Is believing enough? when you claim to believe the God of Abraham created the heavens and the earth (and if you are a Christian and believe in Jesus) but you continue living a sin filled lifestyle without remorse or repentance — You are in the company of demons. James 2:19, “You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that— and shudder.”

"...but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be indignation and wrath"

Ro 2

"...God, who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality: eternal life"

Ro 2

Goeie dag

Baie Dankie vir al julle gebede ??

Hier is die video opname van die skrifgedeeltes vir die week ? 
Ek glo die Woord sal ook vreugde en vrolikheid in jou en jou geliefdes se harte wees ? 
Baie seën vir die week wat voorlê?

Vrede vir jou

Goeie dag

Baie Dankie vir al julle gebede ??

Hier is die video opname van die skrifgedeeltes vir die week ? 
Ek glo die Woord sal ook vreugde en vrolikheid in jou en jou geliefdes se harte wees ? 
Baie seën vir die week wat voorlê?

Vrede vir jou

Thought for Today: Tuesday April 25:

If we look only at the newspapers headlines today, and every day, we all should have a good reason to be negative and pessimistic about the future. BUT do not forget two very important truths: First – the future is in YHVH’s hands and nothing takes Him by surprise. He is sovereign over the history of the world as well as our own personal histories, and behind the scenes, He is at work to accomplish His purposes. Secondly – never forget that even when the future is unclear, YHVH Elohiym is with those of us who are trusting Moshiach as our Saviour and Adonai and He helps us. Thus, no matter what the future holds for you – no matter what today holds for you – you do not face it alone if you know our Moshiach

SERIES N --- THE EXILE --- LESSON 03

UZZIAH’S PRIDE

KING UZZIAH OF JUDAH

From 2 Kings 14:21-22; 15:1-7; 2 Chronicles 26

When King Amaziah of Judah died, the people made his sixteen-year-old son Azariah king. Azariah, who was usually called Uzziah, ruled for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem. On the whole, Uzziah was a good king, following in the steps of his father Amaziah. A man named Zechariah, who lived in Uzziah’s kingdom, received special visions from Adonai. Uzziah was wise enough to listen to this godly man; so while Zechariah was alive, King Uzziah prospered, for Adonai was with him. Adonai was with Uzziah in his wars against the neighbouring people - the Arabians in Gurbaal, the Meunites and the Ammonites. The Ammonites paid Uzziah tribute and Uzziah broke down the walls of the Philistine cities of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod. He also built his own cities near Ashdod and other parts of the Philistine territory. The fame of Uzziah spread all the way to Egypt as he became more and more powerful. At Jerusalem, King Uzziah built towers at the Corner Gate, the Valley Gate and at the point where the walls turn, fortifying each of them. He also built forts in the wilderness and dug a number of cisterns to collect water, for he had great herds of cattle in both the plains and the valleys. He loved the soil, so he kept many farms with ploughmen and vineyards with vine keepers, both in the hills and fertile lands below. King Uzziah also kept an active army, organized by divisions under the commander-in-chief Hananiah. The draft was under the supervision of his secretary Jeiel and an officer named Maaseiah. The army of three hundred and seven thousand, five hundred well-trained troops was under the immediate command of twenty-six hundred clan leaders. King Uzziah supplied them with the best weapons - shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows and sling stones. He also made powerful machines of war, invented by some of his skilled men, which could be placed on the towers and corners of the wall to shoot arrows and hurl great stones. Uzziah’s fame spread, for Adonai was helping him to become a powerful king. But that brought him trouble, for when he became powerful, he also became proud. In fact, he became so proud that he decided he would personally offer incense in the temple, so he entered the temple and began burning incense on the altar. Azariah the priest, with eighty other priests, hurried after him and urged him to leave the temple. [It is not for you, King Uzziah, to burn incense here, for only Aaron’s descendants, the priests, may do that. Get out of here, for what you are doing is wrong and will not honour Adonai.] When Uzziah heard that he was very angry with the priests. But as soon as his anger rose, leprosy came upon his forehead, even as he held the censer in his hand beside the altar of incense, in the presence of the priests. While Azariah and the other priests watched, King Uzziah became a leper. Then they rushed him out of the temple. In fact, the king himself was anxious to leave, for he realized what was happening. King Uzziah remained a leper as long as he lived. Being a leper, he could never return to the temple and had to appoint his son Jotham to carry out his duties as king while he lived alone, isolated in a private house. The prophet Isaiah recorded the other adventures of King Uzziah. When Uzziah died, he was buried in the royal burial field but not in one of the royal tombs because, as they said, [He is a leper.] After that, Jotham, his son, ruled in his place.

COMMENTARY

THE CONQUESTS AND PROJECTS OF UZZIAH

The prosperity and power of King Uzziah’s reign in Judah were surpassed only in the days of Solomon’s wealthy monarchy. His military conquests expanded the kingdom’s borders both west and south. To the west Uzziah campaigned against the major northern cities of Philistia. He destroyed the fortifications of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod, thus clearing a wide path from Jerusalem to the sea. Ancient and well-travelled trade routes from Egypt passed through the coastal plain. Uzziah ensured control of the coast and its trading business by building fortified outposts. The Bible records that Uzziah collected tribute from the Ammonites, east of the Jordan. However, his major military efforts focused on southern territories. Successful campaigns against the people of Arabia and the Meunim of Edom resulted in control of the southern deserts. Like the western territory, these lands were the pathways of vital caravan trade. To regulate and guard the flow of commerce, Uzziah established fortresses throughout the Negeb and possibly the Moabite plain. Similar towers were also added to the improved fortifications of Jerusalem. Strengthened with a new issue of weapons and equipment, the army provided security for these strategic cities. The existence of a permanent army allowed farmers and craftsmen to continue their routine production without being called to arms at every military crisis. With these territories in hand, Uzziah rebuilt and fortified the Ezion-geber seaport Solomon had built on the Gulf of Aqabah two centuries earlier. Uzziah renamed it Elath. With access to the maritime routes of the Red Sea, the port provided Israel with immense trading possibilities - equal to those of Solomon’s time. However, Uzziah’s service to Judah was not limited to expanding trade or strengthening military power. He also developed agriculture - the basis of Judean economy. In newly conquered regions he introduced farming projects and established new pasturelands. Work crews hewed underground cisterns for water in barren regions, near farms and the newly fortified cities. These accomplishments place Uzziah among the most capable and successful rulers of Judah.

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First Fruits Ministries Presents "Fruits of the Spirit: Self-Control," the ninth part of a multi-part Bible-study series about the fruit of the spirit. Join us at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 25 in person at the Quill at 131 Amory St. in Manchester, NH, or on zoom via https://bit.ly/3bBx3cm