Author: Tom

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2 Kings: Lesson 10 — End of the Line

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Kings.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

The Unraveling of a Nation

A Study of the Book of 2 Kings

Lesson 10 (End of the Line)
 2 Kings 10
  March 5, 2014

The Text:

  1. Who did Jehu send letters to?  What was he requesting in the letters?  How did the recipients feel about the request?  What was their response?     
    –
  2. What request did Jehu make in his second letter?  What did the recipients do?  What instructions did Jehu give after they were done?  What did Jehu tell the people of Jezreel?  What did Jehu do in Jezreel?
    –
  3. Who did Jehu meet on his way to Samaria?  Who were they on their way to see?  What did Jehu do?  Who did Jehu meet after this?  What did Jehu ask him?  What did Jehu tell him?  What did he do in Samaria?  Why?    
    –
  4. What did Jehu tell the people after he had gathered them together?  Why?  What did Jehu announce would take place?  Who came?  What did he have given to the ministers of Baal?  What did Jehu look for when he was in the temple of Baal? 
    –
  5. What instructions did Jehu give the guards and officers at the temple of Baal?  What did they do?  What happened to the temple of Baal?  What did Jehu do in Israel?  What did he still allow?  What did God tell Jehu?  Why?

 

  The Application:

  1. How do you feel when challenged by someone?  How does your view of a person change the way you would take being challenged by them?  How do the words of Jesus in Matthew 14:31-33 fit with what takes place here in the beginning of 2 Kings 10? 
    –
  2. Are there things that God calls you to get rid of or destroy that are hard or messy to do?  Why would He make such a request?  Are there advantages to getting rid of evil publicly?  Are there times or reasons you shouldn’t? 
    –
  3. In what ways do people tend to honor or show respect to evil?  How hard is it to stand up against the honoring of evil?  Why is it so hard?  Do you believe that God wants you to remove all evil from you life?  What do you do about it?         
    –
  4. Are there advantages to dealing with sin all at once?  How careful are you to protect the innocent while you are dealing with sin?  What does God say about His ability to protect the righteous?           
    –
  5. Are there times when we tend to let sin escape our notice?  Are there things we tend to accept because we think our dealing with the “big things” ought to be enough?  

 

Next Week:   A Boy King
2 Kings 11

 

 

 

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Hearing God

How do you hear God,
      and how do you know?
What He wants of you,
      and where you should go?
Or have you decided
      it’s impossible.
Your life is all planned
      and it’s already full.
Knowing what God wants
      is just for the few.
I’ll never get there,
      I don’t know about you.

Sometimes I think that
      our search about God.
Seeks an adventure
      or something quite odd.
God’s will must be hidden,
      at least from my sight.
I’ve had no great request
      by day or by night.
I read in the Bible
      and watch on the news.
It seems it’s the great ones
      that God would still choose.

No one is greater
      than he that serves all.
To humble our self
      is the Master’s first call.
Look back in the Bible,
      and here’s what I see.
A lot of great people
      who started like me!
From humble beginnings
      with nothing unique.
But a heart that was open
      to a God they did seek.

To him who is faithful
      with the little things.
God will work with your mouth,
      you may speak before kings!
God’s will shouldn’t scare you,
      or be thought of as hard.
It’s much more deliberate
      than the draw of a card.
He wants us to love Him,
      to serve all mankind.
To walk in His ways,
      with our heart, soul, and mind.

So when you’re discouraged,
      thinking you’ve been left out.
Seek God’s face humbly,
      He’ll remove all the doubt.
Be joyful in hard times
      and pray without end.
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus,
      He calls you His friend.
Rest in His goodness,
      be filled with His love.
Be faithful in all things,
     ‘til He calls you above.

The big things get noticed
      because they are large.
Don’t worry about them,
      unless you are in charge.
Go to your neighbor
      and those who have need.
Get rid of your pride,
      remove all your greed.
As you empty yourself,
      God has room to fill.
When He lives within you,
      you’ll walk in His will.
©

I was resting in my office in the midst of a busy day.  When I awoke from a short nap, this poem was in my mind.  I suppose part of it God had put there through time I spent preparing prayer guides for the next two weeks that will focus on God’s Will.  I pray that God would fill us with a greater understanding of being faithful in the little things that we know He wants us to do.

