Bible Study - Living (3) - Act with Courage - 2 Chronicles 15:1-9 - August 4, 2019

Bible Study – Living (3) – Act with Courage – August 4, 2019


This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Living A Godly Life in an Ungodly World.”


Our focus scripture is 2 Chronicles 15:1-9.


Persistent problems call for courage.


In our focus scripture, GOD introduces us to a prophet which is not mentioned any where else in the Bible. The Prophet Azariah son of Oded had an encouraging message from GOD for King Asa as we read in our opening scripture ----


Let’s read 2 Chronicles 15:1-7:

Living (3)15 The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. ² So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Asa and all Judah and Benjamin, hear me. The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you. ³ For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without instruction, ⁴ but when they turned to the Lord God of Israel in their distress and sought Him, He was found by them.

The name Azariah means “The LORD my helper.” Azariah brought a message of encouragement to King Asa. Some may read this scripture and get the impression that GOD may be fickle, that is if you abandon GOD, HE will abandon you. But we know that GOD never forsakes us or leaves us. The Old Testament covenant was based upon keeping the law whereas the New Testament covenant is based upon GOD’S Grace. Why? JESUS fulfilled the law by living a sinless life. When we accept JESUS as our Savior, GOD imparts to those who accept HIM sinless perfection because the shed blood of JESUS cleanses the person of faith in JESUS from all sin.

So many people think that GOD may have abandoned them but HE never abandons anyone. Well, some may think, didn’t we just read in the scripture that “if you abandon HIM, HE will abandon you?” Yes, and that is living under the old covenant of the law whereas since the passion of JESUS, all who place their faith in HIM are living under the new covenant of “GOD’S Grace.”

A person may abandon GOD/JESUS because Satan feeds him or her a lie that what that person has done is so bad that GOD does not want to have anything to do with him or her and that is a lie. GOD loves all and HIS love for us is greater than our sin. However, forgiveness for our sins by GOD requires action on our part. What does John 3:16-17 reveal to us:

¹⁶ “For God loved the world in this way:^[j] He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

JESUS willingly gave HIS life by the shedding of HIS blood just for you. YES! You! If you had been the only person on earth in all eternity to accept JESUS as your Savior, HE would have died just for you. Now, that is as personal as it gets. Why was HE willing to give HIS sinless life for you to have eternal life through faith in HIM? It was because of HIS love for you and all who will place their faith in HIIM.

Notice in our scripture, when a person turns to GOD, he or she will find HIM. Why? Notice – “sought Him, He was found by them.”  When you want to find HIM, HE makes certain you will because HIS desire is to have an intimate, personal, loving relationship with you. GOD’S Desire is for you to know HIM and not just know about HIM. How do you get to know GOD? How do you get to know your very best friend? Spend time together communicating with each other and getting to know each other. You hold nothing back because GOD knows everything about you but HE wants you to honest with HIM and to trust HIM. Such intimacy builds an intimate relationship. Hold nothing back.

The revelation of GOD and HIS love for all people is that HE allowed HIS only Son JESUS to come to earth in the flesh of JESUS and live as a human. As GOD, yet subject to all the temptations of humans, yet without sin, JESUS walked among humans in the flesh, revealed truth and GOD’S power. Study HIS Word to learn truth and ask HIM to forgive you for all your sins and ask HIM to come into your life. It is CHRIST in you that results in you being a Christian, not the Christian institution which you may become a member.

The Prophet Azariah continued ---

⁵ In those times there was no peace for those who went about their daily activities because the residents of the lands had many conflicts. ⁶ Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every possible distress. ⁷ But as for you, be strong; don’t be discouraged,^[a] for your work has a reward.”

The times in which the Prophet Azariah was referring, there was no peace because of conflicts within and without. Azariah was referring to the times that Israel was being led by Judges. The Israelites would go astray and GOD would punish them to get them back on track. They would stray from GOD and HE would have to guide them back to HIM. This pattern repeated itself over Hebrew history.

Christians will have many conflicts both within and without but they are to “be strong; don’t be discouraged: because GOD has a plan for them. When we do the work of our LORD there always is a reward.

Being a Christian does not mean you will be free of conflicts.

What can we learn from this?

-         Often, we are strong against our external enemies but weak against our internal enemies. We need courage to fight both external and internal battles.

