Day 115 – While doing the Work of the Lord, skeptics and critics will be all around, so stand firm on the Word of the Lord and His plans lead you.

Today’s Reading: Ezra 4 – 8

Ezra 5:10-11 “We also asked them their names, for your information, that we might write down the names of their leaders. And this was their reply to us: ‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.”

The rebuilding of the Temple was taking longer than anyone expected and the Kings and Kingdoms had changed hands. Those against the Jews made lies about them and went to the current king, Darius, to stop them from completing the project.

The enemy thought that by telling the King that the Jews said they were servants of the God of Heaven and Earth and rebuilding the house of God, that would cause the King to stop the work. Instead, it caused the King to think, and he looked into the words spoken by the Jews and encouraged them to continue with his security and support.

No matter what work God calls us to there are going to be people who will be against us. These individuals will try and stop us from what we’re doing, but don’t let it frustrate you because it’s not them against you, it’s evil using them.

Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Satan doesn’t want you to accomplish God’s plan, and he’ll use words and actions by others to deter you.

When I went to college I knew I was to be a neurosurgeon, but Satan used the words of someone I trusted to stop me in my tracks. Years later he would also use the actions of someone else to discourage me from blogging, the words of someone else to stop me from telling my story, and the hurt of someone else to make me question my path. In each of these situations I sought God through prayer, through His Word, and through fasting. And through these, God has revealed Himself to me even Louder. He’s calmed my anxiety and reminded me of my calling. He is the one who qualifies us, and will see His work through to completion.

When He calls you don’t let the Words of the Enemy Disqualify you. We are His!

Day 114– The foundation must be laid before building the house or the walls will fall before you call it home.

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 35 – Ezra 3

Ezra 3:11 “And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord,“For he is good,for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.”

Jerusalem eventually found itself taken captive and burned to the ground including the House of the Lord, the homes of the people, and the walls of the city. After 70 years of desolation, Cyrus, King of Persia, was stirred by the Holy Spirit to send people back to Jerusalem and rebuild the House of the Lord. Cyrus allowed all those who felt led by the Spirit to go back to restore the Temple.

The first step in any restoration is to lay the foundation.

No wall could be constructed until the foundation was first poured. The people continued to be discouraged but the Lord was faithful to urge them on. As soon as it was completed the people were overjoyed and encouraged to finish the rest of the task.

When the Holy Spirit moves us to a calling (the plan God has for us) the task will be impossible if the foundation isn’t laid. Our “impossible” is only possible when our foundation is in Christ. He is who turns out impossible to possible and allows the next steps to be completed.

Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Once the foundation is laid, the walls can go up and our calling can be fulfilled. This is when the world sees the work of the Lord. On the other hand, when we try to do things in our own might it’s like building a house on sifting sand and when a wave hits it the walls will fall. But when we build this house on the foundation of Christ, no storm can ever tear it down.

Matthew 7:25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

Do you feel an urging of the Spirit? Have you begun to lay your foundation in Christ? The only way to fulfill that urging is to start with the foundation and it will strengthen you for the call.

Day 113 – True Repentance = Transformation!

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 32 – 34

2 Chronicles 33:12-14 “And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. Afterward he built an outer wall for the city of David west of Gihon, in the valley, and for the entrance into the Fish Gate, and carried it around Ophel, and raised it to a very great height. He also put commanders of the army in all the fortified cities in Judah.”

Think about the butterfly….when the worm goes into the cocoon he doesn’t come out the same….he’s changed. Mannaseh was like the worm, crowned king at 12, and started following evil ways immediately. But look at his age, 12, the ripe age of Puberty, perfect for questioning everything around and making decisions for ourselves. Mannaseh’s dad had passed away and he began to test the limits that were laid out before him.

All I can do is think of middle school students. They try things and see how far they can go, and then when things don’t work out their way they pitch middle school fits. They completely breakdown dramatically.

During Mannaseh’s reign of evil, God began to work out in him a new heart of forgiveness. From this forgiveness came true repentance: forgiveness for sins we commit, turning from the sin, and walking in the ways of the Lord.

Many ask for forgiveness but never walk towards repentance. There’s no change in their life, no caterpillar to butterfly affect. Just good ole boy stubbornness.

Walking in repentance sets us free. It allows us to find healing by helping others.

We are a conduit of God’s grace. We should not wait for repentance, but instead, ask forgiveness, walk in repentance and find freedom in Jesus.

Day 112– It only takes ONE!

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 30 – 31

2 Chronicles 31:20-21 “Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.”

Just one man, one woman, or one child can stand up and lead others back to God. It was just One Man, One King, King Hezekiah who opened the doors to the House of God and restored them, restarted the services in the House of God, restored Faith in the People of God, and Restarted the celebration of Passover with the entire community of Jerusalem, restoring Joy to the entire people. And it was this Joy and their prayers that burst through the gates of Heaven into the Holy Habitation.

To think it all started with ONE Man; one man willing to stand up for His Faith and His God.

