Bible reference (Old Testament) ~ 2 Chronicles 2:11-16

King Hiram of Tyre was a good friend of King Solomon. He provided Cedars from Lebanon for the building of God’s temple. He also sent a very talented man named Huram-abi to build many different parts of the temple. Personally, I enjoy discovering ‘unknowns’ in the Bible who had a special function in completing God’s will for a situation. God has an important purpose in every life. 

2 Chronicles 2 ~

11 King Hiram sent this letter of reply to Solomon:

“It is because the Lord loves his people that he has made you their king! 12 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth! He has given King David a wise son, gifted with skill and understanding, who will build a Temple for the Lord and a royal palace for himself.

13 “I am sending you a master craftsman named Huram-abi, who is extremely talented. 14 His mother is from the tribe of Dan in Israel, and his father is from Tyre. He is skillful at making things from gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and he also works with stone and wood. He can work with purple, blue, and scarlet cloth and fine linen. He is also an engraver and can follow any design given to him. He will work with your craftsmen and those appointed by my lord David, your father.

15 “Send along the wheat, barley, olive oil, and wine that my lord has mentioned. 16 We will cut whatever timber you need from the Lebanon mountains and will float the logs in rafts down the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Joppa. From there you can transport the logs up to Jerusalem.”

Bible reference (New Testament) ~ John 15:5

Whoever has wanted a productive and fruitful life?  Me! For sure!  Jesus offers that.  He promises that!  The New Testament contains the words of Jesus.  I focus in on them.  They are important. When Jesus was on this earth He was God walking around in human form!  If Jesus said it, it the Gospel truth!  Literally!  Jesus commanded and gave us the Gospel!…Amazing! If you’re a Christian then you are like a branch off of the tree of Christ. Jesus said you would live a productive full life if you stay close to Him.

Bible reference (Old Testament) 2 Chronicles 2:1-6:11, Psalm 136

God gave specific instructions to King Solomon to build the temple where He would reside. He even gave a man named Hiram-abi special talents in working with precious metals, wood and stone who was the master craftsman of the project. There was provided an over abundance of building  supplies to build the temple. When the time arrived for the presence of God to fill the temple Solomon spoke these words~

He is good. His faithful love endures forever!

God should always be honored with these kind of words! Psalm 136 repeats this phrase several times. 

1 Chronicles 5~

13 The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words:

“He is good!
His faithful love endures forever!”
At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord.

Bible reference (New Testament) ~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

The Holy Spirit lives in and through Christians. Christians have a wide range of gifts that come from God. God uses diversity in these gifts to show His love to people who don’t know Him.

In order to know their gifts, people who follow God need to be

willing,

available,

and good hearted.

1 Corinthians 12~

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,

to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,

9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,

10 to another miraculous powers,

to another prophecy,

to another distinguishing between spirits,

to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,

and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Bible reference (Old Testament) ~ Psalm 16:5-8

God instructs us as we sleep.

Psalm 16~

5 Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.You guard all that is mine.

6 The land you have given me is a pleasant land.What a wonderful inheritance!

7 I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.

8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

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Bible reference (Old Testament) 1 Chronicles 29:14

In 1 Chronicles 29 King David told the Israelites his son Solomon would be king and build a temple for God. He personally donated all his silver and gold (1 Chronicles 29:3). The people were also generous in giving to God. From a humble perspective, here is King David’s attitude about giving to God.~

1Chronicles 29

14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!

Bible reference (New Testament) ~ Romans 5:3-5

When problems come your initial response is critical! You are establishing the thought pattern which is foundational in your thinking as you work through struggles. As quick as possible look to God and say I can do this!  Working through and overcoming in the situation will make you a better, stronger person. 

Romans 5:3-5

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Bible reference (New Testament) ~ Colossians 3:23-24

At church the pastor talked about Colossians 3:23-24.  In the past I have focused on verse 23 but I didn’t put 24 with it. As a Christian I know it’s important to be a good worker because you represent Christ  But when you’re working sometimes you need a little more than a command to do the right thing. Verse 24 supplies that.  God has rewards for the work we do. 

Colossians 3

23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Bible reference (Old Testament) ~ Psalm 11:4-5

God cannot be in the presence of sin but He still watches over humanity. He carefully studies the actions of all people.

Psalm 11

4 But the Lord is in his holy Temple;
the Lord still rules from heaven.
He watches everyone closely,
examining every person on earth.
5 The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked.
He hates those who love violence.