Sunday, June 30, 2013

God Helps Them That Help Themselves - True or False?

False!

This comment or question makes the rounds masquerading as a Biblical concept, when in fact it has no Scriptural basis at all.  The blog post below, courtesy of Blogging Theologically succinctly refutes the concept.

I especially took to heart the last paragraph and would encourage all the saints to do likewise.  :-)

“God helps those who help themselves.”

This sounds like something that makes a lot of sense when you first hear it, doesn’t it? We see examples throughout Scripture of men and women who seem commended by for their ingenuity—Abraham, David, Joseph, even Jacob to some degree… all are men we see (apparently) take matters into their own hands and come out on top and in God’s favor.
On top of that, we’re told by the Apostle Paul to “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12b); we’re to be active in our faith, not simply sitting back and doing nothing. So it almost sounds like this could be a biblical truth, doesn’t it?
Almost.
Origin
One of the earliest forms of this saying goes back to Aesop’s fable, Hercules and the Waggoner, where the moral of the story is “the gods help them that help themselves.” The modern variant, “God helps those who help themselves,” was allegedly first coined by the English political theorist Algernon Sidney and later popularized by Benjamin Franklin, a Deist. In case you’re wondering, a Deist is one who believes that while a supreme being did indeed create the universe, that supreme being does not involve itself in human affairs. Therefore, miracles and special revelation (such as healing, prophecy, the virgin birth & resurrection of Jesus, and the inspiration of the Scriptures) don’t actually happen.
At the risk of oversimplifying, according to this view, God just isn’t interested in his creations. He’s got better things to do.
Okay, we know the origin. So, what does the Bible really say? Does God really help those who help themselves?
What the Bible really says…
Nowhere in Scripture will you find appropriate support for the statement “God helps those who help themselves.” Whether you’re looking at life here from 30,000 feet or from street level, you will actually find the opposite is true.
Here are just a couple examples:
In speaking of trials and affliction, the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian church:
For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. (2 Cor 1:9-10, emphasis mine)
Additionally, in speaking of repentance, and God coming to save the lost, Jesus says:
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost” (Luke 15:4-6)
In this parable, we (that is, humans) are the lost sheep, a completely helpless animal, in need of saving.
God does not help those who can help themselves, simply because no one can help do so! We cannot save ourselves from our bondage to sin, nor from the wrath of God, so He does. Our own power fails us when we rely on it, rather than God. To believe that God helps those who help themselves, is not only foolish, but it’s proud. Pride motivates the belief that we can do everything by our own gusto and go-to attitude. That we can pick ourselves up by our spiritual & moral bootstraps. But, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:61 Pet. 5:5).
How do we respond?
We know that the idea that God helps those who help themselves is false, so how do we respond? I need to spend some time asking God to reveal to me in what ways I live like this is true. And as He reveals them, my desire is to repent. I have no doubt that there are areas in which I am doing this, and I hope that I am learning to be humble enough to admit them.


Saturday, June 29, 2013

Days 177-180 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

Days 177-180

Israel - Judgments of destruction on cities near Israel - Amos 1:1-15; 2:1-3

On Israel and Judah - Amos 2:4-16; 3:1-15; 4:1-13; 5:1-27; 6:1-14

Plea for Israel - Amos 7:1-9

Message of Amos continues - Amos, adn the priest of Bethel - Amos 7:10-17

Prediction of complete destruction/dispersion - Amos 8:1-14; 9:1-10

Last Days of Jeroboam II - 2 Kings 14:28

Death of Jeroboam II - 2 Kings 14:29

Sinful people rebuked - Hosea 4:1-19 (this always reminds me of Jamie Soles and his family - they sing a song about Hosea which is awesome...they also have a song that the children sing which lists all of the kings of both Israel and Judah. How many children, or adults for that matter, do you know that can name all the kings?) If you want to check out his music go here: www.solmusic.ca/

