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Today is Sunday May 3, 2009 and we are beginning our studies on the book of II Kings. Please read chapters 1-3 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Kings%201-3&version=9

Today's Message: Follow Him
We will be faced with many obstacles in our lives to try and keep us from serving God. We must not let anything stop us from following Him.

The book of II Kings is the twelfth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains twenty-five chapters. The author of the book is unknown, but possibly Jeremiah and it was written to the Israelites. The purpose of the book was to record how God dealt with the Israelites before the coming of Christ, what we are to learn from the book is that the Kingdoms of this world are only temporal, they rise and fall under God's control.

The ministry of the great prophet Elijah was finished and a new successor was about to take his place. Ten years before Elijah's departure in a chariot of fire, God told him that he would anoint a new king and a new prophet named Elisha. "And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room." (I Kings 19:15-16). At the time Elijah called Elisha to join him, Elisha was a prosperous young farmer. To accept Elijah's calling to be his servant would mean that Elisha would have to forsake his family and friends as well as financial securities. His friends probably thought that being the servant of a prophet would be a lonely, degrading occupation, but Elisha knew that obeying God's Word provided the true values of life and would lead him to spiritual trust, commitment to God, and his true desires. He immediately followed Elijah, "So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him." (19:19-21). Elisha demonstrates the key to one's usefulness in the Kingdom of God, we are to immediately respond to every opportunity to serve the Lord, regardless of how great or insignificant the task may seem. A similar story is seen in the lives of most men and women whom God uses today. The key to our usefulness in the Kingdom of God is a sincere desire to forsake all to follow Christ.

When Elijah announced his earthly departure, he tested Elisha's dedication and spiritual discernment, "And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel." (II Kings 2:1-2). Elijah was testing Elisha's faithfulness to follow God regardless of any obstacles that got in the way. Many will try to stop us from doing what God calls us to do, but we must not let anyone keep us from following God's Will.

Elisha pledged his faithfulness with a vow and was determined to continue with Elijah on his journey from Gilgal to Bethel, on to Jericho, and then across the Jordan River. "And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me." (2:6-9). God chooses what it is that He wants us to do for Him and as long as we follow through He will bless us with everything we need. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." (John 16:16).

God has used circumstances in our lives to place each of us where we are today in order to determine the sincerity of our commitment to Him. Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?" (Luke 9:23-25).

Today's Psalm: 84:11
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
We earnestly seek You for wisdom regarding the daily circumstances of our lives. Help us to incline our hearts toward You for understanding all that You have to teach us in the lessons of life. During the quiet sessions when Your voice seems silent help us to trust You knowing that You work all things out for our good, for Your glory, and in Your time reference. In Jesus' Name........Amen.

Have a wonderful day/night and week.
God Bless,
Christina

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