Wednesday Morning Scripture – Matthew 6:16-25

Fasting, The True Treasure, Wealth (Mammon)

16 “And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. 

17 But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face 

18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 

20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; 

21 for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. 

23 But if your eye is bad [spiritually blind], your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God’s precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].

Matthew 6:16-24 (AMP)

Wednesday Morning Scripture – 2 Corinthians 9

God Gives Most

1 Now it is unnecessary for me to write to you about the offering [that is to be made] for the saints [in Jerusalem]; 

2 for I know your eagerness [to promote this cause], and I have [proudly] boasted to the people of Macedonia about it, telling them that [a]Achaia has been prepared since last year [for this contribution], and your enthusiasm has inspired the majority of them [to respond]. 

3 Still, I am sending the brothers [on to you], so that our pride in you may not be an empty boast in this case, and so that you may be prepared, just as I told them you would be; 

4 otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of yourselves—will be humiliated for being so confident. 

5 That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you [before I come] and make arrangements in advance for this generous, previously promised gift of yours, so that it would be ready, not as something extorted [or wrung out of you], but as a [voluntary and] generous gift.

6 Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows [b]generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap [c]generously [and be blessed]. 

7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. 

8 And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. 

9 As it is written and forever remains written,

“He [the benevolent and generous person] scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness endures forever!”

10 Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love].

11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit]. 

12 For the ministry of this service (offering) is not only supplying the needs of the saints (God’s people), but is also overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God. 

13 Because of this act of ministry, [d]they will glorify God for your obedience to the gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous participation [in this gift] for them and for all [the other believers in need], 

14 and they also long for you while they pray on your behalf, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace [His undeserved favor, mercy, and blessing which is revealed] in you. 

15 Now thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words]!

2 Corinthians 9:1-14 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] 2 Corinthians 9:2 Corinth, the capital city of the Roman province of Achaia, was located in the NW part of the Peloponnesus (southern Greece), about 50 miles from Athens. Paul mentions their positive response to this request in Rom 15:26.

[b] 2 Corinthians 9:6 Lit in blessings.

[c] 2 Corinthians 9:6 Lit in blessings.

[d] 2 Corinthians 9:13 i.e. believers in Jerusalem.

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Journey with Me

    My precious one,

    We are on a journey together. There have been many times we have ventured out and you have rushed ahead, filled with joy, excitement, and expectation but unaware of the terrain. I have rescued you, nursed the resulting wounds, and taken you back to the correct route. On other occasions, I have stretched out my hand encouraging you to proceed with me and you made slow steps, fearful that the trek would be too steep, too harsh or take you in a direction you would not be suited to. These have been learning experiences.

    Today, I remind you, walk along with Me my precious one. 

    Let’s move forward together hand in hand. Don’t run ahead, don’t lag behind. Understand that woven into this plan is timing, pace, rest, equipping and protection. I am with you and even though you don’t know all that is ahead I know this course. You have been prepared by Me and I know that you will advance and grow in this undertaking. 

    Trust Me to lead you. 

    Continue with Me in peace and let Me show you how joyful us moving together can be.

    Prayer:

    Lord Jesus, I praise You and ask You to give me boldness to travel with You. I understand that to do this, I need to trust You. Forgive me for the times I have doubted You or felt I could do this by myself. I desire to be led through confidence in You. So, Lord, thank-You that I get to partner with You today for I want to journey with You.

    2 He provides me rest in rich, green fields
    beside streams of refreshing water. He soothes my fears;

    3 He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.

    4 Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness, I am not overcome by fear.
    Because You are with me in those dark moments, near with Your protection and guidance, I am comforted.

    Psalm 23:2-4 (VOICE)

    #lionbites

    Tuesday Morning Scripture – Psalm 23

    A Song of David

    1 The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always.


    2 He provides me rest in rich, green fields
     beside streams of refreshing water.  He soothes my fears;

    3 He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.

    4 Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness, I am not overcome by fear.
    Because You are with me in those dark moments, near with Your protection and guidance, I am comforted.

    5 You spread out a table before me, provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies; You care for all my needs anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil, filling my cup again and again with Your grace.

    6 Certainly Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me where I go, always, everywhere. I will always be with the Eternal, in Your house forever.

