Message Title: Greater Works
Date: Saturday May 21, 2011
Chapters: II Chronicles 1-3
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-may-21
Details of Today's Chapters: Solomon’s sacrifices at Gibeon, his vision prayer,and God’s answer through a dream, Solomon's dedication to build the Temple and a home for himself, and the building of the Temple begins.

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.“ - John 15:14-16.

I imagine all of us get tired and more often than none just spend the day not doing anything at all when there is much to be done. Now, God knows when we need rest and when we are just being slothful, but either way He has chosen us to represent and serve Him. The amazing thing is when we do get going we prosper, God gives is the desires of our hearts when we follow His commands.

The book of II Chronicles is the fourteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirty-six chapters. The time line for these events took place approximately 1015 BC – 610 BC. The author of the book is the prophet Ezra and the book was written to the Israelites that were in captivity in Babylon for seventy years. The purpose of the book was to record the religious history of Judah. What we are to learn from the book is that the blessings that God give to us comes through our humbling ourselves and seeking Him in all that we do. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” - II Chronicles 7:14.

After David died Solomon was given the task to not only reign over the kingdom, but to build a house for God, one with walls instead of a tent. I imagine Solomon was a bit uneasy about such a huge task, but God was with him and knew what he was feeling. Through a dream Solomon had a very inspiring conversation with God.

“And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:” - II Chronicles 1:8-11.

God spoke to Solomon in a dream because it was His intention to get Solomon to see what was more important than riches and fame was to be obedient to the Word of God. When we live in submission to God we become more obedient to the Word of God as we learn it. The key is learning it, we can not know the best things that God has in store for us unless we learn what He has to say. As we read our Bibles we should daily say to God, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” - Psalm 119:18.

Now Solomon was determined to build the Temple as his father David instructed, he began to gather only the best people along with those David appointed. Solomon sent message to Huram, one of David's trusted friends, that he needed some of his people.

“Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him? Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.” - II Chronicles 2:4-7.

Solomon attempted to possess Huram with great and high thoughts of the God of Israel. Solomon expresses that building a house for our great God, would not be a place to contain Him as He is infinite and can not be contained, but it would be a place to worship Him there where he would be graciously present. A wise and godly king is evidence of the Lord's special love for His people. How great then was God's love to His believing people, in giving His only-begotten Son to be their Prince and their Savior. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” - Romans 5:8,9.

Solomon not only used Jews to help build the Temple he used strangers as well, known as the Gentiles. “And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred. And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.“ - II Chronicles 2:17,18.

While God chose the Jews as His people He did not stop any of the people from other nations from wanting to live for Him. We learn of countless times where Jews and Gentiles became God's people. The same is true today, we are no longer looked upon as a Jew or Gentile, but a Christian, a believer of Christ. Every person here on earth has a choice, either they will accept eternal life or eternal death, whether Jew or Gentile. “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:..Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.” -Romans 2:5,6,9-11.

The Scriptures teach us that the Word of God is the source of true wisdom for daily direction. As we read the Bible with a sincere desire to follow His will, the Holy Spirit, the Living Word, the Spirit of Jesus Christ Himself, guides our thoughts and actions to know what the best things in life truly are. The Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom, knowledge, and encouragement we need to accomplish the task that God has given us to do. In fact, Jesus said with the Holy Spirit guiding us we will accomplish more that He did when we was here in the flesh.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” - John 14:12-16.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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