Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Playing by the Rules”
Our Bible verse for today: “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” 1 Kings 3:9 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “Bless God and He will bless you.”
The life of King Solomon is an interesting study in contrasts. He started out well. As a young king he was humble and grateful and fully submitted to God. In 1 Kings Chapter 3 we read of the time Solomon had traveled to Gibeon for a personal spiritual retreat. He worshiped, offered sacrifices on the altar, prayed, and spent time just bowing before God.
That night, in a dream, the Lord appeared to Solomon. In the dream God expressed his pleasure with Solomon and invited him to ask for whatever he wanted. We read Solomon’s response in 1 Kings 3:9 – he asked for wisdom and discernment so that he could lead God’s people well.
In the verses that follow we read of God’s pleasure in, and approval of, that request. God commended Solomon for putting Kingdom purposes first rather than asking for things for himself such as long life, good health, and vast riches. So God gave Solomon the wisdom he asked for, and then He gave him all the other blessings he didn’t ask for as well.
Solomon started out so well. He was more concerned with serving God and God’s people, than he was with his own comfort or affluence. Unfortunately in the years to come those priorities would get out of order and Solomon would end up paying a big price for it (read the book of Ecclesiastes). But when his priorities were in proper order, God was pleased and Solomon was blessed.
This is a rule of kingdom living. Bless God and He will bless you. Honor Him and He will honor you. In Malachi 3:10, the last book of the Old Testament, God promised that if we will honor Him by being good stewards of the money and possessions He has entrusted us with, He in turn will bless us. Jesus reinforced that truth in Matthew 6:33 when He said “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
This is simply a matter of playing by God’s rules. Put God’s commands and God’s purposes first in your life, and He will bless you in return. It seems so simple. Put God first in your life and He will bless your life.
Most professing Christians would claim that God does have first place in their life. But does He really? It’s more than a matter of words. Your actions tell the true story.
I encourage you to examine your life. Consider what you actually do rather than just what you say. Then make an accurate assessment of what your priorities really are based upon what you actually do. Then, make whatever adjustments are needed.
Solomon started off right but then he got off track. Unfortunately it wasn’t until very late in life before he finally admitted he had gone astray and made the necessary course corrections. Hopefully you and I won’t wait that long. The rule is simple: Bless God and He will bless you.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 