The king ordered Hil-kiah the high priest, the priests next in rank and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the Lord all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and took the ashes to Bethel. He did away with the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the towns of Judah and on those around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts.
2 Kings 23:4-5

In these Scriptures, we can see King Josiah taking out the trash! He was removing all the things that tried to take the place of God in His temple and didn’t leave a single thing behind that dishonored God. Not only did he remove these things, he left no trace. He cleaned the temple by burning all the idol materials and even took the ashes to Bethel to celebrate God. He fired the false teachers/leaders. This is truly taking out the trash! 

When I read this story, I can’t help but think about what needs to leave my life. Anything that pushes me away from God must go. Anything I put more trust in than Him must go. Any person who points me away from my Father in Heaven cannot have influence in my life. No one can take our trash out for us…we must do it. Is it time for you to spiritually clean house? 

Start by examining what needs to go in your life. Keep in mind, the goal is to take all of the trash out, not just some of it. We are cleaning our spiritual house, not just tidying up. King Josiah was blessed because his heart was so focused on pleasing God. Nothing that grieved the heart of God was left in the temple. As believers who God has designed to be heroes, we can’t afford to be casual about things in our lives that oppose God’s will for us. We must have the same love for God and boldness to make changes as Josiah did. 

My challenge to every reader today would be to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what might need to go in your life. Find someone who you can turn to in accountability to help you see your blind spots and get serious about cleaning the house of your heart!

Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep His commands, statutes, and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.
2 Kings 23:1-3 (NIV)

The number one thing that stands out to me in this story is that King Josiah didn’t delegate what was important. He set an example himself by leading the way to renewing the covenant with God. Because he went first, the people followed. Here’s three significant moves I think we can learn from King Josiah: 

• First, he gathered all those in his circle of influence. He was the only one that could gather all those people together for this life-changing moment. Let me ask you a question, who are the people in your circle of influence? Who are the people that will only follow you? That starts with our spouses, our kids, and our friends for most of us. Have you shared your testimony with those most important to you? 

• Second, King Josiah read the word in front of those he gathered. Have you ever been so moved by a word revealed to you that you are willing to share it? What scripture would you share if you got radical enough to renew a covenant to the Lord like Josiah? What word from the Lord have you received that’s challenged you to go deeper with God? 

• Third, he humbled himself and committed a covenant in front of everyone. He gave his heart and soul to the Lord and vowed to keep the Lord’s commands. Talk about a strong leadership move! When he did this, he brought a high level of accountability to his life. Most people these days are unwilling to do this for fear of being exposed or fear of failure. But, what if something like this would cause us to rise to the occasion? What if this caused us to consider the example we are setting for our children more often? 

Notice the huge impact these three things can have on others! Everyone else followed Josiah’s example because he led the way. Not only was he significantly impacted, but also those he loved. Let’s lead the same way Josiah did and see how the Lord impacts us and those we love.

I hope you’ve been following along with our Heroes series over the last several weeks. In this section, we’re using the life of Josiah as an example of what the Bible says it means to be truly heroic! Today, we’re picking up in 2 Kings.

In verses 13-17 of Chapter 22, Josiah sends his team to a prophet, Huldah, to figure out what’s going on. She delivers the bad news: God's people had forsaken Him and turned to idols, and God wasn’t happy about it. The disaster was inevitable.

But, look what she follows that with: 

“Tell the King of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. Therefore, I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’”

Incredibly, God noticed Josiah’s heart, humility, and emotions, and He heard his voice. Josiah found favor with the Lord because of his humility in his response. Humility opens the door to favor. If we can learn one thing from Josiah, it’s that humility brings the favor of God to the doorstep of our life.

When Josiah placed himself low, the Lord raised him high. Here are some things I’ve done to put myself in a posture of humility: 

• I hit my knees and pray. It takes humility to bow before God when no one can see it but you and Him. 

• Also, I’ve spent some time examining my heart by asking the Holy Spirit to expose me so I can repent for anything brought to my attention.

• Finally, I thank God for noticing me, and I’m going to thank Him for His favor in my life. 

