Job 5-8

May 31

Job 5-8

I think they meant well. They showed up and sat with Job when it seemed like everything was against Job. Three friends came and sat on the ground with Job for seven days. Their hearts really hurt for him. Finally after three days Job spoke. He lamented his life. Why was he born? Why would God allow him to suffer so much? Job longed for death and the relief death would bring.

Eliphaz seemed to think that God was correcting Job. He reminded Job of his own teaching and that trouble was a normal part of life. He told Job that when God corrects us, it hurts for a season, but then God will also bring healing. Though Job was suffering he continued to worship God. He refused to deny God’s word. But he wanted his friends to support him no matter what happened. He did not want their advice; he wanted their love and support regardless of where he was or what was going on in his life. The writer of Proverbs wrote; "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17, NIV)

We all need true friends. We tend to live in an independent, I can do it myself world, but we cannot do it ourselves. We need friends especially when we are in the midst of the tough times. We don’t necessarily need their advice, but we need their support. We need them to love us even if we are wrong. That does not mean they do not point us in the right direction, but timing is the key.

Just as we all need friends, we also need to be friends. Sometimes we need to just be there for others. We do not have to speak. We do not have to give advice. We just need to be there and sit with them and let them air their feelings without our judgment of advice.

Job 1-4

May 30

Job 1-4

Sometimes we wonder why bad things happen to good people. Job gives us a glimpse of the heavenly court. The accuser, the Satan, came before the Lord. God asked Satan; “where have you come from.” Satan said he had been roaming the earth. God said;  “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”" (Job 1:8, NIV)  Would God say that about you? Job must have been a great guy. Even God said he was blameless and upright and feared God and shunned evil. But Satan told God no wonder he obeys God, God blessed him. Satan tells God that Job just wants God’s blessings and if he was not blessed he would not serve God.

God told Satan he could take everything Job had to test him and see if he only served God for what he could get from God. Sure enough Satan wiped out everything Job had, his wealth, his livestock, worse of all, his children. But Satan did not touch Job’s body. Job replied; “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." (Job 1:21-22, NIV) 

Satan came back before God and God once again drew attention to Job. Satan said that Job would curse God if God allowed Satan to touch his body. God agreed to allow Satan to try Job again and this time he could affect his body but could not take his life. He even turned Job’s wife against him. She told him;  “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!”" (Job 2:9, NIV)

Just because we do what we are supposed to do, Just because we are followers of Jesus, just because God has blessed us in the past does not mean we will not face trials in life. God does not promise that we will not have challenges. We do not understand why, but God allows Satan to test us, I don’t believe it is to see if we will make it through the trial, but to prove our strength in the midst of trials to ourselves and the Satan.

When the tough times come, when everything seems to be falling apart around us, when we feel like we are in it all alone, everyone seems to have abandoned us, even those we are closest to, we can remember that God is with us and is looking out for us. God is setting limits on what can be done to us. Some of the challenges may seem unbearable, but God will bring us through. He may not take us around the trials, but He will bring us through. Remember Satan may be able to take everything else away from us, but he cannot take away God’s love and salvation.

Esther 5-10

May 29

Esther 5-10

People often speak of their pride as an asset. They are proud of their accomplishments, the accomplishments of an organization they participate with, or they are proud of their children or parents or others people they know well. Pride kept in check is not a problem. The problem is that pride easily overflows its banks and brings a flood of problems with it.

Haman had a problem with pride. We often see this kind of pride when someone is elevated in position. He enjoyed having people kneel down before him and pay him honor, but one man, Mordecai refused. We assume by the passage the Mordecai does not kneel before Haman because of his dedication to God, but this infuriates Haman. So Haman plots for a way to get rid of Mordecai and all the people like him. He got the king to sign a law that would allow for all the Jews to be wiped out on a given day. Haman had everything going for him, it seemed, but still whenever he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, it stirred up hatred within him.

Haman called his friends together to brag about all that was going well in his life, but he also said that with all that was going well, he found no satisfaction because of Mordecai. The convinced Haman to build a gallows to hang Mordecai, to get rid of Haman’s problem. The more Haman plotted against Mordecai, the more God seemed to be working behind the scene to lift him up. Situations arose that made Haman believe he was being lifted up for honor, when the end results showed he was being lifted up in preparation for a great fall.

When Haman told his friends and family that the king had made him honor Mordecai, the man who refused to honor him, his friends and family saw that Haman was fighting a losing battle against God and His chosen people. “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!”" (Esther 6:13, NIV) In rapid succession, events turned against Haman and he was hung on the gallows he built for Mordecai.

Pride is dangerous. Our pride can lift us up in our own eyes only to prepare us to fall with a crash. Throughout the bible we are told that God does not like the proud. When we begin to think we are better than others, we are putting down God’s children and elevating ourselves. God loves us, but He also loves every other person you meet. He calls us to care for “the least of these.” If we remain humble we do not have far to fall. 

Esther 1-4

May 28

Esther 1-4

The Book of Esther never mentions God. He is not out front leading or bringing discipline as He is in most of the bible. Instead God is working behind the scenes. God’s hand led Esther to the position of queen under King Xerxes. When the king’s assistant decided he wanted to wipe out the Jewish people, Esther knew she had to speak up to protect the Jews or disaster would come upon them. Mordecai, the man who raised her, reminded her that perhaps she was queen for just such a time as this. Esther felt inadequate for the task at hand but asked Mordecai to gather the Jews in Susa to fast for her and she and her maids also fasted. Though the word prayer does not appear here, we can assume they were fasting and praying.