-         GOD allows trouble to come into our lives to hem us up to get our attention to look to HIM for help. Psalm 139:5 expresses this idea “You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me.” GOD has to corral us at times to get our attention.

-         GOD sent HIS SON JESUS to earth to live a sinless life in the flesh and to give HIS life to pay, in full, for the sins of every person who will place their faith in HIM. What did the Apostle Paul write in 2 Corinthians 5:22 - ²¹ He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin^[l] for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

-         Salvation is not free, it cost the life of JESUS so that all who place their faith in HIM are born Spiritually into GOD’S family and have eternal life.

-         But it takes a decision to be born-again Spiritually. Are you willing to ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life? That is what it takes. It is not the magic of words but the attitude of your heart. JESUS stands at the door of your heart and is knocking and only you can open the door of your heart and let HIM in. Revelation 3:20 - ²⁰ Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. You see the latch to open the door to your heart is on the inside of you. You control access.

As Christians, we battle both external and internal enemies. As Christians, the indwelling Holy Spirit is our strength and guides us through these battles. As we gain victory, we must be vigilant and not relinquish the victories back to the enemy as Azariah described as the land or areas King Asa and his army had captured. When we conquer areas in our lives, we must be careful not to allow the enemy, Satan, to reclaim territory we have conquered.

How do we accomplish this? “Never give up the pursuit of GOD!

No matter what comes our way, as Christians, we must keep our eyes upon JESUS or else the angry waves will over take us. GOD is our strength through our faith in JESUS. When JESUS’ disciples were in a fierce storm on the sea in a boat, JESUS was asleep. JESUS’ disciples were afraid and woke JESUS up. They went to the right source. They asked HIM, “aren’t YOU concerned that we are about to die?” JESUS rebuked the wind and the waves and HIS disciples were amazed. WHO is this that can speak and the wind and waves obey HIM? It was a learning experience. The storms in our lives could well be learning experiences to seek the LORD.

Let’s read 2 Chronicles 15:8-9:

⁸ When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He renovated the altar of the Lord that was in front of the portico of the Lord’s temple. ⁹ Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, as well as those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for they had defected to him from Israel in great numbers when they saw that Yahweh his God was with him.

When King Asa heard these words, he continued cleaning the area which he had authority of all that was detestable to GOD.

As Christians, we need to be vigilant and continuously examine our lives and cast out everything that is detestable to GOD.

Gee, how do we know what has crept into our lives that should not be in our lives? We need to ask the Holy Spirit to examine us and reveal that which we need to confess and deal with. We can do that any time as we talk to GOD but another good time is when we take part in the LORD’S Supper. That is the time when we come into the presence of our LORD and HE, in essence, sits with us to have a meal. Much can be discussed over a meal. The LORD’S Supper is a special, most precious time for us to come together and be very open and honest with each other. A time of confession, reflection and listening as we come together.

We read that King Asa renovated the altar of the LORD where sacrifices were made. The fact that the altar needed repair was evidence that it had been neglected. As Christians, we often neglect coming to the altar and confessing our sins and seeking forgiveness. One may ask, “But I thought Christians live under GOD’S Grace?” That is true but we need to maintain the fellowship with GOD and clutter hampers that fellowship.

In 1 John 1:5-9 we read, “⁵ Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. ⁶ If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing^[c] the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

NEVER GIVE UP THE PURSUIT OF GOD! No matter what comes your way.

DO NOT ALLOW ANYTHING TO COME BETWEEN YOU AND GOD. UNCONFESSED SIN IS ALWAYS A BARRIER. Blessings!!!

What is the land GOD has given you? Just something to pray about.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10:

⁹ Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name ^[c]Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” ¹⁰ And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my ^[d]territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So, God granted him what he requested.

What is the land GOD has given to you? What territory do you desire for GOD to enlarge for you? Why?

Bible Study - Living (2) - Depend on GOD - 2 Chronicles 14:9-15 - July 28, 2019

Bible Study – Living (2) – Depend on GOD – July 28, 2019


This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled, “Living A Godly Life in an Ungodly World.”


Our focus scripture is 2 Chronicles 14:9-15.


GOD is greater than any challenge we face.


Our ending scripture from last week’s lesson was an assessment of the size of the army available to King Asa:


Let’s read 2 Chronicles 14:8:

The Cushite Invasion

⁸ Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin bearing regular shields and drawing the bow. All these were brave warriors.

