17“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
I love this passage of Acts. The disciples were gathered together for the Feast of Pentecost, and God had appointed on this day that He would fulfill the words of Joel—pouring out His Spirit (releasing the Holy Spirit on the earth!). Praise God that He did not leave us as orphans, just like Jesus said in John 14. “I WILL COME TO YOU.” Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Father. ❤️
Jehoiachin’s release from prison from the evil king of Babylon sticks out to me so much because of its parallel with today’s world. Think about it, after Yahuah cast Judah out of his presence, it’s kind of like Satan coming up and offering the luxuries of the world by this king never letting Jehoiachin be without these grandiose things. He was set above the kings of Babylon. Like, that’s not something to be proud of lol. “What would it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul.” Mark 8:36
That’s a super interesting perspective that I hadn’t considered. I had read it almost the exact opposite way. Even in captivity The Lord still shows loving kindness to his people. Jehoiachin was in the lone of David so despite his failures the Lord is still extending mercy for the sake of David. I’m not sure which is right.. but it’s just another view to consider
I can’t help but to think of the different reigns of the Kings as generational curses, when the scripture says that they did everything evil in the Lord’s sight, just as their father had done…or just as a previous family member had done. Has anyone else ever looked at it that way? Anyhow, it kinda makes me ponder and gives me the desire to want to be mindful of the things I’m doing…I want to be the one in my family to break generational curses and begin a new normal in my family that will carry on for years to come!
See the kindness of God’s sovereign hand which keeps Johoiachin and Peter both. One a faithful king who is restored to the favor of man for his faithfulness, another restored to the rock of the church after betraying his Lord.
Anyone know why at the end of kings chapter 25, it goes into a short devo and mentions Jesus Christ? I think this is a glitch or something on my app. Can anyone else see what I mean?
Agreed! Kings has been hard for me to follow in parts. It gives me hope, though, that there were so many leaders that came and went and that God was still present and there- if only they would follow Him! The same for today: we have so many leaders, some better or stronger than others… so we must pray that God will provide guidance that they will heed!
I often lose track and have to re-read. It’s tough to keep track of which King is which. I figure if I get the overall story then I am doing pretty good. I often check online for any questions I have and the background information helps a lot. For instance I was reading online yesterday background about them sacrificing their own children to their idols and today when it spoke of them being punished for “shedding innocent blood” I understood how detestable the sin was to God. So detestable that he said it never even crossed his mind that we would be capable of doing that. I am careful out of compassion to not stand in judgement but I couldn’t help but be reminded as we spoke of shedding innocent blood how our abortion epidemic must grieve the lord since he clearly detests the shedding of innocent blood.
I have the same issue! My strategy is to read the particular passage in my preferred translation first. After that, I read ‘The Message’ version, which is a much easier read. Plus, I only read small sections of Kings at a time, to help me avoid zoning out.
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ – amidst the fighting and craziness in the world, when the day comes for us to be judged, we just have to remember who comes first always!
4″ and also for the innocent blood that he had shed. For he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord would not pardon.”
This reminds me of all the innocent blood of unborn babies here in the U.S.
Makes me wonder what am I doing personally to help in this arena?
That verse seems to resonate with us today! “Anyone who calls in the name of the Lord will be saved.” It makes me think of the two criminals being crucified with Christ, and the one who believed that Christ was our savior. He was saved..by believing in the name of Jesus. And how many times have we read about OT kings who realized that they had forsaken God? Every time they repented they were saved. God’s word is truth and he demonstrates it over and over!
My daughter came to me and told me she was saved. She is 8 years old and we have only actively been going to church for not quite 2 years. I have been searching everywhere for resources to help me in determining if she is truly saved. Reading Acts 2:21 reminds me that all she really has to do to be saved is believe in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and commit to living for God. I believe I may be having a joyous talk with my daughter today!!
Ashley that is so awesome! So exciting for your daughter to know that there are angels rejoicing over her! What a beautiful thing to share in your spiritual journeys together. I am praying that she will hold tightly to her faith for the rest of her years and the Lord would place in her a zealous heart to know Him. Amen!
What a sweet girl! I’m sure you are excited to see her faith grow. Tell her if she is ready to fully commit to Christ she can become baptized for the remission of her sins (mark 16:16) and put on her new person and away with the old (eph 4:24) <3 it's so encouraging to hear of younger girls still having this passion for our savior and wanting to pursue him! Good job mama!
