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Christian Devotional – March 6, 2013
VERSE: 2 Chronicles 5:13–The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud. TRUTH: The people had finished the temple and were praising God. God came to dwell where His people praised Him. All the people were together praising God and He was there in their midst. The same is true today. God loves the praise of His people and His glory is found in the presences of…
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Christian Devotional – March 5, 2013
VERSE: 2 Chronicles 4:18–All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated. TRUTH: Do we keep track of what we offer and give to the Lord? Solomon had so much created in bronze for the temple that they could not keep track. Often, we try to keep track of what we offer to God thinking that He is then obligated to bless us that same amount later. We must remember, God is worthy of everything that we have and everything that we can give regardless of whether or not He chooses to bless us financially in return. RESPONSE: Father,…
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Christian Devotional – March 4, 2013
VERSE: 2 Chronicles 3:2–He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign. TRUTH: Even though Solomon knew that he was to build the temple from the beginning of his reign, and even though David had set aside huge stores of supplies for this purpose, it still took Solomon 4 years to finalize getting additional supplies and plans needed to be able to even begin the work. Do we get discouraged when things take longer than we had originally conceived? Do we lose heart or lose focus or both? God has a plan and we are to move in His time. Don’t…
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Christian Devotional – March 3, 2013
VERSE: 2 Chronicles 2:6–But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him? TRUTH: Solomon writes this in a letter to the king of Tyre explaining why he is building a temple for God and why it is to be so lavish. Even so, Solomon recognized that this magnificent temple would not be to contain God, simply to honor and glorify God. God is everywhere and we must never make the mistake of assuming he stays in the church. We are…
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Christian Devotional – March 2, 2013
VERSE: 2 Chronicles 1:15–The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. TRUTH: When Solomon became king, he started out following God and God blessed him and the entire kingdom. They were wealthy, extremely wealthy, as a nation. However, later the wealth became a stumbling block to the people as they chased after other gods and accepted other things in their life besides God. They began to worship their own wealth and prosperity instead of God. We have received many blessings from God. Do we worship the blessings or the One who provides the blessings? RESPONSE: Father,…
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Christian Devotional – March 1, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 29:9–The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly. TRUTH: The leaders set the example for the people and the people want to see that their leaders have integrity and generosity. In this case, the leaders, including king David, gave a huge amount of gold and silver to the building of the temple. The obedience of the leaders caused the people to praise God. As leaders, do we walk with integrity and in obedience to God in all areas, even money? As people, do we acknowledge and praise our leaders…
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Christian Devotional – February 28, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 28:20–David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the services of the temple of the Lord is finished.” TRUTH: Solomon had been tasked with a job by both God and his father, David. David encouraged him to be strong and do the work. When we are given a responsibility from God, our response should be: be strong and do the work. God promises to be with us and to help us do…
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Christian Devotional – February 27, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 27:24–Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. God’s wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering, and the number wasn’t entered in the book of the annuals of King David. TRUTH: God had promised to bless the nation of Israel and to multiply them. Why would it be so wrong to count the number? God knew that if they kept a count, then they would start to trust in a number instead of Him. They would care more about having superior numbers over their enemies than about having a supreme God. Do we trust in God to bring security and…
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Christian Devotional – February 26, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 26:27–Some of the plunder taken in battle they dedicated for the repair of the temple of the Lord. TRUTH: The people recognized that the victories and successes that they had were the result of God working and moving in their lives and so they gave back to God some of the results of their winning. The people wanted to make sure that God’s house was taken care of and they also wanted to glorify God in all that He had done in their lives. RESPONSE: Father, You are the reason I am successful and I will give back to You from the blessings You give me. You are…
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Christian Devotional – February 25, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 25:6–All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres, and harps for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthum, and Heron were under the supervision of the king. TRUTH: God instructed specific people and their families to be in charge of the music at His temple. I enjoy that God loves music. He created music and He desires that we use it as a way to praise Him. Are we using music as a means to praise God? Music should be about God receiving praise, not about our own personal preferences and…