*****
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
* Solomon builds his own house and a house to God.
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
I Kings 5:1-7 And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.
And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the Lord his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet.
But now the Lord my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
Solomon sought the best for the work.
And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the Lord this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.
Solomon, in the wisdom given to him by God, used the men to whom God had given wisdom in all skills and Solomon sought the best products and built his own house and the house of God.
When the children of Israel were in the travels through the wilderness, the ark of the covenant, was moved about as God specified, carried about by Levites.
Now the children of Israel have entered into their own lands and no longer move about.
It has become a time of peace and rest. Solomon will build a house for God to remain among them.
Solomon makes a covenant with Hiram, king of Tyre.
I Kings 5:12 And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
17-18 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house... so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
I Kings 6:4 And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.
Narrow windows where light could come in but not big enough for anyone to see out and be distracted by the outside.
7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
***
New Testament church: We, individuals, are the "temple" of the Holy Spirit.
I Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Hebrews 8:10-11 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put MY laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to ME a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know ME, from the least to the greatest.
***
Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for HE (God) hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
But if anyone turn from the Word and go another way, we have the following promise from God.
Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient ... Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
There is a woman who made an association with me and visited with me from time to time. She was a church going woman and I gave her scripture and she thanked me for the message, but then went on in her own way disregarding the message I gave to her.
For a time, I continued associating with this woman. But finally God got my attention about her to understand this woman did not love the truth. (This was about a secular matter.) She didn't care about truth but just decided with her own mind and believed what she thought without searching out the truth to make her decision.
Concerning those who fail to have a love of the truth:
II Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
There is a woman who made an association with me and visited with me from time to time. She was a church going woman and I gave her scripture and she thanked me for the message, but then went on in her own way disregarding the message I gave to her.
For a time, I continued associating with this woman. But finally God got my attention about her to understand this woman did not love the truth. (This was about a secular matter.) She didn't care about truth but just decided with her own mind and believed what she thought without searching out the truth to make her decision.
Concerning those who fail to have a love of the truth:
II Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
By this, my heart was separated by God from this woman. I no longer communicated with her as I had done.
Before, I would think of something and I would share with her. Now I withhold sharing, thus separating myself from her. In this case, there were no arguments nor harsh words, I just stopped sharing with her in secular things and in spiritual things. I just vanished from her, thereby keeping myself in peace of God.
We make choices.
Choose life:
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
***
When Solomon built the house of God, he covered the floor, and the objects with gold.
We choose to fill ourselves, covered with gold, in our hearts and minds and throughout the inside of us.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
friend: one who supports another in his acts
II John vv. 8-11 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
We cannot be a friend, supporting the worldly in their works.
For to wish him well is to partake of the evil he will do.
***
We build our house on the word of God, conforming ourselves to the word of God, storing up the word of God in our hearts and doing the word of God.
We build the inside of us with pure gold of the word of God.
We cannot contaminate "our temple" with sub-standard products of the sayings of worldly people from the church groups.
But most of all we conform ourselves to the scriptures which tell us to separate from them when we see what they do.
We construct our temple with care. And we continually watch over our temple that it not be polluted by man.
***
I Kings 7:13-14 And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre... a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.
God has anointed some people to do the work, giving them wisdom and skills for the work. We choose them when we see them.
The story of two women:
This is the story of two women who had been in our little church group for many years. One had been in our group for 39-years. She had proven her way to be twisted. She could not hold onto truth. Often she said things, then couldn't remember saying these things. You could never trust her to tell truth because she couldn't remember what she had said. This woman lived in the same city where I lived at that time. (This becomes an important point in this story.)
The second woman lived in a city 450-miles away from where I lived. I had witnessed her for several years. When a problem arose, she prayed. The action she took after prayer showed wisdom from God. I could tell it was God leading this woman.
I had an accident and was taken to the hospital where they were to perform surgery on me. They brought me papers to sign to tell them who would be power of attorney over me and make medical decisions concerning me if I were not able to do such.
I said to them: Pam Padgett will be in charge of me. (Pam was the 2nd woman in the story. She lived 450-miles away.)
At the time I said this, the first woman of this story was standing there. She expressed shock over what I said. She stated: "How can Pam be in charge? She doesn't even live here."
I responded: "I don't know how she can be, but she is."
