Spiritual Reflections

Everyone wants to be rich. Everyone wants to own a big house and not have to work for money. Everyone wants to be able to afford the best car, clothes, food, house; the best everything. But is everyone ready to pay the cost? We can learn lessons of how to become rich from King Jehoshaphat in the Bible (2nd Chronicles 17). The Bible says that, “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed in his ancestor David’s footsteps at the beginning of his reign… 2nd Chronicles 17:3). Jehoshaphat did not worship idols, like the community surrounding him did. “Instead [he] sought the God of his ancestors and obeyed his commands…”. Because Jehoshaphat obeyed the Lord and worshipped only Him, “The Lord made his kingdom secure; all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he became very wealthy and greatly respected.” So we see that the reason Jehoshaphat became wealthy and respected is because he followed the footsteps of King David, who was a “man after God’s own heart”. However,

True love is not a set of feelings.  True love is a commitment. True love is not something that just happens.  You CHOOSE to love.   Lust can wait to get, Love can't wait to give. When you love someone, there should be an attraction.  That's part of it  There should be "feelings" - but true love is not the "feelings".  True love produces the "feelings' - they come from the decision to love someone. Love even when your wife/husband cannot share or show his/her feelings.   If you want to have true love, just love like Jesus did.     Agape love     Love with no thought of return     Love even when they can't show love     Decide to love, don't wait on the feelings     Determine to love.     The world's love (and lust) say...     1. I'll love you if           you'll love me           if you'll do something for me           if you'll make me feel a cert

Let those that are rich in wisdom, as well as wealth, learn to do good and be ready to distribute.   Give to everyone that asks you, according to your ability.  As every person has received so he or she ought to minister the same for the edification of others, whenever one has opportunity. King Solomon was generous of his wisdom and willing to teach others what he knew himself. Being taught of God, freely he had received, and freely he gave. If you are a person with wealth or wisdom, you should share it with others. This is because; happy will be those who have the opportunity of a constant converse with people who are knowing, wise, and good. In 2 nd Chronicles 8, The queen of Sheba thought Solomon’s servants happy who continually  heard his wisdom ; for, it seems, even to his servants, Solomon was generous. The queen of Sheba blessed God for the honour He put upon Solomon, and the favour He did to Israel, in advancing Solomon to the throne,  2 Chronicles 9:8. 

The sun reminds us of the Glory of God “When the praises go up, the blessings come down,” this is a true saying, for in the Bible when people praised God that is when God manifested Himself visibly. It was when Paul and Silas were praising God that an earthquake occurred and the doors of the prison were opened and the bonds of the prisoners came off (Acts 16:25-26). Also in the Old Testament, when King Solomon was dedicating the temple, the singers and musicians praised God, and then the house was filled with a cloud. It is very observable that it was not when the priests offered sacrifices, but when they sang the praises of God, that God gave them this token of His favour; for the sacrifice of praise pleases the Lord better than that of an ox or bullock, Psalms 69:31. (Matthew’s Commentary). In addition, it was when the whole group of people present were unanimous, when they were as one, to make one sound that The Holy God descended on the apostles when they met with one acco

When we are taking up a new position, we need to ask God for wisdom. This is especially so if we are taking over from someone who was very distinguished in that position. In 2nd Chronicles, when Solomon was taking over from David, he prayed this way: “Solomon replied to God, “You demonstrated great loyalty to my father David and have made me king in his place. 1:9 Now, Lord God, may your promise to my father David be realized, for you have made me king over a great nation as numerous as the dust of the earth. 1:10 Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.” (1 st Chronicles 1:8-10, Net Bible ). We should notice the distinction of those that went before us, and the responsibility that lies upon us to keep up and carry on the good work they were engaged in, should provoke us to a polite imitation, and quicken our prayers to God for wisdom and grace, that we may