Month: March 2023

Scripture 2 Kings 4:27 Now when she came to the man of God at the hill, she caught him by the feet, but Gehazi came near to push her away. But the man of God said, “Let her alone; for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me, and has not told me.”

Observation: As I read 2 Kings the Term man of God is used to describe Elisha more than using his name. Even as the writer is writing about Him, Elisha is called the man of God. What a great title, if I could only live a life that close to God that others would see me has a man of God. To get that title however others must be able to see God through you and I know that’s not what I project. Even today someone asked me for cereal past the serving time at work and I refused and I gave another teacher a hard time for touching a plate, only because I wanted things my way and that is not what a man of God would do. God comes first, then others and myself last and that is not the order in which I need to live.

Application: I need to put God first in everything I do and say. When I do something that would honor God that He will get the credit for it. The Heaven study I’m doing must be presented to others as God’s gift to them and not mine. I’m a servant and I need to show others that God reigns in my life by the way I treat them. My life needs to represent God and not me. Before I say or do anything I need to consider what God wants me to do in each situation.

Prayer: My Lord I want to be seen as your servant. Humble me before you and give me the strength to live a life that is worthy of you. May others see your love in my life and when they see me may they think of you. Guide me Lord and show me how to be a Man of you.

Scripture 2 Kings 3:12 And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

Observation: In those days it must have been rare that the word of the Lord was with someone, but we have the word of the Lord accessible to everyone. However it is a choice each one of us has to make, are we going to learn the word of the Lord or not. Once the word is implanted in our hearts we will know what we should do. We make think at times we are not sure what decision to make only because we want our way even though God’s word is clear. What an honor it is to have the word of God and we should share that word with others. Can you imagine a world where everyone knew the word of God and lived to honor that. One day it will be so, that will be the day we enter Heaven.

Application: I need to study each day God’s word and pray how He wants me to use it. I need to share the power of God’s word with others and use that wisdom to do what is right in God’s eyes. I need to put aside my personal desires and be focused on God’s will in my life, God’s perfect will. It won’t be long before I will have to stand in front of my God and give account on how I lived my life and what I did with the talents and knowledge God has bestowed on me. I want that time to be a time of rejoicing and not regret.

Prayer: My Lord take me deeper into your word and put it in my heart so whenever you open an opportunity for me to use it I will. I’m your servant and messenger if you so desire, use me to do your will and to give me a resume that you would be proud of. All of my love, your servant Mark.

Scripture 2 Kings 2:2 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they went down to Bethel.

Observation: The Lord has sent me to different places throughout my life. He sent me to Kentucky where I did not want to go and that became one of my greatest blessings. He has sent me to do many different tasks and I know it’s Him because I know it in my heart. Each time I would go I would go to honor the Lord to try to give back a little of all that He has given me, but He always seemed to add to my blessings. All through the Bible God sends His people and each time He watches over them, keeping them save.

Application: I need to be more aware of where God wants me to go. If there is something in my heart to do something and when I examine it and sees that if fits with God’s word and desires, I need to do it without hesitation. I’m here to fulfill a purpose and I need to be where God wants me to be.

Prayer: Dear Lord send me where you will. Make it clear the direction you want me to go and speak to my heart so that I don’t disobey. I’m want to be wherever you call me to be and honored that you would send this lowly servant.

Scripture 2 Kings 1:15 And the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king.

Observation: God speaks to us in so many ways, through his word, through other people, puts things on our heart and can use angels to bring his messages. Most of us have become hearing impaired with all of the noise of this world we can’t hear anything else. God spoke to Elijah not in the wind, earthquake, but in a still small voice. God wants our attention and He doesn’t want to yell.

Application: To spend more quality time listening to God and His angels instead of talking. I pray and I’m talking, but I never stop to hear what my Lord has to say. I need guidance and God wants to give it to me, but I need to be ready to hear that still small voice speak to me.

Prayer: My Lord take all of these distractions away and give me ears to hear. I want to hear you Lord fill me with the Holy Spirit and speak into my heart. Help me be obedient and to fulfill the purpose you have created me for.

Scripture 1 Kings 22:5 Also Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire for the word of the LORD today.”

Observation: That is what we all should do each day before doing anything, inquire of the Lord. Go in prayer and ask for His guidance then wait to hear what He has to say. You made not hear him verbally, but he has given us his word and commands and with those in our heart we can feel our Lord directing us on the way to go. The more we get into God’s word the more we will know how to act and what we should do to please God.

Application: I pray each morning, but I don’t wait for an answer or I might make one up that benefits me at the time. I need to draw closer to God so that I may hear his voice and know what to do each time. I should plant the word of God in my heart and then seek what I should do.

Prayer: My Lord speak to me each day and throughout the day. I need you so badly and can’t live without you. I’m inquiring of you now and I ask what you desire of me on the Heaven study that is coming next Wednesday. Please prepare me and speak through me to your children. I love you, help guide me to show you.

Scripture 1 Kings 21:4 So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food.

Observation: We are to enter the kingdom of Heaven as a child, but not childish. We are not to pout or throw a tantrum if we don’t get what we want. God has given us so much to want something He has decided not to give or not to give at this time dishonors our Lord. We are not to scheme to get what we want, we are called to be content in every situation and trust in God. To pout is like telling God you don’t care what He desires only your selfish desires are what matters.

Application: I still pout and become discouraged when things don’t go my way. I need to see how God wants things to go and to follow His desires for my life. If I’m focused on what I want I can’t see what He wants for me, which is what is important. I need to grow up and become a man after God’s own heart and let Him decide what I should have and not have.

Prayer: My Lord forgive me of my selfish desires, I don’t need anything but you. Fill my heart with generosity and not selfishness and help me lead a life that glorifies you.

Scripture 1 Kings 20:13 Suddenly a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel, saying, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’ ”

Observation: How many times in my life has God proved to me that He is the Lord? He has done so many miracles and I missed so many shrugging them off as coincidences. I know now that He is Lord of my life and the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes to see what God has done for me. Now I depend on Him as He has called me to do this study on Heaven. I’m not worthy or capable to speak to His children and the success will fully depend on my Lord. I look forward to the end and see the impact it will make on the people that attend and myself and know that my God is the Lord of my life.

Application: I need to trust my God with everything. I need to trust Him in the works He has called me to do now that I’m saved. If in my heart I know it is from God I need to surround everything that I am to His mercy and have Him fight the battle He has chosen for me. When this life is over I want to behold my God and bow to my Lord for all He has done through His servant.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for all the battles you fought for me. I thank you for always being there for me and using me to help others. Please take this laziness from me and continue to do a good work through me and show me what you desire me to do and what rewards you have set before me. My true reward is having you as my Lord, Father and savior.