Pastor’s Blog (Page 43)

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.” Amon did evil in the sight of the Lord as Manasseh his father had done.” 1 Only he didn’t humble himself like his dad did. What’s worse, he multiplied guilt.2 It wasn’t enough just to add guilt. “He sacrificed to all the carved images which his father Manasseh had made, and he served…

It was another time and place, but does any of this sound familiar? A new man was assuming the top office. Huge crowds gathered to celebrate. Excitement and anticipation were in the air. And a man prayed for the new leader. Here’s what he prayed: “Give to my son Solomon a perfect heart—to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to do them all.” 1…

The ink wasn’t even dry on Hezekiah’s death certificate and Manasseh was already busy undoing his father’s reforms! He wasn’t just drifting spiritually. He was making determined choices to head 180 degrees in the opposite direction. Notice the intentionality: He “seduced them to do evil.” 1 He “made Judah sin.” 2 He “misled Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” 3 With…

The biblical historians used an interesting phrase to close the chapter on each king’s life and recap some significant aspect of his reign: Now the rest of the acts of Solomon and whatever he did, and his wisdom… Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he made war… Now the rest of all the acts of Asa… and the cities which he built… Now the rest…

In just a few hours 2008 will have rolled out of view. Those 365 days and nights will come no more. Their 8760 hours will be history. The 10,512,000 breaths God gave you will be gone.1 So here’s a fitting prayer as the meter rolls over to 2009: “Teach us, Lord, to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” 2 1 Acts 17:25; Respiratory rate 2…

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people…” 1 “…the Sunrise from on high will visit us.” 2 The Bible speaks of numerous instances when God visits. What does it mean? Did He just decide to pop in? Hardly. Whenever the Bible speaks of God visiting, it is because a Holy Presence is attending some particular…