In prayer,
Tom

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Sent

I sit with my Bible
     and study from Acts.
To prepare a sermon
     that’s more than just facts.
To look at the stories
     for what they convey.
And share how God wants us
     to live and obey.
The Christians would gather
     and often would pray.
They waited together
     for what God would say.

The series continues,
     I reach chapter thirteen.
Worship and fasting
     are part of this scene.
During their worship
     the Spirit speaks out.
And tells of some work
     that they must be about.
“Set apart for me
     Barnabas and Saul.”
“And send them away
     to a place of my call.”

As they did travel
     the path that God led.
They told of God’s Word
     in all that they said.
One of the people 
     did not like what they heard.
And tried to convince others
     Paul’s message was absurd.
As Paul looked at this man
     and saw in his mind.
God spoke His judgment,
     this man would be blind.

As Paul traveled onward,
     God helped him to speak.
And told Israel’s history
     to those who would seek.
Of how God had saved,
     and given a land.
To a people who followed
     and obeyed His command.
The people were promised
     a king who would come.
Who would fulfill God’s Word;
     all of it, not just some. 

The one that God sent,
     they did not receive.
They crucified Him
     for they would not believe.
God did not abandon
     this One to the grave.
But raised Him to life,
     from death He would save.
The crowd sought to hear more
     of the One brought to life.
But this stirred up others
     who set out to cause strife.

The message rejected
     by those it was for.
Set Paul free to tell it
     on every shore.
Those who received it
     were filled with much joy.
It did not matter
     if girl or if boy.
The Word of God spread
     as people did hear.
And that is our task,
     as we’re sent far and near.
©

I was spending time with God going through Act 13 for a sermon I will preach in the series I am doing through the book of Acts. As I did so, God put this poem in my mind about the sending of Saul (Paul) and Barnabas. It is also about the sending that God wants us to be a part of as we take His message everywhere we go. I pray that you see yourself as one who is sent by God to carry His message.

In prayer,
Tom

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Protection

We like to be safe,
      protected from harm.
No strange diseases
      and no broken arm.
If we can avoid
      our car being crashed.
Or close all the doors
      with no fingers smashed.
Keep our life safe
      from all of life’s ill.
Then we often conclude,
      that it all is God’s will.

When we start to look
      at God’s will this way.
It creates quite a problem
      when we have a bad day.
If the protection
      that we value most.
Fails to protect us,
      then of what will we boast?
Bad things do happen
      to the wicked and good.
We must learn to praise Him
      through all as we should.

The greater protection
      that we must always wear.
Has been given to us
      by a God who does care.
To clothe ourselves fully
      with what God does give,
Will give us protection,
      inside where we live.
He gives us some armor
      that protects what’s inside.
We’re cloaked in His Spirit,
      in Him we can  hide.

Wrapped up in truth
      to protect how we feel.
Covered in righteousness,
      allowing us to heal.
Walking in peace
      to protect where we go.
Living by faith
      reminds us what we know.
Wearing salvation,
      to guard our mind.
Taking God’s Word
      for battles of all kind.

To bring it together,
      we always must pray.
Talk to God always,
      in every way.
Pray for each other
      while always on guard.
Pray to speak boldly,
      when speaking is hard.
The true protection
      that we all do need.
Comes when the hearing
      does change every deed.

So, what will you value
      when safety comes first?
Will you give attention
      to a spiritual thirst?
Will it be more important
      to protect your soul.
Or give all your effort
     to a body that’s whole?
The body will perish,
      the soul will live on.
I pray you’re protected,
      when earth’s time is gone.
©

As I was clearing walks and cleaning the building this morning, I was thinking about this winter and how God has protected me from unrealistic expectations and demands.  As He put this poem in my mind, He drew my attention to the difference between the protection we often seek and pray for and the more valuable protection that He has given us and desires for us to make use of.  I pray that you would seek first the protection of your heart, mind, and soul as you daily put on the armor of God.

