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When Things Get Worse…

August 25, 2012 in 2 Kings, 2012 Journey, Biblical Principles, Depression, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Trust with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Ezekiel 26:15 through Ezekiel 28:26; 2 Kings 25:3-7; Jeremiah 52:6-11; Jeremiah 39:2-10

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Israel will again live in their own land, the land I gave my servant Jacob. For I will gather them from the distant lands where I have scattered them.  I will reveal to the nations of the world my holiness among my people.  They will live safely in Israel and build homes and plant vineyards. And when I punish the neighboring nations that treated them with contempt, they will know that I am the Lord their God.”

Can you imagine being a Jew exiled in Babylon hearing this prophesy in Ezekiel 28:25-26?

I’m sure there was celebration, excitement, and expectation throughout every Jewish family trapped in Babylon.  If I had been a Jew in Babylon and heard that prophesy I would have started packing my bags, making my plans, and looking forward to the day when my people were once again seen by neighboring nations as “God’s chosen.”

But, what happened next would have made me cancel the moving van and realize “going home” wasn’t going to be a reality any time soon.

Two and a half years later, on July 18 in the eleventh year of Zedekiah’s reign, the Babylonians broke through the wall, and the city fell.  All the officers of the Babylonian army came in and sat in triumph at the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, and Nebo-sarsekim, a chief officer, and Nergal-sharezer, the king’s adviser, and all the other officers. –Jeremiah 39:2-3

The city of Jerusalem had been destroyed.  But what about Ezekiel’s prophesy?  Maybe he didn’t  r-e-a-l-l-y hear from God.  Maybe we will never go home.  Maybe we will never be “God’s chosen people” again.

Have you ever felt this way?

You read a passage of scripture in God’s Word, believed it pertained to your situation, believed God spoke to you and promised a breakthrough…

…and then things got worse.

There are two ways we can look at these times:

  • God, why would you give me false hope?
  • God, thank you for giving me hope so I can survive these difficult days!

Friends, if God said it—it will come to pass; the how and when are His to determine. That’s His job; He’s God.

Our job is to…

  • Trust God–Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
  • Believe God–In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” Galatians 3:6
  • Have Faith in God’s Word and His Promises–And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Yes, things got worse for the Jews before they got better, but they did get better and every promise God made came true.  We can expect the same (Acts 10:34-35).

Heavenly Father, help us to trust You, believe You, and have faith in Your Word and Your Promises.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller


Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Jeremiah 39:11-18; Jeremiah 40:1-6; 2 Kings 25:8-21; Jeremiah 52:12-27; 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Lamentations 1:1-22

If You’re Going to Burn Your Bridges Don’t Forget to Haul Away the Ashes of Guilt–2 Kings 23:4

August 1, 2012 in 2 Kings, 2012 Journey, Depression, Failure, Guilt, Issues Women Face with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 23:1-20; 2 Chronicles 34:29-33; 2 Kings 23:21-28; 2 Chronicles 35:1-19; Naham 1:1-3:19

 

I’m going to make a new start…

Kick an old habit…

Turn over a new leaf…

Burn my bridges!

 

Have you ever made any of these statements?

Were you successful?

In today’s reading King Josiah did a major house cleaning when he became king.  He ‘burned the bridge’ of idol worship in Israel.  Just to make sure everyone knew he meant business, he carried the ashes away.  There was no going back!  Nothing to remind the people of their past.

Then the king instructed Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second rank and the Temple gatekeepers to remove from the Lord’s Temple all the articles that were used to worship Baal, Asherah, and all the powers of the heavens. The king had all these things burned outside Jerusalem on the terraces of the Kidron Valley, and he carried the ashes away to Bethel.  –2 Kings 23:4

Why did Josiah carry the ashes to Bethel?

Here’s some interesting facts about Bethel:

  • The name Bethel comes from the Hebrew beth, meaning house, and el, meaning God. Bethel means House of God.
  • Bethel is located about 12 miles (19 kilometers) north of Jerusalem, west of Jericho and the Jordan River.
  • In times of trouble the people went to Bethel to ask counsel of God (Judges 20:18, 21:2).

