Devotions

“When King Achaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglat-Pil’eser king of Ashur and saw the altar that was in Damascus, he sent a drawing and model of the altar to Uriyah the Cohen, with details of its construction and decoration.”
2 Kings 16:10 CJB

Here we see Ahaz go to the pagan city of Damascus and seeing the pagan altar he decides to copy it! We also need to be careful of copying the world!

“In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the Olam hazeh (the world). Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.”
Romans 12:2 CJB

We need to be careful of looking like the world and more importantly acting like the world! Our world is living in fear right now and as believers, we don’t need to, because in the LORD we have nothing to fear!

“Adonai is my light and salvation; whom do I need to fear? Adonai is the stronghold of my life; of whom should I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 CJB

Today, let’s not try to copy the world in its ways and especially in its fears!
Have a blessed day in Him!

“Yotam(Jotham) slept with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David his ancestor. Then Achaz his son took his place as king.”
2 Kings 15:38 CJB

As we go through life, we need to remember that there is always someone following after us, watching our every move and what we say!

“I will follow the path of integrity; when will you come to me? I will run my life with a sincere heart inside my own house.”
Psalm 101:2 CJB

People are watching us to see how we act and how we walk, so we really need to be mindful!

“Don’t obey just to win their favor, serving only when they are watching you; but serve as slaves of the Messiah, doing what God wants with all your heart.”
Ephesians 6:6 CJB

We are servants of the LORD, ambassadors for His kingdom, so we really need to be doing our best! Realize, there is always someone watching us!
Have a blessed day walking with the LORD!

“He did what was right from Adonai’s perspective, although not like David his ancestor; he lived the same way as his father Yo’ash. However, the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and offered on the high places.”
2 Kings 14:3-4 CJB

As we continue reading through Kings we see this same theme; they did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but refused to remove the places of sinning! Do we do the same?

“Because zeal for Your house is eating me up, and on me are falling insults of those insulting You.”
Psalm 69:9 CJB

Do we put more into buildings, people, or even ministries that can get in the way of serving the LORD!

“I hate those who serve worthless idols; as for me, I trust in Adonai.”
Psalm 31:6 CJB

Today, let’s be careful of serving things that will always fail us or try living according to someone else’s standards! Let’s serve the LORD, who will never fail us and live according to His standards! Don’t fall into the trap of serving buildings or people, but serve the LORD!
Have a blessed day serving Him!

“Then your light will burst forth like the morning, Your new skin will quickly grow over your wound; your righteousness will precede you, and Adonai’s glory will follow you.” Isaiah 58:8 CJB

“But Y’ho’achaz pleaded to Adonai, and Adonai listened to him, because he saw the oppression the king of Aram was inflicting on Israel.”
2 Kings 13:4 CJB

God knows all and sees all, what we need to do is call out to Him and wait for His answers! Remember, He answers in His timing, not ours, so just keep calling!

“So Adonai gave Israel a savior who freed them from the grip of Aram, so that the people of Israel could live in their tents, as they had before.”
2 Kings 13:5 CJB

When we fall into oppression, depression or recession, the key is always the same: call on the LORD! Don’t look at the situation, but instead look to the LORD, who is our Savior!

“I call on Adonai, who is worthy of praise; and I am saved from my enemies.”
Psalm 18:4 CJB

Today, if you feel like your back is against the wall, just look to and call on the LORD who saves!
May your day be blessed, being focused on the LORD!