Monthly Archives: June 2019

June 20; Talk About It

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I Kings 22:50; 2 Kings 2:1-25, 3:4-47, 8:16-29; 2 Chronicles 21:4-20, 22:1-6

God was going to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, and it seems everyone knew it. Wherever Elisha and Elijah went, prophets would give Elisha the news as though Elisha didn’t know what was happening himself. And Elisha’s response was always:

I don’t want to talk about it.

Sometimes things happen in our lives that are hard. Sometimes the signs are there that things are going to get worse up ahead. And sometimes we just don’t want to talk about it. What good would talking about it do, anyway? Right?

The Bible doesn’t record much of the conversation between the two prophets as they made their way to what would be Elijah’s last moment on earth. I hope as they walked that road together they said everything that needed to be said between them. I hope Elisha asked the questions that were on his mind, that Elijah gave his protege last words of wisdom and encouragement. I even hope they talked about what they were feeling.

The men knew God was going to come for Elijah, so they had plenty of time to say the things they wanted to say. But that isn’t always the case, is it? Sometimes we aren’t at the bedside of a loved one slowly dying. Sometimes we have no warning, no people telling us God is going to come for our loved one today. Sometimes our opportunity to say those things on our hearts is gone forever.

We don’t know for sure if Elisha took advantage of the knowledge that Elijah was going to heaven that day. The only thing we know for sure is that he didn’t want to talk about it with the other prophets. I only hope Elisha and Elijah didn’t waste the chance to say to each other what was on their minds and hearts.

I hope the same for each of us. Are there things you need to say to someone today? We don’t know if they will breathe their last breath before the day is done. We don’t know how life will change today, maybe a irreversible change. Let me encourage all of us to make that visit or pick up that phone and share what’s on our hearts while we still have the opportunity.

And may I suggest that you talk about your feelings, too. Those can be the most difficult conversations because it leaves us raw, exposed, vulnerable. But refusing to talk about how we are feeling can cause lasting damage, much more devastating than the immediate pain of getting those feelings out.

If you find it impossible to talk to that person about the things on your heart, and how you feel about it, find someone you can talk to. We need to say the words sometimes. We need to identify the feelings and admit to them. Ignoring them, or denying them, or minimizing them is never the answer.

Above all, say those things to God in prayer. I have found that when I just lay it out there, when I actually whisper those words of frustration, anger, confusion, bitterness, sadness, or whatever I’m feeling at the moment, brings a bit of release. I’m not bearing that burden on my own. The burden doesn’t always go away. But there is comfort in knowing Someone has put a bit of the load on His own shoulders.

What do you need to say to someone today? Do it. Talk about it.

June 19; Avoiding God

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Psalms 49, 83, 91; I Kings 1:2-18, 3:1-3, 22:47-49; 2 Chronicles 20: 35-37

God, through the prophet Elijah, asked King Ahaziah, “Is it because there is no God in Israel for you to consult that you have sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?”

I think God is probably asking the same of us. Is it because there is no God in the USA for us to consult that we have to consult psychologists, scientists, historians, intellectuals, government officials, the media, and send out surveys to determine our direction and define our truth?

Ahaziah died because of his attempt to avoid God.

Just saying.

June 18; Reason to Praise

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I Kings 1:1, 22:36-40; 2 Chronicles 19:1-11, 20:1-30; Psalms 46-48

When Jehoshaphat and the people praised God, amazing things happened. They were up against a formidable foe and didn’t know what to do except give it to God. And that’s exactly what needed to happen.

Sometimes we may find ourselves at a place where we don’t know what to do, either. I think we can take a lesson from Jehoshaphat: Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.

The psalms are full of reasons to praise God in every and all circumstances.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. (Psalm 47:7)

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise. (Psalm 48:1a)

We have reason to praise just for the very fact that God is Who He says He is, that He is on the throne, He is good, our helper, our strength, our Savior. He alone deserves our praise.

