Healthy Fear

2 Kings 23: ²⁵ Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.

²⁶ Nevertheless, the Lord did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to arouse his anger.

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Ice Cream drinks seemed innocent enough to try. I mean it only had a little alcohol. After laughing a few hours, the punch laced with grain alcohol seemed innocent enough to try because you really couldn’t taste the bitter sting of the alcohol as it was added with just the right amount of sugar to take the edge off.

Soon the dare was to drink a shot of straight alcohol. I watched one person try it and throw up! Would you believe I still considered trying it, but I was too scared?

• The HOLY SPIRIT has led me from going too far in many instances.
• The HOLY SPIRIT has led me away from many situations I wanted to try but would have gotten me in deep trouble.
• The HOLY SPIRIT has led me away from diving too deep in the wrong things.

GOD isn’t looking for me to be a goody, goody person; that would make CHRIST’s death, burial and resurrection trivial. In fact GOD said, “MY grace is sufficient.” BUT there is still something inside of me that aches inside of me when I do wrong or when I try to go down the wrong path.

• GOD has saved me from “dangers unaware.”
• GOD has saved me from “eternal separation from HIM.”
• GOD has saved me from “being fruitless.”

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Do not be afraid of humans who can hurt the body but fear the one who can destroy the soul.  GOD wants a relationship with me but it is one where HE is GOD and I am one of HIS people. HE is the ultimate friend but I can never forget that HE is supreme in HIS power and decisions.

I cannot manipulate HIM by trying to do good because my good is faulted with sin, but HE loves when I am sincere in my bowing to HIM.

• Is you fear of GOD disappearing because of your sin?
• Are you in a habit of sinning and have given up on GOD?
• Can you stop focusing on you and your sin and appreciate that GOD’s grace is sufficient to cover ALL your sins?
• Won’t you stop trying to stop sinning and begin adding praise to GOD more and more so HE can help you?

Not knowing is worse

2 Kings 22: ⁸ Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. ⁹ Then Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him: “Your officials have paid out the money that was in the temple of the Lord and have entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the temple.” ¹⁰ Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

¹¹ When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. ¹² He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: ¹³ “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.”

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Finally I was on my own.  No more tyranny from my parents, no more schedules to go to class! I had my own apartment and I was free to live as I pleased. After visiting my fourth club, I soon realized this dinky town has no “fun.” I longed for the big city but settled on trying to build my night life where I was.

For some reason I started to feel empty. Even when I went to clubs and bars full of people I felt something missing. A person I ran into said I should read the Bible and go to church. “If I go to church, they will tell me how to live my life. I’ll pass.” I said reluctantly.

• Ignorance of GOD is not an excuse for me.
• Ignoring what GOD has written through humans is not an excuse for me.
• Avoiding GOD so I can do what I want is not an excuse for me.

Josiah was eight when he took the thrown. His predecessors did not follow GOD even to the point where they sacrificed their own children. The Bible was lost and people didn’t have instruction on how to live. I tried to do the same by plotting my own course without GOD. I wouldn’t read, serve or learn. BUT GOD wanted more.

• GOD wants me to take HIS yoke upon me and learn of HIM.
• GOD wants me to open my eyes to HIS glory daily.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face rather than hide from HIM.

The more I seek GOD the more I do the things HE wants me to do. This brings a radical change in me.

• Are you trying to do things without GOD?
• Are you tired of doing things under your own power?
• Will you take GOD’s hand and accept HIS might, HIS power, and HIS strength?

A Life of Impact

2 Kings 20: ⁴ Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: ⁵ “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 

⁶ I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’”

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“What are you guys going to do today?” one of my fathers asked. My buddy and I said “I don’t know, probably go out and have some fun.” “Is that it?” he questioned. Then he said some “blah, blah” stuff.  Why is he asking me about my future? Doesn’t he know there is a new club that just opened and we wanted to check it out?

• Sometimes I act like I will live forever.
• Sometimes I don’t look into the future.
• Sometimes I waste precious moments doing nothing of value.

I have known people who have faced their mortality and when they recover they live life very differently.  Each day seemed to be a blessing and the worries they used to have seemed to disappear. As I observed these people they did have some common.

• They told me “Care about people.”
• They told me “Trust in the LORD.”
• They told me “Count your blessings.”

Life is too short to be worrying and complaining all the time. Being preoccupied on the trials takes away time I could have spent with GOD, doing what HE wants me to do. Someone else said this to me… “What if you KNEW you were going to die next week, how would you spend your time living your life?” Then live that life now.

