He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD who is with you when you render judgment.  Now then let the fear of the LORD be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the LORD our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.” (2 Chronicles 19:6-7)

Jehoshaphat’s advice to the judges of Israel is good advice for us all.  Be careful when you judge – your own opinion of a person or circumstance shouldn’t matter – instead, ask what the LORD has to say.

Our ethics should be based upon impartial truth and adherence to God’s ways, not our own.  Our view of other people should be the same.  How would God view your neighbor or your friend or your child or your enemy? Do likewise.

And lastly, be un-bribable.  Make sure that your view of the world isn’t clouded by selfish gain.  Don’t decide what is right or who is right based upon whether you like them or whether you like the consequences.

As Jesus said,  “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 16-25; Psalm 47; Proverbs 16 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“…and they turned aside to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him.” (2 Chronicles 18:31)

Jehoshaphat feared the chariots would overwhelm him and the soldiers would slay him.  He saw what lay ahead, and it seemed like impending doom.

But God diverted it.  Sometimes God reroutes our lives around the troubles.  Sometimes, at the last minute, He snatches us from the path of the dragons which would slay us.  The proximity of our problems does not increase the distance from God.  The closer our problems are, the closer He is, too.

Sometimes, he diverts the disaster at the last second so that we know it could only be Him who saved us.  Sometimes, our lives take an unexpected detour that ends up being the best thing to happen to us.  Don’t fear the chariots which come to destroy you; look for the Help and cry out to Him.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 16-25; Psalm 47; Proverbs 16

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“In the 39^th year of his reign Asa became diseased in his feet.  His disease was severe, yet even in his disease, he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians.” (2 Chronicles 16:12)

The Bible has plenty of examples of the value of seeking medical help – Christians should not confuse this verse with some sort of call to askew all medicine or medical expertise.  This verse is a reminder that human expertise is not a replacement for God.

Regardless of how much we learn about the human body, there are volumes more we simply don’t understand.  God designed us in a wonderful and complicated way. No amount of study will ever plumb the depths of His creation to its fullest.  We will always be dependent upon Him.

So see the doctor, but don’t forget about the Great Physician.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 16-25; Psalm 47; Proverbs 16

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Better is a dish of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox served with hatred.” (Proverbs 15:17)

The right people are the best seasoning to the meal.  If you have people in your life who love you, count yourself blessed.

And the power of family dinner should not be underestimated.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 6-15; Psalm 46; Proverbs 15

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

Cease striving is a fancy way of saying ‘stop fighting’.  Christians have one goal:  exalt God here on earth.  If the fight you are having right now isn’t doing that, then stop and move on.

It is that simple.  We have to pick our battles because we can’t fight them all.  He’s God; let Him handle the world’s problems.  The internet has made it possible for you to see everything going on in the world, but it hasn’t made it possible for you to fix everything you see.

Pick your battles, and remember we are God’s army here on earth.  We’ve got spiritual battles to fight, and that means we need to focus our resources on souls, not stuff.  Don’t waste your bullets on things that moth and rust destroy… and definitely don’t get caught up in friendly fire with other Christians!

We have work to do. Now is the time to rise up and make sure heaven is as full as it can be.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 6-15; Psalm 46; Proverbs 15

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Let your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let Your godly ones rejoice in what is good.” (2 Chronicles 6:41)

Christians are God’s royal priesthood (see 1 Peter 2:9).  If the Old Testament priests were to be clothed with salvation and to rejoice in what is good, how much more so Jesus’ priesthood?

We know where we are going, and we know what matters in life.  Christians are meant to live confident, happy lives.  It is a sign of who our King is and the trust we have in Him.  Our God is too good for us to be beaten down.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 6-15; Psalm 46; Proverbs 15

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“that Your eye may be open toward this house day and night, toward the place of which You have said that You would put Your name there, to listen to the prayer which Your servant shall pray toward this place.” (2 Chronicles 6:20)

Solomon trained the people to pray facing the temple because it was the place that bore God’s name, and therefore, it was the place He gave special attention to.

So, where is that place in the New Testament?  The New Testament says that the church is the temple of God (see 1 Cor 3:16) and that each individual’s body should also be treated like God’s temple (see 1 Cor 6:19).

And what bears God’s name today?  Christians.  We bear the name of His Son, and when we pray asking anything in His name, He hears us (see John 16:23-24).  There is no need for a physical temple because the kingdom of heaven is within us (see Luke 17:21).

Pray like He hears you and live like You represent Him.  Both are true.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 6-15; Psalm 46; Proverbs 15 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you

“O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no god like You in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart.” (2 Chronicles 6:14)

It is hard to reach adulthood without learning the lesson of guarding your heart.  Most adults have felt the sting of a broken heart and the pain of being rejected by those we have made ourselves vulnerable to.  Opening your heart to others comes with risk.

So how do we define God’s character?  Unlike all others, you can walk before Him with all your heart and know that He will be kind, loving, and always keep His promises.  He doesn’t reject the vulnerable, nor is He absent when we need Him most.

He is everything mankind aspires to be but falls short of.  A God who can be trusted with our hearts.

Trust Him.  He’ll see you through the darkness and the sorrow.  He won’t desert you.

“for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ ” (Hebrews 13:5)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 6-15; Psalm 46; Proverbs 15

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy.” (Proverbs 14:10)

The reason we feel misunderstood and unheard by others is because nobody ever completely understands anyone else.  Our loved ones try, just like we try with them, but language, perception, and personal bias will always leave a gap of understanding.  Some sadnesses are yours alone to truly feel, and some joys are just for you to cherish in your heart.

There is only one who truly has a window into your soul.  God gets you, even when nobody else does.

“for You, You only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind” (1 Kings 8:39)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 24-29; 2 Chronicles 1-5; Psalm 45; Proverbs 14

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” (Psalm 45:1)

If what we say comes from our hearts (see Matt 15:18), then the theme of our words shows the theme of our hearts.

A theme is the recurring idea that pervades our lives.  Is the theme of your life joy? Is it hope or peace?  Or is it bitterness or complaining?  Your words speak of the theme that overflows from your heart.

“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 24-29; 2 Chronicles 1-5; Psalm 45; Proverbs 14 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision