Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth

Psalm 98:1-9
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn - shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
Let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.
A song to God the Victor. He comes to rule the world with justice. Let the sea and its creatures, earth, rivers, hills - everyone and everything - go wild with joy.
Trumpets and horns are sounded for God's enthronement. (the ceremony of crowning a sovereign or a sovereign's consort.加冕)
Why?
For God has done marvelous things and God have made salvation known to the nations.
God will come again to judge this world in righteousness and equity. No one can escape from his Judgment. 
How?
Shout for joy to the Lord and Sing to the Lord a new song everyday!

Love the Lord hate evil,

Psalm 97:1-12
All who worship images are put to shame,   those who boast in idols— worship him, all you gods!
For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light shines on the righteous  and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.
The images are of awesome power, and shining, searching light. The spirit sings with gladness for all that God has done - for God, supreme, triumphant; the Savior and delight of all who hate evil.
Why?
There are two different consequence between who worship images and who love the Lord.
To be a righteousness man what made me could not praise God, financial pressure and can not see the way forward.
No matter how evil this world and how worse the situation we have, God delivers us from the hand of the wicked. Rejoice in the Lord, those who are righteous, and praise his holy name.
How?
To be a man who hates evil and loves the Lord! 

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise

Psalm 96:1-13
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Say among the nations," The Lord reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.
The song his people sing is a song of God's salvation, of his greatness and his glory - a song of universal joy when he comes to rule with justice.
Why?
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise, For all the gods of the nations are idols, but God made the heavens. So all the earth sing to the Lord a new song with joy.
How?
Ascribe to the Lord, for God is my salvation, my fortress, my rock and fear the Lord for great is the Lord. Remember honor name of the Lord in my daily life.

The Lord is my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge

Psalm 94:16-23
Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Can a corrupt throne be allied with you -- one that brings on misery by its decrees?
But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. He will repay them for their sins and destroy the for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them.
But,though the thought of vengeance is never far away, the psalmist's spirits lift as he thinks of God.
Why?
God knows everything, God is not ally with the evil one or agree whose who bring misery by its decrees.
God bring joy to my soul even it seems not way forward.
How?
Do not frustrate about the future, for God is my fortress and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

The Lord is the great God, The Lord is my God

Psalm 95:1-11
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving     and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God,   the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth,  and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it,  and his hands formed the dry land.

Come, let us bow down in worship,     let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God  and we are the people of his pasture,  the flock under his care.

Today, if only you would hear his voice, Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,  as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness.

Sing for Joy, let us praise and worship God our Maker. Let us listen to him, for he expects us to obey.

Why?

For Fathers of Israel tested God and forgot God's grace, heartened their heart, so they shall never enter God's rest.

For the Lord is the great God, with mercy, power, righteousness and salvation to us.

The best relationship with God: we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. The Lord is our God.

How?

No matter under what situation, I should praise to the Lord with thanksgiving. Even there is not water in desert, not food on trip. God will care about me.

如何面對很糟的時刻。約12：23-38

約12：23-38
耶穌心煩意亂的面對十架的時刻，神不是要我們對時代環境無感。
如何面對此煩惱？
約 翰 福 音, 12:27 - 我 現 在 心 裡 憂 愁 、 我 說 甚 麼 纔 好 呢 ．
1.對父坦誠，誠實禱告。我該怎麼說呢？
2.對自己心情梳理，安靜下來
父 阿 、 救 我 脫 離 這 時 候 ． 但 我 原 是 為 這 時 候 來 的 。
3.我來是為了這個時刻，明白傷害，困難，為神，為愛，為真理。這是牧人的職責，擺上。至於結果如何是其次的問題。
4.日常生活中也有十架-麻煩
5.耶穌把被動轉為主動去面對。被捕，被打，被判刑罰轉為去面對的主動。