This is a simple yet powerful way to start your day in a position of humility. Will you join me in adding a practice of humility like this to your life?

“When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes…” 
2 Kings 22:11

Have you ever read a verse in the Bible that made you emotional? I can remember a time I came across a verse that just crushed me. I realized I wasn’t living that scripture and I was in sin. God was using His word to correct and redirect me. I’m so thankful He does this for us, but I have to be honest… my heart was broken. I was a wreck because I realized I was missing what was important to God and I had no idea before that moment. His heart was broken! Therefore, mine was as well. 

As Scripture was read to him, King Josiah’s heart was being convicted. He realized that the people hadn’t been obedient to God. So, he tore his robe. In Scripture, tearing your robe was an expression of great emotion. Josiah cared about God and was obedient to the Lord! The actions he took before this moment showed this. But, I think this broken heart moment took Josiah to another leadership level. Maybe you’ve heard this before, but all I heard when I read this was “break my heart for what breaks yours.” Josiah seems like the kind of King that would pray a prayer like that. 

Heroes, let’s make that our prayer today; Jesus, break our hearts for what breaks yours! 

After sincerely praying this prayer, don’t be surprised when the Holy Spirit starts to show you things in your life that offend Him and break His heart. Thank God He does this! Let’s tear our robes and continue with the Lord. When our sin offends us as much as it offends Jesus, we will be in one of the most fruitful seasons!

Have them entrust it to the men appointed to supervise the work on the temple. And have these men pay the workers who repair the temple of the Lord—the carpenters, the builders and the masons. Also have them purchase timber and dressed stone to repair the temple. But they need not account for the money entrusted to them, because they are honest in their dealings.” Hil-kiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. Then Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him: “Your officials have paid out the money that was in the temple of the Lord and have entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the temple.” Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hil-kiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

2 Kings 22:5-10

King Josiah begins the work of rebuilding the temple and discovers something that will rebuild the relationship between God and His people. Rebuilding the temple was an expression of Josiah’s heart to start prioritizing God again. Josiah was taking a step toward God. In doing so, he discovered the very thing that would move a whole nation towards God as well. Rebuilding the temple was essential, but changing the hearts of men and women who were far from God was more important.

Think big picture with me for a moment. Like King Josiah, you and I can make decisions that prioritize God every day. When we do, we shouldn’t be surprised when we start having revelations within that decision that profoundly impact us and those around us. Our choices matter! They affect us and those we have influence over. When we think big picture, we tend to make better decisions. Josiah decided to rebuild the house of worship. Because of that, he discovered God really desired to rebuild the hearts of men and women. 

I want to be a hero to my wife, my children, and others. The key to doing that is powerfully living for Jesus. If I want them to see me as a good man filled with the Holy Spirit and faith, I have to think big picture. The big picture for me is pointing them to Jesus every day!

Each morning, I have to wake up and make decisions based on that goal, even (and most especially) when I don’t feel like it. I’ve got to lean into Jesus no matter what because it’s Jesus that changes me and Jesus that changes them! I can’t afford to cheat on my wife, look at porn, build idols for myself, or become arrogant and prideful. Too many people need a Jesus-loving hero. My family needs someone to point them to Jesus and I shouldn’t rely on the world around me to do it! 

Heroes, I encourage you today wherever you are to prioritize God and watch Him give you a revelation that will change your tomorrow. Think big picture today!

In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the secretary, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the temple of the Lord. He said: “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him get ready the money that has been brought into the temple of the Lord, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people. Have them entrust it to the men appointed to supervise the work on the temple. And have these men pay the workers who repair the temple of the Lord—
2 Kings 22:3-5

When King Josiah was twenty-six, he began to rebuild the temple. He took responsibility for what his father and grandfather had allowed to be destroyed. He cleaned up their mess. It becomes evident throughout Josiah’s story in scripture that this guy was a next level leader and a hero in the faith. In last week’s blog, I talked about the idea that heroes embrace hardship. Well, rebuilding the temple was hard! But, Josiah made it happen. 

