2 Chronicles

SoulSearching Sunday ~ Heart Prayers

12:00 AM

Sunday, April 15, 2018



Week Fifteen

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We hope that you will find this time soul satisfying!

Our reading this week was 2 Chronicles 10 - 36...

 1. What does God find as He searches your heart? What part of your being needs to be strengthened by Him? List the ways that you can be more fully committed to Him with a humble and reverent heart.

 “The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." (2 Chronicles 16:9)

 2. God not only hears our prayers - He listens to them as well. How would your prayer be different than it is now if you were sitting face-to-face with God incarnate? Ask God to reassure you that He is present and listening when you pray and when you worship.

 “And the LORD listened to Hezekiah’s prayer and healed the people…Then the Levitical priests stood and blessed the people, and God heard them from His holy dwelling in heaven.” (2 Chronicles 30:20,27)

 3. When did you cry out to God in “deep distress”? God was “moved” by the prayers of a man like Manasseh, so just imagine how He receives the prayers of His earnest and faithful servants. Share your feelings with Him.
“But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the LORD his God and cried out humbly to the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the LORD listened to him and was moved by his requests for help. So the LORD let Manasseh return to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Manasseh had finally realized that the LORD alone is God!” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13)


2 Chronicles

Who Do You Listen To? (2 Chronicles 21 - 24)

2:20 AM



We all make decisions and fashion our behaviors based on the influences we pay attention to. 
Jehoram was influenced by his wife who was the daughter of Ahab. 
“And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” (21:6)
Ahaziah, his son, was also influenced by his mother. 
“He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in doing wickedly.” (22:3)

Joash, the son of Ahaziah, was hidden away to keep Ahaziah’s mother from killing him.   When he was 7 years old, he was made king and he was primarily influenced by Jehoiada the priest. “And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.”(24:2). For awhile, Joash accomplished much that honored God but then his influences changed. “Now after the death of Jehoiada the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them.” (24:17)  Joash then forgot all that the priest had done for him and abandoned the counsel of the Lord. He turned to idol worship and the people did also. 

I think these chapters are summed up nicely by 1 Corinthians 15:33 :
“Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.”

We have to be careful to choose wisely what influences we allow to guide us in life.  The Bible, God’s Word to us, should be our ultimate resource and it has much to say about seeking counsel and advice.
I’ve listed some of those verses here:

Proverbs 19:20-21
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
    that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 1:7 
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
    fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Psalm 119:105 
Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.

Proverbs 4:13
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.

1 John 4:1 
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

James 1:5
 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Psalm 1:1-2 
Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

It’s ok to seek out counsel but we have to be careful and make sure that counsel lines up with God’s Word and His will for our lives.   Likewise, we need to be careful when offering advice that we honor God in what we say and how we represent Him to others.  

2 Chronicles

The Power in Praise {2 Chronicles 20}

12:00 AM


Yikes! In this passage Jehoshaphat learns, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea.” They are the Moabites and Ammonites, the two nations born to Lot through incestuous relations with his two daughters. The same nations that would not allow Israel to pass through their boarders on their way to Canaan! The very same nations that hired Balaam to curse Israel as it journeyed toward the Promised Land and were thus forbidden to enter the Lord's assembly (Deut. 23:3–4). They have been like a reoccurring cancer towards Israel since returning from Egypt, and they have assembled a vast army to destroy Israel once and for all! Jehoshaphat, hearing this news, finds himself ill equipped to defend Israel against them! 

 Have you ever been there; facing down an enemy you feel helpless and ill equipped to battle?

 Fortunately, Jehoshaphat immediately turns to the only One who can help, “Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.  The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. O Lord, the God of our fathers . . . Power and might are in Your hand. . . . We are powerless before this great multitude . . . nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You. – 2 Chronicles 20:3,4,6,12
And God quickly answers their prayer by telling Jehoshaphat the battle was not Judah’s but His, and sets up an unusual battle plan. Instead of warriors leading the way, God instructed him to place the choir up front to march into battle singing praises to His name. Wouldn’t you have loved to have seen the people’s faces when they heard that plan? They were facing destruction! BUT, regardless of how Jehoshaphat felt, his actions demonstrated that he trusted God as he obeyed the Lord. Before Judah reached the battlefield, God had thrown the enemy into such confusion that they turned on one another. Israel stood still and watched the Lord come to their rescue until not one man was left standing.
Imagine a faith so strong that it's able to face down a battle it cannot win, through praise! Praise lifts our eyes and hearts to the One who is able to conquer any battle we face. Praise will restore that sense of peace within us when anxiety threatens to take over! The story of Jehoshaphat and Israel’s army found here in 2 Chronicles proves praise is a great tool in spiritual warfare!

