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Are We “Doin’ it for the Fame?”–1 Kings 10:1

May 25, 2013 in 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 2013 Journey, Goals, leadership, Pride, Workplace with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Chronicles 8: 1-18; 1 Kings 9: 15 through 1 Kings 10: 13; 2 Chronicles 9: 1-12, 1 Kings 10: 14-29; 2 Chronicles 9: 13-28; 2 Chronicles 1: 14-17

What comes to mind when you see the word “fame?”  It probably depends on your age.  The first thing I thought of was the title song to “Fame, the Musical,” but when I typed the word in my Google search box I was introduced to another fame song by Lady Gaga.  What better person to talk about fame in 2013 than the self-proclaimed fame monster herself!

Here are eight lines of “The Fame” by Lady Gaga:

I can’t help myself

I’m addicted to a life of material

It’s some kind of joke

I’m obsessively opposed to the typical

 Fame doin’ it for the fame

’cause we wanna live the life of the rich and famous

Fame doin’ it for the fame

’cause we gotta taste for champagne and endless fortune

 

Unfortunately, for many this is a description of the American dream, and yes, they’re “doing it for the fame.”

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 10th edition defines fame as public estimation.

Is seeking public opinion a bad thing?

Is fame something we should run away from like a dreaded addiction?

The word fame occurs 24 times in the Bible (KJV).  It was used to describe God, Jesus, David, Joshua, Solomon and a handful of others.  A true hall of “fame!”  Just for fun do a Google search on “the top 5 most famous people of 2013″ and see how they stand up the biblical hall of fame.  It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.

It took a lot to be famous in the Bible; very few could read or write. There were no T.V.s, phones, email, or internet.  It was strictly word of mouth.  The queen of Sheba lived over a thousand miles from King Solomon and she had heard of his fame.  Wow, that was some game of gossip!

I think the answer to our fame questions lie in this verse:

When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, which brought honor to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions.    –1 Kings 10: 1

The type of fame that Solomon had was a good thing because it brought honor to the name of the Lord.  In everything we’ve read so far Solomon wasn’t seeking fame, he was doing the job he was called to do—building the Temple of the Lord.

From Solomon’s example running to fame is not what wise people do. Fame should have to search for us and it should always find us bringing honor to the Lord.

We’re going to find later in the life of Solomon that fame is part of the “success test” and it is something that few can handle.

But for now, here’s the last word on fame:

  • Be about God’s purpose and calling for your life
  • Bring honor to the name of the Lord in everything you do
  • If fame finds you make him ride in the trunk  :-)

 

Blessings in Jesus!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  1 Kings 4: 1-34; Psalm 72; Psalm 127

How to Lead During Chaos and Catastrophe — 2 Chronicles 7:12-16

May 24, 2013 in 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 2013 Journey, Fear, leadership, Prayer, Success, Tough Times with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Kings 8:54-66; 2 Chronicles 7:1-10; 1 Kings 9:1-9; 2 Chronicles 7:11-22;1 Kings 9:10-14

Today was a great day in the life of Solomon.  He and the Israelites were coming to the end of a fourteen-day celebration to dedicate the Temple of the Lord.  He had waited for this day since his father ,David gave him the charge to build the Temple when he was just a boy.

The king and all of Israel brought thousands of animals to sacrifice on this special day.  After Solomon finished making prayers and petitions to the Lord he stood up and in a loud voice blessed the entire congregation of Israel.  And before they could start the fire to sacrifice the first animal God showed His pleasure by sending “heavenly” fire to burn up the sacrifices.

Can you imagine putting an animal on the altar and then “poof” fire comes out of the sky and instantly burns it to ashes?

Solomon was probably on cloud nine.  For God to display His approval meant he had successfully completed the job he was born to do.  While he was still enjoying his success the Lord appeared to him and told him three things:

  • I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices.
  • At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.
  • Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.  For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever.  I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.   (2 Chronicles 7:12-16)

God encouraged Solomon with the promise that if His judgment (by drought, locusts, or a plague) should fall on the nation for their sins, then they need only to turn to the Lord in earnest humility and repentance and they would find forgiveness and restoration. God told Solomon exactly what to do if and when his kingdom what struck with chaos or catastrophe.