This statement reached me. Now I see life as a marvelous adventure GOD has placed in front of me. Every day is a blessing that HE made and the more I realize HE made it, the less I complain or worry.

• Are you complaining about something?
• Are you overcome with worry, fear and doubt?
• What if you knew you were going to die soon, how should you live your life?
• Are you seeking GOD’s kingdom and preparing people for CHRIST’s return?

Time for deliverance!

2 Kings 19: ²⁹ “This will be the sign for you, Hezekiah:

“This year you will eat what grows by itself,
    and the second year what springs from that.
But in the third year sow and reap,
    plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
³⁰ Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah
    will take root below and bear fruit above.
³¹ For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant,
    and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors.

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After what seemed to be an extremely long rough patch, I got news that my school loan had been paid off. Then at the same time I got another letter. I had taken out a loan for a car and that was not paid off. For the first time in years, I deposited a whole paycheck into the bank. What was I going to do with the extra cash?

• Outside of the storm GOD does bring peace.
• Outside of the trial GOD does show me still waters.
• Outside of the pain GOD does provide comfort.

At that time I was focused on money and living day to day. I had no concept of generously giving or living my life with a purpose. I would make bills and pay bills off. I mean that’s what life is about right? GOD says something different.

• GOD says “Sow sparingly, reap sparingly.”
• GOD says “Go make disciples, teach, baptize.”
• GOD says “Bear fruit.”

So many times I forget that I am part of GOD’s kingdom and HE is the owner of everything. HE delivers me in HIS time and in HIS way. What looks like a mess to me, IS GOD’s deliverance. HE wants me to recognize HIS grace and be ready to sow in plentiful fashion through generosity, actions and words.

• Are you in trouble?
• Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
• Can you see “this year” is GOD’s deliverance?
• Won’t you open your eyes to see GOD’s power?

Thermometer or Thermostat?

2 Kings 18: ⁵ Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. ⁶ He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. ⁷ And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.

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Sitting in a crowd of old “friends” I felt a little awkward. I had given up a lot of the things everyone was doing and people urged me to join in. It won’t hurt, I thought to myself. Soon I found I was acting one way around people at church and another around people I would “hang” with.

• When I am double minded I flow with whatever crowd I’m with.
• When I am double minded my opinions change in fear of not being liked by the crowd.
• When I am double minded I may flip flop and not support any direction.

Double minded behavior feels great “in the moment” because I am comforted by the crowd, but I end up lacking because any opposing opinion of mine gets discounted. What should I do about flipping with the crowd?

• GOD wants me to hold fast to HIS ways which in many instances are against the crowd.
• GOD wants me to keep following HIM even when the path seems to disappear.
• GOD wants me to keep HIS commands even when I stumble and fall.

Fear of the crowd makes me change like a thermometer. When the crowd is one way, so am I. BUT GOD wants me to be like a thermostat. HE wants me to walk into a crowd and set the temperature rather than being affected by what’s going on around me. Thermostats can be changed by the owner to be set at the temperature HE needs it to be. Thermostats live a life of purpose.

• Do you change your words with the crowd?
• Do you feel you have to “fit in” so you are willing to compromise your relationship with GOD?
• Can you give more and more of your life over to GOD daily?
• Won’t you let GOD be the owner of your life which gives you purpose?

Worshiping Something Else

2 Kings 17: ³⁵ When the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them. ³⁶ But the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices. 

³⁷ You must always be careful to keep the decrees and regulations, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. ³⁸ Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. ³⁹ Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

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Times were getting tough and I wasn’t hearing from GOD so I opened a fortune cookie and lottery numbers appeared. I wonder if I should play the lottery popped in my mind. Another time things were getting tough and I wasn’t hearing from GOD so I read my horoscope, hoping for some encouraging words.

Yet another time things were getting tough and I wasn’t hearing from GOD so I spent about an hour looking for a four leaf clover so I could have ”good luck.”

• When I want my way I will seek other gods for direction.
• When I want my way I will seek other gods for advice.
• When I want my way I will seek other gods for fulfilling my dreams.

My lack of trust sent me looking for answers in the wrong places. I wanted instant information rather than listening to GOD on a daily basis. When things started to go wrong, I would immediately go to the next thing to satisfy my craving for immediate information. BUT GOD wants something different.

