Where Friendships Lead
II Chronicles 24:2 GW Joash did what the LORD considered right, as long as the priest Jehoiada lived.

The faith and character of our friends are so important. We become what we fill our lives with. If our closest companions are not good, Godly, or faithful, it becomes more and more difficult for us to be good, Godly, and
faithful. We need be sure to choose our friends wisely and be careful to judge any advice against God's principles not prevailing attitudes.

Even more important are the companions we allow our children.

v. 17-18, 22 After he died, the officials of Judah bowed in front of the king with their faces touching the ground. Then the king listened to their advice. They abandoned the temple of the LORD God of their ancestors and worshiped idols and the poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah. This offense of theirs brought God's anger upon Judah ...King Joash did not remember how kind Zechariah's father, Jehoiada, had been to him. Instead, he killed Jehoiada's son.

I Corinthians 15:33 ASV Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.

Do my closest friends lead me to or away from Jesus?

Too Bull-headed?
I Corinthians 10:31-33 GW So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God. Don't cause others to stumble, whether they are Jewish, Greek, or members of God's church. I try to please everyone in every way. I don't think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved.

This passage comes after one about eating food sacrificed to idols. To not eat it if doing so bothers another believer in your presence.

In our bull-headed independence, we often think the only one who matters is ME! But that is opposite what Jesus taught, a message that others matter, that what I do makes a difference both now and for eternity not only for me but for those watching my life. Do my words and actions lead others to or away from Jesus?

Dwell on the Positive
Psalm 103:2-5 Mkjv Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from ruin; who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies; who satisfies your mouth with good; your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

God does so much for us. Yet it is easier to enumerate our complaints, frustrations and dissatisfaction than our blessings. Attitude comes from what we dwell on. If we dwell on evil things, on complaints, on selfish things, we'll become grumpy, dissatisfied and unhappy. When we dwell on positives like God's goodness and blessings, we'll see more positives because we'll become what we think and dwell on.

God doesn't want us to forget the positives in our lives because He knows doing so leads to a life without hope or satisfaction that will ripple out to everyone around us.

Take time to count your blessings and give thanks to God and others who are positives in your life.

Character of Friends Matters
II Chronicles 21:4 After Jehoram had taken over his father's kingdom, he strengthened his position and then executed all his brothers and some of the officials of Israel. ...6 He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as Ahab's family had done, because his wife was Ahab's daughter. So he did what the LORD considered evil.
...10 So Edom rebelled against Judah's rule and is still independent today. At the same time Edom rebelled, Libnah rebelled because Jehoram had abandoned the LORD God of his ancestors. 11 Jehoram made illegal places of worship in the hills of Judah. This caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to chase after foreign gods as if they were prostitutes. So he led Judah astray.
... 14 The LORD will strike a great blow to your people, your sons, your wives, and all your property because you did this. 15 You will suffer from a chronic intestinal disease until your intestines come out."
...19 Two years later, as his life was coming to an end, his intestines fell out because of his sickness. He died a painful death. His people did not make a bonfire in his honor as they had done for his ancestors.
20 He was 32 years old when he became king, and he ruled for 8 years in Jerusalem. No one was sorry to see him die. He was buried in the City of David but not in the tombs of the kings.

This is one sad life. This passage points out several things. Evil brings forth more evil. Good bring forth good.

Jehoram was an evil man and leader. But he surrounded himself with evil companions. His wife was Ahab's daughter. Doesn't get much worse.

Who we marry, who we're friends with and hang out with does matter. Even as Christians reaching a lost world, we need a solid Godly support system so we don't slip away from our faith and into evil.

Only as we communicate with Jesus Christ, read, study, meditate on and implement His principles and cultivate Godly friends and mentors in our life will we be able stand firm for life, love, righteousness and hope.

Help me recognize the deadly danger, Lord Jesus, and cultivate my relationship with You and Godly friends. Amen

How the Enemy Wins
II Chronicles 20:3- 4, 12, 15b, 17, 19- 20b Frightened, Jehoshaphat decided to ask for the LORD'S help. He announced a fast throughout Judah. The people of Judah gathered to seek the LORD'S help. ... You're our God. Won't you judge them? We don't have the strength to face this large crowd that is attacking us. We don't know what to do, so we're looking to you."
...Jahaziel said, "...This is what the LORD says to you: Don't be frightened or terrified by this large crowd. The battle isn't yours. It's God's.
...You won't fight this battle. Instead, take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the LORD for you, Judah and Jerusalem. Don't be frightened or terrified. Tomorrow go out to face them. The LORD is with you."
The Levites, descendants of Kohath and Korah, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with very loud songs. ...
Jehoshaphat stopped and said, "...Trust the LORD your God, and believe. Believe his prophets, and you will succeed."