We may not have droughts, grasshoppers and plagues… but we do have volcanoes erupting, tsunamis, tornadoes and earthquakes, not to mention all of our man-made problems.  God’s promise to Solomon still holds true in 2013…

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

Heavenly Father, our country and our world needs your healing.  This scripture is talking to US– Your people; those who profess to be Christians.  Help us as the church to live out this scripture daily. As Dr. Wayne Lee  said in a message to our church, “God expects his servants to lead amid catastrophic and chaotic changes in culture and societies.”  Help us Lord to humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our sin so that you can heal our land and use us for Your Glory in these challenging times.

In Jesus Name— Amen and Amen

 


 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Chronicles 8: 1-18; 1 Kings 9: 15 through 1 Kings 10: 13; 2 Chronicles 9: 1-12, 1 Kings 10: 14-29; 2 Chronicles 9: 13-28; 2 Chronicles 1: 14-17

Have You Ever Been Interrupted by the Presence of God? 1 Kings 8:10-11

May 23, 2013 in 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 2013 Journey, Holy Spirit, Prayerfully and Proactively Prioritizing and Planning with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 8:1-11; 2 Chronicles 5:1-14; 1 Kings 8:12-21; 2 Chronicles 6:1-11; 1 Kings 8:22-53; 2 Chronicles 6:12-42

When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple. –1 Kings 8:10-11

The order of the service was interrupted by the Presence of the Lord.  I wonder if the priests were disappointed when they couldn’t continue their service?

It’s so easy, even in the church to organize God out of the plans.

When’s the last time your day, your sleep, or your worship was interrupted by God?

Why are we so surprised when this happens?

For those of us who are task oriented, we live and die by our schedule and then somewhere during the process we ask God to bless what we’ve created.

I think the better way is to expect and even plan for the Spirit of God to show up and change things.

Heavenly Father, I want to fit my life around Your Presence and Your Plan.  Lord, You are welcome in my day…please come.  Holy Spirit, teach me to recognize Your Presence. I’m Yours.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  1 Kings 8:54-66; 2 Chronicles 7:1-10; 1 Kings 9:1-9; 2 Chronicles 7:11-22; 1 Kings 9:10-14

Is Your Work a Gift? –1 Kings 7:1

May 22, 2013 in 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 2013 Journey, Biblical Principles, Ecclesiastes, Giving Our Best to God, leadership, Success, Workplace with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 7:1-51; 2 Chronicles 3:15-4:22

Solomon was a builder, not a warrior.  God chose him to build His temple, not fight His battles, like his father.  This is a great example of the uniqueness of God’s calling.  Our Creator doesn’t use the cookie-cutter approach.

Once Solomon finished building the Temple of the Lord, be began working on his palace.  He spent 21 years building.  Building is hard work.  I know Solomon didn’t actually do the manual labor, but overseeing, planning, and designing can be more stressful than manual labor.

I wonder if Solomon was counting the days until his building projects were finished?

I wonder if Solomon was looking forward to the days when he could just be the King?

He probably was, but at the end of his life, when Solomon shared his wisdom, I think he was longing for those days of building.

So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why we are here! –Ecclesiastes 3:22

The wisest man on the earth is telling us to enjoy our work.

Today’s culture tells us that work is the thing we do so that we can play on the weekends and retire as soon as possible.

There’s nothing better than being happy in our work…  

What do you think?

Do you enjoy your work?

Is work a gift from God to you?

Heavenly Father, help us to find joy in our work.  Help us to”be” where we are and stop wishing our lives away!  We want to honor You in everything we do.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!


 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 8:1-11; 2 Chronicles 5:1-14; 1 Kings 8:12-21; 2 Chronicles 6:1-11; 1 Kings 8:22-53; 2 Chronicles 6:12-42

10 Ways to Network Like a King–1 Kings 5, 2 Chronicles 2

May 21, 2013 in 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 2013 Journey, Biblical Principles, Goals, My story, Success, Workplace with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Kings 3: 16-28; 1 Kings 5: 1-18; 2 Chronicles 2: 1-18; 1 Kings 6: 1-13; 2 Chronicles 3: 1-14; 1 Kings 6: 14-38

In my 30’s I owned a business.  Networking and connecting with others was a huge part of everyday life for me.  In the world of small business networking there’s a cardinal rule, “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.”  This connecting for mutual benefit was and is critical to the success of the small business model.

