1 John 3

 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.  And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. vv.18-19

Read chapter 3

What’s your love language?  In this chapter of 1st John we hear a lot of how to love.  Love is tricky because so many people define love differently and respond differently to different ways of love.  Some people define love by being pleased by someone or to someone, a circumstantial reaction.  Others define love by emotions of desire or lust.  The Bible has three different words for love in the original language, but the love we’re talking about here is agape love, self-sacrificing love; and in verse sixteen it says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”  John tells us to not love with words and tongue, meaning let’s not just be all talk of how we love but let’s practice what we preach.  Let us love with actions and in truth.  Putting our love in action is going to be self-sacrifcing because it’s putting others first before ourselves.  But what does it mean to love in truth?  Well we have to start at what is truth.  If we believe the God’s Word is truth (John 17:17), we ought to know His Word then to love with it.  Now loving with truth isn't easy, as it can not be something people always want to hear or see, but if it is what is true than it is what is right.  It’s hard love sometimes but we all crave it that we may grow.  Let us not just love to people please, which is a false love, but be maybe the only voice or action of truth that one may ever hear or see.  For if we don't we will be restless in our hearts and regret not stepping up when we had the chance.  Like telling your best friend right before she gets married that she shouldn’t marry her soon to be husband, may be the hardest thing to say it’s better than seeing them divorce a year or so down the road realizing you could have possibly saved all that heartache.  What is some hard act of love of the truth to someone you need to step up to right now? 

Colossians 4

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. v.6

Read chapter 4
Salt makes everything taste better.  Sometimes you can add too much salt and it ruins the food or sometimes you don't add enough or any and it doesn't turnout what you were hoping for.  So our words should be satisfying to the soul.  Our speech is to be full of grace and seasoned with salt. One must discern how to say hard things when needed but also do so in grace.  Sometimes it's hard to call someone out, share bad news, say a hard thing but it always is better than regretting not saying anything at all.  Discernment of when and how is still key when talking with others but notice the rest of this verse says "so that you may know how to answer everyone."  it's good to practice communication daily with those around you of all types of personalities.  Remember grace is undeserved favor and we should be that in our speech as well  The rhyme "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" is not necessarily true.  Our words can hurt, so let's watch what and how we speak.

Colossians 3

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. vv.3-4

Read chapter 3
It's not obvious today who's a Christian and who's not.  Some may appear to be but aren't and some appear not to be but are.  One day it will be manifest to all who are Christ followers, but for now we are hidden.  Notice this verse says "hidden WITH Christ."  He's hidden too today.  Now that's not to say He isn't working, but what He does is "behind the scenes," it's not obvious to all that it's Christ.  Don't let this be a verse to justify not doing godly works, but a reminder that we're hidden and will be rewarded for what we do even when no one's looking or doesn't seem to care.  Oh bring the day when He appears to the whole world!

Colossians 2

 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. v.8

Read chapter 2
It's easy to be deceived, it's easy to go with the flow/ the norm, it's easy to get caught up in traditions without really understanding how or why they began.  sometimes we're too afraid to question someone that uses big or many words thinking they're smarter than everyone else.  sometimes it's scary to change tradition knowing they'll be push back and change is hard.  Even if it's something you've believed your whole life and then learn that it's false it can seem extreme but we must remember Christ trumps everything.  God's foolishness is wiser than man's wisdom.  Even if it's hard to make sense of we must chose Christ.  Thoughts may seem harmless but ideas can dictate one's life more severely than a master can control a slave.  So beware of these things and search out truth and reasons to something new you may not understand.  What about the tradition of Easter?

Colossians 1

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. vv.15-16

Read chapter 1
Jesus is God.  They're ONE, not two separate gods.  Jesus is the image, the physical representation, the face of God.  When He's called the "firstborn" that doesn't mean He had a beginning- the next part of the verse clearly says that He was there in Genesis 1 creating everything.  The Greek word for first born is PROTOTOKOS and means "the most important or priority one or supreme  or first in rank."  So Christ was neither born nor created.  All things abstract and concrete (invisible/visible) Christ triumphs.  Today people get caught up in the abstract things, where spirituality isn't just a Christian term but used of things unexplained visibly but give honor to other gods.  Do you give God the supremacy He deserves?  How do you understand Jesus being fully God (v.19)?