 I know that the last thing we often think to do when facing another battle, or even more of the same, is to begin to praise God, but when we make the decision to fix our eyes on Him, and daily give Him praise, no matter what's staring us straight in the face, we’ll begin to realize that God has already begun to release the hold our struggles can have over us.

 There’s power in acknowledging that He is worthy of our worship and praise!

  Praise takes our focus off us and our circumstances and puts it back on God! We're all prone to selfishness and selfcenteredness, but He desires our eyes be set firmly on Him, because that's where our true hope is found.  He is worthy of our praise, no matter what we face from day to day.
Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory working wonders? “You stretch out your right hand, and the earth swallows your enemies. In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling." Exodus 15:1-13

 Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.- Deu 4:39

 Praise humbles us once more.  As we begin to remember God’s attributes we’re also reminded of our dependency on Him, and begin to acknowledge our need for Him.
The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap;"- Psalm 113:4-7

 "For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.'"- Isaiah 66:2

   Praise invites His presence into our circumstances.  God dwells in the praise of His people!  He lives there.

 “But You are holy, You who inhabit the praises of Your people.”  Ps. 22:3

 “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.” -Psalms 89:15

   Praise defeats the enemy and causes him to flee.  It pushes back the darkness, and blocks the attacks and lies whispered to us.  Evil will flee as we draw near to God.  In this passage, we see God miraculously defeat the enemy, because of the people’s obedience.

 “As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated”  2 Chron. 20:22

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” –Js 4:7-8a

   Praise leaves no room for grumbling and complaining.  Even within our prayers we can find ourselves complain about our problems at times, but though God calls us to “cast all our cares on Him” (1 Peter 5:7) we can do that remembering who He is and that He is able to save us! Praise allows us to focus on Him, and no longer allowing too much attention to be centered around the struggles. Praise helps us to remember what He has already done in our lives and strengthens our faith for the future.

 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” Psa. 103:2-4

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Heb. 13:15

  Through praise our spirits are refreshed and renewed in His presence.  We're actually strengthened by our praise and refueled by His joy.  As we focus on praising God and worshiping Him, we realize that our situations don’t have to change for our hearts to become light and full of peace and joy!

 “In His presence, there is fullness of joy.”  Psa. 16:11

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." Psa. 63:3-4

 Finally, our praises pave the way for God's power to be displayed; allowing other’s lives to be impacted and changed.  I thought of Paul and Silas sitting in prison, beaten, shackled and chained, but they kept right on praising God. God sent an earthquake that shook the cells and broke the chains, and the jailer and all his family came to know Christ that very night.

 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.”  Acts 16:25-26

All my bones will say, “Lord, who is like You,
Who rescues the afflicted from him who is too strong for him [to resist alone],
And the afflicted and the needy from him who robs him?” - Ps 35:10

Each day we have to choose whether we will be ruled by the anxieties of the world and busyness of our lives, or to look up to Him, the One who holds it all together, and praise Him throughout our day!

2 Chronicles

God helps those who help themselves – truth or lie? {2 Chronicles 14:1 - 16:14}

12:30 AM


April 10, 2018


Now that I’ve gotten your attention, I bet some of you are wondering if this is a scripture verse or not.  I won’t keep you hanging for too long.  This is in fact a quote from Benjamin Franklin.  He used it in his Poor Richard's Almanack (1736) and it has been widely quoted.   The English political theorist Algernon Sidney originated the phrase.

You’ve probably heard the story about the man who placed his trust in the Lord when a flood was coming.  He said that he would trust God, and God would send a divine miracle to save him.  The neighbors offered a ride.  The river rose.  Someone in a canoe came by.  The river rose higher.  A police motorboat came by.  The river rose even higher.  By now the man was on his rooftop.  A helicopter with a rope ladder came by, but still the man refused, saying God would save him.  Shortly afterwards, the man got swept away by the flood waters and he drowned.  When he arrived in heaven, he asked God why he hadn’t saved him.  And God said, I sent you a warning.  I sent you a car.  I sent you a canoe.  I sent you a motorboat.  I sent you a helicopter.  What more were you looking for?

Benjamin Franklin actually gleaned this from Aesop’s fables – Hercules and the Waggoner.  In the story the waggoner’s heavy load becomes bogged down in the mud.  In despair, the waggoner cries out to Hercules for help.  Hercules replies, “Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel.  The gods help them that help themselves.”  Isn't it interesting that Greek mythology has made its way into what believers think is in the pages of scripture?  

