2 Chronicles 18:7 "The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, 'There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.'"
Ahab and Jehoshaphat are discussing going to war. All of Ahab's prophets have told him they would have victory and they should do it, but Jehoshaphat wants to ask one more prophet what he thinks. Ahab tells him that he hates Micaiah because he never has anything good to say!
Sometimes we may not like the messages or plans God has for us. That doesn't make them any less true or make God any less faithful. Whether I agree with God's plan or not, I should follow him faithfully. What messages from God have I not liked lately? What messages have I been ignoring or blowing off? I can think of several...
Dear Jesus, help me take your commands and messages seriously. Help me not fail you. Amen.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Shishak Brings Humility
2 Chronicles 12:6 "Then the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, 'The Lord is right in doing this to us!'"
Shishak from Egypt came and attacked Jerusalem and plundered the temple and took everything of value from the Israelites. The leaders and king himself realized that God was correct in doing this to them. They had deserved this. Since they humbled themselves, God noticed their change of heart and showed some mercy in the situation.
Do I have a humble heart? When correction and discipline come in my life, do I humbly accept it and learn from it, or do I blame God? Over and over again in scripture we see God honoring humility. How can I be humble today? How can I show humility to my co-workers, my wife, my children and to God?
Dear Jesus, help me choose humility today. Amen.
Shishak from Egypt came and attacked Jerusalem and plundered the temple and took everything of value from the Israelites. The leaders and king himself realized that God was correct in doing this to them. They had deserved this. Since they humbled themselves, God noticed their change of heart and showed some mercy in the situation.
Do I have a humble heart? When correction and discipline come in my life, do I humbly accept it and learn from it, or do I blame God? Over and over again in scripture we see God honoring humility. How can I be humble today? How can I show humility to my co-workers, my wife, my children and to God?
Dear Jesus, help me choose humility today. Amen.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Sheba Seeks
2 Chronicles 9:1 "When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions."
The queen of Sheba had heard of Solomon's wisdom and fame so she came to him with a laundry list of life's tough questions. She did not just come herself, but brought a great caravan with her. Solomon answers all of her questions and because of this, she praises Solomon's God!
Solomon's reputation was well known. He was so well known that people came to him to ask for help! So often I think I need to be more proactive and find ways to meet more people and spread my influence so I can expand the kingdom but what if I took an opposite approach? Could I live my life in such a way that people come to me to hear about Christ instead of me going to them? This is in no way to avoid my responsibility, but what an amazing testimony to the power of God-people seeking out Christians, rather than Christians chasing down people! Is my reputation such that people come to me for advice and for answers? How can I live my life so people flock to hear about the kingdom of God?
Dear Jesus, help me develop the kind of character, reputation and fame taht draws people to hear me-for your glory! Amen.
The queen of Sheba had heard of Solomon's wisdom and fame so she came to him with a laundry list of life's tough questions. She did not just come herself, but brought a great caravan with her. Solomon answers all of her questions and because of this, she praises Solomon's God!
Solomon's reputation was well known. He was so well known that people came to him to ask for help! So often I think I need to be more proactive and find ways to meet more people and spread my influence so I can expand the kingdom but what if I took an opposite approach? Could I live my life in such a way that people come to me to hear about Christ instead of me going to them? This is in no way to avoid my responsibility, but what an amazing testimony to the power of God-people seeking out Christians, rather than Christians chasing down people! Is my reputation such that people come to me for advice and for answers? How can I live my life so people flock to hear about the kingdom of God?
Dear Jesus, help me develop the kind of character, reputation and fame taht draws people to hear me-for your glory! Amen.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Seek His Face
2 Chronicles 7:14 "...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Solomon has just finished building the temple and dedicating it to the Lord. The Lord appears to Solomon and tells him he will continue to bless Solomon and the people if they keep the covenant and faithfully follow him.
