There Will Be a Test !
Now Playing: Are we trusting in God or our own abilities ?
Topic: Accountability
1 Chronicles 4-6, John 6:1-21
Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 5:20, 25

It has been said that the problem with the school of hard knocks is that the tests are given first. That's a hard way to learn-test first, lesson later. Paul, speaking particularly of the Old Testament, said that these things were "written to teach us" (Rom. 15:4). If only we would learn first, we might do better passing the tests.

In 1 Chronicles 5 we can learn from people who passed and then failed. It looked like they knew what to do but then forgot. The people were of the tribes of Israel, Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh.

First they show us that trust in God can bring victory. "They were helped in fighting" by God "because they cried out to him . . . . He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him" (v. 20).

Then "they were unfaithful . . . and prostituted themselves" to other gods (v. 25). Just as trust in God can bring victory, so unfaithfulness can bring defeat. They paid a high price for their forgetfulness. God raised up an enemy who took them captive and carried them away into exile.

If you saw three people in front of you lose their money in a vending machine, would you put in your quarters? Hopefully not! Instead, you would learn from their example.

Learn from the examples of those who lived in Bible times. Trust can bring victory; unfaithfulness, defeat. Tests will come. All that remains is for you to show that you have learned-and pass the test.

As you read your Bible, look carefully for the lessons God has for you and apply them to your life. He did not give us the Bible just to increase our knowledge but to change the way we live.

(from W. Kroll, T. Beckett)

I Just Work Here
Now Playing: Are we willing to do what we are required to please God ?
Topic: Responsibility
Chronicles 7-9, John 6:22-44
Key Verse: John 6:38

"Don't ask me, I just work here" are words usually spoken by someone wanting to avoid responsibility, not as an expression of submission to authority. The obvious intent is to "pass the buck," if not the blame, to someone higher up.

Actually, though, it could be a great statement of submission. If those words were said as an acknowledgment that the person is doing as told, it would reflect an obedient attitude, that of one who is submissive to whomever is in charge.

Unfortunately, we are more prone to sarcasm than submission. Yet God calls us to submission and gives us a model to follow--Jesus. He said, "I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me" (v. 38).

Knowing what God wanted Him to do kept Jesus from getting sidetracked. The crowd wanted Him to feed them from now on. That was their will, but He would not submit to their desires because He was already submitted to the will of the Father. And it is clear that He not only knew God's will but was submitted to it and determined to carry it out.

There was no sarcasm in His voice as He said these words because they came from a submissive heart. What a contrast to the self-serving words of the crowd, who said, "Give us this bread" (v. 34). They were asking for what they wanted.

Do your words come from a submissive or a self-serving heart? When you pray, which matters most-your will or God's?

How serious are you when you pray, "Not my will, but Thine"? Look for submissiveness in your life. Can you find evidence of it in how you use your time, talents and finances? Read Ephesians 5:21. Do others see this verse in your relationships?

(from W. Kroll, T. Beckett)

Sad Ending
Now Playing: Are we tempted to give up -- ask God to help !
Topic: Spritual Walk
1 Chronicles 10-12, John 6:45-71
Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

"No statistic is more meaningless than the score at half time," a sports philosopher once said. There have been some miraculous comebacks, and being ahead at the half is no guarantee of a win.

What is true in sports is true in life. How a person is at life's "half time" is no guarantee of how he will be at the end. Jacob started disastrously but finished well, while the opposite was true with Solomon. Now add Saul to the latter list. At one point he looked good-so good that he stood out from the crowd, was chosen to be king and led the nation with the blessing of God.

The last half of his life, however, is remembered for its bitterness, the pursuit of David and a suicidal death. God's blessing turned to judgment. Saul's life had a sad ending for three reasons.

One, he was unfaithful to the Lord. God expects faithfulness of His people. Saul was not. Two, he did not keep the Word of the Lord. Obedience is to be a characteristic of the people of God. His became a life of disobedience. Three, he sought guidance from the wrong place and not from the Lord. As his kingdom was unraveling, Saul turned to a witch instead of to the Lord.

