Category Archives: Character of God

All Powerful / King of All, Anger (unrighteous anger), Bitterness / Resentment, Consequences of Sin, Discipline / Guidance From God, Fear / Reverence for God, Murder, Patient, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Seeking God, Selfishness, Submitted / Servant, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

When Things Get Really Bad, Seek the LORD More Fervently!

Sometimes we face situations so dire, it seems hopeless. We call upon the LORD but His help does not come in the way or timing in which we expect or hope. We may grow desperate. Remain faithful. Do not turn from the way of the LORD.  In these situations it is Him and Him alone who can deliver us.  When things get really bad, seek the LORD more fervently and do not turn away from His ways!

2 Kings 6:24-33

The Siege of Samaria—Cannibalism

      24Now it came about after this, that Ben-hadad king of Aram gathered all his army and went up and besieged Samaria. 25There was a great famine in Samaria; and behold, they besieged it, until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a fourth of a kab of dove’s dung for five shekels of silver. 26As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall a woman cried out to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!” 27He said, “If the LORD does not help you, from where shall I help you? From the threshing floor, or from the wine press?” 28And the king said to her, “What is the matter with you?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’ 29“So we boiled my son and ate him; and I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him’; but she has hidden her son.” 30When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes—now he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body. 31Then he said, “May God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on him today.”

      32Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. And the king sent a man from his presence; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, “Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold the door shut against him. Is not the sound of his master’s feet behind him?” 33While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him and he said, “Behold, this evil is from the LORD; why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”

2 Kings 7

Elisha Promises Food

      1Then Elisha said, “Listen to the word of the LORD; thus says the LORD, ‘Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.’” 2The royal officer on whose hand the king was leaning answered the man of God and said, “Behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” Then he said, “Behold, you will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat of it.”

Four Lepers Relate Arameans’ Flight

      3Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why do we sit here until we die? 4“If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ then the famine is in the city and we will die there; and if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they spare us, we will live; and if they kill us, we will but die.” 5They arose at twilight to go to the camp of the Arameans; when they came to the outskirts of the camp of the Arameans, behold, there was no one there. 6For the Lord had caused the army of the Arameans to hear a sound of chariots and a sound of horses, even the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.” 7Therefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents and their horses and their donkeys, even the camp just as it was, and fled for their life. 8When these lepers came to the outskirts of the camp, they entered one tent and ate and drank, and carried from there silver and gold and clothes, and went and hid them; and they returned and entered another tent and carried from there also, and went and hid them.

      9Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, but we are keeping silent; if we wait until morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king’s household.” 10So they came and called to the gatekeepers of the city, and they told them, saying, “We came to the camp of the Arameans, and behold, there was no one there, nor the voice of man, only the horses tied and the donkeys tied, and the tents just as they were.” 11The gatekeepers called and told it within the king’s household. 12Then the king arose in the night and said to his servants, “I will now tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know that we are hungry; therefore they have gone from the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, ‘When they come out of the city, we will capture them alive and get into the city.’” 13One of his servants said, “Please, let some men take five of the horses which remain, which are left in the city. Behold, they will be in any case like all the multitude of Israel who are left in it; behold, they will be in any case like all the multitude of Israel who have already perished, so let us send and see.” 14They took therefore two chariots with horses, and the king sent after the army of the Arameans, saying, “Go and see.”

The Promise Fulfilled

      15They went after them to the Jordan, and behold, all the way was full of clothes and equipment which the Arameans had thrown away in their haste. Then the messengers returned and told the king.

      16So the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. Then a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. 17Now the king appointed the royal officer on whose hand he leaned to have charge of the gate; but the people trampled on him at the gate, and he died just as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. 18It happened just as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, “Two measures of barley for a shekel and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, will be sold tomorrow about this time at the gate of Samaria.” 19Then the royal officer answered the man of God and said, “Now behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, could such a thing be?” And he said, “Behold, you will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat of it.” 20And so it happened to him, for the people trampled on him at the gate and he died.

