Month: February 2022

Nuggets of Truth

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly.” 2 Chronicles 15:15

God’s people would come to him and confess their sins just to go back to sinning again. But every time he forgave them just as he promised he would. Giving them a peace that comes from true repentance. It says, “I really was wrong and I really wish to do right.” But as the world gets hard we often go back into our sins. But God is always ready for us to come back to him no matter how bad we’ve been.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

God is perfect and he is just. So when we sin we will pay the consequences. If we run back to him though, he is loving, and will take us back. As parents, I can remember grounding my kids for bad behavior but as they show true repentance, I sometimes forgot about my threats and let them slide because I loved them and wanted to see them happy.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

God is our champion. He loves his own and will fight for them. We so often let things get to us. Every trial and difficult moment we need to take right to God. The sooner the better. It may be that he’s using it to strengthen us. But he uses everything for our good and he will be with us through everything. Sometimes God will work out impossible situations that we never imagined in his own special way.

“…men went to carry off the plunder, they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and articles of value-more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect.” 2 Chronicles 20:25

In this instance God sent his angels to thwart their enemies, who actually turned on each other and annihilated themselves. And because God is a God of abundance he gave them such a great victory. They not only received the spoils of war but there was so much abundance that it took three days to collect it all.

“He sought God during the days of Zechariah who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” 2 Chronicles 26:5

So many times the Bible tells us of people who served and followed after him were blessed and successful. Proof that he is good.

Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.” 2 Chronicles 27:6

More proof!

“…he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.” 2 Chronicles 31:21

More proof!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him. With him is only the arm of the flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8

If God be for us who can be against us. We may have enemies but who is greater than our God. Can anyone beat him? I know who I want on my side.

“Who of all the gods of these nations that my predecessors has destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your god save you from my hand?” 2 Chronicles 32:14

This just boggles my mind. How the Israelites kept turning to false gods even after the one true God did so much for them. Even the people fighting against them knew God was fighting for them and they didn’t stand a chance. But they still sought false gods. Hoping.

“And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons, his own flesh and blood, cut him down with the sword.” 2 Chronicles 32:31

God wins in the end. The bad guy loses and all is right.

Nuggets of Truth

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourself this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the god of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

God had proven himself to Joshua and he wanted to convince the others but it was their choice. They could see God was good and all that he had done for them but would they serve him?

“It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nation’s through which we traveled.” Joshua 24:17

The people said it themselves. God did it all for us. But would they serve him? They were a stiffnecked people.

“Lord the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth-you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.” 2 Chronicles 6:14

One thing is true. God does keep his promises. When he says something it can be trusted. It may not be in our time frame but it is always on time and the perfect time.

“Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple? People will answer, because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them-that is why he brought all this disaster on them.” 2 Chronicles 7:22

We bring so much trouble onto ourselves and yet we quickly blame God. God is always good and just. His ways we just can’t fathom because he knows the beginning from the end.

“The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2

The more you seek him, the more he will be revealed to you. I heard someone explain that to me in regards to children. The dad is being chased by his kids round and round but just before they give up he let’s them catch him. Because that love brings so much joy. He just wants them to earnestly seek him. Or have you ever played hide and seek with kids? While they count you hide but not very hidden so they won’t give up too easily.

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

God will reward us when we try. He loves us and he loves to give us good things. People who don’t know God think of him as a taskmaster. But since they don’t know him they will never know how much you do for someone you truly love, just because you love them.

Nuggets of Truth

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the Lord promised to your ancestors.” Deuteronomy 6:18

He’s promised to do everything for our best, always. We should want to do the next right and good thing because it truly is for our best.

“And if we are careful to obey all of this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.” Deuteronomy 6:25

Doing the right thing leads to our righteousness. One thing at a time, little by little.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9

If we do our part, he will always take care of us. Even if we don’t, he is faithful he continues to love us and take care of us.

“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.” Deuteronomy 30:15

Right here God lays it all out. Do you want good in your life? Well here is the answer. Want to be prosperous? God tells us how.

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this book of the law on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9

God laid it all out for Joshua. First he encouraged him, then he told him just what to do to be successful. He then tells him how to go about it. Taking over Moses job was a daunting task. Especially at his age. But God gave him the strength of a young man. Then he explained that this was a command. If this people were going to go forward and defeat their enemies they would have to follow instructions. He even told him why. Because I am with you always! You are not doing this alone.

“They said to Joshua, “the Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting with fear because of us.” Joshua 2:24

God is a God who fights our battles. He has a history of faithfulness. He also has an actual recorded history. These are facts that actually happened. The people were terrified of God’s chosen people. They had heard all the stories of what had happened and they were worried.

“So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself of its enemies, as it is written in the book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.” Joshua 10:24

This is another amazing story. I’m sure it can be proven by astronomers. The sun stopped! It stayed daytime till all their enemies were defeated. That didn’t just happen. It never happened before or since. God is good to have on your side.

“Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” Joshua 10:25

Joshua encouraged the people the same way he was encouraged. It was God who was fighting for them and he would be with them just as he is with us. Whatever you are fighting today God is ready to takeover. He will win.

“Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho , the citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did also the Amorite’s, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Gergashites, Hivites, and Jebusites. But I gave them into your hand.” Joshua 24:11

They were up against strong and valiant enemies who fought. Every town fought them but it was a loosing battle and they knew it. They knew of this God. News traveled fast even 2000 years ago. If God was so well known why did everyone worship other Gods?? God brought them into this good land and he fought for them. It was not their strength it was God’s. They inhabited homes and lands that God gave them. Crops they didn’t plant and many good things were given to them.

Nuggets of Truth

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“Then the Lord said to Moses,”I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.” Exodus 16:4

His provision is provided but he had a million whining people to take care of. He has storehouses of supplies and fed them each day miraculously with bread from heaven and even meat. There were no stores, or crops and the animals they had were required for sacrificing. Everything they needed was up to him. Their clothes and shoes did not wear out. They always had enough.

“The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna till they came to the border of Canaan.” Exodus 16:35

For forty years he took care of over a million people and they thrived and grew in numbers. I like camping out and I did it for years with my family but there was so much to pack and then to clean up when we were done. But they had what they could carry on their backs and that was enough.

“Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys my laws will live by them. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 18:5

There was only one request from God. To love and obey. Is that too much to ask for all he provides?

“Your threshing will continue till grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue till planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land.” Leviticus 26:5

When they came into their special land God continued to provide. He made sure that from harvest to harvest there was plenty. They were blessed.

“You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you.” Leviticus 26:10

Your enemies will run from you. They won’t be a problem for you. I will take care of it.

“I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you.” Leviticus 26:9

I’m giving you everything and making you successful also. Wow!

“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with your whole soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29

If you screw up, and you will, don’t give up. I will still be there. Come running back.

Acknowledge and take to heart that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Deuteronomy 4:39

God has proven himself time and time again. Make him Lord today.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5

Give him the love and respect he deserves.