The following Bible lesson is from the Bible Pathway Ministries http://biblepathway.org/
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May 6
Read II Kings 14 – 15
Highlights:
Compare the kings of Israel and Judah. Some of the kings of Judah did . . . that which was right in the sight of the Lord (II Kin. 14:3), but none of the kings of Israel did. Some not only disobeyed the Word of God, but promoted idol worship.
King Jeroboam II (son of Jehoash) was very successful in all his battles and brought material prosperity to the nation. He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the Word of the Lord God of Israel, which He spake by the hand of His servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet. . . . For the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter. . . . And the Lord . . . saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash (II Kin. 14:25-27).
But this recognition did not lead Jeroboam to worship God. Instead, he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin (14:24). Immorality and idolatry flourished during the reign of Jeroboam II.
Amos, Hosea, Joel, and Jonah all prophesied during his reign. However, none were successful in turning him toward God. Finally, God commanded Amos to go to Bethel and prophesy the destruction of the kingdom (Amos 7:9).
The Israelites seemed to believe that because they prospered materially, God approved of their idol worship. More and more, they placed their confidence in Baal rather than the One True God. Often, the Christian's greatest tests of loyalty and humility before God come during times of material blessing. While we are enjoying prosperity, we are often less concerned about prayerfully seeking the Lord's guidance and will for our lives.
After Jeroboam's death, anarchy prevailed and Israel rapidly degenerated. Jeroboam was succeeded by his son Zachariah (II Kin. 14:29) who reigned only six months (15:8).This was the fourth and last generation of the house of Jehu (15:12).
About 30 years after Jeroboam's death, the words of the prophets were fulfilled. The Northern Kingdom was destroyed and its people taken captive by the Assyrians (17:1-18).
Surely the goodness of God should lead us, in gratitude, to do the will of Jesus Christ our Lord. He (the Father) hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. (Col. 1:13).
Thought for Today:
The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them (Ps. 34:7).
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We as Christians are commanded by God's Word to pray for those who persecute us, this would include our enemies and even ungodly leaders. Many in America today claim to be Christian such as President Obama but the truth is revealed as to what is in their hearts by their actions. No serious minded Christian can support the abortion and gay rights agendas, which are abominations against God's Word.
America is in great moral and spiritual decline, with leaders who now say it is unconstitutional to have a designated National Day of Prayer. America has surpassed the evils of what is revealed in the Bible lesson above. This lesson reveals that God can and will use ungodly leaders to bring about His judgments not only upon the ungodly, but also upon His chosen people whom He had chosen hundreds of years earlier to reveal the presence of the One True God to the world.
Many mistakenly believe the prosperity of America in the past proves God will always to be merciful to us and sadly it seems to me that most Christians like the non-believers mistakenly believe that the trials or conflicts that do come our way are merely man made or just happen stances or bad luck. When man's laws traverse against God's Law than there is a obligation upon the Christian to speak out against man's law while obeying God's Law.
Godly men are sent to the nations to reveal His judgments. Three of these men, whom I have been blessed to have crossed paths with have revealed His judgment for America.
God's judgment for America's destruction is real, true, and just for her abominations against His Word.... Sadly, I am most certain America has passed the point of no return.
America will most certainly burn from the East Coast to the West Coast and the only hope for each individual in all the world lies with our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
