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2 Chronicles 2

Scripture
 
2 Chronicles 2:6
 
But who is able to build a house for Him, for the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him? So who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except to burn incense before Him?

Observation-What does it say?  The book of 2 Chronicles was written covering the same time period of 1 & 2 Kings. While the books paralleled each other, they differ in focus of the message. Where Kings focuses on the failings of men and morality, 2 Chronicles is more concerned with God’s faithfulness and redemption. Near the end of chapter two, we see that the aliens in the land of Israel were summoned to assist in building the temple. This further displays the redemptive heart of God, bringing all people, no matter their heritage, into His household and under His name. The theme of redemption is carried into the new testament. “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”(1 Peter 2:4-5) Everyone who comes to Jesus is being fitted together as one unit, working as a small piece of God’s bigger will and story.Understanding-What does it mean?Being involved in sports was a big deal in my household. My dad had been a star football player, and there was an unspoken expectation that my brother and I would continue the legacy. While I definitely enjoyed playing different sports growing up, I never really felt as though I belonged. I was athletic as a kid, but didn’t quite fit the mold of the “athletes.” I was a little goofy and had a hard time paying attention. I never really felt accepted. As I entered high school, I knew I wanted to be a part of a team, but not associated to the kids that had made me feel isolated elsewhere. When I showed up to the first day of summer cross country training, I found a group of misfits that all accepted me for who I was. If nothing else, I would have stuck with the team because I liked the way they treated me. God accepts us in an even more elaborate way. His love covers all of our sin, not just the little ones. He has called us out of our sin and redeemed us as sons. “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”(Galatians 4:4-7) With Jesus, it doesn’t matter where we came from, who our parents are, or even that we like acid wash jeans. He still loves us and wants us to be apart of His family.

 
Life Application 
 
Jesus, help me to treat others in a way that shows they are accepted into God’s family. No matter what our differences are, it is universally true that we need Jesus’blood to cover our sins. I know that I am just as broken as those around me, and I want to help them run the race that is set before us.
 
-Tyler Galloway
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2 Chronicles 1

Scripture 2 Chronicles  1:11-1211 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”Observation Solomon was now seated on the throne of his father King David and had taken the role of King. His father had passed away and he inherited a great number of people. He had listened to his father's instructions. God was pleased with Solomon and told him he could ask for whatever he wanted. Solomon felt the weight of responsibility and asked the Lord for wisdom. Understanding Gratitude and humility are always the correct response. First, Solomon responded to God with gratitude.2 Chronicles 1:8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Second, with humility. 2 Chronicles 9 Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”Solomon may have been around 20 years old when he took the throne. He was young and maybe it was obvious that he told God he was a child but it's so much more common to see an arrogant 20 something that knows everything instead of being filled with humility. I definitely was! There was clearly a difference with him. Solomon’s brothers tried to just take the throne. They never asked their father or waited to be anointed by the prophet, they thought they should be king and took it. God was so pleased with Solomon’s request as we read in 2 Chronicles 1:11 that he not only answered his request but gave him more than he could have imagined.God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”Application Gratitude and humility are always the correct response. I'm so grateful that he made a way for us to enter into his kingdom and bless us with all that we have no matter how big or small.Recognize the responsibility of the task that God gives to us. Matthew 22:36-40   36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’Father show me how to love you the way you deserve to be loved. Holy Spirit empower me to love my neighbor, especially the ones that make it so difficult! Oh the weight of the responsibility to LOVE God, our neighbors, and ourselves! This is just one example on how to apply this to our lives but the truth is that there is the weight of the responsibility to parent or to be a spouse according to God’s standards and commands. How about an employer or an employee? The list could go on.Pride corrupts our true condition,we are mere humans in desperate need of God!  Instead let's put on humility. We don’t and can’t possibly know everything. Let’s remain teachable remembering that God is making us into the image of his Son. 
Seeking the kingdom of heaven and all His righteousness pleases the heart of God...that should always be our goal!
 
Deborah Lee
 
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John_18

Scripture
 
John 18:37
 
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of the truth listens to me.”
 
Observation
 
After being betrayed, arrested, and denied, Jesus faces Pilate who questions Him as to who Jesus is and why He has been brought before him. Even though Jesus faces a certain death if He is not released, He still answers Pilate’s questions with grace and humility. In the end however Jesus is not released and must face crucifixion. While speaking to Pilate, Jesus poses a very important principle.
 
Understanding
 
Even though this has nothing to do with the verse or the context of the story, I have always despised Pilate. Even as a kid, I thought that he was the actual worst person ever, not because he technically did his job, but that he still handed Jesus over knowing He did nothing wrong. Anyway, tangent over.
 
Jesus could so easily look at Pilate and say “I’m totally royalty, and you know what I’m not gonna take this from you” and then magically ascended into heaven. Instead, He responds to Pilate’s questions without losing His patience. He has a full understanding that His life’s work is coming to a close and He is about to fulfill everything that was said about Him. However, Jesus leaves a challenge to us that I feel could have so easily been missed and that entails testifying the truth. After reading this passage I couldn’t help but to wonder “Am I on the side of truth?”
 
Sure, Jesus uses the word truth loosely here, but He explicitly says that anyone who is on the side of truth listens to Him. “Being on the side of truth” simply means you lay down your own comforts for the cause of Christ. It means that instead of denying the Father because you with to say warm and comfortable by a fire (Peter in this chapter), you proudly proclaim the good news and act as His witness. It means when God commands, you obey… NO MATTER THE COST. That’s what Jesus did. He gave His life for the sake of truth, He died so that we could not only live but testify and listen to what He tells us to do. I understand it’s hard and sometimes uncomfortable, but I don’t think hanging on the cross was easy or by any means comfortable, yet Jesus still did it. The least I can do is obey when He asks something of me without second-guessing or telling myself that I’m just imagining things.
 
Life Application
 
Be on the side of truth!
 
God, I ask that you fill me and others with boldness to speak your truth. May we not hesitate in the face of adversity of being stretched out of our comfort zones but instead rise to the occasion. May we mirror Your humility and grace in the face of other’s uncertainty, but may we above all learn to love others the way You love them.
 
Amen.
 
-Allison Khan
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