Scripture:
2 Kings 15:12
That completed the word of God that was given to Jehu, namely, "For four generations your sons will sit on the throne of Israel." Zechariah was the fourth.
Observation:
In the midst of the deceit and treachery that has become habit among the Northern Kingdom, as Kings are killed by trusted confidantes or hated
enemies or even family members, God still has his way. Though it looks
to our eyes as though God is no where in the picture, even then what He
says comes to pass.
Application:
I am certain that neither Zechariah or Jeroboam or Shallum
set out to accomplish God's will and yet they were part of fulfilling
God's promise. He uses them without their knowledge, without their
understanding, almost in spite of themselves. God will have His way, it
is foolishness to think otherwise.
How much better to choose to serve? How much more fulfilling to offer up my life? How much sweeter to be used by God in partnership? How amazing!
Prayer:
God, Creator of all the Universe, Author of all that is, Unchanging,
Unfailing, Ever-Faithful, I worship you. I offer my life for Your
purposes. Use me, not in spite of myself, but whole-heartedly offered
up to You. Your generosity never fails to amaze me. Thank You for
taking my tiny little offering--my best--and in Your mercy and grace
multiplying it to be enough for You to use. Amen.
Thursday July 3, 2008 by Keith
Title: FINISH WELL
Scripture:
2 Chronicles 27:6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.
Observation:
There is something said about living a life of integrity. Jotham grew powerful, not because he was strong, wealthy, or smart, but because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.
His father Uzziah lived a similar life, however, he didn’t end well. There was a point where he may have thought his power came from himself rather than the Lord, or maybe he forget the great seriousness of God’s Holiness. Whatever it was King Uzziah went from powerful to pathetic overnight… for all of history Uzziah would be known as a king that died of leprosy.
It seems Jotham may have looked at his dad’s example and chose the high road. Maybe Jotham committed to never be like that… to remind himself that it is God that gives and takes away. Maybe he had men in his life like Isaiah to remind him of the LORD Almighty.
Application:
I am no king, nor was my dad a king…. But, I do have a choice in my life to live a life of integrity or to give way to my flesh and think that I have accomplished things on my own.
I can approach God in humility or in arrogance.
I can worship in fear and love or apathy and selfishness.
I want to be more like Jotham who walked steadfastly before the Lord. I would rather people remember my integrity than my leprosy.
Prayer:
Father, help me walk with you and for you. Thank you for your Word that reminds us of who you are. You give, you take away. You are God. amen and so be it.
Scripture:
2 Chronicles 27:6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.
Observation:
There is something said about living a life of integrity. Jotham grew powerful, not because he was strong, wealthy, or smart, but because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.
His father Uzziah lived a similar life, however, he didn’t end well. There was a point where he may have thought his power came from himself rather than the Lord, or maybe he forget the great seriousness of God’s Holiness. Whatever it was King Uzziah went from powerful to pathetic overnight… for all of history Uzziah would be known as a king that died of leprosy.
It seems Jotham may have looked at his dad’s example and chose the high road. Maybe Jotham committed to never be like that… to remind himself that it is God that gives and takes away. Maybe he had men in his life like Isaiah to remind him of the LORD Almighty.
Application:
I am no king, nor was my dad a king…. But, I do have a choice in my life to live a life of integrity or to give way to my flesh and think that I have accomplished things on my own.
I can approach God in humility or in arrogance.
I can worship in fear and love or apathy and selfishness.
I want to be more like Jotham who walked steadfastly before the Lord. I would rather people remember my integrity than my leprosy.
Prayer:
Father, help me walk with you and for you. Thank you for your Word that reminds us of who you are. You give, you take away. You are God. amen and so be it.
Monday, June 30th, 2008 by Randy
TITLE:
“Being Plumb”
SCRIPTURE:
This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. Amos 7:7 (NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Amos, the prophet, uses a number of analogies to expose Israel’s backslidden condition. In Amos 7:7,8 He pictures the Lord with a plumb line in his hand. Just for clarity, a "plumb line" is a string with a weight on the end. When you hold the string at the top, the weight makes the line hang down straight. Still today we refer to “being plumb" as something level or straight.
So in this vision God is standing with a plumb line by a wall. The plumb is true and level indicating that the wall is straight up and down. God is saying that He always uses an accurate standard to judge his people. He is fair and true. It is not “what seems right” to the person or public opinion. It is God’s truth. Absolute. Unchanging.
APPLICATION:
In a culture of relativity, God reveals his truth in His word. That’s why I need to daily read and learn from the Bible. God wants me to align myself with Him; not with the culture; Not with popular opinion, but with His will! Anything that is not “straight or level” in my life, He wants to correct. Just like a wall that’s out of plumb, my life is unstable without his perspective. How do I measure up to God’s plumb line? What is God wanting to realign in my life? In my relationships? In my priorities? I can’t rely on my own judgments. I must look to Him and His Word. The Psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). May that be true of my life too!
