Category: Equip

Being Equipped As A Shepherd (Insights in NT)

5/24/2013

Those who live by the Spirit in prayer, love, hospitality and spiritual gifts see God's glory as they participate in Christ's suffering. They are then equipped to shepherd His flock and receive the crown of life while experiencing exaltation, restoration and strengthening through humility and standing firm in the faith.

Live in the Spirit By Obeying Preached Gospel
People should arm themselves with Christ's attitude toward suffering because He was done with sin, not living for evil human desires, but the will of God. Worldly people abused those who did not live in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. Everyone must give an account to God since He judged the living and the dead. For this reason, the gospel was preached so they might live according to Him in the spirit (1 Pet. 4:1-6). Live in the spirit by obeying the preached gospel.

Glorify Christ Through Prayer, Love, Hospitality and Spiritual Gifts
Because the end was near, they should be clear minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer. Loving deeply covered a multitude of sins, including offering hospitality without grumbling. By faithfully administering God's grace through their spiritual gift, they spoke His words and served with His strength for the praise, glory and power of Christ (1 Pet. 4:7-11). Glorify Christ through praying, loving others, offering hospitality and exercising your spiritual gift.

See God's Glory By Participating in Christ's Suffering Obeying the Gospel
Instead of being surprised about painful trials, they should rejoice about participating in Christ's sufferings when His glory was revealed. They were blessed when insulted because of Christ's name since the Spirit of glory and God rested on them. They should praise God instead of being ashamed about suffering as a Christian. If judgment began with the family of God, what was the outcome for those who did not obey His gospel? If it was hard for the righteous to be saved, what about the ungodly and the sinner? Those who suffered according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator in doing good (1 Pet. 4:12-19). See God's glory by participating in Christ's sufferings as you obey the gospel.

Receive Crown of Glory By Shepherding God's Flock
Peter witnessed Christ's sufferings and appealed to his fellow elders who also could share in His future glory. They should shepherd and serve God's flock willingly and eagerly as overseers. By not being greedy for money and lording over those entrusted to them, they were examples to the flock. When the Chief Shepherd appeared, they would receive the eternal crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:1-4). Receive the crown of glory by shepherding God's flock willingly and eagerly as a witness to Christ's sufferings.

Experience Exaltation and Restoration by Humility and Standing Firm
Young men should be submissive to their elders in humility. God opposed the proud, but gave grace to the humble. He lifted them up in due time when they humbled themselves under His mighty hand. They were to cast their anxiety upon Him because He cared for them. Their self-control and alertness allowed them to see the devil who prowled like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. They resisted him by standing firm in the faith knowing their brothers experienced similar sufferings. Afterward, the God of all grace who called them to His eternal glory in Christ restored and brought strength, firmness and steadfastness. Silas helped Peter write brief and encouraging words to stand fast in God's true grace (1 Pet. 5:5-14). Experience exaltation, restoration and strengthening by humility and standing firm in suffering.

Ask God for the filling of the Holy Spirit so you can pray and love others while practicing hospitality and spiritual gifts in suffering and seeing His glory. Ask how and who He wants you to shepherd to be exalted, restored and strengthened.

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How to Seek God and Exercise Faith for Eternal Reward (Insights in NT)

5/8/2013

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How does a person seek God and exercise faith for eternal reward? Hebrews 11-13 answer that question. Obey God in impossible situations requiring supernatural intervention. Bless others by choosing mistreatment and disgrace. Fight spiritual battles without knowing the results. Fix your eyes on Jesus submitting to His discipline. Worship God by living in peace and grace. Ask God to equip you in loving others.

Earnestly Seek God and Exercise Faith
Faith was assurance of what people hoped for and certainty of they did not see. By faith they understood that God created the universe at His command so what was seen was not made out of what was visible. Abel as a righteous man offered God a better sacrifice than Cain. God spoke well of his offering and by faith he still spoke even though dead. By faith Enoch pleased God who took him away so he did not experience death. Without faith it was impossible to please God, because anyone who came to Him but believe He existed and rewarded those who earnestly sought Him (Heb. 11:1-6). Earnestly seek God and exercise faith to please Him for eternal reward.