When he was afraid the King didn't turn first to his advisers or the might of his military. He knew the foundation of Israel's security lay not in his hands, not in strategy or might, but in God.

Because the nation turned to God, God miraculously protected and saved them.

So it is with individuals and nations. When we come to him, make our lives right before Him and ask, God answers.

When we turn from Him our enemies win.

Simple cause and effect. Too bad neither those claiming God's name nor our national leaders seem to get this simple equation.

Personally and nationally ...
We lose when we shut God out.
We win when we worship and honor Him.


V. 22, 26 As they started to sing praises, the LORD set ambushes against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the people of Mount Seir who had come into Judah. They were defeated.
... On the fourth day they gathered in the valley of Beracah. Because they thanked the LORD there, that place is still called the valley of Beracah [Thanks] today.

Truth Not For My Private Interpretation
Psalm 100:5 Mkjv For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations.

Truth is not "whatever I want it to be" nor is it simply a set of standards. Truth is a person. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of truth. The closer my relationship with Him, the more I will understand truth and know it in the context of His love.

Help me, Jesus, know truth in You. Amen.

Solid Foundation
Psalm 99:8-9 GW O LORD, our God, you answered them. You showed them that you are a forgiving God and that you are a God who punishes their sinful deeds. Highly honor the LORD our God. Bow at his holy mountain. The LORD our God is holy!

God is a holy God. Sin of any sort cannot stand in His presence. Neither can I when I choose to think, say or do those things that are wrong, malicious, vengeful--anything against God's principles large or small.

God doesn't wink at sin or allow us to rationalize or excuse our wrong choices. Why? Because they put a barrier between us and God and ultimately harm us. Make no mistake, sin has consequences.

That is the bad news. The good news is that while God is holy, He is also forgives those who come in genuine repentance.

It boils down to this. God is real. He is a solid foundation on which to build, because He loves you and me, and seeks our good.

Obama Cannot Save
II Chronicles 17:6-7a, 8-9a, 10a, 12 He had the confidence to live the way the LORD wanted him to live. He also got rid of the illegal places of worship and poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah in Judah. In the third year of his reign, he sent his officers ...to teach in the cities of Judah. With them were the Levites ...
They taught in Judah. They had the Book of the LORD'S Teachings with them when they taught the people in all the cities of Judah. Fear of the LORD came to all the kingdoms around Judah. As a result, they didn't wage war against Jehoshaphat. ...
So Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful.

Because Jehoshaphat saught the Lord, because he went beyond a personal faith and made sure the people also knew the way, because he got rid of other gods, God blessed Jehoshaphat and Israel. God blessed them with knowledgeable and peace.

America will not know true peace again until she returns to God. A nation of diversity can be a nation divided and America is. She sounds an uncertain note. Our friends are treated as enemies. We bow before our enemies and their gods, while outlawing worship of the One True God.

America is no longer safe. No longer a country of faith, family or freedom. It is time I take off my sentimental blinders and make sure my foundation is on Jesus Christ, not on the past, not on government and not on human beings or agencies.

Help me, Jesus, keep my eyes focused on You. Amen.

Is There Hope for America?
II Chronicles 16:8-10, 12 GW Weren't the Sudanese and Libyans a large army with many chariots and drivers? But when you depended on the LORD, he handed them over to you.
The LORD'S eyes scan the whole world to find those whose hearts are committed to him and to strengthen them. You acted foolishly in this matter. So from now on, you will have to fight wars."
Asa was furious at the seer. He was so angry with Hanani that he put Hanani in prison. Asa also oppressed some of the people at that time in his reign....
In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa got a foot disease that became progressively worse. Instead of asking the LORD for help, he went to doctors.

As long as King Asa trusted God, the country was protected and at peace. But Asa began to think his life, kingdom and reign were all about him and stopped depending upon God.

What happened? God removed His hand of protection from both the nation and the king personally. The peace was shattered because of a leader who no longer followed God. Asa's personal health was broken. Worse for the country, once the king turned from God he saw the citizens differently--as his to manipulate not to listen to, respect and care for.

Does all this sound familiar? It should. America parallels this situation. A free people whose leaders are meant to serve them is quickly becoming a government whose leaders expect to be served without complaint.

Without God there is no peace, no health and no freedom. My question: Besides prayer, what role does God want me to play in preserving the nation of faith, family and freedom? Or is it already too late?

