Bravery-The story of Jehosheba

You hear of soldiers who display bravery through acts of saving their friends in war, or see our firefighters or policemen risk their lives daily for the safety of others. Bible examples include Esther, Paul, David...and the list could continue to go on.

Today we are going to talk about someone who displayed bravery and ended up helping preserve the lineage of Christ.

2 Kings 11 shows the wickedness of people through idol worshipping to how powerful and in control God is. You have someone in reign, Athaliah, who destroyed all the royal heirs so she could be in control after her son Ahaziah was dead. Little did she know that Ahaziah's sister, Jehosheba, had carefully hidden one of Ahaziah's sons, Joash, safely away into the temple of the Lord. 7 years later with specific directions, Joash was placed as king and Athaliah faced her fate with death, and not a pretty one at that.

When I read this story, a big question came to my mind. Do I fully believe that God is in control? No matter how bad things may seem in my life, or in the world, who is ultimately going to win? Who has already won? Can God move mountains? Can God change lives? ABSOLUTELY! These people in the story never lost faith in God, even when the world around them was so WICKED.

God is in control, but He does expect us to be "brave" and stand up for what is right, whatever the case may be.

• Do you know what is right? If not, study the WORD.
• Feeling scared? PRAY!

There are many plans in a man's heart, nevertheless the Lord's counsel-that will stand. Proverbs 19:21

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of food cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8

I love the saying, "Do what is right, change what isn't." We, as Christians, have that duty. Make a change and know that God WILL WIN!

Sticks and Stones....

Sticks and stones can break my bones,

but words can never hurt me.

Do you believe that little statement? If someone has said something to you that was hurtful, I can guarantee that you don't agree.

The GIVER

I remember the little girl who lived behind me. I was in elementary school and she was known to be a little "different." And....I remember EVERY hateful thing I said about her to my friends, and to her face. It wasn't pretty. She moved, and I never apologized to her. I can't even imagine what she thinks of me now, especially with how mean I treated her. I know she hasn't forgotten....

The RECEIVER

On the flip side of that, my 7th grade year was the WORST school year I ever endured. One of my best friends from the time we were little turned on me. She accused me of talking about her (in which I didn't), went and told all sorts of people lies about me, as well as had 8th graders threaten me EVERY DAY. I have never felt so rotten, and even today when I run into her in my hometown, those feelings come back again.

WHAT GOD SAYS

• Treat others how you want to be treated. Matthew 7:12

• Be imitators of God. Ephesians 5:1

• Do not gossip. Leviticus 19:16, Proverbs 18:8, Proverbs 11:13

This is something that women struggle with at EVERY AGE. Unfortunately, the older you get, it is still there. It is up to you now to make the decision that you will not treat others unfairly, especially with your tongue. If someone around you is doing it...STOP THEM. Don't listen to it! It is poison.

Who are you?

Whether you want it to be or not, the truth of the matter is that school is here for most of you (or quickly approaching). Some of you will be walking new halls for all sorts of reasons (entering high school, changing schools, moved, ect.) and others will be doing the same ol', same ol'.



Here are a few tips to help your year be successful...

1. Let your light shine.....You are an influence. You have no choice here. Someone is ALWAYS watching. 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.


2. Surround yourself with those of same moral values...immodest dressing, drinking/partying, inappropriate language, ect. Does a bad apple really spoil the bunch?? It does....and what about evil company corrupts good habits (1 Corinthians 15:33)?? If you surround yourself with sin, you are going to fall....This is a trick I think Satan uses to deceive you...He makes you think that you are strong enough to surround yourself with "friends" who do these types of things...but you aren't. (If you have connections from previous years that you don't think are healthy--get rid of them!!)


3. Keep your priorities in check....Believe me, from personal experience I know how easy it is to allow school activities to interfere with your relationship to God...homework, basketball practice, and choir, as well as others take commitment, but you need to decide right now when you are going to study God's Word and take time for prayer EVERY DAY. On top of that note...don't allow it to take you away from worship either.....

Who are you going to choose to be this year?

Be holy....

Holy....I read a ton of definitions on the word holy...and none of them seemed to give the word any credibility...Some synonyms given were religious, pious, God-fearing...