You are not going to believe this but networking dates all the way back to Solomon’s day!

In today’s reading we see Solomon as a young king building a relationship with king Hiram of Tyre.  King Hiram was instrumental in the building the Temple, a place of beauty for the Presence of God to dwell.  Without his timber and craftsmen the Temple would not have been so magnificent.

From our reading so far, it is very unusual for two kings to work together; just more evidence that Solomon has supernatural wisdom from the Lord! Since Solomon was this wisest person who was or ever will be (1 Kings 3: 12); he was probably the president of his local networking chapter. I think we can learn something about networking and connecting with people as we look at today’s reading.

Below is a great list of  guidelines for networking and connecting straight from the Word of God!

  1. If possible use a family member or friend’s endorsement to make the initial connection. (1 Kings 5:1)
  2. Immediately respond to phone calls, emails or letters; follow-up, follow-up, follow-up! (1 Kings 5:2)
  3. Share your passion, purpose and goals, not a sales pitch about your product or service.  (1 Chronicles 2: 5)
  4. Partner on a project that would benefit both parties.  (1 Kings 5:5)
  5. Do business together as soon as possible. (1 Kings 5:6)
  6. Encourage and build up by pointing out what they’re doing well. (1 Kings 5: 6b)
  7. Do what you say you’re going to do. (1 Kings 5: 10)
  8. When you find someone you work well with; form an alliance. (1 Kings 5: 12)
  9. Allow each person to work within in their strengths. (2 Chronicles 2: 8 )
  10. Always be clear in your agreements. (2 Chronicles 2: 1-18)

 

You may not own a business but these three-thousand year old relationship principles will work in the church, in a corporation, in private business, in our schools, and in our homes.

The Bible is the number one business book in the world.  It’s holds the keys to success in heaven AND on earth!

Go out and Network like a king!


 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:Saturday-1 Kings 7: 1-51, 2 Chronicles 3:15 through 4: 22

Would You Past This Test? –1 Chronicles 29:25

May 20, 2013 in 1 Corinthians, 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 2013 Journey, leadership, Pride, Success with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalm 83; 1 Chronicles 29:23-25; 2 Chronicles 1:1; 1 Kings 2: 13 through 3:4; 2 Chronicles 1: 2-6; 1 Kings 3: 5-15; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13

What if you were more successful than any person before you?

How would you handle the test of success?

In today’s scripture, a story begins to unfold that shows us how one man handled success.  It will take a few days of reading to find out if he passed his test, but there’s plenty to learn from his first date with success!

And the Lord exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel, and he gave Solomon greater royal splendor than any king in Israel before him.   –1 Chronicles 29:25

Solomon was very young when he became king.  Scholars can’t seem to agree on his age; I saw everything from eight to twenty years old—let’s just say he was a “very young”  king of Israel.  At this young age Solomon had three important things going for him:

  • Solomon had a great example to follow, his father king David
  • Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David… –1 Kings 3:3
  • He saw the importance of teaching his leaders to consult the Lord.   — 2 Chronicles 1:2-3

Everything seemed to be going well for Solomon and then things went from good to great!

…God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “What do you want?  Ask, and I will give it to you!” –1 Kings 3:5

Okay folks, Solomon was twenty; think about the average twenty-year old of today, what would he ask for?

Probably not what Solomon asked for—

  • An understanding heart
  • To know the difference between right and wrong

The Lord was pleased and granted him his request.  God also gave Solomon what he did not ask for—riches and fame!

From what we’ve read, it seems that Solomon saw his success as a responsibility to lead well, not a license to rule over others.

I’d say that so far Solomon is handing success pretty well.

I am reminded of another person who was shown his future through a dream—Joseph. **See January 14th post, “When Our Dreams are Shattered”

Joseph didn’t do as well as Solomon; as soon as he woke up from his dream he immediately told his father and brothers that they would be bowing down to him.   I guess it’s safe to say that Joseph wouldn’t have asked for wisdom if he’d been in Solomon’s position.  I guess that’s why Joseph had 13 years of “pride removal” in a jail cell.

