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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

2 Kings 5: 1-15


click to Read the passage: 2 Kings 5  (a new browser window will open)

1)  Only God may determine the pathway to His glory.                                       
1 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.2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.

2)  Only God may control circumstances of the people’s lives He wants to use.   
2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.4 And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.5 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.6 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.7 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me
.
3)  Only God may overcome man’s struggling efforts and man’s unbelief.               
5 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.6 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.7 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.8 And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. 11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

4)  Only God may convince a troubled heart to follow Him (God).                         
11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

5) Only God may accomplish the unlikely with unlikely sources
12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

6)  Only God may overcome man’s complexity with God’s simplicity.
13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

7)  Only God may deliver what God knows man needs. 
14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

8)  Only God may restore life to the dying.                           
14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

9)  Only God may preserve the work that matters to God
14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

10)  Only God may provide the path of His glory He alone is so worthy of.
15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.



Saturday, August 27, 2016

I Shall Not Want Psalms 23: 1


click to Read the passage: Psalms 23  (a new browser window will open)

(The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.)

1. A commitment preceding need.

2. An assurance in need.

3. An accompaniment in trial.

4. A promise to claim.

5. A fulfillment to come.

6. An enduring strength and hope.

7. A presence that sustains.







Wednesday, August 24, 2016

God at Work on/in Man's Need 2 Kings 5: 1-15




click to Read the passage: 2 Kings 5  (a new browser window will open)

1)  God is aware of the impossibility man faces.                                                 
1 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.

2)  God faces man’s impossibility in God’s time. 
2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.

3)  God orders the steps of the man He chooses to bless.
V. 1, 2 3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.

4)  God chooses the relevant participants for His will.                                           
V 1, 2, 3, 4 And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.5 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.

5)  God is greater than man’s missteps.
6 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.7 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.8 And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

6)  God’s authority rules over all circumstances and all persons; God is aware of man’s pressures. V 6-11

7)  God looks for faith and humility.                                                                 
10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

8)  God requires surrender to His will- human conditions, human impossibilities, 
human wills.                                                                                                   
14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

9)  God rules over impossible human conditions.                 
14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

10)  God restores the servant and reveals the greatness of His (God’s) glory. 
14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.




Saturday, August 20, 2016

What Happens When You Believe on Jesus' Name 1 John 5: 1


click to Read the passage: 1 John 5  (a new browser window will open)


1) Your name becomes no name, His name becomes everything.

2) Your work becomes less important, His work becomes everything.

3) Your plans become secondary, His plans become everything.

4) Your honor becomes unimportant, His honor becomes extended.

5) Your desire becomes hidden in Him, His desire becomes yours.

6) Your reasoning becomes vain, His promises become yours.

7) Your service (labor) becomes yielded, His will becomes known.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

The Needs God Facts 2 Kings 5: 1-15


click to Read the passage: 2 Kings 5  (a new browser window will open)

1. Needs that restrain man's freedom.  V.1
        (he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper) 

2. Needs that lead to rejection.   V.1
(he was a leper) 

3. Needs that surpass the power of man. V.5,7
(king of Syria •.. send a letter unto the King of Israel.)  (Am I God, to kill and to make
        alive, .…) 

4. Needs that when met, reveal God's presence--to turn the hearts of God's people to
God. V.8
(Let him come ... and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.) 

5. Needs that are held by human pride. V.11,12
        (But Naaman was angry,  …I thought ... ) 

6. Needs that are no match for the master's hand. V.13,14
        (Wash, and be clean ... ) 

7. Needs that have the potential of Godly honor.     V.15
(now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel;) 



Saturday, August 13, 2016

How to Know your Answers are Right Proverbs 22: 19-21


click to Read the passage: Proverbs 22  (a new browser window will open)


V 19 1) Base your knowledge on what God reveals. 
( I have made known to thee ) 

V 19 2) Seek God's daily fellowship and instruction. 
( this day) 
Keep a fresh message 

V 20 3) Be attentive to all God reveals .
( Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge) 

v 20 4) Relate what God is saying to your specific challenges and trials. 
( Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, ) 

V 21 5) Allow your heart to be convinced of God's message. 
( That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, ) 

V 21 6) Be attentive to the needs of those sent to you.
( to those who send unto thee?) 

