The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
2 Kings 14-15, 2 Chronicles 25-27
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people.
Background Information: 2 Kings 14-15, 2 Chronicles 25-27
The kings would often become victims of their own success. 2 Chronicles 26:16 is a concise description of a common occurrence. “But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.” Over and over, we read “He did what was right, but…” How can it be said that someone did what was right, but they did not do what was right? The comparison is between those who were fully fixed on evil throughout their reign and those who paid at least some attention to the covenant. In the end, it didn’t matter that they did some right if the final outcome was rebellion and destruction. The “but” was most often their toleration of “high places.” They left idolatry in place. It is impossible to live for long with a double-mind. We will eventually either become fully a friend of God or fully a friend of the world. James describes the kings very well, and he offers the only hope for a double-mind: repentance and a pure heart that is fully, not partially, committed to Christ.
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:4-8
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for the River Youth Mission teams as they prepare to go to Thailand and San Diego. Ask God to meet the financial needs of the teams. Ask God to use the teams to make the truth and beauty of the gospel known.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.