God wants us to turn from our sin and our selfishness and move towards him. He wants us to "seek his face." If we do that, I think everything else will fall into place. If I seek the Lord's face I will love my enemies, I will serve others, and I will do everything I should do. If I seek the Lord's face, he will bless me. It all begins by seeking God's face. How can I seek God's face today? By reading his Word? Through prayer?
Dear Jesus, help me seek your face this day. Amen.
Solomon has just finished building the temple and dedicating it to the Lord. The Lord appears to Solomon and tells him he will continue to bless Solomon and the people if they keep the covenant and faithfully follow him.
God wants us to turn from our sin and our selfishness and move towards him. He wants us to "seek his face." If we do that, I think everything else will fall into place. If I seek the Lord's face I will love my enemies, I will serve others, and I will do everything I should do. If I seek the Lord's face, he will bless me. It all begins by seeking God's face. How can I seek God's face today? By reading his Word? Through prayer?
Dear Jesus, help me seek your face this day. Amen.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Measuring Flour
1 Chronicles 23:29 "They were in charge of the bread set out on the table, the flour for the grain offerings, the unleavened wafers, the baking and the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size."
The Levites and priests used to be in charge of the tabernacle while in the wilderness. They were charged with carrying it, caring for it, and protecting it. Now they were in the promised land and they no longer needed to wander and travel. Their duties now had to shift and adjust to their new circumstances. No longer would they be "cowboys" of the middle east transporting God himself and defending the tabernacle from all evil and danger... now they were in charge of baking bread and measuring flour.
Sometimes God asks us to do things that may seem mundane or boring like measuring flour and baking bread-although some people do enjoy that! God's will for my life may not always be exciting, adventurous, and sexy, but it is still his will. What is God calling me to do today that I may not want to do? What duties do I think I'm above? How can I honor God in the simple and trivial parts of my daily life?
Dear Jesus, help me see your beauty and your purpose in the everyday, boring duties of life. Help me honor you in all things. Amen.
The Levites and priests used to be in charge of the tabernacle while in the wilderness. They were charged with carrying it, caring for it, and protecting it. Now they were in the promised land and they no longer needed to wander and travel. Their duties now had to shift and adjust to their new circumstances. No longer would they be "cowboys" of the middle east transporting God himself and defending the tabernacle from all evil and danger... now they were in charge of baking bread and measuring flour.
Sometimes God asks us to do things that may seem mundane or boring like measuring flour and baking bread-although some people do enjoy that! God's will for my life may not always be exciting, adventurous, and sexy, but it is still his will. What is God calling me to do today that I may not want to do? What duties do I think I'm above? How can I honor God in the simple and trivial parts of my daily life?
Dear Jesus, help me see your beauty and your purpose in the everyday, boring duties of life. Help me honor you in all things. Amen.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Sword of the Lord
1 Chronicles 21:17 "David said to God, 'Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? O Lord my God, let your hand fall upon me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.'"
David had ordered the counting of his fighting men. He was not supposed to do this, and because he disobeyed the Lord, the Lord chose to punish him. God gave David three options for the punishment so David chose to have 3 days of the "sword of the Lord" which included plague. In verse 17, David cries out to God to spare the people since it was his mistake and his sin.
Sin affects everything. We oftentimes think sin only affects ourselves, but it reaches farther than that. My sin affects my family, my friends, and my community. Before I make stupid decisions, before I rebel, before I give in to temptation, I must be aware that this choice, that act, can destroy more than just myself.
Dear Jesus, help me to not sin. Not for my sake, but for others. Amen.
David had ordered the counting of his fighting men. He was not supposed to do this, and because he disobeyed the Lord, the Lord chose to punish him. God gave David three options for the punishment so David chose to have 3 days of the "sword of the Lord" which included plague. In verse 17, David cries out to God to spare the people since it was his mistake and his sin.
Sin affects everything. We oftentimes think sin only affects ourselves, but it reaches farther than that. My sin affects my family, my friends, and my community. Before I make stupid decisions, before I rebel, before I give in to temptation, I must be aware that this choice, that act, can destroy more than just myself.
Dear Jesus, help me to not sin. Not for my sake, but for others. Amen.
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