June 27 Even me!

Father, I am so encouraged to read about Joash, one of the kings of Judah.  He was seven years old when he began to reign.  Seven years old!  And You worked mightily through him.

During his forty-year reign, he effected repairs on the temple, and brought the people back to following You.  He did what was right in Your eyes.

I often wonder how I am equipped to serve You.  I am not a healer, or preacher, or famous author with a large following.  I’m not a missionary in a far off land, or a concert singer or evangelist.

Often Your Word says You use ordinary people.   “Elijah was a man just like us…” and yet Elijah became a powerful prophet.  Moses claimed to be “slow of speech” yet he was Your instrument for delivering Your people from four hundred years of slavery.

It’s so easy to look at great people: both from Biblical times and those of my day, and feel completely inadequate.   Yet, here is this seven-year-old boy.  And it gives me such hope, that if You would use a seven-year-old boy, You would use me too.

It reminds me that it is not the “person” with their talents, gifts, skills, and abilities that accomplishes anything.  It is You!  You are the One!  It is Your power which accomplishes Your will.

What You can do with any person who is sold out to You, is limitless!  Even a seven-year-old boy.  Even someone slow of speech.  Even a sixty-year-old woman.  Even me.  Amen

 2 Kings 12:1-21

June 27 Even me

Father, I am so encouraged to read about Joash, one of the kings of Judah.  He was seven years old when he began to reign.  Seven years old!  And You worked mightily through him.

During his forty-year reign, he effected repairs on the temple, and brought the people back to following You.  He did what was right in Your eyes.

I often wonder how I am equipped to serve You.  I am not a healer, or preacher, or famous author with a large following.  I’m not a missionary in a far off land, or a concert singer or evangelist.

Often Your Word says You use ordinary people.   “Elijah was a man just like us…” and yet Elijah became a powerful prophet.  Moses claimed to be “slow of speech” yet he was Your instrument for delivering Your people from four hundred years of slavery.

It’s so easy to look at great people: both from Biblical times and those of my day, and feel completely inadequate.   Yet, here is this seven-year-old boy.  And it gives me such hope, that if You would use a seven-year-old boy, You would use me too.

It reminds me that it is not the “person” with their talents, gifts, skills, and abilities that accomplishes anything.  It is You!  You are the One!  It is Your power which accomplishes Your will.

What You can do with any person who is sold out to You, is limitless!  Even a seven-year-old boy.  Even a simple, untrained girl.  Even a sixty-year-old woman.  Even me.  Amen

2 Kings 12:1-21

Jun 27 Even me

Father, I am so encouraged to read about Joash, one of the kings of Judah.  He was seven years old when he began to reign.  Seven years old!  And You worked mightily through him.

During his forty-year reign, he effected repairs on the temple, and brought the people back to following You.  He did what was right in Your eyes.

I often wonder how I am equipped to serve You.  I am not a healer, or preacher, or famous author with a large following.  I’m not a missionary in a far off land, or a concert singer or evangelist.

Often Your Word says You use ordinary people.   “Elijah was a man just like us…” and yet Elijah became a powerful prophet.  Moses claimed to be “slow of speech” yet he was Your instrument for delivering Your people from four hundred years of slavery.

It’s so easy to look at great people: both from Biblical times and those of my day, and feel completely inadequate.   Yet, here is this seven-year-old boy.  And it gives me such hope, that if You would use a seven-year-old boy, You would use me too.

It reminds me that it is not the “person” with their talents, gifts, skills, and abilities that accomplishes anything.  It is You!  You are the One!  It is Your power which accomplishes Your will.

What You can do with any person who is sold out to You, is limitless!  Even a seven-year-old boy.  Even a simple, untrained girl.  Even a sixty-year-old woman.  Even me.  Amen

2 Kings 12:1-21

July 28 Family and Spiritual heritage

O Father, when I think of how fortunate I am, and all the blessings You have given me, it takes my breath away, and I am humbled to tears. Even before I was born, You determined when I would be born, and where, and to whom. There were generations that came before me who knew You and worshipped You. That is a godly heritage I must not take for granted.

David was a man after Your own heart. And yet his lineage is full of men who were idolatrous, murderous, and evil. Jehoshaphat followed You and taught others to worship You, yet his own firstborn, Jehoram, when given the rule, murdered all his brothers to secure his reign. He married a daughter of Jezebel, a manipulative and evil woman. After Jehoram’s gruesome death, his youngest son, Ahaziah took over and was encouraged into more evil by his mother. Later, this evil mother, upon learning of her own son’s death, murdered all the siblings and offspring so she could reign in her son’s place!

But she missed baby Joash. Joash was hidden and raised by godly people. When he came to reign at the age of seven, he ruled rightly in Your eyes.

I know, Father, that You call each of us. Some come from broken homes and dark, painful backgrounds. But we each owe You a debt of gratitude for every divine influence and godly person You put in our path. I can think of relatives, Sunday School teachers, preachers who taught me to love You and seek to know You. But I also remember neighbors, friends, even strangers, who taught me godly lessons – some without even knowing it. I am grateful, and thank You for each one of these.

As I look back over my life, I can see that I would not have all I have now, be all I am now, or love You the way I do, without Your intervention and Your loving care. There is no doubt in my mind – You were involved in a personal relationship with me before I even knew You.   Thank You for all You have done.

Father, it also challenges me to be that divine influence in the lives of others You bring across my path. Help me see opportunities to point others to You. Open my eyes to recognize when I can say something, do something, be something that will benefit the faith of others. Use me Lord, to pass on the blessing. Amen

2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21

June 27 Even me

Father, I am so encouraged to read about Joash, one of the kings of Judah. He was seven years old when he began to reign. Seven years old! And You worked mightily through him!

During his forty-year reign, he effected repairs on the temple, and brought the people back to following You. He did what was right in Your eyes.

I often wonder how I am equipped to serve You. I am not a healer, or preacher, or famous author with a large following. I’m not a missionary in a far off land, or a concert singer or evangelist.

Often Your Word says You use ordinary people.   “Elijah was a man just like us…” and yet Elijah became a powerful prophet. Moses claimed to be “slow of speech” yet he was Your instrument for delivering Your people from four hundred years of slavery.

It’s so easy to look at great people: both from Biblical times and those of my day, and feel completely inadequate.   Yet, here is this seven-year-old boy. And it gives me such hope, that if You would use a seven-year-old boy, You would use me too.

It reminds me that it is not the ‘person’ with their talents, gifts, skills, and abilities that accomplishes anything. It is You! You are the One! It is Your power which accomplishes Your will. What You can do with any person who is sold out to You, is limitless! Even a seven-year-old boy. Even a simple, untrained girl. Even a sixty-year-old woman. Even me. Amen

2 Kings 12:1-21