Obey God in Impossible Situations
By faith Noah built an ark to save his family, condemned the world and became an heir of righteousness. Abraham traveled to an unknown place and made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country as heirs of promise. He looked forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder was God. Though Abraham and Sarah were too old, they had a child and considered Him faithful who made the promise resulting in countless descendants like sand on the seashore. Not receiving things promised as aliens and strangers on earth, they longed for a heavenly country that God prepared for them. Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God tested him believing He would raise his son from the death (Heb. 11:7-19). Obey God in impossible situations requiring supernatural intervention to receive His promise.

Bless Others By Choosing Mistreatment and Disgrace
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau regarding their future. Jacob blessed Joseph's sons when he was dying and worshiped God. Joseph gave instructions to transport his bones to Israel. Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born not afraid of the king's edict. Moses chose to be mistreated with the people of God rather than enjoy sin's momentary pleasures. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ of greater value than the treasures of Egypt because he looked ahead to his reward. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood so the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel's firstborn. The people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians drowned when they tried (Heb. 11:20-29). Bless others by choosing mistreatment and disgrace to receive eternal reward.

Fight Spiritual Battles Without Knowing Results
Jericho's walls fell when the people marched around them for seven days. The prostitute Rahab welcomed the spies and was not killed with the disobedient. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets conquered kingdoms, administered justice, gained what was promised, shut lions' mouths, escaped the edge of the sword and routed armies. Some were tortured and refused to be released so they might gain a better resurrection. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death by the sword, persecuted and mistreated. The world was not worthy of them and none received what had been promised (Heb. 11:30-40). Fight spiritual battles without knowing the results.

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus Submitting to His Discipline
Since we have a great cloud of witnesses, throw off every hindrance and entanglement of sin to run the race with perseverance. By fixing their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith who endured the cross with joy, scorned its shame and sat down at God's right hand, they would not grow weary and lose heart. In struggling against sin, they did not resist to the point of shedding blood, but took God's loving discipline seriously as a son. Without discipline, they would be illegitimate children. By submitting to discipline, they shared in His holiness and lived. Discipline seemed painful at first, but produced a harvest of righteousness and peace for those trained by it. By strengthening their feeble arms and weak knees and making level paths, they were healed (Heb. 12:1-13). Fix your eyes on Jesus submitting to His discipline so you can share His holiness.

Worship God by Living in Peace and Grace
They made every effort to live in peace because no one would see God without holiness. See that no one missed the grace of God, no bitter root grew up to defile many, no one was sexually immoral or godless like Esau who sold his inheritance for a single meal. They came to the city of the living God with thousands of angels, to the church of the firstborn whose names were written in heaven, to God and judge of all men, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant and to sprinkled blood better than Abel's. By receiving a kingdom that could not be shaken, they were thankful and worshiped God with reverence and awe since He was a consuming fire (Heb. 12:14-29). Worship God by living in peace and grace without bitterness, sexual immorality and temporal values.

Ask God to Equip You in Loving Others
By loving each other, they entertained strangers, remembered prisoners and those mistreated, and maintained purity in their marriage. God judged the adulterer and sexually immoral. He helped them be content, free from the love of money, and not fearing man. By considering the outcome of their leaders' way of life and God's word they spoke, they should imitate their faith. Jesus Christ was the same yesterday, today and forever. By strengthening their hearts with grace and not carried away by strange teachings, they should bear Christ's suffering and disgrace while looking for the eternal city. By continually offering sacrifices of praise to God, they should not forget doing good and sharing with others. Obeying and submitting to their leaders made their work a joy. Pray the God of peace through the blood of the eternal covenant who raised Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, from the dead, equip them with everything good to do His will in pleasing Him (Heb. 13:1-25). Ask God to equip you in loving others, being content, walking in grace, doing good and submitting to leaders.