So basically the king took the ashes to the “house of God.”

How many times have you decided to destroy some habit, toxic relationship, or sinful behavior or attitude and the guilt of the past keeps flashing before you?

Maybe you need to take your ashes of guilt to the “house of God.”

Give God Your Guilt!

Just imagine taking a big wheel barrow and walking through the corridors of your mind and scooping up every ash of guilt and then rolling it up the aisle of your church and dumping it on the altar.  Pretty messy huh?

Yep, but our God can handle it!

One of Satan’s greatest tools is guilt.  Stand up to him today.  Take your guilt and give it to Jesus.  Every time a thought of your past wants to creep in, remind yourself and the enemy of your soul that you no longer have that guilt, you took it to Bethel.

Heavenly Father, teach us how to be over-comers! Thank you for handling the mess of our guilt.  Help us to burn our bridges and carry away the ashes!

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 23:1-20; 2 Chronicles 34:29-33; 2 Kings 23:21-28; 2 Chronicles 35:1-19; Naham 1:1-3:19

From Extreme Need to Extreme Miracle to Extreme Failure–2 Chronicles 32:24-31

July 22, 2012 in 2 Chronicles, 2 Kings, 2012 Journey, Failure, Faith, Holy Spirit, Isaiah, leadership, Prayer, Pride, Sin with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 King 19:1-19; Isaiah 37:1-20; 2 Chronicles 32:9-19; 2 Kings 19:20-37; Isaiah 37:21-38; 2 Chronicles 32:20-23

Today we are reading about  a day of extremes—

  • an extreme, life-threatening need
  • an extreme, supernatural miracle
  • an extreme, human failure

“Set your affairs in order; for you are going to die.  You will not recover from this illness.” –2 Kings 20:1

These words would literally knock most of us off our feet, if we heard them from our doctor.  But if we heard them from the God who made us…we would probably forget “setting our affairs in order” and just lie down and die.

Isaiah had been the bearer of good news twice in yesterday’s reading, and then today he brings a death sentence.

But, when Hezekiah received Isaiah’s message from God, he immediately went to the Lord.

Hezekiah prayed a one-sentence prayer, broke down and cried out to God

Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.  –2 Kings 20:3

God answered his prayer.

Hezekiah, like most of us, wanted a sign he would recover.  God gave him one of the most amazing miracles we have recorded in the Bible:  The sun receded by 10 degrees on the sundial.

What gave Hezekiah the confidence to come before the Lord so boldly?

  • Trust in God
  • The discipline of prayer

Hezekiah believed his God…

  • was real
  • was in control
  • heard his prayer
  • could change his mind

Oh the joy and celebration that must have gone on that day—the king was dying and now he has a 15-year “get-out-of-jail-free” card!  How powerful Hezekiah was (so he thought)—he prayed to the Lord, God healed him AND gave him a miraculous sign!

But

Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud (2 Chron. 32:24-31).

How could someone who trusted God, had a consistent prayer life and believed God…

•         was real

•         was in control

•         heard his prayer

…become Proud?

Before the Garden, before the forbidden fruit, before the bite that opened the eyes of two people and left an indelible, sinful mark on all of humanity – another fall took place. This one was invisible, silent, and sudden. God’s worship leader, “full of wisdom and perfect in beauty,” grew jealous of the attention God constantly received. His pride convinced him that he was worthy of more. Greed consumed him and then, he fell.

In heaven – as it should be and one day will be on earth – nothing is permitted to receive glory but God alone. Lucifer not only found himself declined for the position of becoming co-glorious with God, but was banished, expelled, and thrown down from God’s lofty throne room. Instead of giving way to brokenness and humility, Satan’s pride boils over in anger and bitterness and vengeance – still today.                    (http://bible.org/)

How you are fallen from heaven,

O shining star, son of the morning (Lucifer, Satan*)!

You have been thrown down to the earth,

you who destroyed the nations of the world.