Zachariah - BAD - 2 Kings 15:8-9

Killed by Shallum - 2 Kings 15:10-12

Shallum - BAD - 2 Kings 15:13-15

Menahem - BAD - 2 Kings 15:16-20

Assyrian invasion led by Pul - 2 Kings 15:19-20

Rome founded: Roman dating begins

Asshur Nirari II reigns 754-745 B.C. - Death of Menahem - 2 Kings 15:21-22

Pekahiah - BAD - 2 Kings 15:23-24

Assyria is the world power - 750-612

Killed by Pekah - 2 Kings 15:25-26

Pekah - BAD - an evil life - 2 Kings 15:27-28

Tiglath-Pileser III begins reign in Assyria - 745 B.C.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Judah - Birth of Isaiah - 765 B.C.

Uzziah's intrusion into the priest's office - 2 Chronicles 26:16-18

Rome founded: Roman dating begins

Uzziah stricken with leprosy - Jotham began dual resign with Uzziah - 2 Chronicles 26:19-21; 2 Kings 15:5

Assyria is the world power - 750-612

Death of Uzziah - 2 Kings 15:6-7; 2 Chronicles 26:22-23

Isaiah's vision - Isaiah 6:1-13

Jotham - GOOD - a good life - 2 Chronicles 27:1-35

Isaiah the prophet - Isaiah 1:1

Promise for the last days - Isaiah 2:1-6

Chastisement before blessing - Isaiah 2:7-22; 3:1-26

*~*~*~ Amos prophesied to Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel. Isaiah was the prophet to Judah.

Three transgressions, four - against Damascus, Gaza, Tyrus, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah, Israel.

3 = resurrection, divine completeness and perfection

4 = creation, world

There are 8 cities listed - 8 = new birth, new creation, new beginning.

*!*!*!*!*!Hope those who are reading through are enjoying!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Days 169-176 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

Days 169-176

Israel - Jehu destroys Baal worship - thought this interesting as he is not considered to be a good king (there were no good kings in Israel). Yet, he was very zealous to destroy and take down the idol worship he was guaranteed an heir to sit on the throne to the 4th generation. He did not remove golden calves that were in Bethel - those golden calves pop up all the time...and makes me wonder, what items, attitudes do I have in my life that Father would view as an idol?

Jehoahaz - BAD - Syria oppresses.

Jehoash - BAD - visits Elisha and is instructed to smite the ground and only does so 3 times...so Syria would only be smitten 3x ... and it could have been more, but for a lack of faith in Jehoash. Elisha dies and is buried, and a dead person is placed in this tomb and revives...do you not know that those who were burying that dead man were SHOCKED when he stood up and was alive!

Jeroboam II - (BAD) - Israel is saved despite impending apostasy (2 Kings 14:25-27) - Future restoration of Israel - Amos 9:11-15 ~ there are those who say Israel will never be a true nation and dealt with by God, then others who look forward to the complete restoration of Israel as a nation, complete with a temple. Waiting for the unfolding of future events - the antichrist who will sit in the temple and proclaim himself God. It is interesting to watch the history (HIS story) of Father revealed daily - we all know the end and can agree that HE (Christ Jesus) will return and take us to be with Him) - how diligent are we to proclaim this truth to those who are perishing?

Hosea - Marry WHO? You have GOT to be mistaken Lord...and name my children WHAT? To foretell...has Father ever asked you to do something which, in the natural (flesh) seemed...ODD? How faithful and trusting Hosea was, and a great example of loving the Lord our God with all his spirit, soul and body. How surrendered to the plans of God are we?

Jonah - commission to Nineveh - we all know this story...Go Jonah, no, get on a boat, tumultuous sea, thrown over, swallowed by a FISH, prays, spit out, goes, speaks, pouts. Someone had postured that Jonah died in the belly of the fish, just as the son of man died...but after re-reading this passage I do not think that position is scripturally substantiated.

Jonah 2:1 - Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly. ~ You can not pray if you are dead...which made me think about Jesus preaching deliverance...to who? when? where? I can not find the passage...soooo if someone has it...please share!

Judah -
Joash - Good - and they executed Athaliah (the 1 woman ruler). Joash was 7 years old when he began to reign and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest. A good mentor and guide. We all need those people in our lives who will help us stay the narrow path.