1 John 2

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. vv.15-17

Read chapter 2

Don’t love the world.  Notice what it doesn’t say.  It doesn’t say do not love anyone in the world, it says do not love the world or anything in it: the stuff that comes out of the world and not from God the Father.  These things that come from the world are “the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does.”   I guess it’s kind of like “hate the sin, love the sinner.”  If you love the world it’s says the love of the Father is not in him.  If the Father’s love is in us we ought to love the things He loves and hate the things He hates.  We live in the world and cannot hide from the things of this world but that doesn't mean we have to love the world.  We may have to tolerate certain things but there are also many sins we can take a stand against.  What is something in the world you love that God doesn’t love?  How can you allow the love of the Father to be greater than that love of the world?

1 John 1

 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.vv.6-8

Read chapter 1 

Does anyone else sing the old Newsboys song “Be in the Light”?  Well I for sure do every time I read these verses.  Well what these verses, as well as the song, are talking about is our sinful nature and choosing to live in our godly nature instead.  Living in the light is where everything is seen clearly good and bad stuff.  As I write this I’m on a road trip with a friend driving across the country and we prefer to drive in the daylight because driving in the dark causes us to drive slower and be more cautious of animals and other cars and unknown of what we can’t see as ones vision cant see as far as in the daylight.  The light reveals things unseen in the darkness, if you think about it most sins take place in the dark or at night (i.e how many people struggle with lust when laying in their bed at night, or bars and strip clubs are usually full at night).   How many people, yourself included, live one way during the day and another way during the night?  Well that’s what John is calling out here, that believers were claiming fellowship with Jesus who is light yet walking in darkness calling them liars not living in truth.  When we walk in darkness we loose fellowship with Christ.  Now we all are sinners, even after we are saved, so will walk in darkness at sometime or other, but let’s not be hypocritical and ask God to continue to rid any darkness still in our sinful nature.  What areas of darkness are you living in regularly that your causing disunity with Jesus?

2 Chronicles 36

“He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword and the become servants to him and his sons until the king of Persia came to power.  The land enjoyed its sabbath rests all the time of its desolation it rested until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah.” vv.20-21

Read chapter 36

The southern kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem finally go in to captivity, the norther kingdom had been in captivity for a while already.  After the death of King Josiah the kings of Judah reign for fleeting moments as the king of Egypt and ultimately king of Babylon take over and destroy Jerusalem.  This captivity was bound to happen but because of God’s long-suffering it didn't come for generations as the people would return to the Lord and then to idols over and over again, but now there was no remedy (v.17).  Captivity was prophesied to last 70 years and 70 years it did.  Most of Judah was killed but a remnant was taken to Babylon as slaves and few of them made it to see the return to Jerusalem as most their children that were born in captivity will be the ones to return.  They return to Jerusalem when Persia is in power that overtook Babylon.  Jerusalem laid desolate the whole 70 years and it was a time of rest for the land as it hadn't celebrated the year of jubilee (where the land was not to be worked for two years to rest) nor was the 7th year rest being honored.  No one else ever came to inhabit the land during that time and was the same place they would return and rebuild and is still the same Jerusalem we have today.  How do you understand God’s giving all Israel up to captivity for so long?  Have you ever been removed from you home?  What was that like or how could you imagine that being like?  Did or would make this you mad at God or learn from Him?

2 Chronicles 35

“ Josiah however would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage in in battle.  He would not listen to what Neco had said at God’s command but went to fight him on the plains of Megiddo.” v.22

Read chapter 35

King Josiah celebrated the Passover like hadn't been done since the days of Samuel the prophet, which was hundreds of years.  As he studied the word of God he learned more and more the rules and regulations set up for that celebration from the time of David and Solomon.  Josiah truly was a godly king as his forefather David.  We read also of his end in this chapter when he battles the king of Egypt.  Again interesting to note a new detail revealed here than the account of his death in 2 Kings 23.  Here in Chronicles we read that Josiah went and spoke with Neco king of Egypt and was warned by him to turn away and this was by God speaking through King Neco.  Josiah doesnt listen to the word of God through Neco and goes to battle anyway against him, where he is then hit by an arrow and dies.  In the account of 2 Kings it just says Josiah went to battle against the king of Egypt and was killed.  Who knows what would have happened if he didn’t go to battle against Neco, perhaps the captivity wouldn’t have happened so soon after this as Josiah was the last godly king of Judah.  