教會領導的5條地雷線

言論

記者/作者:  論壇報副刊 　日期: 2003-10-04　

真正的屬靈領袖必須具備領導的恩賜，但多數的牧者雖擁有一顆願意事奉的心，甚至擁有很多才能，卻獨獨缺少領袖的恩賜。─ 喬治‧包納。

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【作者：劉茂約】小吳這幾年連續換了幾個服事教會，有些三年，有些長一些五年，總是不能持久下去，到了某一個時刻，與同工的關係就緊崩得很，然後就好像踩入地雷區，明明是小事一莊，竟然彼此的信任關係，一夕之間就引爆而不可收拾。真是鬱卒，午夜夢迴時心中的挫敗感很深，總是有一絲不想再幹下去的念頭。

事實上，成為教會領袖，若不是神清楚的呼召，深信是「順境神賜福事工，逆境時神賜福工人」，恐怕早就走不下去。微觀細究，仍可歸納出「教會領導」五條不可踩入的地雷線，彷彿一踩到，其領導生命即會瓦解。

一、只有「要求」，沒有「典範」

「領袖愈偉大，愈了解自己的卑微」，「要別人順服，自己需要更澈底順服」，林肯也說：「不能跟從就不能領導。」這些想法，都是聚焦在領袖的榜樣上。卓越的指揮官常不是說：你們衝阿！而是說：你們跟我來。

掃羅與大衛

在歌利亞挑釁以色列人的事件上（參撒母耳記上十七章），有「命令要求」的領袖是掃羅，而真正有「典範」的領袖是大衛。因此，可說從那事件以後便看出，上帝已將領袖職份交給大衛了。要別人順服，自己需要更徹底順服，「只有要求」就是第一條領袖的地雷線。

二、只有「職業」沒有「異象」

「沒有異象，民就放肆。」（箴言廿九章18節）包納說﹕「對傳道人來說，重點不在有沒有十五年長期計劃，乃在有沒有從神而來的清楚異象。」異象是我們面對這巨變世界的唯一不變的主軸，這異象支持你的熱情，你火熱的擺上，是你一切服事的出發點及支柱，可以幫助你度過最艱難的時刻。

一九二三年，王明道先生經過十八個月安靜的鍛鍊後，因為持守主的異象，至終完成「屬靈鐵人」將近六十五年的事奉。狄守哲博士說：「當人們經歷異象、使命和價值的創造過程後，工作時就會有更深層的意義，不再是出於順從，而是出於積極的委身奉獻。因此，團隊會充滿熱情、精神、活力和興奮。」

然而，持守在傳統宗教桎梏中者，常有禮儀而無活力，有工作而無關係，有團隊卻沒有分享。

三、只有「夢想力」沒有「執行力」

這樣的領袖使「夢想」成為口號，異象成為自我安慰的糖衣，只有奔跑卻無定向。應該是，任誰都可以掌舵，但唯有領袖才會設定航線。

探險隊的下場

一九一一年時，有兩支探險隊要往南極，一支由阿曼森帶隊，他是挪威籍；一支由史考特帶隊，他是英籍，曾服務於英國海軍，而且有過南極探險經驗。阿曼森花了許多時間籌劃這次行程，包括大部份工作皆由狗來完成，每天只用六小時前進15至20哩，再者選定合適地點儲存大量補給品。史考特的作法則是以機器動力的雪橇及馬匹代替，旅程不過五天馬達就發不動了，在天寒地凍的天氣中，馬匹也維持不下去…。

他們的衣服設計也不夠暖和，以至每個人都長了凍瘡，每天早上得花費一小時才能將腫脹潰爛的腳塞進長筒靴中，最糟糕的是糧食飲水不足，幾乎每天挨餓，因為儲備站相距過遠，也沒有標示清楚，察其主因便是缺乏計畫。

他們以十個月走完八百哩艱辛旅程，這支精疲力竭的探險隊到達南極時，發現挪威國旗早於一個月前在那裡飄揚。回程更加悽慘，時間拉長，食物幾乎消耗殆盡，史考特卻堅持每人要帶三磅重地質學樣品回家…。

不久，一位隊員昏迷而死；另一位隊員歐底茲病得舉步維艱，他自覺造成團隊累贅，走入風雪中就不再回來。史考特與另兩位隊友，只好繼續前行，但沒走多遠就放棄了，這三人終於不支倒地而凍死該處。