Mordecai did not tell Esther that if she did not step up the Jews would be annihilated instead he told her that if she did not step up and help her people, deliverance would come from another place, but Esther and her family would perish. Esther was being asked to put her life on the line in order to save others. Mordecai told her that if she tried to save herself, she would perish and the rest of the Jews would be saved in another manner.

God has a plan for us. He orchestrates situations to have us in the right place at the right time to make an eternal difference. But God gives us free will. We are not like puppets on a string with no choice in the matter. We have a choice and our choices make eternal differences. Sometimes, by trying to save ourselves, we put others at risk. Sometimes the right thing to do is not the easiest thing. Sometimes we look around and wonder; where is God in this? But we can be sure that God is working behind the scenes. He may even have us where we are to make a difference.

There are times in our lives when God expects us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. God wants us to go where they cannot go and say the words that need to be spoken on their behalf. There are times in our lives when we can save others by  sharing our faith in Jesus. We may face persecution or ridicule, but if we don’t share our faith, God will find someone, but we face the consequences for our actions. Jesus said; "“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33, NIV)

Stand strong, speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, share your faith, persevere and like Esther we can say; “if I perish, I perish.”

Nehemiah 12-13

May 27

Nehemiah 12-13

After the wall was built, Nehemiah returned to Babylon to serve the king. While he was gone some of the people slipped right back into their old way of living. Eliashib, the priest allowed Tobiah, the man who tried to keep the wall from being built, to move right into one of the storage rooms in the temple. They went back to working, buying and selling on the Sabbath and intermarrying with the people around them who worshiped false gods.

It is often not the big things that trip us up in our walk with the Lord, but the little things. We allow little things to move back into our lives. Things that may have controlled our lives before we began to follow Jesus find their way back in our lives again. We think “one time will not matter,” or “I am no longer controlled by this action, so it is ok to participate,” or “it is not that bad compared to what I used to do.” We use these and many other excuses to go back to our sin. Sin that Jesus died to cleanse us of, we allow to move right into the temple, our bodies.

Proverbs 26:11 reads; "As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly." (Proverbs 26:11, NIV) This sounds kind of gross, but it reminds us that the temptation to return to our sin is always present. The Christian life involves continued walking with Jesus and perseverance in the face of temptation. The Israelites started to get back into their old habits even after God had brought them back from exile.

When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem and saw what was happening he forcefully removed Tobiah from the temple storage room, threatened physical harm to anyone who desecrated the Sabbath, and beat and pulled out the hair of the men who married foreign women. All these actions led Israel away from God previously. Nehemiah was going to do all that was in his power to make sure it did not happen again.

We need to purposely and powerfully resist the things that pull us away from God. There are good things that are not good for us because we know from experience they draw us away from our relationship with God. There are other things that we know do not please God. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." (1 Peter 5:8-9, NIV)

God gives us the power to overcome through the Holy Spirit. We just have to use the strength God has given us. Self control and perseverance will keep us walking on the path God has called us to walk. 

Nehemiah 10-11

May 26

Nehemiah 10-11

The Israelites decided they needed to get serious about living in obedience to God. Unless we set our mind to following the Lord with our whole heart, we will be tossed to and fro by the winds of the world. Though the neighboring people brought merchandise to sell on the Sabbath, the Israelites made a commitment not to buy on the Sabbath or any holy day. It is easy to say you will resist going shopping on the Sabbath; it is another story when you realize you are out of milk for your cereal the next day. Making a commitment to obedience is also a commitment to have to deal with some inconveniences.

The Israelites also committed to give toward the operation of the temple and to provide for the Levites, priests, and those in need. God had instructed Israel in these practices when He met Moses on Mt. Sinai, but giving when you are just getting by is difficult. Giving when things are going well is difficult. We struggle with giving because we are afraid we will not have enough for ourselves, especially if we give what we get first. God instructs us to give not for His benefit but for ours. Once the Israelites made the commitment to follow God with their whole hearts, the giving part became a natural response.

When we trust God, not just say we trust God, we alter our behavior, and we begin to walk in obedience not for fear or because we feel like we have to, but because we want to because of the relationship with have with the Lord. For New Testament Christians we are empowered to live the lives God has called us to live by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. When we really trust God we can trust Him to provide all our needs as He uses us to meet the needs of others through our giving. 

Nehemiah 8-9

May 25

Nehemiah 8-9

The Book of the Law was the bible for the Israelites. It contained the first five books of our bible. Those five books tell of creation, the root of sin, God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to make their descendants into a mighty nation, their slavery and deliverance from Egypt, their rebellion in the desert, up to the preparation for entering the Promised Land. When we know our history, we build a foundation for our faith. When the Book of the Law was read the people stood to give honor, then bowed their faces to the ground in worship. The words from the Book of the Law convicted them of their rebellion and the rebellion of their forefathers.

As the Book of the Law was read, certain men were assigned to explain the readings. This was similar to preaching today. Though the people were convicted of their sinfulness, the leaders told them not to mourn on that day. The day of the reading was to be a day of celebration. The Book of the Law can bring a multitude of emotions. We may grieve for our sinfulness and the sinfulness of those who have gone before, we may be in awe of the love of God and His deliverance, we may find great joy in God’s goodness, we may mourn for the lost days of our lives, we may celebrate that God is a God of second chances. The emotions run the gamut. But on this day the people were instructed to celebrate and to provide food and drink for those who had none.

