O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.
2 CHRONICLES 20:12 NLT
Feel under siege by formidable powers of the shadowy world? Sense that the dark prince and his demons are ganging up on you, hoping to see you fall morally so they can revel in your pain? Is hell’s battle formation leading you to conclude you are in a losing situation?
Do not give up! You are weak, it is true; but you are strong when reinforced by My might. When you are powerless, pray desperately for My help—I will rescue you from Satan’s traps.I direct intergalactic traffic patterns—I can make sense of your life. I hold the earth up with invisible hands—I can hold you together when everything nailed down is coming loose.
At a loss, look for My guidance. Pay attention to signals from heaven—listen for My voice and watch for hints in changing circumstances.
Impossible situations are no problem for My infinite strength. Even in your fiercest battles with evil, My blessing ensures victory. When this reality sinks in and you rely on this truth, you will experience marvelous results.
Realizing it is My battle, not yours, you are unusually brave. Knowing I fight for you, you do not have to lift a finger in self-defense. Fear gives way to optimism. Discouragement vanishes in light of trust. Quicksand panic is replaced by solid-rock faith. Captivated by Christ, you march in the King’s victory parade.
I am for you, so you are no coward—you are a valiant warrior. The cross becomes a plus sign, canceling negativism. You are able to face any challenge with the Captain of heaven’s mighty hosts on your side.
Worry diminishes as you worship. Panic dissolves in praise. The valley becomes place of blessing. Sighing gives way to singing. Mourning is transformed into music. Peaceful inner-stances transcend chaotic circumstances.
You learn heaven’s recipe for a worry-free life—pray about everything, tell Me what you need, thank Me for all I do on your behalf, and then you can relax.
Do not know what to do? Turn your eyes toward the Eternal One. With heaven’s help, you will do more than just survive—you will win!
Do you really think you can stand against the kingdom of the Lord led by the descendants of David? Your army is vast indeed, but with you are those gold calves Jeroboam made as your gods. 2 Chronicles 13:8 NLT
I am the True and Living God—Unmade Maker, Uncreated Creator. I am the Potter; you are the clay. I made you, not the other way around. Do not forget thisreality and begin to think of yourself as self-made; if you were, that would relieve Me of a tremendous responsibility!
How foolish it is to attempt to construct lifeless gods. How different they are from the Giver of life, breath, and every perfect gift. Idols may be convenient—it was“too much trouble” for Israelites to travel to the holy city. I challenge you to always travel the high road.
False gods of the heart are corrupting and degrading—I am holy and life-changing.
Idols are a waste of time—I am worthy of heartfelt worship.
Idols reflect the evil and selfish characteristics of people—I am absolutely holy.
Lesser gods are counterfeit—I am the Only Real God.
Idols are powerless—I am Unrivaled Sovereign of the cosmos.
Idols are relics of superstition—I am Ruler of time and eternity.
Idols can be manipulated—I am Director of life’s drama.
Idols are things made by people I made—I am Designer and Architect of the far-ranging universe.
Idols are ephemeral trinkets—I am Eternal Trinity.
Idols are mere lucky charms—I am the Lord of Glory and Master in charge of everything.
I am unlimited by time and space, unparalleled in your experience, unmatched in majesty, unsurpassed by earthly powers. Live humbly in My Presence—be truly wise!
When Rehoboam was firmly established and strong, he abandoned the law of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 12:1 NLT
Rehoboam’s reign mirrors your own life. In him, you see your attitudes and predispositions. How easy it is for you to become intoxicated with your intelligence, take pride in your position, trust in your title, feel secure in your strength, and think humility is a virtue others need.
You are not as skilled at brinkmanship as you think. Feel you do not have limits? Strike out on your own, and you will find out the hard way. Arrogance makes you feel invulnerable, at the same time making you more vulnerable. Conceit makes you strut, weakening your armor and leaving you open for attack.
The greatest possible tragedy is that you would abandon My law. Think you are a law to yourself? Ready to attempt self-government? That would be moral suicide. Surrender to Christ as King of your heart—and you will inherit all the treasures I have in store for Him. Subject yourself to the world’s god, and you will discover it is much harder not to follow Christ.