June 17; Lying Spirits

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I Kings 21:1-29, 22:1-25, 51-53; 2 Chronicles 18:2-34

The prophet Micaiah drew an allegorical picture of God in heaven having a conversation with the spirits. God asks: ‘Who will entice Ahab to go attack the enemy, and die in the battle?’ One spirit replies: ‘Let me do it. I’ll go and put a lying spirit in the mouths of the prophets.’ God tells the spirit: ‘Go. That should do it.’

My sister has some friends who visited a Mennonite church yesterday. I thought about their experience when I read these chapters. (I’m not saying this is the case in all Mennonite churches. But it is in this particular one)

There were openly homosexual couples in the congregation. The associate pastor was also homosexual. He called the children up front for the children’s message and pointed to a pile of white granules. Was it salt or sugar? You couldn’t tell. But salt can never be sugar, nor sugar ever be salt. He referenced a children’s book about a red crayon that tried to be blue because everyone told him he was blue.

The senior pastor’s sermon was about how God creates some people to be homosexual, so therefore does not condemn them. In fact, the pastor described himself as formerly being a “handicapped, white, straight guy” until the associate pastor helped him see the light, and his own brother confessed to being homosexual.

It’s not like they threw the Bible out. The pastor carefully chose verses that he could twist to support the lies.

Lying spirits in the mouths of prophets.

When Ahab heard the 400 prophets tell him to go to war, that God was going to give him the victory, then heard the one prophet warn him with the truth, Ahab chose to go with the lies. And it cost him his life.

The voices of the lying spirits are loud and strong today. And they are not just coming out of Hollywood. But listening to them will lead to death every bit as much as it led Ahab.

And it is an eternal death.

June 16; It’s Ours

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Psalms 104, 114, 115; I Kings 20

The psalmist said something in 115:16 that has me thinking. He said that the heavens belong to God. But He gave the earth to man. Sometimes I think we blame God for the condition of our planet. But in reality, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

God entrusted His beautiful creation to us, and we have failed to take care of it. I’m not talking about the Global Warming farce. Although I believe responsible stewardship of God’s creation honors Him and benefits us.

I’m thinking  more along the lines of the only thing God created in His image. People. I’m not so sure we’ve taken good care of us. We’ve allowed sin to run unchecked, and people, whole nations are paying the price of our neglect.

I read about Ahab, an evil king, who was blessed by God for one reason. God wanted Ahab to know God is who He is. Ahab got the point that aligning himself with God meant victory in battle. But Ahab never really knew God enough to fear Him. He was able to disobey God without a second thought.

I’m wondering if we Christians aren’t satisfyed with spreading the word about who God is, without going a step further and leading people to the Savior. If someone goes to church, do we think our job is done? If someone calls themselves Christian, do we rest believing they understand what that means? I don’t think that’s doing a good job taking care of those created in God’s image.

I am reminded that God isn’t done with His creation. He is not throwing up His hands, and abandoning the human race. He is still in there trying to get our attention because He doesn’t want anyone to die without Him.

I remember when I bought my first house. I stood back and, in awe, said: “This is really mine.” I had a sense of excitement, wonder, and the overwhelming sense of responsibility. I wanted to take care of it, to mow the lawn, to pull the weeds and plant flowers. I actually wanted to dust shelves and vacuum carpet. I took pride in the condition of my home.

I’d like to feel that same way about the world. The heavens belong to God, but He has given the earth to me. To us.

Let’s take care of it like it’s ours.

 

June 15; It Keeps Coming

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I King’s 17-19

The more I read the Bible the more I realize people haven’t changed all that much since the beginning. Take the widow woman, for example. During the famine God miraculously provided her with flour and oil so she and her son, and the prophet Elijah, could eat. She didn’t do anything to earn God’s provision – except obey. She obeyed, and God kept it coming.

But then her son got sick. What did she do? She blamed Elijah and, in turn, God. “Is that why you’re here?” she asked. “Did you just come so you could kill my son?”

Elijah’s not any different than the widow, really. He asked the same of God (who had just spared his life, too, with the never-ending flour and oil). The son did not die. And the miracle came through Elijah.

