Pride

King Uzziah became king at 16. He was helped by many to become strong & successful. He was given great knowledge to secure & establish the kingdom. He loved the Lord & was very faithful. His intelligence got the best of him & pride sat in. It was the stumbling block that blinded his judgement. “Moreover, Uzziah prepared for all the army shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows and sling stones. In Jerusalem he made engines of war invented by skillful men to be on the towers and on the corners for the purpose of shooting arrows and great stones. Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong. But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. Then Azariah the priest entered after him and with him eighty priests of the LORD, valiant men. They opposed Uzziah the king and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor from the LORD God." But Uzziah, with a censer in his hand for burning incense, was enraged; and while he was enraged with the priests, the leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense. Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous on his forehead; and they hurried him out of there, and he himself also hastened to get out because the LORD had smitten him.”
2 Chronicles 26:14-20 NASB

Many times pride will cause us to rationalize what the Lord has done in our life. It will cause us to doubt and be ashamed to give God the rightful credit or not be satisfied with our current relationship or place of service (our assignment). It's the hardest fault to detect because it begins without notice & is not one of the "big ones." Prayer reveals these when we honestly ask the Lord. He has won the victory over pride & every other act we can commit.

The Battle

We should give the Lord the big things & the small. He is always at work around us. When King Jehoshaphat was invaded by a huge army he turned to the Lord. The Lord answered; “and he said, "Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you." Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.”
2 Chronicles 20:15-18 NASB
When we give Him the big and small things, the pressures of life become a walk in the park. My Dad would say; "Is this anything the Lord can't handle?" Begin with that question & you will discover the Lord wants to take it from you & handle it. The Lord had the enemy turn on each other & King Jehoshaphat did not have to lift s sword.

Effective Prayer

The Lord promises to hear our prayers when we come humbly to Him with our concerns, petitions, praise & adoration. He loves to guide our hearts, thoughts & activities. After King Solomon's prayer of dedication God accepted his offering, sent fire from heaven to consume it & filled the house with His presence. He gave us the keys to an effective relationship; “Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.” II Chronicles 7:12-15 NKJV

Life changing prayer life

The Spirit of the Lord generates prayers when we allow Him to be Lord of our thoughts & the desires of our heart. Here's how it worked with King Solomon; “Solomon said to God, "You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. Now, O LORD God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?" God said to Solomon, "Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you." 2 Chronicles 1:8-12 NASB
King Solomon then went back believing God, (trusting what He had told Him) & began his reign based on what God was going to do. I encourage you to pray the same prayer in your life asking for wisdom, listen for the Lords response & get up putting into place all things the Lord has showed you. This says more about what you believe about God than anything else you day or do.

Faithfulness & Dependability

Faithfulness and genuine concern for others is part of the work the Lord does in our heart. I thank the Lord for faithful folks He has placed in my life.
“But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.” Philippians 2:19-22 NASB

We are told we are getting a new name (Revelation 2:17 & 3:12) I believe the new name will be based on our love relationship with the Lord & and how we lived that out. It will be given as a reward by the Lord- the first one will be given on a stone know by only us & the Lord. The second will be written on us for everyone to know. Serve as a faithful friend & fellow soldier & you will be rewarded in ways I can't even describe.

God has a plan for you

The rewards for living a life of obedience includes the Lord establishing & using you as He intends; “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.”
Philippians 2:9-18 NASB
Rejoice & share it!

Godly Wisdom 

"Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt." (1 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭29-30 NASB)

When the hand of God does a significant work in the life of a believer, that person is highly noticed among their counterparts. The world can't help but see the work of God in the life of a believer. We live in a world that has us rely on anything other than God. They'll be a time when jobs, technology, food, shelter and medicine fail us. If we have trusted in those things, what will we have left?

"Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom." (‭1 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭34‬ NASB) We all still need Godly wisdom in our life. Ask the Lord for wisdom & discernment and He will answer when you're ready to receive it and use it for Kingdom purposes.

Wisdom

What's your #1 request? Many times it shows where our heart is. "It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days." (1 Kings 3:10-14 NASB)
God knows what we need before we ask so He reminds; “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matt 6:33

God our Shield

When our relationship with God is healthy and honest, He has a tremendous impact in every area;
For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not wickedly departed from my God. For all His ordinances were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me. I was also blameless with Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity. Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in His eyes. With the kind You show Yourself kind; With the blameless You show Yourself blameless; With the pure You show Yourself pure, And with the crooked You show Yourself astute. For You save an afflicted people, But haughty eyes You abase. For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness. For by You I can run upon a troop; And by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. (‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭21-30‬ NASB)

Reconciliation

The Lord gives His children gifts to handle important matters. Sheba had began an uprising among the people of God and was splitting the hearts of the people again. Faithful people like Joab and this wise lady (name unknown) were able to reconcile the people to follow King David.
"As soon as he was removed from the highway, all the men passed on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

Then a wise woman called from the city, "Hear, hear! Please tell Joab, 'Come here that I may speak with you.'" So he approached her, and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" And he answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Listen to the words of your maidservant." And he answered, "I am listening."