In prayer,
Tom

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Fulfillment

Most people in life
      have something they want.
So stay out of their way
      when they start to hunt.
Sometimes we do struggle
      for we do not know.
Just quite what it is
      that we really want so.
Something is missing,
      of that there’s no doubt.
If only we knew how
      to figure it out.

We fill our life full
      of this and of that.
A piece is still missing
      and our joy does fall flat.
We may not know fully
      what we’re looking for.
It is so elusive,
      we think it’s just lore.
But when we do find it
      and we’re in the right place.
We won’t ever hide it,
      for it’s seen in our face.

God’s given me talents
      and gifts I can use.
How will I use them,
      I do get to choose.
Will I remain faithful
      in lifting His name.
Will I be serious
      or pretend it’s a game?
The more I do use,
      the gifts God does give.
I reach a fulfillment,
      each day that I live.

Sometimes we feel empty,
      for we’ve not figured out.
How God wants to use us,
      what our life is about.
Sometimes we know it,
      but we can’t figure how.
To use what God gave us
      to help people now.
When God calls you forward,
      the path may not be clear.
Take care of today,
      and walk with no fear.

There’s no greater joy
      than a life that does please.
To learn from my Savior
      as I pray on my knees.
To be lifted up
      and valued each day.
Loved by the creator,
      with something to say.
God gives me a venue,
      to share what’s in me.
To do it the right way,
      so it’s Him people see.

So, how can you help me;
      how can I help you?
Let’s encourage each other
      in what we need to do.
Commend acts of faith,
      without keeping count.
Keep taking steps forward,
      whatever the amount.
Trust God to finish
      what He has begun.
Hold on to your hat,
      make this journey fun.
©

It has been a fun 9 months of being back as part of the Deer Run staff and experiencing great fulfillment as I am encouraged to use all of the gifts that God puts into my life to serve others — even the unexpected gifts are valued with great encouragement to use them.  As I was praising God for His goodness, specifically in giving me these poems, He responded with this poem.  I pray that it encourages you to value God’s gifting in your life and in the lives of others.

In prayer,
Tom

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2 Kings: Lesson 9 — Unfinished Business

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Kings.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

The Unraveling of a Nation

A Study of the Book of 2 Kings

Lesson 9 (Unfinished Business)
 2 Kings 9
February 26, 2014

The Text:

  1. Who did Elisha send one of the prophets to look for?  What was the prophet to do when he found him?  What was the prophet to do after he completed his task?
    –
  2. How did the prophet address Jehu while he was with the army officers?  What was Jehu’s response?  What did the prophet do?  What was Jehu told his task would be?  What did the prophet do after delivering God’s message?  What did Jehu’s fellow officers want to know after the prophet left?  What did Jehu tell them?  What did they do?
    –
  3. Where did Jehu go?  Who was sent to meet Jehu?  What did they want to know?  How did Jehu respond?  When this happens a second time, what conclusion is reached?  Who went out to meet Jehu?  What did they want to know?  How does Jehu respond?
    –
  4. When the king of Israel fled from Jehu’s presence, what did Jehu do?  What instructions were given regarding the king’s body?  Why?  How did the king of Judah respond to theses events?  What happened to him?
    –
  5. What did Jezebel do when she heard Jehu had come?  How does she greet him?  What does Jehu call out to be done with Jezebel?  What did Jehu say to do with Jezebel’s body?  Did they?  Why not?

  The Application:

  1. Who would you trust to deliver an important message for you?  Why?  How hard is it to stay on task?  Is it hard to leave something when you know your part is done but a bigger situation is about to unfold?
    –
  2. Do you ever wonder if God has directed a specific message at you?  How would you find out?  Does your enthusiastic response to God make people wonder what you’re up to?  How do, can you, make the most of that opportunity?
    –
  3. Are there times when people want to avoid conflict but don’t really want peace?
    –
  4. Have you ever thought you could run from God and not be caught?  How does recognizing God’s judgment in the life of someone else influence your actions?
    –
  5. Have you ever had a boldness that ends up being unwarranted?  How hard is it to do the right thing as the risk of doing so increases?