For you said to yourself,

‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars.

I will preside on the mountain of the gods

far away in the north.

I will climb to the highest heavens

and be like the Most High.’

Isaiah 14:12-14

*Explanation mine

Friends, pride is as old as the Garden of Eden and as new as our first thought this morning.  Satan even tried to get Jesus to succumb to pride (Luke 4:1-13).  We must daily rely on the Holy Spirit to show us the areas in our hearts where pride wants to cause us to go the way of Hezekiah.

Holy Spirit, please shine a light on our hearts, reveal the areas in our lives where seeds of pride have been planted, and help us to break free of the sin that can keep us from being all that you planned for us to be.

In Jesus Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 40:1 through Isaiah 44:5

3 Tips for Crisis Management, God’s Way–2 Kings 19

July 21, 2012 in 2 Kings, 2012 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Biblical Principles, Faith, Fear, Finances, James, leadership, Prayer, Trust with Comments Off

Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 19:1-19; Isaiah 37:1-20; 2 Chronicles 32:9-19; 2 Kings 19:20-37; Isaiah 37:21-38; 2 Chronicles 32:20-23

Most of us…

  • Will never receive the kind of news Hezekiah got in today’s scripture reading
  • Will never be king over the City of David

But…

  • We may own a business
  • Lead a team
  • Pastor a church
  • Parent a family

What would you do if suddenly you got word that a natural disaster , a group of terrorists, or a financial crash was on its way to destroy everything you hold dear?

What did Hezekiah do?

We’ve seen a lot of kings over the last few weeks of our journey, but very few we can pattern our lives after.  Hezekiah is a king we can follow!

In today’s reading Hezekiah finds himself in a crisis.  The Holy Spirit allows us to be a fly on the wall to learn crisis management, God’s way.

There are 3 things Hezekiah did when he heard the news that the Assyrians were planning to destroy Jerusalem.

  1. He went to the place where he met God– the Temple (2 Kings 19:1)
  2. He sought the advice of Isaiah’s wise, Godly counsel (2 Kings 19:2)
  3. He took the letter he had received from King Sennacherib’s messengers and went to the temple a second time.  He spread it out before the Lord and prayed…  O Lord, God of Israel, you are enthroned between the mighty cherubim!  You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth.  You alone created the heavens and the earth!  Bend down, O Lord, and listen!  Open your eyes, O Lord, and see!  Listen to Sennacherib’s word of defiance against the living God…now, O Lord, our God, rescue us from his power; then all the kings of the earth will know that you alone, O Lord, are God. (2 Kings 19:14-16)

What is “the first thing you do” when you receive news of a crisis?

  • Call a family member
  • Call a friend
  • Call a doctor
  • Ask for somebody to pray
  • Take a pill
  • Take a drink
  • Escape in T.V.

“The first thing we do” in tough times is the most important thing. It shows where and in whom our faith lies.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.~ Hebrews 11:6

Since Jesus came to earth, died for us, went back to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit; we can meet our God anywhere, anytime.  We don’t have to go to the temple to meet him, pray some fancy “thee” and “thou” prayer, or call for someone to pray “for” us.

We just have to say, “Jesus, help me!”

 

Did God answer Hezekiah’s prayers?

Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent this message to Hezekiah: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Because you prayed about King Sennacherib of Assyria,  the Lord has spoken this word against him—see Isaiah 37:22-35.

The very same night Isaiah spoke this prophesy to Hezekiah, the angel of the Lord went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers.  King Sennacherib broke camp and returned to his own land.  Then, “one day” while the king was worshiping his god, his sons killed him with their swords.

Friends, GOD ANSWERS PRAYER!  When a Crisis hits; go to God, get a wise prayer partner who gives Godly counsel, and pray for God to answer your prayer and cause others to “Know Him More!”

Lord increase our faith!

