HillThread ~ Supporting Missions

1 Kings 12:25-31
25 Jeroboam then built up the city of Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and it became his capital. Later he went and built up the town of Peniel.
26 Jeroboam thought to himself, “Unless I am careful, the kingdom will return to the dynasty of David. 27 When these people go to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Temple of the Lord, they will again give their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah. They will kill me and make him their king instead.”
28 So on the advice of his counselors, the king made two gold calves. He said to the people, “It is too much trouble for you to worship in Jerusalem. Look, Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!”
29 He placed these calf idols in Bethel and in Dan-at either end of his kingdom. 30 But this became a great sin, for the people worshiped the idols, traveling as far north as Dan to worship the one there.
31 Jeroboam also erected buildings at the pagan shrines and ordained priests from the common people-those who were not from the priestly tribe of Levi.

1 Kings 13:34
This became a great sin and resulted in the utter destruction of Jeroboam’s dynasty from the face of the earth.

-

Not a Good Idea – Do You Think He Wants a Do Over?

Here’s a quick background to this story . . . When King Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king. But Rehoboam’s leadership created a rebellion within Israel. When Rehoboam took over as king, he promised to increase the Israelite’s burden. 1 Kings 12:14 – “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with barbed whips.”

When the Israelites heard these words, 10 of the 12 tribes (up to this point, all 12 tribes made up the kingdom of Israel) revolted against King Rehoboam and became the Northern Kingdom (calling themselves Israel). King Rohoboam was left with control over the remaining southern nation (calling themselves Judah). So now the new Northern Kingdom needs a king. This is where Jeroboam steps in.

According to Jeroboam (the new king of the Northern Kingdom), there was a major problem with the way the new kingdoms were divided. Jerusalem was in Judah, and Rohoboam was the King of Judah. This was a problem for Jeroboam because the people still needed to go to the temple in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices. Jeroboam didn’t want his people to travel into Judah because he was afraid he would lose his kingdom. Scroll back up and read 1 Kings 12:26-27. He was afraid that as the people entered into Judah to get to Jerusalem, they would decide that the rebellion was a mistake and rejoin Judah as one kingdom. This was a big problem for Jeroboam because he wanted to remain king of the Northern Kingdom.

So, in his mind, the solution was simple. Build a couple of false gods that resemble cows, stick them in their own temples, and tell the people that these were the gods that brought the Israelites out of Egypt, so they should worship and sacrifice to them. Forget about traveling all the way to Jerusalem. WRONG! This is so mind-blowingly stupid, Jeroboam MUST have been surrounded by a bunch of “yes men”! Did he ever stop and think what God might have to say about this? Did he ever realize that he was responsible for turning 10 tribes of GOD’s OWN PEOPLE away from Him?

Be careful who you surround yourself with. Be cautious about who you seek advice from. Be aware that you are a witness for Jesus Christ and to the great gift that He has given us, salvation through His sacrifice and resurrection. Don’t lose sight of God because of the circumstances of your life.

Romans 8:38-39
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 16:33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

-

Take Heart

The writer of Hebrews tells us in verse 3 of chapter 12 to think of all that Jesus went through so that we do not grow weary and lose heart. Jesus has supplied all that we need. He is our strength! There is power in the Word of God. There is spiritual adrenaline just waiting to be shot into us.

So I went to a Bible study with a group of guys this past Thursday morning. The topic was John 11, the story of Lazarus being brought back to life by Jesus. As I was reading John 11 and researching the message in this part of the scripture, I came across a commentary that was quite interesting. The commentary sort of centers on Thomas’s words in John 11:16, “So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’” Just a quick background for this part of the story. Jesus was going to go back to Judea to help Lazarus. His disciples remind Him that Jews in that area just tried to stone Him to death no long ago. But that’s not going to stop Jesus from going. Then Thomas shows us his faith in verse 16.

So I am going to post the commentary that I read. It was quite intriguing. Read it and see what you think about it.

-

Commentary

“Since we as Christians are certain that we will be raised from death into life when Christ returns, shouldn’t the hope of that resurrection and eternal life encourage us? Shouldn’t it keep the fear of death away from our thoughts? Shouldn’t we view dying as non-threatening as we view laying down for a nap? Yes. For followers of Christ, when we physically die, we are really just taking a nap. We are getting some rest from the labor of the past day; our life we just finished living on this earth. You might even say that our physical death is even better than a nap, because sleep is temporary. But everlasting life with God in heaven is . . . everlasting. When you take a nap or go to sleep for the night, you will eventually have to get up, face the day, get back to the daily grind, and do it all over again. But death for Christians is the end of earthly, physical toils here on this planet. Death in our physical body means that we will be in the presence of our Savior. How awesome is that going to be!!

So when Jesus said He was going back to Judea to see to Lazarus, the disciples reminded Him that the Jews in that area had just recently tried to kill Him by stoning. Just in case you don’t know, stoning is when people nail you with rocks until you die. I doubt Jesus needed to be reminded of this, but let’s not get off track. His disciples tried to talk Jesus out of going to visit Lazarus in Judea; a trip that would have exposed Jesus and His disciples to the same people who nearly killed Him before. It was dangerous.