As I watch our nation and the world in distress with such division, I think about how Peace and Joy were made possible through Jesus, and One small action by one person could cause a ripple effect of love.

We’ve already had our Savior – Fully God and Fully Man – deliver us this joy making it accessible to us, but even though it’s in our reach it takes us to stand up and grab it. Maybe this one man to lead us to that Joy is YOU, maybe it’s ME, maybe it’s someone yet to be born, but the only way we are going to find out who it may be is if we stand up with Courage like Hezekiah and walk and speak our Faith Unashamedly, being dedicated to the Truth, and being filled with Compassion.

When we take action, we will find out how God wants to use us in His BIG picture as One Man, One Woman or One Child.

Every morning, as I walk into my living room and prepare to pray, I’m reminded of this truth, “Do small things with great love” – Mother Theresa. Look at how she loved, the small actions of love that she took and the ripple effect of peace and joy that she spread. She was one person and so are you.

Day 111 – We must guard our Hearts from the pride of success – the Higher we climb the Harder we Fall.

Today’s Reading: 26 – 29

2 Chronicles 26:16 “But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”

At the ripe old age of 16, Uzziah became king of Judah and sought the Lord faithfully. While he was seeking the Lord, God continued to bless him with an abundance of finances, military, land, and fame. Yet the more prosperous he became the more prideful he grew.

King Uzziah was gaining the world but losing his soul.

In my lifetime, I’ve seen many tv personalities, pastors, friends, and family fall by the sin of pride. As soon as the money or power they gained became more important than the distance of their walk, they forgot their way.

Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

What is very sad is that it doesn’t always start this way. Many have started out so humble, just wanting to do the work of the Lord, and then the blessings flow forward and they either don’t know how to react to it or aren’t willing to see the problem growing.

Proverbs 16:18 states, “Pride goes before destruction,and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Eventually, if you stand unguarded by the armor of God, humility turns to pride and pride turns into a whole plate of nothing.

So what should you do as the Lord blesses you in your faithfulness?

Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good;and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,and to walk humbly with your God?”

Guard your heart from pride because you are worth more than Nothing. You are worth His Love which was shown threw the gift of His Son!

Day 110 – It is Our Responsibility to Restore the Church.

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 24 – 26

2 Chronicles 24:4-6 “After this Joash decided to restore the house of the Lord. And he gathered the priests and the Levites and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that you act quickly.” But the Levites did not act quickly. So the king summoned Jehoiada the chief and said to him, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax levied by Moses, the servant of the Lord, and the congregation of Israel for the tent of testimony?”

We all want to point fingers, ‘Why haven’t YOU…”, never taking responsibility for the mess we made. It’s their fault, right?! The reason the Christian Church is falling apart isn’t because it’s made up of sinners (we all are), isn’t because the world is falling apart around us (it’s already fallen), it’s because Christians aren’t taking responsibility and restoring it again.

Oh yes…I said AGAIN!

What goes around comes around like 80’s clothing, it was ugly then and it’s not so cute now. Over the ages the Israelites had to restore destroyed temples and the Church as we know it has had revivals and restoration multiple times. Each time this occurs, either the Israelites or the Christians, become stagnant. They stop giving, caring, making their faith a priority, and most of all stop truly loving others. Instead, in each instance, believers become inwardly focused. Self-focused.

It’s time we stop blaming and start claiming. It’s time we stop hating and start loving. It’s time we stop excluding and start including. It’s time we stop trying to change others and start being the change we want in others.

We need to stop fighting against the world and instead fight for the church. We need to join together as a community of believers and reveal the faith we have through the love we show. We need to make Church Restoration a priority; begin Giving instead of Expecting to Receive. “Don’t carry the sign of a Christian if you don’t practice anymore.” Dr. Tony Evans.

Day 109 – Live your life in such a way that at your death the Lord will be praised.

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 21-23

2 Chronicles 21:20 “He was thirty-two years old when he became king. He reigned in Jerusalem eight years and, to no one’s sorrow, departed. However they buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.”

Jehoram, King of Judah lived a life full of evil; a life like the Kings of Israel, placing idols up all around the hill country of Judah, and worse yet, he lead Judah astray into whoredom. In a way, Jehoram talked all of Judah into selling themselves to the Devil. His sin was so thick during his reign that God only let him reign for 8 years, then brought a plague onto his family, and brought a disease onto him. At the announcement of his death, the people of Judah could have cared less; they didn’t even regret that he died.

That’s what I call a life wasted on worldliness.

Selfishness won Jehoram’s heart and his life was done. When he felt deaths sting, he never even got to hear the choir sing. No one even acknowledged his life, no eulogy was spoken because there was no reason.

We shouldn’t live our life with worldly pursuits, we should live a life worthy of the King, the Lord of Our Life, the bringer of salvation, and the Giver of Life. When I die if the only words that are spoken are, “she loved like Jesus and lived her life for Him,” I would be one happy Heavenly host.