只有航站，沒有清楚具體的航線，必然到不了終點。艾姆斯說：「所謂領袖即是看得比別人仔細，比別人遠，且比別人早一步先看到。」這話是真的。

四、只有「成就」沒有「成全」

成就是為自己，成全則是為別人；成就是短暫，而成全則是永恆。成全也有兩個向度，一個向上，對父神，一個向下，對跟隨者。對父神的部分是，祂對你的旨意完成了嗎？對跟隨者則是，他已能靠主獨當一面嗎？能繼承你的志願了嗎？

成全者，耶穌

「當人為自己完成大事時，他得到的是成就。當他帶出一群有力的人，和他一起完成大事時，他得到的是真正的成功。當他栽培一群領袖來完成他的志願時，他的一生就更有意義─即成全。」這是《領導乃是藝術》中的一句話。孫文先生去逝後，革命事業風起雲湧，前仆後繼多人跟隨，便是深得「成全」的精髓。

葛維達是一位世界級企業領袖，他曾任可口可樂公司主席兼執行長，他在任時令人驚奇的使整個公司資產，增值幅度高達3500％﹔更奇妙的是，他為了栽培接班人愛威特，竟用了十四年，以至一九九七年葛維達突然病逝時，根本不會影響公司運作，這就是「成全別人」的典範。

我們的主耶穌基督更是「成全」的圭臬，祂所帶領的人，起初可說是一批烏合之眾，然而曾幾何時，他們竟是翻轉羅馬帝國的精銳。

五、只有「得勝」沒有「妥協」

付上時間為代價

麥可喬丹曾說：「我賽球生涯曾有九千多次投籃未中，三百多場輸球，更有廿六次投出決定勝負的一球時卻沒有命中。」事後有位記者問喬丹，是否真又有那麼多失誤？喬丹說：「我哪記得？」有些人可能對這答案不以為然，然而，我們可看出喬丹的一個特點：他不會為他以往的失誤牽腸掛肚，對他而言，重要的是，他現在做什麼來領導球隊贏得勝利。

背水一戰、置於死地而後生，教會的需要真是多如雞毛，若不能聚焦，極容易分散我們有限的體力、能量，光以緊急的事代替了重要的事。保羅說：「我只有一件事，就是忘記背後，努力面前的，向著標竿直跑，要得上帝在基督耶穌裡從上面召我來得的獎賞。」（腓立比書三章13-14節）

當我們依照異象定下清楚的目標時，就需要依賴主的大能大力，存耐心毅力，不達目標絕不終止。這並不意謂著固執己見、食古不化，乃是目標不變，方法卻可變。

牧者帶領時間久了不一定就有增長，但時間不久必定不會增長，真是美好註解。（作者為永和佳音堂牧師）

文章來源：基督教論壇報 https://www.ct.org.tw/1182009#ixzz4cPtlRNHx

God's righteousness and judgement

Psalm 94:1-15
The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.
How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?
The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.
Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law.
For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
The Lord called on God as Judge punish the wicked. How fully do these criminal deserve God's judgement for their oppression of God's people and deliberate flouting of his law. How stupid they are to think they can hooking God.
Why?
We believed that the evildoers will be judged in God's time and under God's righteousness.
I trust in the Lord who knows everything about human plans. God looks keep silent sometimes, but God knows. It may be is discipline to us from the Lord.
How?
Be rejoice, blessing is the one God discipline.

Do not count how much I devoted

1 Kings 7:1-51
It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace. 
King Solomon sent to Tyre and brought Huram, Huram was filled with wisdom, with understanding and with knowledge to do all kinds of bronze work. He came to King Solomon and did all the work assigned to him.
Solomon left all these things unweighted, because there were so many; the weight of the bronze was not determined.
When all the work King Solomon had done for the temple of the Lord was finished, he brought in the things his father David had dedicated—the silver and gold and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple.
Verse 1-12: Solomon builds the Hours of the Forest of Lebanon - a great hall panelled in cedar where weapons and golden vessels were stored - the Hall of Pillars, Hall of Judgment, and palaces for himself and for Pharaoh's daughter. This may also have housed the rest of the harem(閨房).
Verse 13-51: Huram, the craftsman Solomon brought from Tyre, supervises the casting in bronze of two ornate pillars for the entrance to the Temple; a huge bowl able to hold nearly 10,000 gallons of water; then wheeled stands to support more bowls,and numerous smaller items of equipment.
Why?
Solomon used numerous gold and bronze to build the Temple and his palace, for he treasure these. God has given him much with rich, power and wisdom.
Solomon has selfish mind to build his palace and it took 13 years for his palace, but 7 years for the Temple. It is disputed by others and  criticized  by the Lord. (1 Kings 11)
How?
All I have are gifts of the Lord, so for building the kingdom of the Lord I should devote all I have for the Lord. Do not count how much I devote to the Lord, God gave me much without measurement.