Jehoiada made a covenant with the Lord - revival - where are those men who will do so in our nation?

Joash instructs the priests to take the funds brought into the temple to repair - yet they are found faithless. What 'treasures' are we given from Father and squander them? Or do not use them appropriately? Are we as the servant which was given 10 talents and doubled them? The one given 5 and doubled? Or worse, do we hide that which we are given and do not even bring about a duplication of the original gift?

Temple is repaired/restored - dedication and determination by Joash to bring about that which is honoring to the Lord.

Uzziah born - Zechariah slain - Judah defeated by Syria - Joash slain by servants. Amaziah (mostly good). Judah hires Israel mercenaries - but is instructed to send them home - their response? Sack Judah. Sour grapes.

Amaziah idolatry - he is victorious over the Edomites and then brings their gods home to worship - how illogical is that? Their gods could not save them and you want to worship them? Where in our lives do we do this? What gods/idols does the world worship, adore, fawn over, talk about, elevate, etc and we as Christians (set apart to God) toddle right along behind? How much of the 'ways of the world' do we cotton to?

Uzziah - GOOD - Defeats the Philistines - Reputation gains.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Days 161-168 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

Greetings beloved of the Lord!

Days 161 through 168 - so much has transpired in this period of time in reading through the Word of the Lord...

Kings, prophets, intrigue, wickedness, judgment, deliverance, and discipline.

I have always enjoyed the story of Elijah...and his dedication to the Lord - and his departure...Elisha's boldness in requesting a double portion of Elijah's anointing.

Do we desire such a fervency of spirit? To be so infused with the Word of the Lord that we radiate HIS truth and spirit. That to those who are of the household of faith that we are a savor of life?

Today's reading has Jehu (good and bad) rising to power against Israel and Judah and slaying both kings...and bringing God's prophetic judgment against the house of Ahab and Jezebel (grrrr) - who is thrown down and trampled under foot and the dogs ate her flesh...except her skull, feet and palms of her hands.

God always judges righteously, even when there are those who think they can do what they want and persecute HIS people...HIS judgment is always timely and fair.

May the passion and desire of our Father, to be in HIS word, to be speaking forth HIS word in our daily lives be at the forefront of our spirits, souls and bodies. May we sincerely desire to walk in HIS way and to give HIM all the glory, honor and majesty.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

I'd recently had a fellow sister in the Lord share with me that her family picks a hymn a month to memorize. What a fantastic idea! Why didn't I think of that with my children!

I decided I'd 'piggy back' on her idea and task myself with memorizing along with them! My first foray into finding the song (besides in a hymn book :-) was online, this by Chris Rice. Unfortunately, it won't play on my computer right now, hopefully the link will work here.



So while the one above wouldn't play, I went searching again...persistent creature that I am, and came across these offerings from Sermon Audio, complete with lyrics:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided --
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!


With a little history (from Hymntime) thrown in too!

Words: Thom­as O. Chis­holm, 1923. Ac­cord­ing to Chis­holm, there were no spe­cial cir­cum­stanc­es which caused its writ­ing—just his ex­per­i­ence and Bi­ble truth. The hymn first ap­peared in Songs of Sal­va­tion and Serv­ice, 1923, com­piled by Will­iam Run­yan. It is the un­of­fi­cial school hymn of Moo­dy Bi­ble In­sti­tute, Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois, with which Run­yan was as­so­ci­at­ed for a num­ber of years.

