One of my favorite Disney stories is Cinderella. I’ve always been a person that roots for the underdog, so perhaps that’s why this story has always been a favorite. In the animated movie, there is the scene where Cinderella and her step-sisters learn of the upcoming ball. They are all full of excitement – as any young girl would be – especially when they learn that the prince is to choose a bride from all the eligible young ladies. The mean step-sisters flit around, each thinking so highly of themselves that they would be the chosen girl to marry the prince. As Cinderella mentions going, her step-mother gets an evil glean in her eye and says, “Yes, of course, you can go…” and then she drops a bombshell with one two letter word – “if.” If she got all the chores done. If she had something suitable to wear. If. The evil-step mother sabotaged Cinderella with just the word “if.”
Joash (also called Jehoash) was only seven years old when he was crowned king of Judah. And in our verse for the day, the young king receives a great complement from the writer. The Bible tells us that as long as the priest, Jehoiada, instructed him, the young king did what was right in the sight of the Lord. In the midst of many evil kings, this young king wears the crown and did what pleased God. But then the bombshell drops with “Even so.” The New King James uses just one word – “But.” Joash did what pleased God – Even so, he left the fertility shrines.
As soon as Jehoiada had Joash crowned king, he made a covenant between God, the king, and the people that they would be God’s people and they all went to the temple of Baal and tore it down, broke the altars and images and killed the priest of Baal. They started out well – but they didn’t finish the job. They left the shrines in place and the people still sacrificed and burned incense there, along with many immoral, sexual sins. By not 
ridding that nation of all the idol worship, Joash left a door cracked open for the people to return to idol worship. We might say, “yes, but he was a better king than others that ruled before him.” And that is true. However,anytime we leave the door of sin cracked open, Satan will stick his foot in the crack and swing the door wide open – and that’s what happens to Joash and the people. In 2 Chronicles 24 we learn that as soon as Jehoiada died, Joash and the people “left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass.” (verses 17-18). As a result, Joash’s servants take action and they assassinate him and make his son king in his place (2 Kings 12:20-21).
What started out as a compliment ended up being critical. We should never underestimate the power of small words such as “if,” or “but” or “even so.” We’ve all had those kinds of moments.
She had felt called to be a missionary, but she had to get married and he wouldn’t go.
He would have been promoted, if he had better work attendance.
They could have avoided divorce. Even so, he couldn’t stop flirting with his secretary.
She tried losing weight, but couldn’t resist chocolate.
He felt God called him to the ministry. Even so, he was too afraid to quit his well-paying
job and go to seminary.
If someone were writing this verse about you and said: “[Insert your name] did what 
pleased God all the days of his/her life. Even so…” how would the sentence be finished for you? We can live all the days of our lives in a way that pleases God, but then not do that one thing or not finish the task and in doing it, we invite sin into our lives. Would you confess the “even so” to God now and ask for His forgiveness? Would you repent and turn away from your “even so?” Would you close the door to it and never go back?
We should also never underestimate the people that God puts in our lives to help steer us in the way we should go. Can you identify a “Jehoiada” in your life? Do you listen to this person of Godly wisdom? If that person was somehow no longer a part of your life, would you continue in the wisdom he or she planted in you – or would you return to the life you had before they entered your life?
#finishwell #evenso
Don’t forget to learn this week’s memory verse:
Memorize and hide in your heart one memory verse each week in 2020. If you didn’t start the challenge at the beginning of the year, just jump in now and be sure to sign up to get our weekly Memory verse in your email so you don’t miss a week.
This week’s memory verse:
Hosea 14:1-2
Israel, return to Yahweh your God,
for you have stumbled in your sin.
 Take words of repentance with you
and return to the Lord.
Say to Him: “Forgive all our sin
and accept what is good,
so that we may repay You
with praise from our lips.
 #unfailing love #repentance #COVID19 #revival #WCM
This week’s featured design:
Remember those who sacrificed all so that we could live with the freedoms we so richly enjoy. This week’s design features a patriotic them for Memorial Day.
Available in tees for women and girls, mugs, bags, and other products. Here’s a sample of a few of the products you can choose with this design. Check out all the available products in the Spreadshirt shop. Also available in the Teespring shop
This week’s featured items from Christian Book Distributors will help you get ready for the Memorial Day weekend. Order early as shipping times are taking a little longer than normal.
Memorial Day is May 25th: ORDER NOW
At Christian Book Distributors you will find Bible Studies, books, gifts, and more to help you grow your faith and often at discounted prices from other places.
Our organization receives an 8% commission on any item you purchase through these links. However, the product price is the same for you. There is no increase in your cost for us to receive the commission. All commissions received support the work and ministry of Wellspring Christian Ministries. Enter the site through any of the links below and browse the online store. Any item you purchase through ones of our links will qualify for us to receive the commission.
