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

June 16, 2013 in 2 Kings, 2013 Journey, Trust 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!

© 2013 Dianne Guthmuller

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

The Battle is Not Yours–2 Chronicles 20:15-17

June 14, 2013 in 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 2013 Journey, Depression, Divorce, Fear, Finances, Tough Times, Trials, Trust with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 22:10-28; 2 Chronicles 18:9-27; 1 Kings 22:29-35; 2 Chronicle 18:28-34; 1 Kings 22:36-40, 51-53; 2 Chronicles 19:1-20:30

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.  Tomorrow, march out against them. 

You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.  But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”  --2 Chronicles 20:15-17

What battle are you facing today?

This is what Your God says:

  • Do not be afraid
  • Do not be discouraged
  • The battle is not yours
  • It’s Mine!

Rest in that knowledge as you go about your day!

Heavenly Father, help us to remember You are in charge.  Lord, I have a battle that is impossible for me to win on my own.  I trust You to fight it for me!

Trusting You.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

© 2013 Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’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

He Is Jealous for Me– 2 Kings 1:16

June 13, 2013 in 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 2 Kings, 2013 Journey, Obedience, Prayer, Trust with 0 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?”

In the last few years I’ve made a conscious effort to ask God…

and

WAIT (the hard part)

for HIS answer.

I can’t believe the peace it brings in my life when I do this.

Believe me, I still try to fix things myself but I always go back to the best way:

I Ask the God who made me and knows the future like no other and wait for His advice.

So I guess from my Heavenly Father’s perspective I’m no better than Ahaziah when I take the advice of others or try to fix it myself. 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!

 

© 2013 Dianne Guthmuller

 

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

So Why Try?–Proverbs 20:24

June 2, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Christian Living, Depression, Failure, Faith, Fear, leadership, Prayer, Proverbs, Trust with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Proverbs 20:1 through Proverbs 22: 16

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way.    –Proverbs 20: 24

Does this proverb speaking as loudly to you as it does to me?

  • I wonder how much more I could accomplish for the Lord if I wasn’t so worried about the “whys.”
  • I wonder how different my life would be if I spent time everyday seeking God’s directions for the day instead of fretting and analyzing.
  • I wonder whom I could show the love of God,  if I  looked for the next step in God’s plan and not my own.

Father, I trust you to direct my steps.  Teach me how to follow instead of lead.  I know I don’t understand, but I’m trusting you more every day. Direct my steps, slide into the driver’s seat, and take the controls– Jesus take the wheel…

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Blessings

 

 ©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Proverbs 22: 17 through Proverbs 24:34

Are you Lucky or Blessed? — Proverbs 16:33

May 31, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Blessings, The Promises of God, Tough Times, Trials, Trust with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Proverbs 11:1 through Proverbs 16:33

“I’m so lucky!”

“It was our lucky day!”

“You were so lucky!”

“I guess it was just luck.”

“I’ve had a string of bad luck.”

“He was just lucky.”

Luck…we hear about it all the time.  We know people whose whole lives and sanity depend upon this thing called luck. The National Opinion Research Center’s 1999, “Gambling Impact and Behavior study” reported that between 15 to 20 million adults and adolescents have either problem or pathological gambling addictions, which is about 5-7 percent of the U.S. population (2000).

I think many of the remaining 93-95% believe their lives are determined by rolling the dice or the flip of a coin, just like those addicted to gambling.  If they have a great day it was good luck, if they had a bad day, it was just bad luck.

In Solomon’s day many people determined God’s will in a matter by casting lots (throwing a dice-like object):

The practice of casting lots is mentioned 70 times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament. In spite of the many references to casting lots in the Old Testament, nothing is known about the actual lots themselves. They could have been sticks of various lengths, flat stones like coins, or some kind of dice; but their exact nature is unknown. The closest modern practice to casting lots is likely flipping a coin. (gotquestions.org)

So to paraphrase Proverbs 13:33 in today’s verbiage—we may flip the coin but the Lord determines how it falls.

If there was ever a practice most believe is totally determined by luck it would be the tossing of the coin—YET, our God says, “I control that too!”

While God may have things in life that He simply doesn’t care about, like who wins tomorrow night’s baseball game (smile), I think those things are very rare.  I really do believe the day-to-day goings on in my life are directed by God and filtered through his loving hands.  If “luck” people looked at my life they would probably say I’ve had some bad luck and some good luck.  Not me, luck had nothing to do with it–I’ve had a Romans 8:28 life…

And we know that God causes everything to work togetherfor the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I’ve heard this verse mis-quoted many times.  Both Christians and unbelievers  say, “You know everything works together for your good.”  Folks, that is not what the Bible says.