If your future was as bright as Solomon’s or Joseph’s, would God be able to use you immediately like Solomon, because you knew where you wisdom came from, or would you have gone to prison with Joseph for pride removal?

Lord, I believe you have a special success plan for each of us.  Help us to seek You and the tools that Solomon desired–an understanding heart and the wisdom to know what’s right and wrong, so that we will be ready to handle the success You have for us.

In Jesus Name!  Amen and Amen.

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  1 Kings 3: 16-28; 1 Kings 5: 1-18; 2 chronicles 2: 1-18; 1 Kings 6: 1-13; 2 Chronicles 3: 1-14; 1 Kings 6: 14-38

 

 
 
 
 

Is Ignorance Really Blissful?—2 Chronicles 36:15-16

August 26, 2012 in 2 Chronicles, 2012 Journey, God Speaks today, Parenting, Spiritual Disciplines, Word of God with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Jeremiah 39:11-18; Jeremiah 40:1-6; 2 Kings 25:8-21; Jeremiah 52:12-27; 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Lamentations 1:1-22

My husband Harry has often said that he believes God instituted parenting so that we could understand His heart.  When we see our Heavenly Father through the lens of a parent, our parent, His Word and His ways are overflowing with love, mercy, and kindness.

From the first day I found out I was pregnant with my first child until this very moment my desire for my children has always been to lead them to Christ and to protect them from the tough things in life.  I want to teach them every lesson I’ve learned so they don’t have to make the same mistakes.

My love for my children pales in comparison to the way our Heavenly Father loves us.  My life experience and knowledge of the world is like looking at life through a pinhole compared to the knowledge of our God, who simultaneously sees, knows, and understands the past, present, and the future.

But in the same way my children some times go their own way and do their own thing, we ignore the warnings of our Heavenly Father and choose our own way instead of following the One who divinely knows best.

Can you hear God’s parental side coming out in 2 Chronicles 36:15-16?

The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple.  But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the Lord’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done.

“Mocked these messengers of God and despised their words…”

Sometimes the only way we will learn is to be forced to live with the consequences.  This goes for all of the human race not just children.  I wonder if our God is saying to Himself (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and maybe even the angels…

“I have provided the people of the 21st century with my guidebook to victorious living on this earth, the Bible.  I love them so much I’ve recorded my words to warn them of the pitfalls of this earthly life and to teach them how to be Jesus to the world.  But my people insult me;  they don’t even know what my Word says.  Ignorance of my Word is no excuse for disobedience.”

In last night’s message, Kraig Krempa, executive pastor at Niceville Assembly said, “What we read is how we’re supposed to live, but by-in-large the church doesn’t read the Bible.”

When we as Christians stand before God, we won’t be able to blame parents, teachers, authors or pastors for their misinterpretations or our lack of knowledge of God’s Word; it’s our responsibility to know Him through His Word.  But the mercy of the Lord is amazing; He sent the Holy Spirit to be our interpreter, IF we open the Bible and spend time with Him, He will teach us!

Ignorance certainly won’t be blissful the day we stand before our God!

Heavenly Father, Your Word is life to us! Being ignorant of Your Word is a tool that Satan has used since the Garden of Eden.  Help us to resist this enemy whose number one goal is to keep us from Knowing You.  Holy Spirit, draw us to your Word, teach us your ways, make us like You and use us for Your Glory!

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller


Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Lamentations 2:1 through Lamentations 4:22

From Extreme Need to Extreme Miracle to Extreme Failure–2 Chronicles 32:24-31

July 22, 2012 in 2 Chronicles, 2 Kings, 2012 Journey, Failure, Faith, Holy Spirit, Isaiah, leadership, Prayer, Pride, Sin with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 King 19:1-19; Isaiah 37:1-20; 2 Chronicles 32:9-19; 2 Kings 19:20-37; Isaiah 37:21-38; 2 Chronicles 32:20-23

Today we are reading about  a day of extremes—

  • an extreme, life-threatening need
  • an extreme, supernatural miracle
  • an extreme, human failure

“Set your affairs in order; for you are going to die.  You will not recover from this illness.” –2 Kings 20:1

These words would literally knock most of us off our feet, if we heard them from our doctor.  But if we heard them from the God who made us…we would probably forget “setting our affairs in order” and just lie down and die.