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God Bless the USA Heart Plaque
By Barbara Lloyd / Blossom Bucket Inc Red, white and blue Americana Patriotic heart wall sign
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One Nation Under God, Land of the Free, Canvas Framed Art
By Carpentree, Inc |
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God Bless America, Canvas Framed Art
By Carpentree, Inc Vintage Patriotic Collection of fine wall art, with frayed natural canvas above a striped art backdrop.13″ x 19″ clean and contemporary dark frameVintage style in trend, patriotic look. Textured appeal. Star-printed shape of the United States of America; God bless AmericaPowerful patriotic wall accent. |
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Soldier’s Prayer Figure
By Dicksons Beautifully detailed figurine, kneeling soldier in prayer on realistic wood-look base, features a plaque with engraved prayer by Alda Maria. Resin figure; 4.5″ x 5.75″; packaged in colored gift box. Hear Our Prayer Collection.A Soldier’s Prayer |
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John 8:36, Liberty Cross with American Flag
By Carpentree, Inc Printers’ Block Collection of fine inspirational gifts; wall decor with the raised, dimensional detail of lettering in artisan styles, combined creatively for display in your home.
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God Bless America, Small Flag
By Tina Wenke / Carson Home Accents
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God Bless America, Small Applique Flag
By Carson Home Accents
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God Bless America Tie
By Eagles Wings Proudly show-off your love for God and country with this beautiful patriotic tie! Features God Bless America on a stars and stripes background; 100% silk; dry clean only. |
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God Bless America, Photo Frame
By Carson Home Accents Photo frame in patriotic stars and stripes design
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God Bless America Pie Plate
By Divinity Boutique Serve up Americana at your summer table. Glossy blue 10″ fluted ceramic pie plate with red, white and blue inspirational design. God Bless America…”Bless is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12. Microwave, dishwasher, and oven safe.American as apple pie, or whatever your favorite is; rustic farmhouse charm for the kitchen. Patriotic pie plate |
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America, God Shed His Grace On Thee Hanging Jar
By Divinity Boutique Decorative mason jar with vintage wire hanger handle, trimmed in rustic red white and blue with stars; patriotic quote God Bless America. Glass jar is 6″ x 3″; may be used as a tealight holder, snacks, or home decorNot for microwave or dishwasher, but a country accent for your counter, shelf, or desktop |
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God Bless America Wall Cross
By Carpentree, Inc |
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Bless Our Nation (Constitution) Small Flag
By Russ Cannizzaro / Carson Home Accents Garden-size flag design, readable from both sides
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And of course we’ve included our CEO’s book:
God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars: 365 Daily Challenges to Grow Your Marriage
By Julia M. Bruce / WestBow Press
There’s no doubt that marriage is hard work. Yet it can also be one of the most fulfilling relationships you can experience, outside of your relationship with God. However, many marriages leave God outside of the relationship. Godly marriages do not happen without cultivating it, investing in it, and putting God first in your individual lives and in your marriage.
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
• Scripture to memorize and meditate on
• Conversation Starters
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
• Romance Builders
• Relationship Builders
• Personal reflections
• Date ideas
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
We’re booking for church and ministry events. (Due to COVID-19, we are only tentatively booking for events after September 2020 based on the recommendations as issued by the CDC and our government officials.)
Julia Bruce is an engaging speaker, CEO of Wellspring Christian Ministries, and author of God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars. Julia’s book is for Christian couples who seek a closer relationship with each other and with God. The book contains 365 activities for couples to work through together for a year of intentionally growing their relationship. The activities include scripture memory, conversation starters, personal reflections, guided Bible studies, romance builders, relationship builders and date night ideas. The book started out as daily posts on Wellspring’s website to encourage couples to develop Godly marriages and they quickly became the most viewed pages of the site. Julia feels God led her to organize the collection of posts into a book format that couples would be able to work through year after year. She enjoys going to churches and ministry events to talk about how the activities in the book will develop stronger marriages that are centered in Christ, which will then create stronger families.
Currently, Julia is finishing her second book, entitled: Help! No one said ministry was about spiritual battles and difficult people! In this book Julia uses her studies in psychology and professional counseling to take a Biblical approach to self-care to help people serving in the ministry not burn-out, give-up, and walk away from the call God placed on their lives. Whether your ministry position is volunteer or the senior pastor, this book will help you recognize the areas in your life that are depleted and need a little TLC so you can keep doing what God has called you to. You’re assignment in the Kingdom of God is vitally important! Keep an eye out for this book when it is released and see how Biblical self-care can keep you serving God. Julia can bring these concepts to your next ministry staff retreat to help your ministry team refill, recharge, and renew their heart for their area of ministry.
After years of envisioning the idea and concept of Wellspring Christian Ministries, Julia decided to take a leap of faith and merge her vocational, collegiate, and life experiences and make the dream God put on her heart a reality. Today we reach people world-wide through blog posts, speaking events, and devotionals. With a strong burden for our nation, Julia has a passion to see a revival sweep across our land and many of her writings and speaking events have a theme of calling God’s people to humble themselves and pray, and seek God’s face as they repent of sin and tune their hearts to following God’s will and His commandments.
Her message will engage individuals, inspire teams and transform the heart that is prayerfully seeking to live a God-first life. As the Holy Spirit speaks through her messages, He will work in every willing heart to create a life that is wholly sold out to God.
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars: This book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. 
Have you seen Julie’s new book: God, Love and Marshmallow Wars? This book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. 
Looking for a speaker for your next ministry event? Julia is now booking for 2019 and 2020 events. 