There are conditions for this verse to become a reality in your life:

  • You must love God
  • Be using your life for His purpose

After these conditions are met “everything” will work together for our good and God’s Glory—what a promise!

I never want to give chance or luck the glory and praise for God’s blessings and provisions, so I say, “I’m not lucky, I’m blessed!

 

 

 ©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Proverbs 17:1 through Proverbs 19:29

5 Things to Do When Life Doesn’t Make Sense—Proverbs 3: 5-6

May 27, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Depression, Divorce, Ezra, Family, Finances, Proverbs, Tough Times, Trials, Trust, Word of God with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Proverbs 1:1 through Proverbs 4:27

Have you ever had a time in your life when you just didn’t understand how God could allow something to happen?

I’ve been there many times in my life.

There have been things I’ve experienced that left me wondering…

“God, why would you allow this to happen to me?”

Or…

“God, why did you give me this beautiful gift and then take away?”

There are just some things we would rather not have at all than to have them for just a minute and then in an instant, they’re gone.

What do I do when I feel this way?

Remember

  • All of the tough times God has brought me through
  • How He has used those tough times to help me to minister to others
  • How God has worked my tough times out for my good and His Glory
  • That I see life through a pin-hole and my Heavenly Father, the God of the Universe sees and knows the big and eternal picture
  • The party is in heaven not on this sinful earth

Pray

Tell God all the details of my pain– every question, and concern

  • For God’s love and comfort to be greater than my grief
  • For my faith to be strengthened
  • For scripture to be brought to my remembrance
  • For God to be glorified during this difficult time

Read His Word

  • Expect Him to speak to me
  • Record it when He does
  • Hold my Bible, sleep with it when I need a physical reminder of God’s Presence

Be Alone With Him

  • I call it “Porch Time”
  • Not praying , not reading just being with Him

Wait

  • For time to pass
  • The unknown to be known
  • Heaven to make all things clear

Today’s scriptures in the Proverbs had so many  truths but Proverbs 3: 5-6 (This is one you should memorize) jumped off the page as the blueprint for tough times.

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.

 

Father, I trust you and I’m going to do my best not to depend on my own understanding!

 

Amen and Amen!

 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Proverbs 5:1 through Proverbs 7:27

One Thing That Makes God FURIOUS! — Psalm 78:21-22

May 18, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Parenting, Psalms, Trust with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 75 through 78

When we set out on this journey in January our goal was to know God more.  We have learned so much about the nature of God. Just yesterday we found out God wants us to be thankful for what He does for us.  In today’s reading I found another clue to the nature of God—He gets angry when we do not believe Him or trust Him to take care of us.

 When the Lord heard them, he was furious.
The fire of his wrath burned against Jacob.
Yes, his anger rose against Israel,
for they did not believe God
or trust him to care for them.

Psalm 78:21-22

 In Psalm 78, the psalmist Asaph recounts the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness.  He mentioned the disobedience, sin and rebellion that God had to put up with throughout that journey.

God saw the Israelites’ complaining as not believing Him and not trusting Him to take care of them…it really ticked Him off!

Why?

The best way to understand this is to think about the parent/child relationship.

What hurts a parent more than thinking their child doesn’t believe or trust them to take care of them?

Not much.

The difference between God and parents:

While parents may have the best of intentions sometimes we still miss it.

But God is, well God and He is perfect!

He ALWAYS has our best interest at heart.

Why don’t we ALWAYS trust our Heavenly Father to take care of us?

I think it’s doubt.  We may never say this or consciously think it, but sometimes we really wonder if He’s…really real.

We wonder if…

He REALLY has everything under control…all the time?

He REALLY has my best interest all the time?

Isn’t it interesting that the very reason we don’t always trust God to take care of us is the same reason the Israelites did not trust Him—

UNBELIEF–not believing God is who He says He is and that He will do what he says He will do!

Friends, this is why we have to continue this journey.  The more we know God and his nature the less we will doubt!

Lord, just like the father who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus for healing in Mark 9:24, we say…

Lord, I believe.  Help my unbelief! 

In Jesus Name.  Amen and Amen

 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 79 through 82

9 Things to Do When You Feel Hopeless–Psalm 143

May 15, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Choices, Depression, Failure, Fear, Health, Prayer, Tough Times, Trials, Trust with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 131, 133; Psalms 138-141, 143

Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. –Psalms 143:7

Have you ever been in this place?

King David, “The man after God’s own heart,” who wrote these words knew about depression.  He probably didn’t call it depression. Depression is a term that has become a household word only in the last 40-50 years, but he certainly mentioned one of the common characteristics of depression–hopelessness:

What do you do when you’ve lost all hope?

