The halfbaked Bard

1Kings:16:34 At first when I read this portion, I felt very sad and pity for Hiel. But Josh:6:26 ascertains it. A NO is a NO for God. Always. Even after generations. And if we disobey, the consequences will definitely follow. What He said will come to pass because He is true. Are there curses in your life, which run through generations? Habits which you are not able to overcome? Is there something which you need to throw off? Something which God really abhors? Something which He really hates? These both are linked you know? Just as curses ring a bell in your life, May the Holy Spirit remind you of the causes too. For Heil, the death of his own two sons where definitely heartbreaking. But the cause was something which God abhored too! Why, he built the walls of Jericho, we don't know, but it was a definite 'no' from God. Cancel the curse and the cause in Jesus name. By His wounds we are healed.

The people of Israel during the times of King Omri provoked the anger of the Lord with their worthless idols. ( 1Kings:16) It was not a new thing that Israel did, by following the idols around them and making few of their own. But the point to be noted is this.. That they are all worthless. No matter how big they imagine them to be, they are absolutely, actually, openly, accurately, legitimately, certainly, literally worthless. How foolish then the people who knowingly follow after these gods? Hold on! what about us? Every other thing that we pursue is in its entirety worthless. The money that we earn. The fame that we want to gain. The comforts that we seek. The assurance of future that we pursue. The pleasures that we yearn. The games that we enjoy. Absolutely worthless..  Fullstop. And we pursue them even after knowing this, we too are absolutely foolish.  Matt:24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Let's set our minds on thing...

1Kings:16 Zimri's reign as king of the Northern kingdom lasted only for 7 days. The smallest reign probably. But the final word about Zimri by God - He too had done evil in the eyes of the Lord. Just 7 days - disappointed God. How was your day yesterday? Was it a disappointment to God or was it an encouragement for others? One day at a time, let us introspect. Did your words, deeds and thoughts make God happy or sad? Would Jesus be pleading and interceding with the Father asking for 'one more day expecting us to bear fruit? Or would the Father Himself be all excited to give us one more day, saying, 'well done good and faithful servant.' The very little time that we have - do we live a life of selfishness, when i think of my own things, my own stuff, thinking I am the king of my own world. Greediness - wanting things for my own, leading to covetousness, even when I am in surplous, leading to envy and jealousy and degrading others. Or do we live a life loving ...

God's word about destruction of the lineage of Jeroboam because he did evil in the eyes of the Lord came to pass through Baasha. This was initially prophesied through prophet Ahijah. It surely came to o pass without an iota of difference. And God's promise about blessing the lineage of David with the Redeemer also came to pass thousands of years later through Jesus Christ. Both these proves that our God is true. True in not his promise. True in not his words alone. But true in His character. One attribute which makes Him trustworthy. Because He is true we can cling on to Him no matter what. Because He is true we can trust Him. What if.... He turned out to be not true. Horrible to put our trust in Him right? Let's praise God for He is true.... I'm the way, the truth and the life

Asa was a king of Judah who did what was pleasing in the Lord's eyes. But he was not foolproof. He remained completely faithful to the Lord throughout his life. Although the pagan shrines were not removed and when Baasha, king of Israel attacked Judah, instead of running to the Lord,  he made a treaty with Benhhadad, King of Aram. Although everything went well in his lifetime, in his old age, it is said, his feet became deceased. Are you in a counterfeit world, thinking you are close to God, doing things for him, doing things for the church and for his kingdom? But your heart is far away from God. I'm not judging Asa, for the Bible says he did what was pleasing to God, but something was missing in his life. Is passion to God missing in your life?

What is the sacrifice that God desires? In Psalms:50:14, Asaph says it is thankfulness. Ps:50:23 - Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honours me. Giving thanks, only a person who is humble enough can do. Not somebody who is filled with pride, who feels he has gained all these things by his merits. Where as somebody who is humble realizes what his actual plight was and where he had been pulled from. And hence he is thankful to God, seeing God's grace in all he does. Lord help me to be humble enough to be thankful always.

