GOD IS IN CONTROL!  But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” And the battle continued that day, and the king of Israel was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening. Then at sunset he died. —II Chronicles 18:33-34   “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able…

SEEK THE LORD IN SICKNESS OR IN HEALTH!  For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless. —II Chronicles 16:9  In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians. —II Chronicles 16:12             Where do we turn to first in sickness or in health?   Is it not true that our Lord gives “strong support to those whose heart is blameless?” Where do we turn first when we are having…

DRAW NEAR TO GOD!  Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. —Psalm 73:25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIpnW3rtRQ4  But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. —Psalm 73:28              What is our desire today? Who is your desire today? Have you drawn near to God today? Are you counting on Him as your refuge? Will you tell of His works?             The answers to those questions really give an indicator as to what and who is really important in your life. Is God who I…

 THE GOODNESS OF GOD AND HIS ENDURING LOVE  “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” —II Chronicles 5:13    “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” —II Chronicles 7:3             If God is good then why does He let bad things happen?  Remember the Garden of Eden?  Do you remember that God gave Adam and Eve a choice?  Do you remember that He only gave them one command of something not to do?  Was the command bad?  No, the command was good.  The command was to keep them from all the evil that we see today, but they disobeyed God who…

OUR HEART’S DESIRE  God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” —II Chronicles 1:11-2              Truly, if God had said to you, “Ask whatever you desire and I will give it…

HE SEES THE PART OF YOU THAT NO ONE ELSE MAY!  …for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought… —I Chronicles 28:9  I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness… —I Chronicles 29:17  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. —Hebrews 4:12-13              Hearts, mine…

FOCUS NOW!  Now set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. —I Chronicles 22:19  O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. —Psalm 69:5-6              Is this your focus in life? Is it to set, to devote, to commit “your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God?” Are you and I loving “the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our…

OUR LORD ALWAYS DOES WHAT IS RIGHT!  The Lord will do what is good in his sight. —I Chronicles 19:13                Do you believe that? Are you absolutely convinced that our “Lord will do what is good in His sight?” What is it that is going on in your life at this present time? Do you believe He will do what is right in your situation and what He does “is good in His sight?” Oh, there is so much that we do not understand and why would that be surprising?   Look at the universe how grand and awesome a creation it is. How much of the universe do we understand?…

TELL OF HIS SALVATION!  Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heaven. —I Chronicles 16:23-26              Who have I recently told of our Lord’s salvation?   We are encouraged to do so from day to day. How about you—when was the last time you told someone of our Lord’s salvation and His glory? — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw        …

UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES! Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do. —I Chronicles 12:32             These men of Issachar had an understanding and discernment of what was going on around them and they knew the action that the whole nation needed to take and be accomplished. Oh, how we need men like this today!             Surely not only in our political leaders is this needed, but also in the church and other areas of our nation as well— business, education… We need to understand and discern what is happening around us so we can encourage what needs to be accomplished and the…