God Gave Generously

God said let there be light, and light was in view. He gave food and water, so things of nature grew. Mountains high and mighty, timeless existence, beaches of sand, and sunsets in the distance. God gave generously to His people and most of all, He gave us Jesus. We have all we need so let us trust God that He will give generously in our future.

All we need to do is our part so let us continue to read His Word and apply it to our life. The journey continues now into 2 Kings 8 and noted is that God gave back what a woman had left behind. The woman who had taken care of Elisha and whose son Elisha had been restored to life had been told to go away and stay for seven years because there would be a famine in the land.

Upon her return, she appealed to the king. Gehazi, the servant of Elisha just so happened to be there telling the king about Elisha bringing the woman’s son back from death. The king thought highly of Elisha, and this influenced him to assign an official to her case. Everything that belonged to her was given back. God had set things up so she could recover her house and all the income her land had earned (v. 6).

This day my friend, know that Jesus was assigned our case and God has set things up with a plan for us.

As we read further in the passage today, we note the trouble caused by corrupted leaders. Hazael murders Aram the king of Ben-Hadad.  Kings were influenced by evil as they married those who did not follow God. They followed the wicked way of their ancestors. There was upheaval, family infighting, and total defeat in the hands of enemies.

All it takes is one person’s attitude toward God to influence history. Let us set out daily to be that person. This day with God, let us be influenced by a winning tradition passed from one group to the next … one generation to the next. Let us think of ways to give our knowledge, skills, or resources to the building up of the kingdom of God so a victorious tradition is established and carried out. We will make a big difference if we each pitch in to give our best effort for our families, our neighbors, and our nation

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Thought From Devotional 05-24-2024

Reading John 4:27-42, Jesus said He gets food to eat that they didn’t know about (v. 32). He feeds off of the passion for doing the will of God. Sharing the Word with others is doing the will of God. It’s like being a farmer that sows seeds and after these seeds take root in the heart of believers, there is a harvest to reap. There is a reward for knowing that the hard work pays off, that people are fed food for the soul, and that this produces benefits for all. The blessings consist of a future with provision, purpose, peace, and the crown of life. A perfect place for us that is beyond what could be imagined!

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Share the Love of God

As the post “Hear and Follow the Word” points out, telling others about the Good News of God’s unsearchable treasure available because of Jesus Christ will give them a lift. When people know they’re loved, they loosen up, they will gain confidence, and they will enthusiastically report about this love to others.

Today’s worship song is The Love of God by Gaither Vocal Band. Be motivated today by the lyrics below:

The love of God is greater far,
Than tongue or pen can ever tell,
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell,
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win,
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Index of devotionals

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Hear and Follow the Word

This day with God, let us hear and follow the Word. Let us use the power available because of Jesus and rely on the direction given by the Holy Spirit rather than our own course. Let us look forward to amazing things being done as difficulties become simplicities because of God’s love for us!

One of the great quotes from Billy Graham is, “I have good news! God knows you and takes active concern in your life. God thinks you are so bright and special that Christ was sent to die for you.”

In the study of the Word today, the king of Aram had mobilized his entire army and laid siege to Samaria which caused a great famine in the city. There was tremendous pain, suffering and the people were in a desperate situation.

Reading in 2 Kings 7, Elisha prophesizes that things will drastically change for the better. The prophecies made in verses 1-2 are fulfilled because God is in control. He has a plan for us and will not let the enemy take us over. This day with God, let us follow the plan and gain victory over the enemy.

In the passage today, we note that the Arameans had set up camp around Samaria, but the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses so they suspected the king of Israel had hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack them (v. 6-7). They immediately retreated from their camp and left everything they had behind.

Noted here is that the men with leprosy had no fear because they thought they were going to die. They decided to go into the camp of the Arameans and to their surprise, the camp was vacated so they ate and drank. Then took silver, gold, and clothes (v. 8). Then, fear started to set in when they had some of the riches of the world. We do the same in current times. We have courage when we have nothing to lose but fear sets in when we think we have a lot of worldly possessions that we could lose.

The fear made them think that they should share the good news with the king. The motivation was concern for themselves rather than for others. They reported to the royal palace that the Arameans were gone and about the treasure of silver, gold, and cloths they had left behind at the camp.

The king thought it was a setup. That the Arameans were tricking them to leave the city and then they would come in to overtake the city (v. 12). Sometimes we are so down in life that we lose hope like the king and the king’s officer. We have had so many bad things happen in life that we can’t believe it when good starts to happen. That’s why when we share about the Good News of Jesus that so many still do not believe.

It’s a challenge at coming up with ideas to better spread the Good News but is made easier when we are motivated by love for our neighbor. This day with God, let us help others focus on the positives of believing and experiencing the blessings. Telling others about the Good News of God’s unsearchable treasures available because of Jesus Christ who will give them a lift. When people know they’re loved, they loosen up, they will gain confidence, and they will enthusiastically report about this love to others.

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Questions for Reflection for Study of 2 Kings 7 Through 12

We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing. The below Questions for Reflection will stimulate thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles. At all stages of life, the Bible is helpful in providing what is needed to thrive in life. If you have not done so yet, click the follow button on the top right side of this page to be notified of future posts.

2 Kings 7 – How are the prophecies in verses 1-2 fulfilled? What is the lepers’ negative motivation in telling the good news? What is your motivation in telling the good news you know?

2 Kings 8 – How does the incident in verses 1-6 show God’s care for His people (See 2 Kings 4:8-37)? To what extent are you trusting God for your security and your future? How can one person’s attitude toward God influence history? What heritage are you leaving your descendants?

2 Kings 9 – What part does God have in the revolution of Jehu against Joram? What instructions does God give Jehu? To what extent do you believe God will accomplish what He says He will?

2 Kings 10 – What reforms does Jehu introduce? Do they please God? Why does Jehu keep God’s Word so carefully in one area but ignore it in another? What areas do you think our society is guilty of this inconsistency? What can be done?

2 Kings 11 – Why is Joash hidden? What spiritual influence do you have over children near you? What is the first concern after Jehoash is king (verses 17-18)? How do people respond to his leadership? After you have made promises to God, what rival attitudes or things do you need to destroy? Why?

2 Kings 12 – For what actions can Joash be commended? In what ways does he fail to fully please God? What divided loyalties and confidences are struggling in your life?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments.

To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.

“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web.  <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.

“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.

Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.

“Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

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