Are you going to put, in charge of you, a woman who can't tell truth and can't even remember what it was she said after she said it? ... just because she lives in the city where you live? I wasn't going to do that. In fact, I had prayed for many years that this woman would never be in charge of me if I needed someone to make decisions, for I had often witnessed her twisted thinking.
Like Solomon, we choose those persons who demonstrate in themselves the wisdom that God gives for the project.
***
I Kings 8:9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
The word of God was the only thing placed in the ark inside the house of God.
***
Who hast kept with THY servant David my father that THOU promisedst him: THOU spakest also with THY mouth, and hast fulfilled it with Thine hand, as it is this day.
Therefore now, Lord God of Israel, keep with THY servant David my father that THOU promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in MY sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before ME as thou hast walked before ME.
And now, O God of Israel, let THY word, I pray Thee, be verified, which Thou spakest unto THY servant David my father. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
Yet have THOU respect unto the prayer of THY servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which THY servant prayeth before THEE to day:
That Thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which THOU hast said, My name shall be there: that Thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which THY servant shall make toward this place.
In the New Testament church, we have the Holy Spirit given by God to each of HIS servants. HIS eyes do not depart from us, the church. In the New Testament church, the church is not a building made by human hands but is a temple made without human hands where the Holy Spirit lives.
In the Old Testament not all had the Holy Spirit and they had things symbolic of that which would come later in the New Covenant of God through Jesus, HIS Son.
***
Solomon prays:
I Kings 8:30 And hearken THOU to the supplication of THY servant, and of THY people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear THOU in heaven THY dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.
I Kings 8:30 And hearken THOU to the supplication of THY servant, and of THY people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear THOU in heaven THY dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.
New Covenant church:
We do not pray toward a building as they did in Old Covenant, for we have Jesus today, and we go directly to God in prayer, wherever we are, though Jesus. Today,we do not pray toward objects made by man, toward buildings or toward crosses or toward images that we can see. For God is a spirit and Jesus says they who worship HIM must worship HIM in spirit and in truth. John 4
***
Solomon says:
I Kings 8: 56-57 Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto HIS people Israel, according to all that HE promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses HIS servant.
The Lord our God be with us, as HE was with our fathers: let HIM not leave us, nor forsake us:
To the New Testament church God has said: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)
Provided we keep God in our thoughts as we make decisions, HE will abide in us.
Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
So as long as we, in the New Testament church, continue in HIS word, doing HIS word, we have HIM in us. But if we turn from HIS Word and renounce HIS Word by our deeds, HE can turn us over to a reprobate mind, which is a mind void of HIS judgment.
So be diligent to continue in HIS word.
How can we examine ourselves to be sure God is in us? If the Holy Spirit still speaks to us, God is in us. When was the last time you remember the Holy Spirit speaking to you?
***
I Kings 8:58-66 Solomon says: That HE may incline our hearts unto HIM, to walk in all HIS ways, and to keep HIS commandments, and HIS statutes, and HIS judgments, which HE commanded our fathers.
And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the Lord, be nigh unto the Lord our God day and night, that HE maintain the cause of HIS servant, and the cause of HIS people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:
That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else.
(There is nothing else that matters.)
Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in HIS statutes, and to keep HIS commandments, as at this day.
***
*****
Hymn: Beneath the cross of Jesus
(Click forward arrow > to play music:)
1. Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock
Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
And the burden of the day.
2. Oh, safe and happy shelter!
Oh, refuge tried and sweet!
Oh, trysting place where heaven’s love
And heaven’s justice meet *.
As to the holy patriarch
That wondrous dream was given,
So is my Savior by the cross
A ladder up to heaven.
3. There lies beneath its shadow,
But on the farther side,
The darkness of an awful grave
That gapes both deep and wide;
And there between us stands the cross,
Two arms outstretched to save,
Like a watchman set to guard the way
From that eternal grave.
4. Upon that cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One,
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart, with tears,
Two wonders I confess,
The wonders of His glorious love,
And my own worthlessness.
5. I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of His WORD;
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.
(Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
***
* where heaven’s love And heaven’s justice meet: heaven's love is shown by God's sacrifice of His Son, and Jesus' willingness to die for us. Heaven's justice requires payment for our sins for it to be just. The only payment sufficient to justify our sins is the blood of Jesus.
***
Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:
Hebrews 9:22 ... and without shedding of blood is no remission.
***
John 14:6 Jesus says: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME.