Later Elijah, who had demonstrated great faith in God, who watched God do amazing things, unexplainable things, who was protected by God, fed by ravens and angels, had doubts. King Ahab was out to get him, and Elijah felt all alone. It was too much. He wanted to die.

Can you relate? We are so blessed by God. We see evidence of that every day. Some of us have witnessed extraordinary ways God moves. But when tragedy, or hardship comes, the first response of many of us is to blame God. Or question Him. Or at least give Him the cold shoulder for a time. It’s so much easier to recognize God’s blessings in the good times. It’s a bit of a challenge to see those same blessings when we are hurting

But I am reminded today about God’s great love for His children. The flour and oil kept coming for the widow and her son until the famine was over. God encouraged Elijah by assuring him he wasn’t at all alone. In the midst of trouble, God was still keeping His blessings coming.

And that’s His MO still today. I don’t know what life is like for you right now. You may be going through a really hard time. Maybe you, like the widow find yourself striking out at God. Or like Elijah, you might be feeling abandoned by everyone including God. But hear God whisper in your ear, “I’m right here.” Open your eyes to the ways He demonstrates His love for you right now while you are struggling.

Because I know, as evidenced in Scripture and in my own life, even in the darkest nights, God keeps His blessings coming.

 

 

 

 

June 14; Leadership

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I Kings15:16-24,32-34 16:1-34, 22:41-46; 2 Chronicles16:1-14, 17:-18:, 20:31-34

What makes a good leader? The divided nation of God’s chosen people had some good, and some really awful kings. History has recorded kings, presidents, and dictators throughout the centuries, some of whom considered good, others bad for the countries and the world. Our own nation of only a couple hundred years has seen its share of good and bad presidents. So how do you know which is which?

I guess it depends on which side of the political aisle you sit.

Some may think a good leader is one who has a strong military. Others might say a strong economy is the evidence of a good leader. Still others might consider how the poor are treated, and whether health care is free, and minimum wage is a living wage. Are those the measure of a good leader?

I decided to look at what God has to say about that. In the Old Testament it is clear that God considers those who do evil in His sight are the bad leaders. Those who do what is right, are good leaders. Those who worship idols are bad, those who worship Him are good. That’s pretty self-explanatory.

Then I went to Google and typed in “leadership in the Bible.” Here are some verses that speak to leadership. It’s a list that has me looking at myself, the way I interact with people, and the kind of leader I am in the tasks God asks me to do.

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves, do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Matthew 5:37 But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ’No,no;’ anything beyond these is of evil.

Matthew 23:11 But the greatest among you shall be your servant.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

I Timothy 6:6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

What I take from my time in the Word today is, I need to put God first and only. I need to be honest and caring and self-sacrificing. I need to stand firm on the Truth of Scripture, and not mess around with anything else.

I can sit back and judge President Trump or Nancy Pelosi. That’s the theme of the day for many Americans. But God would have me judge myself first. I believe we are all leaders in one capacity or another; in our families, on our jobs, in our churches. I would encourage us all to ask ourselves what kind of leaders we are in those positions.

Will we be known as a leader who did right in God’s eyes? Or will it be said of us we did evil in His sight? I think you know how I am praying.

 

June 13; Make Something Happen

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I Kings 14:1-20, 29-15:15,25-31; 2 Chronicles 12:15-16, 13:1-20, 14:8-15:19

When Asa, King of Judah, heard Azariah prophecy, something happened.

Azariah told Asa that the Lord was with him. For a long time, Azariah said, Israel had removed themselves from God. They’d ignored God’s law and had paid the price. They were in turmoil. It wasn’t safe to travel, and Israel was being crushed by their enemies.

Then, in their distress, Israel returned to God. Azariah said that when they sought the Lord, He was found by them. Then Asa heard these words we read in verse 7 of 2 Chronicles 14:

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

When he heard that, Asa sprung into action. He removed the evidence of idolatry, and the people began to worship God.

