Mary pondered these things in her heart! Do we ponder the things of God? His House? A church that was once strong and powerful fades away into history? Solomon built the most beautiful Temple for God in history! Solomon had so much wealth given to him! The Queen of Sheba gave him 4 tons of gold for a gift! Solomon did not spend on himself but invested it into the building of the Temple! The Jews made sacrifices to construct the Temple! Solomon asked God for wisdom but God gave him both wisdom and riches! Riches outside the will and purpose of God will come to nothing! After Solomon and many years passed the Temple declined and was destroyed and the Jews went into captivity! Why do some churches fail while others prosper? What series of events cause these opposite outcomes? We must see life God’s way and not our own way! Solomon took the wealth God had given him and invested it into the Temple for worship! God gave the provisions! The church began and the people gave their best! We see from the recorded scriptures here the people prayed and God heard their requests and acted upon them! He bless their cause and work! At the end of Solomon’s prayer God was pleased and fire came down from Heaven and the sacrifice was consumed! What was going right in the Temple! People were obedient to leadership! It was more than just the ornaments of gold silver and jewels! Something was going on inside the Temple! Fire came down and the Lord’s House was filled with His Glory! His mercy endures forever! Solomon built a place where people could bring the sacrifices! God confirmed the blessings with his presence! God has chosen this place for himself! The power of faithfulness and obedience! God heard their prayers! If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves………! We will hear from Heaven! Revival! Times of refreshing! Heart’s right with God! Eyes opened! New revelation! Examine ourselves! Meet God! Who is your God? God is not the reason for a declining church! People have forgotten who they are in Christ! Lost favor of God! Lost sense of purpose! Focus on themselves! No witness of God to the community! Forsaken the God of our Father’s! Calamity follows! God moves out and the world moves in! Secularism! Return to the Lord! He will hear from heaven! He will heal with church growth! Now I must ask you a personal question? Have you given any sacrifice to God that he can consume? When God consumes your sacrifice his presence is manifested in his House! No sacrifice no consumption and no presence! No God in the House! Empty! Christ’s sacrifice caused God to consume Jesus completely with His manifested Glory! Miracles left and right! Are tithes and offerings too much sacrifice for you? Are ministries into your community too much for you? Prison ministry? Hospital and nursing home visits too much for you? Without your sacrifice he has nothing to work with! Do not waste your sacrifice on the world! Your effort will be lost forever! Have faith in God and trust him! You will never be disappointed! When the leadership and people stop sacrificing the ministry declines! When they begin to sacrifice the ministry grows! Pastor Ron Wilder, Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Fairburn, Georgia.
Tag: solomon
Love of Money! Ecclesiastes 5:11-17
This is what happens to those who love money more than God! The following are the five characteristics of people who are in love with money; 1. The more they have the more they want. 2. The more they have the more they spend. 3. The more they have the more they worry. 4. The more they have the more they lose. 5. The more they have the more they have to leave behind. Pastor David Jeremiah Comment: Solomon was the richest man that has ever lived on the earth! He had 700 hundred wives and 300 concubines or girl friends! If anyone knew the deception of wealth he knew! Learn from him who had it all but in the end he said it was all vanity! That is to no purpose! Jesus said the love of money is the root of all evil. I admire Pastor Jeremiah for his transparency in taking a Biblical stand on money, sex, Heaven and Hell. He is not a politically correct politician in the pulpit! He has my respect! Jesus offended the rich but had compassion on the poor! Judas lost his soul because of a love for money! Jesus told the rich man after he bragged to him how he keeps the law perfectly that he lacked one thing! Give all you have to the poor and come and follow me! But the rich man went away sad because his possessions had him! They owned him! Do not hang on to what you cannot keep! The way to keep money from owning you is to give it away! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Herod’s Letter to Caesar (John the Baptist)