Acts 2: 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ The basic reminder Paul wants us to hold true amidst all that he sees will take place. I always keep this in the back of my head no matter what struggles we go through .. To remember that belief and trust is the root of all our living
Acts 2:21 “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Peter acknowledges the unusual events that are taking place. But then he pulls them back. Basically says, “If you only remember one thing … let this be it”. This wasn’t too far removed from Peter’s denial/betrayal of Christ. Or his own entrance into true faith. That’s the truth he wants to communicate.
Everyone. Each of us individually, needs to call upon the Lord. We each must also share our faith with the next generation. Growing up, my parents did not take us to church, we did not pray, we did not read God’s word. Later I learned my siblings and I had been baptized. My parents had both been brought up going to church. Somehow they had all let go of their faith. Before my grandma passed away at 100 years old, she gave me a copy of her grandmothers profession of faith, recorded in 1885. I was so glad to know of the faith which had existed in my family history and also determined to explicitly share that faith with my own children. Praying they each profess their faith one day.
Amen and Amen! I also want to point out that Peter is quoting a prophecy, saying then that this is being fulfilled now in their hearing!
He says that these are the “last days”–meaning a time when God’s spirit would be poured out on men, and when “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved!”
And here Peter is, proclaiming this to the people from all sorts of dialects, once scattered, as we just saw. God’s people were rejected, and brought into exile, and now the door is opened again to become a child of God, over 400 years later.
❤️
21And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
❤️
❤️
21And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
17“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
❤️
I love this passage of Acts. The disciples were gathered together for the Feast of Pentecost, and God had appointed on this day that He would fulfill the words of Joel—pouring out His Spirit (releasing the Holy Spirit on the earth!). Praise God that He did not leave us as orphans, just like Jesus said in John 14. “I WILL COME TO YOU.” Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Father. ❤️
✅
✝️
HOPE at the end of Kings
Jehoiachin’s release from prison from the evil king of Babylon sticks out to me so much because of its parallel with today’s world. Think about it, after Yahuah cast Judah out of his presence, it’s kind of like Satan coming up and offering the luxuries of the world by this king never letting Jehoiachin be without these grandiose things. He was set above the kings of Babylon. Like, that’s not something to be proud of lol. “What would it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul.” Mark 8:36
That’s a super interesting perspective that I hadn’t considered. I had read it almost the exact opposite way. Even in captivity The Lord still shows loving kindness to his people. Jehoiachin was in the lone of David so despite his failures the Lord is still extending mercy for the sake of David. I’m not sure which is right.. but it’s just another view to consider
Here is another view to consider as well!
“everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” -ellie
I can’t help but to think of the different reigns of the Kings as generational curses, when the scripture says that they did everything evil in the Lord’s sight, just as their father had done…or just as a previous family member had done. Has anyone else ever looked at it that way? Anyhow, it kinda makes me ponder and gives me the desire to want to be mindful of the things I’m doing…I want to be the one in my family to break generational curses and begin a new normal in my family that will carry on for years to come!
See the kindness of God’s sovereign hand which keeps Johoiachin and Peter both. One a faithful king who is restored to the favor of man for his faithfulness, another restored to the rock of the church after betraying his Lord.
Amen ❤️
Hey Amanda, are you referring to how it goes into Acts of the Apostles?
Anyone know why at the end of kings chapter 25, it goes into a short devo and mentions Jesus Christ? I think this is a glitch or something on my app. Can anyone else see what I mean?
I think that’s just part of the Message version, which is much more of a paraphrase version of the Bible.
Agreed! Kings has been hard for me to follow in parts. It gives me hope, though, that there were so many leaders that came and went and that God was still present and there- if only they would follow Him! The same for today: we have so many leaders, some better or stronger than others… so we must pray that God will provide guidance that they will heed!
I often lose track and have to re-read. It’s tough to keep track of which King is which. I figure if I get the overall story then I am doing pretty good. I often check online for any questions I have and the background information helps a lot. For instance I was reading online yesterday background about them sacrificing their own children to their idols and today when it spoke of them being punished for “shedding innocent blood” I understood how detestable the sin was to God. So detestable that he said it never even crossed his mind that we would be capable of doing that. I am careful out of compassion to not stand in judgement but I couldn’t help but be reminded as we spoke of shedding innocent blood how our abortion epidemic must grieve the lord since he clearly detests the shedding of innocent blood.
