Kristi Burchfiel
BLOG.KRISTIBURCHFIEL.COM
Devotional - May 19, 2012
VERSE:
2 Kings 19:22-- 'Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you raised your voice, And haughtily lifted up your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel!'
TRUTH:
Assyria was on a rampage. This mighty nation was gobbling up other nations as fast as they could on their quest to become a world power. Israel had already fallen to them and been scattered. Now they came against Judah and King Hezekiah. What they didn't count on was coming against the living Holy God that King Hezekiah served. The other nations had served pagan gods that had proved futile in trying to protect their worshippers once Assyria showed up. So, when the King of Assyria taunted Hezekiah and His faith in God, he compared God with all those other useless pieces of wood and gold. God took offense at that and used this as an opportunity to display His power and might. Do we remember to turn over all our battles to God and allow Him to fight them for us, like Hezekiah? Do we trust solely in the Living God for every breath that we breathe and step that we take? God was, is, and always will be, the Holy One!
RESPONSE:
Lord, You are Holy, You are mighty, and You will jealously defend Your Name to those who choose to blaspheme gainst it. I pray that no matter what I encounter that I will be faithful to You and bring my issues to You for while people may think they are attacking me, they are actually attacking You and I will allow You to defend me in every situation.
2 Kings 19:22-- 'Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you raised your voice, And haughtily lifted up your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel!'
TRUTH:
Assyria was on a rampage. This mighty nation was gobbling up other nations as fast as they could on their quest to become a world power. Israel had already fallen to them and been scattered. Now they came against Judah and King Hezekiah. What they didn't count on was coming against the living Holy God that King Hezekiah served. The other nations had served pagan gods that had proved futile in trying to protect their worshippers once Assyria showed up. So, when the King of Assyria taunted Hezekiah and His faith in God, he compared God with all those other useless pieces of wood and gold. God took offense at that and used this as an opportunity to display His power and might. Do we remember to turn over all our battles to God and allow Him to fight them for us, like Hezekiah? Do we trust solely in the Living God for every breath that we breathe and step that we take? God was, is, and always will be, the Holy One!
RESPONSE:
Lord, You are Holy, You are mighty, and You will jealously defend Your Name to those who choose to blaspheme gainst it. I pray that no matter what I encounter that I will be faithful to You and bring my issues to You for while people may think they are attacking me, they are actually attacking You and I will allow You to defend me in every situation.
Devotional - May 18, 2012
VERSE:
2 Kings 18:6--For he clung to the Lord, he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses.
TRUTH:
Hezekiah was different from all the other kings of Judah. He clung to the Lord. He followed God, but not just that, he trusted God completely and held to Him no matter what. Would others describe our relationship with God by saying that we "cling" to Him?
RESPONSE:
Lord, I want my life to be described that way. I want to cling to You through all of life's circumstances and need You desperately and love You. I will trust in You no matter what the situation is in my life.
2 Kings 18:6--For he clung to the Lord, he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses.
TRUTH:
Hezekiah was different from all the other kings of Judah. He clung to the Lord. He followed God, but not just that, he trusted God completely and held to Him no matter what. Would others describe our relationship with God by saying that we "cling" to Him?
RESPONSE:
Lord, I want my life to be described that way. I want to cling to You through all of life's circumstances and need You desperately and love You. I will trust in You no matter what the situation is in my life.
Devotional - May 17, 2012
VERSE:
2 Kings 17:39-40--"But the Lord your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies." However, they did not listen, but they did according to their earlier custom.
TRUTH:
This chapter details the fall of Israel and their being led into captivity. The verses list several reasons why, but ultimately the reason for their defeat is summed up in these two verses. The Lord will deliver His people, but they rejected God and followed their own ways. God gives us the same promise and the same choice. He will protect us and watch over us, but we must be following Him. Are we following and obeying God, or are we following our own ways and customs?
RESPONSE:
Lord, You are faithful and will do exactly as You say. However, I must be faithful as well. I pray You will forgive me and give me strength to follow You no matter what traditions are around me.
2 Kings 17:39-40--"But the Lord your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies." However, they did not listen, but they did according to their earlier custom.
TRUTH:
This chapter details the fall of Israel and their being led into captivity. The verses list several reasons why, but ultimately the reason for their defeat is summed up in these two verses. The Lord will deliver His people, but they rejected God and followed their own ways. God gives us the same promise and the same choice. He will protect us and watch over us, but we must be following Him. Are we following and obeying God, or are we following our own ways and customs?
RESPONSE:
Lord, You are faithful and will do exactly as You say. However, I must be faithful as well. I pray You will forgive me and give me strength to follow You no matter what traditions are around me.
