Ridiculous Commitment - 2 Kings 5:1-27

In 2 Kings chapter 5 we read about a foreign military captain named Naaman who suffers from leprosy. He hears from a slave girl that Elisha might be able to heal him so he leaves for Israel with an entourage bringing gifts to the king. When Naaman finally encounters Elisha, he expects Elisha to simply wave his hands to take away the leprosy. Instead, Elisha asks him to do something that seems ridiculous to Naaman, which is to go and dunk himself seven times in the Jordan. Naaman at first refuses to do what Elisha asks but finally does so after the urging his men. When he does what Elisha asked, Naaman is finally healed. Naaman’s reaction is a very common one.

At some point in your life you’ve probably felt led to do something by God that seemed a little crazy or ridiculous at that very moment. Perhaps you asked God to do something in your life like Naaman, but His initial response was not what you expected and you were not willing to humble yourself enough to submit to God’s methods. When we ask God to do something in our lives we should never do it with an attitude or an expectation of exactly how and when He should do it. We are not greater than God and we must place our full faith in Him that He will do it at the right time and in the right way. We are not in charge. God is the one in charge and as Isaiah 55:8 tells us, "God’s ways are not our ways." What steps can you take to fully humble yourself before God and realize that His ways are not your ways?

You are Loved!

2 Kings 5:1-27 " Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. "By all means, go," the king of Aram replied. "I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: "With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy." As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, "Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!" When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: "Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel." So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed." But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage. Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young man. Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant." The prophet answered, "As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing." And even though Naaman urged him, he refused. "If you will not," said Naaman, "please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the LORD. But may the LORD forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also--when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this." "Go in peace," Elisha said. After Naaman had traveled some distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him." So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. "Is everything all right?" he asked. "Everything is all right," Gehazi answered. "My master sent me to say, 'Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.'" "By all means, take two talents," said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi. When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left. When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" "Your servant didn't go anywhere," Gehazi answered, But Elisha said to him, "Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes--or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves? Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever." Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and his skin was leprous--it had become as white as snow."

Ridiculous Commitment - 2 Kings 4:38-44

In 2 Kings 4:38-44, Elisha continues to work miracles that are similar to Jesus’ miracles. It's amazing how God is the same. Check it out...In the first miracle, Elisha cures the poison in a stew that was made for the prophets. The second miracle consists of Elisha multiplying 20 loaves of barley bread so that it became more than enough to feed 100 men. When God uses people the pattern never changes. God used Elisha to meet the needs of others, he will use you to do the same. Chances are you’ve had some “poisoned stew” in your life that God has brought healing to. Maybe it was something physical or something internal within your heart or in your mind. Maybe you have something poisonous in your life right now that you can’t remove on your own and it can only be removed by the power of God. Start asking and don't stop! Just like He did with something simple like stew, God can remove any and all poison out of your life and make you new and healthy once again. What poison has God healed your life from? What poison might you need God to heal out of your life right now? God is the same then, today, and forever. Be an Elisha and change your world...

You are Loved!
2sKings 4:38-44 "Elisha returned to Gilgal and there was a famine in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, "Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these prophets." One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine and picked as many of its gourds as his garment could hold. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they had. The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, "Man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it. Elisha said, "Get some flour." He put it into the pot and said, "Serve it to the people to eat." And there was nothing harmful in the pot. A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. "Give it to the people to eat," Elisha said. "How can I set this before a hundred men?" his servant asked. But Elisha answered, "Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'" Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD."

Ridiculous Commitment - 2 Kings 4:8-37

Ridiculous Commitment 

 

 

 