We have the great opportunity to have the Word of God easily accessible. The Word of God is a powerful tool to equip us for life in this world and to empower us for opposition. But the Word of God sitting on the pages does not magically jump off and strengthen us. We need to read the Word or listen to the Word being read in order for God to speak to us through His Word. We have the complete Old and New Testament to give us everything we need to receive our salvation and to know the plans God has for us. As we read the emotions will fill our hearts. The Holy Spirit will encourage us, convict us, heal us, restore us, bless us, lift us up from the miry pit and will place us on the Rock. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, NIV)

Nehemiah 4-7

May 24

Nehemiah 4-7

Sometimes we know we are doing the right thing because of the opposition we face. Sanballat and Tobiah ridiculed the Israelites as they worked on the wall. They tried to discourage them psychologically. They tried to make them think that they did not have the skills needed to restore the wall. Nehemiah prayed that God would return their insults back upon themselves and encouraged the people to keep working. The people worked with all their heart. They may not have had the skills of some, but they had hard work and committed hearts.

When their psychological warfare did not work the opposition turned to force. They made plans to fight against Jerusalem. So the Israelites prayed and posted a guard day and night. But the work was difficult and the added stress of knowing that at any moment the enemy may attack had its toll on the people. Nehemiah stationed more men to protect the workers and told them; “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”" (Nehemiah 4:14, NIV) Sometimes we need weapons to protect us and boldness from God to help us stand strong for what is right in the eyes of God.

The people continued to work while at the same time others carried weapons to protect them. Nehemiah continued to remind them that God would fight for them. Though God walks with us, though He leads us, we also have to step up and work with Him. He did not build the wall, but He worked with the Israelites as they built the wall.

Opposition came within the community as the wealthy people took advantage of the poor. When we try to work for God we never know where the opposition will come from. The Adversary will use whatever means are available to try to stop our work. Nehemiah reminded the people of God’s grace and their responsibility to one another. He challenged the people to work together to bring unity so the wall could be completed.

When we try to live for Jesus, when we seek to fulfill God’s call on our lives, we will face opposition. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." (John 15:18-19, NIV) The world hung Jesus on a cross for pursuing His purpose. We can expect it to oppose our pursuit of God’s call on our lives. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you." (1 Peter 4:12, NIV)

We are not called to a challenge free life, but a life of perseverance as we fix our eyes on Jesus and his calling on our lives. Our reward comes as we walk in obedience to Him in spite of the opposition around us. 

Nehemiah 1-3

May 23

Nehemiah 1-3

Nehemiah discovered a problem. Word was brought to him that the wall around Jerusalem was broken down and the gates were no longer standing. The city was a mess. Nehemiah had a desire to do something about the problem, but he first went to God. He reminded God of His promise to the Israelites that He would bring them back to Jerusalem, if they turned back to Him. Then He asked God to show him favor as he moved forward one step at a time with his plan.

The king asked Nehemiah why he was depressed. Nehemiah prayed then responded that the walls around his home city were destroyed and the gates no longer stood. The king asked what Nehemiah wanted and Nehemiah saw it as an answer to his prayers. Nehemiah asked to go to Jerusalem and asked for letters from the king to provide protection and materials.

When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he did not tell anyone his plan. He went out at night and examined the project and concocted a plan. For the first time he presented the plan to the people in Jerusalem. He shared how God had blessed him and that the king had showed him favor. The people were excited because they knew God was at work in their midst. They did not want to miss an opportunity to join in the work of God and willingly bought into the project.

The work was distributed among the people so one person did not have to carry the entire load. Many worked on the section of wall closest to their home or business. The project was practical and mattered the them personally.

Nehemiah’s system for accomplishing the building of the walls can be instructional for us. When we see what we perceive as a need, we first go to God. Seek His input and His direction. If He directs us and opens doors, we walk through. We can ask boldly if we know God is with us. As He provides we move forward. We do not need to begin sharing the details of our plans until we have them formulated for ourselves. We need to observe and pray before we try to sell our idea to others. When we can share how God has worked to bring the project to the people, they will be more than willing to join in, especially if the project matters to them personally.

Ezra 8-10

May 22

Ezra 8-10

Ezra decided he needed to put his money where his mouth was. He had told the king that God would protect those who looked to Him and those who abandoned Him would face His anger. When the king told Ezra he could leave with people, Ezra decided he would not ask the king for protection because he had already told him that God would protect them. Ezra instead called for a fast and called for the people to humble themselves before God to seek His protection as they traveled to Jerusalem.

To humble ourselves before God, we must admit our guilt, confess our sin, and submit to God. Ezra wanted to make sure the people were walking in obedience to God before they walked the path to Jerusalem. Ezra called for a fast to prepare hearts before they prepared for the journey ahead of them. God heard their prayer and protected Ezra and the Israelites as they traveled to Jerusalem carrying the offerings from those in Babylon.

We like to think that God is our protector, but do we really believe He will take care of us. Do we really trust Him, or do we trust our bank account more. Do we really trust Him, or do we trust the government more. Do we really trust him or do we trust our parents more. Do we trust Him or do we trust anything in this world more? Ezra trusted God enough that he set out on his journey without the king’s protection.

Ezra spent time fasting and praying before he left home. If we spend time fasting and praying and seeking God’s will before we set out on any adventure, we will know God’s will. If we follow God’s will, He will protect us. He will make sure we accomplish the purpose He has laid out before us. He has a plan to prosper us; we must have to make sure we are following His plan.

Ezra 5-7

May 21

Ezra 5-7

Though they faced opposition and King Artaxerxes wrote a letter instructed the Israelites to stop building the temple, a few men decided that they would obey God instead of man. They began to build the temple, while Haggai and Zechariah continued to preach. Those who opposed the building sent a letter to the new king, Darius. In their letter they told Darius how the Israelites claimed that God had allowed the destruction of the temple because of their disobedience. They also told King Darius, that the Israelites claimed King Cyrus issued a decree that the temple was to be rebuilt. Darius searched the archives and found that Cyrus had issued a decree and that the cost for the construction was to be paid by the royal treasury.