Cutie Cat--RIP

Today is also one full week without Cutie Cat. A week ago Friday night, we fussed over her and spent time with her. Had her on the bed (she was too weak to jump up any longer). In the morning she was taking one last trip to the vet. But during the night, God intervened and answered my prayers that Cutie die in the comfort of her own home. Later Saturday afternoon, we buried her on the Scheidies family farm.

Been very quiet around here this week. Cutie was almost 19 and had been healthy most of that time. I am left with lots of memories. And after a week, I remember, smile, and move on.

We are blessed with the activities in our lives that keep us from moping. We are blessed with brains that can store events,emotions, etc. and bring them back to mind. And, we are blessed when we treat with love and kindness the animals God has created and placed within our care.

A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
      But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. Proverbs 12:10 NKJ

Godly People Make a Difference
II Chronicles 15:15 Mkjv And all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought Him with their whole desire. And He was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around.

There is a direct connection between serving God with a whole heart and peace--both personal and national. In our tolerance for all but those who hold Biblical values, in our actually outlawing prayer and public expressions of faith, we doom our nation to destruction from within and without.

Godly people hold the line. Godly people who live for God, no matter what, are those who keep our nation's fragile peace. Without Godly people, a nation falls into evil.

Am I holding the line or contributing to our nation's destruction by my actions, lifestyle, attitude and behavior?

Psalm 96:2 GW Sing to the LORD! Praise his name! Day after day announce that the LORD saves his people.

Only God can save us.

True Source
Ephesians 6:10 Mkjv Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Cutie hung onto life far longer than we could have imagined. She had an incredible will to live. God given tenacity to cling to life.

Do we give in too easily
Turn our backs on God because life isn't going according to our plan?

We need to hang in when troubles come,
Recognizing our true source of strength is Christ.

Example of our leaders matters
II Chronicles 14:2, 4-6a GW Asa did what the LORD his God considered good and right. ... He told the people of Judah to dedicate their lives to serving the LORD God of their ancestors and follow his teachings and commands.
He got rid of the illegal places of worship and the altars for incense in all the cities of Judah. The kingdom was at peace during his reign. He built fortified cities in Judah because the land had peace. ...

The example and guidance of our leaders is critical in the direction of a nation. Good leaders lead the people and nations to blessing and peace, evil leaders lead to destruction.

Asa set an example of serving God and God blessed him and the nation. But Asa knew peace doesn't last and realized the need for a strong defense as well. When the enemy attacked they were held back back by a strong defense and defeated by a people who depended on God for ultimate defense.

Who we elect as leaders is vitally imported to the well being of individuals and the nation. We need leaders who don't just mouth a few religious platitudes about getting along, but who encourage Christians, who lift up the name of Jesus and who don't consider Christians as dangerous and prayer as unseemly in public.

My vote counts. Will it lift up Jesus?

Not By Military Might
II Chronicles 13:17-18 GW So Abijah and his men defeated them decisively, and 500,000 of the best men of Israel were killed. So the Israelites were humbled at that time, and the men of Judah won because they trusted the LORD God of their ancestors.

We think our military wins because of plans and might and numbers, but America's military has won because of a foundation of faith in God. When that is no longer true, and that time may be now, our military might will be as broken as our government that seems bent on eliminating Christian expression, eliminating freedom and independence and substituting oppresive big government for God, faith and freedom.

Judah won the battle because God faught for a people who served Him. Israel was routed because they'd turned their backs on God.

The question is--am I salt and light, holding the torch of faith no matter what, or do I hide my light? Help me, have the courage to "Let My Little Light Shine" for You. Amen.

Psalm 94:14 The LORD will never desert his people or abandon those who belong to him.

When Leaders Turn From God
II Chronicles 12:1-2 GW When Rehoboam had established his kingdom and made himself strong, he and all Israel abandoned the LORD'S teachings. In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. This happened because all Israel was not loyal to the LORD.

Rehoboam began to think he was "all that" and didn't need God. What happened? God removed His blessing and protection, opening Judah up for invasion.

But the pending invasion woke Rehoboam to the truth and to His need of God.

V. 6-7a Then the commanders of Israel and the king humbled themselves. "The LORD is right!" they said. When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, he spoke his word to Shemaiah: "They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them. ...

Too bad terrorism on our shores didn't, for long, wake up our leaders to the need for God. Unless we repent, as did Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, America will perish.

We've been a nation set apart because of God's blessing and protection. We've had that because we trusted in Him and allowed freedom to worship Him.

That is no longer true. Christianity is being surpressed, even outlawed, at every level. Can we expect God's protection or blessing when we no longer serve Him?

And I grieve.

We need to live for Christ, no matter what, and pray diligently for our leaders to turn to Him.