02Aug
21Jul
In Response To Trouble, Say This …
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
2 Chronicles 32:8a With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.O-bservation:
These were the words of King Hezekiah of Judah when Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, lay siege on Jerusalem. The people were distraught and afraid, but King Hezekiah stood and proclaimed that all the Assyrians had was the strength of their own hands. He continued by reminding his people, "We have our God. He will fight our battles for us."A-pplication:
Who do you depend on to fight your battles? Some would say, "Well, I have myself. I'm well educated, in great shape, and make a lot of money." That's probably what King Hezekiah thought before he was surrounded by the dreaded Assyrian army. In time, he received a mocking threat in the form of a letter from King Sennacherib, saying that he was coming to destroy him and his people. The people of Judah, in response to the threatening letter, stood in total fear. King Hezekiah trusted The Lord and God heard his prayer. My encouragement to you this AM is simply ... In Response To Trouble, Say This: "The challenge I'm faced with is the result of ‘The Arm of Flesh,’ but I'm thankful today that I have a God who fights my battles for me!"P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, I'm encouraged this AM that I have You to call on and depend on. What I'm faced with is a result of "The Arm of Flesh." But I know You will fight my battles for me. Amen
21Jun
The Future of An Unholy Alliance
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
2 Chronicles 20:35 Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked.O-bservation:
Jehoshaphat was a truly great King of Judah and Jerusalem for 25 years. Toward the end of his life, he made an alliance with Ahaziah, the wicked King over Israel. They went into a ship building trade business together, and God destroyed the ships before they could launch their enterprise.A-pplication:
The Old Testament prophet Amos said, " Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" (Amos 3:3). In other words, here were two kings, who believed exactly the opposite thing about their faith, trying to do business together. God shot it down because He was telling Jehoshaphat and us, "that's not how we roll." God had blessed Jehoshaphat abundantly, but now Jehoshaphat was seeking an unholy alliance with the King of Israel. "The Future Of An Unholy Alliance" looks like wrecked ships in the harbor, before the business even launches. This passage should remind all of us this AM, "If Jesus got you this far He can get you all the way to your final destiny." Trust the Lord for righteous partners who have your back, and your best interest in mind!P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, Thank You for this passage this AM that reminds me to choose my closest associates from a band of trusted "Jesus People." I don't need a core alliance with someone who doesn't have my core values and faith. Amen
18Jun
First … Seek The Lord’s Counsel
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
2 Chronicles 18:4 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.”O-bservation:
The wicked King Ahab had asked King Jehoshaphat of Judah to join he and his people to fight against the people of Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat said he was willing to unite with his brothers in Israel, but "FIRST" they must seek the counsel of the Lord.A-pplication:
From this great declaration, Jehoshaphat himself in time became great. Ahab was killed in battle immediately thereafter. When men and women are quick to regularly seek the counsel of the Lord first, they prosper. It's not always an instant thing, but it will become the NORMAL thing. I have lived long enough to encounter a few Ahab types in my life. Always … and I do mean ALWAYS, they end up losing what they were determined to win. Why? When one fails to seek the counsel of the Lord FIRST, they're left to their own plans and strategies. Without the Lord's input, someone will always top their plans and strategies. Jehoshaphat set the standard for greatness on this side of heaven, "First ... Seek The Counsel Of The Lord."P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, Here I am again this AM, ready to seek Your counsel. When I don't seek You first ... I always come in last. I'm Yours my Lord, speak to me, I'm listening. Amen
15Jun