However, this is not of the Bible. Scripture is clear that in our original, sinful state we cannot seek God on our own (Romans 3:10-18). God chose us before we accepted Him (Romans 8:29-30), and once saved, we are secure in that salvation forever (John 10:27-29). There is no part of salvation that we can initiate or work toward. When it comes to salvation, we cannot help ourselves.

For the saved, however, the proverb has a little more merit. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 admonished that the church should not give aid to those who can work but refuse to. In John 21:6, Jesus promised the disciples a great harvest of fish—once they threw the net into the water.

A better version of the proverb would be "God blesses those who obey." The original proverb infers that God will help those engaged in good, beneficial things—and obviously getting a cart pulled out of the mud applies. But God does not promise His followers an easy life. In fact, He promises hardship (John 16:33; Acts 14:22). The blessing Jesus promises in return is the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). The Holy Spirit will not take away every struggle, but He will lead us to truth (John 16:13), seal us as God's (Ephesians 1:13-14), gift us with the ability to help others in the church (1 Corinthians 12:7), and give us wisdom when faced with persecution (Mark 13:11).

"God helps those who help themselves" seems true for the simple reason that things tend to get done more if we get down and do them. Our obedience to God produces fruit. The more modern version of this proverb in American Christian culture is "It's easier to steer a moving car," meaning, God can lead us more easily if we just start working for Him and stop talking about it... Our salvation and God's love are not dependent on our works. However, God has prepared good works for us (Ephesians 2:10) and does bless our obedience to Him. 

Just a month ago, we read “But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice?  Obedience is far better than sacrifice.  Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams.”  1 Samuel 15:22

God is the helper of the helpless.  I have recently had the pleasure of looking back on my own life and realized that I was a hot mess when I ran with the world.  When my eyes were finally opened to the truth of Jesus, that God had provided the “help” that I needed because I was condemned as a result of my sin.  But then I began to wallow in sorrow over my past and how my loved ones were living.  But listen ladies - We just celebrated Easter – the risen Lord! 

Image result for 2 chronicles 16:9


I shared this with a couple of people already because it really ministered to me.  I hope you enjoy it as well.

For the last three years the crowds had been following Jesus.
The words He spoke had changed their lives. His explanations of God made them long to know Him. His continual pointing to the kingdom of heaven gave them hope that He would somehow free them from the bondage and oppression they suffered under.
HOW MUCH HAD CHANGED IN ONE WEEK.
Their HOPE had turned to hopelessness… their faith to fear.
Jesus the one they’d looked to for life had His drained from him on a Roman cross.
And though most of his followers had fled in fear for their lives, a few brave ones claimed his lifeless and broken body and buried it in a borrowed grave.
● It’s cruel to have been given hope and then have it ripped away.
It was in this environment of pain and sadness that the events recorded in John 20:1-30 takes place. Can you imagine the sorrow the followers of Jesus felt as they went to the tomb that first Easter morning?
SORROW’S EYES COLORED EVERYTHING THEY SAW.
The same can be true for us when we are going through difficult times. We often forget what God has promised
● The view at the foot of the cross was fresh in their memories.
It was unimaginably horrific to see. They had placed their hopes in Jesus and their Hope had died with Him! The Light… snuffed out with His death!
“Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying”.
● Even as Mary talked to the angels she could not really see what was happening since despair and grief colored her perception of the events
● SORROW’S EYES MISS A LOT! ● Facts don’t matter when one is blinded by despair!
(As the story unfolds in John 20:13-18 Jesus himself speaks to Mary)
“Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her.”
● At first, ‘sorrow’s eyes’ had blinded Mary; though her eyes functioned she did not see who was right in front of her. But the moment she heard the Master’s voice her eyes were opened and she saw with “Resurrection Eyes”!
● Without ‘Resurrection Eyes’ we see HOPELESSNESS
● But with “Resurrection Eyes’ we see HOPE
● Anything is possible when you look with “Resurrection eyes”
● Everything looks different standing in front of the risen Christ.
● Your Life begins to make sense at the mouth of the empty tomb!
● Because Jesus conquered the grave the HOPELESS have HOPE!
1 Corinthians 15:54-55 declares “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Mary left the tomb very different from how she came!
I CHALLENGE YOU TO PUT ASIDE YOUR EYES OF SORROW AND BEGIN TO SEE YOUR LIFE THROUGH ‘RESURRECTION EYES.’
https://vimeo.com/263574834



1 Kings

Looking For Good Advice {2 Chronicles 10:1-13:22}

12:00 AM

As a child to my joy, one Christmas I received the all telling magic 8 ball I so desperately wanted. They were the latest rage so of course I just had to have one! I remember my brothers and I spending the rest of the day asking it every question under the sun. And when we didn’t like the answer, we shook the ball again until it told us what we wanted to hear. When I look back now it seems pretty silly to trust a plastic ball, but even as adults how often do we look for advice in all the wrong places instead of going to the One who has the answers?