V 21 7) Answer others with the affirmed truth in your heart. 
( that thou mightest answer the words of truth ) 

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Pure Hearted Companionship 2 Kings 5: 18


click to Read the passage: 2 Kings 5  (a new browser window will open)
As seen in Naaman's life after healing took place.

(In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, ... ) 

1) You can keep your heart pure around evil. 

2) You can serve Christ even though your earthly authority is lost. 

3) You can be loyal to Christ, even though those around you are resistant. 

4) You can live separated in Christ, even though you have responsibilities in the world. 

5) A servant of Christ is to be a light in a lost world. 

 6) God will protect your witness--His presence. 

7) God's standards are not to be compromised. They are the light for others to follow. 



Saturday, August 6, 2016

The Believer's Security Psalms 34: 7


click to Read the passage: Psalms 34  (a new browser window will open)

v.4 1. God makes Himself available to His child.
(I sought the Lord, and)

v.4 2. God responds to the voice of His child.
(and He heard me,)

v.4 3. God removes fear from His child.
(and delivered me from all my fears.)

v.5 4. God gives assurance to His child.
(They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and)

v.6 5. God deals with the cause of fear to His child.
(This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and save him out of all his 
troubles.)

v.7 6. God surrounds His child with His protective grace.
(The angel of the Lord emcampeth round about them that fear Him, and)

v.7 7. God is willing to rescue His child again and again.
(and delivereth them.)









Wednesday, August 3, 2016

The Pathway to Understanding 2 Kings 5: 15


click to Read the passage: 2 Kings 5  (a new browser window will open)


1) Realizing there is a spiritual need in my life. (Naaman--leprosy) 
First step is realizing I have a need--a spiritual need. 
Spiritual discipline comes from need, provision, relationship and experience. 
        It quickens spiritual discernment and identification of need.
I understand God through his divine response to my need.
        Over and over again I encounter God as the supplier of my need. 

2) Having an awareness of God--the need brought him to. (vs.10-14) 
When a need arises, an awareness of God as provider should spring up.
        It did not in Naaman's life, but he was brought to a point of awareness that God was 
        the answer. 
The discipline of the believer is to immediately recognize God to be the answer.
An awareness of God leads the believer further down the pathway to understanding. 

3) Being enlightened by counsel--awareness opened up his sensitivity to that counsel.
        (vs.l3) 
Increase in understanding comes often through counsel. 
A believer should avail himself of this opportunity to gain understanding.
There are times when light has cone to another who can help lighten our path. 

4) Receiving God's promise--an awareness opened up his soul to. 
        (then went he down--vs.14) 
He acted upon God's promise.  
        God's promises of instruction are not fruitful in our lives until we receive them. 
Our conduct then will demonstrate our having received God's promises.
        We will have purposed to respond in accordance with God' s divine instruction.
We become  doers of the word (receivers) not hearers only.

5) Responding obediently to God's instruction--counsel encouraged him to. (vs.14) 
        Obedience brings assurance, peace, joy, delight, and further revelation and
        opportunities for service. 
        Obedience is a walking in relationship to light received from scripture.
        Disobedience is continuing in its own darkness. 
Obedience is a pathway of light and enlightenment, thus a path to understanding. 

6) Experiencing God's provision--obedience led him to. (was clean--vs.14) 
To experience God is to experience a divine power. 
The realm of faith takes a believer beyond the reaches of the earthly realm. 
It is in this realm in which divine understanding occurs. 
        We experience divine understanding as we experience the divine source, Jesus.
        As we experience his provision, we increase in understanding of Him. 

7) Knowing God--experiencing God's provision brought him to. 
        (now I know that there is no God in all the earth …) 
        full point of understanding. 
        To know God fully is to understand things fully. 
        Understanding comes from knowing God.
Know how to work with God's word.  Deut. 28: 2, 8, 45            
Applying wisdom. 
        There is no lack of understanding with God.