Let’s read 2 Chronicles 14:9 - ⁹ Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of one million men and 300^[c] chariots. They came as far as Mareshah.

In this week’s study, we read scripture that gives us a comparison of the two armies. Clearly, the Cushites outnumbered Asa’s army. But when GOD is your commander in Chief, numbers do not matter but faith does.

So, who were the Cushites? The Cushite people were Ethiopians, also known as Nubians. They lived south of Egypt but were a distinct nation from the Egyptians. They were mercenaries and as such, at times, they fought for the Egyptians. In time, they would rule all of Egypt. However, at the time Asa was king, they were hired by the Egyptians to fight King Asa. The Cushite’s had larger numbers and possible resources than Asa’s army. But what did King Asa have that the Cushites did not have?

As Christians, who do we have that our enemies do not have? It is our faith in GOD through our faith in JESUS. At times, GOD allows us, as HIS Children, to face seemingly unsurmountable issues to test our faith. At the same time, it builds our faith in HIM and HIS sufficiency.

What had King Asa been doing for the ten years before the Cushite army marched toward King Asa?

In last week’s lesson we read: Let’s read 2 Chronicles 14:1-2:

^1 [a]Abijah (Ah bi jah) rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Asa became king in his place. During his reign the land experienced peace for 10 years.

King Asa experienced 10 years of peace. What did he do during these ten years? 2 Chronicles 14:

-         ^2 [b]Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God.

-         ⁶ Because the land experienced peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. No one made war with him in those days because the Lord gave him rest. ⁷ So he said to the people of Judah, “Let’s build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the Lord our God. We sought Him and He gave us rest on every side.” So, they built and succeeded.

-         King Asa prepared for the potential for war.

As Christians, the LORD gives us times of rest. How are we to use that time? Do we take a vacation from reading and studying GOD’S Word or get lazy about going to church or stop fellowshipping with fellow Christians? As Christians, we must continue to fortify our lives during the times of peace because a potential battle could be brewing. Satan’s goal is to wreak havoc in the lives of Christians. Christians are to suit up every morning and to be prepared for Spiritual battle.

Christians are fighting in the spirit world and that takes Spiritual weapons e.g. strong relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS suitable to do battle. Another weapon is GOD’S Word which is sharper than a two-edged sword, as recorded in Hebrews 4:12 - ¹² For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Scripture memory is powerful and can be used in a flash. Christians can memorize scripture any time but especially during times of peace.

During the ten years of building and preparing for potential battle, they were also gathering goods. When the enemy thinks we have something of value, he attacks to relieve us of what we have obtained. Years of apparent ease can give the enemy the impression that we have grown weak.

This can trigger the enemy to attack and GOD can use it to reveal our faith ------

Let’s read 2 Chronicles 14:9-11:

⁹ Then Zerah the Cushites came against them with an army of one million men and 300^[c] chariots. They came as far as Mareshah. ¹⁰ So Asa marched out against him and lined up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

It was clear that the Cushites had a larger army than King Asa plus 300 chariots. A million men versus 300,000 plus 280,000 men is close to half of the Cushite, well trained army. The Cushites were the hired guns of Egypt. The Cushites came as far as Mareshah, a city that King Asa had fortified along with other cities in Judah.

Mareshah was 25 miles from Jerusalem. A defeated Mareshah would have likely meant a defeated Jerusalem.

Rather than taking refuge in Mareshah, their fortified city, King Asa and his army marched out to meet the enemy head-on. That takes confidence. Where did King Asa get such confidence? He verbalized it as we read on.

So, when you are out numbered what do you do? King Asa, called out to GOD ----

¹¹ Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God: “Lord, there is no one besides You to help the mighty and those without strength. Help us, Lord our God, for we depend on You, and in Your name, we have come against this large army. Yahweh, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal hinder You.”

What did King Asa say to GOD? Did he say “Oh LORD, I am scared and unless YOU help us, we will be defeated?” No! He said, “Lord, there is no one besides You to help the mighty and those without strength. Help us, Lord our God, for we depend on You, and in Your name, we have come against this large army. Yahweh, YOU are our God. Do not let a mere mortal hinder You.”

First, King Asa honored GOD by acknowledging that HE was their GOD and HE was the only ONE to help both the mighty and those without strength to not be defeated. King Asa asked for GOD to help them because they depended upon HIM. Their faith was in HIM and they were going to battle against an army larger than their army because of their faith in HIM. In essence, LORD our GOD help us because YOU are our GOD and we are stepping out in faith because we are depending on YOU for victory. We have an army but we are mere mortals but I, as king, realize that YOU are our real strength.