To Tiberius Caesar and the Roman Senate; “My Noble Lords, Greetings: The facts in the case are about as follows: John the Baptist had set up a new mode of religion altogether different from the Jewish religion, teaching baptism instead of circumcision, which had been the belief and the custom of the Jews in all ages past. According to their theory, God appeared to Abraham hundreds of years before, and told him with his own lips how and what to do to be saved; and the Jews have lived according to this until it had become their nature, and all their forefathers had lived in this way. David, Solomon, Isaac, Jacob, and all the Holy prophets had gone to heaven in this way of God’s own appointment. Now, the question came to them, as they suggested it to me: Has God found that He is wrong? Has His wisdom failed Him? Or has the unchanged changed, and He is wavering in His purpose? Such would be the natural conclusion of a sensible man under the circumstances. Now, John the Baptist had no authority from God for what he was doing, as Abraham had. All he could say was, “He that sent me to baptize is true.” And he cannot tell who he was. Then his going into the wilderness; God had ordered Solomon to build the finest temple that was ever built in the world, and made promises that whosoever came to that house with his offerings his prayers should be heard and answered. This temple had been the place of their meeting for hundreds of years, for the Jews think this temple is the next place in heaven. Now see the difference; First John has no authorized authority. Second he changes God’s place of worship. Third he changes the doctrines. Fourth he changes the mode of application. Now, the idea of Gamaliel was that John wanted to be some great man; hence, he took this mode of eccentric life to establish it. And there is nothing better qualified than the course he took to make an impression upon the ignorant and unlearned–to go away out in the wilderness by himself, get a few friends from Jerusalem to go out and hear him, and come back and tell the great wonders which they had seen in the wilderness. Then John’s appearance–his long, uncombed hair and beard, his fantastic clothing, and his food, nothing but bugs and beans–such a course and such a character are well qualified to lead the illiterate astray. These troubles on the Jewish mind were very heavy, and gave such men as Hilderium, Shammai, Hillel and others great concern. And no wonder, for in their judgment it was vacating the temple of religious worship; it was blocking the road to heaven, and driving the poor and unsuspecting to ruin, as well as destroying the whole nation. So it was, by their request, as so ordered, that it was better to execute one to save the many for a worse fate. And this is the true reason for the deed, and not to please the whim of a dancing girl, as you have heard. Now, my lords, if this is not satisfactory, I would ask my accuser, Caius, to write any of the learned Jews, and learn if my statement is not correct. Herod Antipas
The Third Jewish Temple Jerusalem
This subject with about 32 scriptures on the rebuilding of the third Temple is complicated by various interpretations of these scriptures. I want to print a new version of the Bible titled, The Bible for Dummies!” After I write it I will read it myself! Will dummies go to Heaven? Yes! The whole earth is covered with them! It is an elite club! Smart people are not allowed! It is called the Democratic Party! If you think they are dumb well not as dumb as their followers! Let me give you some history on the Jewish Temple’s at Jerusalem. Two Jewish Temples have been built so far. King Solomon built the first Temple in 960 B.C. The Babylonians destroyed it in 586 B.C. The returning Jewish captives from exile from Babylon were freed by the Persians (Iranians), in 539 B.C. The returning Jews completed the second Temple in 515 B.C. The second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. Remember Jesus in about 33 A.D. prophesized the Temple destruction (Matthew 24:2). So what do the Jews today say about the 3rd Temple? A number of Jewish scholars believe the deadline for the Jewish Messiah is in the Jewish Year 6000 which is 2240 A.D. This date would also be the date for the completion of the third Temple! The Orthodox Jews recite the Amidah which are daily prayers for rebuilding the Temple and the sacrificial offerings to be reestablished! Jesus said He is the Temple! We are the Temple as the Holy Spirit resides within us! But what about Jesus second coming? The Jews will probably think it is His first coming when he returns for the second time! At His second coming we who pray to Him will see Him face to face! Is the third Temple necessary? Absolutely! When Jesus returns and enters Jerusalem he will come through the eastern gate (who the Muslims sealed off), and enter the Temple! The Anti-Christ will occupy the Temple during the 7 year Tribulation period! At the end of this period Christ will return and route him out of the Temple! What about the New Jerusalem? We will have a new Heaven and a new Earth at the end of the Millennium or thousand year reign of Christ on earth! Christ will rule the earth from Jerusalem! So the rebuilding of the Temple is important to Bible Prophecy and the fulfillment of scriptures! If you live to see the construction of the third Temple you will see one more sign of Christ’s second coming! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Stolen Treasure! 2 Kings 24:13
