Sorry I missed a few days. David was home and we went to the Brewer game yesterday. He brought home his Playstation 3 and got me wanting one of those (I hate when he brings new game systems home, because then I want one). But anyway, it’s back to life as usual, for two days.
As we get back to life as usual, we just have to remember that it’s good to have the Lord by your side, “O God, be not far from me.” Or sure, I can go out on my own, but it is much easier and better to have the Lord by your side. And as the Lord helps us, it is just natural for us to tell others how God has helped us. “My mouth will tell of your righteous acts.” He alone helps us. He alone protects us.
So, Elisha’s power with God is known also in other countries. Actually, it was a little Israelite girl who was a prisoner who alerted Naaman of Elisha’s favor with God. So Naaman goes to be healed. He thought Elisha would at least answer his own door and come out and wave a hand over him and Naaman almost left. Fortunately, he has smart people with him who talk him into washing in the Jordan and he is healed. He then promises that he will not worship other false gods, except once a year, he is required by his King to escort the King to worship this false god Rimmon. On that day only will he enter that house and bow to that false god. Because it’s required and not really worship, Elisha seems to be happy.
Elisha is not happy with his servant who chases after Naaman to secure payment for the healing. God doesn’t want money. Prophets are not supposed to get rich off of their power to heal. So the servant ends up with leprosy himself. Not fun.
Paul writes to the Philippians from prison. Can you imagine the prayer list this guy has, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.” Paul must have spent hours and hours in prayer every day praying for all the churches he visited. But that’s a good thing. This is the same guy who wrote, “pray continuously.” It’s a good habit. After reading God’s Word, we pray.
It’s interesting that through his imprisonment he is able to share the Gospel even more. People would come to visit Paul and then they would take the Gospel and his message back home. Not only that, but he shared the Gospel of Jesus with the guards and they would take that message home. Prison ministry is very important. They need to hear that message just as much if not more than any others.
This is going to be quick because I have chapel this morning and don’t have much time to type. Also, Jan and I will be traveling the next few days. My plan is to write up the next few days this evening and then post them as the week goes by, but we will see how that plan works. So, be patient.
So, Monday morning about 4am I wake up and start thinking about the fall stewardship program, taking the 8th graders to LuWiSoMo, needing chaperones and all that kind of stuff. Needless to say, I didn’t get back to sleep. Then, I read this Psalm for today, “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer.” Instead of laying there wide awake, unable to fix anything any way, I should have been praying to God asking for help … and sleep. He does listen to our prayers and will help.
I love this account of Elisha and the axe head and the army. That vision of the young man’s eyes being open so he can see the angels around them protecting them amazes me. When one of the kids had trouble sleeping because of bad dreams, I read this story to them and told them God has so many angels around you protecting you that you don’t need to worry about the dreams, and it worked, they slept better from them on. We ARE surrounded and protected. Christ died for us. We are God’s precious commodity. He is going to protect His investment.
Once again, we read of St. Paul’s struggle between going to heaven and staying here to work with God’s people, the church. That’s a tough one. Paul was very important in sharing the Gospel at a difficult time. But no one is indispensable. As soon as I’m done here at Trinity, someone else will move in and life will go on. The Lord provides workers. He, again, protects His investment.
I absolutely love verses 2:5 and following. Our Lord did set a great example for us to follow. He has been a faithful servant. He is an awesome God.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009
PSALM 71:12-16
2 KINGS 5:9-27
PHILIPPIANS 1:1-20
Sorry I missed a few days. David was home and we went to the Brewer game yesterday. He brought home his Playstation 3 and got me wanting one of those (I hate when he brings new game systems home, because then I want one). But anyway, it’s back to life as usual, for two days.
As we get back to life as usual, we just have to remember that it’s good to have the Lord by your side, “O God, be not far from me.” Or sure, I can go out on my own, but it is much easier and better to have the Lord by your side. And as the Lord helps us, it is just natural for us to tell others how God has helped us. “My mouth will tell of your righteous acts.” He alone helps us. He alone protects us.
So, Elisha’s power with God is known also in other countries. Actually, it was a little Israelite girl who was a prisoner who alerted Naaman of Elisha’s favor with God. So Naaman goes to be healed. He thought Elisha would at least answer his own door and come out and wave a hand over him and Naaman almost left. Fortunately, he has smart people with him who talk him into washing in the Jordan and he is healed. He then promises that he will not worship other false gods, except once a year, he is required by his King to escort the King to worship this false god Rimmon. On that day only will he enter that house and bow to that false god. Because it’s required and not really worship, Elisha seems to be happy.
Elisha is not happy with his servant who chases after Naaman to secure payment for the healing. God doesn’t want money. Prophets are not supposed to get rich off of their power to heal. So the servant ends up with leprosy himself. Not fun.
Paul writes to the Philippians from prison. Can you imagine the prayer list this guy has, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.” Paul must have spent hours and hours in prayer every day praying for all the churches he visited. But that’s a good thing. This is the same guy who wrote, “pray continuously.” It’s a good habit. After reading God’s Word, we pray.
It’s interesting that through his imprisonment he is able to share the Gospel even more. People would come to visit Paul and then they would take the Gospel and his message back home. Not only that, but he shared the Gospel of Jesus with the guards and they would take that message home. Prison ministry is very important. They need to hear that message just as much if not more than any others.
Have a blessed Tuesday.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
PSALM 61
2 KINGS 6:1-23
PHILIPPIANS 1:21-2:11
This is going to be quick because I have chapel this morning and don’t have much time to type. Also, Jan and I will be traveling the next few days. My plan is to write up the next few days this evening and then post them as the week goes by, but we will see how that plan works. So, be patient.
So, Monday morning about 4am I wake up and start thinking about the fall stewardship program, taking the 8th graders to LuWiSoMo, needing chaperones and all that kind of stuff. Needless to say, I didn’t get back to sleep. Then, I read this Psalm for today, “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer.” Instead of laying there wide awake, unable to fix anything any way, I should have been praying to God asking for help … and sleep. He does listen to our prayers and will help.
I love this account of Elisha and the axe head and the army. That vision of the young man’s eyes being open so he can see the angels around them protecting them amazes me. When one of the kids had trouble sleeping because of bad dreams, I read this story to them and told them God has so many angels around you protecting you that you don’t need to worry about the dreams, and it worked, they slept better from them on. We ARE surrounded and protected. Christ died for us. We are God’s precious commodity. He is going to protect His investment.
Once again, we read of St. Paul’s struggle between going to heaven and staying here to work with God’s people, the church. That’s a tough one. Paul was very important in sharing the Gospel at a difficult time. But no one is indispensable. As soon as I’m done here at Trinity, someone else will move in and life will go on. The Lord provides workers. He, again, protects His investment.
I absolutely love verses 2:5 and following. Our Lord did set a great example for us to follow. He has been a faithful servant. He is an awesome God.