2 Samuel 18
12 But the man replied, “Even if a thousand were weighed out into my hands, I would not lay a hand on the king’s son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.’ 13 And if I had put my life in — and nothing is hidden from the king — you would have kept your distance from me.” 14 Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this for you.” So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree.
This man had caught Joab in his hypocrisy. He knew Joab would have turned on him for killing the man if the king had found out about it. Joab could not answer, but only dismissed him. Those about to do evil often do not take the time to consider what they are about to do. They don’t care whether or not it is right or lawful. Don’t rush into action without thinking. Consider whether what you are about to do is right or wrong.
2 Corinthians 11
It astounds me how many false preachers are out there spewing out false doctrine and misleading Christians all over the world. I saw a “Prophet” the other day “prophesying” on facebook live while showing himself driving in his flashy new expensive car. You would think by now we cannot be fooled because we have the bible to refer to right? This is where they are so cunning. They “use” the bible to further their falsities and we don’t even take the time to check and are misled easily, in my opinion. Just as in the bible times we tend to judge preachers by the amount of money they make. Paul would have none of this and separated himself from all wrong doing by not asking for a penny from the Corinthian church. Jesus himself taught that we should support our leaders that minister to us (Matthew 10:10), but we should always ask ourselves if their lifestyles are consistent with Biblical morality and if their teachings confirm Scripture and not judge them by worldly measures.
7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.
Ezekiel 25
4 therefore I am going to give you to the people of the East as a possession. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk. 5 I will turn Rabbah into a pasture for camels and Ammon into a resting place for sheep. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 6 For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet, rejoicing with all the malice of your heart against the land of Israel, 7 therefore I will stretch out my hand against you and give you as plunder to the nations. I will wipe you out from among the nations and exterminate you from the countries. I will destroy you, and you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”
What better way to follow 2 Corinthians 11 with Ezekiel 25 and then Psalms 73. Seems pretty self-explanatory to me…. Heed the warnings of the Lord you false prophets and evil doers of the world. Your time is coming.
Psalms 73
1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity their evil imaginations have no limits.8 They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. 9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance, 11 They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?” 12 This is what the wicked are like — always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. 13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. 14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. 15 If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. 16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. 18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. 19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! 20 They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
Faithful people often wonder why they bother being good as they see the wicked prosper, the wealth of the wicked looks so inviting. At death suddenly all is made clear. The wicked suddenly lose all power and wealth whereas the faithful receive rewards beyond imagination and these rewards take on eternal value. What seemed like wealth is now waste and what seemed worthless now lasts forever. Personally I choose eternal wealth….
God Bless
Sixty-six books in a year 