"Go inquire of the Lord for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found,"

Like hidden treasure, God's word re-surfaced for another go around with His people. Largely ignored, forgotten about, cast aside, now the heart of the king convicted, that they perish without the word of God. Like so many in the world today, ignoring God's word and His offers to help, we stand at a precipice of destruction, His offer still good today for grace, help and mercy in times of need. Continue to pray and urge others around you to embrace all that the Lord has.

Pastor Russell

"God left him alone only to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart."

At times the Lord allows tests to come our way. They may be times of abundance, or leanness, it could be great strength or infirmities. God allows testing to come our way, looking to see how we respond. Could it be growing faith and trust, or giving into the easy way or the attractive way, drawn away. With the king as well as with all of us, the tests come to prove our worth, our mettle, our doing our best in Him.

Pastor Russell

"But they did not listen, and Manasseh seduced them to do evil more than the nations the Lord destroyed before the sons of Israel."

Manasseh became the poster boy of bad behavior before the Lord, leading astray much of the children of Judah. His un-submissive spirit and rebellious nature and out and out rebellion become a reminder for us today of the fleshly nature within all people, including Christians. I know it all, so you got to do it my way, let's break the rules, let's whisper and cause some descension, the list goes on. But let's pray the Spirit would have His way, as we surrender ourselves to Him day by day and that His love would cover a multitude of sin.

Pastor Russell

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!"

Most of us in our work places and homes, in our communities, think we have no great ministry as to reaching the lost, but think again, we have effectively the opportunity to so many in tangible ways around us. A word of love, or encouragement, a smile, praying with or for those we come into contact with, the Lord provides many opportunities. Know that you are one with beautiful feet.

Pastor Russell

"And when king Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the Lord."

The railing accusations and threats of the enemy brought about immediate response by the king. The rending of his garments, the outward adornment with sackcloth, was an outward reminder of the deep grief felt by Hezekiah. The state of the kingdom had never been in such danger. He was driven to bring all things to the Lord. What does it take for us to come to a place of such heartfelt seeking of the Lord? His word reminds us to enter in boldly, to seek His help and council in time of need. Let's keep our communion with Him, open and constant, as we have such a great privilege.

Pastor Russell

"And he did right in the sight of the Lord, according all that his father David had done."

The spiritual evaluation of Hezekiah is indeed a refreshing one. From the long array of bad kings in the northern and southern kingdoms, Hezekiah hits the high mark, the Bible telling us he did it all according to David. Like this king, the Lord is looking throughout this world for those whose hearts are turned towards Him, bringing glory to His name. Won't you commit to walk with the Lord, so your life would bring glory to His name.

Pastor Russell

"And it came about at the beginning of them living there, that they did not fear the Lord, therefore the Lord sent lions among them, and killed some of them."

As the people of Israel were exiled from the land of Samaria, the king of Assyria thought it would be a good idea to bring new peoples into the land of God. Little did he know that the Lord was not pleased that His land would now be occupied by foreigners. Backlash would come swiftly in the form of animal attacks. Taking and occupying God's land would not be so simple. The land of Israel is the Lord's and His people, not to be taken, divided up or occupied by those encroaching. Yet the battle rages on, for the tiny speck of land and the future of its people.

Pastor Russell

"In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried Israel into exile to Assyria......"

After a successive reign of 19 kings, the northern kingdom of Israel finally fell to the onslaught of Assyria. These kings did little for the spiritual welfare of the people of the and did more to proliferate the worship of false gods. Much like mankind today, where we bow before the false gods of the world, same sex marriage, gender equality, energy efficiency, the golden buddha, the lists goes on and on. Man is still looking in all the wrong places. Little but heartbreak is to be found outside of Jesus Christ. Yet, we set ourselves up for a fall, unless we turn to Him. Pray for those around us, that they too may come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Russell

"Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow."

Before time began, out heavenly Father gave us the greatest gift of all time. There would be no payment for us for this gift, we could not earn it, or merit it, it could not be bought, inherited, traded, or bartered for, but was freely given to us. The gift of life we have in Christ Jesus becomes the most precious thing to us, giving us joy, freedom from sin, and eternal life, to name just a few of His facets. Today we can really celebrate a happy Fathers day!

Pastor Russell

"But the Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel with all his heart; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel sin."

The Lord used Jehu in a mighty way to rid Israel of the wicked king Ahab and his followers. But he failed to follow through all the way in eliminating the golden calf worship of Jeroboam. Herein lies the stumbling block that led not only to his downfall, but the nation of Israel. As with Jehu, the Lord was looking for those who would complete their mission, helping to further His kingdom, and not stopping short of their assignment.

Pastor Russell

"And he did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his Father......"

For all the kings of Israel, David becomes the gold standard for all to shoot for. Not that it was a contest or competition, but more like a spiritual high mark that David set in his relationship with the Lord. As we read through the book of Psalms, we see a closeness in communion with the Lord that it seems no others would attain. Not contrived, or striven for, but a relationship forged in time and closeness, that was proved by his words and actions. Would we all move towards that same type of closeness in communion with Him.

Pastor Russell

"And the Lord gave Israel a deliverer so that they escaped from under the hand of the Arameans; and the sons of Israel lived in their tents as formerly."

Time and time again, the Lord shows His faithfulness towards His people. As things were hard and oppressive, it was He who brought relief, yet in their waywardness they failed to fully recognize and embrace His kindness, turning back to their old ways. We ought to realize the folly, and in our own repentance, we need to turn to Him and follow after Him in all we do.

Pastor Russell