• GOD says to me “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them.”
• GOD says to me “I am brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, and I am the one you must worship.”
• GOD says to me “Be careful to keep the decrees and regulations, the laws and commands written for you. Do not worship other gods.”
• GOD says to me “Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods.”
• GOD says to me “Worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

So I started worshipping GOD and more things started to go wrong! Wait a minute! What happened? GOD then opened my eyes and showed me I had a long way to go in order to fully trust HIM so I stayed on the road. I am so glad I now put my trust in HIM because my hope is much stronger.

• Are you seeking symbols, trinkets and bobbles to bring you luck?
• Do you believe you will be “lucky” and get rich one day?
• Are you doing anything for the god of money even being sad when it doesn’t allow you to have some?
• Can you stop bowing down to various gods and stand firm for the one true GOD?

Do the Right Thing

2 Kings 15: ³² In the second year of Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah king of Judah began to reign. ³³ He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok. ³⁴ He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Uzziah had done. 

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Rebellion had now turned into boredom. I wasn’t too rebellious to religion, at least that’s what I convinced myself. I mean I wasn’t anti-religious I was just tired of the hypocrites who claimed to be religious. Then it hit me... I was complaining ‘about’ the hypocrites and not doing anything to show “I” could be better.

• When I have a complaint about others, I forget to include myself.
• When I think other people are at fault, I forget to include my part.
• When I blame others for how I ended up, I forget to include my choices.

Worshipping GOD is an individual choice. Just because others are not doing it or doing it right, doesn’t mean that I should sit on the side and complain while “not” worshipping HIM. In fact I end up looking like a bigger hypocrite for judging those who I claim are hypocrites. GOD wants me to follow HIM.

• GOD wants my full attention.
• GOD wants my total heart.
• GOD wants my love.

There is something special about having a relationship with me that enables GOD to pursue me in spite of my sins. HE wants me to want HIM but there are times where I don’t want HIM. HE knows when I try to run away, yet HE lovingly pursues me to bring me back to safety, love and care.

HE never forces HIMSELF on me yet HE knows the right circumstances to get my attention. GOD enables me to do the right things and HE is please when I turn back to HIM over and over.

• Are you complaining about other people?
• Do you discuss someone else’s religion without focusing on what you are doing?
• Can you simply start being what GOD wants you to be without focusing on others?
• Won’t you pursue a relationship with GOD first?

Powerful Faith

2 Kings 13: ¹⁵ Elisha said, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. ¹⁶ “Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.

¹⁷ “Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.”

¹⁸ Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. ¹⁹ The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”

²⁰ Elisha died and was buried.

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Vague instructions and a mind of doubt made me call off the hunt early. I was running out of gas and the “down the road and turn left” directions left much to be desired. I panicked as the light had been on for a while. We were in the middle of nowhere so I looked for signs of life off in the distance.

As I changed course, I made it to civilization only to find everything closed! I drove twice as far as the person had instructed and eventually found gas. On the return trip I noticed the gas station the person had originally instructed me to go to was only a block away from where I turned around.

• Sometimes my doubt will make me change course.
• Sometimes my fear will make me take a wrong turn.
• Sometimes my worries will make me panic and come up with crazy plans.

There have been times where the level of my faith dictated the amount of success I achieved. I mean when I put my head down and stayed on the path, I was successful. When I was unsure of the path, questioning GOD every step of the way I wasn’t so successful. GOD wants my faith to be full.

• When I attack something with faith, GOD’s might takes me over the top.
• When I trust GOD, HE shows me just how powerful HE is.
• When I believe in GOD, I get rewarded beyond my wildest dreams.

GOD moves mountains daily. For some, HE shows HIS power blatantly, for others it’s more subtle. GOD has told me to open my eyes to HIS marvelous works daily and add a measure of faith to face the day.

• Are you full of doubt?
• Have you given up too early?
• Can you ask GOD to give you the right amount of strength to keep going on the course HE has you on even through difficulty?

Conducting Business GOD’s way

2 Kings 12: ¹³ The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple of the Lord; ¹⁴ it was paid to the workers, who used it to repair the temple. 

¹⁵ They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.

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Sleep was my coveted desire.  I mean I gallivanted all night and I had to be at work at 7:00AM downtown in the big city. They wouldn’t mind if I slip into the bathroom and take a few winks. After my nap my boss questioned where I was. I stuttered and stammered through my explanation and thought to myself… “I have to take shorter naps!”

