But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.”

1 Kings 20-22 and 2 Chronicles 18 

But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.” 1 Kings 22:14

Day 155 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of Ahab and Jezebel, whom my commentary* describe as "[t]wo of the most wicked people who ever lived".  Elijah, Jehoshaphat, and another prophet Micaiah also play roles in today's study.

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Several themes stand out this morning, including how God works to get our attention (and how we should be aware of how God works in these ways), and how we must respond to God's calls as God wants us to submit to Him and demonstrate obedience.

God delivers Ben-Hadad's armies into Ahab's hands but Ahab (and his wife Jezebel) does not see God at work and he continues in his disobedience.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has taught me, encouraged me, protected me, etc.  You have blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus but again I am not deserving.  My sin continues. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Tony Evans: The Power of Jesus' Names - Lord and King

For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7-8

In preparation for Sunday school tomorrow morning, I watched session #2 of the above mentioned Tony Evans series (RightNow Media requires login which I have though my church).  The core message is that while believers may accept Jesus as their King, we may not submit to His authority and be obedient to His rule.  

Recognizing Jesus as our King gets us into Heaven but submitting to Jesus' authority and playing by his rules brings Heaven to earth giving us all the benefits of His rule in our life.  We can't expect the benefits of His rule without living by His rules.

Evans uses the analogy of a restaurant buffet where we can pick and choose how we are obedient to Jesus - submitting certain parts of our life to Him but not others.

I have personally experienced what it is like to recognize Jesus as my King without submitting to Him.   Once I began to submit to Jesus, that's when my world changed and I did indeed begin to experience some of the benefits of His rule.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has brought Heaven to earth and I HAVE participated in His reign - thank You Jesus!  I am blessed.  Yet I am undeservring of such love and blessings.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

Arrival
Psalm 139

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

God knows me, even better than I know myself.  He of course, then, knows what is best for me - His will and purpose for me is perfect, as is everything about God.  Paul refers to life as a race (1 Corinthians 9), with the prize being Heaven and eternity with Jesus.  I must submit to Him and His will for my life - this is my race.  When I do, He promises to bless me.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - I know You are with me every day and all of the time.  You are with me when I sit and when I rise.  You know everything about me, including my sin...and You are for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I worry far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please cure and heal Lisa of her cancer, including all of the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.

1 John 5

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. v3-4

Many in the world claim, and even believers, that it is impossible that human effort can and should keep all of God's commands.  This is true yet what is also true, and John speaks to this, is that with God and through submission to God's authority, we can BOTH keep His commands, and overcome the world.  

...“[w]ith man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God, full of love, compassion, kindness, gentleness, mercy, patience, etc...for all of Your children and I know for me...even though You know everything about me - past, present, and future...sin and all - You love me just the same.  And You chose me and came for me to suffer and die for me...thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such efforts and love...I am impatient, quick to anger, harsh with my words, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me stay with You and near to You and help me stay in Your word and submit to You.  Help me give me life away to You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.