Dear Beloved, WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST? "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter - Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites" (1 Kings 11:1, NIV). "Everything is permissible for me" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" - but I will not be mastered by anything (1 Cor 6:12, NIV). "'Everything is permissible' - but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible' - but not everything is constructive" (1 Cor 10:23, NIV). He was the richest king in his time. There was, and still is, no one as wise as this king. God favored him above all other kings. God had determined to establish his kingdom forever. However, because of what he loved, his kingdom crumbled. That was king Solomon whom God endowed with greatness in wisdom, understanding and even wealth. Apart from the written Law of Moses that was guiding the people of Israel that he was leading, God appeared to him twice to warn him to keep these commands. Yet, Solomon loved foreign women and made them to turn his heart from his God. Having many wives (especially foreign) for a king is not a new thing. It is a diplomatic way of establishing one's kingdom. Nevertheless, it is not the God's way. That way caused the fall of Solomon. What do you also love most? The thing may be legitimate and permissible, but is it beneficial? Is it constructive? Is it God's will for you? Would God be happy with that thing that you love most? Be careful lest the thing you love becomes your master and turn you away from God. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). _________________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). +234 805 515 9591 http://www.afolabayo.org/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/ "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN" (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV). _________________________________________________ FindLaw - Free Case Law, Jobs, Library, Community http://www.FindLaw.com Get your FREE @JUSTICE.COM email! http://mail.Justice.com