To seek God and exercise faith for eternal reward, do the following:
1. Obey God in impossible situations requiring supernatural intervention
2. Bless others by choosing mistreatment and disgrace
3. Fight spiritual battles without knowing the results
4. Fix your eyes on Jesus submitting to His discipline
5. Worship God by living in peace and grace
6. Ask God to equip you in loving others, being content, walking in grace, doing good and submitting to leaders

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Implementing a Larger Vision of the Church (Insights in NT)

1/11/2013

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Jesus used on-the-job training in equipping His disciples as they served in the world. This became a starting point for implementing a larger vision of the church studied earlier in Eph. 1-3. Eph. 4-6 instructs how to implement the church's larger vision by equipping believers for works of service and teaching the truth of Christ so believers are filled with the Holy Spirit to do God's will in their home, work and city realizing their spiritual battle against evil forces.

Equip Believers for Works of Service
Paul urged them to live a life worthy of their calling in humility, gentleness, patience, love and unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. God called them to one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who was over, through and in all. Christ gave grace gifts to fill the whole universe when He ascended on high and led captives in His train. He gave some as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip God's people for works of service toward building up the church until all reached unity of faith, knowledge and maturity in Christ. Reject crafty and deceitful teaching in order to speak the truth in love so everyone would grow up in all things through Christ, the Head. In Him, the whole body was joined and held together by every supporting ligament to build itself up in love as each part did its work (Eph. 4:1-16). Equip believers for works of service toward Christ-centered maturity so everyone works together in love and unity.

Teach Truth of Christ
Futile thinking, darkened understanding and separation from the life of God due to ignorance because of hardness of heart led to sensuality, lust and impurity. Teaching the truth of Christ enabled people to put off the old self corrupted by deceitful desires. By renewing their minds, they put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. They rejected falsehood and spoke truthfully as members of one body. They resolved anger daily to prevent the devil's foothold. Instead of stealing, they did manual work and shared with the needy. Rather than unwholesome talk, they spoke helpful things that met the listener's needs. They did not grieve the Holy Spirit who sealed them for the day of redemption. Instead of bitterness, rage, anger, slander and malice, they were kind, compassionate and forgiving just as Christ forgave them (Eph. 4:17-32). Teach the truth of Christ so believers renew their minds and practice truth, love and forgiveness.

Be Filled With Spirit
They imitated God through a loving lifestyle because of Christ's love and sacrifice for them. They rejected sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking and embraced thanksgiving. Immoral, impure and greedy idolaters experienced God's wrath without inheritance in the kingdom of Christ. Living as children of light in goodness, righteousness and truth, they pleased the Lord and exposed the fruitless deeds of darkness. Christ shined on those who woke up spiritually from the dead. Through wisdom, they made the most of the opportunity, understood God's will and filled with the Spirit. The fruit was speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs while making music in their hearts to God. They always gave thanks to God for everything in Christ's name and submitted to one another out of reverence for Him (Eph. 5:1-21). Be filled with the Spirit to expose darkness, do God's will, give thanks and submit to one another.

Love and Lead Your Wife
Wives submitted to their husbands as to the Lord since husbands were head and Savior like Christ over the church. Wives submitted to their husbands in everything like the church submitted to Christ. Husbands loved their wives as Christ loved and gave Himself up for the church. He made her holy by washing her with water through the word. He presented her to Himself as a radiant, holy and blameless church without blemish. Likewise, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies by feeding and caring for it as Christ with the church. For this reason, a man left his father and mother and united with his wife so the two became one flesh. Husbands loved their wives as themselves and wives respected their husbands (Eph. 5:22-33). Love and lead your wife as she submits and respects her husband as a positive demonstration of Christ's relationship with the church.

Train Children and Serve Christ Wholeheartedly
Children obeyed and honored their parents in the Lord so it would go well in living longer. Fathers trained and instructed their children in the Lord instead of exasperating them. Slaves obeyed their earthly masters with respect, fear and sincerity of heart just as they obeyed Christ and doing God's will from their heart. They served the Lord wholeheartedly, not men, knowing God rewarded everyone for good they did. Masters treated their slaves similarly without threatening knowing their Master in heaven showed no favoritism (Eph. 6:1-9). Train children in the Lord and serve Christ wholeheartedly at work to earn His reward.