I have really been thinking upon the second part of Leviticus 19:2. You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. ---that my friends, is quite a challenge.


I love Romans 12. I have a subtitle in my NKJV that starts with verse 9 through the end of the chapter named Behave Like a Christian. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs to the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. "Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

As I reflect on this past month, week, or even today, I failed in so many ways listed above. The positive side, is that I know that God is the potter and I am the clay (Isaiah 64:8). I have to be willing to be the clay though...

Be holy because God is Holy---live up to the challenge.

Friendship--A Gift

Friend.

That word seems so simple, but can cause loneliness, joy, accountability, heartache.





Over the years I have had my fair share of "friends." Some have helped me on my path, and some, not so much. God gives us choice, so why not choose friends who have the same prize in mind as you?





What do you look for in the friendships you have right now?

A friend who is consistent?

A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17a)

A friend who is constant?

Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you-better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. (Proverbs 27:10)

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

A friend who is loyal?

Read the following verses in 1 Samuel about Jonathan's loyalty to David: Saul's anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? As long as the son of Jesse (talking about David here) lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send and bring him to me for he must die!" Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" Jonathan asked his father. (1 Samuel 20:30-32)

A friend who possesses openness and gives counsel?

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. (Proverbs 27:9)

I challenge you to look at your "Friend-list." Should you "weed-out" some? Are you the issue? God knew we needed friends, or he wouldn't have given us the many examples throughout His Word.

A Powerful Bird--the Eagle

The eagle---what a powerful creature.

It possesses keen eyesite that allows them to spot their prey from far distances (some say a mile and a half). They can dive at a rate of 100 mph and a large hooked beak allows them to tear apart their food quickly, along with the help of strong muscular legs and powerful talons. (Lamentations 4:19, Jeremiah 49:22, Deuteronomy 28:49, Job 9:46)

An eagle carries around 7,000 feathers, which are said to be stronger than an airplane. They provide waterproofing and protection which are crucial to their flight. A bald eagle's color is a mixture of brown and white, but once plumage occurs, it takes about 5 years for the head and tail feathers to gradually turn white. (Ezekiel 17:3 and 7, Daniel 4:33)

Some species can fly carrying up to 8 pounds of food, or even their young. Their wings are long and broad and soaring takes very little "wing-flapping" because they use currents of warm air (thermals) to help aid which also helps conserve energy. (Exodus 19:4, Deuteronomy 32:11)

They can fly at an altitude of 10,000 feet (yes, that is when the airlines allow you to turn on all approved electrical devices). (Proverbs 23:5, Proverbs 30:19)

They build their nests high, a lot of the time on cliffs. (Jeremiah 49:16, Job 39:27, Obadiah 1:4)

Mates are faithful for life. (Malachi 2:16, Matthew 5:31-32)

Our amazing Creator gave us these vivid examples (and more that I didn't share) in His Word on this powerful creature.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.--Isaiah 40:30-31

Be a Worker for the Lord

An ant....

These little creatures and I are about to go round and round! It seems they keep finding their way into the house! I clean, and clean, and clean, but they are so diligent to find even just a small piece of food (and with a 2 year old in the house, it is bound to happen). God knew that because He created them and even mentioned them by name in His Word.

Proverbs 6:6-8 Go to the ant, you sluggard, consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

and yet another one in Proverbs

Proverbs 30:34-28 Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer (and then it goes on to discuss coney's, locusts, and a lizard).

So what do we need to learn from these small, but extremely wise creatures? You have to WORK!! They work ALL time to ensure that they have food during all times of the year. Are we required to work?

"Working" may not have the same connotation to you as what it might be to an adult who is responsible for you (i.e. putting food on the table, providing shelter, etc). But, you may have a job! I know I did growing up and what a great experience it was for me!

What I want to focus on is, do you work for the Lord's church? What are some ways you can "work?" What about....

• visiting the elderly or shut-ins (I know this might be hard if you can't drive, but get a group together to go)
• writing a card to those who are discouraged
• calling someone who is discouraged
• helping with daily chores for someone who is ill or injured

These are just a few examples so I challenge you to come up with your own list and DO THEM!

I love Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

What better ways to keep your zeal going! AND, better yet, serving the LORD.

Be more like an ant today......