Manasseh was the grandson of Ahaz(the king who lacked faith in GOD and would not listen to Isaiah) and the son of Hezekiah. Manasseh is know in scripture to be the most wicked king. Interestingly enough however even though Manasseh did much evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke HIM to anger, GOD was merciful and offered Manasseh forgiveness (2 Chronicles 33:10-13)but he would not listen so the LORD sent the captains of the army and hooked him and bound him with bronze fetters and carried him off to Babylon. When he was in affliction he called to the LORD and humbled himself greatly and prayed to GOD. The LORD heard his prayers and took him back to Jerusalem to his kingdom and the he knew that the LORD was GOD.
An example that GOD will take the least likely!
Often times like Manasseh we must first hit rock bottom before we look up! Do you recognize your captivity in order to avoid being hooked by the enemy? Are you crying out to HIM to reveal the yokes that bond you? Do you repent for your sins?
In order to experience freedom we must repent.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Hezekiah
Wow...what a lesson Day Four has been. Hezekiah was a man who wholeheartedly followed the Lord. He removed the idols his ancestors seemed to miss, he lead reformation and restoration in the people of the land and brought unity betweent the North and the South (aka Isreal and Judah). Hezekiah did not stop there. He honored God in the way he handled the attack of a mighty enemy.
Just when we thought...WHEW! A Godly Man who loves the LORD with all his heart and centered in HIS will for the people of the land....DUHN, DUHN, DAAAAA.....Satan struck Hezekiah and attacked this man who was STRONG IN HIM! Hezekiah stayed in HIM, crying out and praying even in the midst of fear...
Do you cry out to HIM in the midst of your fear? What do you do with your fear?
Whooops! Hezekiah forgot that our LORD is a GOD of mercy not merit!
IN times of success most of us can live good lives. Pressure, trouble or pain quickly removes a mask, a veil and reveals who we truly are in our hearts, in our inner being.
Who/How are you in times of hardship? Are you consistently faithful or do you worry what preassure, trouble, or pain may reveal about you?
Hezekiah gave credit to himself NOT the LORD! YIKES... He let his guard down and enjoyed the approval of the godless.
Are you humble in your possesions or do you boast what you have ie: cottages, a big house, a self made business, trips around the world, name brand clothes, who you know and "rub" shoulders with, how much money you have and spend on "stuff"....Is this for the approval and esteem of man...OR GOD? Who are you trying to win over man OR GOD? If it is GOD remember do not store up earthly treasures..........Pride can cost us here and now and those we leave to follow in our foot steps!
The point that hit me the hardest simply was that Hezekiah was naive. He was expecting an attack from Assyria that he missed the fact that someone else may be planning an attack...HMMMMM!!!! Do you sometimes miss an attack that is coming from other areas such as idols, sense of entitlement, the thought that you are above others (aka righteousness)
I challenge you to seek HIM and allow him to reveal to you yokes that are holding you back...We are all broken! ARe you serving HIM YES HIM with intention and purpose! Are you hearing HIS sweet, merciful whisper asking you to take up your cross and follow HIM daily? Are you authentic?
In HIM Authentically,
Michelle
Just when we thought...WHEW! A Godly Man who loves the LORD with all his heart and centered in HIS will for the people of the land....DUHN, DUHN, DAAAAA.....Satan struck Hezekiah and attacked this man who was STRONG IN HIM! Hezekiah stayed in HIM, crying out and praying even in the midst of fear...
Do you cry out to HIM in the midst of your fear? What do you do with your fear?
Whooops! Hezekiah forgot that our LORD is a GOD of mercy not merit!
IN times of success most of us can live good lives. Pressure, trouble or pain quickly removes a mask, a veil and reveals who we truly are in our hearts, in our inner being.
Who/How are you in times of hardship? Are you consistently faithful or do you worry what preassure, trouble, or pain may reveal about you?
Hezekiah gave credit to himself NOT the LORD! YIKES... He let his guard down and enjoyed the approval of the godless.
Are you humble in your possesions or do you boast what you have ie: cottages, a big house, a self made business, trips around the world, name brand clothes, who you know and "rub" shoulders with, how much money you have and spend on "stuff"....Is this for the approval and esteem of man...OR GOD? Who are you trying to win over man OR GOD? If it is GOD remember do not store up earthly treasures..........Pride can cost us here and now and those we leave to follow in our foot steps!
The point that hit me the hardest simply was that Hezekiah was naive. He was expecting an attack from Assyria that he missed the fact that someone else may be planning an attack...HMMMMM!!!! Do you sometimes miss an attack that is coming from other areas such as idols, sense of entitlement, the thought that you are above others (aka righteousness)
I challenge you to seek HIM and allow him to reveal to you yokes that are holding you back...We are all broken! ARe you serving HIM YES HIM with intention and purpose! Are you hearing HIS sweet, merciful whisper asking you to take up your cross and follow HIM daily? Are you authentic?
In HIM Authentically,
Michelle
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sharing Some Encouragement....
Jodi...my friend I was telling you about this evening at our study...she can write and she writes profound pieces...A journey much like the one we are on. Read her stories.....
Her blog is....
http://www.jodeneshaw.blogspot.com/
May this touch you and speak to you as you travel on your journey.
Have a great week. May you be encouraged and lifted up!