Slavery to Satan kills joy, steals enthusiasm, and destroys influence. I am the Liberator who binds with chains of love—My yoke is easier than the evil one’s addiction, My burden is lighter than legalism’s obsession, and My freedom is better than the tyranny imposed by the dark prince. Take My Word for it!
Realizing your inherent tendency to transgress and rebel, considering the awful possibility of apostasy—humble yourself in My Sovereign Presence. Keep on the alert for vicious attacks from the Devil. He would like nothing better than to tear you limb from limb, then take pleasure in your pain. In My strength, stand your ground against him. Resist his wicked suggestions, and he will leave. Then you can throw a victory party.
Set your heart on walking with Me. You are maturing in faith, but you are not above sin. You are growing stronger, but you are not as strong as you think. John Bunyan got it right in The Pilgrim’s Progress: “He that is down, need fear no fall; he that is low, no pride; he that is humble ever shall have God to be his guide.”
The meek, not VIPs—inherit paradise. The wise, not sophisticates—share My reign. The humble, not entertainment superstars—shine in glory.
Advance My eternal kingdom, not your ephemeral one; rely on My almighty power, not your puny strength; honor Me, do not call attention to yourself—then you will forever have it made!
When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s reputation, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions.
2 Chronicles 9:1 NLT
Conduct a self-test to see if you have been accepted into kindergarten. Then you can dream of applying for graduate school. Personal faith is the basic test. Until you know Jesus Christ as Savior, you are not ready for higher education. As long as you trust in yourself—feeling you are somehow good enough to please Me—you will fail this test. As long as you depend on your imaginary self-righteousness, you will never pass the test of reliance on Christ.
With the most basic question settled, you can take the entry-level exam for the University of the Spirit. It is not necessary to endlessly repeat the basic introduction to Christian living. It is mandatory that you grow in Christlikeness and understand the connection of Truth to every life issue. There are many required courses in heaven’s curriculum for the heart—unselfish love, invulnerable joy, indefinable peace, enduring patience, understanding kindness, sacrificial generosity, unflinching faithfulness, angelic gentleness, and supernatural self-control.
Life is a test with some hard questions you will have to answer—
Are you holy? Are you faithful to Me? How is your thought life? Do your eating and spending habits honor Me?
Are you honest? Are you fair? Do you treat other people justly? Do you always choose to do the right thing?
Are you humble? Are you for real? Do you know who I am? Do you know who you are? What price tag have you placed on yourself? Do you consider yourself too good to hang out with ordinary folks?
Are you happy? Can you lighten up and enjoy life? Uptight?
Are you hard working? Planning your work? Working your plan? Zeal for My cause flagging? Warming up for a burnout?
Are you heavenly-minded? Current events sadden you? Able to see beyond earth’s turmoil to My promised bright tomorrow?
Are you hospitable? Are you friendly? Do you share what I have given you with others who have less?
Study for your final exam—score high and graduate with honors.
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT
The world is the object of My love.
Looking down from heaven, I dearly prized the people of all nations.
Understanding the hopelessness of the human situation,
I compassionately and mercifully provided a perfect solution.
Observing sinners scurrying around like cockroaches in dark alleys,
I sent Holy Light to show them a nobler way to live.
My Son is the offering of My love.
I am Love—I proved it once and for all by sending Jesus to earth
to make it possible for you to be My friend forever.
I did not dispatch My Son to condemn and pass sentence on you—
but to forgive you of your transgressions.
The bloody sacrifice on Skull Hill was the highest price He could pay.
He suffered excruciatingly when He took your sins on His shoulders.
Belief is the opportunity of my love.
Relying on Jesus places you in My eternal care.
Believing means more than nodding your head in mental assent—
it means trusting His words and relying on Him for power to change.
Jesus’ death on the cross is the only remedy for your sin.
Your eternal destiny hinges on what you do with My Son.
Eternal life is the optimism of My love.
Not guilty is the verdict I reach when you kneel in repentance and faith.
Safe and sound is your ensured state when you surrender to Me.
Eternal life is not just living forever—without Me, that would be hell.
Eternal life is a new earthly life in time—
and a heavenly life without death, sickness, or evil in eternity.
How can you be sure I will honor this insurance policy? You have My Word.
