He will not turn his face from you if you return to him....May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.

2 Chronicles 29-31

He will not turn his face from you if you return to him....May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary. 2 Chronicles 30:9, 18-19

Day 184 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues this morning with details about how King Hezekiah of Judah led a spiritual revival in his kingdom.  My commentary* highlights scripture that describes how he ordered the temple cleansed (2 Chronicles 29), led worship for two weeks straight during both Passover (2 Chronicles 30) and one additional week due to the zeal of the Lord and of those in attendance for worship.  He destroyed all idols and high places associated with foreign gods, led the people in tithing, and assigned roles and tasks (all in 2 Chronicles 31).

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.
2 Chronicles 31:20-21

For me, what is most striking is how Hezekiah reaches out to the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Chronicles 30) to join in the worship, despite how Israel went to war with Judah and took Judah captive.  Just as God demonstrates grace and compassion with all people, Hezekiah demonstrates grace and compassion with Israel.

At the king’s command, couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and from his officials, which read:

“People of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you who are left, who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. Do not be like your parents and your fellow Israelites, who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the Lord. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. If you return to the Lord, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.” 2 Chronicles 30:6-9

Hezekiah (as led by God) even demonstrated grace to those who were unclean according to ceremonial law:

Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. 2 Chronicles 30:18-20

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is SO full of grace and compassion for me and ALL people.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace and compassion.  I continue to sin - daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.

 Isaiah 36-39

Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back. Isaiah 38:17

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I continue with Lesson 14, looking at Day 4, which looks specifically at Isaiah 38. Here, we see Hezekiah sick and dying, with Isaiah delivering a message from the Lord to him that he should prepare for death. Hezekiah prays to God and God answers his prayer and gives him fifteen more years. In response, Hezekiah pens a poem as he reflects on his journey with God (v9-20).  Broadly, my commentary indicates the main idea from this chapter to be that "God heals Hezekiah from illness and teaches him humility and obedience by what he suffered." My Precept Upon Precept study indicates that a more complete view of this chapter should be viewed with 2 Kings 20:1-11 and 2 Chronicles 32:24-26.  It is in 2 Chronicles 32 where we glean more detail about Hezekiah and his pride.  With all that God does for him Hezekiah remains proud and in response Hezekiah did humble himself, but not without consequences - "the wrath of the Lord did not come upon [Jerusalem] in the days of Hezekiah." My commentary notes we should apply the word as follows:

1. the forgiveness of our sins is our top priority, not the temporary healing of the body this side of death.
2. live every day aware of our mortality, and we should flee to Christ for salvation and power to make the most of the limited time we have.
3. embrace affliction...as working vast spiritual benefits in us: it humbles us and causes us to walk softly in God’s laws.
4. use our own experiences in suffering to make us genuinely compassionate to others who are suffering.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord, You are indeed great - You are full of grace and compassion, even during trials we can see Your love for us.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love and compassion.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

2 Kings 18-20, Isaiah 36-39, and 2 Chronicles 32

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:15-16

Day 190 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as this morning the focus is what my commentary* refers to as the "last years of Hezekiah's reign".  These last years included an Assyrian invasion of Judah, Hezekiah's tribute to Assyria in response, Hezekiah's illness and miraculous healing from God, Hezekiah's initial gratitude towards God for this healing, Hezekiah's lingering pride issues and Hezekiah's repentance from such pride, descriptions of Judah's prosperity during Hezekiah's reign, envoys (as a test) from Babylon, and another invasion from Assyria and Hezekiah's reliance on God during this subsequent invasion.  Ultimately, Babylon overtakes Judah but not in Hezekiah's lifetime.    

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Hezekiah is far from perfect, nor are any of us as we all sin and need a Savior and God's message though Isaiah provides faithful believers with great hope for how He intervenes in the lives of those who trust Him.  Hezekiah goes to God in prayer and for counsel.

God's words concerning Assyria:

‘But I know where you are and when you come and go and how you rage against me. Because you rage against me and because your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came.’ 2 Kings 19:27-28, Isaiah 37:28-29

‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with shield or build a siege ramp against it. By the way that he came he will return; he will not enter this city, declares the Lord. I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant.’ 2 Kings 19:32-34, Isaiah 37:33-35

Assyria is ultimately turned back.  For me the takeaway today is how God responds to prayer.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is ALWAYS listening and responding to our prayers - thank You Jesus!  I know You love me!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin - worry and other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord. He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him; for he thought, “Since the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me.” But they were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel. Ahaz gathered together the furnishings from the temple of God and cut them in pieces. He shut the doors of the Lord’s temple and set up altars at every street corner in Jerusalem. In every town in Judah he built high places to burn sacrifices to other gods and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of his ancestors.