King Asa cried out to the One True GOD, Yahweh with great faith in HIM and marched out against Zerah, which is faith in action.

When we face the battles in life, who do we turn to for strength, courage and guidance with great confidence? Often, we can look back and see that GOD has been working in our lives to build our confidence in HIM to be prepared for the issues that HE knows are coming our way. In whom do we place our faith and trust?

When our faith and trust is in GOD and we know that we have prepared, we march forward with great confidence. Our resolve is to Glorify GOD. Satan attempts to place road blocks as we journey through life but our faith in GOD through JESUS is greater than all Satan can bring against us. Do we, as Christians, believe it? During troubling times, we must keep our eyes upon JESUS and know that victory awaits.

So, how did this battle turn out?

Let’s read 2 Chronicles 14:12-15:

¹² So the Lord routed the Cushites before Asa and before Judah, and the Cushites fled. ¹³ Then Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar. The Cushites fell until they had no survivors, for they were crushed before Yahweh and His army. So, the people of Judah carried off a great supply of loot. ¹⁴ Then they attacked all the cities around Gerar because the terror of the Lord was on them. They also plundered all the cities, since there was a great deal of plunder in them. ¹⁵ They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen and captured many sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

The LORD sent the Cushites running scared in retreat. King Asa and his army pursued the Cushites all the way to Gerar until the Cushites were utterly defeated.

Consider that the Cushites had an army of 1 million men. We know that an army moves on its stomach. These men had to be fed and as such they had provisions which became the provisions, spoils or loot of King Asa and his army when they defeated the Cushites. They expanded their plunder to the cities in that area.

King Asa and his men then returned to Jerusalem. Victory is sweet but that is when we have to keep a careful eye upon ourselves. Who won the battle? We know GOD did but it is so easy for us to get puffed up and that is when self begins to raise its head.

Success is a time when Christians must keep a careful eye upon themselves and their relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. We can start feeling our own self-worth and self-sufficiency. Christians must keep their eyes upon JESUS and what HE has done through our faith in HIM. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Godly (1) - Pursue Godliness - 2 Chronicles 14:1-8 - July 21, 2019

Bible Study – Godly (1) – Pursue Godliness – July 21, 2019


This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled “Living A Godly Life in an Ungodly World.”


Our focus scripture is 2 Chronicles 14:1-8.


Make GOD the focus of your life.


This study gives us the opportunity to examine this scripture from historical and individual Christian growth perspectives.


As we consider King Asa and the earthly kingdom he ruled, let’s consider our life, as a Christian, as the king of our personal human kingdom, which we rule every day. We have a personal kingdom to run, so-to-speak, how does JESUS and GOD fit into our personal kingdom? Let’s explore!


Judges 2:2-13, reveals some of the early history of the Israelites disobeying GOD by not clearing out the false religions in the Promised Land. Also, notice GOD’S promise to HIS chosen people. That promise is still active today when we place our faith in JESUS and are born-again Spiritually and eternally into the family of GOD. Yes, Christians are under GOD’S Grace but we are accountable and reign in our individual kingdoms. Do we allow compromise to come into our lives and is it time to confess our sins and ask GOD to clean our house and resolve to allow HIM to reign supreme in our lives? YES!

Judges 2:2-13:

Pattern of Sin and Judgment

2 The Angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bochim^[a] and said, “I brought you out of Egypt and led you into the land I had promised to your fathers. I also said: I will never break My covenant with you. ² You are not to make a covenant with the people who are living in this land, and you are to tear down their altars.^[b] But you have not obeyed Me. What is this you have done? ³ Therefore, I now say: I will not drive out these people before you. They will be thorns^[c][d] in your sides, and their gods will be a trap for you.” ⁴ When the Angel of the Lord had spoken these words to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly. ⁵ So they named that place Bochim^[e] and offered sacrifices there to the Lord.

Joshua’s Death

⁶ Joshua sent the people away, and the Israelites went to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance. ⁷ The people worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived^[f] Joshua. They had seen all the Lord’s great works He had done for Israel.

⁸ Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110. ⁹ They buried him in the territory of his inheritance, in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. ¹⁰ That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works He had done for Israel.