In a way, I think this mirrors our own ideas about life and safety. We often hope that the good work and service we are called to be a part of in Jesus can be done by some other means or by some other person if there is danger involved. But look at the fruit of their actions; their obedience. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, many people believed in Him because of this. And there was much done to make perfect the faith of those who believed. So let us go to Him, let us be obedient, let us serve God and serve others with the love of God no matter the danger or the circumstances. Death cannot separate us from the love of Christ, nor can it put us out of the reach of His call. Like Thomas, in difficult times, Christians should encourage one another and rely on the power that comes from Christ. The death, the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, should give us the willingness to die whenever God calls us.”

Rockumentary Episode #3 – “Turn the Other Cheek.”
Bwack has some exciting news to share with the band about a possible career change. Mark teaches of humility. David teaches about the contract of friendship. And the question we’re all left with is this . . . “If artificially intelligent robots to take over the world, do they even have cheeks?”

Galatians 4:1-7
1I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Related Text:
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
Galatians 6:8-9
1 Timothy 2:3-6
1 Peter 5:5-6

-

“I’ve Got All the Time in the World, I’ve Got a Time Machine”

Time is a precious commodity today. The more stuff we try to pack into each day, the more precious time becomes. You might say that we are addicted to time, or at least addicted to filling it up with stuff. No matter what we try to do, no matter what our level of activity involvement or responsibility is, we all have the same amount of time each day. 24 hours, and God is in control or every minute.

He began the world in His timing. As we read in Galatians 4:4-5, He sent Jesus to the earth in His timing. And He will return to this world once again in His timing. Because God is God, He planned out exactly the perfect time to send His son Jesus to this world as the atoning sacrifice for our sins so that we may receive salvation and become children of God and heirs to His Kingdom.

This section in Galatians that we read today is real meaty. In a few verses, it is packed with many things we could spend time on. But I would like us to focus on God’s perfect timing. He is in control and He knows what He is doing. His plans for our lives are better than plans we could come up with. But we still get discouraged when things don’t go our way, or when prayers aren’t answered in the way we asked for, if at all. No matter what circumstances surround us daily, we have the choice to either allow ourselves to be overcome by them, or to respond with the knowledge and wisdom that God knows what’s going on, that He is with us, and that He is in control. Remember that Jesus waited and let Lazarus die “for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

Is living by faith and not by sight just a cliche to you? Is it a nice idea but not a reality in your life? Did you even know it’s a verse from the Bible, and not just a saying? It’s found in 2 Corinthians 5:7. I pray and hope and ask God for the strength to be able to trust in Him when things don’t go my way, when they don’t go how I would have planned them, or when they really get terrible.

Show God how important He is to you by taking some of your precious time today and spend it with Him. Ask God to guide you on how to use your time today. Ask for the strength to trust Him without crumbling under the pressure of the circumstances.

1 Kings 5:1-7
1 When Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king to succeed his father David, he sent his envoys to Solomon, because he had always been on friendly terms with David. 2 Solomon sent back this message to Hiram:
3 “You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enemies under his feet. 4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. 5 I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God, as the LORD told my father David, when he said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’
6 “So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians.”
7 When Hiram heard Solomon’s message, he was greatly pleased and said, “Praise be to the LORD today, for he has given David a wise son to rule over this great nation.”

Related Text:
1 Kings 5-9 (temple building description)
2 Chronicles 2-8
Psalm 127
Matthew 12:1-6
John 2:13-21
Ephesians 2:11-22

-

In Other Words

Do you ever remember hearing about or reading the word “tabernacle”? It’s a very fun word to say. Go ahead, say it over and over like 5 or 6 times. It’s like the word elbow. Where did it come from? Who gave it it’s meaning? Why is it so fun to say? Tabernacle!

Well, in the Old Testament, the tabernacle was the portable dwelling place of God, and a place of worship that the Israelites took with them wherever they went. Built to specifications revealed by God to Moses at Mount Sinai, it accompanied the Israelites on their wanderings in the wilderness and their conquest of the Promised Land. Wherever they went, they had the tabernacle in tow. Think of it like a huge tent. Inside the inner room of the tabernacle was the Holy of Holies which housed the Ark of the Covenant and signified the presence of God.

The temple that Solomon built was like the tabernacle, except the temple wasn’t portable. Think of the temple like the permanent version of the tabernacle. The temple still signified the dwelling place of God and was still a place for worship, but it was permanent. Once the temple was built, the use of the tabernacle was discontinued. The temple, like the tabernacle, was the meeting place between God and His people where worship and sacrifice took place.

In the New testament, Jesus referred to Himself as the temple and as being greater than the temple (John 2:13-21 & Matthew 12:1-6). You see, because of Jesus and His sacrifice, we don’t have to travel to Jerusalem and go to the temple and have a priest offer a sacrifice on our behalf. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the temple ripped from top to bottom. This signifies that Jesus has given us direct access to God. Jesus is our meeting place. We don’t have to go through a priest to get to God, no one has to pray to God on our behalf. We can go confidently to God’s throne of grace because Jesus paid our way.