    Psalm 23:1-6 (VOICE)

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Build Your Boat

    I told Noah to build a boat because I knew the flood was coming. Despite ridicule from every side, he listened and his life was spared.

    Just as I told Noah, I am telling you – storms, flood waters and tossing waves are all a part of this life. If you’re going to stay afloat, you must build a boat and anchor it to Me. The only way to do that is through pursuing Me.

    I am the Master Builder. 

    I provide your blueprint in the Word. 

    Your tools are the scriptures, and you use them by applying them to your daily life. 

    Your supplies come from building relationship with Me, for I supply all your needs and hold you together. Your anchor comes from your faith in Me. It becomes fixed through your complete trust.

    Not everyone will understand. Build anyway. It won’t make sense until the rain comes.

    And when it does, you can say, “Let it pour!” Because the floods won’t phase you, the waves won’t sway you, and the winds won’t toss you about, all because you listened, built your boat and anchored yourself in Me.

    Prayer: 

    Father, thank-you for reminding me that I build a boat by pursuing relationship with you. Show me where I am in the process, and teach me how to live out the scriptures so I can build a sturdy boat. Help me to trust You so my anchor keeps me secure. Thank-you for making a way for me to be safe even among the most torrential of storms! 

    In Jesus name, amen.

    Make yourself an [a]ark of [b]gopher wood; make in it rooms (stalls, pens, coops, nests, cages, compartments) and [c]coat it inside and out with pitch (bitumen).

    Genesis 6:14 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Genesis 6:14 The word “ark” comes from a Latin word (arca) for a box or chest. The design of the ark matched its purpose, which was not to travel through the water efficiently, but to be stable and have the greatest possible capacity for cargo. Also, such a vessel could be constructed relatively quickly, because there would be no need to form the wood used for the hull into efficient curves to maximize speed.

    [b] Genesis 6:14 The type of wood is unknown. The name of the wood is a transliteration—not a translation—of the Hebrew, with no connection to the English word “gopher.”

    [c] Genesis 6:14 This prevented water from seeping into the ark through the seams between the wooden planks, and may also have served to protect the wood from becoming saturated with water. Coating the ark with pitch on the outside as well as the inside was very practical. One of the worst jobs on the old wooden ships was to re-coat the inside bottom of the hull when water had seeped in, because the crewman had to quickly pave hot pitch on the hull under the water, which cooled the pitch as he worked and made the job all the more difficult—thus the nautical saying, “the devil (referring to the seam in the hull planking) to pay (i.e. pave with pitch).” The problem was eliminated or minimized on the ark, but Noah, due to his complete inexperience with sea-going vessels, would not even have known about the potential problem himself. It was imperative for him to have absolute faith in God, and to follow God’s directions word for word.

    18 so that by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge would have strong encouragement and indwelling strength to hold tightly to the hope set before us. 

    19 This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells],

    Hebrews 6:18-19 (AMP)

    #lionbites

    Monday Morning Scripture – Genesis 6

    The Corruption of Mankind

    1 Now it happened, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 

    2 that the [a]sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful and desirable; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose and desired. 

    3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive and remain with man forever, because he is indeed flesh [sinful, corrupt—given over to sensual appetites]; nevertheless his days shall yet be [b]a hundred and twenty years.” 

    4 There were Nephilim (men of stature, notorious men) on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God lived with the daughters of men, and they gave birth to their children. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown (great reputation, fame).

    5 The Lord saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually. 

    6 The Lord [c]regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart. 

    7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy (annihilate) mankind whom I have created from the surface of the earth—not only man, but the animals and the crawling things and the birds of the air—because it [deeply] grieves Me [to see mankind’s sin] and I regret that I have made them.” 

    8 But Noah found favor and grace in the eyes of the Lord.

    9 These are the records of the generations (family history) of Noah. Noah was a righteous man [one who was just and had right standing with God], blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked (lived) [in habitual fellowship] with God. 

    10 Now Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

    11 The [population of the] earth was corrupt [absolutely depraved—spiritually and morally putrid] in God’s sight, and the land was filled with violence [desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power]. 

    12 God looked on the earth and saw how debased and degenerate it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way on the earth and lost their true direction.

    13 God said to Noah, “I intend to make an end of all that lives, for through men the land is filled with violence; and behold, I am about to [d]destroy them together with the land. 

