He did it with all his heart

Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 31; Revelation 17; Zechariah 13:2-9; John 16

2 Chronicles 31:20-21 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

Judah experienced a revival during the days of Hezekiah. He was a good, godly king who returned Israel to the true worship of Jehovah and led the people to destroy the idols in the land. The Bible tells us that Hezekiah did that which was good, right and truth before the LORD. That should be our hearts desire! Our lives should be lived to do that which is good, right and truth before the LORD. In his work of bringing about a revival in Judah, he did it with all his heart and prospered. What did he do that brought about a national revival?

First, he went to work restoring the house of God. The temple had fallen into disarray and was filled with idols. He cleared out the idols and refurbished the temple. Now for us in the church age, the house of God is the church.

1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

A work that needs to be done in our day with all our heart is to renew a love for the house of God. To build again the broken walls of the church is a must for our day. Will you work with all your heart to rebuild the church?

Second, he went to work in the law and in the commandments of God. This is Bible work. It is hearing and obeying the words of Jesus. It is also teaching others to heed the Word of God. Hezekiah was like Ezra would be later on:

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Third, Hezekiah sought his God. He desired a relationship with Jehovah. He spent time in prayer! Will you be about the business of working that which is good, right and truth? It is good to serve in the house of God. It is right to do the commandments of the LORD. It is truth when you seek the Lord with all your heart!

As we approach a new year, let this be an encouragement to be like Hezekiah! You will prosper when you focus on these godly goals.

In Christ,

Rody

The Spirit of truth

Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 30; Revelation 16; Zechariah 12:1-13:1; John 15

John 15:26-27 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Jesus promised his disciples that he would send the Comforter from the Father. He proceeds from the Father, Jesus said. Please notice that the Comforter is not a force, but a person. He is not created, but was to be sent to the disciples from the Father. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Jesus who indwells the believer. He would not come while Jesus was on the earth. Only after Jesus ascended back to the Father would the Holy Ghost be sent.

Jesus said, the Comforter would testify of him. What a wonderful name for the Holy Ghost – Comforter. Just imagine how hard it was for the disciples who had walked with Jesus from the beginning when he was gone. They loved him! He loved them! They had seen amazing things and learned much from his teaching. Now he would not walk with them. What would they do? They would be comforted by the Holy Ghost who would testify of Jesus.

You and I can walk in the same relationship with Jesus that they did! He is promised to us as well! Do you long to be with Jesus? As a follower of Jesus you should expect his imminent return to earth, but in the mean time, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit. He testifies of Jesus. He helps us understand the Word of Jesus and he empowers us to live the Christ life. Not only that, but he empowers us to be witnesses too. He is at work in believers to witness for Jesus. At the same time, he is at work in the lost world to reprove of sin, righteousness and judgment.

For the believer:

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

For the lost person:

John 16:7-8 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.

What an amazing privilege to have the Comforter indwelling us to empower us to bear witness for Jesus. We are not alone; we walk with Jesus every day!

In Christ,

Rody

He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father

Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 29; Revelation 15; Zechariah 11; John 14

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

The commandments of Jesus are recorded in the Bible, the Word of God. To have the commandments of Jesus and keep them means that you are obedient to what Jesus says. This is a part of the mission of the church – to teach all the commandments of Jesus.

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We cannot say that we love Jesus unless we obey his commandments. For many in our day, this makes no sense. They have bought into a syrupy kind of love for Jesus that is nothing more than sentimentalism. They say they love Jesus, but they deny his word constantly. Jesus says we must obey him.

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Something grievous is a great burden that you have to bear. This is not the case with the commandments of Jesus. If we love Jesus we will gladly obey his Word. Just like David we will say:

Psalms 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

When we know Jesus and love him, we will be loved of the Father. Since Jesus and the Father are one and there is no other way to the Father than through the Son, when you know Jesus, you know God. It is the one who knows and loves Jesus who will truly understand Jesus. He promises to manifest himself to us. Does that mean we will see him physically? Yes, some day, but now it means that the Holy Spirit will be a reality in our everyday life. The manifestation of the Son in the life of a believer is the fruit of the Holy Spirit!

Let’s analyze our love for Jesus and be serious about his Word. It is important.

In Christ,

Rody