The Cooling Stream

Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. — 2 Chronicles 17:3-4.

Asa, king of Judah, modeled devotion to God for a season in his life (2 Chron. 14:2). 

He removed the idols from his kingdom, restored the altar of the Lord, and led the people into a covenant with God. 

Asa’s son Jehoshaphat carried on this legacy by seeking the God of his father and walking in His commandments. 

Jehoshaphat purged the land of idol worship and sent out priests and Levites to teach God’s law in all of the cities of Judah.

Jehoshaphat’s reign resembled that of his father.

He faithfully honored Asa’s godly example. 

Yet even more important, Jehoshaphat’s heart took delight in the ways of the Lord. 

Today, if we are looking for a father to follow, remember our heavenly Father and take delight in His ways. 

We honor God’s name when we call Him our Father and live like His Son.

For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith. —Ephesians 4:12-13

Christ gives spiritual gifts to the church, the body of Christ. These gifts include: 

(a) apostles, who open up new mission territories to the gospel; 

(b) prophets, who apply the Word in spiritually compelling ways; 

(c) evangelists, who share the gospel that often brings a positive response; 

(d) pastors/teachers, who communicate the Word so that believers are built up in their faith. 

All the parts of the body are necessary for the body to function properly. 

And no one part is better than another.

God gives gifts to His church. 

They are giving for the benefits of the body of Christ.

The gifts are given so that Christians will be “perfected” in their faith and move on to maturity. 

The effective use of these gifts creates a unity that bears witness to the reality of Christ.

It matters little what title or position we hold in the church.

What is important is that we strengthen the faith of God's people.

It does not matter if we are moved to another role.

It does not matter if we no longer hold a specific title or position.

Out of love for God, we serve to build up fellow believers.

May God use us as His instrument to touch others' lives.

May our lives show others God's grace.

God’s gifts to us are not for us but for others.

Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

Meekness is not weakness.

Meekness is an attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward men, springing from a recognition that God is in control.

It is strength and courage under control, coupled with kindness.

Meekness is an attitude toward God in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.

We see this in the Lord Jesus Christ who found His delight in doing the will of His Father.

The meekness manifested by the Lord Jesus Christ and commended to the believer is the fruit of power.

The Lord Jesus Christ was meek because He had the infinite resources of God at His command.

He could have called angels from heaven to prevent His crucifixion.

The Lord Jesus Christ told His weary, burdened followers, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt. 11:29).

The Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect model of meekness.

As a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23), meekness is a virtue that should characterize the Christian.

And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”(Matthew 8:2)

Here we have a leper who didn't hesitant to interrupt Jesus with his needs.

His disease made him desperate.

He had been ostracized from society and was in emotional distress.

He saw the Lord Jesus Christ busy with great multitudes.

But he made his way through the crowd to talk with Him.

He came and worshipped Him.

He approached the Lord Jesus Christ in worship, with trust in His power, and with humility, acknowledging that the choice to help belonged to the Lord Jesus Christ.

He said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."

In compassion, the Lord Jesus Christ touched him, though he was "untouchable" by the standards of the Jewish law.

The leper was cleansed immediately.

Like the leper, we don't need to hesitate to approach the Lord Jesus Christ with our desire for His help.

Let us go to Him in humility and worship.

Let us have confidence in His power.

Let us trust in Him; He will make the best choices for us.

Let us surrender to His will.