2 Kings 4:8-37 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, "I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us." One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. He said to his servant Gehazi, "Call the Shunammite." So he called her, and she stood before him. Elisha said to him, "Tell her, 'You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?'" She replied, "I have a home among my own people." "What can be done for her?" Elisha asked. Gehazi said, "She has no son, and her husband is old." Then Elisha said, "Call her." So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. "About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms." "No, my lord!" she objected. "Please, man of God, don't mislead your servant!" But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. He said to his father, "My head! My head!" His father told a servant, "Carry him to his mother." After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out. She called her husband and said, "Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return." "Why go to him today?" he asked. "It's not the New Moon or the Sabbath." "That's all right," she said. She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, "Lead on; don't slow down for me unless I tell you." So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, "Look! There's the Shunammite! Run to meet her and ask her, 'Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?'" "Everything is all right," she said. When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, "Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me why." "Did I ask you for a son, my lord?" she said. "Didn't I tell you, 'Don't raise my hopes'?" Elisha said to Gehazi, "Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand and run. Don't greet anyone you meet, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy's face." But the child's mother said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So he got up and followed her. Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy's face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, "The boy has not awakened." When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the LORD. Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy's body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, "Call the Shunammite." And he did. When she came, he said, "Take your son." She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throughout the life of Elisha, we see that many of the miracles he performed are almost identical to Jesus’ miracles. In 2 Kings 4:8-37, Elisha performs one of these similar miracles in the healing of Shunammmite woman’s son. When Elisha first encounters the woman he is so overwhelmed by her kindness and hospitality that he decides to reward her with what he thought she wanted most, a child. God gives the woman a child, but years later the son dies and the woman asks for Elisha’s help in bringing him back to life. There are two things interesting about this passage. The first is the ridiculous way Elisha attempts to resurrect the son by laying on top of him mouth-to-mouth, eyes-to-eyes, and hands-to-hands. The second is the fact Elisha’s efforts to resurrect the son were not successful the first time.
How many times have you found yourself in Elisha’s position? You are asking God to do something and know He can do it, but it doesn’t happen the first time you ask. It may take days, months, or even years. Don’t give up when you aren’t successful the first time. Keep praying. Keep seeking God. He will answer your prayer in the way and time that is best for you. Don’t lose heart and keep praying. What’s one thing you have been asking God for but He has yet to answer? What can you do to ensure you don’t give up in asking and seeking God through prayer for this thing?

 

You are Loved!

Ridiculous Commitment - 2 Kings 3:1-27

Ridiculous Commitment

 

 

2 Kings 3:1-27  "Joram son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned twelve years. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father and mother had done. He got rid of the sacred stone of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them. Now Mesha king of Moab raised sheep, and he had to pay the king of Israel a tribute of a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. But after Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. So at that time King Joram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel. He also sent this message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?" "I will go with you," he replied. "I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses." "By what route shall we attack?" he asked. "Through the Desert of Edom," he answered. So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. After a roundabout march of seven days, the army had no more water for themselves or for the animals with them. "What!" exclaimed the king of Israel. "Has the LORD called us three kings together only to deliver us into the hands of Moab?" But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, through whom we may inquire of the LORD?" An officer of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah." Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the LORD is with him." So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Why do you want to involve me? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother." "No," the king of Israel answered, "because it was the LORD who called us three kings together to deliver us into the hands of Moab." Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you. But now bring me a harpist." While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came on Elisha and he said, "This is what the LORD says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also deliver Moab into your hands. You will overthrow every fortified city and every major town. You will cut down every good tree, stop up all the springs, and ruin every good field with stones." The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was--water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water. Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come to fight against them; so every man, young and old, who could bear arms was called up and stationed on the border. When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water. To the Moabites across the way, the water looked red--like blood. "That's blood!" they said. "Those kings must have fought and slaughtered each other. Now to the plunder, Moab!" But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and fought them until they fled. And the Israelites invaded the land and slaughtered the Moabites. They destroyed the towns, and each man threw a stone on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up all the springs and cut down every good tree. Only Kir Hareseth was left with its stones in place, but men armed with slings surrounded it and attacked it. When the king of Moab saw that the battle had gone against him, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they failed. Then he took his firstborn son, who was to succeed him as king, and offered him as a sacrifice on the city wall. The fury against Israel was great; they withdrew and returned to their own land."

 

Chapter 3 of 2 Kings is a fascinating story where we find the three kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom joining forces to fight a war they thought they could easily win, but things didn’t go as planned. The kings then ask Elisha for help in their fight. The answer Elisha gives the kings is not what they expected. Elisha tells them (in the King James Version) to go and dig ditches and that God will fill the ditches with water, which will nourish the troops and their cattle. If they do this, Elisha tells the kings that God will deliver Moab into their hands. The kings likely found Elisha’s request a bit ridiculous, but they believed in God’s promise and did as they were told.

This story is all about faith. Only God can send the water, but he wants you to dig the ditches. If you want to see some water in your life, then dig a ditch. Real faith works and believes big, but you must be willing to start small. The size of your vision isn’t intimidating to God. Many don’t think big enough, but even more won’t start small. How do you dig a ditch? Take your “shovel” and hit the ground one “shovel” at a time. You can’t expect God to give you big things if you won’t start small. Believe big. Start small. Put your faith into action by digging some ditches. What’s a big vision you have that you need God’s help in accomplishing? What small ditches might you need to dig to begin the process of making that vision a reality?

 

You are loved!