    14 Make yourself an [e]ark of [f]gopher wood; make in it rooms (stalls, pens, coops, nests, cages, compartments) and [g]coat it inside and out with pitch (bitumen). 

    15 This is the way you are to make it: the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits (450’ x 75’ x 45’). 

    16 You shall make a [h]window [for light and ventilation] for the ark, and finish it to at least a cubit (eighteen inches) from the top—and set the [entry] door of the ark in its side; and you shall make it with lower, second and third decks. 

    17 For behold, I, even I, will bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy all life under the heavens in which there is the breath and spirit of life; everything that is on the land shall die. 

    18 But I will establish My covenant (solemn promise, formal agreement) with you; and you shall come into the ark—you and your [three] sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 

    19 And of every living thing [found on land], you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 

    20 Of fowls and birds according to their kind, of animals according to their kind, of every crawling thing of the ground according to its kind—two of every kind shall come to you to keep them alive. 

    21 Also take with you every kind of food that is edible, and you shall collect and store it; and it shall be food for you and for them.” 

    22 So Noah did this; according to all that God commanded him, that is what he did.

    Genesis 6:1-22 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Genesis 6:2 This phrase has been interpreted as a reference to: (a) royalty or rulers possessed by fallen angels, (b) the descendants of Seth who called upon the Lord (see 4:26), or (c) fallen angels (cf Job 1:6).

    [b] Genesis 6:3 This may refer to the time given man to repent before the flood, or to the normative human life span after the flood.

    [c] Genesis 6:6 The expressions of regret and grief seen here do not mean that God acknowledged the creation of man as a mistake on His part. God is omniscient, knowing all things (Ps 139:16) and He knew that mankind would come into sin and wickedness. God grieved over the sin of man because it was appropriate for Him to do so.

    [d] Genesis 6:13 Enoch (the descendant of Seth, not Cain) had warned these people (Jude 14, 15); Noah had preached righteousness to them (2 Pet 2:5); and God’s Spirit had been struggling with them (Gen 6:3). Yet they had rejected God.

    [e] Genesis 6:14 The word “ark” comes from a Latin word (arca) for a box or chest. The design of the ark matched its purpose, which was not to travel through the water efficiently, but to be stable and have the greatest possible capacity for cargo. Also, such a vessel could be constructed relatively quickly, because there would be no need to form the wood used for the hull into efficient curves to maximize speed.

    [f] Genesis 6:14 The type of wood is unknown. The name of the wood is a transliteration—not a translation—of the Hebrew, with no connection to the English word “gopher.”

    [g] Genesis 6:14 This prevented water from seeping into the ark through the seams between the wooden planks, and may also have served to protect the wood from becoming saturated with water. Coating the ark with pitch on the outside as well as the inside was very practical. One of the worst jobs on the old wooden ships was to re-coat the inside bottom of the hull when water had seeped in, because the crewman had to quickly pave hot pitch on the hull under the water, which cooled the pitch as he worked and made the job all the more difficult—thus the nautical saying, “the devil (referring to the seam in the hull planking) to pay (i.e. pave with pitch).” The problem was eliminated or minimized on the ark, but Noah, due to his complete inexperience with sea-going vessels, would not even have known about the potential problem himself. It was imperative for him to have absolute faith in God, and to follow God’s directions word for word.

    [h] Genesis 6:16 Or roof.

    Monday Morning Scripture – Hebrews 6

    The Peril of Falling Away

    1 Therefore let us get past the elementary stage in the teachings about the Christ, advancing on to maturity and perfection and spiritual completeness, [doing this] without laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 

    2 of teaching about washings (ritual purifications), the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. [These are all important matters in which you should have been proficient long ago.] 

    3 And we will do this [that is, proceed to maturity], if God permits. 

    4 For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have [a]tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 

    5 and have tasted and consciously experienced the good word of God and the powers of the age (world) to come, 

    6 [b]and then have fallen away—it is impossible to bring them back again to repentance, since they again nail the Son of God on the cross [for as far as they are concerned, they are treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it], and are holding Him up again to public disgrace. 

    7 For soil that drinks the rain which often falls on it and produces crops useful to those for whose benefit it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God; 

    8 but if it persistently produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

    Better Things for You

    9 But, beloved, even though we speak to you in this way, [c]we are convinced of better things concerning you, and of things that accompany salvation. 