The way of life and truth is The Word of God.
When we go that way, we live in HIM, doing that which HE says.
***
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:130 The entrance of THY words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
***
II Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
***
I Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
***
John 14:6 Jesus says: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME.
The way of life and truth is The Word of God.
When we go that way, we live in HIM, doing that which HE says.
***
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:130 The entrance of THY words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
***
II Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
***
I Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
*****
Instruction in Righteousness: I Corinthians 12
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as HE will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased HIM.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church (to care for the church), first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
*****
Monday, March 30, 2020
* Solomon ruled by the wisdom of God and peace was throughout the land.
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
New Testament church: Recognizing the wisdom that is from God
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
If the idea is costly, difficult, complicated ... then I know that idea is not the wisdom from God.
So I pray again about the issue.
If there is hypocrisy, pretense, something I would have to do or say that I did not really feel, then I know this is not the wisdom from God.
Many groups set up "prearranged" prayers. I hate these.
At our bridge club, they always asked this one man to pray. I watched him. He started the prayer with his head bowed, so the people bowed their heads. But I watched. After people weren't looking, he pulled out a list which he had made on a note card prior to the gathering. He began praying his list.
After seeing this one time, from that time forward, when I knew this man was going to pray, I would get up and go into the ladies room and stay there until he finished his prayer.
James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
When I lived in Clovis, New Mexico (USA), across the street from my house lived a family who did home schooling. One day I looked out of my window and was horrified to see a group of adults and teen age young people standing in a circle in the front yard for all in the neighborhood to see them with their heads bowed, obviously praying.
A few days after this, I had taken my mother to see the movie "Pearl Harbor." My mother was in a wheelchair. I struggled to get that wheelchair in the place where the theater provided for handicapped. Then I noticed this family from across the street: father, mother, teen-aged son ... not one of the men got up and tried to help me place the wheelchair. This tells about their religion.
Pay attention to what they do for this is important information to keep us from being deceived by them.
Jesus says:
Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:4-5)
New Testament church: Recognizing the wisdom that is from God
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
If the idea is costly, difficult, complicated ... then I know that idea is not the wisdom from God.
So I pray again about the issue.
If there is hypocrisy, pretense, something I would have to do or say that I did not really feel, then I know this is not the wisdom from God.
Many groups set up "prearranged" prayers. I hate these.
At our bridge club, they always asked this one man to pray. I watched him. He started the prayer with his head bowed, so the people bowed their heads. But I watched. After people weren't looking, he pulled out a list which he had made on a note card prior to the gathering. He began praying his list.
After seeing this one time, from that time forward, when I knew this man was going to pray, I would get up and go into the ladies room and stay there until he finished his prayer.
James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
For a prayer to be "effective", that prayer must be according to the will of God ... and for that prayer to be "fervent", it must be red-hot from the heart, not a cold dead set of words from a note card.
And prayers must be from "a righteous man".
We had a man at the church I attended, and when he prayed he got a happy look on his face and was sort of dreamy and his eyes glassed over.
Later I found out this same man was committing fornication with a woman from a bar which he frequented when it wasn't a church night.
He confirmed to me that he was having sex with this woman. To which I said, "You know the Bible as well as I do. I can't have any more to do with you."
Paul said: But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. (I Corinthians 5:11)
To which this man agreed. He didn't care if I was separated from him.
We should care very much if a godly person separates from us.
Concerning prayer: Jesus says
Matthew 6:5-7 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Concerning prayer: Jesus says
Matthew 6:5-7 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
When I lived in Clovis, New Mexico (USA), across the street from my house lived a family who did home schooling. One day I looked out of my window and was horrified to see a group of adults and teen age young people standing in a circle in the front yard for all in the neighborhood to see them with their heads bowed, obviously praying.
A few days after this, I had taken my mother to see the movie "Pearl Harbor." My mother was in a wheelchair. I struggled to get that wheelchair in the place where the theater provided for handicapped. Then I noticed this family from across the street: father, mother, teen-aged son ... not one of the men got up and tried to help me place the wheelchair. This tells about their religion.
Pay attention to what they do for this is important information to keep us from being deceived by them.
Jesus says:
Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:4-5)
***
I Kings 4:1-19 So king Solomon was king over all Israel. And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest, Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests: And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king's friend: And Ahishar was over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.