Music: Faith­ful­ness (Run­yan), William M. Run­yan, 1923 (MIDI, NWC, PDF). Run­yan wrote the mu­sic spe­ci­fic­al­ly for these words: This par­ti­cu­lar po­em held such an ap­peal that I prayed most ear­nest­ly that my tune might car­ry its mes­sage in a wor­thy way, and the sub­se­quent his­to­ry of its use in­di­cates that God an­swered prayer.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Days 158-160 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

Days 158-160

Northern Kingdom - 10 Tribes
Ahab - BAD
Israel wins second battle - 1 Kings 20:22-34
Israel sins in sparing Ben-Hadad - 1 Kings 20:35-43
Three years of peace with Syria - 1 Kings 22:1
Ahab and Naboth - Ahab covets Naboth's vineyard - 1 Kings 21:1-3
Jezebel causes Naboth's death - 1 Kings 21:4-16
Elijah announces doom - 1 Kings 21:17-29
Jehoshaphat joins Ahab in his third Syrian campaign - Jehoshaphat comes to aid - 1 Kings 22:2-4
Prophets lie to Ahab - 1 Kings 22:5-12
True Prophecy of Micaiah - 1 Kings 22:7-28
Ahab's death at Ramoth-Gilead - 1 Kings 22:29-40


Southern Kingdom - 2 Tribes
Jehoshaphat - GOOD
Jehoram began dual reign with Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat joins Ahab in his third Syrian campaign - Jehoshaphat comes to aid - 2 Chronicles 18:2-3
Prophets lie to Ahab - 2 Chronicles 18:4-11
True Prophecy of Micaiah - 2 Chronicles 18:6-27
Ahab's death at Ramoth-Gilead - 2 Chronicles 18:28-34
Jehoshaphat rebuked for alliance with Ahab - 2 Chronicles 19:1-7; Psalm 82
Jehoshaphat restores order in worship - 2 Chronicles 19:8-11



*~*~*~
The true prophet speaks and is smitten...then put in ward with bread and water of affliction...hmmm, what is that?

Found this online: bible.cc/1_kings/22-27.htm

Lists the different translations and then has a commentary at the bottom.

Is it not true that those who are messengers speaking forth the Word of the Lord are routinely attacked? Do not like the message, attack the messenger.

How bold and brave be we, to speak forth the truth of our Father's words, while absorbing the chastisement, disdain and, sometimes alienation of others?

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Days 154-157 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

Days 154-157
Northern Kingdom - 10 Tribes
Zimri - (7 days) - BAD - 1 Kings 16:11-13
Dies in a fire - 1 Kings 16:20, 15-19
Omri - (12 years) - VERY BAD - 1 Kings 16:21
Prosperous under prophets Elijah and Elisha (40 years)
Death of Tibni (31st Year of Asa) - 1 Kings 16:22-23
Made Samaria the Capital - 1 Kings 16:24-26
Ahab Began Dual Reign with Omri -
Death of Omri - 1 Kings 16:27-28
Ahab (22 years) - BAD - 1 Kings 16:29
Established Baal worship in Samaria - 1 Kings 16:30-33; 1 Kings 21:25-26
Rebuilding of Jericho - 1 Kings 16:34
Persecution of the prophets - 1 Kings 18:4
Ministry of Elijah begins - Ahab warned of famine - 1 Kings 17:1
Fed at brook Cherith - 1 Kings 17:2-7
Miracle of the meal/oil in Zarephath - 1 Kings 17:8-16
Raises the widow's son - 1 Kings 17:17-24
Jehoram (Judah) marries Athaliah (Israel) - 2 Kings 8:18; 2 Chronicles 21:6
Obadiah prepares meeting for Ahab - 1 Kings 18:1-16
Contest on Mount Carmel, Answer Comes By Fire - 1 Kings 18:17-39
Baal prophets destroyed, rain comes - 1 Kings 18:40-46; 1 Kings 19:1-2
God's tender care of Elijah - 1 Kings 19:3-7
God speaks in still small voice at Horeb - 1 Kings 19:8-18
Elisha joins Elijah - 1 Kings 19:19-21
Syrian Wars - Israel wins first battle - 1 Kings 20:1-21


Southern Kingdom - 2 Tribes
Asa - GOOD
Birth of Jehoram (2 Kings 8:17)
Jehoshaphat began dual reign with Asa
Asa's feet diseased - 1 Kings 15:23; 2 Chronicles 16:11-12
Death of Asa (Apx 56 years) - 1 Kings 15:24; 2 Chronicles 16:13-14
Jehoshaphat (25 years) - GOOD - 2 Chronicles 20:31-33; 1 Kings 22:41-46
A good life - 2 Chronicles 17:1-19; 2 Chronicles 18:1
Jehoram (Judah) marries Athaliah (Israel) - 2 Kings 8:18; 2 Chronicles 21:6
Birth of Ahaziah

~*~*~*~
I like the designation between BAD and VERY BAD - if BAD was not detrimental enough, you get VERY BAD...the nations get the exact ruler that God wants them to have...and when they are bad (or even VERY bad) it is a reflection of the wickedness of that nation.