Amen.
I have the hardest time reading Kings; I cannot stay focused! Any tips?
I have the same issue! My strategy is to read the particular passage in my preferred translation first. After that, I read ‘The Message’ version, which is a much easier read. Plus, I only read small sections of Kings at a time, to help me avoid zoning out.
I like to take notes! A lot of times I’m able to go back and see who “Jehoiakim” is (or anyone else) if I seem to get confused
I made a chart!!
King of Israel vs Judah
Their names, How long they were king, if they were good or bad and where it’s found in the Bible
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ – amidst the fighting and craziness in the world, when the day comes for us to be judged, we just have to remember who comes first always!
I’m new to this app. Just wanted to say thank you for the great posts. They are inspiring.
Welcome!! :)
Yes, welcome!! It’s a great community..I learn from people’s comments every day!
4″ and also for the innocent blood that he had shed. For he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord would not pardon.”
This reminds me of all the innocent blood of unborn babies here in the U.S.
Makes me wonder what am I doing personally to help in this arena?
I took was reminded of the abortion epidemic as I read these passages.
That verse seems to resonate with us today! “Anyone who calls in the name of the Lord will be saved.” It makes me think of the two criminals being crucified with Christ, and the one who believed that Christ was our savior. He was saved..by believing in the name of Jesus. And how many times have we read about OT kings who realized that they had forsaken God? Every time they repented they were saved. God’s word is truth and he demonstrates it over and over!
My daughter came to me and told me she was saved. She is 8 years old and we have only actively been going to church for not quite 2 years. I have been searching everywhere for resources to help me in determining if she is truly saved. Reading Acts 2:21 reminds me that all she really has to do to be saved is believe in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and commit to living for God. I believe I may be having a joyous talk with my daughter today!!
Ashley, that’s beautiful and wonderful timing! Thanks for sharing!
Ashley that is so awesome! So exciting for your daughter to know that there are angels rejoicing over her! What a beautiful thing to share in your spiritual journeys together. I am praying that she will hold tightly to her faith for the rest of her years and the Lord would place in her a zealous heart to know Him. Amen!
Fantastic news, Ashley! I will never forget the day my daughter and I had the same talk. Blessings!
How wonderful, Ashley!! Thank you for sharing it! Praise God!
So happy for you! Thank you, Lord, for the gift you have given this family.
What a sweet girl! I’m sure you are excited to see her faith grow. Tell her if she is ready to fully commit to Christ she can become baptized for the remission of her sins (mark 16:16) and put on her new person and away with the old (eph 4:24) <3 it's so encouraging to hear of younger girls still having this passion for our savior and wanting to pursue him! Good job mama!
Not sure why my comment cut off but I also said its so so encouraging to hear of younger girls wanting to commit themselves to our savior!
That’s awesome :)
Acts 2: 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ The basic reminder Paul wants us to hold true amidst all that he sees will take place. I always keep this in the back of my head no matter what struggles we go through .. To remember that belief and trust is the root of all our living
Acts 2:21 “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Peter acknowledges the unusual events that are taking place. But then he pulls them back. Basically says, “If you only remember one thing … let this be it”. This wasn’t too far removed from Peter’s denial/betrayal of Christ. Or his own entrance into true faith. That’s the truth he wants to communicate.
Everyone. Each of us individually, needs to call upon the Lord. We each must also share our faith with the next generation. Growing up, my parents did not take us to church, we did not pray, we did not read God’s word. Later I learned my siblings and I had been baptized. My parents had both been brought up going to church. Somehow they had all let go of their faith. Before my grandma passed away at 100 years old, she gave me a copy of her grandmothers profession of faith, recorded in 1885. I was so glad to know of the faith which had existed in my family history and also determined to explicitly share that faith with my own children. Praying they each profess their faith one day.
I was just going to comment on this verse how uncanny
Amen and Amen! I also want to point out that Peter is quoting a prophecy, saying then that this is being fulfilled now in their hearing!
He says that these are the “last days”–meaning a time when God’s spirit would be poured out on men, and when “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved!”
And here Peter is, proclaiming this to the people from all sorts of dialects, once scattered, as we just saw. God’s people were rejected, and brought into exile, and now the door is opened again to become a child of God, over 400 years later.
What an incredible thing! Praise the Lord!
Amen!