Hear God say the same to each of us today. When we seek Him, He is found. When we obey Him, He blesses. When we get out there and fight the enemy, He gives the victory.

So let’s be strong. Let’s not give up. Let’s get in this battle, and make something happen.

June 12; There Is Still Some Good

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I Kings 14:1-18,22-28; 2 Chronicles 11:5-12,18-23, 12:1-12; Psalm 89

When Solomon’s son Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah repented after having sinned as a nation, God did not destroy them like He said He would. When they humbled themselves, God delivered them. Their sin resulted in some consequences they had to live with, but God spared them.

Here is the verse that jumped out at me this morning. It’s found in 2 Chronicles 12:12, and it says:

“… Indeed, there was some good in Judah.”

I think this verse stood out to me because I think there is still some good in the USA, too. There are churches standing true to God’s Word, people being led to their Savior, Jesus Christ. There are state legislators who are taking a bold stand for life, and national leaders who are vocal about their faith in God. There are local fellowships reaching out to the lost, the needy, and the unloved in Jesus’ name.

Yes, I know that evil is rampant, that Satan’s lies are being proclaimed in the media, in our government and universities, and even from some pulpits. Yes, I know there are people killing people every day, and those who stand for the Truth of Scripture are being harassed. Our country is in serious trouble.

But Satan’s troops have nothing on the army of God. Evil can’t win when God is in it. When God’s people (that’s us Christians. What follows isn’t expected of non-believers) humble themselves, when we Christians repent of sin in our own lives, when those of us who say we follow Jesus REALLY follow Him, God will deliver us. He’s done it countless times before as recorded in the pages of His Word, and in the pages of history. He can do it again.

In fact, I believe He wants to do it again.

So come on, Church, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s do it! Let’s get on our knees and humble ourselves, one soul at a time. Then let’s see what God can do with the good that is still here in the USA.

June 11; A Look In The Mirror

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I Kings 12-13; 2 Chronicles 10:1-9, 11:1-4, 13-17

Sometimes I read accounts like the one in today’s Scripture and I find myself shaking my head. The audacity of some to openly defy God, the in-your-face rejection of Him, astounds me. Jeroboam heard God’s Word, saw evidence that God was true, then turned around and did exactly what God had condemned.

This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall, and to its destruction from the face of the earth. (I Kings 13:34)

We can obviously make a connection to our own government. We can also see examples of this in the modern church. But, as always when I look into God’s Word, it’s like looking into a mirror. And sometimes I just don’t like what I see looking back at me. It hurts when God puts a finger on my heart.

I’d like to share what He is saying to me today. Number one, He has put His rules and expectations in writing. He has given clear instructions for living. He has proven Himself to be true over and over. I can make no mistake about it, God is holy and demands to be obeyed. Period.

Secondly, God hates sin. God punishes every sin. God cannot exist in harmony with sin. He makes it clear that our choice is either sin or Him. It can never be sin AND Him.

I know these things. Yet there have been times when I, and probably when you, have chosen sin over holiness, have neglected to do what He asks of me, and times when I knowingly, with an in-your-face attitude, have defied Him.

Like the foolish prophet, there have been times when someone who claims to have heard from God, says something that sounds right. Something inside of me questions whether or not it is truly Scriptural. But this someone says he’s a spokesman for God, and who am I to question that, right?

This morning as I look into the mirror of Scripture I am reminded that the only Truth is that which is written in the pages of the Bible. Anything, or anyone who adds to or contradicts what God inspired men to write down is straight from Satan.

And, if I believe that Scripture is true, I’d better be doing what it says. Because the Bible paints a holy, fearsome, powerful God who punishes every sin with death. It also clearly paints a picture of the cross. This harsh judge who has the power to condemn all of us, came to live with us in a human body, suffered and died on the cross, condemned Himself to the death we all deserve.

And He stands with open arms to receive any and all of us who go to Him.

Today, as I look in the mirror of Scripture I see a sinner saved by grace. I see a woman who was lost, now standing there wearing the holiness of the Savior. I see a woman who chooses Jesus.