In the 26th chapter from the book of 2 Chronicles, we find the son of Amaziah, Uzziah. He reigned over Judah for over fifty years, and did what was pleasing to the Lord. In the 5th verse, it stated, ". . . as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success."
He defeated the Philistines and built new towns, fortifications, and weapons. He had a grand army, had an abundance of farms and vineyards. His fame spread far, with the Lord's awesome help. He became powerful.
But as his power grew, so did his arrogance. He was proud of what he accomplished, putting himself above God. He even entered the Lord's Temple, against the Lord's wishes. The priests confronted him, but he would have none of it.
Then, Uzziah was struck with leprosy. It spread and he remained in isolation until the day of his death.
We have all seen people rise to power, and their own pride overwhelmed them to the point where they found their success empty, unrewarding, and they came into the clutches of drugs, alcohol, and sex. Some remained there until they died, while others overcame it by the loving power of God.
In all aspects of your life, seek God for guidance.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Friday, February 21, 2020
The Lord, my Protector
In the beginning of Psalm 57, David asked God for mercy and for His protection. He prayed for God to send angels from Heaven to rescue him.
One may be surrounded by danger, by evil, as if their teeth were like spears. Or their tongues cut like swords--in this case, one may be surrounded by those who would spread lies about you.
But God's glory shines down from Heaven, to exalt you.
One may be weary but in our heart we are confident in God.
Thank the Lord for his unfailing Love.
One may be surrounded by danger, by evil, as if their teeth were like spears. Or their tongues cut like swords--in this case, one may be surrounded by those who would spread lies about you.
But God's glory shines down from Heaven, to exalt you.
One may be weary but in our heart we are confident in God.
Thank the Lord for his unfailing Love.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Amaziah's downfall
In the book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 25, we find the newly crowned king of Judah Amaziah.
He pleased the Lord. For the most part. But more on that later . . .
He executed all of his father's assassins, but spared their children. Then, he organized a grand army. Along with his soldiers, numbering 300,000, he also hired 100,000 fighting men from Israel. This did not please the Lord, and a prophet told him so.
Amaziah sent the hired men on their way, despite their displeasure. So, with his own men, he slaughtered the Edomites. However, he also brought back their idols and started to worship them. As you might guess, God was not happy. He sent a prophet to Amaziah, but Amaziah was irate by the news and ordered the prophet to remain silent or he would have him killed. The prophet did not remain silent and told him that God would have him destroyed.
King Amaziah met King Jehoash of Israel in battle, but Amaziah's army was easily destroyed. Jehoash plundered Amaziah's horde.
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Everything is in God's control
Everyone gets worried for things far beyond their control. It seems to be our nature. Everything from the weather, other people's opinions, politics, the latest headline, etc.
Even though these things are beyond our control, everything is in God's control.
A little over a month ago, my wife passed away. We had known for quite some time that we could only do so much. Even the doctors and other medical staff could only do so much. We had to have the faith that her life was in God's hands. He was in control. It was all His Divine Plan.
It was peaceful with that thought. It still is. She is in a far better place, without the pain that she had endured from her medical ailments for so long. She was a warrior, right up to the end.
Whenever you find yourself struggling, be at peace knowing God is in control.
Even though these things are beyond our control, everything is in God's control.
A little over a month ago, my wife passed away. We had known for quite some time that we could only do so much. Even the doctors and other medical staff could only do so much. We had to have the faith that her life was in God's hands. He was in control. It was all His Divine Plan.
It was peaceful with that thought. It still is. She is in a far better place, without the pain that she had endured from her medical ailments for so long. She was a warrior, right up to the end.
Whenever you find yourself struggling, be at peace knowing God is in control.
Friday, February 14, 2020
Why should I be afraid?
In Psalm 56, it starts with David asking God for mercy, for his enemies are constantly attacking him. Then, in verse 3, is the first time we see the word "afraid."
"But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you."
Again, David pleads with God that there are those plotting against him and his words are being twisted, he is being spied upon, and hopes that God's anger can do away with their wickedness.
In verse 8, it states that God has all of our tears collected in His book. And for myself, especially four weeks ago when my wife passed away, the amount of tears collected from me has risen many times over.
Because of God's incredible power, our enemies retreat. God is on our side! We praise God! We trust in the Lord!
In verse 11, it says, "I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?" Hence the title of this post. Put your complete trust in the Lord and all of your fears in your mortal enemies are erased.
"But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you."
Again, David pleads with God that there are those plotting against him and his words are being twisted, he is being spied upon, and hopes that God's anger can do away with their wickedness.