Isaiah 21, 23, 34, 2 Kings 16, 18, and 2 Chronicles 28-29
 

In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord. He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him; for he thought, “Since the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me.” But they were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel. Ahaz gathered together the furnishings from the temple of God and cut them in pieces. He shut the doors of the Lord’s temple and set up altars at every street corner in Jerusalem. In every town in Judah he built high places to burn sacrifices to other gods and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of his ancestors. 2 Chronicles 28:22-25

Day 182 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues my study of the prophecies of Isaiah.  God continues to use Isaiah to judge all nations - see also my post yesterday; this morning we see God judging Edom (Isaiah 21, 34), Arabia (Isaiah 21), and Tyre (Isaiah 23) - see map.

We also see Ahaz's downfall in Judah and Hezekiah assumes the throne.  Ahaz does not trust and depend on the Lord but instead has allowed himself and Judah to become dependent on Assyria and this leads to worship of foreign Gods. 

In contrast we see Hezekiah's rule as a return to love of the Lord:

[Hezekiah] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan). 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. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. 2 Kings 18:3-7, 2 Chronicles 29:2

I am reminded this morning how dangerous it can be to depend on others more than I depend on God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who blesses me and gives me life to the full!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart.

 Isaiah 36-39

And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart. 2 Chronicles 32:31

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I complete  Lesson 14, looking at Day 5, which looks specifically at Isaiah 39 as this chapter also marks a transition to Isaiah chapters 40-66 which are more forward looking vs judgement of Israel's sin. In Isaiah 39, we see a picture of Hezekiah's pride in showing all of the treasures of his storehouses to a visiting envoy from Babylon.  We are encouraged to review 2 Chronicles 32:27-31 where God uses the visit from Babylon to search his heart.  Isaiah questions Hezekiah's motivation and then delivers a stern message to Hezekiah about coming punishment to Judah and Hezekiah shrugs it off as the punishment will not directly impact him but his descendants - a staggering response of selfishness.  My commentary points to several applications:

1.  Focus on the only true hero of the Bible - Jesus Christ
2.  See how God uses circumstances to search the hidden motives of the heart.
3.  Notice how susceptible the human heart is to pride.
4. We should be warned (and avoid) about Hezekiah’s lack of a multi-generational vision, not caring about what would happen to his great-great-great grandchildren.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - thank You for giving me faith and for my salvation!  I am not deserving!  I know there is more I can do to pass on my faith to my sons and I am often prideful!  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over.”

2 Chronicles 31

“Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over.” v10

Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Chronicles 29) and led all the people back to God, promising God's grace and compassion for those who turn back to God (2 Chronicles 30). Hezekiah then led the people to contribute to worship (2 Chronicles 31).

In verses 5-10 we see people giving generously which implies a great amount of obedience and trust - trust that God will provide.  This trust is often difficult for me as I often worry about my ability to provide.  

God please help me trust in You that You can and will provide for all of my needs.

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. Psalm 16:5

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You DO provide for all of my needs and I have never been in want.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love as I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above. For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors.

2 Kings 19

Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above.  For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. v30-31

Although Assyria has already laid siege to Israel and taken captive its inhabitants, Judah remained, and King 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. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. (2 Kings 18:5-6)"

As such King Hezekiah found favor in the eyes of the Lord, and with God's strength was able to overcome and defeat the Assyrians (v35-36).

Just because Hezekiah found favor in the eyes of the Lord does not mean that He was any more deserving of God's favor than Israel.  In fact, Hezekiah is sinful and broken just like other great kings (David, Solomon) and like all of us.  Read more about Hezekiah's pride in 2 Chronicles 32.

We should not expect a trouble free life just because we are faithful.  God does not promise a life without trouble - He does promise that He will never leave or forsake us and that we will overcome.


In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God - You have helped overcome many troubles in this world.  I know that You are always with me and You will help me overcome any troubles.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve, You my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.

2 Kings 20-21 and 2 Chronicles 32-33

But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites. 2 Kings 21:9, 2 Chronicles 33:9

Day 191 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as this morning as the throne passes from Hezekiah to his son Manasseh.  My commentary* indicates that although "Judah has experienced a spiritual revival" under Hezekiah, "every generation must determine its own commitment, and the fibers of faith are so fragile that a single misguided leader can entice the hearts of believers to worship lesser gods. Whether it is because Hezekiah was so busy leading his nation to God that he neglected his own children, or because his son, at the age of 12, takes the reins of power at far too early an age, the sad fact is that Manasseh turns the people from God back to idolatry and other pagan practices".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Manasseh did not seek God and he led Judah to turn from God.

