Cry Out to the Lord - 2 Chronicles 18

See 2 Chronicles 18.

...Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him...

(From part of v31b.)

When we're in trouble, we should cry out to the Lord, and He will help us.

Great Reward For Seeking the Lord - 2 Chronicles 17

See 2 Chronicles 17.

v4,5

But sought to the [LORD] God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

There was this king Jehoshaphat in Judah, who sought the Lord. That means, for example, if you loose something, and try to find it, you seek it.

This king didn't seek an idol, but he sought the Lord instead. The Lord gave him all kinds of great rewards because of that.

• The LORD established his kingdom to be his
• Everybody in Judah brought him presents
• He had a whole bunch of riches and honor

Praying is seeking the Lord. I'll keep praying.

There will be a Great Reward For Seeking the Lord.

Seek the Lord First - 2 Chronicles 16

See 2 Chronicles 16.

v7

And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

We shouldn't rely on other people, or other things instead of relying on the Lord.

We should Seek the Lord First.

With Our Whole Desire - 2 Chronicles 15

See 2 Chronicles 15.

v15

And all Judah rejoiced at the oath:
for they had sworn with all their heart,
and sought him with their whole desire;
and he was found of them:
and the LORD gave them rest round about.

They "...sought Him with their whole desire..."

We should seek the Lord With Our Whole Desire.

Also remember Psalm 27:4.

Rest on the Lord - 2 Chronicles 14

See 2 Chronicles 14.

v11

And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said,
LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power:
help us, O LORD our God;
for we rest on thee,
and in thy name we go against this multitude.
O LORD, thou [art] our God;
let not man prevail against thee.

Yesterday I talked about how relying on the Lord shows believing in Him. Resting on the Lord also shows believing.

When they relied on the Lord, "...they cried unto the Lord..." (From part of 2 Chronicles 13:14.) When king Asa rested on the Lord, he "...cried unto the Lord..." (From part of 2 Chronicles 14:11a.) We should apply our faith in prayer.

If we believe in the Lord, we should Rest on the Lord.

Please Pray For Us

Some of my friends and I are in "Release Ministries". We've been telling detainees at a place that's like a jail, about Jesus.

Every Friday, release ministries sends a prayer request email. The email is long, but you wouldn't have to read the whole thing. It includes a short list of prayer requests from "unit 8". Unit 8 is the place where some of my friends and I have been going.

• Some of the prayer requests are things the boys ask for (like to get out.)
• There are also requests like that they would walk with the Lord.
• We often get to report that boys have prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior. Thank the Lord!

If you would like to get the prayer request email, there are 2 steps.

1. email:

   valerie@releaseministries.org

2. Ask to be put on the list to get the "Prayer Request Letter".

You can also view the latest prayer request letter online.

Please do pray for us. The Bible teaches us that we should continue in prayers and supplications night and day. Thank you.

Rely on the Lord - 2 Chronicles 13

See 2 Chronicles 13.

We know that if we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we will be saved from the lake of fire. But what does it mean to believe on Him?

One time, Israel split into 2 countries, Israel, and Judah. There was a war between the 2 countries. Listen to 1 thing that happened.

v18

Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.

It says "...they relied upon the LORD God..." Jesus must be the 1 we rely on to give us everlasting life. We must not rely on ourselves, or anybody else, or anything else, to save us.

Once we've been converted from going to the terrible place, to going to heaven, we need to keep on believing.

If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 thing that means is that you can Rely on the Lord.

Prepare Your Heart to Seek the Lord - 2 Chronicles 12

See 2 Chronicles 12.

v14

And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

I'll make the first thing I think about when I get up in the morning, and the last thing I think about when I go to bed at night, a Bible verse.

Obey the Words of the Lord - 2 Chronicles 11

See 2 Chronicles 11.

v4

Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

It was a good thing "They obeyed the Words of the Lord".

When the Bible teaches us to do or not do something, we should Obey the Words of the Lord.

Speak Good Words to Them - 2 Chronicles 10

See 2 Chronicles 10.

v7

And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.

I know I've said this before, but we should speak to people this way.

1. Be kind to this people,
2. Please them,
3. Speak good words to them

God Puts Wisdom in Hearts - 2 Chronicles 9

See 2 Chronicles 9.

v23

And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.

God had put wisdom in Solomon's heart. The wisdom was so great that all the kings of the earth looked for being with Solomon, to hear his wisdom. God had put it there.

