1Kings 14 [The Message]

Sadly, Jeroboam’s wife received the news from the prophet Ahijah that her son would die. Actually, the prophet made her aware that God was going to clean house in Jeroboam’s family because of his blatant disobedience. He did not follow the instructions God had given him through the prophet. Instead, he schemed and manipulated and invented ways to build his kingdom that were against the Lord. Payday came. Extreme loss. Total humiliation.

It’s clearly NOT WORTH IT to live a life opposed to God’s ways. Your disobedience catches up with you.

Sin will take you further than you’re willing to go and cost you more than your willing to pay.

1 Kings 12, 13 [The Message]

Jerobaom was an example of what leaders will do to engender support and a following. He made golden calves for Israel to worship. He let anybody who wanted to be a priest do it. It was a repulsive gesture so God sent a holy man to prophesy against it all. Jeroboam was afraid his subjects world stop following him and run to Rehoboam in Jerusalem. Instead of being obedient to God and following His laws, Jeroboam manufactured devices and novelties to entice Israel to look to him for leadership. It was a disastrous failure.

Jealous leaders will do almost anything to keep their followers. Instead of prayer, fasting, and obedience, they resort to gimmicks to keep interest in their leadership alive. No doubt there will be leaders who covet a move of God like we have seen at Asbury. They will come up with ways to attract interest from seekers hungry for more of God.

Let TRUE revival come!

1 Kings 12 [The Message]

The rift between Jeroboam and Rehoboam reached a climax when Rehoboam called up his troops to go to war with Israel to unite the once again. Jeroboam and the ten tribes of Israel were repulsed by Rehoboam’s exacting taxes and demands which were much greater than even Solomon’s demands. Who likes taxes? Anyway, God raised up a prophet named Shemaiah to rebuke the thought of Jews fighting against Jews in a war. He said, “This is God’s word: Don’t march out; don’t fight against your brothers the Israelites; go back home.”

Irritations inevitably arise between siblings on occasion. Regardless, whatever can be done to keep the peace is important. God hates it when brothers (or sisters) fight.

Our two youngest children were combative when they were teenagers. It was a stage to go through. NOW, they have a love and deep bond that blesses their parents greatly.

KEEP the peace!

1 Kings 11 [The Message]

Because of Solomon’s diversion from God’s will, resistance in the kingdom began to emerge. One of the principal rebels was Jeroboam, a former manager in Solomon’s kingdom who was to be given 10 tribes of Israel to rule. Although it didn’t fully happen until Solomon was dead, there was a clear division of God’s people because of Solomon’s idolatry. He had embraced the gods of his many wives instead of Jehovah God.

When we depart from God’s ways, we are opening ourselves up to resistance in life. God’s blessing is withheld and we may not even know it. Samson thought he still had the supernatural strength God had given him but it was GONE. Jesus knocked Saul of Tarsus off his donkey, blinded him and declared, “I am Jesus Whom you are persecuting, kicking against the goads (resistance) I sent your way.”

God knows how to get our attention.

1 Kings 10, 11 [The Message]

Solomon’s wisdom and wealth were like no other king. The Queen of Sheba verified that every glowing report of Solomon’s greatness was indeed true. His life was the ultimate of luxury, order, and influence.

Yet, in spite of his fame and success, he himself declared it all VANITY.

When we hear of the conclusion of the lives of great men, we never hear that their pursuit of life’s best was ever worth it. Steve Jobs of Apple deeply regrets not spending more time with his children and neglecting his health. Bill Gates regrets not being more grateful for his wife. Time and again we hear of very wealthy persons who say they found NO PLEASURE in all their belongings. So, what’s the formula for a rewarding life?

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? [Micah 6:8]

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? [Mark 8:36]

1 Kings 9 [The Message]

Every man is known by the work he does. Solomon’s work and accomplishments spoke of the kind of man and leader he was.

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. [Pr. 20:11]

Verse 25 states that he completed the temple. It is implied that he supplied all that was needed for its completion and operation. Eugene Peterson is a translator that added “He didn’t skimp.” Solomon was obviously a builder and a finisher of what he started. Not everyone has this quality and ability.

My brother Gary is this type of individual. He has built quality things his entire life. He hand-makes guitars (www.demosguitars.com), he is the president of the 10th largest remodeling firm in the nation, he makes furniture for his home … the list goes on and on and on. I’m very proud to be his brother.

1 Kings 8 [The Message]

Solomon prayed an eloquent prayer as he stood before the new temple in the presence of all Israel. From the study of this temple, we find many eternal truths about God’s design for our lives. When we study it, we must take care that we realize that WE are the temple God was intending all along. In the same way that the animal sacrifices were made obsolete after Christ had been sacrificed, so was a building such as the temple made obsolete for the indwelling of God’s Spirit.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with (in) men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. [Rev. 21:3]

Know ye not that YOU are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? [1 Cor. 3:16]

1 Kings 7 [The Message]

Symmetry definition: the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis.

Notably, there was a strong sense of symmetry in Solomon’s Temple. What was done to one side was mirrored on the other. To the observer, the symmetry and order was restful and calming. When you see something that is off balance or not centered, you experience unease.

Unrest and unease are generally symptoms of a life that’s not right with God. (The way of a transgressor is hard. Pr. 13:15) God gives peace to those whose sin is forgiven. For them, all is made right. Life has balance and symmetry.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. [Ps. 16:11]

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. [Ps. 34:14]

1 Kings 6 [The Message]

In the construction of Solomon’s Temple and his personal residence, no expense was spared. Only the finest was acceptable. Gold overlayment, cedar wood from Lebanon, artistic work from masters, and time taken to do it right … these factors composed the ultimate in human construction standards. He was known all over the world for his work.

As New Testament Christians, we put much less importance on the physical construction of buildings of worship. They are nothing more than sheep-sheds. The true value is the price Christ paid with His Blood for our redemption. [Acts 20:28] The gold we seek is the streets of gold in heaven.

1 Kings 4-6 [The Message]

Note: This post is not intended to be critical in any way of the decibel level of praise services.

As Solomon’s temple was being constructed, there was not even the sound of a hammer in its assembly. The components were quarried and cut elsewhere so that a quiet reverence could be experienced at its site. True worship focuses on humility and brokenness rather than aggressive physical demonstration.

Yes, there is a time and a place for being loud for God. I can produce much scripture to support this. Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. [Ps. 33:3] But there is also a very significant atmosphere of reverential awe that permeates the inner courts of holy worship. On this point it’s “better felt than tell’t.”