For me this strikes a chord as I pray that both Zach and Dustin acknowledge their need for Jesus, accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and develop a daily/lifelong relationship with Jesus where with every breath and bone in their body they seek to honor and glory God.  This is a decision each must make on their own and all I can do is model Jesus in my life and pray for both of them.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love You and I am grateful that YOU gave me faith and the many blessings that come with faith - I know there is a long way for me to go and You continue to work in my heart and life but I have seen Your hand in my life and I am grateful.  I also know I am not deserving.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 35

The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem. v18

We must remain present to the Lord.  What we find in 2 Chronicles 34-35 is that during the repair of the temple, the Book of the Law was found.  According to the MacAthur Bible Commentary, it is likely that the Book of the Law went missing during the reigns of Ahaz, Manasseh, and Amon - three kings who preceded Josiah (Hezekiah between Ahaz and Manasseh).

With the Book of the Law missing, I am sure it became even more difficult to remain present to God.  Written copies of it were rare and for one to go missing was likely a big deal - one would think it would surely be missed.

As a follow up to yesterday's post, we must find ways to remain present to God.  We must be in God's Word daily in study, reflection, and prayer - scripture memorization is also a good spiritual discipline.  We should maintain a heart of gratitude.  As part of a heart of gratitude, we should - as Josiah (and Hezekiah) does here - take time on special occasions or holidays to celebrate what God has done for His people and for us individually.

This short book - Practice of the Presence of God - is worth a look (see also here).

Ultimately, we are called (see Romans 12) to be a living sacrifice.

Of course, easier said then done - but with God's help all things are possible.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is with me always and whose words are in my heart.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I worry - far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish.

Isaiah 38

Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. v17

Hezekiah is threatened by Assyria and is on his death bed yet God relents and adds 15 years to his life and defends Judah from Sennacherib. Although Hezekiah found favor in God's eyes, he was not perfect nor are we and from time to time we will see trouble in our lives and we must strive to see what God is doing in our lives for His glory and our good - see also post here and additional posts regarding Hezekiah and Chronicles here.  

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:5-6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who disciplines me for Your glory and my good - I have been blessed by Your discipline.  Thank You Jesus for molding me into more of Your image.  I desire to be more like You.  I am undeserving of such love.  I continue to sin and disappoint You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.   Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.

2 Chronicles 32

But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart. v31

God wants us to use our lives to proclaim His greatness.  All of us are miracles and He has he worked wonders in our lives - He wants to use us to reach others.  I am doubtful that God left Hezekiah in the sense Hezekiah was unable to communicate with God.  God is everywhere and accessible for all of us - it is more likely that God stopped working in the same way He had been (see v30 where it says "He succeeded in everything he undertook."). 

This speaks to the "dry spells" in our lives where many of us feel that God has stopped working in our lives.  This is not possible. 

God will be with us to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12-13).

When we claim that God is not working in our lives we must look more vigorously for Him to see what He is doing because He is doing SOMETHING.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always with me and always working in my life - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Prosperity Through Service and Love of Lord

2 Chronicles Chp 31

I often think of my own prosperity and comfort as I am fully aware of the financial blessings God has provided and entrusted to me.  Yet I need to remind myself of the purpose of prosperity - it is not my own comfort; instead it is for God's glory.

⁵ As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything. ⁶ The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the towns of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things dedicated to the LORD their God, and they piled them in heaps.

...

“Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the LORD, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the LORD has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over.” 

...

²⁰ This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. ²¹

In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered. 

I must think not of my own comfort but of God first and His glory.

My Prayer: Lord, you are great and your love of me and of all your children is great - love abounds.  I am amazed at how you have blessed me beyond imagination - all through your grace and love as I am not deserving.  This is your fruit alone!  When I think of my own comfort and of my own blessings forgive me and help me understand that I am a steward of the blessings you have provided in your trust of me.  Help me glorify you with how I use these blessings and to give generously and wholeheartedly to you - according to your will and for your glory.

Do I Listen, and Am I Deserving of Grace?

2 Chronicles Chp 33

Wow...in the face of the evil Manasseh did in the eyes of the Lord, God exercised great mercy.

 ¹ Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. ² He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. ³ He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. ⁴ He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” ⁵ In both courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts. ⁶ He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger.  

...

Even though the Lord spoke to him, Manasseh continued to do evil in the eyes of the Lord.

¹⁰ The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 

So the Lord allowed Assyria to siege the armies of Manasseh and Manesseh was take prisoner.

¹² In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. ¹³

And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.  

What does it take for me to listen to the Lord? For I know that I don't listen to the Lord in many areas of my life and I sin willfully.

My Prayer: Lord, your love and mercy abounds as I am blessed by you despite my failings. Oh how great you are!  Please forgive me for my worship of other idols and Gods and for my sin.  I desperately seek for you to purify me of my sin and for you to transform my life and my heart.  Help me love you more, seek you out, trust you more, follow you more and obey your will for my life.