God looked out for the Israelites. He provided the men with the ability and desire to rebuild the temple. He provided the materials needed. God used what those who opposed the building to bring about a greater good for His people. Darius proclaimed that the men working on the temple were to be paid from the royal treasury and that the work was not to be stopped.

Opposition is not always bad. Sometimes opposition opens new opportunities. Without opposition we continue on the same path doing the same things. Opposition forces us to reexamine where we are going and why we are going there. Sometimes opposition forces us to go in a different direction. Sometimes opposition makes us look for new ways to accomplish our goals. Opposition is not always bad. If we keep our eyes focused on God and His call on our lives, opposition will only make us stronger.

Ezra 1-4

May 20

Ezra 1-4

God can use whoever He wants to use to accomplish His will. God put it on the heart of Cyrus, a Persian king, to allow any of the Jewish people who wanted to go back to Jerusalem and to rebuild the temple to go. He returned the articles Nebuchadnezzar had carried from Jerusalem and put in his temples.

Just because God opened the doors for the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and to restore worship, does not mean He did not allow opposition. The priest built an altar and began to burn the prescribed offerings before the Lord, but the people who had occupied the land began to oppose them and stir up trouble. The Jewish people built the foundation for the temple, but their enemies frustrated them from continuing the building project. They even hired counselors to help intimidate them and keep them from continuing the work God had given them to complete.

Just because we are doing what God has called us to do, does not mean we will not face opposition. God does not promise us an opposition free life. Often when we are doing the very things God has called us to do is when we will face the most opposition. God calls us to persevere through the challenges.

"Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10:32-36, NIV)

As we seek God’s will, He will not only reveal His will for us, He will empower us to persevere through the trials and challenges we face in attempting to complete the task He has called us to complete. There will be opposition, but as long as we keep our eyes and our faith on God, we will be empowered to stand strong and to complete the task. 

2 Chronicles 34-36

May 19

2 Chronicles 34-36

There is something about the bible, the Word of God that can cut right to the heart of our being. God created us and knows us better than we know ourselves. When we open the bible God speaks to where we are and what we need to hear at that time. We can read just to say we read the bible, or we can read and listen and look for what God is saying to us. The bible speaks to a point in history. In this passage is speaks of a time when Josiah was king of Judah and the Book of the Law was found, but it also speaks to our lives today.

When the Book of the Law was opened and read Josiah realized that Israel had wandered from God’s direction for them. He realized that in God’s covenant He had laid out provisions for Israel if she walked in obedience to Him, but He had also told what would happen if they disobeyed Him. Josiah repented and called the nation to do the same. God blessed and protected Josiah, but God eventually brought judgment on the nation.

We have a choice when we open the Word of God. We can read and listen and obey or we can ignore God’s instructions for life as a follower of Christ. God does not force himself on us, but there are consequences for disobedience. Paul wrote to Timothy a young pastor he had mentored; "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV) Scripture is alive and powerful if we allow it to speak into our lives. We can ignore it like the Israelites had done, therefore the Book of the Law was lost, or we can allow God to transform our lives through His Word.

2 Chronicles 31-33

May 18

2 Chronicles 31-33

Author Larry Burkett used to say that our finances are an outside indicator of an inside condition. Our spiritual lives are reflected in our opinion of, and use of our money. Hezekiah was king when a great revival came over Jerusalem. It is important to note that the king gave of his own possessions for the offerings made at the temple each day. He in turn called on the people to give their tithe and to devote themselves to the Law of the Lord. The people responded and “brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.” (vs. 5) In return, God blessed the nation and there was an abundance in the land. There was so much that the offerings were piled in heaps.

Jesus said; "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”" (Luke 6:38, NIV) When we trust God with our best, with the first of what we get, He in turn will bless us so we have enough with what is left over. It is difficult to let go of our finances or material possessions and to trust God with them. But if we cannot let go, we are, by our actions saying we trust in our finances or material possessions more than we trust God.

In the book of Malachi chapter 3 verses 6-12 God talks about the cost of cheating Him and the blessings of trusting Him. Then in verse 10 he says; "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." (Malachi 3:10, NIV) Throughout the bible we see that when the people of God trusted God and willingly gave to God, He blessed them and provided for them in abundance.

What we do with our finances. What we do with our possessions. Not just our giving in the church offering, but how we use the gifts given us, reveals what we really believe about God. Do we trust God or do we just say we trust God?

2 Chronicles 29-30

May 17

2 Chronicles 29-30

Hezekiah turned Judah and Israel back to the Lord. He reopened the temple that Ahaz had shut down. He restored worship of God instead of the false gods Ahaz promoted. When Hezekiah opened the temple he called the Levites together and gave them a pep talk. He told them that the reason Israel was facing captivity was because of their disobedience to God. But Hezekiah called to Levites to consecrate themselves and to consecrate the temple to restore worship of God in Israel. He call for all of Judah and Israel to come together and worship the way God had told them to worship. He told the Levites; "Now I intend to make a covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel, so that his fierce anger will turn away from us. My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before him and serve him, to minister before him and to burn incense.”" (2 Chronicles 29:10-11, NIV)

God’s desire is for us to worship Him. He is the only God after all. He wants what is best for us. He created us, so he knows what we really need to find security and happiness. God has a plan for us, but often we rebel and walk our own way. We shut down our temple and close the doors and do not come to God. When we take God out of our lives and worship the things of this world, we will face consequences. We may not understand what is happening, but we need people like Hezekiah to call us to turn back to God. The good news is that God welcomes us back when we turn back to him.