Building Temple by obey God's word

1 Kings 6:1-38
The word of the Lord came to Solomon: “As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father.  And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel.”
 In the eleventh year in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it.
In size the Temple was a chapel rather than a cathedral. It was intended as a house for God, n outdoors in the courtyards not a building to hold vast gatherings of people. (The climate allowed the people to gather around the building at festival times.) It measured about 27 x 9 x 13.5m, divided into two sections, with part of the inner section curtained off to form the sanctuary. In front was a 4.5 x 9m entrance porch, and along the sides were store-rooms.
V11-13: highlight the point of it all: God with his people.
V 15-36: picture for us the beautiful furnishings, the carved and decorated cedar panels, the walls gleaming with gold, the creatures whose great golden wings spanned the sanctuary. Seven years, and all was finished exactly to plan.
Why?
It is good to building Temple to the Lord, but more important is keep and obey all God's commands.
Follow the ceremony rules is more easy than obey all commandments of the Lord, but these is the kernel value to be a christian.
Seven years is corresponding to the seven days God created this world.
How?
No religious but inner heart to obey God's word and honor God's Holy name! Build Temple of God by obey God's word!

Commitment to the Lord

1 Kings 5:13-18
King Solomon conscripted laborers from all Israel—thirty thousand men. Solomon had seventy thousand carriers and eighty thousand stone cutters in the hills. as well as thirty-three hundred foremen who supervised the project and directed the workers.
The craftsmen of Solomon and Hiramand workers from Byblos cut and prepared the timber and stone for the building of the temple.
Byblos : About 32Km up the coast from Beriut, Byblos was famous for its craftsmen. The Greek word byblos = book (hence English 'Bible') comes from 'Byblos', the city that made paper from Egyptian papyrus(紙莎草).
Why?
Solomon conscripted laborers prepared the timber and stone for the building of the temple. Totally, there were one eighty thousand men and included different country laborers and craftsmen. 
Many people involved to build the temple, it is a great instruction. For the name of the Lord. 
How?
What I can do to involve in building the church? Not the building but the Honor of God's kingdom. Commit myself to the Lord to honor his Holy name.

God is the key point to make things done

1 Kings 5:7-12
Hiram kept Solomon supplied with all the cedar and ping logs he wanted, and Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat as food for his household, in addition to twenty thousand baths of pressed olive oil.
The Lord gave Solomon wisdom, just as he had promised him. There were peaceful relations between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.
Cor/Kor: A measurement of capacity. A cor of wheat = a donkey-load. A cor of oil = 48 gallons. Goo News bible reads 2,000 tonnes of wheat and 400,000 liters of pure olive oil.
Why?
Because of God gave Solomon wisdom so they made a treaty and great trade between Israel and Hiram.
To keep trade and treaty successful needs God's blessing and wisdom.
How?
God is the key point to make things done. Praise the Lord!

Under the authority of the Lord

1 Kings 5:1-6
Solomon remember that the Lord has promised his father David to build the temple for God's name.
For God has given Solomon rest on every side and there is no adversary or disaster.
Friendship with the Phoenician kingdom of Tyre, to the north is further cemented by a trade-pact: Hiram will supply raw materials for the Temple in return for foodstuffs.
Cedars from Lebanon: Lebanon is the mountain range and these cedars are the finest timber available. Just a few of these mighty trees remain today where once there was a great forest.
Why?
Solomon need finest timber to build Temple for God's name. Even Solomon explained the reason to foreign country.
Solomon read-pack to get the best profits and he raise the name of God. He knew that it is the Lord let him be on the throne succeed to his father David.
How?
Look our daily work as God's work to serve, for all I am facing are under the authority of the Lord.