Rehoboam was Solomon's son. During his  reign as king for 17 years, not only he, the people of Judah also did evil in the eyes of the Lord doing detestable practises. That is when King Shishak of Egypt invaded Judah and took of all that was inside the treasury of the temple, including the gold shields that King Solomon made. Hilarious enough, he replaces them with bronze shields. When not in tune with God, when walking a route parellel but opposite to God's, you would want to replace many things which God instituted with suboptimal things. *Early morning quiet times with late night binge watchings. *Attending fellowships with attending online meetings in the comforts of your bed. *Learning the Word with wasting your time in social network. *Being engrossed in His love with trying to gain likes, shares and retweets. Have you replaced gold with bronze?

Jeroboam was unthankful and thankless; raised from commonhood into being king of the northern kingdom. From being a nobody, but prophesied and led to lead the nation Israel. All this happened, not because he claimed to be, Just like that, prophet Ahijah comes in and prophesies. But he chooses to do the wrong things - that he is thankless and unthankful and forgets God. Have I become  thankless? Did I forget from where I have been pulled from? Whatever I have been given, whatever I have been entrusted, it's all a gift, it's all grace. Did I forget and take things for granted and walked the way I wanted. Did I forget to humble myself and thank Him for what He has done for me? Or was I filled with pride, demanding the blessings (more of them) given to me, thinking that I deserve? Shame on me! Knowing me, who I was, who I had been! Did I deserve it? How deplorable of me to forget? Forgive me Father, for my unthankful attitude.

When the Lord brings in people to correct you and point out mistakes in you, how do you respond? 1Kings:13 Jeroboam continued in his own sinful ways. There was an obvious sign. There was healing. There were chances for him to repent. But he continued. He decided to continue. Repent when there is still time.  Do not be adamant. Do not continue. Do not give excuse. Do not justify.

I really do not know what do calves have to do with Israelites. Whenever they decide to make idols, it is in the shape of calves-  At the foot of Mount Sinai. Jeroboam, the first northern king wants to establish his kingdom, he builds two golden calves. These are two instances. They could have thought of the image of a tiger or a camel or a lion or anything else. But it's always calves. On all other occasions when they look around they worshipped other gods of the nations around. But when they had the temptation to build a god of their own, it was always calves. The devil keeps bringing that one particular thing over and over again. Beware. Something which you have struggled. Yet overcame. Yet the devil brings your weak point again and again. But he doesn't know the truth. Do you know the truth? It might be a weakness for you. But the One in you has claimed victory over it all. Through Him, we have been victorious. Unless we believe and cling on to this, how will we...

Rehoboam's decision to be a harder Taskmaster to the people of Israel than his father,triggered a revolt response in the people. They proclaimed their estrangement and disloyalty to David's dynasty. And because of their disaffection they follow a further evil in Jeroboam. When life doesn't  take you through  the smooth path, when things are going tough, what does it trigger? To question God? To rebel against Him? Equivocal to God, making you cling on to something else which is of lesser value yet more harmful? How does it trigger a response in you? God is not like Rehoboam. He is love everlasting. God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose Rom:8:28 Will you continue to cling on.

God had told Jeroboam through prophet Ahijah that He would take away the kingdom from Solomon's son. But Rehoboam had the option - to listen to the advise of the older counsellors and make the burden lighter. But he opted not to. 1Kings:12:15- Though it was the will of God, Rehoboam opted to go the wrong path. The ball is in your court, to choose - either to be on God's side or be far from it.  What you do with it will have eternal consequences, which will affect your life, your children's blife and the lives of people around you. So serve the ball into the right area.....

1Kings:11:26-40 Out of nowhere God chooses Jeroboam. It might be because of Solomon's sin. But Jeroboam is chosen by God to lead ten tribes  and gives him the same promise that He gave Solomon. What he did with it is another story! You and me are also chosen on similar grounds - out of nowhere to be part takers of His glory, to be role players of His story. What a gracious God to have given us this opportunity of a life time.

Whatever you have inherited on this earth, or whatever you have acquired with your merits. However wise this world might call you. However rich. However famous.... Psalm:49:7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. All these goodnesses in this world will go on with you till your grave. After that it is passed on to another and your name fades away. Nothing goes beyond the grave. The grave is inevitable. It is a definite certainty. Grave is man's eternal home (49:11) where they will stay forever. Redemption from this reality does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever (49:8). It is such a huge unimaginable price to be paid, so huge for man to pay. Yet the writer of the Psalms says there is hope.  But as for me, God will redeem my life He will snatch me from the power of the grave (49:15)  Sons of Korah say this from the other side as future tense. But for us it has already been done on the cross. The Lord h...