In Luke’s gospel in chapter 15 beginning in verse 11, Jesus told a story about a son who left his father for wild living where he blew his inheritance. It is a story that sounds like Israel, but in the story the boy comes to his senses and returns to his father who welcomes him with open arms. God is just waiting for us to turn back to him. There is nothing we have done that is too terrible for Him to forgive if we truly repent and turn back to Him.

2 Chronicles 25-28

May 16

2 Chronicles 25-28

Uzziah was a good king. He reigned for 52 years. He began when he was 15 and was king until he was 67. He developed agriculture in Judah and developed modern warfare of the time. Judah prospered under Uzziah, but his pride led to his downfall.

Uzziah decided that he would go into the temple and burn the incense that only the priest and the descendants of Aaron were to burn. The priest ran in to stop Uzziah, but it was too late. God struck Uzziah with leprosy. When he realized what had happened he was eager to get out of the temple, but for the final years of his reign, he had to live in a separate house and was not able to enter the temple of the Lord because of his leprosy.

Pride has led to the downfall of many leaders. When a person believes they are better than others and can do as they please, disaster is awaiting them. "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2, NIV)  In biblical days, as it is today, many great leaders fell from grace because of their pride. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”" (1 Peter 5:5b, NIV)

Pride can sneak up on us if we are not careful. We can be proud that we are not proud. Continual interaction with God and serving people helps us find our balance. Good friends who have permission to speak truth into our lives can keep us in check when we get thinking too highly of ourselves. Pride focuses on what we can do or have done, humility realizes that God is the source and other people make our actions possible.

2 Chronicles 21-24

May 15

2 Chronicles 21-24

The words no one would want posted in their obituary were said in the word of God about Jehoram, king of Judah. His father and grandfather were listed as good kings in the nation of Judah. They walked in obedience to God. Jehoram followed the path of his father in law, Ahab, king of Israel. There were consequences for his actions. God spoke through a letter from Elijah telling Jehoram that because not only had he prostituted himself to the false gods, he had led the people of Jerusalem to do the same. God inflicted on him a painful disease that took his life when his bowels came out and he died in great pain. The people did not build a fire in his honor and his obituary reads; “He passed away, to no one’s regret.”

Jehoram set Judah back in their worship of God. He did evil and his son did evil after him. His wife, Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah attempted to kill all the royal family after Ahaziah died so she ruled over the nation. But the priest took one of Ahaziah’s son’s Joash, and hid him away until he was seven years old. He then revealed Joash as the rightful king of Judah in the line of David. AS long as Jehoiada, the high priest was alive and giving Joash counsel, he walked with the Lord. After Jehoiada died, Joash abandoned God and worshiped the false gods.

We all need a Jehoiada in our lives to help keep us on track. We need men and women who will come along side of us when it is unpopular and speak the truth to us. We need people we can trust to hold us accountable and to tell us the truth that we may not want to hear. We need to maintain a relationship with someone who has our best interest in mind and will continue to point us to a strong relationship with God. If our Jehoiada dies, or moves, or is no longer available for us, we need to find another to fill that position or we can easily slip away from walking with the Lord. When we begin to turn our backs on God, we stop up our ears and do not want to hear the truth, and we will face the consequences for our actions. 

2 Chronicles 17-20

May 14

2 Chronicles 17-20

The Moabites and Ammonites put together a huge army that was coming toward Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat realized he was in a tight spot. He was alarmed, but did not panic. Instead he called for a fast for all of Judah. “The people came together to seek help from the Lord.” (4) Jehoshaphat prayed and part of his prayer was; “we do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” God answered their prayer through one of the Levites in the crowd. God told them; "He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s." (2 Chronicles 20:15, NIV)

There are several lessons here for us. First when trouble is coming our way or has already hit, instead of panicking, fast and pray. Sometimes we don’t know what to pray for, but we can still pray. We can seek God. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV)  Fasting opens the lines of communication with God. It reminds us of our dependence on God for our daily provision. Fasting helps us remember that to hunger for God is more important than our hunger for food. If we seek Him first, the other things will fall in line.

The second lesson we can learn is that even when we have no idea what to do, we can look to God. He knows what is best for us and will reveal it to us if we fix our eyes on Him. "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (Romans 8:26, NIV) The key to our prayer is seeking God’s direction, not giving God our directions.

The third lesson is that we do not have to fight all our battles by ourselves. Sometimes God wants us to get out of His way. “For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Jehoshaphat and his men did not have to fight the battle, they just carried off the plunder. God wants to take care of us in the midst of our struggles. He is waiting for us to turn it all over to Him. To fast and pray, to surrender to his direction, and to get out of the way so He can do His work. 

2 Chronicles 12-16

May 13

2 Chronicles 12-16

Rehoboam and all Israel abandoned the law of the Lord and God used Egypt to discipline them. The king and all of Israel humbled themselves and God decided not to destroy them but they remained made subject to Egypt. Rehoboam continued to do evil because his heart was not on serving God. After Rehoboam, Abijah became king. He confronted Jeroboam and Israel and proclaimed that Judah was worshiping God while Israel had made their own gods. God gave Judah victory over Israel. Asa became king of Judah and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but he became angry when God punished him for relying on man instead of relying on God and he died stubbornly refusing to seek help from God.

Israel formed their own gods and their own place to worship. Judah continued to worship at the temple, but were on again and off again in their commitment to God. Sometimes it was other gods that drew the attention of Judah. Other times it was the power of another army that comforted them. In Asa’s case, he trusted physicians, but refused to call on God for help.