Devotional - May 16, 2012
VERSE:
2 Kings 16:8--Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasuries of the king's house, and sent a present to the king of Assyria.
TRUTH:
King Ahaz was in trouble and being besieged from all sides. He decided to ask for help. Instead of coming to God for help, he worked a deal on his own with the nation of Assyria. Ahaz then proceeded to steal from God in order to pay for his deal. When we face trouble, do we come to God or try to "negotiate" a deal on our own? No matter what deal we try to make, it will always cost us more than we expect or intend. Stealing what is God's to give to another has consequences as God does not forget.
RESPONSE:
Lord, You are to be treasured and You are worthy of everything I have. I pray You will forgive me for trying to solve problems on my own. Hep me to come to You first and to give You what is Yours.
Devotional - May 15, 2012
VERSE:
2 Kings 15:10--Then Shallum the son of Jabeth conspired against him and struck him before the people and killed him, and reigned in his place.
TRUTH:
The kings of Israel had ll been evil and had led the people to do evil for so many generations that the country began to reap the "reward" for such evil. There began to be uprising after uprising and very few kings reigned for long. Most of them died by violent means as another person determined to take the throne. If we are promoting evil and teaching evil, eventually we will have people who have no conscience and just go and take whatever they want with no regard for anyone but themselves. Do we stand up for what is right or just allow our society to spiral into decay as Israel eventually did?
RESPONSE:
Father, You have laws and standards for a reason. You desire that we act like You and not act out of purely selfish ambitions. Help me to be brave and stand up for the things You stand for, no matter what because the alternative is chaos and decay.
2 Kings 15:10--Then Shallum the son of Jabeth conspired against him and struck him before the people and killed him, and reigned in his place.
TRUTH:
The kings of Israel had ll been evil and had led the people to do evil for so many generations that the country began to reap the "reward" for such evil. There began to be uprising after uprising and very few kings reigned for long. Most of them died by violent means as another person determined to take the throne. If we are promoting evil and teaching evil, eventually we will have people who have no conscience and just go and take whatever they want with no regard for anyone but themselves. Do we stand up for what is right or just allow our society to spiral into decay as Israel eventually did?
RESPONSE:
Father, You have laws and standards for a reason. You desire that we act like You and not act out of purely selfish ambitions. Help me to be brave and stand up for the things You stand for, no matter what because the alternative is chaos and decay.
Book Review - Buddy Finds a Home by Rachel Edminston
What if you were left all alone and abandoned? Where would you go? Who would you turn to? The little puppy Buddy finds himself all alone after all the rest of his family had been adopted by other families as pets. Buddy sets out in search of his own home and family in “Buddy Finds a Home” by Rachel Edmiston.
This is a great book that I really enjoyed. There is lots of description throughout the book and since it’s written from the puppy’s perspective, it’s easy to feel connected and attached to Buddy and to really hope with him and feel sadness with him. This book is excellent to read to young children and would be about right for a 2nd or 3rd grader to read on their own. I enjoyed the heartfelt journey and the illustrations just bring the book to life. I highly recommend this book.
Thanks Rachel for sharing your story with me!
For more information check out the Tate Publishing website.
Devotional - May 14, 2012
VERSE:
2 Kings 14:10--"You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Enjoy your glory and stay at home; for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall, and Judah with you?"
TRUTH:
The new king of Judah, Amaziah, had just won a battle against the nation of Edom. Now he was trying to pick a fight with Israel. The king of Israel warned him to leave well enough alone, but Amaziah wouldn't listen. They went to battle and Israel defeated Judah and killed Amaziah. Do we seek after conflict just to boost our own self-image? Are we overly proud and confident about ourselves? We must be careful for that pride can lead us down a very self-destructive path.
RESPONSE:
Lord, You are the one who gives victory and I do not want to be involved in any conflict unless You specifically direct me. Help me to know when to stand up and fight for You and when to walk away.
2 Kings 14:10--"You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Enjoy your glory and stay at home; for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall, and Judah with you?"
TRUTH:
The new king of Judah, Amaziah, had just won a battle against the nation of Edom. Now he was trying to pick a fight with Israel. The king of Israel warned him to leave well enough alone, but Amaziah wouldn't listen. They went to battle and Israel defeated Judah and killed Amaziah. Do we seek after conflict just to boost our own self-image? Are we overly proud and confident about ourselves? We must be careful for that pride can lead us down a very self-destructive path.
RESPONSE:
Lord, You are the one who gives victory and I do not want to be involved in any conflict unless You specifically direct me. Help me to know when to stand up and fight for You and when to walk away.