Isaiah had been the bearer of good news twice in yesterday’s reading, and then today he brings a death sentence.

But, when Hezekiah received Isaiah’s message from God, he immediately went to the Lord.

Hezekiah prayed a one-sentence prayer, broke down and cried out to God

Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.  –2 Kings 20:3

God answered his prayer.

Hezekiah, like most of us, wanted a sign he would recover.  God gave him one of the most amazing miracles we have recorded in the Bible:  The sun receded by 10 degrees on the sundial.

What gave Hezekiah the confidence to come before the Lord so boldly?

  • Trust in God
  • The discipline of prayer

Hezekiah believed his God…

  • was real
  • was in control
  • heard his prayer
  • could change his mind

Oh the joy and celebration that must have gone on that day—the king was dying and now he has a 15-year “get-out-of-jail-free” card!  How powerful Hezekiah was (so he thought)—he prayed to the Lord, God healed him AND gave him a miraculous sign!

But

Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud (2 Chron. 32:24-31).

How could someone who trusted God, had a consistent prayer life and believed God…

•         was real

•         was in control

•         heard his prayer

…become Proud?

Before the Garden, before the forbidden fruit, before the bite that opened the eyes of two people and left an indelible, sinful mark on all of humanity – another fall took place. This one was invisible, silent, and sudden. God’s worship leader, “full of wisdom and perfect in beauty,” grew jealous of the attention God constantly received. His pride convinced him that he was worthy of more. Greed consumed him and then, he fell.

In heaven – as it should be and one day will be on earth – nothing is permitted to receive glory but God alone. Lucifer not only found himself declined for the position of becoming co-glorious with God, but was banished, expelled, and thrown down from God’s lofty throne room. Instead of giving way to brokenness and humility, Satan’s pride boils over in anger and bitterness and vengeance – still today.                    (http://bible.org/)

How you are fallen from heaven,

O shining star, son of the morning (Lucifer, Satan*)!

You have been thrown down to the earth,

you who destroyed the nations of the world.

For you said to yourself,

‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars.

I will preside on the mountain of the gods

far away in the north.

I will climb to the highest heavens

and be like the Most High.’

Isaiah 14:12-14

*Explanation mine

Friends, pride is as old as the Garden of Eden and as new as our first thought this morning.  Satan even tried to get Jesus to succumb to pride (Luke 4:1-13).  We must daily rely on the Holy Spirit to show us the areas in our hearts where pride wants to cause us to go the way of Hezekiah.

Holy Spirit, please shine a light on our hearts, reveal the areas in our lives where seeds of pride have been planted, and help us to break free of the sin that can keep us from being all that you planned for us to be.

In Jesus Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 40:1 through Isaiah 44:5

Does Your Temple Need a Cleaning? 2 Chronicles 29:3-11

July 1, 2012 in 2 Chronicles, 2012 Journey, Commitment, Health, leadership, Workplace with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Chronicles 29:3 through 2 Chronicles 31:21

King Hezekiah did not waste a minute beginning the process of repairing and reopening the temple.  In the very first month of the first year of his reign he summoned the priests and Levites to meet him at the courtyard east of the Temple (2 Chronicles 29:3-4).

Let’s get a picture of this in today’s world…let’s say you got a new CEO, administrator, or commanding officer at your job.  What if he/she called a meeting of the managers or officers within his/her  first week of being there and said:

“Listen to me you leaders, it’s time to clean house!  You are an embarrassment to the founders of this organization.  This is why our business is in the tank.  I’ll be meeting with our board of directors today to lay out a plan to return to the company we once were.  There will be no more slackers.  You have been chosen to lead; now it’s time to lead, follow or get out-of-the-way!”

If you read 2 Chronicles 29:3-11, that’s “sort of” what Hezekiah told the priests and Levites.  When he spoke his last sentence, they got right to work:

  • They purified themselves (the first thing Hezekiah told them to do)
  • Then they began to cleanse the Temple
  • They were careful to follow all the Lord’s instructions
  • They carted all the defiled things from the Temple to the Kidron Valley

Hezekiah must have put the fear of God in those priests and Levites; they completed the project in only sixteen days!  As soon as they finished, they immediately went to King Hezekiah and gave him a full report—we cleansed the entire Temple of the Lord, the altar of burnt offerings and it’s utensils, and the table of the Bread of the Presence with all its utensils.  They also recovered all the items discarded by King Ahaz when he was unfaithful and closed the Temple and they are now in the front of the altar of the Lord, purified and ready for use. (2 Chronicles 29:18-20)

What was the result of Hezekiah’s House Cleaning?