Ridiculous Commitment - 2 Kings 2:19-25

Ridiculous Commitment




2 Kings 2:19-25  "The people of the city said to Elisha, "Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive." "Bring me a new bowl," he said, "and put salt in it." So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, "This is what the LORD says: 'I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.'" And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken. From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. "Get out of here, baldy!" they said. "Get out of here, baldy!" He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria."

In 2 Kings 2:19-22, we see the first of Elisha’s many miracles that he performed. His first miracle consisted of Elisha purifying the unproductive water for the people of Jericho. God used Elisha as a conduit of His love to help meet the needs of others. Everyday God gives us someone to help or something to do for Him. It may be as simple as helping some one with a simple chore or giving out of a cheerful heart. Like Elisha, God often uses us as a conduit of His love to help those in need. Take time today to think about whom you know that could use help and what steps you can take to assist them in meeting their need. Who has a need that you can meet? What’s one step you will take to meet that need? I know you can do it...so get out there and do what God has for you today.

You are Loved!

Ridiculous Commitment - 2 Kings 2:1-18

Ridiculous Commitment

Here is some crazy ridiculous commitment...Love the Picture

2 Kings 2:1-18 When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel." But Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?" "Yes, I know," Elisha replied, "so be quiet." Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho." And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho. The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?" "Yes, I know," he replied, "so be quiet." Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on. Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied. "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours--otherwise, it will not." As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two. Elisha then picked up Elijah's cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. "Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over. The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha." And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. "Look," they said, "we your servants have fifty able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has picked him up and set him down on some mountain or in some valley." "No," Elisha replied, "do not send them." But they persisted until he was too embarrassed to refuse. So he said, "Send them." And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him. When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, "Didn't I tell you not to go?" I'm digging this devotional series we are on, so I'll be preaching this before you know it. Just what you wanted to hear, I know...In 2 Kings 2:1-18 we continue to see that Elisha’s ridiculous commitment to God was continual. I love Elisha's commitment not only to Elijah but more so to his God. Look at something with me this morning, before Elijah is taken up into Heaven, he is called by God to visit Bethel and asks Elisha to stay behind. Why? I think to test Elisha's Commitment. But Elisha is special; Elisha is so committed to serving God that he refuses Elijah’s request and goes with him to Bethel. This was not a one-time incident as Elisha served God faithfully until the day he died. He was the pure definition of what it means to be fully devoted to God. What a role model for each of us. How committed are you to God? Are you fully committed or just committed when it’s convenient for you? Great questions that only you can answer. Spend time with God today and watch you're commitment grow!

You are loved!

Ridiculous Commitment - 1 Kings 19:14-21

Ridiculous Commitment


1Ki 19:14-21 He answered, " LORD God Almighty, I have always served you---you alone. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed all your prophets. I am the only one left---and they are trying to kill me."  The LORD said, "Return to the wilderness near Damascus, then enter the city and anoint Hazael as king of Syria; anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Anyone who escapes being put to death by Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and anyone who escapes Jehu will be killed by Elisha. Yet I will leave seven thousand people alive in Israel---all those who are loyal to me and have not bowed to Baal or kissed his idol." Elijah left and found Elisha plowing with a team of oxen; there were eleven teams ahead of him, and he was plowing with the last one. Elijah took off his cloak and put it on Elisha. Elisha then left his oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you." Elijah answered, "All right, go back. I'm not stopping you!" Then Elisha went to his team of oxen, killed them, and cooked the meat, using the yoke as fuel for the fire. He gave the meat to the people, and they ate it. Then he went and followed Elijah as his helper.


Elisha’s story begins in 1 Kings 19:14-21 as God tells Elijah to anoint Elisha as the prophet to replace him. In this passage we read that Elijah finds Elisha plowing in a field with a pair of oxen and immediately throws his mantle on Elisha as an invitation to follow him. Elisha immediately obeys and burns his plow and cooks the oxen and gives it to his friends to eat. Elisha exhibited ridiculous commitment to Elijah. He wasted no time in obeying. He didn’t go away to take time to think about it. He didn’t write out a list of pros and cons. He didn’t play it safe. He immediately said yes to God’s calling through Elijah.

Something I have learned over the years is that ridiculous commitment shows that the cost of following God is great, but the cost of not following Him is even greater. Furthermore, Elisha’s commitment was complete. He burned his plows, slaughtered his oxen, and left his family’s inheritance behind. He left everything he knew and loved behind. Elisha shows us that to step toward your destiny, you have to step away from your security. Is your commitment to God immediate and complete like Elisha’s? What security might you need to walk away from in order to walk toward your destiny?

