Category: Christian Blog

What Happens When a Nation Turns Their Back On God?

but he (Zedekiah) stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the Lord God of Israel. Moreover, all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy. 2 Chronicles 36: 13-16

What depth of sadness those words, “until there was no remedy!” There are moments as we listen to the news and our hearts are torn into shreds, that we might wonder if we too have reached that sad time in which there is no remedy. But, I do say that as long as there is at least one man, woman or even child that is willing to stand firm for God; then, there is hope. For though there was a time that the Jews were held captives of Babylon; they did later return to their land. The book of Daniel tells of a man who stood firm in his faith, though he was taken into service of the King. Ultimately he led a pagan king to worship God; because, Daniel lived out his faith boldly. He foretold of the future, some of which was fulfilled even in his lifetime. Some is yet to come. That is why we must learn of this man; so that, we too can dare to be a Daniel in our own time.

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But before we jump ahead into that story, we might want to understand how it was that God’s people were taken captive.  We saw Josiah was a mighty leader that lead the nation back to God.  So, with such a great revival, what happened? Very quickly after Josiah’s death the people returned to doing evil and worshiping man-made idols rather than Worshiping God. It was during the reign of Jehoiakim (barely 4 years after the death of Josiah) that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon captured the King and took him to Babylon in chains. Nebuchadnezzar also took some of the riches from the temple and placed them in his pagan temples. Then Nebuchadnezzar placed Zedekiah (Jehoiakim’s brother) to rule over Jerusalem. Yet, Zedekiah did not heed the warnings of God and rather continued in turning his back to God and polluting the house of the Lord. So, next Nebuchadnezzar sent

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What Characteristics Really Make a Great Leader?

 

And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. 2 Kings 23:25

Often, we learn from history those characteristics which are essential in the making of Great Leaders; those who stand in the gap. They inspire and transform our hearts from the inside out by setting the stage and by exemplifying that which we need to model. Josiah was such a leader. Monday, I laid the foundation by telling you of his history as King of Judah. Now from the scriptures in 2 Kings 22-23 as well as 2 Chronicles 34 to 35. I will reference for you the scriptures that most represent each characteristic; although, I will not be able to quote each one simply due to the magnitude. So please go and read them yourself in your preferred translation.

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Why is this so important? This year we have the privilege of voting for a President to lead our nation. As I am writing this, I am heartbroken to learn that another police officer was shot and killed in Kansas City. As you see, I am in the airport awaiting a flight that will take me to a conference for Christian writers and speakers. Unavoidably the news is playing in the background. Our country is a great nation with lots of really good people; yet, we are facing a crisis as well. Financial distress, social unrest with anger driving it, attacks from terrorists, an infrastructure that is beginning to fail, and fear. So it is crucial that we study those characteristics of this young King to learn what made a real leader.

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Can One Man’s Life Make a Difference in the World?

 

And like unto him (Josiah) was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. 2 Kings 23:25 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 34:33

Josiah was only 8 years old when he became King over Judah. It was a sad time for the nation. His father had been assassinated. It had been his father and his grandfather who had set up idol worship throughout the land. They had all but forgot God and sought after idol worship and lead the people into a life of seeking after only worldly pleasures. Long since the temple had been left to waste with no repairs. The gold used for worldly pleasures. Had Josiah heard of his great grandfather Hezekiah? After all, Hezekiah may have stumbled along the path; but, in his last days he had turned once more to worship God.

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And then we find that at the age of 16, this young King turned to serve God once more and lead His people back into a worshipping nation.

For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. 2 Chronicles 34:3-4

He proceeded on to restore the temple to its former glory. Remarkably, the workers and craftsmen followed his example for we are told that there was never any worry or concern as he gave them supplies they were honest and trustworthy.

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A Moment of Grave Sorrow and A Silence Broken

With a heart of love; I must not sit silently by as I watch the black people destroy themselves from the inside out. Like sheep we humans are so easily lead astray by whatever voice we hear. If one sheep jumps off to his death, another follows shortly behind him. Look closely at the truth and for whom you have taken this plunge.

There are those moments I find it very difficult to write.  The events and the turmoil that is in this world and in our nation at present.  Perhaps there are those moments when one must speak’’; without fear of being misquoted and misinterpreted.  For me, I was in a sense born and raised color blind.  Indeed as a 4 year old child I carried around a black baby doll (which was unheard of in that day), at 6 I wept because a Mexican migrant worker couldn’t cash the check a farmer had given him.  His family stood around him and looked so hungry.  I lived in Mexico with my husband who was of Mexican descent; and after having been widowed I later remarried.  That marriage fractured when one day, my son’s black college roommate came to my home for the weekend.  When, I arrived home that day; my husband ushered me to the back room and told me to get that “N” out of my house.  I, who rarely raised my voice; ordered my husband to leave and never return.  “This is my house and my name is the only one on the deed; so, you will take your things and get out.  I will not tolerate a racist in my home—that child out there is my guest.  So  you GET OUT”.  And He did.  I never remarried after that.

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My best friend in the world whom I love dearly is also black.  A wise, honorable, and caring friend who has taught me so much over the past few years.  With all that being said and with a heart of love; I must not sit silently by as I watch people destroy themselves from the inside out.

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Can The Prayer of One Make a Difference in The World?

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God… These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:22-27, 33

On the previous post we came to the close of the book of Hebrews and my plan was to next turn to the book of Daniel. I still believe that it is an urgent time in our nation to be called out to stand for faith and prayer. For that reason, I do believe that Daniel will be just such a call. Yet, as I study this great book of the old testament; I recognize my own limitations and my need for God to reveal His wisdom and His truth. I need to be enlightened and guided that I might be a light as well. It is there that I turn back to these words of Jesus in John 16 before I begin this great task.

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Many people try to use these words in John 16 to be proof that we may ask for wealth, prosperity and freedom from all trials in the name of Jesus with certainty to gain all those things. Yet, you see God is Sovereign and realizes that if those are my desires; perhaps, I fail to recognize that my greatest joy is in Him. If I am too focused on counterfeit joys; I might never know true joy as can only be discovered in Him. It is a matter of the heart.

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