THE SOURCE OF IT ALL

“…PROVE to be MY disciples… [or in a relationship with God through Christ]…?” (John 15:8 NIV).

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If you’ve read my other books you know I like to start out with some “food for thought.” We will be focusing on sources and resources. Sources, which can be a person or thing, supply you with something you believe you need or something you want. In other words what you need or what you want comes from or begins with “THAT” person or thing or “source.”

Resources, which can be a person or thing also is something, temporarily, USED to supply you with something you believe you need or something you want. In other words what you need or what you want comes THROUGH the resource (people or things), yet still begins with the “source.”

“…After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.). Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance.” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).  Jehoshaphat called on the “SOURCE” for help. He didn’t call on his own army.

“... He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. …We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’ …O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” …” (2 Chronicles 20: 1-30 NLT).

Jehoshaphat had his own army and they had been USED as a resource for many victories, but he NEVER lost sight of who his real “source” was.

“…As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph…” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). God sent Jehoshaphat a “resource” in Jahaziel, who supplied him with a divine message.

“…He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. …you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, …Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). Jahaziel was a temporary “resource” through which God, the “source,” sent a message of comfort and promised victory.

“…Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

Jehoshaphat did what God told him to do through the “resource.”  He put his confidence in God, the Source. He was joyful and went out to war, with his army, singing and praising God, his SOURCE. What happened?

“…At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them.

After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.

….On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today. …the Lord had given them victory over their enemies.

They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets …When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them. So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side… (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

King Jehoshaphat had his own army, which was normally a “resource” of victory for him, but God, did not USE them this time to defeat the vast army coming against his kingdom.

Fortunately Jehoshaphat “knew” that his army was only a temporary “resource” and God was the main “source.” Therefore, he called on his help. Jehoshaphat followed these instructions: “….Don't put your confidence in … people; there is no help for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT).

Jehoshaphat didn’t get upset or disappointed because his personal army was not a resource for this war and couldn’t meet his need to defeat the vast armies. Instead he never lost sight of who his “source” was and “….After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor….” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

God has promised to supply all your need through Christ Jesus. YOU LACK NOTHING. We see the PROOF that King Jehoshaphat was in a relationship with God by his victory! God is gloried by the way he supplied his need.

 So the question to you is “What’s your proof?” "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).

If your answer is Godly fruit; does it show? Jehoshaphat and his army, by “….singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor…” demonstrated, they KNEW, who their SOURCE was (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

TRANSFORMING YOUR RESOURCES is about learning the difference between a source and a resource. God is your ONLY true Source: “…only believe…” God, “…will supply ALL your NEED…” (John 12:32 & Philippians 4:19 KJV).

TRANSFORMING YOUR RESOURCES encourages you to depend on the NEVER changing God who is consistent about his love for YOU. God is always your ONE, immutable Source for supplying your EVERY need. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  ^“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). ARE YOU READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR RESOURCES TO THE “ONE” TRUE SOURCE?

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