You are loved!

Praying Jesus' Way (1) - Luke 11:1

Praying Jesus' Way (1)

'...Lord, teach us to pray...' Luke 11:1 NKJV

Overhearing Jesus pray moved one of His disciples to say, 'Lord, teach us to pray.' It's unlikely Jesus intended to teach them a rote prayer since He'd just said, 'When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.' (Matthew 6:7 NLT)

His answer was more than a sample formula-prayer for us to some how follow. He was teaching them (Us) powerful, effective principles for praying. The Lord's Prayer has two major parts: the first for God's benefit, the second for ours. Honor the first part, and the second is guaranteed.

Part one begins with 'Our Father'. It's intended for His family, collectively as well as individually. He used the plural words 'our...us...we' to indicate prayer is a co-operative exercise, where we pray with and for each other, not just for and by ourselves. It also teaches us the power of agreeing together in prayer (Matthew 18:19 KJV).

Before asking for anything, we're to acknowledge God's fatherhood, because prayer is: (a) a matter of relationship. It's the Father and His children in session; those who are redeemed through faith in the blood of His only begotten Son. That's the welcome mat under your feet when you pray.

It's also: (b) a matter of submission. Jesus' disciples understood that fatherhood meant headship and authority. Prayer isn't an attempt to get God to agree with your will, it's aligning yourself with His Word and will. He's a promise-keeper, not an indulgent parent.

You are loved!

SHOWING GENTLENESS - Col 3:12-13

SHOWING GENTLENESS
 

Col 3:12-13  "You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you."

Couldn't resist the picture today. That's my sister-in-law I'm trying to hug. She doesn't like hugs but I'm giving her one anyway. It was a precious moment even if it doesn't look like it.

Showing gentleness can sometimes be an adventure. Will you take one today do something for me: Gently tap objects as you walk through your house. You can tap a window, a hardwood floor, a countertop, a glass vase or the front door. Why do you need to be gentle when you tap items around the house? Some items are hard and there seems to be no need to be gentle. While other items are fragile and seem to break easy? No matter what the appearance both items can break.

Sometimes your actions are what you use to "tap" the people around us. It's important to remember that you can hurt others with your behavior, just as you can be hurt by what others do. Because you are fragile, God wants you to be gentle with others. Philippians 4:5 says, "Let your gentleness be evident to all." Your actions are evidence of your gentleness, and when you make an effort to be gentle with others, you show God's character to the world.

Thank you Father for the people in my life who show me gentleness. God help me find ways to show Your gentleness to others today I pray, in Jesus name!

Ask Yourself:
- What is one thing I do that shows gentleness to others?
- How difficult or easy is it to show gentleness to others?
- How have others modeled gentleness to you?
- What can I do this week to show gentleness to someone?

You are loved!

A HEART OF GENTLENESS - 1 Peter 3:4

A HEART OF GENTLENESS
1 Peter 3:4 Instead, your beauty should consist of your true inner self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the greatest value in God's sight.

This week I've been trying to get you interactive with others so these thoughts will impact how you think and do. So have fun with this and see if God doesn't do something special for you today.

Place a small amount of flour in one brown paper bag and rocks or gravel in another. Without their knowing what is inside, have another family member guess, then reach into one bag at a time and describe how the contents feel. Both bags look exactly the same on the outside, but the contents of one are soft, while the contents of the other are hard.

People are like these bags — you can't always tell what's on the inside. You learn in 1 Samuel 16:7 that "man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." God knows you can use your outward appearance — how you act and what you say — to cover up what's really inside, just like the bags covered their contents.

You might act kind and gentle but have bad attitudes or mean thoughts. While God wants you to be gentle on the outside, He also wants your heart to be gentle. When your heart is full of gentleness, God can use you to bless others.
Ask God to help you keep your heart gentle. Talk to Him about times when you haven't had a heart of gentleness, and ask for His forgiveness.
Questions for Growth
- Who is someone you know with a gentle heart? What do you like about this person?
- Who is someone you know with a hard heart? How does this person treat you?
- What causes your heart to become hard?
- What are some ways you can keep your heart soft?

You are Loved!

GOD LEADS IN HIS GENTLENESS - Isa 40:11

GOD LEADS IN HIS GENTLENESS
Isa 40:11 He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers.