This is miraculous even if Elisha had not predicted it. How much more so that he prophesied that it would happed and then it did, just as he said!

We can certainly debate why the LORD did not act sooner or why it was only when Elisha’s life was in danger that he acted. That will lead us to speculation and more questions. It is fine to explore there. However, my focus for today is that, recognizing the LORD’s ways are different than ours and we may not always understand them, we should always put our faith and trust in Him. There is no situation for which He is not prepared or by which He is surprised. He knows all. He is all powerful.

I would point out that there was no message accompanying this miracle. Perhaps it was simply intended to bring about glory to the name and reputation of YHWH. Perhaps it was discipline for His people or their king. Elisha did not exactly compliment the king to call him a son of a murderer. Also, the king would not seek to kill or punish the prophet of God if he was close to God himself.

To recap where we began, when things get really bad we should seek the LORD more fervently and not turn from Him or His ways!

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Miracles, Protector / Deliverer, Spiritual Warfare

Those Who Are With Us Are More Than Those Who Are Against Us

How Elisha handles the Arameans recorded in 2 Kings 6 is amazing. He responded calmly, firmly, and with grace and mercy. He went to Yahweh to defeat the enemy stacked against him. I can only imagine the Arameans, and the Israelites were still telling their grandchildren many years later about this series of events…

2 Kings 6:8-23

The Arameans Plot to Capture Elisha

      8Now the king of Aram was warring against Israel; and he counseled with his servants saying, “In such and such a place shall be my camp.” 9The man of God sent word to the king of Israel saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Arameans are coming down there.” 10The king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God had told him; thus he warned him, so that he guarded himself there, more than once or twice.

      11Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?” 12One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 13So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him.” And it was told him, saying, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

      15Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “Strike this people with blindness, I pray.” So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 19Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city; follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he brought them to Samaria.

      20When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the LORD opened their eyes and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” 22He answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” 23So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel.

There is much going on in the spiritual realm that often many of us can not see. We should always turn to our Father and put our trust in Him. This does not mean we do not also prepare for trouble. The army of Israel had a part to play in this as well, including discouraging the Arameans from just coming over all the time and at times handing the Arameans defeat based on information from Elisha.

No matter what the odds may seem, when we stand with Yahweh, those who stand with us are more than those who stand against us.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Learning To Pray Effectively, Miracles, Provider

Miracles Are Not Reserved Only For Moments of High Drama and Danger

Elisha shows us how handy miracles can be even in every day life. Yahweh and His prophets do not need to have some massive conflict or war in order to perform miracles. Even in everyday life there is evidence of YHWH getting involved. How many of us would be tempted to cross off this situation in 2 Kings 6 as not important enough to ask for a miracle? I know at times in my life, I have felt that way about some “small” things.

The reality is that this was still important to this man and also then to Elisha and to Yahweh. Don’t feel you can’t ask for help just because the situation you face may seem manageable on your own.

2 Kings 6:1-7

The Axe Head Recovered

      1Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Behold now, the place before you where we are living is too limited for us. 2“Please let us go to the Jordan and each of us take from there a beam, and let us make a place there for ourselves where we may live.” So he said, “Go.” 3Then one said, “Please be willing to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I shall go.” 4So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” 6Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. 7He said, “Take it up for yourself.” So he put out his hand and took it.

Reflect on this prayerfully. Think about what situations you face that you may be reluctant to ask Yahweh for help. Go ahead and ask Him. Think about Him as a loving father. Would a loving father only want to help His children when they face dire circumstances?

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Greed, Healer, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Humility, Lying / Deceiving, Miracles, Obeying God, Pride, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant

Do Things God’s Way, Not Our Way

For those of us who study the Bible and have relationship with the LORD, we come quickly to know that He operates differently than we expect. He has His own way and His own timing. It is usually different than ours. Watch that we do not get frustrated or turn from Him… or even just avoid turning towards Him and obeying because things He instructs are so different than what we expect.