Here are three things I take away from Josiah’s story:

1. Accept responsibility for what happens next, even if you weren't responsible for what happened before. Growing up, my family didn’t go to church. I had bad examples set for me. But, my childhood will not be my children's. I’m accepting responsibility for what happens next. 

2. Start spiritually rebuilding before diving in anywhere else. Josiah was king, which means he wore a ton of responsibility. I have no doubt he could have found himself preoccupied with many things. But, I think it’s interesting that the first thing Josiah started working on is rebuilding the house of God. Josiah had his priorities right and that’s because his heart was right.

3. In just ten years of faithfulness, Josiah was making major moves for the Kingdom. It’s incredible to see how quickly the Lord matured Josiah when he truly surrendered to Him. When Josiah was sixteen years old, he began to serve the Lord faithfully. When he was twenty years old, he purged Judah and Jerusalem of idols. At twenty-six years old, he began to rebuild the temple. What a hero!

What might there be in your life that needs to be spiritually rebuilt? I’ll bet it’s going to require you to embrace difficulties to do it. Maybe it’s spending time in the secret place with God. Family prayer. Church attendance. Daily Bible reading. Generosity. Whatever it is, it can happen in the name of Jesus once you surrender! 

“Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of his father David completely, not turning aside to the right or to the left.”
2 Kings 22:1-2 NIV

In second Kings Chapters 22 and 23, you see the story of King Josiah. It’s pretty incredible what he could do in a short time at such a young age. King Josiah was, without a doubt, a hero. For the next few weeks, I am going to use his story as a theme in our Heroes blog series. While I will only share quickly in these blogs on Josiah, I’d encourage you to go check it out for yourself if you’ve never read his story and become familiar with it. 

You see, Josiah was eight years old when he became king. His reign as king came on the heels of two terrible examples of what kingship should look like in the leadership of his father, Amon, and grandfather, Manasseh. However, that gave him no excuse to be a terrible king like his predecessors. He was able to look further down his family line and discover someone worth following; King David. Josiah understood how vital obedience to God was because of David's example. He decided to honor God with his life and follow Him completely as king. 

Here are a couple things I think we can learn from an eight-year-old king:

A lousy parent is no excuse for not having a hero. God will always provide a good leader for us to look to as a model. Take the time to discover them because they are out there. 

A hero worth following is faithfully following Jesus. The only hero you and I need is the person who does what is right in the eyes of the Lord. 

If an eight-year-old can find a good hero and become one, so can we. We have no excuse. Josiah had the worst examples, yet he found a man worth following. The fruit of that decision was that Josiah became a hero himself. 

So I’ll ask the question we started this blog series with: who is your hero? I’ve got three heroes in my life and another three that I look up to from afar. Every man needs at least one. My heroes inspire me, challenge me, teach me, and set great examples for me. What’s the common theme in each of them? They all do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-25 

No one told me that I would have an endless mountain of trash waiting for me when I got married and had children. Seriously, like every single day! One day I came home later than usual and I noticed that my wife Tiffany had turned an Amazon box into a makeshift trash can next to our trash cans because both of our cans were full! “What is that?” I asked her. And she responded with “You need to take the trash out.” There’s no doubt about it -  I’m the trash man at the Masters home. But, it won’t be long before I’ll have help from my son Liam. 

Each of us comes to our present day reality from a past where we’ve made mistakes. We have all needed to “die” so the new creation in Christ could come alive within us. I don’t know about you, but the old me often tries to come back to life with all its old garbage in tow. Just like at my house, I’ve got to learn to take the trash out in my spirit every day. If I’m going to be the hero God has called me to be, I’ve got to make sure I regularly throw out my old villain ways. 

I’ve got three helpful tips for throwing the trash out: 

1. Pay attention. As a teenager, I simply ignored the trash in the kitchen. I only begrudgingly took it out when someone told me to. As an adult, I’ve learned to look for the trash. It won’t go out unless I decide to take it. A good sign that you and I are maturing in our relationship with Christ is when we begin to pay attention to what’s happening in and around us. It’s an excellent place to be when we begin to notice behaviors, attitudes, and sin that needs to be removed in our life before someone else has to tell us. 
   