    10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown for His name in ministering to [the needs of] the saints (God’s people), as you do. 

    11 And we desire for each one of you to show the same diligence [all the way through] so as to realize and enjoy the full assurance of hope until the end, 

    12 so that you will not be [spiritually] sluggish, but [will instead be] imitators of those who through faith [lean on God with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in His power] and by patient endurance [even when suffering] are [now] inheriting the promises.

    13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, He swore [an oath] by Himself, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, 

    14 saying, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.” 

    15 And so, having patiently waited, he realized the promise [in the miraculous birth of Isaac, as a pledge of what was to come from God]. 

    16 Indeed men swear [an oath] by [d]one greater than themselves, and with them [in all disputes] the oath serves as confirmation [of what has been said] and is an end of the dispute. 

    17 In the same way God, in His desire to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable nature of His purpose, intervened and guaranteed it with an oath, 

    18 so that by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge would have strong encouragement and indwelling strength to hold tightly to the hope set before us. 

    19 This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells], 

    20 where Jesus has entered [in advance] as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever according to the order of [e]Melchizedek.

    Hebrews 6:1-20 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Hebrews 6:4 This is the same Greek word that is used in Matt 27:34 regarding Jesus’ tasting the wine mixed with gall during His crucifixion. After tasting what was being offered to Him He refused to drink it. Perhaps the use of this word in this passage (vv 4-6) refers to those who superficially “tasted” the gospel and outwardly appeared to embrace the Christian experience, but inwardly never committed in full surrender to Christ. In this case, the act of “falling away” was simply the public expression of their true position and their rejection of Jesus as Messiah regardless of the evidence.

    [b] Hebrews 6:6 This passage is one of the most difficult to interpret in Hebrews. Four major views have been suggested: 1) some interpret the passage to teach the possibility of loss of salvation, 2) some see the text as hypothetical, with the author using an illustration of what would occur in the case of apostasy, but which, in fact, cannot occur, 3) some suggest the passage refers to apparent believers who are in the church, but who are not truly saved. These commit apostasy, depart from the fellowship, and thus give evidence they were not genuinely converted, and 4) the loss of rewards view that suggests that the context indicated the people described in vv 4-6 are genuine believers who commit willful sin and fail to press on to maturity. These are disciplined by God in this life, and lose rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ along the lines of 1 Cor 3:11-17.

    [c] Hebrews 6:9 The concerns of the writer of Hebrews as outlined in vv 1-8 have not happened to the Hebrew believers and the writer does not expect them to happen.

    [d] Hebrews 6:16 Or Him who is greater.

    [e] Hebrews 6:20 See note 7:3.

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Godly Influence

    Dear One, what changes when you read My Word? King Josiah was a righteous man. He found the law of Moses while restoring my temple. He read it and realised that his generation had been disobedient, so he wept and humbly repented. He could have stopped at this, but instead he sought My counsel for all those in his sphere of authority. Even though their sin still had consequences, he continued changing the environment and atmosphere to make it pleasing to Me. He read My Words to all those he had God-given authority over, causing them to come into covenant relationship with Me. He removed the priests, altars, idols and emblems of other gods. 

    Beloved, consider your sphere of influence. People in it may choose not to follow Me, but will you still seek My heart for them? 

    If they don’t know My ways yet, will you show them? 

    If there are items you know do not please Me, will you remove them? 

    Today I want to remind you that your God-given influence is greater than you realise!

    Activation:

    With a piece of paper, take a moment with Holy Spirit and ask Him to show you your sphere of influence. This may include roles at home, work, church or in your community. Write each role down and and ask God for insight as to how you can steward these areas well. Ask Him for an understanding of what your specific assignment is for each area of influence.

    He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father (forefather) and did not turn aside either to the right or to the left.

    2 Chronicles 34:2 (AMP)

    Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.

    Matthew 5:16 (AMP)

    #lionbites

    Friday Morning Scripture – 2 Chronicles 34

    Josiah Succeeds Amon in Judah

    1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 

    2 He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father (forefather) and did not turn aside either to the right or to the left. 

    3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young (sixteen), he began to seek after and inquire of the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and cast images. 

    4 They tore down the altars of the Baals in his presence; he cut to pieces the incense altars that were high above them; he also smashed the Asherim and the carved images and the cast images to pieces, and ground them to dust and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. 