Put on a blindfold. Then, have another family member guide you through different rooms by "steering" your shoulders from behind. Then walk through the same rooms, still blindfolded, following the whispered directions of a trusted family member. (This is a great lesson for you kids)

The whole point is just as family members can guide you with touch and whispers, God has many ways of gently leading you forward. He directs you through His Word (Psalm 119:105),
with a quiet voice (1 Kings 19:11–13) and through other people (Hebrews 13:7). No matter how He leads you, God can do so without being harsh. If you accidentally head in the wrong direction, He can gently help you back onto His path. Even when you purposely disobey, His desire is to lovingly correct you. In the process of
learning to follow Him, God allows you to make choices and suffer the consequences of your choices; but He also knows how to pull you gently back into His fold.

You serve a loving God. Thank Him for His desire to lead you gently toward Him and His willingness to give you the choice of obedience.

You are loved!

GENTLENESS IN SPEECH - Proverbs 15:1

GENTLENESS IN SPEECH

Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

List five words that describe your best friend. Now list five words that describe someone you don't get along with very well. Say each of the 10 words out loud and consider how you'd feel if each of those words were used to describe you.

Words are powerful. "The tongue has the power of life and death" (Proverbs 18:21). Wow! What you say — and how you say it — really does matter. Words can hurt, or they can heal. When you respond to hurtful words with more hurtful words, you only make things worse. If you answer with gentleness, you can soothe angry or bitter feelings and restore broken relationships. Our gentle words show people that they have value, whether you agree or disagree with them. Proverbs 12:18 says, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Thank you Father for giving us the ability to be gentle with our words. Help us to choose your words carefully so they are not hurtful.

Questions to help you on your journey of faith...
- How have others hurt you with their words?
- How have you hurt others with your words?
- What gentle words have been given to you, and how did they help you?
- Who is one person you can use gentle words with, even if this person doesn't deserve them?

You are loved!

TODAY’S THOUGHT - 1 Peter 5:6-7

TODAY’S THOUGHT

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.


A great paradox in life is the statement, “the way down is up and the way up is down.” I always thought it a weird statement. But to often in today’s self-centered, self-promoting society people are looking to be one up on someone else. However, in one’s quest to rise to the top in popularity or success it’s easy to become self-reliant and prideful. That is why the scripture say’s “pride comes before a fall.”
In God’s economy, the way up is down. Many might disagree with that but when we walk humbly before God as obedient and faithful servants, God will always reward us.

His timing or His ways may be different from what we would choose however, when God elevates us, his place of honor and promotion is far greater than anything we could do for ourselves. As believers, God has called us to lift up the name of Jesus in every area of our lives. As we humble ourselves and rely upon the mighty power of God in our lives, God will elevate us so that we can illuminate him.

You are loved!

TODAY’S THOUGHT - Isa 43:1

TODAY’S THOUGHT

Isa 43:1  "But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."
 
As I was reading this scripture this morning this thought came to mind; "It’s not a matter of “if” it’s a matter of “when” we will go through deep waters, rivers of difficulty and fires of oppression. Difficulty in our work and finances, problems in our marriage, conflict with our kids and pain through strained friendships and relationships can cause us to feel like we’re drowning. Many try to minimize those feelings but as believers, we must remind ourselves that God “will be with us.” If we trust in Him we have help, because it’s in those times that He wants to remind us “He is the Lord, our God.”
No matter what we face in life, we can be encouraged to know that God is always there. He will not let us “drown” or be “burned up” by the trials of life. In fact, God wants to use those trials as a platform for us to reveal His goodness, grace and victory so that others can be encouraged by what God is doing in our lives. God can take our greatest misery and use it to become our greatest ministry to others who may be facing the same challenges we are facing. So remember, He is our God and loves you!

By the way, I love you as well.

 

Todays Thought - Philippians 4:13

Todays Thought

Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength"

Have you ever had one of those days when it seemed like everything you did was wrong? I know what your thinking, everyday something seems to go wrong.

Paul, the Apostle, wrote the above scripture while sitting in a prison cell. If anyone deserved to feel defeated and discouraged in life, it should have been the Apostle Paul. However, he learned the importance of keeping things in perspective and learning to completely rely upon God’s strength regardless of the circumstances. That's a hard lesson to learn and apply when life seems content on beating us down.

As we strive to make a difference with our lives there will always be people, situations and circumstances that can zap us from our spiritual strength and energy. In fact, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all of life’s challenges and hardships. However, the same spiritual strength the Apostle Paul experienced in his life is available to us. Where does this strength come from? The answer, “through Christ.” It is in Christ that we find the strength we need to do “everything” we need to get done in life. Fix your thoughts on Christ today and move forward with confidence that “through Christ” you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

You are Loved!