2. Get rid of it. It’s one thing to notice it; it’s another to do something about it. I think one thing a lot of men are guilty of is seeing something that offends God but deciding to leave it lying around. It’s like the guy who only takes the trash out when a guest is coming over or when it gets exceptionally disgusting. So many Christians live this way with sin. We hurry up and clean up because someone else might notice our mess if we don't. Or, we wait until it gets horrible before we decide to do something about it. We know it needs to be dealt with, but we delay dealing with it because we are spiritually lazy. Heroes are not lazy - they take initiative.  
   

3. Put a new bag in the can. I’d take the trash out but not put a new bag in the can. I’d wait for someone else to do that and my wife would get so aggravated. She reminds me that we have six people in our home and guests over three nights a week usually. We need a new bag because more trash is on the way. Putting a bag in the can helps prepare us for what’s to come. It’s also a form of protection. The best way I can put a bag in my own can is to remain humble by submitting daily to the Holy Spirit and praying this simple but powerful prayer: “Search me. Expose me. Show me, Father, and help me see where I offend you. I want to remove whatever offends you from my life.” 

Not a day goes by that I don’t notice something that needs to be thrown away. I’d rather throw it away today than to let it pile up for years and have to deal with it later. The more trash I have in my life, the more I show my kids it’s ok to live in supernatural filth. That’s not what I want to show them. I’m my kids’ hero right now, so I’m going to keep taking out the trash, so they know a real hero isn’t perfect, but he is responsible and consistent. I’m going from glory to glory, not garbage to garbage! 

Bag it up and throw it out,
Pastor Jason

“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”
Philippians 3:17 (NIV) 

All heroes need another hero that sets a great example for them to follow. When we started this series, I challenged the reader to think of a hero that inspires them. My heroes set great examples in marriage, ministry, and family. I’m still learning from them today by watching closely. The character of these men is high, their passion for Jesus is unwavering, and their family follows their leadership. These men set an example in the most important areas of life. 

In the same way, I want my marriage to be one that others learn from that causes them to want something similar. I want my faithfulness to my ministry to inspire and encourage people. But, I have to have pretty high character to be someone worth following. Passion is contagious so I must keep the fire in my soul burning. My main ministry will always be my family! I’ve got to really lead so they’ll follow. I can fake it with other people for a little bit, but I can never fake it with my family. They will see through the pretense quickly. 

I encourage you to find your own hero if you don’t already have one. Learn from them in the major areas of life: marriage, faith, and family. Make sure they’ve got great character, plenty of passion, and make sure their family follows them. If you’ve got a hero that you can access, reach out to them and thank them for setting a great example for you. Then try this exercise: think of three questions you could ask them about marriage, faith, and family. 

After you’ve done that, ask yourself…what kind of example are you setting? Is it one worth following? If not, what are three things you believe you can change right now? Name them, change them, and go be a hero!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 (NIV)

I realize this might not be the word you hoped to hear today. It always feels better to hear someone tell us our hardships are about to end. I've prayed many times for God to remove difficulty from my life and make things “easier.” And while the Lord does graciously bestow His favor and help us to overcome, He also walks with us through the hardships that we must embrace from time to time. 

Here’s the silver lining: doing difficult stuff will prepare you to do stuff that others can’t. Heroes run to what others run from! I’m personally falling in love with doing things that push me closer to God and require me to grow. We live in a day and age where everyone wants everything quickly, powerfully, and with minimal cost. Hardship, endurance, perseverance, and maturity are countercultural to that idea, and they are exactly how God develops us into the heroes He has destined us to become. 

Consider it pure joy (greatly valued and appreciated) when you face trials of many kinds (tests that develop you into who you are called to be). As a matter of fact, why not take ten seconds and thank the Father for the trials of perseverance you are facing right now?! After all, He is using them to transform you. 

Let's decide that we will not give up on Christ, others, and our purpose any longer! Our faith is producing a supernatural endurance we’ve never experienced before. Perseverance is maturing us into Holy Ghost warriors for the Kingdom of God! We are becoming the heroes we are called to be. Please don’t shy away or back down from the challenges…run to them. People will look up to you when they see you run to battles that others run from!