Put On God's Armor
They relied on God's mighty power by putting on His armor. They stood against the devil's schemes since their struggle was not against humans but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. They stood firm with the belt of truth buckled around their waist and the breastplate of righteousness in place. They fitted their feet with readiness using the gospel of peace and took up the shield of faith to extinguish the evil one's flaming arrows. They took the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, God's word, to pray in the Spirit for all believers and their situations with all kinds of prayers and requests. Paul requested prayer for the right words in fearlessly making the gospel known as an ambassador in chains. Tychicus told them his condition and activities to encourage them. He prayed that those who loved Christ experience peace, love with faith and grace (Eph. 6:10-24). Put on God's armor using His word to pray in the Spirit so the gospel can go forth with boldness.

Pray through the following action points to see a larger vision of the church be implemented in your city:
1. Equip believers for works of service toward Christ-centered maturity so everyone works together in love and unity
2. Teach the truth of Christ so believers renew their minds and practice truth, love and forgiveness
3. Be filled with the Spirit to expose darkness, do God's will, give thanks and submit to one another
4. Love and lead your wife as she submits and respects her husband as a positive demonstration of Christ's relationship with the church
5. Train children in the Lord and serve Christ wholeheartedly at work to earn His reward
6. Put on God's armor using His word to pray in the Spirit so the gospel can go forth with boldness

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Ministry Actions to Change Culture (Insights in Prophets)

1/7/2013

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Brian Walsh and J. Richard Middleton in their book, The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian World View, wrote that “we must abandon our idols, recognize the multi-dimensionality of life, respond in obedience to God's norms for his creatures and begin to live in community with one another in a renewed way."

When you do justice, defend the needy, equip shepherds, communicate God's word, plant His word in receptive disciples, stop following false gods and warn people of God's judgment, you turn from evil ways to stop God's judgment and wrath along with ruin in cultural spheres. In contrast, you prove personal knowledge of God by living securely and bearing spiritual fruit (Jer. 21-25).

Do Justice By Rescuing the Oppressed
King Zedekiah asked Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Judah. God said He would fight against Judah by killing men and animals with a great plague and take Zedekiah captive. People who stayed in Jerusalem would die by the sword, famine or plague but those who surrendered to the Babylonians would live. God determined to harm Jerusalem by having Babylon destroy it with fire because of their evil. The Lord said to administer justice and rescue the robbed victim from his oppressor to stop His wrath (Jer. 21:1-14). Do justice by rescuing the oppressed to stop God's wrath.

Defend the Poor and Needy
God told Judah's king to not wrong or do violence to the alien, fatherless or widow nor shed innocent blood. Otherwise, God would make them like a desert and destroy the palace. Many nations asked why the Lord did such a thing to Jerusalem. The answer was they forsook God's covenant by worshiping and serving other gods. Woe to him who built his extravagant palace by unrighteousness and injustice without paying the workers. Everything went well for Josiah because he did what was right. Those who knew God experienced well-being because they defended the cause of the poor and needy. In contrast, focusing on dishonest gain, shedding innocent blood, oppression and extortion caused an untimely death for Josiah's son, Jehoiakim. Security and disobedience triggered exile for their shepherds and allies, disgrace, no prosperity and no offspring ruling on the throne of David (Jer. 22:1-30). Defend the cause of the poor and needy to prove you know God.

Equip Shepherds to Care and Teach God's Word
Woe to shepherds who destroyed and scattered the sheep of God's pasture by not caring for them. God gathered the remnant out of all countries so they could be fruitful and multiply. He placed shepherds to tend them so none would fear or be missing. In the future, God raised up a righteous Branch and King called the Lord Our Righteousness from David's line to do the right thing in the land, which saved Judah and caused Israel to live in safety. Unfortunately, adultery caused parched land and withered pastures. Godless prophets and priests followed an evil course and used their power unjustly. The Samaria's prophet prophesied by Baal and led God's people astray. Jerusalem's prophets committed adultery, lived a lie and strengthened evildoers like Sodom and Gomorrah so no one turned from his wickedness (Jer. 23:1-14). Equip shepherds to care and teach God's word so His people live securely.

