Christianity Oasis Forum

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TUESDAY FEBRUARY 8


LEAVE A LEGACY

READ:
Mark 10:45
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Even the Son of
Man did not come
to be served,
but to serve.
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When a road-construction foreman was killed in an accident, the love of this man for his family, co-workers, and community resulted in an overwhelming sense of loss. His country church couldn't accommodate all the mourners, so planners moved the service to a much larger building. Friends and family packed the auditorium! The message was clear: Tim touched many lives in a way uniquely his. So many would miss his kindness, sense of humor, and enthusiasm for life.

As I returend from the funeral, I thought about the life of King Jehoram. What a contrast! His brief reign of terror is traced in 2 Chronicles 21. To solidify his power, Jehoram killed his own brothers and other leaders (v.4). Then he led Judah into idol worship. The record tells us, "He passed away, to no one's regret" (v.20). Jehoram thought that brute force would ensure his legacy. It did. He is forever commemorated in Scripture as an evil man and a self-centered leader.

Although Jesus also was a king, He came to earth to be a servant. As He went about doing good, He endured the hatred of those who grasped for power. In the process, this servant-King gave His life away.

Today, Jesus lives along with His legacy. That legacy includes those who understand that life isn't just about themselves. It's about Jesus__the One who longs to wrap His strong, forgiving arms around anyone who turns to Him. _____Tim Gustafson

**Lord, in Your death as well as in Your life, You did the will of Your Father
and served others. In some small way, Help us to serve others with our
lives today.
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A life lived for God leaves a lasing legacy.

*********************Today's Bible Reading 2 Chronicles 21:4-20***************************
6 When Jehoram established himself firmly over his
father's kingdom, he put all his brothers to the sword
along with some of the officials of Israel.... 6 He followed
the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had
done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes
of the LORD. 2 Nevertheless, because of the covenant the LORD
had made with David, the LORD was not willing to destroy the
house of David. He had promised to maintain a lamp for him
and his descendants forever....

12 Jehoram received a letter from Elijah the prophet, which
said:

"This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says:
'You have not followed the ways of you father Jehoshaphat
or of Asa King of Judah. 13 But you have followed the ways of
the kings of Israel, and you have led Judah and the people of
Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab
did. You have also murdered your own brothers, members of
your own family, men who were better than you. 14 So now the
LORD is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives and
everything that is yours, with a heavey blow. 15 You yourself
will be very ill with a lingering disease of the bowels, until the
disease causes your bowels to come out.' "

16 The LORD aroused against Jehoram the hostility of the
Philistines and of the Arabs who lived near the Cushiness.

17 They attacked Judah, invaded it and carried off all the goods
found in the king's palace, together with his sons and wives.
Not a son was left to him except Ahaziah, the youngest.

18 After all this, the LORD afflicted Jehoram with an
incurable disease of the bowels. 19 In the course of time...his
bowels came out because of the disease, and he died in great
pain. His people made no funeral fire in his honor, as they had
for his predecessors.

20 Jehoram...reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed
away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David,
but not in the tombs of the kings.