PRAYER:
Father, please take every area of my life and align it with Your will. I want to fully follow you! Forgive me when I’ve relied on my opinions rather than your standards. Help me to be in plumb with your word. AMEN.
“Being Plumb”
SCRIPTURE:
This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. Amos 7:7 (NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Amos, the prophet, uses a number of analogies to expose Israel’s backslidden condition. In Amos 7:7,8 He pictures the Lord with a plumb line in his hand. Just for clarity, a "plumb line" is a string with a weight on the end. When you hold the string at the top, the weight makes the line hang down straight. Still today we refer to “being plumb" as something level or straight.
So in this vision God is standing with a plumb line by a wall. The plumb is true and level indicating that the wall is straight up and down. God is saying that He always uses an accurate standard to judge his people. He is fair and true. It is not “what seems right” to the person or public opinion. It is God’s truth. Absolute. Unchanging.
APPLICATION:
In a culture of relativity, God reveals his truth in His word. That’s why I need to daily read and learn from the Bible. God wants me to align myself with Him; not with the culture; Not with popular opinion, but with His will! Anything that is not “straight or level” in my life, He wants to correct. Just like a wall that’s out of plumb, my life is unstable without his perspective. How do I measure up to God’s plumb line? What is God wanting to realign in my life? In my relationships? In my priorities? I can’t rely on my own judgments. I must look to Him and His Word. The Psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). May that be true of my life too!
PRAYER:
Father, please take every area of my life and align it with Your will. I want to fully follow you! Forgive me when I’ve relied on my opinions rather than your standards. Help me to be in plumb with your word. AMEN.
Thursday June 26 by Pastor Ketih
Title: Working for the Boss Man
Scripture:
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Observation:
I don’t know if this verse haunts me or encourages me. I can’t say that I “do my best” every day for God. There are some days I do… but, others, not so much.
Paul laid out several examples to Timothy about keeping his faith strong. He used a soldier, an athlete, and then in this passage a workman.
This workman is filled with integrity and has nothing to hide because he has handled his work (the word) correctly. The result: he is approved by the boss, God!
Application:
How am I doing handling God’s Word? Would I be ashamed if I was judged by my boss today?
Each day I get to remind myself that my God is watching, my God is involved, and He has entrusted me to do His will, particularly with God’s Word.
What a privilege and an honor to work for the King of Kings, Creator of All, the inventor of Love… wow.
Today, I will strive to live a life pleasing to Him.
Prayer:
Father, help me.
Scripture:
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Observation:
I don’t know if this verse haunts me or encourages me. I can’t say that I “do my best” every day for God. There are some days I do… but, others, not so much.
Paul laid out several examples to Timothy about keeping his faith strong. He used a soldier, an athlete, and then in this passage a workman.
This workman is filled with integrity and has nothing to hide because he has handled his work (the word) correctly. The result: he is approved by the boss, God!
Application:
How am I doing handling God’s Word? Would I be ashamed if I was judged by my boss today?
Each day I get to remind myself that my God is watching, my God is involved, and He has entrusted me to do His will, particularly with God’s Word.
What a privilege and an honor to work for the King of Kings, Creator of All, the inventor of Love… wow.
Today, I will strive to live a life pleasing to Him.
Prayer:
Father, help me.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 by Bob
TITLE: False Hope
SCRIPTURE: 1 Tim 6:9, People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
OBSERVATION: In his first letter to Timothy, Paul instructs him to teach and command his church members to beware of the temptation and potential destruction of seeking worldly wealth. Over the years of ministry Paul had witnessed many people, and some Christians who had succumbed to the lure and power of money only to find themselves in moral and emotional ruin as a result.
APPLICATION: Many Christians have used this verse to provide evidence that wealth is inherently evil and that we should stay away from it. But that was not Paul’s intent at all. It wasn’t the wealth in itself that is sinful, but the hope that we place on our wealth. In other words, if we are blessed with material or personal wealth, but don’t become arrogant or misguided about the importance of our wealth, then we can actually be fruitful in helping to build God’s kingdom with these assets. In the other hand, if we make our wealth the center of our hope and reliance, then greed will gradually erode our hearts and draw us away from the things of God.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, teach me to view and value your material blessings with the right attitude and heart. Never let ‘things’ take center-stage in my life, instead help me to keep focused on your kingdom, and to be more concerned about building an eternal treasure then a temporal treasure that will erode with time.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Tim 6:9, People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
OBSERVATION: In his first letter to Timothy, Paul instructs him to teach and command his church members to beware of the temptation and potential destruction of seeking worldly wealth. Over the years of ministry Paul had witnessed many people, and some Christians who had succumbed to the lure and power of money only to find themselves in moral and emotional ruin as a result.
APPLICATION: Many Christians have used this verse to provide evidence that wealth is inherently evil and that we should stay away from it. But that was not Paul’s intent at all. It wasn’t the wealth in itself that is sinful, but the hope that we place on our wealth. In other words, if we are blessed with material or personal wealth, but don’t become arrogant or misguided about the importance of our wealth, then we can actually be fruitful in helping to build God’s kingdom with these assets. In the other hand, if we make our wealth the center of our hope and reliance, then greed will gradually erode our hearts and draw us away from the things of God.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, teach me to view and value your material blessings with the right attitude and heart. Never let ‘things’ take center-stage in my life, instead help me to keep focused on your kingdom, and to be more concerned about building an eternal treasure then a temporal treasure that will erode with time.
