Deploy mentors to rebuild the body of Christ according to God’s design by taking the following steps:
1. Appoint mentors who counsel and lead people to Christ
2. Trust God for power and direction to fight the spiritual battle
3. Show strength by tearing down idols
4. Obey God wholeheartedly and employ people and resources He provides
5. Prepare mentors who humbly use appropriate technology platforms
6. Stop envying, worshiping and promoting false gods
Appoint Mentors Who Counsel and Lead People to Christ
Jehoshaphat with great wealth and honor allied himself with Ahab king of Israel by marriage. He told Ahab to seek God’s counsel before deciding whether to attack Ramoth Gilead. The prophets said their attack would be victorious and urged agreement from Micaiah. He said Israel was scattered like sheep without a shepherd and should go home in peace. Micaiah said the Lord put a lying spirit in the prophets to lure Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead so he would be killed. After disguising himself, a random arrow hit Ahab between the sections of armor and killed him. The Lord protected Jehoshaphat. He turned the people from Beersheba to Ephraim back to Him and appointed judges in the fortified cities of Judah. In Jerusalem, he appointed some Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families who administered the law of the Lord, settled disputes and warned them not to sin (2 Chron. 18:1-19:11). Appoint mentors who counsel and lead people to Christ so they do not sin.
Trust God for Power and Direction to Fight the Spiritual Battle
When Moabites and Ammonites made war, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast so Judah could seek help from God. He prayed to the Ruler over all nations whose power and might drove out inhabitants of the land. He gave it forever to Abraham’s descendants His friend. Jehoshaphat asked God to judge Ammon and Moab since Judah had no power. They did not know what to do but their eyes were upon Him. His Spirit told Jehoshaphat not to be fear or be discouraged because the battle was not his but God’s. He told him to march the next day and not fight the battle but take up their positions, stand firm and see God’s deliverance. Jehoshaphat told Judah and Jerusalem to have faith in God and His prophets to be successful. After men sang and praised the splendor of His holiness and enduring love, the Lord set ambushes against Ammon and Moab to defeat them. The fear of the Lord came upon all countries when they heard how God fought against Israel’s enemies (2 Chron. 20:1-37). Trust God for power and direction to fight the spiritual battle by standing firm and seeing His deliverance.
Show Strength By Tearing Down Idols
Jehoram king of Judah did evil marrying Ahab’s daughter but God’s covenant prevented Him from destroying the house of David. Edom and Libnah rebelled against Judah because Jehoram forsook the Lord and led them astray. Elijah sent a letter saying Jehoram did not walk like Jehoshaphat or Asa as he murdered his own brothers. God carried away his family and afflicted him with an incurable bowel disease. Jehoram’s son, Ahaziah, followed evil counsel to his undoing leading to death. The priest Jehoiada showed his strength by making a covenant with him, the people and the king as the Lord’s people. They tore down the temple of Baal, smashed the altars and idols and killed Mattan the priest of Baal. Jehoiada gave Levites oversight of the temple to present burnt offerings. He stationed doorkeepers at the gates of the temple so no unclean person could enter (2 Chron. 21:1-23:21). Show strength by tearing down idols and pursuing purity.
Deploy Mentors to Rebuild Body of Christ
Joash did right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest. Later, Joash decided to repair the temple by calling priests and Levites to collect money due annually from towns in Judah. The king asked the chief priest why he did not require the Levites to collect as they delayed. The wicked woman Athaliah broke into the temple and used its sacred objects for the Baals. The men in charge of the masons and carpenters restoring the Lord’s temple were diligent. The repairs reinforced the temple in iron and bronze according to its original design. Burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple while Jehoiada lived. After Jehoiada died, Judah officials abandoned the temple, worshiped idols and ignored God’s word. Forsaking the Lord prevented prosperity and led to judgment and death (2 Chron. 24:1-27). Deploy mentors to rebuild the body of Christ immediately according to God’s design.
Obey God Wholeheartedly and Employ People and Resources He Provides
Amaziah did what was right in God’s eyes but not wholeheartedly. He did not put sons to death according to the Law that each was to die for their own sins. He assigned Judah’s families according to commanders of thousands and hundreds. He mustered 300,000 men for military service who could handle the spear and shield. He hired 100,000 from Israel for 100 talents of silver. A man of God said to not hire Israelite troops because he would be defeated and given more than the 100 talents. Amaziah sent these troops home and killed 20,000 men of Seir. After burning sacrifices to Seir’s gods, God sent a prophet saying he would be destroyed by not listening to His counsel. Jehoash king of Israel said Amaziah was proud and should stay home instead of fighting and causing his downfall. Amaziah did not listen so God handed them over to Jehoash because he sought Edom’s gods. Jehoash routed Judah; captured Amaziah; broke down Jerusalem’s walls; took gold, silver and articles in the temple; took palace treasures and hostages (2 Chron. 25:1-28). Obey God wholeheartedly and employ people and resources He provides with proper administration.
Prepare Mentors Who Humbly Use Appropriate Technology Platforms
Uzziah sought Him and Zechariah instructed him in the fear of God. By seeking Him, God gave him success. He went to war against the Philistines; broke down the walls of Gath and rebuild towns near Ashdod among the Philistines. God helped him against the Philistines and Arabs. The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah and his fame spread all the way to Egypt. He dug many cisterns and worked people in his fields, vineyards and fertile lands. Uzziah had 307,500 well-trained fighting men ready separated by divisions and 2,600 family leaders over them for support against his enemies. He provided shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows and sling stones for the entire army. In Jerusalem he made machines designed by skillful men for use on the towers and corner defenses to shoot arrows and hurl large stones. After becoming powerful, Uzziah’s pride led to his downfall. When he entered the temple to burn incense, the priests confronted him since only Aaron’s descendants were consecrated to burn incense. Uzziah raged at the priests before the incense altar and the Lord afflicted him with leprosy until he died (2 Chron. 26:1-23). Prepare mentors for spiritual warfare who humbly use appropriate technology platforms.
Stop Envying, Worshiping and Promoting False Gods
Jothan did what was right in God’s eyes while not entering the temple like Uzziah. The people continued their corrupt practices. Jothan rebuild the Upper Gate of the temple and worked extensively on the wall at the hill of Ophel. He conquered the Ammonites who paid him a 100 talents of silver and 10,000 cors each for wheat and barley including the same amount in the second and third years. He grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord. Ahaz cast idols for worshiping the Baals, burned sacrifices and sacrificed his sons in the fire following the evil ways of the nations the Lord drove out before the Israelites. God handed him over to be defeated by the Arameans and king of Israel so many people became prisoners and killed. One day Pekah killed 120,000 soldiers in Judah because they forsook the Lord. The Israelites took captive 200,000 wives, sons and daughters. Oded the prophet told Israel they were also guilty of sins against God. When Ahaz asked the king of Assyria for help, the Edomites and Philistines carried away prisoners, raided towns, captured and occupied villages. The Lord humbled Judah because Ahaz promoted wickedness being unfaithful to God. He sacrificed to the gods of Aram thinking they would help him like their kings. He took away the temple furnishings, shut the temple doors and set up altars at every street corner in Jerusalem (2 Chron. 27:1-28:27). Stop envying, worshiping and promoting false gods that appear to help other people.
Ask God to raise up mentors who will rebuild the body of Christ immediately according to His design.