  • The Temple of the Lord was restored to service.
  • God’s hand was on the people in the land of Judah, giving them all one heart to obey the orders of the king and his officials, who were following the Word of the Lord.
  • King Hezekiah prayed for the people; God listened to Hezekiah’s prayer and healed the people.
  • There was great joy in the city for Jerusalem had not seen a celebration like this one since the days of Solomon.

As I read the account of Hezekiah’s passion to purify the priest and Levites and clean and restore the Temple I began to think about another temple…

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself… 1 Corinthians 6:19

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have our “temples” repaired and restored like the Temple of the Lord in Hezekiah’s day–To have our health restored, a new-found desire to follow the Word of the Lord with our whole heart, God hearing our prayers and restoring our bodies, minds, and spirits to the way He meant them to be, and sense of joy that we haven’t know for years…

Yes Lord!  We want this!

But, (here’s that word again)

are we willing to do what Hezekiah did?

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for not keeping this temple, our bodies pure and clean.  Holy Spirit, help us to understand at the heart level that our body, soul and spirit are where you live.  We want to be pure for you.  Speak to us loudly with your Fatherly conviction about the areas that aren’t pleasing to you.  Jesus, help us to learn from “no hesitation” Hezekiah and clean our spiritual house–NOW!  In Your Name we pray.  Amen and Amen!

A “No Hesitation” Hezekiah wan-a-be!

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Proverbs 25:1 through Proverbs 29:27

The Phrase You Don’t Want in Your Obituary— 2 Chronicles 21:20

June 17, 2012 in 2 Chronicles, 2012 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Commitment, Failure, Giving Our Best to God, leadership, Prayer with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Chronicles 21:8-20; 2 Kings 8:23-29; 2 Chronicles 22: 1-7; 2 Kings 9:1 through 2 Kings 10:17; 2 Chronicles 22:8-9; 2 Kings 10:18-31

In some of the planning and prioritizing workshops I’ve taught we did an exercise that had participants write their obituary.  I know it sounds morbid and you’re probably thinking, “Dianne, I don’t want to start my day thinking about obituaries!”  But, as Steven Covey, the Life Management guru says, “we must begin with the end in mind.”

In today’s reading, Jehoram should have spent some time thinking about the end of his life…

His people did not build a great funeral fire to honor him as they had done for his ancestors.  Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.  No one was sorry when he died.  They buried him in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery.    –2 Chronicles 21:19-20

Why did Jehoram’s obituary read, “No one was sorry when he died?”

  • He abandoned the Lord, the God of his ancestors.
  • He built pagan shrines and led the people to give themselves to pagan gods and go astray
  • He did not follow the good example of his father Jehoshaphat, or his grandfather King Asa of Judah
  • He was as evil as the kings of Israel
  • He led people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship idols
  • He killed his own brothers

The first step to Jehoram’s downfall was abandoning the Lord.

I looked up the word abandon; Dictionary.com defines it as “to cease trying to continue.”  One day of “ceasing to try” led to another and another, until Jehoram reached a point of no return.

For all of us, each day “continuing to try” to serve the Lord and know Him more is a choice.

Do I…

  • Move forward?
  • Move backward?
  • Stand still?

Two of these get you farther from God than yesterday, one gets to closer.

If we move forward in our journey to Know Him More each day, our obituary will take care of itself!

Are you struggling to “continue to try” today?  Would you like for me to pray for you?

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Kings 11:1-3; 2 Chronicles 22:10-12; 2 Kings 11:4-12; 2 Chronicles 23:1-11; 2 Kings 11:13-16; 2 Chronicles 23:12-15; 2 Kings 11:17-21; 2 Chronicles 23: 16-21; 2 Kings 12:1-16; 2 Chronicles 24:1-22; 2 Kings 10:32-36

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