Hezekiah was only 25 years old when he became king of Judah. His first priority was to repair the temple and reestablish worship, helping the people reconnect with God. In 2 Kings we're told that "Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him....And the Lord was with him;he was successful in whatever he undertook" (2 Kings 18:5,7). Hezekiah's most notable accomplishment in his 29-year reign was drawing his people back to God.
Most likely you will not be chosen to rule a country, but you are the queen/king of your castle-your home. So what is the first thing on your to-do list each day? What is your number one priority? Eliminate your kids' hunger? Disarm family disputes? Tackle the budget? Or when you get up, do you put your house in order by first putting your heart in order? The best way to run a home, a business or a country is from your KNEES IN PRAYER!
Take a cue from Hezekiah...and from David and Jesus. Each of them gave their relationship with God top priority. David wrote, "The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;the Lord accepts my prayer" (Psalm 6:9). "Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed" (Mark 1:35). They both put first things first by spending time with God even in the midst of other pressing needs.
Like Hezekiah, we have only a short time to make a difference to those in our small kingdoms. We cannot afford not to avail ourselves to God's wisdom and strength. Open the doors of your heart's temple and keep them open as you go about your day, submitting your thoughts and actions to God. Think of Jesus sitting beside you while you drive, in your office, at the kitchen table-and talk to him as you would a friend. And whenever possible, schedule extended prayer times into you life when you can choose "what is better" (Luke 10:42) by sitting at his feet and listening to him.
-Women's Devotional Bible
Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If we went back in those days, how would we do guys?!? Would God see us walking up on that hill to go pray? Would he see us setting with our child(ren) every day reading the Bible? PRAYER & the WORD are two of the most powerful things God has gifted us with and you don't see that as much anymore. We are in the worst century of this world guys & it is us seekers job to press on & push ourselves to pray & read the Word. That is our power & that power is weak in this world.
Turn the switch on & leave it on!!!!! -Joy
{2 Chronicles 7:12-16}
12 Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said,
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices.
13 At
times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command
grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.
14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from
heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.
16 For
I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my
name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is
dear to my heart.
{Psalm 5:1-3}
1 O Lord, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for I pray to no one but you.
3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
{Luke 10:38-42}
38 As
Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came
to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her
home.
39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.
40 But
Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to
Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just
sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!
42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
{1 Thessalonians 5:16-18}
16 Always be joyful.
17 Never stop praying.
18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
"If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, he will be in the last place the remainder of the day." -E.M. Bounds
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