¹¹ The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. They worshiped the Baals ¹² and abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods from the surrounding peoples and bowed down to them. They infuriated the Lord, ¹³ for they abandoned Him and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths (Asherah).

Now let’s fast-forward to 1 Kings 11:

Solomon’s Unfaithfulness to God

11 King Solomon loved many foreign women in addition to Pharaoh’s daughter: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women ² from the nations that the Lord had told the Israelites about, “Do not intermarry with them, and they must not intermarry with you, because they will turn you away from Me to their gods.” Solomon was deeply attached to these women and loved them. ³ He had 700 wives who were princesses and 300 concubines, and they turned his heart away from the Lord.

⁴ When Solomon was old, his wives seduced him to follow other gods. He was not completely devoted to Yahweh his God, as his father David had been. ⁵ Solomon followed Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom, the detestable idol of the Ammonites. ⁶ Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, and unlike his father David, he did not completely follow Yahweh.

⁷ At that time, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the detestable idol of Moab, and for Milcom,^[a] the detestable idol of the Ammonites, on the hill across from Jerusalem. ⁸ He did the same for all his foreign wives, who were burning incense and offering sacrifices to their gods.

⁹ The Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from Yahweh, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. ¹⁰ He had commanded him about this, so that he would not follow other gods, but Solomon did not do what the Lord had commanded.

¹¹ Then the Lord said to Solomon, “Since you have done this^[b] and did not keep My covenant and My statutes, which I commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. ¹² However, I will not do it during your lifetime because of your father David; I will tear it out of your son’s hand. ¹³ Yet I will not tear the entire kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son because of my servant David and because of Jerusalem that I chose.”

Now to our focus scripture: In the background scripture we see the baggage that comes with the land we occupy. We as humans have to deal with the attitude of the culture and the DNA of our existence in our kingdoms. Only GOD, through faith in JESUS can bring our hearts and minds to align with GOD’S plan and purpose for our lives through the renewing of our minds by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The choice, as Christians is ours to make. How much of our kingdom will we allow GOD to rule? Let’s continue ---

Let’s read 2 Chronicles 14:1-2:

^1 [a]Abijah (Ah bi jah) rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Asa became king in his place. During his reign the land experienced peace for 10 years.

King Abijah died and his son Asa became king.

Let’s consider the baggage Asa inherited from his dad. We need to consider the baggage we, as humans, inherit from our ancestral lineage.

According to 1 Kings 15:3, King Abijah or Abijam (same person):

³ Abijam walked in all the sins his father before him had committed, and he was not completely devoted to the Lord his God as his ancestor David had been.

We may inherit family traits but with GOD’S help and a resolve to overcome them, we can but it takes a decision and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. For those since the passion of JESUS, CHRIST in you is your power, strength and hope.

Romans 12:2:

² Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

It is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that renews the minds of Christians as we allow HIM. The only way the Holy Spirit indwells a person is by accepting JESUS and HIS sinless death upon the cross by willingly shedding HIS blood, physical death, physical resurrection, physical ascension into Heaven just for you to receive forgiveness for your sins and to be born Spiritually into GOD’S family as HIS Son or Daughter and have eternal life. WOW!

Surely, as GOD’S Child that means I am perfect. Yes, you are but your born-again Spirit is dwelling in the flesh and the flesh must yield to the Spirit, thus the renewing of your mind. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to change you and that is an action of the will! Every person must first accept JESUS as his or her Savior. That is the instant of salvation. The question is are you willing to make JESUS the LORD of your life? These do not necessarily go together but they can.

LORD here I am as I am, I am willing for YOU to make me into your servant upon earth through YOUR strength and power to obediently serve YOU. Amen.

King Asa reigned from 910-869 BC.

Let’s consider some of the history taken from page 103, Bible Studies for Life, LifeWay, summer 2019, Leader Guide.

“The pagan worship of Baal and Asherah was imported into Israel through marriage. King Ahab (874-853 BC), a contemporary of both King Asa and his son Jehoshaphat (872-848 BC), married Jezebel, daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon. She brought her worship of Baal and Asherah. As the Book of 1 Kings records, after marrying Jezebel, Ahab devoted himself to the worship of Baal, building a temple to Baal in the capital of Samaria and making an Asherah pole (1 Kings 16:30-33).