The Lord is able to give us wisdom. Have faith, and ask the Lord for it.

Concerning Any Matter - 2 Chronicles 8

See 2 Chronicles 8.

v15

And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.

We shouldn't go away from what the Lord, our King, tells us to do.

We shouldn't disobey about anything, Concerning Any Matter.

Turn From Wicked Ways - 2 Chronicles 7

See 2 Chronicles 7.

v14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall
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 will
heal their land.

The Lord hears prayer, forgives sin, and heals.

We must Turn From Wicked Ways.

The Lord Keeps His Promises - 2 Chronicles 6

See 2 Chronicles 6.

v1,2,18-21

The Lord Never Really Lived in the Temple Solomon Built

v4,10,14-17

The Lord Keeps His Promises

v5,6,20-22,24-27,29,33,38,40-42

The Temple Was a Picture of Jesus

v19-21,24,25

The Lord Hears and Answers Us When We Pray

v24,26,36-39

Turn to The Lord With All Your Heart And All Your Soul

The Lord Never Really Lived in the Temple Solomon Built

...The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.

(From part of v1-2.)

But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

...

That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer... toward this place.

Hearken therefore unto the supplications... toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, [even] from heaven...

(From part of v18-21.)

The Lord Keeps His Promises

...the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled [that] which he spake with his mouth...

(From part of v4.)

The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken... as the LORD promised...

(From part of v10.)

[there is] no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant...

Thou which hast kept... that which thou hast promised... and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled [it] with thine hand, as [it is] this day.

...keep... that which thou hast promised...

...let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant...

(From part of v14-17.)

The Temple Was a Picture of Jesus

v20-21 show how we can be forgiven, and the Lord can answer prayer. That's only through Jesus.

v24-27 shows that something has to go between the sinful people and the Holy God, to intercede. It must be the thing that God chooses and puts His name on. Jesus intercedes for us.

v29,33,38,40 Show how prayer had to be in the house, toward it, or in the place. We can only come to God through Jesus, and we can only come through Jesus' name.

Revelation 21:22 says this about the holy city:

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

The Lord Hears and Answers Us When We Pray

Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee...

(v19.)

Turn to The Lord With All Your Heart And All Your Soul

And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray...

(From part of v24)

When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; [yet] if they... turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them...

(From part of v26.)

The encouragement today, is to be zealous to repent. Hunt down all those sins which to easily beset you, and be merciless with them. Contact the people you need to contact. Apologize. Be reconciled. Make sure. Turn with all your heart and all your soul.

If they sin against thee, (for [there is] no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before [their] enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;

Yet [if] they bethink themselves... and turn and pray... saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;

If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul...

Then hear thou... and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.

(From part of v36-29.)

The Lord Keeps His Promises.

Sing With 1 Voice - 2 Chronicles 5

See 2 Chronicles 5.

v13

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers [were] as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up [their] voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: that [then] the house was filled with a cloud, [even] the house of the LORD;

We should lift up our voice and sing. We should sing together like 1 person, to make people hear 1 sound.

I've been getting ready to sing gospel hymns together with other people. I've been preparing sing loudly, and to sing just the melody.

Sing, and Sing With 1 Voice.

Perfect Gold - 2 Chronicles 4

See 2 Chronicles 4.

v18

My work for the Lord should be "...in great abundance...".

v21

Our work for the Lord should be like "...Perfect Gold...".

The Boaz Pillar - 2 Chronicles 3

See 2 Chronicles 3.

v17 talks about 2 pillars set up in the temple.

These 2 pillars have names!

1 of the pillars is called "Boaz".

That word has to do with strength.

We should be strong, and serve the Lord with all our strength. The Lord gives strength to His people.

Be Skillful to Work - 2 Chronicles 2

See 2 Chronicles 2.

Part of v14:

...skilful to work... and to find out every device which shall be put to him...

I should be skillful to figure out every kind of "device" on which I have to work.

I should Be "Skillful to Work".

In Your Heart - 2 Chronicles 1

See 2 Chronicles 1.

v11

...Because this was in thine heart...

What do you ask the Lord to give you for yourself? It's OK to ask for something for yourself, just what are you asking for it for?

I knew the story of Solomon asking for wisdom, but I struck by hearing this. He didn't just ask for wisdom and knowledge. Asking for it was in his heart.

The desires of our hearts should be to please the Lord. What is In Your Heart?

Prepare With All Your Might - 1 Chronicles 29

See 1 Chronicles 29.