What do people rely on today? Do we rely on people to help us in our times of trouble or do we rely on God? Do we rely on positions of power, or do we rely on God? Do we rely on superstitions maybe something that brings us luck, or do we rely on God? We may not make golden calves, but many people rely on the gold in their bank account instead of relying on God.

When Judah relied on God, He proved faithful. When they turned their back on Him, He brought tough times upon them in order to bring them back into a relationship with Him. God said He allowed Judah to become subject to Egypt “so they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.” (12:8) Judah had to settle for second best. Instead of having the shields of gold made by Solomon, they now had shields of bronze, a picture of the consequences of Judah’s choice to abandon God’s direction.

God wants what is best for us. He wants to give us what we really need and to help us live to our full potential. We have a choice. We can serve God and get His best for our lives, or we can serve the things of the world and get less than the best. It is our choice.

2 Chronicles 8-11

May 12

2 Chronicles 8-11

Solomon’s son, Rehoboam did not have the wisdom of his father. After Solomon died, Rehoboam became king. The people went to Rehoboam and asked him to lighten their load. The elders who had served with Solomon advised Rehoboam to listen to the people and they would always serve him. But Solomon’s peers advised him to answer harshly and tell the people that he would demand more from them than his father had demanded.

Rehoboam did not read his father’s advice written in the Proverbs. "How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:16-18, NIV)

The people of Israel, all except the tribes of Benjamin and Judah, turned away for Rehoboam, splitting Israel into two nations. Rehoboam allowed his pride, power and poor advice to destroy the kingdom given to him by his father. I reality this was ordained by God. God told Solomon that after he died, God would divide the kingdom because of Solomon’s disobedience.

"On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods. The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command. So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates." (1 Kings 11:7-11, NIV)

Our decisions, our actions do not only affect our lives, they affect the lives of our children and our children’s children. There are consequences for our actions. Even when we turn back to God and ask for forgiveness, there are still consequences. God promises to give wisdom to those who seek it. If we week wisdom rather than gold and understanding rather than silver, God will guide us so we do not bring consequences for our poor choices upon our children and future generations.

2 Chronicles 5-7

May 11

2 Chronicles 5-7

Solomon completed the construction of the Temple and brought all the furnishings so the temple was completed and ready to be dedicated to the worship of God. Twice the glory of God showed up and so filled the temple that the priest could not do their work because the glory of the Lord filled the temple. God was pleased with what Solomon and the nation of Israel were doing as they focused on their relationship and dependence on God.

Solomon prayed a heartfelt prayer as the temple was dedicated to the Lord. He prayed that when the Israelites messed up, when they turned back to God and prayed toward this temple God would respond to them. God promised to bless them as long as they walked in obedience to Him, but time after time He also reminds them that if they turn away from Him they will face destruction. He also tells them that in the midst of their discipline if they will turn back to Him, He will hear and will forgive and restore them.

God is still God, He has not changed. If we walk in obedience to Him, He will walk with us and take care of us, but if we turn away from Him, we will face the consequences. Paul wrote in Romans "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23a, NIV) Sin is rebellion against God. So if we rebel against God the consequence is death, separation from God. But God did not leave us with the death penalty. Just as the Israelites could pray toward the temple and God would hear their pleas, we can pray to Jesus and God hears our prayers. 

The Apostle John wrote; "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, NIV) God is faithful and wants to forgive us our sins. He wants to restore our relationship with Him. In fact the entire verse from Romans Paul wrote; "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23, NIV)

There are consequences for our actions. When we rebel against God, He gives us what we think we want; separation from Him. But when we come to our senses and pray to Him, He hears from heaven and will heal our hearts and our land. 

2 Chronicles 1-4

May 10

2 Chronicles 1-4

God chose Solomon to follow David as king over Israel. Solomon began his reign doing what was right. When God met Solomon He said; “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (2 Chronicles 1:7, NIV) Solomon did not ask for riches, or power, or territory, he asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern God’s people. God gave him wisdom, but also gave him riches and honor. Unfortunately the riches were more than Solomon could handle.

God had warned the Israelites before they even had a king; "The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold." (Deuteronomy 17:16-17, NIV) Solomon acquired ha great number of horses, he imported horses from Egypt, he took many wives, and his heart was led astray.

God does not set boundaries for us to keep us from enjoying the finer things in life. He sets them to make it so we can enjoy the finer things and do not get fooled by counterfeits. Solomon had wisdom and knowledge for governing God’s people, but did not do as good a job of managing his desires, his family, or even his faith.

Solomon did some good things for God, but his potential was to do so much more. Solomon acquired riches, honor, horses, and wives, but in the book of Ecclesiastes we discover that he found none of these things brought him true happiness or contentment.  When God warns us it is not as a tyrant trying to control us, it is as a loving Father wanting what is best for us.

"Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." (John 14:23-24, NIV) If we want to live our lives to the fullest, we will walk in obedience to our loving Father and He will bless us. 

1 Chronicles 27-29

May 9

1 Chronicles 27-29

As David was nearing his death, he made preparations for Israel to continue serving God. He made preparations for the building of the temple that God told David he was not to build but Solomon was to build it after his death. The greatest preparations he made were in his son Solomon. David told Solomon; "“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever." (1 Chronicles 28:9, NIV)

Those same words apply to our lives today. The Lord still searches every heart and understands the motive behind our thoughts. If we thought about the fact that God searches our hearts and knows our motives, would it change the way we live? He knows what we do and why we do it. I find it interesting that often we do not know why we do things, but God does. He knows if we are sincere or if we are playing games. He knows when we really love Him and want to serve Him and when we are just going through the motions. If you think about it, it can be overwhelming.