In two verses, 1 Chronicles 10:13-14, we are given an epitaph of sorts, an analysis of a life that began promisingly but ended disastrously. It ended that way not because of things beyond Saul's control but because of things he did not control. He could have remained faithful, kept the word of the Lord and sought God's guidance, but he chose not to.

Some things are beyond our control. Concentrate on the things that are. Examine how you are doing on these three things: remaining faithful, keeping the Word of the Lord and seeking God's guidance.

(from W. Kroll, T. Beckett)

Thanksgiving to God
Now Playing: Do we appreciate what God has done for us ?
Topic: Scripture
Psalms 26:7

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

Psalms 50:14

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

Psalms 69:30

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalms 95:2

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalms 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.

Psalms 107:22

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Psalms 116:17

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

Psalms 147:7

Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

Worshipping the Lord
Now Playing: Do we truly have worship in our hearts to the Lord ?
Topic: Scripture
Luke 24:52

And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

John 4:20

Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

John 4:21

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

John 4:22

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

John 4:23

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

John 4:24

God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

Glorify the Lord
Now Playing: Do we desire to bring Him glory ?
Topic: Scripture
Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Luke 2:20

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 5:25

And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

Luke 18:43

And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw [it], gave praise unto God.

John 12:28

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, [saying], I have both glorified [it], and will glorify [it] again.

John 13:32

If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

John 16:14

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.

John 17:1

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

John 17:5

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

He is Worthy of our Praise
Now Playing: How much praise do we give to the Lord ?
Topic: Scripture
Psalms 34:3

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Psalms 69:30

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Luke 1:46

And Mary said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord"

Psalms 7:17

I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

Psalms 9:1

I will praise [thee], O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Psalms 9:2

I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

Psalms 9:11

Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

Psalms 9:14

That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

Psalms 18:3

I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Psalms 18:49

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

Psalms 21:13

Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: [so] will we sing and praise thy power.

Psalms 22:3

But thou [art] holy, [O thou] that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Psalms 22:22

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Psalms 22:23

Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

Psalms 22:25

My praise [shall be] of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

Psalms 22:26

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

Psalms 27:6

And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

Psalms 28:7

The LORD [is] my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalms 30:9

What profit [is there] in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

Psalms 30:12

To the end that [my] glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalms 33:1

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: [for] praise is comely for the upright.

Psalms 33:2

Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings.

Psalms 34:1

<[A Psalm] of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.> I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth.

Psalms 35:18

I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

Psalms 35:28

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness [and] of thy praise all the day long.

Psalms 40:3

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Psalms 42:4

When I remember these [things], I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

Psalms 42:5

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and [why] art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him [for] the help of his countenance.

Psalms 42:11

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalms 43:4

Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

Psalms 43:5

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalms 44:8

In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

Psalms 45:17

I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

Psalms 47:6

Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

Psalms 47:7

For God [is] the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

Psalms 48:1

Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, [in] the mountain of his holiness.

Psalms 48:10

According to thy name, O God, so [is] thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

Psalms 49:18

Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and [men] will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

Psalms 50:23

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth [his] conversation [aright] will I shew the salvation of God.

Psalms 51:15

O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

Psalms 52:9

I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done [it]: and I will wait on thy name; for [it is] good before thy saints.

Psalms 54:6

I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for [it is] good.

Psalms 56:4

In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Psalms 56:10

In God will I praise [his] word: in the LORD will I praise [his] word.

Psalms 56:12

Thy vows [are] upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

Psalms 57:7

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

Psalms 57:9

I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.

Psalms 61:8

So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

Psalms 63:3

Because thy lovingkindness [is] better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Psalms 63:5

My soul shall be satisfied as [with] marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise [thee] with joyful lips:

Psalms 65:1

Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.

