And Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest [his uncle]. – 2 Chronicles 24:2, AMP King Joash of Judah was a mere seven years old when he began his reign. Rescued as an infant by his uncle, Jehoida the priest, from the murderous pursuits… Continue reading Be careful who you listen to.
Having your way is not worth the loneliness.
Jehoram…departed without being wanted. – 2 Chronicles 21:20, AMP After the death of King Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram reigned over Judah. Heavily influenced by the house of Ahab (for Jehoram was married to Ahab’s daughter), Jehoram secured his rule by murdering his potential rivals for the throne – his brothers. He then dragged the people… Continue reading Having your way is not worth the loneliness.
Be mindful of who you join forces with.
Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. – 2 Chronicles 19:2, AMP In 2 Chronicles 18 we find Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the righteous king of Judah, fighting together against the people of Ramoth-gilead. By the end of chapter 18, Ramoth-gilead was victorious, and Ahab was… Continue reading Be mindful of who you join forces with.
Relying on man isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Because you relied on the king of Syria and not on the Lord your God… – 2 Chronicles 16:7, Amplified Bible The book of 2 Chronicles records that King Asa of Judah fought only one war in the first thirty-five years of his forty-one year reign. In that war, Asa faced an army of Ethiopians… Continue reading Relying on man isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
The face of evil stares at you every day.
The heart is deceitful above all things… – Jeremiah 17:9, Amplified Bible The late Chuck Colson was the founder of Prison Fellowship, an evangelical Christian ministry aimed at winning criminals in prison to Christ. Colson once visited a South Carolina prison where Susan Smith is incarcerated. In October 1994, Smith drowned her three-year-old and one-year-old… Continue reading The face of evil stares at you every day.
God likes it when you choose not to brood.
And the patriarchs [Jacob’s sons], boiling with envy and hatred and anger, sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt; but God was with him. – Acts 7:9, Amplified Bible I was reminded of a great life lesson when speaking recently with a retired Army Colonel. During the conversation, the Colonel said, “One of the best pieces of advise I ever gave my children was… Continue reading God likes it when you choose not to brood.
Train in preparation for the day of battle.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword…Hebrews 4:12, KJV I recently had a very entertaining and enlightening discussion with a retired Army colonel. When the conversation turned to some of his experiences in combat, the colonel said something that really jumped out at me. “There were many… Continue reading Train in preparation for the day of battle.
It is not wise to invite unholiness into your life.
My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy… – 2 Chronicles 8:11, Amplified Bible In 2 Chronicles 6:13-42, Solomon prayed a powerful and humble prayer unto God at the dedication of the temple. In his supplication, he outlined clearly God’s “Big Three Formulas” for life:… Continue reading It is not wise to invite unholiness into your life.
To find God, follow the proofs that lead to Him.
…even though you do not believe Me…[at least] believe the works… – John 10:38, Amplified Bible God expects us to believe in Him, but God does not expect us to believe in Him blindly. He willingly leaves a trail of proofs that lead us to His throne, and all we need do to find Him… Continue reading To find God, follow the proofs that lead to Him.
Here’s the key to impacting the culture around you.
Because this was in your heart and you have not asked for riches… – 2 Chronicles 1:11, Amplified Bible We often lament the horrid spiritual state of our culture, and rightly so; it is horrid. One of the reasons it is so horrid, however, is that we Christians have done an awful job of being… Continue reading Here’s the key to impacting the culture around you.