The good news is that if we seek Him, we will find Him. If we seek Him sincerely, He knows our hearts and we will find Him. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV) " God wants us to find Him. In reality He seeks us and is just waiting for us to turn to Him. If want to know God, He will reveal himself to us. Jesus said;“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8, NIV) 

1 Chronicles 24-26

May 8

1 Chronicles 24-26

The Levites were a chosen tribe. They did not get land allotted like the other tribes. They were given the job and privilege of serving in the temple. The direct descendants of Aaron served as priests making the sacrifices prescribed by God.  Other Levites were set apart for prophesying (preaching) or music ministry, while still others worked as gatekeepers, treasurers, or performed other duties in and around the temple. God gives us different gifts, but they are all to be used for the building of His Kingdom.

God gives us all gifts, but we have a responsibility to sharpen those gifts. Verse 25:7 says; “all of them were trained and skilled in music.” They were not only skilled they were trained. They were not only trained they were skilled. You can work year after year to teach a pig to sing, but it is still just a pig and he is not going to sing. You can take someone with great potential, but if they do not work to hone their skills they will never reach their full potential. This applies not only to music, but to all our gifts. God gives them to us to work at and develop so we can become all that He created us to become.  

We all have jobs to do. They are not all the same. Just as the Levites had different responsibilities in the work in and around the temple, God has distributed gifts within the Church, the Body of Christ. We are the arms and legs of Jesus, sent into our world for the building of the Kingdom of God. 

1 Chronicles 21-23

May 7

1 Chronicles 21-23

David’s problem was not that he counted the number of Israelites. His problem was his arrogant attitude. He wanted to know the number of Israelites so he could glory in the great power of the nation under him. God brought punishment, not only upon David, but upon the nation that served under David. God gave David a choice of three forms of punishment. David chose to suffer at the hands of God instead of the hands of men. A plague struck Israel and seventy thousand died. The time of punishment was not complete, but as David had said, God had mercy on Israel and stopped the angel from more destruction as he was about to strike Jerusalem.

David humbled himself before God and bought the threshing floor where the angel stopped the destruction. That spot, the threshing floor of Araunah, became the place where David decided the temple should be built. David them made his life mission to prepare the materials and plans so that after he died Solomon could build and complete the temple of the Lord.

David’s humbleness in this story is of note. His arrogance turned to humbleness quickly. When David humbled himself, God listened. God does not listen to our arrogant mouths, but if we will humble ourselves before Him, He hears from heaven and responds. David could have taken the land and the threshing floor of Araunah. Araunah offered to give it to him. "But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”" (1 Chronicles 21:24, NIV)

Sacrifices that cost nothing mean nothing. Sacrifice by definition costs us something. In the New Testament we are told God wants us as living sacrifices. He wants us to live wholeheartedly for Him. It is not a flippant response to the cross, it is complete dedication to Him and His desires for our lives. Living for Jesus costs us our lives. Not to death, but to dedication. A life dedicated to the Lord is a life worth living. In return for our sacrifice, God will give us full and fulfilled lives. 

1 Chronicles 17-20

May 6

1 Chronicles 17-20

"David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people." (1 Chronicles 18:14, NIV) David was a great king and leader primarily because of his relationship with God. God blessed him and promised to maintain his lineage as king over Israel. But David’s relationship with God gave him the compassion for the people of Israel he needed to be a great king. He was not focused on his own glory, but did what was right for the nation. “God gave David victory everywhere he went.” (18:6)

David sent some men to express his sympathy at the death of the king of the Ammonites. King Nahash had shown kindness to David and David wanted to return the gesture. But the king’s son received bad advice telling him that David was really spying out the land. The new king humiliated David’s men. When David heard what had happened, he instructed his men to stay at Jericho until their beards grew back, so they would not bring shame upon themselves when they got home. David then sent his army and destroyed the Ammonites.

David protected the integrity of his men. Too often people look out for their own interest and forget about those around them. Too often we worry about our own image and forget about the integrity of those who work with us and work with us. How would those around you see God if you protected their reputation and the reputation of others whenever rumors and gossip reached your ears? What would happen if we spent our time lifting people up instead of joining in tearing them down? What would happen if we began to look for the good in those around us instead of the bad?

1 Chronicles 13-16

May 5

1 Chronicles 13-16

When God met with Moses on Mt Sinai, He instructed Moses on many aspects of living as the people of God including how they were to approach God in worship. God gave Moses plans for the temple, all the materials used for worship, and even for proper transport of the temple and materials for worship as the Israelites wandered around the desert. The Ark of the Covenant was the chest that sat in the holy of holies. The covering for the ark had two angels with their wings outstretched, the covering was known as the Mercy Seat. The Mercy Seat represented the throne of God, the place where God sat as He watched over Israel.

David was a man who sought God’s favor and direction as he made decisions for himself and for Israel. David inquired of God and the Israelites and decided to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem. David said they had not inquired of the ark during the reign of Saul. The ark was not to be an idol they worshiped, but it was an icon that pointed beyond itself to God’s presence with the Israelites. David and the assembly decided to move the ark, but in David’s excitement, he did not consult God’s instructions on the proper means of transport of the ark.

They placed the ark on a cart, though God had said it was to be carried with poles by the Levites. When the ox stumbled and the ark was about to fall Uzzah reached out to steady the ark, but God struck him dead on the spot. David became angry because God’s wrath had struck Uzzah and he left the ark at the home of Obed-Edom. David was afraid of God after this event.