How are you living your life? Is it all about you? Stop for a minute, take an inventory of where you spend your time and where you spend your money, do these things speak to how you are living? Or do they speak to who or what you are worshipping? Do you need to make modifications? How are you leading those around you? With truth? With love? With compassion? Are you making an impact on the world around you, Investing in others? Jehoram didn’t only take his life but the life of all those around him. Jesus is different, He isn’t a taker of life, He is the giver of Life! Live for Him, Love for Him. Make your life worth a eulogy!

Day 108 – For every big decision, your first action should be seeking the Lord.

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 16 – 20

2 Chronicles 18:4 “Also Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire for the word of the Lord today.”

Jehoshaphat was a very courageous King following the ways of God in everything He did. After uniting with King Ahab of Israel through a marriage, an opportunity arose for them to go into battle together. King Ahab, an evil king, tried to convince Jehoshaphat to battle the Syrians with him. But Jehoshaphat, who followed the Lord wholeheartedly, first asked to see what the Lord would want them to do.

What is your first instinct when you have a big decision ahead? Do you go to friends, family, fretting, or gut reactions? Or do you go to God?!

I’ve made enough poor decisions over my lifetime, that I gave up on making any decision before Seeking God. And I’ve tried to instill this same decision making process into my children.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been praying specifically for my oldest child to see and feel the direction God has for him. Now, I for one know that God can turn you at any point on the path, but God also always has a path for you to walk on. So, when it came to this year, his senior year of high school, I was hopeful my child would have direction as to which way to go. However, as recently as a month ago, he was still unsure. Unsure of the path, unsure of God’s direction, unsure of a school, But thank God, He continued to pray. And within just the last month, things came together, trips were taken, educational experiences were had, and wisdom from Godly teachers was given. He began to see the path God has him on so far, he began to feel passion in a certain direction, and all these things gave him confirmation in the decisions he had to make.

Friends, We are just vessels in the potter’s hand. When we seek the Lord in every decision we make, he makes our vessel shine brighter for Him and the path more well lit in which way we should take.

Day 107 – You’re fighting a losing battle when you fight the Lord. He has already WON!

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 11 – 15

2 Chronicles 13:12 “Now look, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with sounding trumpets to sound the alarm against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you shall not prosper!”

When Israel and Judah first split their tribes Israel turned away from God and began to walk in the way of the other kingdoms. However, Judah continued to follow God in the same way David had done before them. Where we now find ourselves in 2 Chronicles, Abijah is reigning in Judah and Jeroboam in Israel. A war comes between these 2 kings, and Abijah tried to wisely warn Jeroboam not to battle with them because God was on their side. Yet, Israel would not listen and thought their many men and skillful strategies would win against piddly ole’ Judah, but Boy were they Wrong!

God always wins.

There is no battle to be fought when it’s fought against the Lord.

My recommendation?….switch sides, fight with the Lord, or just turn around and go home. When you’re on the Lord’s team you will receive your rightful reward. It may not be here on this earth, but there will be plenty of rewards waiting for you in Heaven.

When Jesus died for you on the cross, He conquered death. When He arose again 4 days later, He won Eternity for you. God is the end all be all, and He won every battle that you can come against. Don’t keep fighting His plan, concede and join Him in the fight because He already WON the War.

Day 106 – The world would be such a brighter place if all those we looked up to were filled with wisdom.

Todays Reading: 2 Chronicles 8 – 10

2 Chronicles 9:1-4 “Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test Solomon with hard questions, having a very great retinue, camels that bore spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for Solomon that he could not explain it to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers and their apparel, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her.”

Once Solomon had established his kingdom, built the house of the Lord and his own massive palace, word of his wisdom spread all over the known world. Even Queen of Sheba came to see if what she has heard was true.

Question after question, Solomon answered the queen, and the Glory of the Lord shined from him so much that the Queen praised the the LORD the true King.

Today, there are people all around, some with great fame and others who are infamous, that people flood to hear or know what they have to say. We look up to them, we tend to idolize them, and then we get hurt by them because they were just human. They fell short and we feel blindsided, but all will fall short except the LORD.

What Solomon had going for him was he asked the Lord for wisdom instead of wealth or fame, and then God gave him all of these because of his request. Solomon used the wisdom to point to The LORD, God of Israel, and people from afar believed.

We can look up to people and yet not idolize them. We can want to hear wisdom and yet not take words of the world to heart. We need to make sure that the LORD our God is the only one we seek all truth from, and when we are looking up to people that they are taking their wisdom and ways from Jesus, himself.

If only all Christians who have found fame or have some type of platform would point the cloud of witnesses that lies around them to the amazing salvation found in Christ. Because whatever gift that has gained them fame was given to them by God. Just look at Scotty Scheffler, Tim Tebow, Candace Cameron Bure, and Carrie Underwood, they are pointing their fans to Christ, and the light around them is only growing Brighter.