All the treasure of the House of the Lord that King Solomon had spent a lifetime amassing was carried off by Persian King Nebuchadnezzer of Babylon! All the gold, silver and vessels of the Temple and the King’s House were cut in pieces and carried off! What lesson can we learn from this? Hundred of years later Jesus predicted the Temple of Jerusalem would be destroyed again! About 40 years after His death and resurrection during the Roman/Jewish War (66-70A.D.), the Jewish Temple was destroyed and the treasure was carried off back to Rome along with one hundred thousand Jewish slaves! The Jewish slaves and treasure was used to build the Roman Coliseum! Then the early Christian’s were martyred in the same Coliseum! History has shown us that when Jew’s are persecuted so are the Christians! Same holds true today in 2016! The Apostle Paul talked about treasure in earthen vessels! The treasure inside each human was given to us by God! It is a gift and no human can steal it! What we do with this treasure is very important! If we claim it as our own then we are stealing treasure from God! The treasure within you is priceless and has eternal purpose! It will last forever! Our purpose in Christ is found on earth and prepares us for Heaven! Remember after death we come back to earth again with Christ for the one thousand year rule of earth following the seven year tribulation period! If you have been faithful here on the earth with the real treasure then expect greater responsibility later in His Kingdom there and when you return with Him again to earth! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
You Cannot Live For Yourself! Ecclesiastes 12:7
Some call this suicide! You cannot live for yourself either! Many try! Either way brings emptiness! God’s character is just the opposite! He lives for you and died for you! If you want fulfillment in life follow His example! Solomon had it all. He had riches, women, fame, and wisdom from God that he did not use all the time. In the end he said it was all vanity! That is to no purpose or worthless! Life under the sun means living your life without God! We need the son! Here are some quotes from rich famous American’s! John Rockefeller;”My millions brought me no joy!” Cornelius Vanderbilt;”Two hundred million and i am still empty!” John Astor;”I am the most miserable man on earth!” Henry Ford;”I was a lot happier when i was a car mechanic!” Ralph Barton; Suicide Note: “I have run from woman to woman and country to country to try to escape myself!” King Solomon;”It is all vanity!” Your purpose is to live for God and others and to sacrifice yourself in service to others! Follow Jesus example and be servant of all. Pastor Oscar Cope, Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Fairburn, Georgia
Is God in the Darkness? 1 Kings 8:12
“Then spoke Solomon, the Lord said that He would dwell in the thick darkness!” Does this scripture sound contradictory? I thought God was light? If it does it is only because of the English word darkness used in this passage! The Hebrew translation is the word cloud! Like a cloud covering the Tabernacle or Temple manifesting God’s presence. Clouds bring rain and life! Now let us take the same English word darkness used in Genesis 1:2. “And darkness was upon the face of the deep.” The Hebrew root word is a completely different word than used in the Book of Kings! The word means destruction, misery, ignorance, sorrow and wickedness! This is just one more example for the case to be made that people who really want to study the Bible need a Hebrew-Greek study Bible! Without this helpful study tool you can miss-interpret the Bible and end up with bad theology! I never want to live or die with the wrong idea about God and His Christ! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Senior Lives Matter! 2 Samuel 17:27-29
Who was Barzillai? It is a name you might expect coming out of a Tarzan movie? It is a Hebrew name meaning steel or iron. Barzillai was the iron man of Gilead located in southern Israel. He was one of three men who helped King David flee his son Absalom who was trying to take the throne by force! David and his men were in the wilderness and needed provisions to survive! Barzillai was 80 years old when he rendered assistance to King David! He did so at great risks for if Absalom had won he would have executed Barzillai! D.L. Moody once said our Faith can only be exercised in the darkness! If you are a Christian waiting around for a Utopia to come so you can safely proclaim Jesus name it will never happen! Remember in scripture that after the thousand year rein with Christ Satan will be loosed for a season on the earth! Why? Maybe the Saints got a little to fat and lazy and their Faith went to sleep? Barzillai was a man of invincible charm! He had a son named Chimham. Barzillai was a highland chief who was wealthy, loyal, courteous, passionate and respected the King! He used his wealth to help others not to fill his own pockets! King David rewarded Barzillai by inviting him to live with him in the Palace at Jerusalem! He declined telling David he was an old man and he wanted to live his life where he was born and to be buried beside his father and mother. He was even loyal to his deceased parents! Where can you find such loyalty in the earth? However he did refer the invitation to others including his son. When it comes to doing good we must do all we can while we can as you can for God! King David on his death bed told his son Solomon the new King to be good to the descendants of Brazillai! Remember God has invited you to His Palace! Jesus said he has gone to prepare a place for you! He will take you home to be with Him forever! If you have already accepted His invitation then refer the invite to others! Thankyou. Pastor Oscar Cope, Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Fairburn, Georgia