God gave Solomon wisdom

1 Kings 4:29-34
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.
Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
The kings outshone his greatest contemporaries in wisdom, which he expressed, as they did, in proverbs and songs and sayings based on natural and animal life, both of whose titles ascribe them to Solomon and Proverbs.
A proverbial phrase indicating idyllic (田園詩) conditions of peace and plenty.
Insight : can understand covered by men or false tales.
Breadth of understanding : is knowledge of social, economy, nature and astronomy.
Why?
All these wisdom comes from the Lord Almighty. For God had promised Solomon after he asked to the Lord and honored the Lord.
God's gift beyond all of the contemporary human being. God's blessing conquer all enemy and achieve reap over any men.
How?
Rely on the Lord, God is the fountain of blessing.

Life of nothing was lacking

1 Kings 4:1-28
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy.
And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon’s subjects all his life.
During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree.
The district governors, each in his month, supplied provisions for King Solomon and all who came to the king’s table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking.
n contrast to the simple regime of King David, Solomon introduces a vast bureaucracy to administer his kingdom. The court included not only the royal family but ministers, civil servants and domestics, and must have numbered several thousand. No wonder elaborate arrangements are necessary for their maintenance.
Why?
Judah and Israel lived in safety and numerous as the sand on the seashore, because their king Solomon honor God's name, he obey commandment of the Lord. Offered sacrifices to the Lord in the temple.
God had promised Abraham and fathers of Israel the land in Canaan described in Gen 15:18 and 17:8 was come true in Solomon.
But Solomon increased his horses and chariots, it is against God's word in Deu 17:16a which lead his on the way to destruction. "The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them."
How?
Under God's blessing have to aware do not against the word of the Lord!

Wisdom from God to administer justice

1 Kings 3:16-28
When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.
A particularly hard case serves to illustrate Solomon's God-given gift of wise judgment. Where it is one woman's word against another, special insight into human nature is needed to uncover the true facts. The incident also shows the king's accessibility to ordinary folk(民間), even tow prostitutes.
Why?
True love respect life and give her baby life to other to protect her baby.
Rely on the wisdom from the Lord to make right decision, How to make wisdom decision? Pray to the Lord and follow God's word.
How?
Serve the Lord, obey his commandments, honor God's holy name, then I can have the wisdom from the Lord!

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness

1 Kings 3:10-15
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. Asked for discernment in administering justice. Solomon did not asked fro long life or wealth fro himself, nor have asked for the death of his enemies.
God said, "I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for - both riches and honor - so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings."
If you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.
It is the choice of a man whose heart is right before God and so he is given more than he asks for.
Solomon will be renowned for wise judgment. His fame will spread far and wide. And his kingdom will enjoy economic prosperity as never before.
Why?
God please one whose heart is right and asks for the discernment heart for justice.
What is my life's priority? Jesus told us seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt 6:33)
God is my first priority.
All of the goodness is in the hands of the Lord. God is the fountain of blessing.
How?
Walk in God's way and obey his commands, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.

Give your servant a discerning heart

1 Kings 3:1-9
Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?
Solomon is at Gibeon, at town 10 km north-west of Jerusalem making his sacrifice, when God appears to him in a dream offering a gift which is his choose. He asks for wisdsom to rule his people justly.
Why?
The spiritual environment is getting worse at that time, the author has written.
Solomon following the instructions give him by his father David, except married with Pharaoh's daughter, people were still sacrificing at the high place.
Solomon was humble himself before the Lord so God liked him.
Discerning heart: wisdom heart: to govern God's people and to distinguish between right and wrong.
People are numerous and complicated so need wisdom to distinguish good and evil, let the righteousness could be done.
How?
Ask God give me a discerning heart to follow his way and to distinguish between truth and evil.