In verse 8, it states that God has all of our tears collected in His book. And for myself, especially four weeks ago when my wife passed away, the amount of tears collected from me has risen many times over.
Because of God's incredible power, our enemies retreat. God is on our side! We praise God! We trust in the Lord!
In verse 11, it says, "I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?" Hence the title of this post. Put your complete trust in the Lord and all of your fears in your mortal enemies are erased.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Loser language (i.e. let's talk about suicide)
Before I go on with this post, let me share with you some resources. First is the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Their website is: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Their toll-free number is 1-800-273-8255. Also, what I am about to share are personal anecdotes and should not be construed as professional advice. If you need professional advice, seek help immediately.
Okay, with that being said, let's chat.
It was my freshman year of college, 1991. I won't share the circumstances surrounding this event--my first real suicidal thought--but I remember riding the elevator to the top floor of the 12-floor student residential hall. This might have been sometime during the winter, but I went to the window . . . opened it . . . and gazed down at the ground below.
I felt like a complete loser. A failure. Why wouldn't someone want to be with me? Okay, so I wasn't as good looking at Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, but then again who was?
I thought of how difficult it would've been for me to squeeze my way through the window, and even then I didn't know if it would work. I came to the realization, rather quickly, that I didn't want to die. But I came as close as I ever been.
And it certainly wasn't the last.
There have been times over the years that I couldn't find a single day where I didn't contemplate suicide. "Hemingway or Williams," I would ask myself. Hemingway shot himself. Robin Williams hung himself. Neither appealed to me, but who cared? I didn't have to clean up the mess.
Then I thought of what I would leave behind. My wife (who passed away less than a month ago) and three kids. I had a decent job. Nothing spectacular. And my writing career was nothing to call spectacular, but I had fun doing it.
Starting in early 2019, I made a further commitment to read the Bible more, read more non-fiction Christian books and devotionals, give more to my local church, and even attend more often. Prior to this, I prayed but starting in 2019 I also made a commitment to pray more often. I would carve out time each night, alone, in the bedroom and pray/read. Even at work, I would spend more time improving myself.
And you know something? Thoughts of taking my own life have dwindled. Oh, sure, those thoughts would creep in every once and a while, but it was rare. And I attribute it to simply having a greater relationship with God. The more and more I talked with Him, Our Heavenly Father, and the more trust I put in His Holy Hands, the less time Satan had to allow the loser language of suicide into my thoughts.
Have you ever thought of yourself as unworthy, a loser, a complete waste of humanity? I sure have. But remember that all of us were made in God's image. And what God has created in us is good. Not only are we His finest creation, He sent His only Son Jesus to earth, to be among us, to teach us and guide us toward a greater relationship with God.
Okay, with that being said, let's chat.
It was my freshman year of college, 1991. I won't share the circumstances surrounding this event--my first real suicidal thought--but I remember riding the elevator to the top floor of the 12-floor student residential hall. This might have been sometime during the winter, but I went to the window . . . opened it . . . and gazed down at the ground below.
I felt like a complete loser. A failure. Why wouldn't someone want to be with me? Okay, so I wasn't as good looking at Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, but then again who was?
I thought of how difficult it would've been for me to squeeze my way through the window, and even then I didn't know if it would work. I came to the realization, rather quickly, that I didn't want to die. But I came as close as I ever been.
And it certainly wasn't the last.
There have been times over the years that I couldn't find a single day where I didn't contemplate suicide. "Hemingway or Williams," I would ask myself. Hemingway shot himself. Robin Williams hung himself. Neither appealed to me, but who cared? I didn't have to clean up the mess.
Then I thought of what I would leave behind. My wife (who passed away less than a month ago) and three kids. I had a decent job. Nothing spectacular. And my writing career was nothing to call spectacular, but I had fun doing it.
Starting in early 2019, I made a further commitment to read the Bible more, read more non-fiction Christian books and devotionals, give more to my local church, and even attend more often. Prior to this, I prayed but starting in 2019 I also made a commitment to pray more often. I would carve out time each night, alone, in the bedroom and pray/read. Even at work, I would spend more time improving myself.
And you know something? Thoughts of taking my own life have dwindled. Oh, sure, those thoughts would creep in every once and a while, but it was rare. And I attribute it to simply having a greater relationship with God. The more and more I talked with Him, Our Heavenly Father, and the more trust I put in His Holy Hands, the less time Satan had to allow the loser language of suicide into my thoughts.
Have you ever thought of yourself as unworthy, a loser, a complete waste of humanity? I sure have. But remember that all of us were made in God's image. And what God has created in us is good. Not only are we His finest creation, He sent His only Son Jesus to earth, to be among us, to teach us and guide us toward a greater relationship with God.
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