Memory Verse: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 KJV

Devotional Reading: II Kings 14; II Kings 15

Song of The Day: Lord, I’m Available To You

TODAY’s DEVOTIONAL

Don’t let the devil steal your J.O.Why. When Jesus Overcomes You, you are led by the Spirit of God. When the enemy tries to attack your mind, He wants to control everything else about you also. That’s why he starts with your “thinker.” Let the mind of Christ be in you(Philippians 2:5). Put “self” aside and concentrate on Him. You will have the victory. Remember why you fell in love with God. That’s your “why” that leads you to the thoughts of peace that pass understanding (Philippians 4:7).

The Kings in today’s reading were noted as having done that which was right in the sight of the Lord. However, it is implied that God had “somewhat against them” as was stated concerning the church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7).

Though these two kings did much good, they failed in at least one, very important matter. Both King Amaziah (II Kings 14) and King Azariah (II Kings 15) neglected to remove idol worship from the kingdom.

Amaziah’s sin brought defeat to his armies. Azariah suffered a more personal punishment.

And the LORD smote the king [Azariah], so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the house, judging the people of the land. II Kings 15:5 KJV

By this comparison we see that the grievances of God against people are not always handled in the same way. Since we may not always have our sins disclosed to the masses, it is easy to compare ourselves to others who seem not to meet the standards we feel are compulsory. They may not be able to see the few or many areas in which we need to step up our performance concerning God’s will; to look at ourselves and see whether we are measuring up to God’s standard for our behaviour, our speech, our thought process…

While you may not be involved in the “seven sins,” or feel that your acts are something worthy of the “grapes of wrath,” God is always calling you to a higher standard. Neither Rome nor any person was backslidden into sin in a single day. Yet it is the erosion of Godliness that allows such things as idol worship to flourish. Like a dripping faucet- it can cause real damage when prolonged. You may have heard it said, that “the little foxes” destroy the vine (Song of Solomon 2:15).

Beware of the little things that steal your smile for example. These may grow to delete your joy, – (“minus”) the J, – O, and before you know it, you won’t even remember “why.”

God forbid that believers should leave their salvation in such a state that He would have “somewhat” against them. Let us grow in His grace, not taking a single day for granted. And each day, may you endeavor to be all that He wants you to be;and that you may hear Him say, well done (Matthew 25:23).