Hard Questions
II Corinthians 4:5,18 Mkjv For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. ...we not considering the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are not lasting, but the things which are not seen are everlasting.

Who do I lift up, myself or Jesus? Do I promote His way or mine with my attitudes and actions? Am I forgiving and caring or selfish and rude? Am I arrogant, acting as though I know it all or willing to listen to others? Am I more likely to respond with hate and anger or love and truth in love?

Hard questions. Even harder to answer honestly.

Help me, Jesus, not bring shame to You because of the way I act and speak. Help me reflect You. Amen.

Without God America has No Defense
II Chronicles 32:7-8, 22 Mkjv Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of the king of Assyria, or for all the multitude with him. For there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
... And the LORD saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others , and guided them on every side.

The king wasn't afraid to use military might and he did what he could to plan for defense. But he knew the true strength and protection for the country came from God. Because he set his heart to worship God and led his people to God, God worked a defensive miracle on Judah's behalf.

The king knew the country, their freedom and security as a nation was not ultimately in his hands. True freedom comes from an inner resource--the One who not only offers freedom, but IS freedom.

The more we honor Him, the more we will know freedom...and joy. The opposite is also true. Am I truly free?

II Corinthians 3:17 Kjv And the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is , there is liberty.

Exactly What I Need
Psalm 112:1, 3, 5, 7 Mkjv Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who delights greatly in His commandments. ... Wealth and riches shall be in his house, and his righteousness stands forever. ... A good man shows favor, and lends; he will guide his business with fairness. ... He shall not be afraid of bad news; his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.


What are the rewards for those who honor and serve God?
God's favor and blessings.
Wealth and riches.

What are the marks of a Godly person?
Loves & follows God's principles.
Gracious & generous.
Honest & fair.
Isn't afraid when there is bad news.
Trusts in the Lord no matter what.

What about those riches? Wealth can be counted in many ways--finances, family, health. Wealth is knowing that when we honor God, He provides exactly what we need.

Right Choices
II Chronicles 30:6 GW Messengers took letters from the king and his officials throughout Israel and Judah. The king's order said, "Israelites, return to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Then he will return to the few of you who escaped from the power of the kings of Assyria.

Psalm 111:4,10 Kjv He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD [is] gracious and full of compassion. ...The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.

Repentence is the key to reconciliation with God and often, with others as well.

Repentence is the key to once more knowing God's blessings personally and as a nation.

But...am I too proud or stubborn to admit when I'm wrong, when I make bad choices, when I hurt others?

Help me realize, Jesus, forgiveness and peace comes not from arrogance or bull-headed stubbornness, but in a willingness to acknowledge I goof up--sometimes big time--to ask forgiveness and choose instead to follow right choices in You. Amen.

Stepping Forward--Alone
II Chronicles 29:1- 5, 15 GW Hezekiah began to rule as king when he was 25 years old. He ruled for 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother was Abijah, daughter of Zechariah. He did what the LORD considered right, as his ancestor David had done.
In the first month of his first year as king, he opened the doors of the LORD'S temple and repaired them. He brought the priests and Levites together in the square on the east side of the temple. He said to them, "Listen to me, Levites. Perform the ceremonies to make the temple of the LORD God of your ancestors holy. Remove anything that has been corrupted from the holy place.
...15 These men gathered their relatives and performed the ceremonies to make themselves holy. Then they obeyed the king's order from the LORD'S word and entered the temple to make it clean.

Even good people are often too frightened or timid to stand up against prevailing attitudes or actions, even wrong ones. But they will step forward if one person takes a stand.

In this case the king himself led the way. Priests and Levites cleaned a temple that had been used to dump trash instead of as a Godly worship center.

All that changed with a Godly king. But the principle applies to humans in general. Good people will stand up when someone leads the way.

Do I allow evil because of my fear or am I willing to step forward, even, alone, to stand for God and good? Am I willing to lead and make a difference?

Help me, Jesus, stand up for what is faithful, right and true. Amen.

His Strength
I am tired and sore today after yesterday's full day. Yet, I was able to help comfort a friend in her loss, spend time with my sil since we were both involved at the funeral of our friend, and back at church in the evening for another friend. Made for a long day for me and I'm seriously crashing today. Yet it was worth it all

Glad that God can work thru this imperfect person and give me strength when mine is gone.

Ephesians 6:10 GW Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength .

The Truth of The Resurrection
I Corinthians 15:4-6 GW He was placed in a tomb. He was brought back to life on the third day as the Scriptures predicted. He appeared to Cephas. Next he appeared to the twelve apostles.
Then he appeared to more than 500 believers at one time. (Most of these people are still living, but some have died.)

Many who dispute the resurrection have never read these verses. The resurrected Jesus wasn't just seen by women, not just by close associates . Jesus was seen and interacted with hundreds of people. People lived and died for the truth of Jesus' real death and real resurrection.

Both were witnessed and tested, not just by His associates, but also by the government authorities of the day.

We can rely on the Biblical account. We can trust in and know this Jesus who loved us so much He was tortured and murdered for you and me, the Jesus who offers life if we believe and follow.

Why America Became Great
II Chronicles 27:6 Mkjv And Jotham became mighty because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.

True and lasting strength comes from God. Without Him in charge, we will fail. We'll flail about seeking our own way either through might or appeasement. Both will bring us to distruction. How much better that our personal and national trouble bring us to our knees in repentance for our arrogance in shutting God out, surrendering all to Him.

Psalm 108:13 GW With God we will display great strength. He will trample our enemies.

He, not we, controls our future. I want to be aligned with Him.

Frustration Doesn't Justify Hate
I Corinthians 13:1-2 GW I may speak in the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don't have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal. I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don't have love, I am nothing.

Yes, many of us are unhappy with the attempt to take over and remake the government into something rather horrifying--a government that controls business and dictates every aspect of our lives.

But that never justfies hate or threats. that's not to say we shouldn't stand up for truth and freedom, we certainly should. But truth and love are connected for Jesus IS love. Jesus IS truth.

Stand up. Stand up firmly, but knowing Jesus loves those on both sides of any issue.

Instead of hate, begin with prayer. Stay in prayer, praying God will keep your heart pure and will reach the heart of those for whom we pray.

We can make a difference by starting our "stand" on our knees.

V. 5-6 GW It isn't rude. It doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable. It doesn't keep track of wrongs. It isn't happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth.

Mercy
Psalm 106:1 GW Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD because he is good, because his mercy endures forever.

Mercy

© 2009 Carolyn R Scheidies

When I am hurting I give thanks
Remember blessings past
Remind myself that God is good
And answers when I ask.

God is not my personal genie
He is so much more than I know
He is Creator God who hears
Savior who loves me so.

I find both peace and comfort
As I come to Him
Discover joy in knowing
Jesus lives within.

I am thankful for His presence
His strength for every day.
No no matter what, I'll praise Him,
Know He loves me,
...come what may.

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.