 

Next Week:  End of the Line
2 Kings 10

 

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Rejection

I collected some poems,
      formed into a book.
I sent them away,
      for a publisher’s look.
“No one likes poems,
      at least not to buy.
For us to publish it,
      we’d rather not try.”
They passed on some info
      and welcome advice.
To print it myself,
      I didn’t think twice.

Sometimes we give up
      what we’re called to do.
When our first efforts
      end up falling through.
We don’t like persistence,
      or suffering long.
When God says to do it,
      then a “No” is just wrong.
We give up too easy
      when our way seems to fail.
We should listen to God
      and the rest of the tale.

I have no doubt,
      that these poems I must share.
So when a door closes,
      I must look elsewhere.
I may not know why,
      and may never see.
A different way’s better,
      or God’s teaching me.
God loves His children,
      and He wants us to know.
He sees where we’ve been,
      and where we should go.

Yes, there’s a lesson
      that God wants to give.
In the midst of rejection,
      just how should we live?
To reject what you’re doing,
      may be hurtful, that‘s true.
But it’s just not the same,
      as rejecting you.
So how do you take it,
      when your way doesn’t fly?
And you’re left uncertain,
      and wondering why?

Look past the surface
      at what is unseen.
Examine your heart first,
      make sure it is clean.
Selfish desires
      and motives not pure.
Can ruin a plan,
      of that I am sure.
When you’ve looked deeply
      at what is inside.
Then hold tight to Jesus
      and enjoy the ride.

When you find yourself
      in the other shoes.
Pay close attention
      to how you share the news.
Perhaps you must say no
      to what’s asked of you.
Then make your best effort,
      to share what is true.
Truth hurts for a moment,
      until we do see.
God’s truth always longs for,
      the very best in me.
©

 It is an exciting day as I’ve been working on a sermon for tonight and continuing work on a book.  As I took time to rest in the recliner, God put this poem in my mind as I considered the process of getting a book printed and the helpful advice and contact links I received from a publisher even though they rejected the manuscript I sent them.  While I thought that would have been the easy way to get the book printed, God continues to give me peace that the whole process is in His hands — and His hands are just as capable of getting these poems printed as they have been in giving them to me.  I pray that you fully seek God in all your ways and that He would carry you through when it seems like people reject your ideas and  plans.

In prayer,
Tom

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Work In Progress

The poems keep on coming,
      that God gives to me.
Their purpose is shrouded
      in some mystery.
As I consider,
      the things God has done.
It seems they have reason,
      that’s more than just fun.
This gift that He gave me,
      He calls me to share.
So you can glimpse Jesus
      and know of His care.

It happened so quickly,
      it caught me off guard.
If I tried to write these,
      it would be quite hard.
It may not be writing,
      but collecting I do.
The poems that God gives me,
      I do share with you.
The stories within them,
      I hope you do see.
Are stories of Jesus,
      how He’s worked in me.

There are still times that
      I sit on the fence.
So God’s working in me
      is still present tense.
I was asked a question,
      I had no answer for.
So I sought God fully
      and He gave me more.
It is in times of quiet
      and seeking God’s face.
He makes Himself known
      and gives me this grace.

He does remind me,
      it says in His Word.
That people won’t know Him,
      unless they have heard.
And people won’t hear Him,
      unless I will go.
And tell of His goodness,
      I already know.
To put His great message,
      in words such as these.
So someone might read them,
      and God seek to please.

And while it’s amazing,
      the response that has come.
I pray that He’ll use,
      these words to reach some.
To encourage someone,
      or brighten a day.
Perhaps show a person
      that God knows the way.
To challenge a reader,
      to look deep within.
And get rid of all things
      that could lead to sin.

To help people realize
      there’s a God that does care.
No matter where you’re at,
      up close or out there.
I’ve been to those places,
      at times in my life.
He’s been in my good times,
      and walked me through strife.
Whatever you have done,
      He calls out to you.
Come walk beside me,
      I’ll make all things new.
©

I was spending time with God this afternoon resting my mind, spirit, and body when a bunch of rhyming thoughts filled my mind.  As I tried to sort it all out, this was the result.  I pray that it gives you a glimpse of God’s work in me and that it encourages you to allow God to work in you, even in unexpected ways.

In prayer,
Tom