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Today is Monday May 4, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of II Kings. Please read chapters 4-8 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Kings%204-8&version=9

Today's Message: Promises of God
Christians need not fear tomorrow, instead, we can rejoice in the promises of God, but be careful not to let greed control your actions.

God reminds us of a widow woman whose two sons would have been sold as slaves. "Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen." (II Kings 4:1). This helpless widow poured out her heart to Elisha, the only possession she had in her house seemed worthless because it was only a small vessel of oil, but that small worthless thing saved her sons. Elisha, directed her to borrow as many empty pots as she could. "And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few." ( 4:2-3). One would wonder why God directed Elish to tell her to borrow empty pots. The empty pots represent debt, if she borrowed pots full of oil she would have been in further debt, but the empty pots had no value to them so when she paid the debt owed by her husband she was completely debt free. God can take the little we have and make it into something priceless and precious to the Almighty Creator as we give ourselves to Him.

Naaman, was a great military, but had one severe problem, he was leprous. Desperate to be healed he appeared before King Jehoram in Israel. "Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper...........And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy." (5:1,5-6). When Naaman obeyed the words of the prophet, he was miraculously healed. God can do the same thing for us, all we have to do is trust in Him, live for Him, and acknowledge Him.

Greatful of Elisha's help, Naaman offered him a huge reward, he refused, but Gehazi and inspiring new prophet over heard Elish refuse the reward. This greedy servant persuaded himself into believing that God had blessed him with an oppportunity to receive the reward. Sadly, because of his greed and deceit, he became leprous. "But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow." (II Kings 5:25-27). Gehazi probably did not think it was a sin to gain wealth that he didn't deserve from someone who was a Gentile and didn't need it. He forfeited any opportunity he may have had to be the next honored prophet of God. Instead, he became a leper! When Gehazi was tested, he exposed his true character as a covetous hypocrite.

Now, Benhadad, the king of Syria, became ill, he requested that Hazeal go to Elisha and inquire if he would recover from his sickness. Elisha told Hazael to tell the king yes, but then he began to weep. "And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child." (8:8-12). Hazael appeared shocked, that he would be so wicked, but with deceptive concern, he waited for the right opportunity and eventually fulfilled the prophesy. Hazael was willing to stoop to any depth of evil in order to gain a favored position immediately.

Obedient Christians need not fear for tomorrow! Instead, we can rejoice in the promises of God, who supplies all our needs and gives us all that we desire according to the His riches in glory. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me...........But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:13,19).

Today's Psalm: 22:24-26
"For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Help me to remain faithful to You and your calling upon my life. Strengthen and grow my faith as I daily search Your Scriptures and apply their truths to my spiritual walk. As I go through the trials and experiences of my earthly journey would You fix my eyes and my ever-wandering heart upon Jesus. When the howling winds and forceful storms of this life attempt to shipwreck my faith may they instead prove my faith to be more than sufficient to withstand the continual assaults from the enemy. Because I take refuge in Jesus my spiritual foundation is firm, always dependable, and leads me to glorious victory. In Jesus' Name.........Amen.

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

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