Ephesians 2:13-18 says, “13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

The temple wasn’t a bad thing at all. It was necessary for the people in the Old Testament to have access to God. But God changed all of that when He sent His son Jesus to die for us as the atoning sacrifice once for all. Through the Holy Spirit, God can dwell in us.

Luke 15:1-10
1Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4″Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

8″Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Related Text:
Psalm 119:169-176
Matthew 18:12-24
Luke 9:22-26
Luke 19:1-10

-

Why Pursue Sinners?

This chapter contains three linked parables that explain why Jesus associates with sinners (the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son). Today, since we’ve already studied the prodigal son a few days ago, we will take a look at the sheep and the coin. The linkage is evident in the terms lost and found and rejoice and celebrate . All three parables end with similar statements (vv. 7, 10, 32). The theme of Jesus’ association with sinners is key. The unit involves a “twin parable” (sheep and coin) typical of Luke followed by an elaborate parable of the type often called an example story (prodigal son).

These parables introduce the importance of sinners for Jesus, and thus for His disciples. The parable’s drama is built on the tension of an attempt to find something that has been lost. Anyone who has lost anything or loses anything on a regular basis can identify with this tension. In our house it is keys and the remote control for the television that most often go AWOL. At such times an all-points bulletin sends my wife on a hunt for what heir absent-minded husband has misplaced. When it is found, all are relieved. So in these parables with the sheep and the coin.

Jesus tells these parables to tax collectors and sinners. The stories offer comfort, especially in the face of the Pharisees and scribes’ grumbling that Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. Think about the people Jesus is talking to, the tax collectors and sinners. Are they within ear-shot of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, listening to them complain and protest? The fact that tax collectors and sinners listen to Jesus while the leadership does not is a cultural reversal of expectation. Sometimes hearers are found in surprising places. The issue of listening to Jesus is a major one in Luke. To experience God’s blessing, we need to listen to him, no matter who might try to impede us.

The sheep can return to the flock, the coin can be found, and you can return to the Father; the Father who welcomes you with open arms. Why pursue sinners? Because they need Jesus.

Matthew 13:44-46
44″The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45″Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Related Text:
Matthew 13
Psalm 45:6
Mark 1:1-15
Mark 4:30-32
Luke 13:18-19

-

So What’s It To You?

How much do you value the Kingdom of Heaven? If entrance into eternal life in heaven is through salvation and salvation is through Jesus Christ, then I would also ask this question. How much do you value Jesus and His atoning sacrifice? Do you value it enough that your life is changed? Do you value it enough to be obedient to God? Would you give up everything you had to gain Christ?

It’s a question that we need to address each day. As temptations fly in our face, as sadness and corruption creep up on us, as the possibility of living our lives just going through the motions is waiting right around the corner, we must address the question of how important is Jesus to me. Do I seek His love, wisdom, strength, joy, or humility? Am I able to persevere through the most unbelievably rough times because God’s love and joy abound within me? Do I rejoice and praise God no matter the circumstances of my life?

Is my relationship with God through Jesus just a surface level thing? Is it just going through the motions? Or is it genuine and deep? Have you set the foundation of your life on Jesus Christ, living daily to serve Him?

These are question we must address for ourselves. We cannot rely on someone else to make sure our lives are followers of Jesus are genuine.

Luke 15:22-32
22″But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25″Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27′Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28″The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31″ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”

Related Text:
Isaiah 55:6-7
Matthew 18:12-14
Colossians 1:1-14
1 Peter 2:24-25

-

Just a Thought

I guarantee you that the celebration God has in store for you when you return to Him is 100 times greater than any party you could ever experience while living your life away from God. The renewal you experience from returning to God after falling away from Him is better than anything you’ve ever had at any other party. Am I getting through? The forgiveness you experience will be humbling and heart breaking-ly joyful. The love and acceptance you experience will bring you to your knees in praise of God almighty.

But we have to address one issue with a word of caution. We shouldn’t be that judgeful “brother” who apparently wants to punish his returning brother for all the ways that he has messed up instead of welcoming him home. Rejoice with God when a person comes back to Him from a life filled with sin, instead of planning ways to make that person pay for all they have done.

Luke 15:11-21
11Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13″Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17″When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21″The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son’”.

Related Text:
2 Chronicles 7:13-14
Proverbs 17:6
Proverbs 21
Hosea 6:1-3
Acts 3:19-20

-

In Other Words

So the son goes out on his own, blows everything that he was given by his father, and then returns to his father’s home hoping that his dad will have enough pity on him to give him a job as a hired hand so he can at least have money to eat on. But the story throws an amazing curve. His father accepts him back – not at an employee, but as a beloved son!

This parable is an incredible image of God love for us. God will be waiting to welcome you back if you’ve been gone far away from Him out on your own. When you return to God, He won’t treat you as you might think you deserve. He won’t treat you as an unwanted traitor. He won’t treat you as an unforgiveable sinner. He will forgive you and bring you back as His son or daughter. Now that’s an awesome God!

Write down a verse from the Bible, any verse, that will help you remember how much God loves us.