    5 Then Josiah burned the bones of the [pagan] priests on their altars and purged and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. 

    6 In the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and as far as Naphtali, in their surrounding ruins, 

    7 he tore down the altars and beat and crushed the Asherim and the carved images into powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

    Josiah Repairs the Temple

    8 In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, when he had purged the land and the [LORD’s] house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder (secretary), to repair the house of the LORD his God. 

    9 When they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that had been brought into the house of God, which the Levites, who guarded the doors, had collected from Manasseh and Ephraim, and from all the remnant of Israel, and from all Judah and Benjamin, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 

    10 Then they gave it to the workmen who were appointed over the house of the LORD, and the workmen who were working in the house of the LORD gave it [to others] to repair and restore the house (temple). 

    11 They in turn gave it to the carpenters and builders to buy quarried stone and timber for couplings (trusses, braces) and to make beams for the houses which the kings of Judah had let go to ruin. 

    12 The men did the work faithfully with foremen over them to supervise and inspect [their work]: Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam of the sons of the Kohathites, and the Levites, all who were skillful with musical instruments. 

    13 They were also in charge of the burden bearers [who carried heavy loads], and supervised all the workmen in any kind of service; and some of the Levites were scribes and officials and gatekeepers.

    Hilkiah Discovers Lost Book of the Law

    14 When they were bringing out the money which had been brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD given by Moses. 

    15 Hilkiah told Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.” And he gave the book to Shaphan. 

    16 Shaphan brought the book to the king, but [first] reported further to him, “Your servants are doing everything that was entrusted to them. 

    17 They have emptied out the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hands of the overseers and the workmen.” 

    18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

    19 When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes. 

    20 Then the king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying, 

    21 “Go, inquire of the LORD for me and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah in regard to the words of the book which has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD which has been poured out on us because our fathers have not kept and obeyed the word of the LORD, to act in accordance with everything that is written in this book.”

    Huldah, the Prophetess, Speaks

    22 So Hilkiah and those whom the king had told went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem, in the Second Quarter); and they spoke to her about this. 

    23 And she answered them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 

    24 thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am bringing evil on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book which they have read in the presence of the king of Judah. 

    25 Because they have abandoned (rejected) Me and have burned incense to other gods, in order to provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands, [a]My wrath will be poured out on this place and it will not be extinguished.”’ 

    26 But you shall say the following to King Josiah of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD: ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel, concerning the words which you have heard, 

    27 “Because your heart was gentle and penitent and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and its inhabitants, and humbled yourself before Me, and tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” declares the LORD. 

    28 “Behold, I will gather you to your fathers [in death], and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the evil which I am going to bring on this place and on its inhabitants.”’” So they brought back word to the king.

    29 Then the king sent word and gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 

    30 And the king went up to the house of the LORD with all the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites, and all the people, from the greatest to the least; and he read aloud so they could hear all the words of the Book of the Covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.

    Josiah’s Good Reign

    31 Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the LORD—to walk after (obey) the LORD, and to keep His commandments, His testimonies, and His statutes with all his heart and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant written in this book. 

    32 Further, he made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin stand [with him, in confirmation of it]. So the inhabitants of Jerusalem acted in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 

    33 Josiah removed all the [pagan] repulsive things from all the lands belonging to the sons (descendants) of Israel, and made all who were present in Israel serve the LORD their God. Throughout his lifetime they did not turn from following the LORD God of their fathers.

    2 Chronicles 34:1-33 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] 2 Chronicles 34:25 God’s wrath would “not be extinguished,” but that does not mean it would go on forever. It means it will consume all of what it was meant to consume.

    Friday Morning Scripture – Matthew 5:13-20

    Disciples and the World

    13 “You are the [a]salt of the earth; but if the salt has [b]lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery].

    14 “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 

    15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 

    16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.

    17 “Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the [c]Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

    18 For I assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished. 

    19 So whoever breaks one of the least [important] of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least[important] in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

    20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness (uprightness, moral essence) is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

    Matthew 5:13-20 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Matthew 5:13 In ancient times salt was often used as a preservative. Similarly, followers of Christ are to preserve both the gospel message and Christian values in the secular world.

    [b] Matthew 5:13 The salt from the Dead Sea contains impurities that affect its qualities as a seasoning and as a preservative.

    [c] Matthew 5:17 i.e. the Pentateuch.