 

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 King 19:1-19; Isaiah 37:1-20; 2 Chronicles 32:9-19; 2 Kings 19:20-37; Isaiah 37:21-38; 2 Chronicles 32:20-23

We are What We Worship–2 Kings 17: 14-15

June 28, 2012 in 2 Kings, 2012 Journey, Christian Living, Discipleship, Obedience, Pride with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 28:1-29; 2 Kings 17:5; 2 Kings 18:9-12; 2 Kings 17:6-41; Isaiah 1:1-20

Have you heard the cliché, “We are what we eat”?  The saying on this t-shirt says it all about the food most of us eat in today’s world—fast, cheap, and easy.

In the 21st century that’s pretty much the way we want to worship—fast, cheap, and easy.

  • “We don’t have time to go to discipleship classes  AND worship on Sunday morning…No way that’s our family time!” –We want to get in and get out.
  • “I’ll worship when it’s convenient”—in other words, worship can’t cost me any time, money or energy, if it does, I’m outta here.
  • “I don’t understand the Bible and I just can’t overcome my bad habits; it’s just too hard to serve the Lord!”

So just like we are what we eat; we are what we worship:

But the Israelites would not listen. They were as stubborn as their ancestors who had refused to believe in the Lord their God.   They rejected His decrees and the covenant He had made with their ancestors, and they despised all His warnings. They worshiped worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves. They followed the example of the nations around them, disobeying the Lord’s command not to imitate them.     –2 Kings 17: 14-15

It’s so easy to read these two verses and say, “Those bad Israelites, they were so stubborn.

  • Why did they refuse to believe in the Lord?
  • Why didn’t they obey His decrees and keep the covenant their ancestors had made?
  • Why didn’t they listen to warnings from Almighty God?
  • Why in the world would they worship idols when they had the one true God to worship?
  • Why would they act like the nations around them when they were God’s chosen people?

I wonder what future generations will think about the 21 century church.

Will they say—

  • Why did they refuse to believe God and allow Him to be the Lord of their lives?
  • Why didn’t they obey His decrees and keep the covenant when they had a Bible in every room of their house?
  • Why didn’t they listen to the warnings written in Daniel, Matthew, and Revelation?
  • Why in the world would they worship the idols of time, pleasure, and materialism when they had the one true God to worship?
  • Why would they act like the people of the world when they had been rescued by Jesus Christ and given the Holy Spirit to help them become who God planned for them to be?

They worshiped worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves.

Father, we don’t want to become worthless!  Show us the idols in our lives.  Draw us to you Lord.  Help us not to be deceived.  Use us for Your Glory today!

In Jesus Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 1:21 through Isaiah 5:30

Are You Setting Your Goals Too Low?–2 Kings 13:14-19

June 19, 2012 in 2 Kings, 2012 Journey, Goals, leadership, Obedience, Prayerfully and Proactively Prioritizing and Planning, Priorities, Success with 3 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 13:1-11; 2 Kings 12:17-21; 2 Chronicles 24:23-27; 2 Kings 13:14-25

When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” he cried.

Elisha told him, “Get a bow and some arrows.” And the king did as he was told. Elisha told him, “Put your hand on the bow,” and Elisha laid his own hands on the king’s hands. Then he commanded, “Open that eastern window,” and he opened it. 

Then he said, “Shoot!” So he shot an arrow. Elisha proclaimed, “This is the Lord’s arrow, an arrow of victory over Aram, for you will completely conquer the Arameans at Aphek.”

Then he said, “Now pick up the other arrows and strike them against the ground.” So the king picked them up and struck the ground three times.  But the man of God was angry with him. “You should have struck the ground five or six times!” he exclaimed. “Then you would have beaten Aram until it was entirely destroyed. Now you will be victorious only three times.”    –2 Kings 13:14-19

Can you imagine how King Jehoash must have felt when he realized just a few more strikes of the arrows and he would have had complete victory? 

I’m sure King Jehoash had no idea how important striking the arrows against the ground would turn out to be in the war between Aram.  He probably thought it was senseless and silly.  The funny thing is sometimes  we need to do some things that seem senseless, silly, and down-right uncool to be able to reach big goals.