How can you be like Josiah in the fact of following and worshiping the Lord like you were the first and the last?

2 Chronicles 34

For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images. v.3

Read chapter 34
King Josiah now reigns over Judah.  He's a good king that does right in the sight of the Lord.  He's only 8 years old when he begins to reign.  Can you even imagine that?  I was intrigued to hear a little bit of his progression with his walk with the Lord as he got older.  It says when he was 16 years old he began to seek the God of his father David.  He may have grew up in a godly culture but didn't seem to know or really care about God till he was sixteen to start checking God out more seriously on his own than just what he was supposed to know.  I kind of relate to Josiah in that sense in that I grew up in a Lutheran culture but didn't start seeking God myself till I was seventeen.  Well then the next description we have of his age is at 20 years old he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the idols of sorts.  After about four years of seeking God he realized all the corruption that was such a norm and started making a move to change that, he put his faith in action so to say.  Oh how great a blessing his life turned out to be from seeking the Lord at such a young age.  What is your age timeline like of when you started seeking the Lord yourself and when you started putting your faith in action?

2 Chronicles 33

Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,  and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. vv.12-13

Read chapter 33
Manasseh is probably one of the most wicked kings of Judah, crazy that he's the son of one of the most righteous kings of Judah, King Hezekiah.  He has restored everything his father destroyed.  He brought back idol worship and did horrible things to his own sons.  He doesnt listen to God so the Lord delivers Manasseh into the hands of the Assyrians and is tortured for who knows how long. But there's something pretty amazing that we get in this chapter about Manasseh that we don't get at all, not even a glimpse, in the account of him and his reign in 2 Kings 21 (his captivity isn't even recorded there).  That something new is that Manasseh turned to the Lord and humbled himself.  Awesome right?!  I know it can be hard sometimes when someone you know is so evil that if they say they've become believer now it's hard to imagine or think they really do believe or maybe hard to believe that God still gives them the gift of eternal life for how wicked they once were.  Let's get past our pride and selfishness and thinking we know better than God, for we are no better a sinner than the next.  Sucks that it had to take Manasseh to be tortured so that he'd turn to God, but if that's what it took than I bet he wouldnt change that at all once he's in the Kingdom and realizes what he could have forfeited.  Manasseh may have been wicked his whole life but he finished well in the sight of the Lord, even if man never saw (King's account).  Who is someone you'd never believe would accept Jesus as Lord?  What if they did, how would you react?

2 Chronicles 32

“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. vv.7-8

Read chapter 32
Sennacherib, the army commander of Assyria, is trying to lay siege on Jerusalem.  Assyria is a very powerful nation that no one has been able to defeat...yet.  This doesn't scare King Hezekiah though or at least it doesn't make him stop trusting in the One True God.  Sennacherib even speaks in their Hebrew language boasting about how strong, powerful and undefeated they are.  Yet Hezekiah encourages the people to be strong and courageous because they have God on their side.  The Assyrians may have beat every other nation and their gods but they never encountered the Real God.  Their confidence was in humans where Hezekiah's was superhuman.  A confident belief in God will minimize any fear of man.  Notice he says that the Lord god is with us to HELP us and FIGHT OUR BATTLES.  He's not just a bystander cheering for us, but is right there in it with us.  Truly Hezekiah believed that if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).  What battle are you facing that you're fearing man more than trusting in God?