God allowed David to go through times of depression and hopelessness. He also  had David journal these times in the Psalms so that you and I can make it through our times of hopelessness.

If you are severely depressed by all means seek medical help, but for many of us following David’s example could be the missing piece in our pursuit of hope.

Here’s what David did:

1. Go to God–Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea (Psalm 143:1).

2. Tell Him exactly how you feel-My enemy has chased me.  He has knocked me to the ground and forces me to lie in darkness like those in the grave.  I’m losing all hope; I’m paralyzed with fear (Psalms 143:3-4).

3. Remember–I remember the days of old, I ponder all Your great works and think about what You have done (Psalms 143:5).

4. Spend time worshiping God–I lift my hands to You in prayer.  I thirst for You as parched land thirsts for rain (Psalms 143:9).

5. Update God on your Progress–Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depressions deepens.  Don’t turn away from me, or I will die (Psalms 143:7).

6. Trust God for the outcome–Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You (Psalms 143:8).

7. Ask for direction–Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you (Psalms 143:8b).  May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing (Psalm 143:10b).

8. Be teachable–Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God (Psalm 143:10).

9. Have the right motive–For the glory of Your name, O Lord, preserve my life.  Because of Your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress (Psalms 143:11).

Heavenly Father, I pray for my friends who feel hopeless tonight. Pursue them. Come close.  Lord, help them to know that Your Word is their lifeline. Holy Spirit, speak to them. Give them hope.  Heal their sadness.  Replace it with Your joy.  Lord, do it for the Glory of Your Name.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!



©2013, Dianne Guthmuller
 
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 144-145; Psalm 88-89

What If–Psalm 124

May 14, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Choices, Depression, Fear, Psalms, The Hurting World, Tough Times, Trust with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalm 103; Psalms 108 through 110; Psalms 122, 124

Do you ever play the “what-if” game?

What if I would have…

  • been born at a different time
  • lived in a different country
  • had a different set of parents
  • married a different person
  • been smarter, thinner, darker, lighter, etc…

King David played the what-if game too:

1 What if the Lord had not been on our side?
Let all Israel repeat:
2 What if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us?
3 They would have swallowed us alive
in their burning anger.
4 The waters would have engulfed us;
a torrent would have overwhelmed us.
5 Yes, the raging waters of their fury
would have overwhelmed our very lives.

6 Praise the Lord,
who did not let their teeth tear us apart!
7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap.
The trap is broken, and we are free!
8 Our help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

          Psalm 124

I can just see King David looking out over Jerusalem at sunset, rubbing his chin and saying these words and then pausing for a long time to think about what it would be like and then saying the words again.

What if the Lord had not been on your side?

Where would you be?

I’m serious when I say this, if the Lord had not been on my side I believe I would be in a psych hospital or dead.  I’m not trying to be a drama queen, but I cannot put into words the peace that Jesus Christ has brought into my life…peace in the midst of life’s storms.

I often wonder how people who don’t believe in Jesus cope with the day-to-day challenges of life.  Who do they turn to in the middle of the night when they’re scared to death?  Where do they go when life just doesn’t make sense?

These are tough times that we live in.  It’s really easy to ask questions like:

What if…

  • I lose my job
  • I lose my house
  • I get cancer
  • I lose my religious freedom

The list could go on and on—

As Christians we will always have a choice…

We can live in constant fear

Or we can say with David…

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller
 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 131, 133; Psalms 138 through 141; Psalm 143

 

Have You Ever Felt Abandoned by God? –Psalm 22:1

May 8, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Depression, Divorce, Holiness, Parenting, Psalms, Rejection, Tough Times, Trials, Trust with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 22-26

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.  At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”  –Matthew 27:45-46

I’ve read and heard these words countless times over the years but today I saw them in Psalms 22 and I was surprised:

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?  
Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief.
Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them.
They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced.    –Psalms 22:2-5
 

Yes, David penned those words many years before Jesus shouted them on the cross.

Jesus AND David felt abandoned by God.

Have you ever felt abandoned by God?

Have you ever felt like God did not answer?

David used a word that we need to remember when we feel abandoned:

Yet

My paraphrase of Psalm 22:1-5

Lord, I feel like you’ve abandoned me.  I call you, but You do not answer.  I know You hear me, but you are sending me no relief.

Yet, 

You are still holy.  

You still deserved my praise.  

Our ancestors trusted You when they felt abandoned.  

They cried out to You and You saved them.  

They were never disgraced by trusting You.  

So I’m going to do the same.

Do you feel abandoned today?

Tell the Lord exactly how you feel and when you’ve said all you need to say, add this line:

Yet, You are Holy Lord.  I don’t understand but I praise You and I trust You.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 27-32

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