1Kings:9,10,11 Richness and pageantry; unimaginable, unfathomable wisdom. People, kings and queens come to see with their own eyes, the king's wisdom and all gaudiness, to admire and pay homage. Everyone wants to be friends with Solomon now, because he is powerful, he is rich. Israel is at its peak now. Every kind of people wants to have alliance with this greatest king of all time. In whose country gold is as common as it is used as utensils, silver is as common as stones. The king's wisdom and richness is only incresing day by day. Befuddled by the wealth and fame he has acquired and filled with pride that he could do anything under the sun, Solomon falls face flat on the one thing God had asked not to do, be loyal to Him who had asked not to marry to intermingle with the people retained in the promised land. But it is said that Solomon loved them all and they turned his heart to worship other gods. His love to other women, forced him to build shrines for pagan go...

The Lord's desire is just one thing That you would follow Him all the days of your life.and not bow down before other gods Others who seem, yet are only stones or wood Yes, you would not bow down to idols You would not follow after other non living non existent god's But what is your priority, what do you want to pursue Career, ambitions, passions -non living non existent gods. To love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul To seek Him and Him alone To walk in accordance to and In accompaniment with Him alone You, O Lord, alone I seek You, alone I desire, I worship In your bosom alone, I rest complete Your feet alone I embrace, my tears mixed with Your blood.

Solomon while dedicating the temple, pleads to Jehovah that He would listen to their plea, forgive their sins and answer their prayers. When someone wrongs a neighbour..... When Israel has been defeated by enemies... When there is no rain..... When there is famine or plague.... When a foreigner prays..... When Israel goes out for war..... When Israel sins against God and faces defeat and capture in war ..... Always listen and forgive and answer. Sin is the basic entity that's dealt here. Whatever dilemma they are in. The basic entity is sin driving them away from God. Can any set backs in our lives be seen as a beacon from God pointing out an unconfessed sin in our lives. It's not like punishment but a signal. A man close to God's heart would always look into his heart for sins that have hurt his God. For He is a God who has called to bless us. He doesn't want us to suffer as children of His. Yet He is a holy God, which he can never compromise or have a pact...

1Kings:8:29 That your eyes may be open towards this house night and day, toward the place which you have said, "My name shall be there" Solomon prays dedicating the temple, asking that God's eyes would always be on the temple. Infact God is always keenly looking on mankind, especially those bought by the precious blood of the Lamb. In favour. In compassion. In love. Those who are called by His name. His own. Passionately looking on to his creation who has become doubly his. Keenly. Consistently. Eagerly. Passionately. He would never take his eyes from you. Because He is so much in love with you. You are His beloved. His very own. Unlike the love and passion that mankind can offer. Unloveable as you are. Incorrigible as you are. He loves you.

When the right worship is given, the temple is filled with the cloud, the glorious presence of the Lord. That is how God responded back when Solomon dedicated the temple. What is that fills your heart? The glorious presence of the Lord, so much so that it exudes out from our lives into the hearts of people around us. Or hatred and malice and anger? "My temple shall be called the house of prayer, but you have turned it into a den of thieves!" Matt:21:13

How meticulous was Solomon and the ones he had employed in building the temple.  Each and every details Solomon planned and under the able guidance of Hiram, the employees executed. Your body is the temple of God. How meticulous are you? How serious are you? What do you feed your body?

Yes, Solomon spent seven years to build the temple of God. But he also spent thirteen years to complete the construction of his palace. What are you setting up in your life? Giving God importance is good. But is there something that you give more priority to? Your desires? Your plans? Your passions? Your dreams?

1Kings:6:12-13 ......If you keep all my decrees and regulations and obey all my commands...... I will live among you. God so loves his people who obey his commands and follow his statutes. The promise is that He will live among you. We can either choose to live our own way and therefore not experience the presence of God in our lives or choose to follow His ways and thence experience His presence althroughout our lives. What a privilege it is to be part taker of God's value system.  Loyal to a God who is true, who is just, who is love. Rather than running around passions and futile standards of this fallen world. This present world's standards are so low - each has its own rights and wrongs. Each's right is right for him. There is no set standard. How beautiful it is to follow a God of standards who looks even into the heart. Who is so filled with love and thence motivates us to love our neighbour as ourselves, even love our enemies. Whom do we want to follow? A...