2 Chronicles 31

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God.  And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered. vv.20-21

Read chapter 31
Hezekiah is ranked up there with some of the great godly kings of the past such as King David.  Hezekiah did was was good, right and true before the Lord his God to restore and uphold the way God intended the nation Israel to do.  His heart was for God which ultimately was putting the best interests of the people by turning them back to true religion.    It's not always an easy task nor do others often see or understand the good intentions behind certain ways.  Yet the integrity that Hezekiah had as a king was one that we should all desire in a leader.  Hezekiah was blessed by the Lord as he sought God with all his heart and brought reformation to Jerusalem and the hearts of the people.  Look at the three qualities of Hezekiah: 1. he did what was good, right and true, 2. he sought God, 3. worked with all his heart.  Which of those three characteristics do you desire to focus on more in your life?

2 Chronicles 30

Nevertheless some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.  Also the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, at the word of the Lord. vv.11-12

Read chapter 30
King Hezekiah is keeping the Passover for all in Judah and Jerusalem to celebrate.  The Passover hadn't been kept in centuries, since the time of Solomon.  Hezekiah really was bringing worship back to the One and Only True God, not just not doing evil or just obeying whatever was in the moment right before him, but digging out their roots and staying true to God's ordinances.  Hezekiah even sends word to all those in the northern kingdom for all to celebrate the Passover.  He encourages them to turn back to their God and that the Lord will turn away from them and show His grace and mercy on them in the midst of the Assyrian captivity that was taking place in their land.  Unfortunately most of Israel laughed at the message, yet some humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem to celebrate the passover and probably even remained in Judah.  God gave them singleness of heart to follow one God and this ultimately is the reason for this wonderful change. They did not worship various idols but became unanimous in one spirit to follow the word of the Lord.  "Numbers will be scorners, but some will be humbled and benefited" (Matthew Henry).  What word of the Lord do you hear to restore past relationship with others and with Him?  Ask God for singleness of heart in an area you struggle with choosing Him.

2 Chronicles 29

 In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the Lord and repaired them.  v.3

Read chapter 29
What is only three verses in 2 Kings 18 is three chapters in 2 Chronicles 29-31.  Incredible the detail that is so much more important to God that He records it in His view of history verse the importance of how man views it in his history.  King Hezekiah is the man focused on here and he is a king that does what is right in the sight of God.  He's noted to take after his forefather David which is such an honor and more meaningful as there were other good kings in the genealogy between David and Hezekiah, but Hezekiah was seen as above and beyond.  Notice the reformation that King Hezekiah does starts with opening the doors of the temple and restoring the inside.  Reformation must begin with the ministry.  True reformation as well begins with the inner and works outward and that is exactly what Hezekiah does.  He starts in the inner most place of the temple restoration and goes from there to the Levites and priests to the people of Judah.  
When is a time in your life that seemed just a glimpse in history yet was such a profound time in your walk with the Lord that is such a longer story than what appears?
What reformation needs to happen in or around your life?  And how can you focus on the inner place first and move outward to the big picture?

2 Chronicles 28

For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the Lord. v.19

Read chapter 28
Ahaz is an evil king of Judah.  Yet interesting to note that in this verse (v.19) he's called the king of Israel.  There are a few different thoughts to why this seemingly mistake: 1.) the translators made an error, 2.) the southern kingdom although called Judah is still Israel as a whole, 3.) because God was with the line of David which is Judah and Ahaz did wicked like the northern tribes, so God calls him king of Israel as to say He was not with him anymore.  We see this same occurrence in 2 Chronicles 21:2 of Jehoshaphat who was king of Judah but called king of Israel after he died.  Jehoshaphat's end was one of alliance with the king of Israel instead of trusting in God, which causes me to assume the third possibility of why the change of title for both these kings of Judah.  Ahaz is described as a leader who had "encouraged moral decline" or in other translations and Hebrew meaning as "dealt loosely" or "allowed to break lose from all restraints."  When left to our own desires and no discipline our evil nature will always overpower.  When the people have no morals, there is no order, everything is justified by each persons own desires.  For example, one person my think that it's ok to molest children, and if there are no morals by which to govern, than that becomes an okay act.  Messed up.
How have you seen moral decline in our country and it's effects on governing the nation?

