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8/8/2009 - Friends With Enemies

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Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Saturday August 08, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Isaiah, please read chapters 38-42 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah 38-42&version=9

Today's Message: Friends With Enemies
As Christian's, we are to tell all about Christ and what He has done to us, but we need to be very careful whom we reveal more than the Gospel to the lost.

Hezekiah knew who God was and sought Him in His time of need, when the Assyrian army was surrounding the city, and about to starve it out, Hezekiah went to the Lord and Jerusalem was saved. However, Hezekiah had a problem with seeking God when things were going well in his life. Isaiah came to him with a message from the Lord. That message was to get his personal matters in order because he is going to die. “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.” - Isaiah 38:1-5. Hezekiah did not ask Isaiah to intercede on his behalf, he humbly went to God, repented and made himself right with God. Then, God heard his prayer and added fifteen years on to his life. Just like God added years to Hezekiah's life, He can add years to our lives as well. It's not just having faith that adds on the years, its the service that we give Him during our time here that also keeps us here on earth a little longer.

After God had healed Hezekiah, he just could not wait to show and tell everyone what God had done for him, but he erred in that he was willing to tell everyone that would listen. “At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.….....Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” - Isaiah 39:1,2,5-7. Now, the error was not in telling the people about what God had done for him, it is who and what he told them. When Hezekiah received their letter with their gift, he was too quick to treat them as a friend. He showed them everything he had. He was proud of all the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointments, as well as all of their armor, and other treasures that had been stored in the Temple since the days of Solomon, with all his wealth. All the doors were opened, and they were allowed to view it all and record it for king Merodachbaladan. The warning here is to watch out what you show and tell to anyone who does not know God or His Word, for that is what shall be used against you in due time.

Many of the circumstances in the world, regardless of whether it is war, disease, or poverty, comes from the decisions we make. Many people wonder if there is a God then why all the war, why all the suffering, why all the disease, but in reality, none of these would have even come into play had we listened to God in the first place and that means all of us and all of His Word. “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.” - Proverbs 13:18. God has given us every warning and instructions on how we can avoid all these tragedies, but it is self-righteousness, ignorance and rebellion that keep us from seeing peace in the world. All one has to do is take a look around the world today and see that Isaiah's prophecy is coming into play once again, only this time it will be our own nation.

Does Hezekiah's foolishness of telling Babylon their secrets sound like us today? Our leaders and military generals quick to show our enemies all of our armor, and telling them the capabilities of their use. Our weakness are blabbed around the world, and we just cant give our wealth away fast enough. As a nation we are taking the presents that the enemies are giving us, and buying into their one world system. They are writing the interpretations of God's Holy Word and the churches are believing their lies and traditions, just as they did when they crucified Jesus Christ. It is sad and scary to see all these things come into play, but we as Children of God can rest assure that we have Jesus and one day all of the wars, diseases, and poverty of the world will come to an end and we will truly have peace in the world.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, we are known as one nation under God, but lately it is becoming one nation under power, greed, and money. Just as we have seen your predictions come to reality in the past, new ones are quickly coming into play. Lord, watch over us and protect us as we patiently await Your return. Help us to get the Gospel out to as many as we can so they too know the truth, work in their hearts and help them to understand before it is too late. Also, guide us and help us to be mindful and careful not to reveal too much to the enemy. In Jesus' Name..........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
God Bless You,
Christina

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