JUNE 8, 2025

 "I don't know when we all bought into the idea that in order to change you must "feel" eager or "feel" motivated to act. It's complete garbage. The moment it's time to assert yourself, you will not feel motivated. In fact, you won't feel like doing anything at all."

-Mel Robbins 

2 CHRONICLES 26-28

3Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem. 4He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done. 5He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear^b of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. (26:3-5)....16But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.(26:16)

6Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.(27:6)

22In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord. 23He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him; for he thought, “Since the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me.” But they were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel. (28:22-23)

JOHN 17

20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

24“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

25“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you^e known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

JOURNAL 

In these few verses in Chronicles, God reveals the path to purpose and meaningful life...seek God, follow and obey him and God will bless you with a purposeful life and will use you to accomplish his purposes. This is the source of true confidence and true courage. However, disobey, ignore, become conceited, go your own way and a downfall will be certain.

These verses in John is Jesus' prayer moments before he is arrested. It was prayed for his disciples as he faced his imminent death. The message again is is clear...Power comes through God and God's spirit residing within us. It has nothing to do with inspiration and feeling inspired. Jesus felt anguish and despair and yet he persisted.  

When we become believers...then a covenant is formed and we possess God's spirit. Jesus' prayer identifies his love for us and his desire that his love and his spirit reside within us. That then makes us an extension of God...an "outpost" of his kingdom. Therefore we have everything we need to set out each day with the faith to tackle any and every problem that comes our way. 

23And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. 24As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.

James 2:23-24