2 Chronicles 27

So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God. v.6

Read chapter 27
A very short account is given of Jotham both here and in 2 Kings 15.  Jotham did what was right in the sight of the Lord just like all the good that his father Uzziah had done, thankfully he didn't seem to follow in his fathers footsteps of pride.  Of the few verses about Jotham it's noted that "he prepared his way before the Lord his God" or as the NIV puts it "walked steadfastly before the Lord."  This was Jotham's habitude- it was his habit to do things for the Lord and it was his attitude to desire doing right for the Lord.  It is because of this habitude that Jotham becomes mighty as a blessing from the Lord.  He let the word and will of God order, direct and guide his ways.  God's way is always the best way.
What is your habitude for the Lord in your practical daily life? 

2 Chronicles 26

So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong. v.15

Read chapter 26
King Uzziah reigned 52 years.  That's a pretty long time I'd say.  He did what was right in the sight of the Lord until pride got to him.  I wonder if it was in the last year of his reign, having run so well 51 years?  Unfortunately just like his grandfather Joash, he started off so well in his reign but he didn't finish well.  Uzziah did so many great things for Judah to rebuild and protect the nation.  And as long as he sought the Lord, the Lord made him prosper (v.5), so we can tell Uzziah definitely sought the Lord for many years.  We continue to see the note throughout the chapter that his frame spread far and wide, both from victories in battle as well as inventions of devices of sorts (shooting arrows and large stones).  This starts to be the danger zone: when he became strong after being marvelously helped.  The Lord was the one who helped him win these battles (v.7) and prosper the nation again, yet this fame and strength Uzziah got made him glory in his own strength and not the Lord's.  He must have stopped seeking the Lord and fixed his eyes on himself for we see Uzziah's end being struck by God as a leper the rest of his days.  Oh if only Uzziah's understood that "when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10).
How do you seek the Lord both when times are good and when times are hard?  Why is it that it's easier to seek the Lord more in one of those times than both?   Have you noticed your relationship change with God when you don't seek the Lord? How so?

2 Chronicles 25

Then Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?” And the man of God answered, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this.”  v.9

Read chapter 25

Do you ever feel obligated to something due to a previous action?  Is it harder to keep that obligation or to let it go no matter what the situation is?  Well we see an example here with Amaziah.  Amaziah, the king of Judah, is about to go to battle again the people of Seir.  A prophet of the Lord comes to him and tells him not to bring the army of Israel into this battle for the Lord was not with Israel (v.7).  Amaziah wants to do what the prophet has said but questions the obligation he feels he's already put in to it by having paid their troops.  The man of God responds saying the Lord is able to repay that loss of money and so much more, that he ought not to use that as a consideration to not obey the words of the Lord.  Amaziah decides to follow these words of the prophet but as we continue to read the chapter after his victory in the battle against Seir he worships their idols and doesnt heed the man of God that speaks to him when he is called out.  The verse at the beginning of the chapter describing Amaziah sums up well his character: "he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart."  He was all works based but no heart toward the Lord in his personal life and relationship with God.  Let us seek obligations to the Lord alone with a loyal heart and ask for discernment in how to handle our obligations with others that it is glorifying to God.

2 Chronicles 24

Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, “The Lord look on it, and repay!” v.22

Read chapter 24
Joash was seven years old when he became king and reigned for 40 years.  He was a "good" king all the days that he had Jehoiada the priest as his teacher and basically father figure since his father died when he was only a year old.  The sad thing is that once Jehoiada died Joash became an evil king, allowing idols again among the people of Judah and Jerusalem.  Jehoiada kept Joash from being murdered, raised him as his son, set him on the throne as the rightful king and counseled him all his days, yet Jehoiada did not remember any of this kindness and sacrifice.  The thing I can't even imagine is the murder of Zechariah (Jehoiada's son and again probably like a brother to Joash).  Zechariah stepped up and prophesied against these wicked acts of the people, but they didn't want to hear that message and commanded King Joash to have him stoned.  How often this seems of rulers listening to the people rather than God.  Joash is one of eleven rulers offended by God's servant.  Joash's end is an unfortunate one even though he may have had the majority of his rule a God-centered one.  Even his own servants turned on him in his dying moments, who may have been but slaves yet became God's executioners.  
Who are some people in your life that you don't want to forget their kindness shown you even if things are not the same as they used to be?