I have always been fascinated by the Mount Carmel showdown...the Baal worshipers frenzied cuttings, loud callings. Elijah (God of Jehovah) mocking their ‘god' - "Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth and must be awakened."

Contrast that with the one true GOD - who neither sleeps nor slumbers. Whose ear is always attentive to the prayers of HIS people. Whose eye rests upon us, knowing the number of hairs upon our heads.

No rainfall for 3 years...and Elijah takes 12 stones (for a united Israel) and builds an altar, digs a trench and has the wood, bullock, stones, and trench drenched with water 3x (hmmm - 3 years, 3x * 4 barrels = 12), with a scarcity of water this is amazing. At the time of the evening sacrifice Elijah asks the Lord to hear him and if he is the Lord's prophet, consume the offering.

And God does...consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the dust, licking up the water in the trench. Elijah gets an awesome experience, the confirmation to all that he is a prophet, a true prophet, that God heard him. What a glorious mountain top experience...and then Jezebel (chaste - how this woman's name can mean chaste is beyond me) threatens to kill Elijah...and he runs. From the mountain to the valley...in a very short space of time...and he cries out to die...been there, done that...God the trial is too much. Yet, Father in HIS loving provision NEVER gives us more than what we can handle ~ NEVER.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Days 149-153?? ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

*~*~*~*I had this all formatted in a table...but this forum does not allow that structure to remain. I have attempted to "color" code the Northern Kingdom in brown. I also tried to attach the file, whether it will work or not, I do not know. Sorry!

The Divided Kingdom from Solomon to the Fall of Israel 945-721 B.C*

Northern Kingdom - 10 Tribes
Southern Kingdom - 2 Tribes

Harassed by both Judah and Syria (48 years)
Judah Prospers Despite Wars With Israel (78 years)

Jeroboam I - 22 years (BAD) - Revolt of the Tribes - 2 Chronicles 10:1-19
Rehoboam - 17 years (mostly bad) - Wrong Advice Causes Revolt of the 10 Tribes - 1 Kings 12:1-19

Becomes King of Israel - 1 Kings 12:20
Becomes King of Judah - 1 Kings 14:21; 2 Chronicles 12:13

Led People Into Idolatry - 1 Kings 12:25-33; 2 Chronicles 11:15
Warned Not to Fight Israel - 1 Kings 12:21-24; 2 Chronicles 11:1-4

I find it interesting that Jeroboam I sets up 2 golden calves and tells the people these are the gods which brought you up from the land of Egypt.

After all the history they had....they took this hook, line and sinker. How different are we? We have such a testimony of how the early church operated, what the apostles did and taught, yet the ‘church’ is caught up in apostasy. Lukewarmness. **sigh**


* This is using the Reese Chronological Bible dating system. There are several sites which have a different date for the division of Israel (note this is the 3rd time they have divided). I have listed a couple for review.

This one has numerous maps...their estimation is 931 B.C. for the division of the Kingdom.

www.preceptaustin.org/biblical_maps.htm

I could not find a date on this one:

www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn17/archaeologykingdom.htm

NOTE: I have not perused these sites...remember to be a Berean! :cheer:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Northern Kingdom - 10 Tribes
Southern Kingdom - 2 Tribes

King Jeroboam - BAD
King Rehoboam - BAD

Altar used for evil - 1 Kings 13:1-10
Influence of spiritual people - 2 Chronicles 11:13-17

Judgment Comes to a man of God - 1 Kings 13:11-32
Fortifies his kingdom - 2 Chronicles 11:5-12

Persistence of evil - 1 Kings 13:33-34
His family - 2 Chronicles 11:18-23

Ahijah predicts death of son Abijah - 1 King 14:1-18
His apostasy - 2 Chronicles 12:1-24


Birth of Asa - 942 B.C.