I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are seeking to destroy a city, even a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?"

Such is not the case. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against King David. Only hand him over, and I will depart from the city." And the woman said to Joab, "Behold, his head will be thrown to you over the wall." Then the woman wisely came to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, each to his tent. Joab also returned to the king at Jerusalem. (‭2 Samuel‬ ‭20‬:‭13, 16-17, 19, 21-22‬ NASB)
The Lord could use you to reconcile relationships with those in your world.

Salvation is from the Lord

My Salvation Depends on what God has done - not on what I have done.

"I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken."

"Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah" (Psalms 62:1-2, 5-8 HCSB)

True Forgiveness

True forgiveness produces godly sorrow. You can tell when you have forgiven someone when you rejoice when something good happens or truly grieve when they are hurt. King Saul had tried to kill David for years. Here's his response. ""O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. "How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women. "How have the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished!" (2 Samuel 1:24-27 NASB)

When We no longer Hear from God

"When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor.” (‭I Samuel‬ ‭28‬:‭5-7‬ NKJV)

King Saul had seen the Philistine army and was operating under fear. So they held a seance & brought Samuel up from the grave. The message of Israels defeat & Saul's death (including his son Johnathan is not the one King Saul wanted to hear. So the next day Sauls fear of losing the Kingdom to David & his son not being heir heir to the throne became reality. 

Our heart straying from the Lord is a suttle process that we don't identify immediately. The enemy is not going to point it out, instead he will justify, he will encourage us to be our own person and follow our heart. We may not recognize how far our heart has strayed. Saul wasn't involved in what we would say are great big sins. He instead decided to do things his own way. There is where the road to to bitterness, anger & hurt begin. Before we know it we are no longer hearing form God & we are seeking the desires of our own heart instead of the heart of God. We become more wrapped around what we think & want instead of seeking what the Lord sees & wants. We are on the roller coaster to destruction & we are taking our family & followers with us. I've heard it over and over "I never knew it would take me this far and cost so much." So they get off the ride of danger that their family & friends are still on & they begin to pray for them. 

Your sphere of influence is greater than you think. Allow the Lord to guide your path, let Him have the rightful place in your life. Then you will see the plans He has for you unfold & He will bless nations through your walk with Him!

Letting The Lord Fight Your Battles

"So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul’s head, and they got away; and no man saw or knew it or awoke. For they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them." (I Samuel 26:12 NKJV)

This is the second time David could have killed the one seeking to kill him. Even though David was a young man he knew God intimately, trusted Him completely to fight his battles for him & and let the Lord deal with King Saul.

So what do you do when people oppose you? What is your role?
1. Believe what God says in His word, and personalize it.
"I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3 NKJV)
Understanding scripture, what capacity does God have to do this? Live out your role in their life by praying and interceding to the Lord on their behalf.

2. Seek Godly counsel & ask them to pray for wisdom.

3. Trust the Lord to handle it & do or say nothing negative about them. I thank the Lord for godly men who have interceded & held my feet to the fire as they had to teach me this, and I'm still learning.

4. Prepare for rain. Two farmers prayed for rain, one got up and went out & plowed the field. Which one trusted God? Prepare yourself for reconciliation or whatever God decides to do & be okay with His decision.

5. Be okay with God's timing. Remember if you're praying for God to move mountains, there will be an earthquake in your life or theirs. Try not be surprised or afraid when this happens. I never cease to be amazed when I see him work thugs out.
I have seen this process over and over.

Have a hard time verbalizing your prayers? To me that is a real challenge during solo prayer time. When we break it down we have; (acts) adoration, confession, thanksgiving & supplication (petition or our requests). When the Lord brings someone to your heart & mind pray scripture into their life. Here is a great Psalm to start with, written by David while King Saul sought to kill him. "Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by. I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me. He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me. Selah. God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth. My soul is among lions; I must lie among those who breathe forth fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows And their tongue a sharp sword. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens And Your truth to the clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth." (Psalms 57:1-11 NASB)

Written on Our Hearts

"For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus." (Romans 2:14-16 NASB)

We should be led by the Lord in our daily lives so our activities are out of  work the Lord has done. It should be that we want to serve in a way that may be out of character for us, yet is contagious to those around us.