How many times have you said “I wish I would have tried harder?”

    • I wish I would have spent that extra hour studying
    • I wish I would have cleaned the house instead of watched T.V.
    • I wish I would have saved 10% of my income so I had a retirement
    • I wish I would have gone back to school
    • I wish I would have applied for that job
    • I wish I would have talked to that person about Jesus

“Shouldn” and “wouldn” will suck the life out of you.

When you get a chance to set a goal–go for the gold not the bronze.

Pick up every arrow you can find and beat it on the ground as many times as possible!

Heavenly Father, help us to live life in a way that leaves no room for “shouldn” and “wouldn.”  Lead us and guide us.  Teach us to set and work to achieve big goals for You and Your Kingdom.

 

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 14:1-14; 2 Chronicles 25:1-24; 2 Kings 13:12-13; 2 Kings 14:15-16, 23-27; 2 Chronicles 25:25-28; 2 Kings 14:17-22; 2 Kings 15:1-5; 2 Chronicles 26:1-21; Jonah 1:1-4:11

A 7 year old’s Top 5 Leadership Secrets — 2 Kings 11

June 18, 2012 in 2 Kings, 2012 Journey, Holy Spirit, leadership, Prayer, Word of God with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:   2 Kings 11:1-3; 2 Chronicles 22:10-12; 2 Kings 11:4-12; 2 Chronicles 23:1-11; 2 Kings 11:13-16; 2 Chronicles 23:12-15; 2 Kings 11:17-21; 2 Chronicles 23: 16-21; 2 Kings 12:1-16; 2 Chronicles 24:1-22; 2 Kings 10:32-36

Theodore Roosevelt was 42 years old when he became President of the United States; he was the youngest president in the history of our country to hold that office.

Can you imagine if we had a seven-year old president?

Joash was 7 years old when he became king of Judah and reigned in Jerusalem for forty years! He must have done something right, especially if we compare him to his father Ahaziah who was twenty two years old when he became king and reigned for only one year.

Joash’s secret to success was Johoiada the priest

  1. Joash lived with Johoiada the priest in the Temple of God and in the presence of God for the first six years of his life.
  2. Johoiada, a great leader and man of integrity, was Joash’s right-hand man .
  3. The first thing that happened after Joash was crowned king was Jehoiada presented him with a copy of God’s laws.
  4. Joash made a covenant between Jehoiada, the Lord and the people that they would be the Lord’s people.
  5. Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest.

Whether you’re seven or forty-seven godly counsel is an important part of being a leader.

Joash was fortunate that Jehoiada lived to a very old age, but no sooner than the priest died Joash sought counsel in an ungodly group, the leaders of Judah and they persuaded him to abandoned the Temple of the Lord, the god of his ancestors, and began to worship Asherah poles and idols instead.

In today’s political world wise counsel is just as important as it was in Joash’s day, and it’s just as hard to find as it was in those days.  Too many times advise is given to use and manipulate rather than for the good of the country.

Father, we pray that you put wise, Godly counsel in the reach of our country’s leaders.  Holy Spirit, draw our leaders to you.  Prompt us as your people to pray for them.  Remind us daily of Your promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14:

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

In Jesus Name, we pray.  Amen and Amen!

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 13:1-11; 2 Kings 12: 17-21; 2 Chronicles 24: 23-27; 2 Kings 13:14-25

How Many People Does it Take to Make Your Miracle Happen?

June 16, 2012 in 2 Kings, 2012 Journey, Biblical Principles, Faith, God Speaks today, Holy Spirit, Prayer, The Promises of God with 0 Comments

 

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Kings 5:1 through 2 Kings 8:15

Are you in need of a miracle today?  We serve a big God who is all powerful and with just a word you could instantly have your miracle!  But most of the time he uses people to bring our miracles to pass.

The story of Naaman’s healing in 2 Kings 5:1-19, is a perfect example of how God uses people and timing to get His Will and His miracles accomplished in our lives

Naaman had leprosy.  In those days there was no cure, because of that he wasn’t expecting a miracle, but God had a miracle for him.