Psalms 66:2

Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

Psalms 66:8

O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:

Psalms 67:3

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Psalms 67:5

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Psalms 68:4

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

Psalms 68:32

Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:

Psalms 69:30

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalms 69:34

Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

Psalms 71:6

By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise [shall be] continually of thee.

Psalms 71:8

Let my mouth be filled [with] thy praise [and with] thy honour all the day.

Psalms 71:14

But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

Psalms 71:22

I will also praise thee with the psaltery, [even] thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

Psalms 72:15

And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; [and] daily shall he be praised.

Psalms 74:21

O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.

Psalms 75:9

But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

Psalms 76:10

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

Psalms 78:4

We will not hide [them] from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

Psalms 79:13

So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

Psalms 86:12

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Psalms 88:10

Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise [and] praise thee? Selah.

Psalms 89:5

And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

Psalms 92:1

[It is a] good [thing] to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

Psalms 96:4

For the LORD [is] great, and greatly to be praised: he [is] to be feared above all gods.

Psalms 98:4

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Psalms 99:3

Let them praise thy great and terrible name; [for] it [is] holy.

Psalms 100:1

praise.> Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Psalms 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.

Psalms 102:18

This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

Psalms 102:21

To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;

Psalms 104:33

I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

Psalms 104:35

Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 105:45

That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 106:1

Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

Psalms 106:2

Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? [who] can shew forth all his praise?

Psalms 106:12

Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.

Psalms 106:47

Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, [and] to triumph in thy praise.

Psalms 106:48

Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 107:8

Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalms 107:15

Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalms 107:21

Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalms 107:31

Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalms 107:32

Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Psalms 108:1

O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

Psalms 108:3

I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

Psalms 109:1

Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;

Psalms 109:30

I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.

Psalms 111:1

Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with [my] whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and [in] the congregation.

Psalms 111:10

The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.

Psalms 112:1

Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Psalms 113:1

Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

Psalms 113:3

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name [is] to be praised.

Psalms 113:9

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, [and to be] a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 115:17

The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

Psalms 115:18

But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.

Psalms 116:19

In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 117:1

O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

Psalms 117:2

For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD [endureth] for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 118:19

Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, [and] I will praise the LORD:

Psalms 118:21

I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

Psalms 118:28

Thou [art] my God, and I will praise thee: [thou art] my God, I will exalt thee.

Psalms 119:7

I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

Psalms 119:164

Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Psalms 119:171

My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

Psalms 119:175

Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

Psalms 135:1

Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise [him], O ye servants of the LORD.

Psalms 135:3

Praise the LORD; for the LORD [is] good: sing praises unto his name; for [it is] pleasant.

Psalms 135:21

Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 138:1

<[A Psalm] of David.> I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

Psalms 138:2

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Psalms 138:4

All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.

Psalms 139:14

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.

Psalms 142:7

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

Psalms 144:9

I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

Psalms 145:1

praise.> I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

Psalms 145:2

Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Psalms 145:3

Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness [is] unsearchable.

Psalms 145:4

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

Psalms 145:10

All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

Psalms 145:21

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Psalms 146:1

Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Psalms 146:2

While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Psalms 146:10

The LORD shall reign for ever, [even] thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 147:1

Praise ye the LORD: for [it is] good to sing praises unto our God; for [it is] pleasant; [and] praise is comely.

Psalms 147:7

Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

Psalms 147:12

Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

Psalms 147:20

He hath not dealt so with any nation: and [as for his] judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 148:1

Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

Psalms 148:2

Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

Psalms 148:3

Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

Psalms 148:4

Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that [be] above the heavens.

Psalms 148:5

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.

Psalms 148:7

Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

Psalms 148:13

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven.

Psalms 148:14

He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; [even] of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 149:1

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, [and] his praise in the congregation of saints.

Psalms 149:3

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Psalms 149:6

[Let] the high [praises] of God [be] in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;

Psalms 149:9

To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 150:1

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Psalms 150:2

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Psalms 150:3

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

Psalms 150:4

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

Psalms 150:5

Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Psalms 150:6

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.