2 Chronicles 23

So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each man took his men who were to be on duty on the Sabbath, with those who were going off duty on the Sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest had not dismissed the divisions. v.8

Read chapter 23
So after six years of hiding the rightful king to the throne of Judah, Jehoiada has a plan to overthrow Athaliah and set Joash as king.  Remember Joash is of the line of David and is now only 6 years old.  What's happening is Jehoiada the priest is getting all the Levites and military set up so that when they bring out the rightful ruler Athaliah will be caught off guard and then captured and killed for all the horror she has done.  It's interesting to compare this account with the account in 2 Kings 11:4-12 as in one account (2 Kings) the focus is on the military getting setup and in place whereas here in 2 Chronicles the focus is on the Levites getting setup and in place.  Both of course were need, but from man's view the military was the might of making that happen whereas God saw the importance of Levites doing their part to make the overthrow happen and crown the rightful king.  How true it is when a big task is at hand that need many people some of those people are more recognized by others, but there is always so much more than what most see.  In what ways in your work or community can you be like Jehoiada and bring many people from different areas to work together for a task unto the Lord?  When have you been the person everyone sees for a certain task and when have you been the unseen?  How did both situations make you feel?

2 Chronicles 22

But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being murdered, and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah so that she did not kill him.  And he was hidden with them in the house of God for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land. vv.11-12

Read chapter 22
In this chapter we read of one of the most wicked women in the Bible and one of the most women of faith in the Bible: Athaliah and Jehoshabeath (respectively).  King Ahaziah of Judah was wicked, following the ways of Ahab who was king of Israel rather than following the ways of his great great grandfather David, a man after God's heart.  Ahaziah is killed by Jehu, a prophet of the Lord, and when his mother Athaliah finds out she's furious.  So what does she do, she proceeds to kill the whole royal like of Judah for she was a daughter of Ahab king of Israel.  Now we have to see Satan's attempt in this: his goal is to kill the line for the Messiah to come through which is the line of David through he house of Judah, so if Athaliah succeeded in killing off the whole royal line that would have stopped the lineage to Jesus Christ.  But of course God doesnt let that happen and raises up this faithful woman, Jehosabeath.  Jehoshabeth was Ahaziah's sister, daughter of king Jehoram, and married to a priest, Jehoiada.  She does an amazing act of faith and courage to take the king's son who was just a baby and hide him and his nurse for six years so he wouldn't be killed by his own grandmother Athaliah.  Can you imagine trying to keep a baby quiet those first six years of their life?  I wonder how stressed she ever was every day of those six years.  Yet what a woman of faith to know the promises of God of bringing the Messiah through this lineage and doing her part, no doubt God had His hand in that situation of keeping them so hidden and protected.  What scary situation may you be facing or one around you that God is calling you to act?  Can you relate or sympathize with Jehoshabeath, not one of the more famous women of the Bible, of how she cared for a baby in a hard situation or how she stepped up against her evil family in a hidden and humble way?

2 Chronicles 21

And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus says the Lord God of your father David:  Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, v.12

Read chapter 21

This is the only occurrence in the books of the Chronicles we have of Elijah.  Elijah was a prophet to the kings of Israel and as mentioned before the Chronicles focus on the kings of Judah.  The interesting thing though is that Elijah is already gone from earth by this point.  Elijah was translated up to heaven during the time of Jehoshaphat yet by this point in 2 Chronicles 21 Jehoshaphat is already dead and his son Jehoram is reigning in his place.  So how then did this letter come about?  Some believe that there was a spelling error and should have been Elisha who sent it, others believe that the chronology isn't exact and Elijah is very very old and therefor had to write this letter than travel to speak to the king.  Yet what I more believe is that he wrote this prophetic writing before he went up to heaven and had it delivered at this particular time.  I mean he was a prophet and prophets revealed the future of what God wanted to through them.  I wonder if Jehoram received this letter before he committed such wickedness that he would have not gone through with his evil works?  Can you even imagine the shock for Jehoram to get a letter, that is so clearly to him, from a prophet that is no longer on earth?  Who is someone in your life that is already dead that you wish had a letter for you, not so much like the one to Jehoram telling of his wickedness and death, but one of wisdom or decisions for your life?