  • King Aram thought highly of Naaman  because he was the leader of the his army and had won great victories.
  • Aramean raiders invaded Israel and captured a young girl who was given to Naaman’s wife as a maid.
  • The Young girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria.  He would heal him of his leprosy.”
  • Naaman’s wife told Naaman what the young girl had said.
  • King Aram wrote a letter of introduction to the king of Israel telling him to heal Naaman of the leprosy.
  • When the king of Israel read the letter he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, that I can give life and take it away?”
  • Elisha, the man of God heard of the king of Israel’s dilemma and sent him a message and told him to send Naaman to him and he would heal him.
  • Elisha did not see Naaman face-to-face but sent his messenger (probably Gehazi) to tell Naaman to dip in the Jordan River seven times.
  • Naaman became angry  and left in a rage because Elisha didn’t have the decency to come out and wave his hand over him.
  • Naaman’s officers reasoned with Naaman and convinced him to “Go wash and be cured.” 
  • Naaman did as Elisha instructed and his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child.

Eight individuals or groups had a part in Naaman’s healing.

What if…

  • Naaman was a lazy commander of King Aram’s army and did not have favor with the king?
  • The Aramean raiders had not captured this particular girl?
  • The young girl had not know about Elisha?
  • The young girl had not felt comfortable or had the confidence to speak up to her mistress?
  • Naaman’s wife didn’t tell Naaman what her maid had said?
  • Elisha had not been in Israel at that particular time?
  • The king of Israel had not pitched such a fit and Elisha had not heard about if?
  • Naaman’s officers had not encouraged him to do what Elisha said?

Wow!  Talk about perfect timing.  It really makes you think–what if that slow poke in front of you in this morning’s traffic was part of God’s miracle to keep you from being in a car accident?  It changes everything when we begin to get in touch with the God-ordained side of our lives.

The amazing thing about this story is that not only did Naaman receive a physical healing, but he had a spiritual healing as well!

Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God.  They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no god in all the world except in Israel.”  2 Kings 5:15

If you are desperately in need of a miracle, be encouraged; the next person you see could be a part of your miracle!

How has God used other people to make miracles happen in your life?

Blessings in Jesus!

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Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Chronicles 21:8-20; 2 Kings 8:23-29; 2 Chronicles 22: 1-7; 2 Kings 9:1 through 2 Kings 10:17; 2 Chronicles 22:8-9; 2 Kings 10:18-31

Do You Believe in Miracles?

June 15, 2012 in 2 Kings, 2012 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Biblical Principles, Encouragement, Holy Spirit with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Kings 2: 1-25; 2 Kings 4: 1-44

Just imagine, in any given month in cities, towns and villages across the world…

Millions of people are typing the word “miracles” into their Google ™ search box.

Why?

  • They wonder if miracles are real
  • They wonder if miracles happen in the 21st century
  • They need a miracle
  • They are in a hopeless situation

I typed the word “miracle” in my search box and found 71,100,000  sites.

Wow! There’s a lot of information about miracles.

Today’s reading is all about miracles.

It not the “theory” of miracles,

it’s jaw-dropping,

mind-blowing

miracles that make me wish I could have been there.

It makes me wish I could have traveled with Elijah and Elisha.

Let’s take a look:

  • Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water and the river divided and he and Elisha walked across on dry ground.  –2 Kings 2:8
  • A chariot of  fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire and carried Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven. –2 Kings 2:11
  • Elisha returned to the river after receiving a double share of Elijah’s spirit and struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and once again the river divided and Elisha went across.  –2 Kings 2:13
  • Elisha threw salt into the spring that supplied bad water to the town of Jericho and the water was purified. –2 Kings 2:20-21
  • Elisha cursed a group of boys who were teasing him about his baldness and two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them.  –2 Kings 2:23-24
  • One flask of oil filled so many jars that the widow and her sons were able to pay off their debts and live on what was left over.  –2 Kings 4:2-7
  • The Shumenite woman became pregnant when it seemed impossible.  –2 Kings 4:15-17
  • Elisha prayed for the Shumenite woman’s son who had been dead for at least a day and his life was restored.  –2 Kings 4: 32-36
  • Elisha threw flour in a pot of poisonous stew and everyone ate and it didn’t harm them.  –2 Kings 4:41
  • Elisha fed a hundred people with a sack of fresh grain and twenty loaves of barley bread.  –2 Kings 4:42-43