And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision. And these are their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim: The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Bethshemesh, and Elonbethhanan: The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher: The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife: Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam: The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars: Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim: Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision. And these are their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim: The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Bethshemesh, and Elonbethhanan: The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher: The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife: Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam: The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars: Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim: Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
Baanah the son of Hushai was in Asher and in Aloth: Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar: Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin: Geber the son of Uri was in the country of Gilead, in the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer which was in the land.
(The Shimei in above scripture is not "the Shimei" who cursed David and was killed by the officer of Solomon. The above Shimei was the son of Elah. The Shimei who cursed David was the son of Gera. II Samuel 16:5)
With computers today, it is very easy to look up these names and to see the father of that person so we can see truth. Just as today there are many men with the name "John", during those days there were many "Jonahans". We can identify which is which if we search that name in our computer.
And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.
Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
Remember:
God said to Solomon in the dream: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. (I Kings 3:12)
I Kings 4:32-34 And he (Solomon) spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
I Peter 4:10-11 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.
(The Shimei in above scripture is not "the Shimei" who cursed David and was killed by the officer of Solomon. The above Shimei was the son of Elah. The Shimei who cursed David was the son of Gera. II Samuel 16:5)
With computers today, it is very easy to look up these names and to see the father of that person so we can see truth. Just as today there are many men with the name "John", during those days there were many "Jonahans". We can identify which is which if we search that name in our computer.
***
I Kings 4:20-31 Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.
Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
***
Remember:
***
I Kings 4:32-34 And he (Solomon) spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
***
New Testament church: God gives spiritual gifts to the church for the edification of all
God gives many spiritual gifts for the church today.
Unfortunately in most church groups there is no opportunity given to share those gifts with the church.
For a few years, I attended Bible class and church service at Word of Faith church. I never heard pastor there give any opportunity for any person in the congregation to give a word from the Lord. It was closed as it is in most church groups.
But at the Bible class, our teacher always, without exception, would say: "Does anyone have a word from the Lord?" So if anyone did have such, he was free to present that spiritual gift.
One time, this teacher asked me to do the main presentation for this group. Always before the speaker, this teacher would lead us in singing. During the singing I would often receive two or three words of knowledge given to me by God which I would present to the group at the proper time.
That day, while the singing was in progress, I had a word of knowledge ... then another ... then another ... then another. I finally got a pencil and wrote these down because there were so many. As I recall there were 24 words of knowledge given that day.
Here are the spiritual gifts given by God for the church today:
I Corinthians 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as HE (God) will.
Paul said the following is that which is to happen when we come together as the church:
I Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
It is rarely possible for these spiritual gifts to surface in the gathering of the church for those in charge have structured the church to keep people from sharing the things they have been given by God. So basically the church service has become a manipulation of man. And not a lot that is of God happens in these settings. Things of God are often kept out of the church service.
That's just the way it is.
But once in awhile we can find a Bible class which is open to the Word of the Lord.
*****
Hymn: Up from the grave HE arose
(Click forward arrow > to play music:)
1. Low in the grave He lay —
Jesus my Savior!
Waiting the coming day —
Jesus my Lord!
Chorus:
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes.
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever in His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
2. Vainly they watch His tomb
Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead—
Jesus my Lord!
3. Death cannot keep his prey—
Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away—
Jesus my Lord!
(Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
*****
Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:
Matthew 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body (of Jesus), he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Matthew 27:62-66 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night, and steal Him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
***
Matthew 28:1-4 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
(These women also prepared and brought to the tomb fine smelling spices, for when the body decays there is a stink and they wanted to cover up that odor. They didn't know there would be no decaying body where Jesus was concerned for God would not "suffer" Jesus' body to see corruption as other flesh saw corruption. Jesus' body and soul were removed by God from the tomb.)
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His (the angel's) countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
***
Luke 24:1-7 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them,
Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen:
remember how HE spake unto you when HE was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
***
Acts 13:35-37 Wherefore he (David) saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.
For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
But HE, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
When they entered the tomb of Jesus, His body was gone as well as His Spirit. God did not allow Jesus' body to decay the way of normal flesh.
*****
Instruction in Righteousness: I Corinthians 11
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
(When we have the same Spirit, there should be no divisions.)
20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
(We judge ourselves each time we read the Bible, allowing God to re-create us into HIS image by the Word of God, giving up our fleshly ways that are opposite to that Word of God that we are reading.)
33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
*****
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