Oh, That They May See Jesus!

On By Ed AlgreenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: 2 Chronicles 15

 

OBSERVATION

  1. 2 Chronicles 15:9 ~ …. Many of these people were now loyal to Asa, because they had seen that the LORD was with him.
  2. 2 Chronicles 15:17 ~ As long as Asa lived, he was faithful to the LORD, even though he did not….

APPLICATION

  1. It is interesting to note that Asa gained the confidence of the people that he served because they saw something ‘real’ in him. I am of the impression that they saw nothing phony about him, but that they saw evidence that God was with him, and that there were things being done that could only be attributable to God’s mighty hand. I believe that today we are so self centered and looking so badly for credit for something that we have done, that God is left out of the picture. In situations like this it is interesting how the people will also recognize that there is nothing Godly about the accomplishment but a personal achievement of the individual. I am a strong proponent of giving God thanks for the little things and the big ones. As I put this into practice more, I trust that others will hear me give God credit so much that they will automatically consider an accomplishment a ‘God thing’ in the future instead of anything that I could ever do. I love a small little sticker that I saw one preacher put on his pulpit, “Oh that they may see Jesus”, and yet another one that read, “Hide me behind the cross today Lord”. After all, “Without Him, I could do nothing”.
  2. If I achieve nothing else in this life, I pray that one thing will rise to the top and be recognized by anyone that knew me, that although I may not have accomplished everything my family, friends or acquaintances may have expected of me, yet is was evident that I was faithful to God in all things. I would never say this personally, not do I like to hear this while I am alive, because I know that it is only through the grace of God that I can do anything extraordinary or in His name, so under no circumstances should I receive credit for anything that I may do. The glory goes to God!

PRAYER

  1. Father, You and You alone I serve. May I hide behind the cross so that others will always see You, and not this humble child that You created. For others can be healed, saved, encouraged, strengthened in their faith and taught to love others, but only through Your grace. Please help me to not be a stumbling block to someone else, but to be a promoter of Jesus Christ in all that I say or do. Use me for Your ultimate glory today!
  2. Lord may I always be so aware of Your love and Your power working in and through me that I will always take a back seat and allow You to receive the praise for anything accomplished. May others be drawn to You as a result of anything of which I am a part.

Nuggets from God’s Word!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, ChristianLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: 2 Chronicles 15 

OBSERVATION

  1. 2 Chronicles 15:2 ~ … The LORD will be with you and help you, as long as you obey and worship him. But if you disobey him, he will desert you.
  2. 2 Chronicles 15:7 ~ So you must be brave. Don’t give up! God will honor you for obeying him.

APPLICATION

  1. I believe that God is the same today as He was yesterday, not only for those areas that we truly want to trust Him, but also in areas like this. After all, the Word of God is ordained by Him and placed in the Book so that we may read, believe, follow and practice His commands. Therefore I believe that these Words would have meaning and application for me today. So I believe that God is saying to me that the Lord will be with me and my family and my church and help us, as long as we obey and worship Him. When we fail to do this, His Word says that He will desert us. I believe that the Spirit of God that dwells within Christians, tells us first hand when we sin and when we are not right with God. But most of all we should immediately miss the absence of God when He deserts us.
  2. This is neat! In verse 2 the Word tells us how important it is for us to obey and worship God. In this verse God confirms that He will honor us for obeying Him, so be brave and don’t give up on our efforts to honor and obey Him! This is confirmation to me that my efforts will not go unnoticed, praise be to God!

PRAYER

  1. What a mockery we make of God when we act the way we do sometimes. Father please give me the boldness to humble myself, seek Your face and ask forgiveness of my sin so that You can heal me of my sin and the after effects or scars that it leaves on Your child. Please help me to be totally sold out to You. To be so sensitive to Your direction for my life that I will always seek to serve You and represent You well in all that I do and say. Please help me to not be a stumbling block to any soul that You desire to touch through me, but rather give me the strength, boldness and sensitivity to be moldable and usable by You at all time.
  2. I know how hopeless it sometimes feel, especially when it appears that we are paddling upstream and facing so much worldly opposition. Thank You God for giving me assurance that I need to keep on keeping on and that You will honor me for obeying You. I can gladly sing the chorus of that old hymn:
    There is peace in the midst of my storm-tossed life
    Oh, there’s an anchor, there’s a rock to cast my faith upon
    Jesus rides in my vessel, so I’ll fear no alarm
    He gives me peace in the midst of my storm