David said,

Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God...

(From part of v2a.)

I noticed the "with all my might" part. We should Love the Lord with all our strength.

Open Air Preaching - 1 Chronicles 28

See 1 Chronicles 28.

v8-10

Seek and keep everything the Lord says.

Build the Lord's people.

Be strong, and do it.

Know, Serve, and Seek Him

v9

And thou, Solomon my son,
know thou the God of thy father, and
serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind:
for the LORD searcheth all hearts,
and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts:
if thou seek him, he will be found of thee;
but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

The Practical Application

From part of v2a

...stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me...

Standing on a street corner, in a crowded place... Shout out the gospel!

The Great Comfort and the Promise

From part of v20b

...Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 27

See 1 Chronicles 27. The Lord gave David a lot of servants. The Lord gave David a lot of stuff.

The Lord blesses His servants. We should serve the Lord with our whole hearts.

Please pray for my time

Would you would like to pray for me?

Are you ever disappointed because you look for something new here, but I haven't posted?

Would you please ask the Lord to help me redeem the time?

Thank you.

Thank and Praise the Lord - 1 Chronicles 25

In 1 Chronicles 25, v3 talks about giving thanks and praising the Lord. We should thank and praise the Lord.

Commanded to Serve - 1 Chronicles 24

See 1 Chronicles 24.

Observation

v1-6

The sons of Aaron

v7-18

The 24 lots

v19

Their service to come into the house of the Lord

v20-24

The rest of the sons of Levi

Key

v19

These [were] the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

We're each supposed to serve the Lord, and His people, in 1 sort of manner or another.

• v3The leaders the Lord gives us can distribute us.
• v4 We can do what we have enough ability to do.
• v5 We can even end up in a certain office by chance.

Application

v19b We're Commanded to Serve the Lord and His people.

No matter how I get a chance to serve the Lord, I'll do what I can.

4,000 Praised the Lord

1 Chronicles 23:5 talked about 4,000 people who praised the Lord with instruments.

Later, v30 says:

And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even;

All the time, we should thank and praise the Lord.

Exceeding Magnifical

See 1 Chronicles 22.

...be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

(From part of v13b.)

There are times when things get very discouraging. We can encourage ourselves in the Lord.

Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God...

(From part of v19a.)

Stay very determined to completely seek the Lord.

...Arise [therefore], and be doing...

(From part of v16b.)

Don't just sit around lazily.

...in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD...

(From part of v14a.)

Even when we have a hard time, we can serve the Lord. He'll do great things through us.

...the house [that is] to be builded for the LORD [must be] exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will [therefore] now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly...

(From part of v5b.)

We, the Lord's people, are His house. We should serve each other abundantly. When He returns, it will be...

Exceeding Magnifical!

David Called on The Lord

See 1 Chronicles 21.

v26

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.

David called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him.

...David saw that the LORD had answered him...

(From part of v28b.)

Call on the Lord in prayer.

1 Chronicles 20

See 1 Chronicles 20.

v1

Don't tarry at home when it's time to do your work.

v2

God gave His servants very many good things. The crown reminds me that God has an eternal crown in store for us.

v3

Don't assume evil of people. They did something evil to David's servants, because they assumed evil of him. That worked out really badly for them.

v4-8

God gave His servants victory over giant enemies.

That Which is Good in His Sight

See 1 Chronicles 19.

v3 There can be really bad counselors. Don't listen to bad counsel, and don't assume evil of people.

v13

Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do [that which is] good in his sight.

We should:

• Be of good courage,
• Behave ourselves valiantly, and,
• Trust the Lord.

1 Chronicles 18

Observation

v1-8

The Lord gave David great victories.

v9-11

David dedicated his treasures to the Lord.

v12,13

The Lord preserved David wherever he went.

v14

David really had done judgment and justice.

v15-17

Here are some names of people that had certain jobs.

Key

v14

So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.

I thought of Psalm 119:121, "I have done judgment and justice..."

Before, I read about all of the incredible treasures and stuff Solomon had later. I saw here how some of it had been prepared.

David was so faithful in the battles and preparations and service for the Lord. The Lord really blessed His servants.

Application

I'll work diligently today.

There is None Like You

...David the king... said... Who am I... ?

(From part of 1 Chronicles 17:16a)

...O Lord, there is none like You...

(From part of 1 Chronicles 17:20a)

We should worship the Lord like this. There's no one like Him. Be humble, and praise the Lord.