Do not lost big due to small loss

1 Kings 2:36-46
Shimei, another potential troublemaker, is put on parole (言語) in Jerusalem to keep his away from fellow-Benjamites. When he breaks parole, even through for an innocent reason, Solomon has him killed.
Solomon killed Shimei for he did to David. Now the Lord will repay him for his wrongdoing.
Why?
Shimei lost life for searching his two slaves.
What is the first priority in our life? What needs to do first?
Do not lost big due to small loss.
How?
Dear Lord! Please give me wisdom and build the priority in my life, give me the capability to make right decision.

Repayment for shed blood of innocent men

1 King 2:28-35
The Lord will May the guilt of their blood rest on the head of Joab and his descendants forever. Repay him for the blood he shed, because without my father David knowing it he attacked two men.
May the guilt of their blood rest on the head of Joab and his descendants forever.
And Joab dies the violent death he has meted out to others.
Why?
Because without David knowing it he attacked two men and killed them with the sword. Both of them—Abner son of Ner, and Amasa son of Jether—were better men and more upright than he.
Joab killed innocent people for his own ambitions. Joan is royal to David, but did not follow the way of God.
How?
Let me be good follower before the Lord and be a good staff before men.

One small request

1 King 2:19-27
Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah "I have one small request to make of you." she said.
King Solomon answered his mother,'Why do you request Adonijah the shunammite for Adonijah? You might as well request the kingdom for him - after all, he is may older brother - yes, for him and for Abiathar the priest and Jaob son of Zeruiah."
Adonijah, supported by Abiathar the priest and army commander Jaob, has already laid claim to the throne. This time he pays dearly for what may have been an unthinking request. Solomon sees it as a second bid for kingship, since possession of his predecessor's harem was part of the eastern king's title to the throne.
Abiathar is dismissed though he appears to have been reinstated(復職).
Why?
It is said small request, but it is the issue of the kingdom, so be aware of a small question.
Solomon make decision to kill his brother and dismiss priest Aniathar, refused his mother's request. For it is deserved to Adonijah, the kingdom is made by the Lord. We have to make righteous decision and do not be constrained by petition or friendship.
How?
Make right decision by the wisdom and for the righteousness. Small request but big ambition behind!.

Foolish desire

2 King 2:10-18
David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established.
Adonihah went to Bathsheba asked her "Please ask King Solomon - he will not refuse you - to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife."
Adonijah, supported by Abithar the priest and army commander Jaob, has already aid claim to the throne.
This time he pays deary for what may have been an unthinking request.
Why?
Adonijah thought he should be the king of Israel, but God changed it. If he has Abishag as his wife, means he has the same position as king David. It is a foolish desire.
Foolish desire leads dead and perish.
How?
May my heart and desire be pleased to the Lord Almighty. And give up bad desires before the God.

Best heritage to my hair : observe what the Lord your God require

1 Kings 2:1-9
When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.
To God:
So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God require; Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, and that the Lord may keep his promise to me : 'If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will ever fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.'
To men:
Show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead.
Do not let Joab his gray head go down to the grace in peace. Deal with him according to your wisdom.
You are a man of wisdom you will know what to do to Shimei son of Gera. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.
As death approaches, David gives Solomon his final instructions. High-toned advice is abruptly (突然) followed by worldly wisdom of doubtful morality.
Why?
Observe what the Lord your God require is the way to prosper in wherever we go and in all we do.
This is an important rule to Solomon and to all Christians.
Walk faithfully before God with all my heart and soul. God's blessing, mercy and grace will be with me.
How?
Only walk faithfully before God with all my heart and soul is the best heritage to my hair.

Make objective decision

1 Kings 1:50-53
Adonijah in fear of Solomon, he afraid Solomon will kill him, he hope Solomon may swear to him do not put him to dead.
Solomon replied, "If he shows himself to be a worthy man, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, but if evil is found in him, he will die."
Adonijah came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said, "Go to your home."
Horn of the altar: Horn-like 'handles' on top, at the four corners.
Why?
Solomon did not take the responsibility of Adnoijah's life, he has to bear his life on his deed.
Worthy man: Valuable man, righteous man,good to God and to the nation, to the society.
Solomon make good decision to the traitor. It shows his kindness to his brother and mercy to all. Solomon did not make decision under angry or jealousy. Making an objective decision, but not subjective decision.
More important is identify the right and evil, than protect his throne, so Solomon make this decision.
How?
Learn how to make objective decision.