This led to the famous showdown at Mount Carmel between the Prophet Elijah and the 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah. The Baal prophets went into a frenzy but their false gods remained silent and accomplished nothing. When Elijah prayed, however, the LORD’S fire fell from heaven consuming his altar and sacrifice. Elijah then ordered the executions of 850 prophets (1 Kings 18:17-40). Eventually, Ahab and Jezebel both met violent deaths in disgrace (1 Kings 22:29-40; 2 Kings 9:30-37).

GOD had on multiple occasions ordered Israel to totally destroy all such shrines of pagan worship (Exodus 23:24; 34:13; Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 7:5; 12:3). Asa took those commands seriously as he began his reform early in his reign. By the end of his reign, however, at least some of the high places either remained or had been rebuilt (2 Chronicles 15:17).”

When we get serious with obediently serving GOD through faith in JESUS that is when GOD works mightily in our lives.

King Asa made a decision to ------

Judah’s King Asa

^2 [b]Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God.

We learn that King Asa had the right relationship with GOD which is the relationship Christians can choose to have with GOD through faith in JESUS. Christians have a choice of how much of their will they are willing to yield to GOD to serve HIM. Obediently serving GOD is a choice. We read that King Asa chose to practice what the scripture instructed him to do to be in unity and fellowship with GOD.

We get to study how King Asa’s commitment to obediently serve GOD served the people and the area in which he was responsible. We, as Christians, are also king’s over our lives and kingdom.

Let’s read 2 Chronicles 14:3-5:

³ He removed the pagan altars and the high places. He shattered their sacred pillars and chopped down their Asherah (A she rah or A sher ah) poles. ⁴ He told the people of Judah to seek the Lord God of their ancestors and to carry out the instruction and the commands. ⁵ He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom experienced peace under him.

As Christians, is it our nature to get rid of all the things in our lives that could compromise our relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS?

We read in our focus scripture that King Asa removed the pagan altars and the high places. GOD had instructed the Israelites to clean the Promised Land of all false worship as they entered. They did not and as a result, the Israelites began mixing pagan worship with the worship of The One True GOD, Yahweh. King Asa took action by having the pagan altars and the high places of pagan worship removed.

The Israelites had also worshipped in high places thinking they were closer to GOD but they had compromised their worship to embrace pagan religion.

What has the Holy Spirit brought to your mind as you read this? Has HE brought to your mind something that you have embraced that you know GOD does not approve of that compromises your relationship with HIM? If so, what are you going to do about it? Are you willing to tear down the pagan altar in your life?

The Israelites had adopted the pagan practice of worshiping sacred stones and Asherah poles. These were objects of worship connected to the god of fertility, Asherah. Asherah was a fertility goddess and the mother of Baal, the Canaanite fertility god. Her veneration was often tolerated in both Israel and Judah.

How many Christians read their horoscopes every day or go to fortune tellers, palm readers or tea leaf readers? Often, I hear, “Oh, I just read it for fun.” DO NOT DO IT EVEN FOR FUN!

When we, as Christians get serious about obediently serving our LORD and Savior JESUS as GOD to reveal all the things that you need to toss out of your life and make room for the indwelling Holy Spirit reign in your kingdom.

What takes place as you clean house. Let’s read on ----

Let’s read 2 Chronicles 14:6-8:

⁶ Because the land experienced peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. No one made war with him in those days because the Lord gave him rest. ⁷ So he said to the people of Judah, “Let’s build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the Lord our God. We sought Him and He gave us rest on every side.” So, they built and succeeded.

The Cushite Invasion

⁸ Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin bearing regular shields and drawing the bow. All these were brave warriors.

The land of Judah experienced peace and the rebuilding of the cities took place. In the lives of Christians, when we get serious about cleaning out the things in our lives that do not please GOD and welcome the Holy Spirit to occupy every part of our being, the peace that only GOD can provide comes into our lives. Rebuilding can take place through the renewing of our minds to know that GOD is the only power in our lives and HE is truth that we can rely upon to meet every situation we encounter.

Let’s read again part of verse 7, “The land is still ours because we sought the Lord our God. We sought Him and He gave us rest on every side.” So, they built and succeeded.

As a Christian, we still have our physical body but we have yielded our kingdom to GOD and we have resolved to obediently serve HIM and HE gives us rest on every side. Peace is the result when we decide to clean house and allow the Holy Spirit to move into every area of our lives.

Blessings!!!