A servant's greed

Starting at verse 20, chapter 5, in the book of 2 Kings, Elisha's servant Gehazi discovered that the Syrian army commander, whom Elisha had healed from leprosy, had went away without Elisha taking his gifts.

The servant lied to Naaman, telling him that two prophets had arrived and would like some of the gifts he offered Elisha.  Naaman did without question, for he was pleased to part with the gifts in exchange for healing his leprosy.

The servant hid the gifts and lied to Elisha about where he had gone.

But Elisha knew what he had done, and because of it Naaman's leprosy was upon him and his children.  Forever.

Healing the heart of the enemy

Naaman was a very admired man.  A hero.  Commander-in-chief of the Syrian army, he was successful at what he did.

Unfortunately, he was a leper.

In the book of 2 Kings, chapter 5, a girl servant in Naaman's household was from Israel (taken captive from a recent invasion) and advised them to seek out the prophet Elisha.  The Syrian king wrote a letter to the king of Israel with the request.

The Israelite king was angry at the request.  But when Elisha heard of the request, he sent for Naaman.  He told Naaman to wash himself seven times in the River Jordan and he would be healed.  But Naaman did not believe him.  He thought Elisha could just say the words and he would be healed.

But Naaman's officers reasoned with him, telling him to at least try it.  He did.  He was indeed healed.  He brought a massive load of gifts to Elisha, but Elisha refused to take them.  Naaman then asked to take from earth back to him, and promised that from that day forward all of his sacrifices will be in the name of the Lord.

Let God be in charge of your life story

I saw this sign at the doctor's office a few months ago.  Oh, how true it rang to me.

In April 2011, my wife was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  By August she was declared cancer free, and on September 1st, she underwent a bone marrow transplant.  To this day, she has remained cancer free--thanks be to God!

My wife has gone through a series of troubles since then, most of which was her loss of sight.  It's not complete blindness, but she is legally blind.  She has a Kindle, and places the screen right up to her nose just to read it.  She does an amazing job.

In the years since, life has not been easy but we trust that God has our best in mind.  God is in charge of your life.  Let Him in.

Remember, "Cancer (or anything else) is only going to be a chapter of your life, not your whole story."  Our Heavenly Father is in charge of our life story.

What will your story read?

Purifying the stew

Still in the 4th chapter of 2 Kings, starting with verse 38, Elisha came to a land where there was a great famine.  He advised them to set out a large pot and boil stew.

The servants didn't know what they were gathering out in the wild, and soon discovered that they had inadvertently put in a poisonous herb.  They cried out to the Lord and Elisha told them to bring flour, as the Lord had told him.  He poured flour in and the stew was good to eat.

Afterward, a man brought him twenty loaves of barley and fresh grain.  Elisha ordered them to give what they brought to the men, but the man was puzzled, for there was not enough.  Elisha said that the Lord told him to feed the men and there will be plenty left.

It was done.

And there was plenty.  All done as the Lord told him.

The Shunammite Woman and her son

Starting at the eighth verse of 2 Kings, chapter 4, whenever the prophet Elisha went to Shunem, a wealthy woman would invite him in to eat.

One day, this woman told her husband to make a room for him, complete with furnishings.  Elisha was grateful for her generosity and asked what he could do for her.  She was content as she was, but their servant advised him that they did not have a son.

Elisha told the woman that when he returned next year, she would have a son.  She did not believe him, but indeed it came true.

The child grew up, and one day he complained of a headache.  His mother knew of only one solution: she needed to find Elisha.  When she brought him back, the child was already dead.  That was when Elisha prayed to the Lord.

A miracle happened.  Her son soon came back to life, just as the Lord promised!

Read the Holy Bible at your own pace

There are many ways in which to read the Bible.

But if I make a suggestion.  Let the Holy Spirit fill you and lead you to read the Bible at your own pace.  Over the years, I've read single chapters over and over again in a single week--and have written about them on this blog.

Reading the Bible isn't a race.  Savor His words in His Holy Book.  It doesn't matter if it takes you years to actually finish it.  As long as you enjoy it, study it, and learn from it.  Let the words guide you in your daily walk with Christ Jesus.

Also, the Bible isn't a book to read only once.  Read it again and again.  You'd be surprised, at various points in your life, where certain passages ring through at just the right moment.  That's God speaking His Holy words in His Holy Bible.

Filling jars of oil

The 4th chapter of 2 Kings starts with a wife of a prophet's son.  She cried out to Elisha that her husband was dead and creditors were coming to take away her two children as slaves in order to pay her debts.

Elisha asked what she had in her house.  She had nothing, except a single jar of oil.

At once, Elisha ordered her to gather up as many empty vessels as she could, even borrowing them from her neighbors.  She filled each vessel until finally all were filled.  That was when there was no more oil.

Elisha then told her to sell all of the oil, and with the money she could pay her debts as well as live comfortably on the rest.

Power of the Lord's Prayer

There's no doubt about it.  The Lord's Prayer is powerful.

There are nights when my mind turns over and over again, troubled by whatever aches at me.  But there's a trick to calming my mind, and it works every single time.

The Lord's Prayer.

Say it.  Repeat it.  Slowly, if you need to.  Savor every single word.

The Lord and His Prayer brings the ultimate peace.  His Prayer is powerful.

Whenever you find yourself troubled, find a quiet place . . . and recite the Lord's Prayer.

And you too will find peace.