• When I think I can take liberties at work, it spills into other areas of my life.
• When I think I can steal even a paperclip from work I may steal large amounts later.
• When I think I can cheat customers on small items I will probably try to get more money from them than deserved.

I have run into a few business people who have acted with integrity and they are marvelous. In fact some of them made me change my ways. They told me to show up on early, tell the truth and to do what was right when no one was looking. By adding this character to my work ethic, I was promoted time after time.

• GOD wants me to be honest in my business dealings or HE will deal with me.
• GOD wants me to have integrity with my business or HE will not bless it.
• GOD wants me to have character with my business so HE can use it to draw people to HIM.

Slick and slippery don’t mesh well with GOD. HE wants service from the heart and it takes work to push the greedy part of me out and allow GOD to fill my heart.

• Are you trying to be slick?
• Have you fooled yourself into thinking you can get away with the tiny lie you just told?
• Can you stop lying to yourself?
• Won’t you start acting with integrity?

“Whose” am I?

2 Kings 11: ¹⁷ Jehoiada then made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. 

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As the conversation was headed in the direction of discussing body parts again something was different this time. I don’t know if it was the mix of people or if it was the fact that I was growing up but I felt like I should not be in that place.  I excused myself and didn’t join in this time.

• When I am with the crowd I forget who created me.
• When I want my way I forget I was created with a purpose.
• When I see everyone else doing stuff I want to join in, even if the “stuff” is wrong.

There comes a time where the “stuff” gets old. I mean the party does end and a new day has to be faced. GOD opened my eyes and showed me the mundane nature of my pitiful existence. HE wanted something different.

• GOD wants me to recognize the HE created me and I should not complain about who I am, where I came from or where I am now.
• GOD wants me to know that I am HIS and so is “this” day that HE created.
• GOD wants me to know that the more I can focus my attention on HIS kingdom the less the world has a grip on me.

Living a life of purpose means knowing “who” I belong to, namely GOD. The more I understand GOD’s ownership, the less I fear and the less I get upset about something not going my way. GOD owns everything, even the machine that breaks down or the body that just won’t seem to heal fast enough.

I am GODs’ creation. I am beautifully and wonderfully made. My purpose is to serve HIM.

• Do you think you are alone?
• Do you believe you are self-made?
• Can you realize you and your circumstance are in GOD’s hand?
• Will you give GOD your life so HE can take it to new heights? 

Being Excited About GOD

2 Kings 10: ³⁰ The Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all I had in mind to do, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.”

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I can’t point to any “cause and affect” to my success. In fact I really don’t see how I made it to where I made it. All I know is I remember a simple prayer… “LORD please make me successful.”  I didn’t know what “levels” meant to a company or what “corporate politics” meant to a career. I had no specific target or path to get there.

All I knew was... I had to change the mode in which I was operating and mature.

• When I was immature, I would instantly lie to cover myself.
• When I was immature, I would not take responsibility for my actions.
• When I was immature, I would not stand firm for what is right rather I would bend towards the crowd.

GOD wants me to “grow up.” Instead of blaming HIM for the ills of society or for the current situation, GOD wants me to admit I need HIM, ask for forgiveness and join HIM in HIS quest to bring people back to HIM. This WILL be against what the population believes.

• GOD wants me to follow HIM as much as I can.
• GOD wants me to trust HIM as much as I can.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIM as much as I can.

Note I said “as much as I can” because HE truly wants me to love HIM with ALL my heart, but my heart and every humans’ heart is poisoned with sin at birth, so this takes effort. GOD knows that my righteousness is sometimes pure and sometimes tainted with trying to get my sinful way. BUT GOD’s grace is sufficient and HIS SON’s death and resurrection is complete. This makes me excited!

• Are you filled with fear?
• Do you blame others for your woes?
• Can you begin by taking responsibility for your actions?
• Will you ask GOD to fill you up with HIS might today?

GOD provides miraculous appointments

2 Kings 9: ² When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. ³ Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; don’t delay!”

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³⁰ Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. ³¹ As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, you Zimri, you murderer of your master?”

³² He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked down at him.³³ “Throw her down!” Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot.

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Another shake up at work left only a few people with enough knowledge to do the job. I was one of the candidates but my opponent was favored and they chose him. I was miserable and pouted for a while, but soon had to get over it. After a while, I got used to my position and fell in line like everyone else.