And let not our personal greed affect our obedience to His guidance and instruction. We do not serve Him to get rich. We serve Him because of who He is, king of kings and lord of lords. He is a loving Father. There is none like Him.

2 Kings 5

Naaman Is Healed

      1Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and highly respected, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man was also a valiant warrior, but he was a leper. 2Now the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken captive a little girl from the land of Israel; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. 3She said to her mistress, “I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy.” 4Naaman went in and told his master, saying, “Thus and thus spoke the girl who is from the land of Israel.” 5Then the king of Aram said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” He departed and took with him ten talents of silver and six thousand shekels of gold and ten changes of clothes.

      6He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, “And now as this letter comes to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” 7When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man is sending word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? But consider now, and see how he is seeking a quarrel against me.”

      8It happened when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent word to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Now let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9So Naaman came with his horses and his chariots and stood at the doorway of the house of Elisha. 10Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean.” 11But Naaman was furious 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 wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.’ 12“Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 13Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, “My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean.

Gehazi’s Greed

      15When he returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him, he said, “Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please take a present from your servant now.” 16But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will take nothing.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. 17Naaman said, “If not, please let your servant at least be given two mules’ load of earth; for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering nor will he sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD. 18“In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.” 19He said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him some distance.

      20But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” 21So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he came down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 22He said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Behold, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothes.’” 23Naaman said, “Be pleased to take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags with two changes of clothes and gave them to two of his servants; and they carried them before him. 24When he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and deposited them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25But he went in and stood before his master. And Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.”

      26Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money and to receive clothes and olive groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and male and female servants? 27“Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

Greed was the downfall of Gehazi, and lying. Pride was almost the downfall of Naaman. Fortunately he had some caring advisors supporting and encouraging him to do as he was instructed.

Note also, that Naaman was not a righteous, godly man. Rather God healed him so that he would turn away from his false gods and turn toward Yahweh.

There is a lot in this scripture to reflect and pray about in terms of how it applies in our lives today. Let those who have ears, hear.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Miracles, Protector / Deliverer, Provider

Our God Can Make a Way; Nothing is Beyond Him

It is easy to breeze by the miracle of feeding 4000 plus women and children at the end of Matthew 15. We have previously read about the feeding of 5000 and there is already a lot to absorb in this chapter. Don’t overlook it. Sometimes we face situations where there seems to be no way to accomplish something. Our God can make a way. It is never beyond His reach. Trust in Him.

Matthew 15:32-39

Four Thousand Fed

      32And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” 33The disciples said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?” 34And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; 36and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 37And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full. 38And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

      39And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan.

Shalom,

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Healer, Loving / Kind

God is our Healer

There are countless examples of God healing people, including many during the earthly ministry of Yeshua. Many assume He no longer heals His people, but I have not found that in scripture. I believe He still heals. What seems to make it hard for us is that we don’t always understand when or why or who He will heal.

Nevertheless, we should bring our requests before our mighty Father and Healer and ask. Know that He can. Trust Him no matter the outcome.

Matthew 15:29-31

Healing Crowds

      29Departing from there, Jesus went along by the Sea of Galilee, and having gone up on the mountain, He was sitting there. 30And large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them. 31So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

For those who are skeptics, do you really think Yeshua’s followers would make up healings this extensive to talk about and write about in the same place and time that there would have to have been many witnesses to agree or contest the story? If they were lying, they would surely only identify a few “private” healing examples rather than claiming huge public ones. I am convinced they just told it and wrote it down how it happened.

Devotion by John in service to Christ (now that my wife has also started writing some devotions, we will start to label them for the readers’ benefit)

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Faith / Trusting God, Healer, Seeking God

Are We Desperate for Yeshua? or Complacent?

Yeshua was sent to Israel, to God’s people. When they rejected Him, He went to the gentiles. Refer to Matthew 22:1-14 and an explanation What is the meaning of the Parable of the Wedding Feast ? – GotQuestions.org. 

With that context, it is interesting to follow along with an exchange which He had with a woman who was not Jewish during His earthly ministry.

