Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem
A large urban church had a particularly powerful and charismatic preacher whose message went far and wide, through television and radio, and the pastor became somewhat of a celebrity. The ministry attracted some very wealthy people and the church was endowed with enormous gifts, which resulted in expansion, two schools, and world fame. In the case of this church, the message was solid, not the watered-down, lukewarm stuff of other successful ministries. However, the beloved Pastor died (as all do eventually!) and things began to fall apart.
Solomon spared no expense in dedicating his Temple. The whole world could see his devotion, expressed with enormous amounts of burnt offerings and sacrifices. Though in the early stages of Solomon's reign, it would seem that he sincerely wants to give God the Glory, but as we continue the study of his life, we will discover that there are temptations of Pride, Hubris, Presumption, and Lust, all waiting to snag this fine man. No amount of Wealth, Sacrifice, or Building can keep him safe!
It would have been good if Solomon had used his God-Given Wisdom to study the foibles of his predecessors, and perhaps he would have found the admonition to Saul that God requires "Obedience rather than Sacrifice"!
Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.
Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.
This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.
Hallelujah and Amen
ML/LTOS