Good news to whom?

1 Kings 1:41-49
And the king bowed in worship on his bed and said, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has allowed my eyes to see a successor on my throne today.
That’s the noise you hear. From there they have gone up cheering, and the city resounds with it.
Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon.
At this, all Adonijah’s guests rose in alarm and dispersed.
After the feast is bad news. People gathered attemped to be a king,but following is disperse.
Why?
David was royalty to the Lord,he followed the word of God even he was old.
The noise is we cannot discerning what is meaning.Sometimes we will ignore the noise,sometimes it is meaningful to us.
Anoined is by the Lord through hand of the priest,so am my minister anointing by the elders laid hand on me.
How?
I expected the good news,but what is the purpose,does it benefit to me or to others. May my good news is good to others. My destination is underhands of the Lord!

Wooing God

Psalm 80.  Pastor Shirley Ho
Wooing: relationship between God ans us,between our lover.
God caring our vineyard,our plants. God's protection, blessing,provision.
What happen between the relation with God.
How long?
They are wooing God back. God is my hope, me salvation.
God restores us. Like reflesh garden, landscape view.
Ask God restore my flush life.

The authority is come from the Lord!

1 Kings 1:32-40
Solomon be anointed to a king of Israel by Zadok the priest, and Solomon rode the mule of David to Gihon.
Zodak the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada and all the people shouted, "long live King Solomon!"
Gihon: A spring just outside the eastern wall of Jerusalem, in the Kidron Valley.
The tent: in which the Ark was kept.
And thanks to some quick thinking by the prophet Nathan, and even quicker action by the old king. Adonijah is out manoeuvred. Solomon is made king, initially co-regent with David.
Why?
David let Solomon be anointed in public place and people can see it, then people will know that Solomon is the king after him.
Solomon be a king is based on the power of God and the support of the people of Israel. So this king will be real king of Israel. The authority is come from the Lord.
How?
No rely on men or horse but rely on the Lord, Almighty!  Waiting for God's time and his way.

Only God can make it!

1 King 1:22-31
Nathan said, “Have you, my lord the king, declared that Adonijah shall be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne?
Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”
The king then took an oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble,I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”
Why?
Davis is still be the king but Adonijah try to be a king, urged David make decision Solomon should be king after him, and do it right now. For his brother is ready to be a king.
Sometime we wanted to make some way, but God do the best, wait and listen to the word of God is the best the way.
How?
Listen to the word of God! Only HE can make it!

The covenant from the Lord

1 Kings 1:11-21
Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, go in to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to me your servant: “Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’
My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to learn from you who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king is laid to rest with his ancestors, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals. Bathsheba replied to king David.
And thanks to some quick thinking by the prophet Nathan, and even quicker action by the old king, Adonijah is out manoeuvred.
Why?
The key to sit on the throne is said by the old king.
Only Nathan knew that the Lord has said to him God loves Solomon and gave him a name when he was born. (2 Samuel 12:24)
The different between Solomon and Adnijah is there is a covenant between God and Solomon. Not worked by man.
What is the covenant between the Lord and me? Yes, I have promised to serve the Lord in the rest of my life.
How?
Do what promised between me and the Lord, God will give the mercy and grace on me. God is my hope and my salvation.

Follow the desire of God

1 Kings 1:1-10
Adonijah whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, "I will be king." So he got chariots and horses ready with fifty men to run ahead of him. His father had never interfered with him by asking "Why do you behave as you do?" He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.
King David is now an old man. Thoughts turn to his successor. With to his three elder brothers dead. Adonijah is heir apparent.
He has the backing of Joab, the army commander, and Abiathar, one of the two chief priests. But the throne has been promised to Adoniah's half-brother Solomon.
Enrogel was on the boundary between Benjamin and Judah.
Why?
Adonijah wanted to be king after David is dead, so he used his way to got the position of king in Israel, but without his father's word or God's direction.
Adonihah tried to stop Solomon to be heir of king.
Do not be obscured by the ambition of our heart, desire and ambition may overcome the way of the Lord.
How?
Let me do not obscured by my desire but follow the way of God's desire.