After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam traveled to Shechem to meet with Israel and be recognized as king. There the people, through their appointed spokesman Jeroboam, asked for easier treatment then they had received under Solomon. In return, they promised their loyalty and servitude. Rehoboam sent the people away for three days while he pondered his answer. He consulted the elders who had guided his father, and they in turn recommended kindness. Not content with the answer they gave, he inquired of the young men he had grown up with. Rehoboam’s friends gave him an answer that tickled his ears. An answer not of mercy but one filled with threats. “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” (vs. 10:14) The result? The kingdom of Israel was split in two and Rehoboam fled for his life.

Had Rehoboam first turned to God for advice instead of shaking the magic 8 ball until he heard the answer he wanted, he could have saved himself from making some pretty bad mistakes. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “It usually happens that when men will not ask counsel of God, if they go to other sources for guidance, they generally accept the very worst form of advice.” God always wants us to come to Him first and foremost with every situation and with every question. Why? Because He is the very source of wisdom. For as Isaiah 28:29 tells us, He is the “Lord of hosts Who has made His counsel wonderful and His wisdom great.”

Have you ever said to yourself, “If only I had..?” or, “I wish I didn’t...!” The Bible is filled with story after story of those who made both wise and unwise decisions, and the consequences of their choices. It also teaches us a very important Biblical principle, we reap what we sow. (Gal. 6:7) When first we seek counsel from the Lord, we save ourselves from reaping a life filled with regret. So how do we receive God’s advice and know His will? By applying these practical principles; surrendering our will to His, meditating on His Word, spending time in prayer, having patience in waiting to hear from Him, and trusting completely in the answer He gives.

Each day we find ourselves facing decisions to be made, both big and small. And with each one God eagerly awaits us to come to Him. He is concerned about every aspect of our lives big and small. And James 1:5 promises, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Our Father knows us better than we know ourselves and only wants the absolute best for us. We can trust Him to lead us in the right direction and He always blesses our obedience. So whose advice do you seek? Instead of rolling the dice, do yourself a favor and, “inquire first for the word of the Lord”. (1 Kings 22:5)



1 Chronicles

SoulSearching Sunday ~ Sacrifice, Promises, Worship

12:00 AM

Sunday, April 8, 2018



Week Fourteen

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We hope that you will find this time soul satisfying!

Our reading this week was 1 Chronicles 10 - 2 Chronicles 9:31.

 1. What sacrifices can you or do you make out of devotion to God? What is the condition of your heart when you sacrifice smoothing in your life for Him? Ask God to show you how to sacrifice with a glad heart in worship of Him who gives all good gifts.

 “David remarked lovingly to his men, ‘Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well of Bethlehem, the one by the gate.’ So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But David refused to drink it. Instead he poured it out before the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 11:17-18)

 2. To which of God’s promises for you and your family do you cling? In what ways has He begun to fulfill those promises? Praise Him for His faithfulness throughout the generations, and pray that God’s name would be glorified through His faithfulness to you and your loved one.

 “And now O LORD, do as you have promised concerning me and my family. May it be a promise that will last forever. And my Your name be established and honored forever so that all the world will say, ‘The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!’”  (1Chronicles 17:23-24)

 3. What do you think makes a great worship experience? Is it the effort of the worshipper (you) or the object of the worship (God)? Pray for the LORD to inhabit your worship and make it a beautiful construction built for His glory.
“This will be a magnificent Temple because our God is an awesome God, greater than any other.” (2 Chronicles 2:5)



2 Chronicles

Scripture Saturday ~ Fear of the LORD

12:00 AM

Saturday, April 7, 2018


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is 2 Chronicles 19:9...

 These were his instructions to them: "You must always act in the fear of the LORD with integrity and with undivided hearts. (NLT)

 Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!

2 Chronicles

Scripture Saturday ~ Humble Ourselves

12:00 AM

Saturday, March 31, 2018


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is 2 Chronicles 7:14...

 "Then if my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land." (NLT)

Happy Easter!  Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!