Communicate Power of God's Word
Jerusalem's prophets spread ungodliness in the land by offering false hope. They spoke visions from their own minds, taught peace to those who despised God and said no harm would come to those with stubborn hearts. Not one of them stood in the council of the Lord to see or hear His word. God never sent or spoke to these prophets. Those standing in His council proclaimed His word to turn His people from their evil ways. God filled heaven and earth so no one could hide from Him. The one with His word should speak it faithfully. His word was like fire and hammer to break a rock in pieces. God was against prophets who stole words from one another that were supposedly from Him. They led His people astray with reckless lies. They received no benefit from these words. Do not mention 'the oracle of the Lord' again because every man's own word became his oracle that distorted the words of the living and Almighty God. Therefore, He cast Jerusalem out of His presence bringing eternal disgrace and unforgettable shame (Jer. 23:15-40). Communicate the fire and hammer of God's word to turn people from their evil ways.

Plant His Word in Receptive Disciples
After Judah's leaders were carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, Jeremiah placed one basket of early-ripened figs that and a basket of spoiled figs in front of the temple. The good figs represented the exiles sent to Babylon. God brought them back to Judah to build up and not tear down, to plant and not uproot. He gave them a heart to know Him as His people. The poor figs represented Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and survivors from Jerusalem who remained in the land or lived in Egypt, They were an an offense, reproach and object of ridicule to every earthly kingdom. God sent sword, famine and plague to destroy them from the land (Jer. 24:1-10). Plant His word in those pursuing a heart relationship to God so they can bear spiritual fruit.

Stop Following False Gods
Jeremiah spoke God's word to Judah for 23 years but they did not pay attention. The Lord sent His prophets repeatedly but they followed other gods and provoked God in what they made. Judah and the surrounding nations became a desolate wasteland and served the king of Babylon. After 70 years, God punished Babylon for their guilt to make it desolate forever as written and prophesied by Jeremiah against all the nations. Babylon was enslaved by many nations and great kings. God repaid them according to their deeds and the work of their hands (Jer. 25:1-14). Stop following false gods that cause ruin in various cultural spheres.

Warn People of God's Judgment
God told Jeremiah to make all nations drink the cup filled with the wine of God's wrath. After drinking it, Jerusalem and the towns of Judah, its kings and officials became ruined and an object of horror and scorn as they were today. Every kingdom on earth, including Babylon, drank the cup of God's wrath. The Lord Almighty called down a sword upon every person on earth and even brought disaster upon Jerusalem that bore His Name. God told Jeremiah to say these words: The Lord shouted against all who lived on the earth. He brought charges against the nations, judged all mankind and put the wicked to the sword. The disaster of those slain by the Lord spread from nation to nation. He called shepherds as leaders of the flock to weep and wail since they would be shattered like fine pottery with no place to escape. The Lord destroyed their pasture and laid waste their peaceful meadows because of the oppressor's sword and the Lord's fierce anger (Jer. 25:15-38). Warn people of God's judgment beginning with the church and spreading to all nations.

Confess your sin, help someone in need, study and communicate God's word to a friend.

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Preparation Required to Equip the Next Generation (Insights in Prophets)

7/17/2012

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Hezekiah was a godly leader, but failed to equip the next generation. Instead of being concerned about his legacy, his sole focus was enjoying the final years of his life. He did not prepare his son, Manasseh, who succeeded him as king. As a result, Israel struggled without good spiritual leadership to face the Babylonian captivity that came after Hezekiah died.