One day an abrupt announcement came through. The person had to leave the company suddenly and they asked me if I wanted the position.

• Sometimes I pout when I don’t get my way.
• Sometimes I think the situation is not in control because I am not in control of the situation.
• Sometimes I brood over another choice because I didn’t get my way.

Jezebel was feared by one of the most powerful prophets who existed, namely Elijah. BUT GOD appointed someone new to take the reins. HE has done this in my life time and time again. When I was passed over for promotion after promotion, GOD saw to it that I was taken care of in spite of the politics.

• GOD raises me up at the right time, not my time.
• GOD raises me up when HE knows I am ready, not when I think I am.
• GOD raises me up for HIS purposes so I need not be afraid.

Jehu was not afraid of Jezebel because he had purpose in his life. He knew GOD was with him and he completed his task just like GOD told him. Living a life of purpose enables me to see GOD’s miraculous appointments.

• Have you been passed over?
• Do you think someone is in the way of your success?
• Can you see that GOD can and will raise you up at HIS appointed time?
• Will you accept GOD’s training to make you stronger?

GOD keeps HIS promises

2 Kings 8: ¹⁶ In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel, when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah. ¹⁷ He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. 

¹⁸ He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.

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“I’m done with church” I said to myself. Seeing the hypocrisy was too much. “Now what do I do?” was the decision I had to make. My first night on campus, there were parties, drunkenness and nudity!  “I know… I’ll try that” I thought to myself excitedly.

• Many times I have tried to leave GOD when I wanted my way.
• Many times I blamed the church for not being perfect.
• Many times I thought could make it on my own without consulting GOD.

Leaving church and stopping my efforts of following GOD seemed like a good idea at the time. I mean, the people in the church were acting like the people they called “worldly” only they were sneakier about it. I figured this would give me the license to leave them alone and do as I pleased. BUT GOD had something different in mind for me.

• GOD saw me in the middle of my sins and decided to rescue me.
• GOD saw me committing evil in HIS eyes yet HE held to HIS promise of mercy for me.
• GOD saw me doing the opposite of what HE wanted and went to HIS death in my place.

GOD cannot back out of a decree. Once HE says something it HAS to happen. HE said the wages of sin is death, so someone had to die. HE decided it would be HIM instead of me. HE also said “No one can pluck you out of MY hands”, so HE allows me to sin BUT rewards me the more I follow HIM.

HE allows consequence to happen in my life and chastens me. BUT he has saved me from eternal separation from HIM.

• Are you in the middle of sin?
• Have you stopped following GOD?
• Do you realize HIS grace is sufficient?
• Can you stop thinking you have to be clean in order to have a relationship with GOD?
• Do you realize that no matter how deep in sin you have fallen GOD forgives you?

Getting Undeserved Blessings

2 Kings 7: ³ Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, “Why stay here until we die? ⁴ If we say, ‘We’ll go into the city’—the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.”

⁵ At dusk they got up and went to the camp of the Arameans. When they reached the edge of the camp, no one was there, ⁶ for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!” ⁷ So they got up and fled in the dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives.

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 ¹⁶ Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. So a seah of the finest flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, as the Lord had said.

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“We are going to move out west and you are coming with us” were the words of relief as the wave of downsizing had just finished. While I felt underprepared for the position, I was at the right place at the right time.  I had no control over the decisions that had been made to cut people.

·         GOD is there when situations seem out of control.

·         GOD is there when I can’t “fix” what’s going on with my power.

·         GOD is there when I want to give up.

Looking back I see many times in which GOD has blessed me where I didn’t deserve the blessing. I mean I dream up what my path should be, plan and work my fingers to the bone without results, then GOD shows me another path loaded with blessings that HE developed.

·         Sometimes I forget that GOD is “for me” not against me.

·         Sometimes I forget that GOD wants to see me be successful in spite of who I am.

·         Sometimes I forget that GOD is the one who tears people down and raises people up so it’s HIS choice to place me where HE needs me.

GOD is truly amazing. If I just accept HIS plan, there will never be a dull moment.

·         Are you facing a very large and difficult situation?

·         Do you feel like giving up?

·         Can you “stand still and watch the deliverance of the LORD?”

·         Will you add a small measure of faith and trust to your belief today?