Devotional - May 13, 2012
VERSE:
2 Kings 13:5--The Lord gave Israel a deliverer, so they escaped from under the hand of the Arameans; and the sons of Israel lived in their tents as formerly.
TRUTH:
Even when the people of Israel were not listening to God, He was still listening to them. He still cared for their needs and raised up people to deliver them. God will still be God even if we don't acknowledge His Lordship. But, we then miss out on the blessings and the praise that we could have shared with Him if we did acknowledge Him.
RESPONSE:
Lord, I praise You for all You have done. I acknowledge Your Lordship over all things, even the things that are not directly acknowledging You. I pray You will continue to be You even when I stumble and fall and at times don't give You the praise You deserve.
EXTRAS:
Today is Mother's Day and we're talking about it over on the Sister in Cahoots page. Check out today's "Sundays with Kristi" talking about feeling Inadequate.
2 Kings 13:5--The Lord gave Israel a deliverer, so they escaped from under the hand of the Arameans; and the sons of Israel lived in their tents as formerly.
TRUTH:
Even when the people of Israel were not listening to God, He was still listening to them. He still cared for their needs and raised up people to deliver them. God will still be God even if we don't acknowledge His Lordship. But, we then miss out on the blessings and the praise that we could have shared with Him if we did acknowledge Him.
RESPONSE:
Lord, I praise You for all You have done. I acknowledge Your Lordship over all things, even the things that are not directly acknowledging You. I pray You will continue to be You even when I stumble and fall and at times don't give You the praise You deserve.
EXTRAS:
Today is Mother's Day and we're talking about it over on the Sister in Cahoots page. Check out today's "Sundays with Kristi" talking about feeling Inadequate.
Devotional - May 12, 2012
VERSE:
2 Kings 12:15--Moreover they did not require an accounting from the men into whose hand they gave the money to pay to those who did the work, for the dealt faithfully.
TRUTH:
As business people who follow Jesus Christ, are we faithful with how we administer our business? Do we use our resourcess with integrity when it comes to our personal items? These people were so trustworthy, they didn't need to be tracked and followed. Do we have the same reputation?
RESPONSE:
Lord, I pray You will direct my use of money and all the other resources You've allowed me to have. I want my actions and dealings to be above reproach, just like You.
2 Kings 12:15--Moreover they did not require an accounting from the men into whose hand they gave the money to pay to those who did the work, for the dealt faithfully.
TRUTH:
As business people who follow Jesus Christ, are we faithful with how we administer our business? Do we use our resourcess with integrity when it comes to our personal items? These people were so trustworthy, they didn't need to be tracked and followed. Do we have the same reputation?
RESPONSE:
Lord, I pray You will direct my use of money and all the other resources You've allowed me to have. I want my actions and dealings to be above reproach, just like You.
Devotional - May 11, 2012
VERSE:
2 Kings 11:21--Joash was seven years old when he became king.
TRUTH:
Age is one of the characteristics that we immediately notice when we see someone. Yet, it is not a determining factor to God when He chooses to use people. Do we limit ourselves because of age? Do we assume that before a certain age or after a certain age we are not useful to God? God has a plan and a purpose for all of us, no matter our age. What matters is our willingness to be obedient to Him.
RESPONSE:
Father, I pray You will help me to see past the physical limitations and help me to just be willing to obey whatever You ask.
EXTRAS: As it is Mother's Day this weekend, a friend of mine, Darlene Shortridge, is offering a free download of her Christian Fiction Book, "Until Forever." You can read this on your computer or e-reader. This is a wonderful story that speaks to the power of prayer and forgiveness. You can read my review of the book here. Please check it out and download your FREE copy today: CLICK HERE!
2 Kings 11:21--Joash was seven years old when he became king.
TRUTH:
Age is one of the characteristics that we immediately notice when we see someone. Yet, it is not a determining factor to God when He chooses to use people. Do we limit ourselves because of age? Do we assume that before a certain age or after a certain age we are not useful to God? God has a plan and a purpose for all of us, no matter our age. What matters is our willingness to be obedient to Him.
RESPONSE:
Father, I pray You will help me to see past the physical limitations and help me to just be willing to obey whatever You ask.
EXTRAS: As it is Mother's Day this weekend, a friend of mine, Darlene Shortridge, is offering a free download of her Christian Fiction Book, "Until Forever." You can read this on your computer or e-reader. This is a wonderful story that speaks to the power of prayer and forgiveness. You can read my review of the book here. Please check it out and download your FREE copy today: CLICK HERE!