While the ark was on his property, God blessed Obed Edom and his family. Finally David got over Uzzah’s death and decided to try moving the ark again. This time David inquired of God on the proper manner of moving the ark. Each of the Levites took their position as they were instructed. All of Israel celebrated as the ark was transported to Jerusalem using poles carried by Levites as music was played and the people sang and danced before the Lord.

We do not always understand God’s plans for us. We do not always understand why God wants us to do things a certain way. But we do not have to understand “why,” God wants us to obey. It is not His way of showing His power over us; it is His way of revealing who He is and helping us to discover who He created us to be. God is not just looking at what we do; He wants us to do it the right way. We may not recognize the consequences immediately, but there will be consequences for trying to do things our way instead of God’s way. God has a way of encouraging us to want to do things right.

1 Chronicles 10-12

May 4

1 Chronicles 10-12

Transitions can be difficult. Israel faced a transition of power. Often in biblical days as is the case for many countries today, transition of power results in power struggle. Everyone wants to be in charge. Whoever can bring together the most people with the most power claims leadership. Saul and his sons died while in battle against the Philistines. Saul was mortally wounded and did not want to fall into the hands of the Philistines so he asked his armor bearer to kill him. His armor bearer refused, so Saul fell on his sword to kill himself.

"Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse." (1 Chronicles 10:13-14, NIV) Saul and his family lost power in Israel because Saul turned his back on God. He decided to do things his way instead of God’s way. God is the one who placed him in power, and God was the one who removed him from power.

After Saul’s’ death the men of Israel, the powerful fighting men from all the tribes gathered around David to lift him up as the new king. David had been in exile, but the men knew David. Some had fought with David, others had heard about his valor and bravery. The men were attracted to David as a leader. There are numerous reasons why the men were able to unify as they joined David. There are numerous reasons Israel may celebrate as David was anointed King. But David was not king by chance. David was not king by popular vote. David was not king because the people wanted him to be king. David was selected by God to be king.

David was probably the least likely candidate to become king. Even within his own family, they did not invite him to join them when Samuel was coming to anoint the next king. David was a great warrior, but even before he became a warrior God had chosen him. Why David? Because he loved God and was willing to step out and live out his faith.

Jesus said; "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12, NIV) What does God want to do in you and through you; He is only waiting for you to step out in faith. 

1 Chronicles 7-9

May 3

1 Chronicles 7-9

The administration of the temple was complicated business. So many people so many jobs to attend. There were gatekeepers to guard the entrances into the temple and before the temple was built to guard the entrances into the Tent of Meeting. Others were responsible for the articles used for worship. These articles had to be put out in the morning and put away in the evening. The temple had to be locked up and secured in the evenings. Someone had to take care of the bread, the wine, the incense, the spices used in worship. Some mixed the spices and others made bread. Still others provided music for worship.

The Levites were responsible for these duties, but even among the Levites certain families took responsibility for different jobs around the temple. Worship is not a solitary activity. Worship involves the community. Old Testament worship involved more than just the priest. In many ways, all the people were involved in worship. Worship is not something we observe, worship is participatory.

We worship as a body of believers. We each have gifts God has given us to assist the entire Body in worship. "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Romans 12:4-5, NIV)

Worship is a part of the way we live. When we use the gifts God has given us to assist the Body in worship, we are giving glory to God. We are being living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God. We are participating in our spiritual act of worship. We worship when we use the gifts God gives us to strengthen His body and to point others toward Him.

1 Chronicles 5-6

May 2

1 Chronicles 5-6

Half the tribe of Manasseh crossed the Jordan with the rest of the Israelites, half settled on the eastern side of the Jordan. The half that stayed on the eastern side along with the Reubenites and Gadites, sent men across to fight with the rest of the nation and to claim the land God had promised them, but God allowed them to return to the good land they had settled in on the eastern side. The other half of the tribe of Manasseh crossed over and settled in the Promised Land. One tribe divided in two.

There was a difference between the two halves of the tribe of Manasseh greater than their location. Half the tribe is said to have trusted in God, the other half were unfaithful to God. The half that trusted God won their battles because they cried out to God in their battles. The half that was unfaithful, God stirred up the Assyrians to carry off into exile. They both had the same opportunities. They both heard the same promises from God. They each had to make a decision. Would they follow God or would they be like the other people in the land.

We have the same decision to make. Will we serve God or will we live like the rest of the world? We all have the same opportunity. We all have to make a decision. When we trust God and walk in obedience to Him and allow Him to guide our lives, He will give us victory. If we continue to trust in the things of the world, we will ultimately face failure.

" “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NIV)

1 Chronicles 3-4

May 1

1 Chronicles 3-4

In the midst of the list of names, a name gets a few lines telling about him. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a book about Jabez. Two verses speak about Jabez. In the midst of the list we are told that Jabez was more honorable than his brothers and that Jabez prayed. He prayed for God’s blessings on his live, and God granted his request. But Jabez did not just pray for blessings, he prayed for God’s hand to be with him. He prayed that God would expand his territory. He prayed that God would keep him from harm and free from pain.

What would happen if you prayed for God to expand your territory? Not for more land or a bigger house, but a bigger influence for the Kingdom of God. What would happen if you prayed that God would bless you in your sphere of influence for His glory? What would happen if you prayed that God would guide every step of your life, that you would go where He leads you and be the person He created you to be?

Jabez could have just been a name among the list. A name we read and kind of skip over because nothing significant is mentioned. Just a name preserved in history. But God expanded Jabez’s territory. We are told about Jabez’s boldness and his prayer for God’s blessings upon his life.

James wrote; “You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." (James 4:2-3, NIV)  James was not speaking to Jabez. Was he speaking to you?