We live in a day when we have all of the resources we need to be a good Christian. We have multiple Bibles in each home, a church on every corner, Bible teachers and material at our disposal 24 hours a day. There has never been a day when there were so many different ways to serve the Lord by practice, preaching and publishing. Yet we have allowed the spirit of Laodicea to deaden us. We like the Laodiceans are “lukewarm”, growing cold on the things of God. May we use this service to survey our relationship with God and the things of God
The Jews have left the only stability they have known and have made the long and hard trip to Israel. But their work has only begun. Now they must rebuild. They begin in the right place restoring the ancient altar and begin work on the foundation of the temple. But opposition comes quickly. First, in the form of compromisers who want to join them for the purpose of defeating their purpose and zeal. Second, in the form of hired counselors who work to “frustrate their purpose.” For now, the adversaries win and the Jews cease work on the temple. The opposition has been too much for them. The temple lies abandoned.
Many people today are attempting to live for the world while making claims of being a servant of God. The only problem is that according to scripture we cannot serve two masters. May we be like Joshua who said, "but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Have you ever wondered if the Bible that you have has errors in it? Can we find the word of God today or has it been lost in the original languages? Is it even important to know whether we can find the words of God? Let's allow the Bible speak for itself.
This chapter is a living illustration of James 1:14-15. Amnon is tempted with his own lust. He falls into sin and it leads to his death. This lesson is a warning to us all.