Authentically,
Michelle
Her blog is....
http://www.jodeneshaw.blogspot.com/
May this touch you and speak to you as you travel on your journey.
Have a great week. May you be encouraged and lifted up!
Authentically,
Michelle
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Kings Continued.....
Isaiah experienced the LORDS glory and underwent a purifying that was painful. Have you felt HIM move in you as you experienced a painful cleansing in order to be pure and holy to do HIS work. I have. Not so long ago when I was sure if I died tommorrow it would be OK because I was at a place where I felt happy and content. My life was perfect......or so I thought. GOD had another message for me and boy did he heap coals upon me and it hurt deeply. This chastizement was necessary in order to move me forward to do HIS work....study and blog with you:)
The more we know GOD the more we become aware of our own powerlessness and inadequacies and begin to understand how impossible it is to do anything of lasting value with out HIM.
Unfortnately Ahaz missed that idea. He did not seek the LORD nor did he heed his whisper to accept the LORDS help. He had no faith to fall back on when he heard that Syria and Isreal formed an alliance and were preparing to attack. Are you prepared for the attack of the enemy?
Has GOD revealedany idols in your life? Are you listening as HE invites you to prepare for the attacks? Have you grabbed on for dear life?
The more we know GOD the more we become aware of our own powerlessness and inadequacies and begin to understand how impossible it is to do anything of lasting value with out HIM.
Unfortnately Ahaz missed that idea. He did not seek the LORD nor did he heed his whisper to accept the LORDS help. He had no faith to fall back on when he heard that Syria and Isreal formed an alliance and were preparing to attack. Are you prepared for the attack of the enemy?
Has GOD revealedany idols in your life? Are you listening as HE invites you to prepare for the attacks? Have you grabbed on for dear life?
The Kings
Wow! Isn't HE forgiving! As we journeyed through the reign of Jotham and Ahaz wasn't it interesting how Isaiah was called by GOD?
Even though Uzziah and Jotham were GODLY Leaders the people continued to act corruptly. Do you think Uzziah and Jotham understood why the people were acting corruptly?
I was moved when I learned that Jotham followed GOD however ignored the alters on the mountain where the people worshiped idols and not the GOD Jotham worshiped.
Isaiah.....I can relate to him. Isaiah recognized how Great GOD is and how sinful he was. Isaiah experienced forgiveness which engergized him to heed GODS calling. What resonated within me most was the cleansing Isaiah experienced. Hot coals on the lips...ouch. This was a painful cleansing process, one in which GOD was purifying Isaiah to do HIS work. Letting GOD purify us may be painful.
Even though Uzziah and Jotham were GODLY Leaders the people continued to act corruptly. Do you think Uzziah and Jotham understood why the people were acting corruptly?
I was moved when I learned that Jotham followed GOD however ignored the alters on the mountain where the people worshiped idols and not the GOD Jotham worshiped.
Isaiah.....I can relate to him. Isaiah recognized how Great GOD is and how sinful he was. Isaiah experienced forgiveness which engergized him to heed GODS calling. What resonated within me most was the cleansing Isaiah experienced. Hot coals on the lips...ouch. This was a painful cleansing process, one in which GOD was purifying Isaiah to do HIS work. Letting GOD purify us may be painful.
Friday, January 15, 2010
The Beginning of the Journey
I just wanted to write and thank you all for attending the Breaking Free Bible Study. I am excited to go on this journey with you. I know the Lord is working and He will amazes us. It is exciting to think of what is in store for each and every one of our hearts.
I have started the homework....Have you?
As I was studying one of the messages that was revealed to me was to seek wise counsel in HIM. King Uzziah grew in favor due to his ferverent prayer and obedience to the Lord however he became proud....
Proverbs 8:12 - Wisdom prospers those who love her. Pride in itself can lead to Captivity Jer. 13:15-17.
How would you respond if a fellow Christian approached you regarding a concern they had with you? Would you become angry like Uzziah did toward the priests? Would you seek wise counsel as the Word says iron sharpens iron? Would you cry out to HIM?
Looking at Amaziah 2 Chron 25:21 it was interesting to learn he fell due to overconfidence. Are you sometimes overconfident. Do you feel that you are "fine and good" and don't need to cry out to the Lord or continue to seek HIM first?
Hope you are feeling HIS presence as you study HIS Word.
Have a great weekend and we will see you all Monday.
IN HIM
Michelle
I have started the homework....Have you?
As I was studying one of the messages that was revealed to me was to seek wise counsel in HIM. King Uzziah grew in favor due to his ferverent prayer and obedience to the Lord however he became proud....
Proverbs 8:12 - Wisdom prospers those who love her. Pride in itself can lead to Captivity Jer. 13:15-17.
How would you respond if a fellow Christian approached you regarding a concern they had with you? Would you become angry like Uzziah did toward the priests? Would you seek wise counsel as the Word says iron sharpens iron? Would you cry out to HIM?
Looking at Amaziah 2 Chron 25:21 it was interesting to learn he fell due to overconfidence. Are you sometimes overconfident. Do you feel that you are "fine and good" and don't need to cry out to the Lord or continue to seek HIM first?
Hope you are feeling HIS presence as you study HIS Word.
Have a great weekend and we will see you all Monday.
IN HIM
Michelle
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