Being Protected

2 Kings 6: ¹³ “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” ¹⁴ Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

¹⁵ When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

¹⁶ “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

¹⁷ And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

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I actually should be DEAD. After hitting a puddle on the interstate the car spun around and hit absolutely nothing. After stepping on some ice I slid under a bus that was about to move, but didn’t.

Many other scary events of guns pointed at me, walking through unsavory neighborhoods, and visiting other countries with very poor conditions come to mind when recalling brushes with death.

• GOD protects me in times I am not aware of.
• GOD protects me from dangers I could not even fathom.
• GOD protects me during troubled and worrisome times.

May times I have wondered, “GOD where are you?” not considering how many times HE has rescued me in the past. GOD is around me always, it’s just sometimes my eyes are blinded by what the world would want me to see. Pots of gold, fame and Utopian societies blind me to the point where I look at my life and feel inadequate. BUT GOD says different.

• GOD opens my eyes to HIS power each day.
• GOD says “I AM” meaning there is no need to seek anything else.
• GOD says “Come to me and I will give you rest”

Seeking GOD first opens my eyes to the dangers and snares of the world. I can then realize the power of GOD surrounds me.

• Are you feeling powerless?
• Do you feel weak compared to your circumstance?
• Can you ask GOD to open your eyes to see the spiritual army HE has sent to protect you?
• Can you thank GOD for HIS protection today?

Expectations of GOD

2 Kings 5: ¹⁰ Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”

¹¹ But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. ¹² Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.

¹³ Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” ¹⁴ So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

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“Take notes” the department head told me as we were headed on a break. The nerve!  I mean, I was a “manager” at that time. Maybe they didn’t know I had two people reporting to me. Besides, this person wasn’t even my boss!

I noticed a couple of my peers acting a little jealous of me getting chosen to “take notes” in a meeting. I told another person what was asked of me and they said “Take this as an opportunity to sit at the decision making table.” I went back in, took notes and this act started a journey to a highly successful career.

• Sometimes pride makes me blind to what GOD is doing.
• Sometimes pride makes me think certain things have to happen certain ways in order for me to be successful.
• Sometimes pride makes me set false expectations of GOD and I think HE will do certain things a certain way.

Disappointment in GOD is easily found in my expectations of HIM. Looking back, HE has had compassion on my enemies rather than taking them out and smiting them. HE has allowed people who serve HIM to have problems in their lives even though I prayed for them. HE even let arrogant, reckless people seem to get their way while I struggled to serve HIM on a daily basis. BUT GOD says hold on.

• GOD says to me “In order to be great humble yourself.”
• GOD says to me “My ways are not your ways.”
• GOD says to me “The first will be last and the last will be first.”

Maturity has taught me that I should never say “If I were GOD…” mainly because if I were HIM, things would be quite messed up. I should have faith in HIS unmatched power, trust in HIS awesome wisdom and respect for HIS mysterious yet extremely effective plans.

GOD knows what HE is doing, even when I think things are going haywire!

• Do you have an expectation of GOD?
• Are you expecting HIM to deliver you in a certain way at a certain time?
• Can you praise HIM for what HE “is” doing rather than complaining about what HE isn’t?
• Won’t you follow GOD’s strange plan for you and allow HIM to shape your road?

GOD is concerned about the day to day

2 Kings 4: The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

² Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”

³ Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. ⁴ Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

⁵ She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. ⁶ When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”

But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

⁷ She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

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“GOD” or “JESUS” was the canned answer I blurted out in Sunday school. I mean it had to be the answer to the mundane questions that were asked, like: “Who loves you” or “Who can take care of everything” or the most asked “Who died for you?”

After hearing this over and over, my ears glazed over and I put GOD in a box. “HE is only concerned with heaven, but not concerned with my life here on earth” I thought.

• GOD is concerned about the smallest detail of my life.
• GOD knows the number of the hairs on my head and HE is concerned about each detail of my life.
• GOD made me beautifully and wonderfully through HIS power and was pleased when HE did it.

JESUS is busy building an eternal place for me that has no curse, no pain and no misery. This doesn’t mean HE is absent in my life here on earth. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live in me and comfort me each and every day.

HE is concerned about my concerns and doesn’t judge me as much as I think but still chastens me for things I shouldn’t be doing. HE keeps me on HIS path and guides me to great and marvelous places. GOD can perform miracles and does so when I trust HIM.

• Are you in a bind?
• Does the future look bleak?
• Can you believe GOD has the situation under control?
• Won’t you stop fretting over the situation and let GOD handle it the way HE wants to?