1 Kings 11; Philippians 2; Ezekiel 41; Psalms 92, 93

I visited my sister when I was in college. Her husband was military, and they lived on base. She had a neighbor named Renee, and while I was there, Renee would pop over in the mornings, walk right through the kitchen door, pour herself a mug of coffee, and chat with my sister and me at the table. This image took root and life in my mind–and I have been looking for my own Renee ever since.

One day, my sister’s Renee was gone. It’s not just specific to military life–nearly every life is transient. A move. A job change. A church change. A school change. A season may be beautiful, fruitful and sweet, but that in itself won’t make it last forever. Illness, crisis, attitude and interest are all elements that can affect another’s ability to be present. (My mother died from breast cancer, and when my friend Doris was diagnosed, I didn’t know what to say to her–and I was regrettably disappointed in myself because I thought that I should know.)

When I glanced the scriptures earlier this week, thoughts of loyalty, strength and endurance came to mind. But when I read more closely, I also see disappointment, limitations, distractions and weakness.

Solomon, a wise man, a king, was not exempt.

² The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. ³ He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord. (1 Kings 11:2-3, NLT)

Paul served the Lord wholeheartedly, but not everyone on the mission field shared his vision.

²⁰ I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. ²¹ All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:20-21, NLT)

Lord, you are gentle and kind. You know my heart. You lovingly unfurl my fingers from the grip I have on the way I think things should be, and you show me grace. You show me humility. You are my forever friend. You will never forsake me. You are eager to meet me when I seek you. You sit with me at this table today, and together we can examine what really matters.

¹² Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. ¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. ¹⁴ Do everything without complaining and arguing, ¹⁵ so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. ¹⁶ Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. (Philippians 2:12-16, NLT)

Help me to mature in the woman you want me to be.

Your reign, O Lord, is holy forever and ever. (Psalm 93:5b, NLT)

Courtney (66books365)

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Ex. 39; John 18; Prov. 15; Phil. 2

Filigrees and gems. Rich color and finery. Garments beautifully made. Names engraved like a seal. Holy to the Lord. This is Exodus 39.

Jesus is betrayed and he is questioned about his teaching. Pilate asks,

“So you are a king?”

Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” John 18:37 NLT.

In Proverbs 15, it’s a view of a walking path splintered at choice–on the one side, the things God detests, and fools belching, trash feasts, trouble, and crushed spirits. The other side, understanding, gentleness, a hunger for knowledge, a continual feast, life.

• A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway. Proverbs 15:19 NLT
• Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path. Proverbs 15:21 NLT
• The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. Proverbs 15:24 NLT

There was a time I never thought about the path I was on. I followed the map that was handed to me, until Jesus redirected my steps.

In Exodus, the priests wore garments with the names of the tribes of Israel engraved upon the gems. And in the New Testament, Jesus, my high priest, bears my name engraved upon his hands.

⁶ Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
⁷ Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
⁸     he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8 NLT

A phone call this past weekend showed me how a path can seem so far, and yet so close at the same time. That map I once held is really only a choice away from me.

Oh, God, help me to always seek and choose truth.

¹² Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. ¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

¹⁴ Do everything without complaining and arguing, ¹⁵ so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. ¹⁶ Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. ¹⁷ But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. ¹⁸ Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy. Philippians 2:12-18 NLT, emphasis mine.

Hold firmly to the word of life.

Courtney (66books365)

2 Kings 1, 2 Kings 2, 2 Kings 3, James 1

Thus says the Lord: ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of …? ”  2Kings 1

“Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 2 Kings 2

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1

Read at – www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Kings1,2,3;%20James%201&version=NKJV

2 Kings 1         “the angel of the Lord said…, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’… “Thus says the Lord: ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?…. is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word?” “but you shall surely die.” “So Ahaziah died according to the word of the Lord”

               This is serious, deadly business. The message: Inquire of the LORD, the God of Israel, and do His Word, otherwise you will surely die. This repeats the original sin from the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 1-3) 

                 Because King Ahaziah did not inquire of the Lord of Hosts and instead trusted other deities/ entities, especially because Ahaziah was in the position of ruler and overseer to influence many others, he was judged sharply.  

                 In what position has God place me? Wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, co-worker, boss, etc.  Where is my area influence? Everywhere I am, write, speak, or am seen.  God repeats thrice.

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” Revelation 4:8, Leviticus 19:2

                  Holy Lord God Almighty, I humble myself before You, as one who does not always seek Your wisdom first and who does not always act upon Your counsel as You deserve. I am very sorry. Please forgive me. (Isaiah 1:18) Please keep my heart in check and spirit attentive for those I influence, especially my family for whom I am most accountable. Thank You Lord Jesus.

2 Kings 2      But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!”  (Repeated Thrice.) And so, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

                 Elisha wanted with all his soul to hear and do the Word of God.

So Elijah said, “if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”  Then it happened, …”

               So many of God’s promises are if/then clauses. 1  

And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, and they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.”

The result? Elisha’s first acts are very effective: 1- Thus says the Lord: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’  2- “So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord.”  

                Now that’s power from the Word of God!  Matthew 9:20-22

2 Kings 3         Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?”

            Finally a king gets it right! And because of Jehoshaphat’s inquiry of the Lord, God gave wisdom and victory!! 

James 1         If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting,… For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.  

                Today God gives His Holy Spirit Wisdom and Victory to anyone who asks directly and receives in faith! 2   

Of His own will He brought us forth by the Word of Truth, receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. …to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1

                Want your soul saved from hell? Want to not be deceived? Want to not be dirty? Then receive with meekness the Word of God and do it.   

                 Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Word of God. 3 Thank You for sending me Your Holy Spirit to teach, guide and comfort me, Your child. 4 

            Lord Jesus Christ I place my sins on Your cross that I would not carry them anymore. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I would live for You all the days of my life. Teach me, guide me, grow me and show me how You want me to be so I will serve You always and for Your glory alone. 5  

                 Recently I worked in a prayer tent where I saw the faith filled prayers of men, women and children availing much because they confessed their sins directly to the Lord Jesus Christ, repented and spoke God’s Word back to Him in surrender to His Will and for Jesus’ active effect in their lives. The transformations were powerful. God means His Word.

“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret,” Luke 5:1   How casual it is for Jesus to speak, yet He is the Very Word of God. How Amazing. Read the Word of God aloud to yourself to increase your faith in God. Romans 10:17, Hebrews 4:2

Jesus answered, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”  John 6:63

Bible insights –

1          John 15:5; James 1:5-8; James 1:12; James 1:22-26; 1 Corinthians 9:24-26; Hebrews 12:25; John 13:14; Galatians 3:29; Galatians 4:7; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 10:38-39; John 15:10; John 14:15; Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 5:10; John 8:31-36; John 3:16-19; Acts 8:36-37; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:9-17; Romans 8:31; Hebrews 12:7-8; Hebrews 11:6

2          Joel 2:28-29, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:25-27, John 16:7; John 16:13-15; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4; Romans 8:6; Romans 8:14; Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Galatians 6:8; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21 

3          John 1:1-3; John 1:14; John 14:6; John 6:63; John 6:68; John 5:24

4          John 1:12; Romans 8:16; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:1

5          Psalm 51; Isaiah 1:18; 1 John 1:9; Isaiah 59:2; Psalm 103:12; 1 Peter 3:7; 2 Chronicles 7:14; James 5:16

Crystal (PsalmThirty4)