused and give me Your power to overcome the constant forces trying to get me to fall away from living in Your will. I thank You for Your mercy and grace to always forgive me no matter how many times I fall. I love You Lord, and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Compromising Situations
Date: Monday May 14, 2012
Today's Chapters: 2 Chronicles 18-20

Hello My Friend,

As Christians, we are told to love one another as brothers, so, where do we draw the line to avoid compromising situations. To do that we have to understand what brotherly love is, it means we are to treat everyone with respect, be kind to all, even if all are not kind to us. However, showing brotherly love toward one another is a lot different than aligning ourselves with people who put us into compromising situations.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” - 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

Jehoshaphat was a godly king, he was the first king since David to serve God wholeheartedly and encouraged the kingdom to do so also. Jehoshaphat had one problem that often put him in compromising situations, he never said no. First, Jehoshaphat put himself in a compromising situation when he aligned himself with wicked Ahab, by allowing his son to marry Ahab's daughter. Then he does it again by joining him in his battle between Israel and Syria.

“And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle. Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.” - 2 Chronicles 18:29-32.

We would all go through a lot less suffering if we just learn to say no more often. Let me tell you, that people might mock you, call you a Jesus freak or something like that, but it is better to suffer for doing the right thing than the wrong. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 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.” - 1 Peter 4:12,13.

Jehoshaphat barely escaping with his life, returned to Jerusalem to find Jehu, a seer, to warn him of a battle that was about to take place in Judah because of his decision to join Ahab. Jehoshaphat admitting he was wrong proclaimed a fast throughout all of Judah in order to get right with God and stop the battle from happening or at least have God's help in it.

“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:3,4,15-17.

God will warn us when we are about to do something against His will, but once we make the choice to do it anyway the consequences are all our own. We need to be very careful not to let people charm us into going against God, but God knows our heart and our intentions and although He allows the affliction to continue He will help us endure it as long as we seek His help. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” - Hebrews 12:11.

We all have a choice to make, God's way or the world's way, ignorance does not keep us from the affliction we face for our actions, regardless of what compromising situations we get ourselves into. We must not let anyone, but God convince us that we are making the right decision. However, even when we do make mistakes God knows our hearts and if we truly seek Him He will actually help us through our affliction. The battle is God's and when we seek Him we cannot be defeated and if we are, we will always come back even stronger.

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” - Philippians 4:5-9.

Today's Psalm: 18:24 - “Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.”
Today's Proverb: 13:20 - “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Today's Prayer: God, As much as I try to do the right thing, I often find myself stuck in compromising situations because I do not want to offend or make someone feel bad. Thank You for helping me endure every situation I got myself into by not coming to You in the first place. Lord, help me to never make a decision that will compromise my relationship with You or what I believe in You. Help me to not even walk into compromising situations in the first place by keeping my eyes on You and listening for Your warnings. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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