2 Chronicles 20

You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” v.17

Read chapter 20
Do you like battles?  I mean not just literally but all the different battles we face in our life at work, at home, in our own minds, in our culture, etc.  Battles are ones I try to avoid even though sometimes it seems to make the battle last longer if I don't show up.  Well what I love about this chapter is what God tells His people to due when about to face a pretty big battle against three other nations.  The Lord first tells them to not fear this great battle for the battle is not their's but the Lords.  Even if they got themselves in this mess the Lord still takes over saying it's His to fight, talk about a selfless Savior!  And then the Lord tells them just to show up.  That's it.  All the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem have to do is show up to the battle and the rest the Lord will take care of.  They show up and all the three nations destroyed each other and they got the victory.  Sometimes all the Lord asks of us is to show up and He'll do the rest.  Where is the Lord calling you to show up at a battle that you don't want to face?  Find hope that the Lord is already their fighting for you.

2 Chronicles 19

and said to the judges, “Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. v. 6

Read chapter 19
Now these judges spoken of here are not the same judges we have today, nor can we put our name in this verse and say it's of us.  Jehoshaphat, who's king over Judah, has appointed these judges.  These judges were mediators for God in their judging.  God was with them whenever they gave a verdict, not just their own thought or opinion.  Jehoshaphat still warns them to consider what they do.  What they did and how they judge out to line up or else would appear very hypocritical wouldnt you say?  We don't have God's judges today in our courts or other areas where judgments are made- but one that knows God well can better know what God would say.  By knowing scripture it helps us know God more and therefore His judgments as well; we also then grasp His grace too.  Are you facing a situation you need to make a decision on?  Consider carefully of what you think God would say and prove it through His word.

2 Chronicles 18

So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the Lord said, ‘You shall persuade him and also prevail; go out and do so.’  Therefore look! The Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and the Lord has declared disaster against you.” vv.21-22

Read chapter 18
The Lord allows a lying spirit in the prophets.  What?  So what's going on right now is the king of Judah and Israel (Jehoshaphat and Ahab) are together totaling about if Israel should go to war against Ramoth Gilead.  Ahab calls for 400 prophets who all say the same thing, but Jehoshaphat knows somethings off and requests "prophet of the Lord" (v.6) instead of "these prophets of yours [Ahab's]" (v.20).  So Micaiah the prophet of the Lord comes in and give the exact opposite of what the 400 said and tells him it was God's plan so he'd walk right in to his death.  Ahab doesn't believe Micaiah and goes up against Ramoth Gilead - taking Jehoshaphat with him and there Ahab dies just like Micaiah - the only one who said so.  Have you ever been in a situation where the majority of people say one thing but one person says differently and you don't know which one to linnet to or feel there's something to pay attenuate to even if it's only one person's words?  How do you discern?  How have you responded?  Why do you think the Lord used lying as a way of His will?

2 Chronicles 17

So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. v.9

Read chapter 17
Jehoshaphat, another good king of Judah (you may have realized by now that the books of the Chronicles are only following the kings of Judah and not those of Israel as the books of kings follows both).  Jehoshaphat is another one that is described more in deathly of his reign in 2nd Chronicles  throughout three chapters whereas in 1st Kings he's only in one chapter.  One of the extra comments about him I like is how he sent officials and Levites to teach in the towns of Judah bringing with them the Book of the Law of the Lord.  Now that was already part of the Levites duty but seems like it had been neglected for some time.  The officials probably went with them to rally the people in each town.  Remember they didn't have Bibles in every home nor was their one at a library or Inn one could go look up - to know the teachings of God was the duty of the Levites to share with all.  Jehoshaphat isn't sending generals around to train men for his army, but sending Levites around to train the word of the Lord that ultimately is the better security and strength and the Lord blesses this act by having all the kingdoms surrounding Judah not make war with them (v.10).  How are you sharing and teaching the word of the Lord with others around you as your strength and security?