Monday, June 23rd, 2008 by Randy
TITLE:
“Oh be careful little ears what you hear.”
SCRIPTURE:
He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father's death they became his advisers, to his undoing. 2 Chronicles 22:4 (NIV)
OBSERVATION:
No one would argue that advice is a good thing. Over and over the Bible says to seek the counsel of others. In Proverbs 15:22 it says, “Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.” But the key word with that instruction is “good” counsel. Advice is only as good as its source. In today’s reading, we find that King Ahaziah had plenty advisers around him. They led him to “his undoing.” Ahaziah probably thought these advisers were trustworthy and insightful. After all, no one willingly takes bad advice. How wrong he was! The Bible warns us to "test everything.... Hold on to what is good" ( 1Th 5:21 ). We should always check out what people say with what the Bible says. We are on dangerous ground if we accept counsel without checking it out first!!
APPLICATION:
As a kid we used to sing a song that had this line in it, “Oh be careful little ears what you hear.” I think we all need to heed this advice. Don’t make life decisions or assumptions just because you “hear it” from someone. Be careful! Check it out! This past month God has reminded me about the importance of wise and godly counsel. I have made a commitment to never make a major decision without it. The fact is, there is lots of lousy advice givers out there. Everyone has an opinion. However, I need to always look to God’s word and verify the truth by God’s standards and not my own.
PRAYER:
Father, thanks again for teaching me the importance to watch the words of others. Help me to be discerning and careful to whom I listen to. I want to hear from you and want your best. Please give me your guidance and wisdom, even this week, I seek to serve You. AMEN.
“Oh be careful little ears what you hear.”
SCRIPTURE:
He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father's death they became his advisers, to his undoing. 2 Chronicles 22:4 (NIV)
OBSERVATION:
No one would argue that advice is a good thing. Over and over the Bible says to seek the counsel of others. In Proverbs 15:22 it says, “Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.” But the key word with that instruction is “good” counsel. Advice is only as good as its source. In today’s reading, we find that King Ahaziah had plenty advisers around him. They led him to “his undoing.” Ahaziah probably thought these advisers were trustworthy and insightful. After all, no one willingly takes bad advice. How wrong he was! The Bible warns us to "test everything.... Hold on to what is good" ( 1Th 5:21 ). We should always check out what people say with what the Bible says. We are on dangerous ground if we accept counsel without checking it out first!!
APPLICATION:
As a kid we used to sing a song that had this line in it, “Oh be careful little ears what you hear.” I think we all need to heed this advice. Don’t make life decisions or assumptions just because you “hear it” from someone. Be careful! Check it out! This past month God has reminded me about the importance of wise and godly counsel. I have made a commitment to never make a major decision without it. The fact is, there is lots of lousy advice givers out there. Everyone has an opinion. However, I need to always look to God’s word and verify the truth by God’s standards and not my own.
PRAYER:
Father, thanks again for teaching me the importance to watch the words of others. Help me to be discerning and careful to whom I listen to. I want to hear from you and want your best. Please give me your guidance and wisdom, even this week, I seek to serve You. AMEN.
Thursday June 19, 2008 by Keith
Title: Not Another Day
Scripture: 2 Kings 1:13-14
13 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. "Man of God," he begged, "please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! 14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!"
Observation:
Can you imagine wintnessing fire coming down from the sky and killing 51 people? Not once? But twice!!!
I don’t know what to be more amazed with, the fire or Elijah’s faith. It required great faith for Elijah to do what he did. He believed God is God. He knew all things are possible only through God. And he was devoted to God’s message: only God should be worshipped.
Application:
Although, God seems to work in different ways, He is still God.
How am I trusting in God the way Elijah did? Do I call on Him? Do I listen to Him? Do others see God in my life?
I want to live a life that the world sees God in me. I want to do the impossible for God’s glory.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being YOU! Help me trust in You. I ask that you would use my life as you will. For Your glory. amen!
Scripture: 2 Kings 1:13-14
13 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. "Man of God," he begged, "please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! 14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!"
Observation:
Can you imagine wintnessing fire coming down from the sky and killing 51 people? Not once? But twice!!!
I don’t know what to be more amazed with, the fire or Elijah’s faith. It required great faith for Elijah to do what he did. He believed God is God. He knew all things are possible only through God. And he was devoted to God’s message: only God should be worshipped.
Application:
Although, God seems to work in different ways, He is still God.
How am I trusting in God the way Elijah did? Do I call on Him? Do I listen to Him? Do others see God in my life?
I want to live a life that the world sees God in me. I want to do the impossible for God’s glory.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being YOU! Help me trust in You. I ask that you would use my life as you will. For Your glory. amen!
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