| Things to consider—The Mind-Set of a Godly Leader--1ˢᵗ Kings 3:3-14 Solomon Loved the Lord; 2) Solomon sacrificed generously; 3) Solomon pleased God. • Solomon loved the Lord—1ˢᵗ Kings 3:3 And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statues of his father David…In Judaism, loving God means to love all of God’s words, commandments, and Torah, and to live your life accordingly. It also means being ready to sacrifice everything, including your life for the Creator. On the other hand, in Christianity, in the bible, loving God means to surrender to Him with all of your heart, soul, and mind. This means to live a life that is faith-filled, loving, and purpose-driven, and to let God lead the way. Loving God also means to make God a priority in all your life decisions. Solomon loved the Lord enough that loving God led to a generous heart and a mind-set of pleasing God. • Solomon sacrificed generously—1ˢᵗ Kings 3:3C-4 Solomon…sacrificed and burned incense at the high places…he went to Gibeon to sacrifice…and he offered a thousand burned offerings at the altar. God offered Solomon whatever he wanted. 1ˢᵗ Kings 3:5…at Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon…God said…” Ask! What shall I give you? This wasn’t because Solomon sacrificed 1,000 animals; it was because his heart/mind-set was totally surrendered to God and wanted to work something in Solomon through this offer and his response. • Solomon pleased God—…and God said, Ask! What shall I give you? ---9) Solomon said…give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil. (A Godly Mind-Set). 10) The speech Pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11) Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice. Behold I have done according to your words…and given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall anyone like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings. Dear God, as we surrender our lives, heart, and mind to you, we pray that you anoint us with a fresh anointing in order to focus on trusting you and not leaning on our on understanding an in all our ways, let us acknowledge you and we thank you and praise you for directing our path. Peace out, Calvin |
Things to consider by Calvin Alston, Jr