God had promised David, that his son who would build the temple, His favor would not be taken away from him. And that God will be his Father and he will be His son. When Solomon was asked by God Himself, what he wants, he asked for an understanding heart, to know the difference between right and wrong. And God answers that, he gave him a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have. Later we see people are amazed at the wisdom God had given him. So is Hiram, King of Tyre, praising God for giving Solomon such wisdom. It was Paulo Coelho who said, 'When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.' I would want to modify it. When you truly seek, the right thing from God, He would give it out of His riches and glory and the whole world would testify that God is the one who needs to be praised in this. What do you truly seek? What do you truly ask? If you truly seek and genuinely ask, according to His will, H...

Amongst the chaos and all confusions Its upto us, what we meditate on our hearts Grudge or war or what the nations would do to other Or the financial back up that we have set, The control that I would want for my future My career, my family and my children Or do I meditate daily on His unfailing love A love that never fades, never gets bored A love that encompasses even when I was His enemy Unconditional, Agape love without any ifs or buts The more I meditate on His love The more I understand Him and His love How loving He is, how beautiful it is to be in His bosom Doesn't depend on whether you have lived up to it But because, 'He is love and 'Love is Him alone' Love, not based on your obedience Love, not based on whether you love back Love, not judgemental when you struggle His unfailing love is always there No matter wherever you are In the deepest pit, in the miriest clay, In the yuckiest place, in the dirtiest road His arms are always open wide Waiting t...

Wisdom that God gives, to distinguish right from wrong Wisdom from above, not gained by earthly knowledge Knowledge comes from books and experiences That is all which the world can offer. In contrast to wisdom, being productive and useful The knowledge which you have acquired with pride Wisdom comes from above, the ultimate source To discern, to distinguish, to deliver justice Wisdom, understanding, discernment King Solomon says, the Lord grants wisdom He grants a treasure of common sense Wisdom will enter your heart, and fill you with joy. Bookish knowledge will not save you The world might call you knowledgeable and wise But how God sees you is what matters Lest He should call you a fool. Ask of this God, wisdom and understanding The Spirit's guidance, will you listen to the still small voice If you start listening to it today It will become the loudest voice you could hear, all the days of you life.

If God is to come and ask you one thing that He could grant! Not like the genie in Aladdin a story, three wishes, with many conditions. But the Almighty All powerful God asking His child out of love! Long life? Happiness? A pass in the upcoming exams? A well settled life in future? Solomon had the right mindset to ask God the right thing. Wisdom and understanding! And because he asked the right thing, God gave him the rest, what is needed. Matt:6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. It is not about great knowledge of earthly matters - because we understand from Pro:3:7-8, Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. We need to ask God the right thing. He will take care of all your needs. Each and everyone of them.

This is a word which is so routinely and undeservedly used this day. Everything is awesome for the new gen ( Read in that tone and slang) A tasty food from a new restaurant is awesome. A wonderful pass resulting in an improbable goal is awesome. Attaining an impossible win in a game is awesome. Anything or anybody which excites us is awesome these days. But the real meaning of awesome includes along with all the other things - to inspire awe. Awe - is a reverential respect, mixed with fear and wonder. Therefore I feel, awesome is a word that should be reserved to God Almighty, because He alone is Awesome. Psalm:47:2 For the Lord Most High is awesome He is the great King of all the earth. When you come to His presence, are you filled with that reverential fear, that awe, that respect which invokes wonder? Worship should involve awe inspiring visualization of the reality of God seated on the throne and Jesus on His right hand side interceding for us and the seven torches of b...

Final instructions of David to his son Solomon - To follow the decrees of the Lord and then the Lord will bless you. - Blessings on Barzillai - Punishment of Joab and Shimei - So disappointing to read this. To avenge Joab on murdering  Abner and Amasa and Shimei because he cursed him. Remember Joab was the David's faithful chief of the army almost his entire life, till Adonijah included him as his ally. One act of foolishness, David forgets every other good thing he did. Shimei was forgiven and he also remained faithful to David when everyone turned away from Adonijah. But still..... How bad and sickening and ruining is to hold grudge. It doesn't end in David's death bed. But he passes it on to his son too, ruining his life also. What do you nurture in your heart, that you pass on to your children or to your successors?