Hezekiah's servants came to Isaiah during "a day of distress, rebuke, and rejection" with no strength to deliver. Isaiah said not to fear Assyria's blasphemy of God since they would hear a rumor, return to their land and be killed by the sword. Sennacherib said that Assyria destroyed gods in various nations and it was futile to trust in "your" God (2 Kings 19:1-13). Trust in God and don't fear in times of distress, rebuke and rejection.

Hezekiah spread out the letter and prayed before the Lord God of Israel enthroned over all the kingdoms of the earth who made heaven and earth. He asked God to listen to Sennacherib's reproach of the living God who destroyed nations that worshiped gods made by human hands. Hezekiah asked for deliverance so the earth would know that God is Lord (2 Kings 19:14-19). Ask for God's deliverance as you acknowledge His Lordship over heaven and earth.

God answered through Isaiah that Sennacherib was despised and mocked because of his pride against God and his trust in many chariots. God planned that he would "turn fortified cities into ruinous heaps," but defeat him by putting His hook in his nose and bridling his lips (2 Kings 19:20-28). Rest in God's sovereignty and power to defeat evil forces.

In the third year, they would sow, plant vineyards and eat its fruit with the surviving remnant from Judah taking root downward and bearing fruit upward. The zeal of the Lord would perform this. God would defend Jerusalem and save it for His own and David's sake. The angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians. Sennacherib was killed while worshiping in the house of Nisroch, his god (2 Kings 19:29-37). Meditate on God's word to bear spiritual fruit and rely on God's protection to overcome evil.

When Hezekiah realized he was near death, he prayed to God. He acknowledged walking in truth with a whole heart and doing good in His sight. God healed, added 15 years to his life and delivered Jerusalem from Assyria for His sake. Hezekiah laid a cake of figs on his boil and he recovered. The Lord brought the shadow on the stairway backward ten steps as a sign that he would be healed (2 Kings 20:1-11). Ask God for good health to walk in truth wholeheartedly and do good in His sight instead of selfishly pursuing your own pleasure.

Hezekiah showed the king of Babylon all the treasures in his house. Isaiah predicted that everything in his house would be carried to Babylon along with descendants who would become officials in the palace of Babylon's king. Hezekiah was reassured that peace and truth would remain during his days. Manasseh his son became king in his place (2 Kings 20:12-21). Use your insights and resources to spiritually equip the next generation to meet future challenges.

How to prepare yourself to equip the next generation:
1. Trust in God and don't fear in times of distress, rebuke and rejection
2. Ask for God's deliverance as you acknowledge His Lordship over heaven and earth
3.   Rest in God's sovereignty and power to defeat evil forces
4.  Meditate on God's word to bear spiritual fruit and rely on God's protection to overcome evil
5. Ask God for good health to walk in truth wholeheartedly and do good in His sight instead of selfishly pursuing your own pleasure
6. Use your insights and resources to spiritually equip the next generation to meet future challenges

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God's Mercy and Judgment Demonstrated (Insights in Prophets)

5/31/2012

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"What gives us conviction of sin is not the number of sins we have committed; it is the sight of the holiness of God." (Martyn Lloyd-Jones). In the midst of sin, we see God's mercy, which triumphs over judgment. God's holiness demands that He deal with sin. God's fulfills His promises and multiplies His people because of His love.

Elisha predicted that flour and two measures of barley would be sold for a shekel each in the gate of Samaria. An officer wondered if the Lord could open the windows of heaven, but Elisha said he would not eat of it. Four leprous men figured they would die of famine. They entered the camp of Arameans, but the Lord caused them to flee because of hearing a large army attacking them.The lepers entered their tents, ate food and hid silver, gold and clothes they found (2 Kings 7:1-8). God promises to provide for you miraculously in famine.

The lepers told the king and he figured the Arameans would attack and capture Israel once they left the city. The king took two chariots with horses to go after the army of the Arameans, but found they had thrown clothes and equipment in their haste so they plundered the camp. Flour and barley was sold for the price predicted according to the word of the Lord. The officer was trampled at the gate and died just as Elisha predicted (2 Kings 7:9-20). God fulfills His promises in famine.