2 Chronicles 16

Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him because of this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at that time. v.10

Read chapter 16
We see a completely different picture of King Asa in this chapter.  In the chapter before when a prophet came to hime he was encouraged, but this time a prophet brings bad news and Asa gets angry and throws him in prison.  Ought we to believe God's word not only when it is good news but also when it is bad news.  Asa was stubborn towards the Lord the rest of his life - never repenting asking for forgiveness or seeking renewal.  Thirty six of his forty one years as king were so good and committed to the Lord yet his last five years and how he finished was full of hardness and bitterness.  Interesting to compare the note about the disease in his feet from 1 Kings 15:24 and 2 Chronicles 12.  One says because of old age and the other says he was inflicted.  Whether it was a punishment from the Lord or not, Asa did not seek the Lord for healing.  Asa leaned on Aram and his army than the Lord- that's like leaning on tall grass hoping it'll hold you up rather than The Rock that's been immovable your whole life.  When have you realized you lean on tall grass rather than the Rock of Ages?  How do you take and respond to criticism both good and hard?

2 Chronicles 15

But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded! v.7

Read chapter 15
Azariah the prophet speaks encouraging words to Asa king of Judah.  Azariah's words are words that give hope to Asa in his ways of reform the people back to the Lord.  They are words of a reminder what it was like when the poll were with and for the Lord and what it was like when they weren't.  It's gotta be hard as a leader to want to please the people you lead and not rustle the leaves too much; Asa had already done some great things to turn ways bak to serving God.  How nice it would be to hear those encouraging words to continue the momentum, especially from God!  After the prophet says these words to Asa "he took courage" (v.8), even to the point of deposing his grandmother for idol worship.  Grandma's not someone most people would mess with.  In what area of your life do you need some encouragement from God saying "be torn gan don't give up for your work will be rewarded"?

2 Chronicles 14

And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!” v.11

Read chapter 16
King Asa is the next king of Judah through the line of David.  He's noted as a good king, right in the eyes of the Lord (v.2).  As you compare his history recorded in the two accounts in scripture you'll notice that in 2 Chronicles he gets three chapters about him whereas in 1 Kings 15 he only gets fifteen verses.  This story recorded here in 2 Chronicles 16 is only recorded here and not in 1 Kings.  But oh what a wonderful record of Asa's faith in battle that no one else may have seen but the Lord God.  An Ethiopian army of a million come up against king Asa and the people of Judah who number 280,000 - the odds are against them.  Asa cries out to the Lord and the Lord strikes his enemies.  I wonder if Asa thought of his father Abijah who we read about in the previous chapter when he was surrounded in battle and he cried out to the Lord and was saved.  Like father like son seems like and what sweet confidence in God to pass on to your son.  I like that we have the detail of Asa's cry to the Lord.  It's one of humbleness and proclaiming God's greatness, that it's nothing for God to help whether few or many of the enemies at hand, when God's on our side we're never outnumbered.  Asa's prayer may be few in words but it was real (probably didn't have much time either).  How do you feel as a believer disproportionally in the world and how do or can you trust God on your side of the battle be it a simple honest prayer?

2 Chronicles 13

And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear; and they cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded the trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. vv.14-15

Read chapter 13
A civil war is going on here in chapter thirteen.  Abijah is now king of Judah while Jeroboam is still king of Israel, put for the northern tribes.  Abijah appeals to Israel on the battlefield that they are not following God's ways and laws anymore, that the should quit while they're ahead so to say to become one nation again under Abijah's rule which is of the house of David.  Jeroboam and his men pay no attention and surround Abijah and his men from the front and the back- there's no way out.  But the men of Judah cry to the Lord in this surrounding that only God could get them out of- and He does!  God struck all the men of Israel right before their eyes.  Talk about an unlikely victory to the masses (kind of like Trump's victory of the presidency although I don't think he called on God).  Why did God choose to save Judah and not Israel?  The men of Judah were the one's that cried out to the Lord and added a shout of faith.  Abijah wasn't necessarily a god fearing man like his grandfather Solomon and great grand father David were, "it appears from the character of Abijah, 1 Kings 15:3, that he was not himself truly religious, yet he encouraged himself from the religion of his people. It is common for those that deny the power of godliness, to boast of the form of it."
When you're surrounded by your enemies may you cry out to God and shout to Him in victory!