The Course Of A Lifetime

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Walter

Well-known member
Jul 20, 2022
1,282
597
113
77
Washington
firstthings1sttab.tripod.com
#1
Tuesday 8-23-22 3rd. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Av 24 5782 64th. Summer Day

The Course of a Lifetime


Read: 2 Chronicles 24:2, 13–16 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 113–115; 1 Corinthians 6
Download MP3
Subscribe to iTunes


Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest. 2 Chronicles 24:2


“There are different questions a young artist can ask,” says singer-songwriter Linford Detweiler of eclectic folk duo Over the Rhine. “One is, ‘What must I do to be famous?’ ” Detweiler warns that such a goal “swings the door open to all manner of destructive forces from both within and without.” He and his wife have instead chosen a less flashy musical road in which they “continue to grow over the course of an entire lifetime.”

The name Jehoiada isn’t readily recognized, yet it’s synonymous with a lifetime of dedication to God. He served as priest during the reign of King Joash, who for the most part ruled well—thanks to Jehoiada.

When Joash was just seven years old, Jehoiada had been the catalyst in installing him as rightful king (2 Kings 11:1–16). But this was no power grab. At Joash’s coronation, Jehoiada “made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people” (v. 17). He kept his word, implementing badly needed reforms. “As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 24:14). For his dedication, Jehoiada “was buried with the kings in the City of David” (v. 16).

Eugene Peterson calls such a God-focused life “a long obedience in the same direction.” Ironically, it’s such obedience that stands out in a world bent on fame, power, and self-fulfillment.

How would you describe the direction of your life to this point? What changes might you want to ask God to help you make?

For further study, see Leadership Basics

Dear God, help me pursue You and Your wisdom for my life instead of the fleeting things I’ve been seeking.

INSIGHT
In the traditional Jewish order of Scripture, 1–2 Chronicles are placed as the last books of the Hebrew Bible—functioning as a summary of the Old Testament. First Chronicles begins with Adam (1:1) and 2 Chronicles concludes with Israel’s return from exile (36:22–23).

First and Second Chronicles retell much of the same history found in the books of Samuel and Kings but with a different focus. The Chronicles seek to give the returned exiles hope for the future by pointing to a coming Messiah through David’s line and restored worship in the temple. To inspire faithfulness to God and Scripture, the books of Chronicles also offer many character studies of both faithfulness and unfaithfulness. In 2 Chronicles 24, the high priest Jehoiada is a model of faithfulness, while King Joash was faithful only during Jehoiada’s lifetime, later persuaded by other officials to return to idolatry (vv. 17–18).

By Tim Gustafson|August 23rd, 2022

Obedience 2 Chronicles Twenty Four:2, 13-16

1 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beersheba.

2 And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

3 And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.

4 And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the Lord.

5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.

6 And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the Lord, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?

7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the Lord did they bestow upon Baalim.

8 And at the king's commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the Lord.

9 And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the Lord the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness.

10 And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.

11 Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.

12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the Lord, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the Lord.

13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.

14 And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of Jehoiada.

15 But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.

16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.

Love, Walter and Debbie
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,617
562
113
#2
How would you describe the direction of your life to this point? What changes might you want to ask God to help you make?
I became a Born Again Christian in 1984 -----before my conversion I was not a really happy person and I presented myself as that to others ----I had a chip on my shoulder and would bark at people if they bothered me ----needless to say the vibes that I presented outward keep people from approaching me -

In 1984 My Husband who was in the Service put in for a PMQ and we moved in to this place -----My husband went away for 6 months and while he was away things started happening in that house ---my doors would open when they were shut ----my phone would ring and no one was there ---my lights would go out and then come back on for no reason ---I decided to go and see the Padre on the Base and explained to him what was happening ---I was nervous as I though he would think I was crazy ----but fortunately he was very understanding and ask me if I had been dabbling in the Occult ---I said no -he said well whoever was in the house before you must have been ---He did an exorcism throughout my home --praying in each room with the windows open ----He then gave me a Bible ----all activity in the house stopped -----I have no issues after ------I started ready the Bible he gave me and it seemed like it was making sense to me -----The Padre and his wife invited me to their place and prayed with me there I received Jesus in my heart ------my conversion was instance ---it seemed like a vale was lifted from my eyes and I saw things different and I had such an overwhelming presents of peace and joy that came over me ---- I realized that for the first time I felt a lightness in my mind and body instead of the weight and dread I always felt -----It was just such a great experience and I never wanted to loose that peace I felt ---- so I never looked back I just wanted to keep this peace --- joy and lightness around me and in me forever -----My friends and Family were totally amazed at my transformation and so was I ---I had people actually approach me in the stores which I never had before -----

The Padre and His wife took me to the Chapel and anointed me with oil and prayed that I would receive the gift of tongues which they both had ------it didn't happen right away but one day I had the urge to get on my knees and pray and I started Speaking in a different language which was coming from my center being not my head ----the language was flowing from inside of me ------I welcomed it and have been speaking in tongues when necessary ever since ---and find it very powerful when I don't know what words to pray for a person who needs prayer -----

Being a new Born Again person has it challenges for me as Satan attacked me with a vengeance trying to steal my peace and joy and wanted my Faith to waver ---so I had to ask God continually for strength -- knowledge and Wisdom to stay the course to carry on and stay on the right path ----I am now 30 + years Born Again and have grown greatly in my walk with Christ but till fall at time sand always seek God daily still ----

My conversion was immediate and powerful for me ----I was a completely changed person ----my whole Character -----personality ==etc did a complete 180 -------and everyone who knew me noticed --

Are there things I could still change in my personal walk and ask God to help me accomplish ---most definitely as I am still human and have lost my patience many times so I still struggle with having to wait in lines at the grocery store etc and have to call on God's Grace to keep me grounded in those situations -----In my weakness God's Grace is my strength ------

1661451497780.jpeg
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,617
562
113
#3
Where I am at right now in my life is ----I love my love ---I am enjoying living a happy ==healthy -joyful --peaceful --content life allowing the Holy spirit to guide my days ------- i am still very hungry and thirsty to keep learning and practicing the Word to the best of my ability with the guidance of the Holy Spirit -----I love to research and read the Word every day -----the more I am in the Word the More knowledge and wisdom the Holy Spirit seems to reveal to me ------I would never in a million years want to return to the person I was in the past -----The Holy Spirit directs me as to who I am to help materially and Spiritually and I have never had a slap in the face for approaching the people I am directed to help ----

My life is great and I thank and praise God every day for all the blessings He has bestowed upon me and my family -----All Glory is God's