Elisha told the woman whose son he restored to life to leave since the Lord called for famine. After seven years, she left the land of the Philistines and appealed for her house and field. When the king met the son restored to life by Elisha, he gave the property back to the woman. Ben-hadad king of Aram sent Hazael to ask Elisha if he would recover from his sickness. Elisha told Hazael that Ben-hadad would die and with weeping, predicted Hazael would kill men, women and children after he became king. Ben-hadad died and Hazael became king (2 Kings 8:7-15). God's sovereignty changes the hearts of authorities to respond and accomplish His purposes.

Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, became king and did evil like Ahab. The Lord did not destroy Judah because He promised to give descendants through David. Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram king of Judah, next reigned and he walked in evil like Ahab (2 Kings 8:16-29). God's mercy and compassion triumph over sin so His people can be multiplied.

Elisha told one of the prophets to pour oil on Jehu son of Jehoshaphat to anoint as king over Israel. The prophet declared that Jehu would destroy the house of Ahab to avenge the blood of the Lord's servants shed by Jezebel. Dogs would devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel and no one would bury her (2 Kings 9:1-13). God chooses and equips people to fulfill His will.

Jehu questioned Joram, "How can there be peace as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?" Jehu shot his arrow to kill Joram whose body was thrown on the field belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. Jehu wounded Ahaziah king of Judah who died later (2 Kings 9:14-29). God's holiness demands that idolatry and witchcraft be judged.

Eunuchs threw Jezebel down from the window and nothing was left to bury in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken through Elijah, "On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel's flesh. Jezebel's body will be like refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, 'This is Jezebel'" (2 Kings 9:30-37). God fulfills His prophecies of judgment according to His word.

Where do you see God's mercy and compassion in your life? Praise Him for His mercy and compassion. Where is God judging you for your sin? Confess and forsake your sin.

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Equipped for a Unique Purpose (Insights in Law)

5/29/2011

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God created you for a special purpose. To do His will, He takes the initiative. He sovereignly places you in the right family to fulfill His will. God relieves you of burdens and bondage so you can know Him and discover your special purpose. To overcome fear, He empowers you with the Holy Spirit to speak what He tells you. In Exodus 6, you will see how God equipped Moses for a unique purpose.

The Lord said to Moses that he would see what God would do to Pharaoh when he let Israel go under compulsion. As Lord, He appeared to Abraham, established His covenant, gave the Hebrew people Canaan, and heard His people groaning because of their Egyptian bondage. God's great judgments redeemed the sons of Israel from burdens and bondage to be His people so they would know Him as Lord. They did not listen to Moses because of their despondency and cruel bondage (Ex. 6:1-9). God compels authorities to do justice and relieves you of burdens and bondage so you can know Him.

The Lord told Moses to tell Pharaoh to let Israel leave Egypt. Moses reasoned to God that neither Pharaoh nor Israel listened to him since was unskilled in speech. The Lord charged Moses and Aaron to bring Israel out of Egypt (Ex. 6:10-13). God commands you to speak His word regardless of your skill level.

The ancestral heads of Moses and Aaron's households included the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. One son of Kohath was Amran who married his father’s sister Jochebed. She bore Aaron and Moses who spoke to Pharaoh about bringing Israel out of Egypt (Ex. 6:14-27). Your family of origin affects your destiny.

The Lord told Moses to speak everything He said to Pharaoh. Moses said to the Lord, "Behold, I am unskilled in speech; how then will Pharaoh listen to me?" God empowers you with the Holy Spirit to speak all He tells you without fear.

Considering the content in this passage, how has God prepared you for your special purpose?

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Being Equipped As A Shepherd (Insights in NT)

How to Seek God and Exercise Faith for Eternal Reward (Insights in NT)

Implementing a Larger Vision of the Church (Insights in NT)

Ministry Actions to Change Culture (Insights in Prophets)

Preparation Required to Equip the Next Generation (Insights in Prophets)

God's Mercy and Judgment Demonstrated (Insights in Prophets)

Equipped for a Unique Purpose (Insights in Law)

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