1 Chron. 11,12 [The Message]

Men from the tribe of Issachar were reputed to have understood the times. Nearly all the translations and paraphrases also add the expression, “They knew what Israel should do.” When we need to know WHAT to do, we usually seek an expert and pay them for their advice. For instance, I need help on my taxes this year so I have contacted a Christian CPA to guide me through the process.

King Saul lost his life and his crown because he sought the counsel of the witch at Endor rather than pray and ask God what to do. [1Sam.28:7] This displeased the Lord greatly. We too can understand the times by praying and asking for God’s guidance on the life issues we confront. Try it!

1 Chron. 10 [The Message]

King Saul after he was mortally wounded, asked his armor bearer to finish him off. The young man refused out of reverence and fear. He just couldn’t do any harm to the man he served and guarded.

Such is the nature of armor bearers. They protect and serve. In a sense, they are students of their master. Timothy was an armor bearer to Paul. Elisha was an armor bearer to Elijah. Christ’s disciples were armor bearers to Jesus.

I believe God puts it in the heart of such individuals to serve under and learn from significant Christian leaders. When they serve with integrity and loyalty, they will one day also have an armor bearer.

1 Chron. 7-9 [The Message]

Church music and worship, in my opinion, should be done with excellence. Sincerity and earnestness of heart is most important, but we should do what we can to make a praise offering the best we can. King David left us many expressions that communicated a quest for excellence in priestly worship. He said, “Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.” [Ps. 33:3] When offered a free piece of property for the Lord’s purposes, he insisted on paying for it. He said, “I will not offer to the Lord that which costs me nothing.”

When I was a young man, our church had very spirited and sincere song services (c.1971). I had a desire to see church music be done with as much excellence as possible, without becoming an idol itself. So, I went to music school to prepare a ministry in music. Four years later I was the choir director and worship leader at our church in Findlay, Ohio. Patty and I have had a fruitful life of serving God’s kingdom in music and praise and worship.

Give God the glory due unto His Name.

1 Chron. 6 [The Message]

Israelite lineage accounts make it clear that a man’s sons would follow in his footsteps for a vocation, especially if he was a priest. The priesthood calling was a family thing and not a result of your major at the university.

I have spent most of my ministry life in worship and music. Interestingly, none of my children have followed in my vocation. But, most important to me is that they love and serve the Lord. THIS they do. The calling is up to God, not the parents. Scripture is clear though that a parent should teach his children to love God and live according to His ways.

I know my father was pleased that I was in ministry. He was an electrical contractor and I never felt any inclination or interest in that line of work. It’s primarily the “Touch of God” we should want for our children.

1 Chron, 5 [The Message]

When I toured Israel several years ago, I distinctly remember driving past a nomadic Bedouin abode, a very large black goats-hair tent which was the residence of a large family. It was a culture shock to me. Why hadn’t this family moved on and constructed a modern home to live in? Obviously, their family culture and tradition were more important to them than what I thought about their lifestyle. I actually commend them for carrying on the tradition of their forefathers.

If your ancestors were horse thieves or moonshiners, none of us would think you should carry-on their tradition. But, if there is a Godly history or family tradition that honors the Lord, capitalize on THAT!

I easily think about my two grandmothers who were both Godly women. What they stood for, what they endured for Christ, these are the qualities worth passing along to our offspring. I want my grandchildren to know about them and the experience they had with the Lord. When families get together, it’s a good time to remember the ancestors and what they stood for.

1 Chron. 2-4 [The Message]

The Prayer of Jabez was made popular by the Bruce Wilkinson book of the same name in 2000. It has received its due in attention and has affected the prayers of many. It’s no secret that God has promised blessing to His Children, and actually teaches us about Himself through how He answers our prayers. One big tip: ask for ways to expand and augment the Kingdom of God. Also, it’s no sin to ask for HELP!

James makes it clear that we should avoid asking for the wrong things.

[Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures. [ James 4:3 AMPC]

1 Chronicles 1 [The Message]

My cousin Alan Demos is a history buff. He absolutely LOVES Ancestry.com. Through it he has discovered (I’m going to do some serious name-dropping here) that we are related to:

• King Edward III
• John More who printed the first edition of the King James Bible
• Richard More and several members of the Mayflower pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock
  • Karl King for whom The Music Man was probably written
    • Anne Boleyn, Queen of England
    • Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland

Impressed?!??! Who knows, there were probably some bad guys in my ancestry too. It’s all meaningless because when we accept Christ, we are a new creature and old things are passed away. We have a new name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

The ONLY name worth mentioning is the name JESUS! God has made us to sit with Christ in Heavenly Places. [Eph. 2:6]

2 Kings 24, 25 [The Message]

It seems that in life, there are people who always want to be in charge or who want to control things. Others are content with who they are and what they have. The history of the kings of Israel and Judah is a study in control-conquest-contentment characteristics. It seems that the kings who always wanted MORE made up their own rules for living and the ones who were content abode by God’s Laws.

People who always want MORE are like that. They make up their own rules of engagement. As long as they are getting what they want, they justify in their minds that they are OK, they are allowed to conduct themselves like so. Meanwhile, they may be rolling over others doing damage in the meantime. How does this end?

God is the Righteous Judge Who sits in the Heavens and keeps score. He deals out to each man what he deserves.

EXCEPT for those who have accepted Christ and are completely cleansed of every sin by the blood of Jesus. Then, when they are converted, they can use their control and conquest drive to do great things for the Kingdom as evangelists, pastors, missionaries etc.

But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: [Romans 5:20b]

2 Kings 21-23 [The Message]

King Josiah cut against the idolatrous ways of Manasseh and Amon who preceded him as king. He brought out the book of the Law and was deeply penitent and remorseful when he realized how far the country had departed from God’s ways. Wisely, he used his influence and authority to “Clean House” in the kingdom. He removed everything that displeased God to the best of his ability.

Our house is our heart and mind. Our body merely gives vehicle to what our mind and heart want. Having a clean house in Christian terminology is “purity of heart.”

Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart -they shall see God.”

2 Kings 20 [The Message]

Hezekiah was told his time to depart had come. He didn’t accept it and pleaded with God for a longer life. Sadly, during his extension of life, he made some big blunders. It was costly to his sons who were carried off to Babylon and made eunuchs. Also, his son Manasseh became king and was one of the worst.

We are wise to pray the “Our Father” Lord’s prayer often. It says, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done.” To say, like Jesus did, “Nevertheless, Thy Will be done.”

Knowing the Word of God is probably the best way to learn to want what God wants. James said, “You ask and don’t receive because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lust.” [James 4:3]