Invasion of Shishak of Egypt - 1 Kings 14:25-12

The test of a true prophet...their word comes to pass. The prophet prophesies of Josiah to be born of the lineage of David and that Josiah will burn mens bones on the altar of evil that Jeroboam is offering. He also prophesies that the altar will rend and the ashes pour out and it does.

The Judean prophet is instructed to return home a different way and w/out partaking of any bread or water...a true prophet...yet...he is lied to by a prophet from Bethel and pays with his life for his disobedience to the Lord.

What has the Lord told me to or not to do...and I have not obeyed? Not paying with my life...but suffering consequences for my rebellion and/or sin. How can I know how to obey HIM, if I do not immerse myself in HIS word?

"If you are not spending time daily in the word of God, you are wasting your time." We have time for so much...how much do we spend with the one who died to give us eternity with Him?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Northern Kingdom - 10 Tribes
King Jeroboam - BAD
Constant Warfare Between Jeroboam and Rehoboam - 1 Kings 14:30
War Between Jeroboam and Abijah - 2 Chronicles 13:3-19
Nadab (2 years) - BAD
An Evil Life - 1 Kings 15:25-26
Death of Jeroboam - 1 Kings 14:19-20
Nadab Killed by Baasha - 1 Kings 15:31, 27, 28
Baasha (24 years) - BAD
An evil life - 1 Kings 15:33-34
Slew house of Jeroboam - 1 Kings 15:29-30
War Between Baasah and Asa - 1 Kings 15:16
Asa Defeats Israel with Syrian Help - 2 Chronicles 16:1-6
Prophecy of Jehu - 1 Kings 16:1-7
Death of Baasah - Succeeded by Elah - 1 Kings 16:5-6
Elah (2 years) - BAD - an evil life - 1 Kings 16:8-9
Killed by Zimri - 1 Kings 16:10



Southern Kingdom - 2 Tribes
King Rehoboam - BAD
Constant Warfare Between Jeroboam and Rehoboam - 1 Kings 15:6
Death of Rehoboam (57 years) - 1 Kings 14:29-31; 2 Chronicles 12:15-16
Abijah (Abijam) - 3 years mostly bad (18th year of Jeroboam) - becomes king - 1 Kings 15:1-2; 2 Chronicles 13:1-2
War Between Jeroboam and Abijah - 2 Chronicles 13:3-19
His Family - 2 Chronicles 13:21
An Evil Life - 1 Kings 15:3-4
Death of Abijah (approx. 38 years) - 2 Chronicles 13:22; 1 Kings 15:7-8
Asa (41 years) - GOOD
First Reformation - 10 Years of Peace - 2 Chronicles 14:1; 1 Kings 15:9-5; 2 Chronicles 14:2-5
Built Cities and Army - 2 Chronicles 14:6-8
Birth of Jehoshaphat
Asa - Defeated Zerah and the Ethiopians - 2 Chronicles 14:9-15; Psalm 77

Azariah's Prophecy - 2 Chronicles 15:1-7
Second Reformation - 4 Years of Peace - 2 Chronicles 15:8-15
Covenant Renewal - 2 Chronicles 15:9-15
Queen Removed - 1 Kings 15:13; 2 Chronicles 15:16
War in Latter Years - 2 Chronicles 15:19
War Between Baasah and Asa - 1 Kings 15:32
Asa Defeats Israel with Syrian Help - 1 Kings 15:17-22
Warning of the Prophet Hanani - 2 Chronicles 16:7-10

*~*~*~* Asa removed his mother from being queen...talk about being demoted! He destroyed her idol and burnt it. What a wonderful testimony! I wonder if it was difficult for him to confront his mother and be so stringent with her? Was this an example of tough love?