When I finished the last verse my first thought was, “Lord, I want to be like Elisha.  I want to stay so close to You that I inherit a double share of your Spirit.”

And then I wondered…

Were the miracles in today’s reading only for Elisha’s time and only for special prophets?

And then I began to think about the hundreds, probably thousands of miracles God has done in my life; with the biggest one being eternal life through Jesus Christ–

So for the millions of people who are wondering about miracles:

  • Yes, miracles are real
  • Yes, miracles happen in the 21st century
  • Jesus Christ is the one and only miracle-working God
  • In Jesus there is always hope

 

What miracles has God done in your life?

 

Holy Spirit, I pray for the people who are searching for miracles.  Let them know that You are the miracle-working God. Let their faith grow as they read the miracles You did through Elisha. If You did it for them, You will do it for us!

I pray that we begin to seek the miracle-giver more than the miracle.

Draw us to You!

In Jesus Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

Expecting Miracles!

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Kings 5:1 through 2 Kings 8:15

He Is Jealous for Me– 2 Kings 1:16

June 13, 2012 in 2 Kings, 2012 Journey, God Speaks today, Issues Women Face, My story, Prayer, Tough Times with 3 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Kings 1:1-18; 2 Kings 3:1-27; 1 Kings 22:41-49; 2 Chronicles 20:31-37; 1 Kings 22:50; 2 Chronicles 21:1-4; 2 Kings 8:16-22; 2 Chronicles 21:5-7
 
And Elijah said to the king, “This is what the Lord says:  Why did you send messengers to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether you will recover?  Is there no God in Israel to answer your question?  Therefore, because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die. –2 Kings 1:16

When you have a question about life, where’s the first place you go?

  • Your spouse
  • Your best friend
  • Your pastor
  • Your boss
  • A teacher
  • A counselor
  • Facebook, Twitter
  • A book on the subject

While these are great areas for support that God uses to minister to us, it’s the “when” that we need to think about.

Ahaziah, Israel’s new king who succeeded Ahab was seriously injured and sent messengers to the temple of Baal to ask the god of Ekron if he would recover. Israel’s God, the one and only living god, was not happy about Ahaziah consulting pagan gods instead of “the God of Israel.”  He sent Elijah to tell king Ahaziah that he would not recover because he consulted the wrong god.

God is definitely a jealous God. He wants to have first place, not 10th place.

If you’re like me your probably thinking, “I don’t go to pagan gods!”

In my 20s and 30s I would immediately go to anyone who would listen for prayer, counseling, encouragement, comfort, and guidance—except the Lord.  Literally, I didn’t whisper a one-sentence prayer before looking for someone to tell my troubles to.

Then as I got older and harder from life’s difficulties I tried to fix it myself; yes, I would pray…actually it was more like telling God how I thought He should fix it.  I’m sure He was thinking, “Dianne, is there no God in your life?”

So I guess from my Heavenly Father’s perspective I’m no better than Ahaziah. I’m so thankful for His patience with me.

We need family, friends, and professionals to support us, But we need to go to God first and seek His guidance and His plan for our lives. This song says it all–He is jealous for me…

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Lord, forgive me for all the times I’ve run to other people or things when you have the answer to every question I could ever have.  Yes Lord, You are my God and I will seek Your counsel, comfort, guidance and encouragement before I run to people and things!  Holy Spirit, help me to seek You early each day before the cares of this world overwhelm me .   Thank you for Your patience!  You are the God of my life!

In Jesus Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:   2 Kings 1:1-25; 2 Kings 4:1-44

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