Tag Archives: king solomon

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Giving While You’re Living

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Much of what the Bible says about money and its role in your life was written by King Solomon, perhaps the wealthiest and wisest man who ever lived. But, honestly, what is your reaction when a man who is already filthy rich tries to tell you money is not so important? Easy for him to say, you might think. In a way, Solomon’s staggering prosperity makes his advice – were it not in Scripture – seem suspect, if not completely disingenuous.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

But consider this historical fact: though Solomon spent his whole life accumulating treasures, a mere five years after his death the Egyptian king Shishak invaded Israel and carried all the gold away. It’s possible that a few artifacts now collecting dust at the Cairo museum, discovered in the tombs of the Pharoahs, were originally seized from Solomon’s holdings. Otherwise, his riches are lost and long gone.

An old Southern preacher of decidedly more modest means put it this way: “Do your giving while you’re living so you’re knowing where it’s going!” Today, pray that your leaders will understand America’s future is not in money, but in the Master.

Recommended Reading: Philippians 4:10-19

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Point of Contact

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The dedication of the temple in Jerusalem was a dramatic scene. Imagine King Solomon in all of his splendor – on his knees before all the people of Israel, declaring how wonderful God was to keep His promises to David, to Solomon and to all the people!

There is no God like you…keeping covenant and showing steadfast love.

II Chronicles 6:14

Solomon acknowledged that God was uncontainable and no temple would hold Him; nevertheless, he asked the Lord to hear any prayer directed to the temple. The temple was a point of contact. After his prayer, God sent fire from heaven to burn the sacrifices, and His glory filled the temple.

Today Christians have a point of contact – Jesus. When you pray in the name of Jesus, God hears you and answers your prayer. And now you, not a building, are the temple of the Holy Spirit! The same wonderful God who kept His promises to David and Solomon keeps His commitments to you. Hold fast to God’s promises. Honor the name of Jesus and the Spirit who dwells in you. Pray for the leaders and citizens of this nation to be more like Solomon…and humble themselves before God and seek Him as the only foundation worthy of their trust.

Recommended Reading: I Corinthians 3:10-20

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Cost of Compromise

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Charles Stanley

1 Kings 11:1-8

Our society nurtures a popular misconception that tolerance is the only reasonable worldview to have. But when it comes to the law of God, King Solomon’s life shows that compromise is a destructive choice.

In the early years of Solomon’s reign, he was committed to doing right. But later, when he saw the opportunity to promote himself politically, he ignored Scripture’s command forbidding marriage to pagans (Deut. 7:1-3; 1 Kings 3:1). Though he may have viewed the union as an insignificant deviation, Satan’s strategy is to convince us to compromise small portions of God’s Word, one at a time.

Solomon admired beautiful women of other nationalities, but instead of finding ways to avoid temptation, he permitted himself one relationship and then sought more and more. Surrounded by foreigners, he inevitably became involved in their religions. Eventually he was ensnared by sin, and his heart turned from God.

Solomon’s temptations may differ from ours, but accepting compromise can trap us as well. Unchecked admiration for something beyond God’s will for our life can convince us to pursue it. Though we intellectually know this choice is wrong, it’s easy to harden our heart against the Spirit’s warnings. A preoccupation can deepen until the desired object, person, or activity holds a place of greater priority than our Father. If we allow that to happen, we lose our freedom in Jesus Christ and become caught in a prison of sin. In other words, the cost of compromise is the corruption of our soul.