Qualification for Rulers 1 Kings 3:9
King Solomon asked God for wisdom to understand and judge the people. The word understand means to hear intelligently. To hear and obey. Hear O’Israel. Judge means to pronounce sentence to punish or vindicate. Discern means to separate mentally. So what does good mean? In case you have forgotten it means kind, loving, pleasant, precious, valuable, happy, and mentally correct. Evil means wicked, harmful, disagreeable, a negative heavy heart and a terrifying place! Like Dallas this week! Remember in the Book of Genesis God warned Adam and Eve not to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil? Their rebellion brought death to the human race. In Isaiah 29:14 God says that He gives and conceals understanding! Without God we cannot discern the difference between good and evil. In fact in the last days good will be called evil and evil will be called good! I think we have arrived! There has been an effort by some in our political system to project the idea that police are racist? I want to give you the statistics on Americans killed by police and their race between 2013-2015. These are FBI statistics. White 49% (782), Black 30% 464), Hispanic 19% (302), Asian 2% (26). The facts are needed to debunk the false narratives given out in the 24 hour news cycles. The murder of five white Dallas police officers would be a racist act! President Obama keeps looking back to slavery and Jim Crow? The biggest evidence that people have moved forward from that is that we have elected him over the past two election cycles! Can he not see this? I did not vote for him not because of race but his ideology! Americans want to move forward! Obama’s false narratives are stoking the flames of violence! Are there injustices? We live in a sinful world! We cannot throw the baby out with the bath water! If we or our leaders do not have a relationship with God then we are missing wisdom to govern only God can give! Americans want peace and prosperity and only God living in men can give to us! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Good Grief! Ecclesiastes 7: 2-4
We need healing conversations this morning! Solomon says grief brings joy! American culture tries to pass by death! We want to avoid conversations about it! Solomon says in verse four that the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning. John 11: 32-35. Jesus knows how to grieve! In fact we see in this scripture that Jesus gets blamed for Lazarus death! Where have you buried him? Jesus wept! Why did Jesus stop and weep when He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead? We cannot skip over the sad places in our life! Jesus was fully man and fully God and is illustrated so plainly in these events! We cannot celebrate the miracles without paying attention to the process! Psalm 137. Two third’s of the Psalm’s are complaints and lamentations. The Jews were taken captive and taken to Babylon! The Babylonians took the best of the population back to Babylon and left the sick and elderly in Israel. Many of the grandchildren never saw their grandparents again! As the Jews sat by the rivers of Babylon they remembered Zion and wept! How do we grieve properly? First we must admit a new reality! Something is new about my life! Everything has changed about my life! It may be from a loss of a spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, job loss, sickness, financial loss, home or something else. I lost my dad in 2005. I miss dad but now a new reality. Second take time to weep. They wept in Babylon! Jesus wept! Slow down and grieve! Grieve properly! It is decompressing! Third remember the past! I have many good memories of my father! My father developed a barbeque sauce! He always wanted to get a patent on it. What my mother did not tell us for years is that she added some ingredients to the sauce so we could eat it! Tell the stories that make you smile at a funeral! See God’s imprint on our lives! Tell the stories that heal us and carry us on! What happens when we grieve properly? Our pain is confronted! We cannot ignore pain! In fact there is more pain for avoiding pain! Drug addiction is caused by trying to avoid pain! Invite the Holy Spirit into our pain! Jesus invited His Father into the pain in the Garden of Gethsemane! When we grieve properly we become available again! Your story matters! Millions of American’s have lost loved ones in battles of war in American history! Their stories matter! God is not finished with you yet! Your story is not over! Your final chapter is not the last one! God needs you available again! God will heal your heart! Even Jesus own disciples thought it was all over for them as Jesus went to the Cross! They scattered and went back to their old jobs! They could not look forward? God needs you available again! God knows what it is to grieve! Life was never the same when I lost my father! Storms are not forever! As we prepare for Communion let us remember the grieving of our Lord He has gone through for us on the Cross! Because He lives this morning we can live! He suffered so that we could have victory! He conquered death for us! Joy comes in the morning! He has Risen! Pastor Brady Boyd, New Life Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.