Matthew 15:21-28

The Syrophoenician Woman

      21Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” 23But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” 24But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

We can debate why Yeshua answered the way He did at first. It could simply be that He wanted to show her faith to others. We don’t know why. However, her faith in Him was well rewarded.

It is a stark contrast. This woman desperately seeking Messiah compared to the religious leaders of Israel rejecting Him. Let us not take for granted that we are in right relationship with Him just because we are going to church or spending some time with Him. Let us be inspired by this woman to be passionately seeking Christ. We should each ask ourselves, “Am I desperate for Yeshua? or Complacent in my relationship with Him?”.  Let us pray He would draw us to Him that we would be passionate about seeking Him. Let us not be concerned what others think of us as we pursue Him. Let us rather be concerned about what our Father thinks about us and our faith and passion for Him.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Knowing, All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, Faithful, Loving / Kind, Miracles, Protector / Deliverer, Provider

Trust in the LORD to Provide, Not in Man or Government

We often find ourselves having an easier time to trust in man, or in government, to provide for us than in Yahweh. Ask our Father to help you in your faith and reliance in Him. Seek Him earnestly. Do not put trust in man.

2 Kings 4:1-7

The Widow’s Oil

      1Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” 2Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” 3Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. 4“And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels, and you shall set aside what is full.” 5So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured. 6When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not one vessel more.” And the oil stopped. 7Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”

To expound a bit around not trusting in man, but instead relying on Yahweh, consider Psalm 146. Who is man compared to God?

Psalm 146

The LORD an Abundant Helper.

1Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!

      2I will praise the LORD while I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

      3Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.

      4His spirit departs, he returns to the earth;
In that very day his thoughts perish.

      5How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,

      6Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;

      7Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets the prisoners free.

      8The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous;

      9The LORD protects the strangers;
He supports the fatherless and the widow,
But He thwarts the way of the wicked.

      10The LORD will reign forever,
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Controlling Thoughts, Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, Purposeful / Intentional

Nothing Is Impossible with God

Nothing is impossible with God. That does not mean He will enable us to do everything we imagine or ask, but it is a good reminder to have courage even when things look tough. We are in His hands!

It is one thing for Yeshua to walk on water, but He went beyond that and allowed Peter to do so also. As long as Peter kept focused on Christ, he was doing great. Once he took his eyes off Christ and focused on the waves and turbulence around him, he started to sink.

Matthew 14:22-36

Jesus Walks on the Water

      22Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

      28Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”

      34When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; 36and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.

Keep your eyes on God. Trust in Him. Do not be intimidated by the things around you which will try to grab your attention and instill fear in you. Focus on Him through whatever adversity you are facing.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Healer, Loving / Kind, Miracles, Provider

Yeshua Feeds 5,000… Consider it as if Reading of It for the First Time

Sometimes we may start to take for granted some miracles that Yeshua has performed, because we have heard it so much. Read this as if for the first time. Consider it as if you were there witnessing it. Imagine how amazing it really is that our Lord did this miracle.

Matthew 14:13-21

Five Thousand Fed

      13Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

      15When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” 17They said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. 21There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

Perhaps the first lesson for us in this scripture would be that Yeshua wanted to find seclusion to be alone, perhaps with the Father. The people were so desperate for Him, they followed. He felt compassion on them and put their needs above His own. There is a lot even there to unpack and we did not get to the miracles yet!

Do we choose the needs of others over our own? Do we feel compassion for others that strongly?

He healed their sick. Such a short, quick line to read. So impactful to dwell on. Don’t pass it up. He healed their sick so long it became evening. The people were getting hungry and the disciple were wanting to provide for them. The disciples were rightly concerned for the people, even if they did not anticipate the miraculous feeding of the 5000.

Yeshua then does the miracle of feeding so many that we have all heard so often. Consider it as if hearing it for the first time. It is truly amazing. There was more left over than when He started.

The next time you face an “impossible” situation, consider what the Lord is able to do. Ask Him to help you, to lead you, and to draw you into His plans rather than for you to bring your plans to Him and ask Him to make them happen.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.