Good morning,
It is ironic how the actions that are condoned in one generation become law in the next. Equally, turning from the Lord comes in steps as each generation takes worship to higher levels and there is no end in sight. The Jews of Samaria were introduced to idol worship in the time of King Jeroboam. The king set up the “high place of worship along with the golden calf”. As time went on, the varying communities developed and built their “High place” in all of the cities of Samaria. Eventually, the term “Lord” referred to the god of the community. After the Jews of Samaria were exiled and the Assyrians resettled in the land, the Assyrians were attacked by lions in retribution by Lord G-d. The reason they were attacked was that they refused to honor the G-d of the land. The Assyrian king had a Jewish priest come in to teach them how to serve the Lord G-d and what the statutes and commands were. Here is the problem, how could the priest teach the people the strict rules when the Jews lived any which they wanted to? So the Assyrians had a divided form of worship which meant that it would not take long for the people to turn away from the Lord. My point and my encouragement are that people look for the “difference”. If we have divided worship those who come to us will also live in divided worship. Consider Nicolaus a proselyte from Antioch who switched to Judaism and then to Christianity who was responsible for introducing “compromise” and it impacted the churches in the 1st century.
Readings: 2 King 18:24-41, Acts 6:1-7, Revelations 2:12-17, Psalms 119:1-9
Famous Quote: “I will never compromise my faith to fit in, only to co-exist with the majority, but will stand firm in my beliefs and stand out as a minority” – Joaynn D.
Father,
Thank you for your word and the power that comes from walking in the light of your wisdom. Compromise is like breaking off a piece of ice because eventually, the whole thing breaks down. The Devil doesn’t mind us separating our allegiance because eventually we’ll compromise our beliefs and become no better than the gods of the nations. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments – Psalms 119:5-6. I pray that you will always watch over my family and keep them safe and that my walk with you will always positively impact them. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land with rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).
Mikes Encouragement 