Title: Carnal Connections/Topic: Partnership

PLEASE EXCUSE MY ABSENCE IN BLOGGING OVER THE LAST 10 DAYS. i HAVE SIMPLY BEEN BUSY.

Title: Carnal Connections/Topic: Partnership
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18; 2 Chronicles 19; Colossians 4
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 18:1, 2 Chronicles 19:1-3
1 Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.
1 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love [a](Or and make alliances with)
those who hate the LORD ? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 3 There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."
Observation: Scriptures are replete with warnings about partnering with others who do not love the Lord. Proverbs has many warnings regarding close connections with ungodly people, whether those connections be close friendships, business partnerships, or marriage. The New Testament also strongly echoes this in 2 Corinthians 6:14 when it commands believers to not be “yoked” (tied together) with unbelievers. Ignoring this almost cost Jehoshaphat his life and did bring the wrath of God on him for awhile. Thankfully, he heeded the prophet's warning and worked to instruct his people in the ways of God.
Application: I see so many people who ignore these wise instructions and suffer for it. I think that part of the problem is that we don't understand what is meant by “ungodly” or “unbeliever”. No matter what a person says about what they believe or don't believe, we must look at their behavior and values. The most important thing is whether or not they submit to God's Word and will when they find their own desires or behavior to be in conflict with what God says is true and right. If they won't subject their decisions to God's, then they fit the category of “ungodly”.
Prayer: Father, help us to understand how to love people in the world without becoming allied with them in close relationships that will bring us spiritual harm. Help me as a leader in the Church to be clear and persuasive in teaching others the importance of this vital truth.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18; 2 Chronicles 19; Colossians 4

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 18:1, 2 Chronicles 19:1-3
1 Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.
1 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love [a](Or and make alliances with)
those who hate the LORD ? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 3 There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."

Observation: Scriptures are replete with warnings about partnering with others who do not love the Lord. Proverbs has many warnings regarding close connections with ungodly people, whether those connections be close friendships, business partnerships, or marriage. The New Testament also strongly echoes this in 2 Corinthians 6:14 when it commands believers to not be “yoked” (tied together) with unbelievers. Ignoring this almost cost Jehoshaphat his life and did bring the wrath of God on him for awhile. Thankfully, he heeded the prophet's warning and worked to instruct his people in the ways of God.

Application: I see so many people who ignore these wise instructions and suffer for it. I think that part of the problem is that we don't understand what is meant by “ungodly” or “unbeliever”. No matter what a person says about what they believe or don't believe, we must look at their behavior and values. The most important thing is whether or not they submit to God's Word and will when they find their own desires or behavior to be in conflict with what God says is true and right. If they won't subject their decisions to God's, then they fit the category of “ungodly”.

Prayer: Father, help us to understand how to love people in the world without becoming allied with them in close relationships that will bring us spiritual harm. Help me as a leader in the Church to be clear and persuasive in teaching others the importance of this vital truth.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.