BibleVersity

" There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, for he never prophecies good concerning me..." - (2 Chron. 18:7, NASB)    The conversation taking place between Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and Ahab, king of Israel is very interesting. They joined forces and were preparing to go to battle. Jehoshaphat was a godly man. Before he went to battle, he wanted to hear from God. Ahab, was not so much, so he called 400 "prophets" to seek God concerning the upcoming events. They all prophesied victory. However, something was amiss. Scripture is not clear as to what, but something did not sit right within Jehoshaphat about their words, so he asked for a second opinion, from a real man of God. Ahab was reluctant because his man of God never seemed to have good news for him. Nevertheless, the prophet of God is brought forth, gives an unwelcome prophecy, then is imprisoned by Ahab. However, the end of the story finds his words were right on the mar

   "So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events from God that the LORD might establish His word, which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat." - (2 Chronicles 10:15, NASB)    "Thus says the LORD, 'You shall not go up or fight against your relatives; return every man to his house, for this thing is from Me.' So they listened to the words of the LORD and returned from going against Jeroboam." - (2 Chronicles 11:4, NASB)     Two verses of Scripture today that point to the same general idea. Solomon was the wisest man to ever live, according to Scripture. However, in his humanity, he acted foolishly by erecting and worshiping idols and "other gods", As a result his kingdom was going to suffer. After he died, his son Rehoboam became king. And, due to foolishness of his own, the kingdom of Israel split into two groups of people: the kingdom of Judah, with Rehoboam as ruler, and the ki

  "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the  word of God." - Rom. 10:17 (NKJV)   Some time back we would occasionally sing a song that went like this:  "Faith, faith, faith, just a little bit of faith. Faith, faith, faith, just a little bit of faith. You don't need a whole lot, Just use what you've got. Faith, faith, faith, just a little bit of faith." The song was a hit among many including myself, but the theology of the song is a little weak. It is true that we only need faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains (see Matt. 17:20 ), but Scripture is clear that we are to grow in our faith.    The Romans verse mentioned above is in relation to faith. As a matter of fact, the whole chapter deals with faith in God, through Jesus Christ, that comes as revelation of the Word of God: i.e., the Bible. Now, focus for a moment on what Paul says in verse 17, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." T