The Story Of Naaman - 2 Kings 5

This week, part of our Bible Sunday School lesson was about Naaman.  For those that do not know, he was a leader of the army of Aram.  However, he had leprosy.  Being that he had this can you imagine how he was treated, even being a man of high stature?  Lepers were required to live outside the city walls, and he would have been treated as if he had AIDS (by today's standards for example).  A servant girl who had been captured and served Naaman's wife told him of the prophet who was in Samaria and that he could cure this disease.  The king of Aram sent Naaman with 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and 10 changes of clothes.  When he arrived in Samaria, the king of Israel was enraged, he really took it as a sign of insult because the king could not heal this man (the king of Israel knew his place, but did not stop and think of a solution, he was blinded by rage).

Then the prophet Elisha heard of this Naaman coming and told the king of Israel to send him to his house.

Coming to Elisha, after being told to, Naaman gets angry because first, Elisha did not perform a voodoo hoodo all out ritual for him, but simply sent a messenger and told him to wash in the Jordan 7 times.  This infuriated Naaman even more, because the messenger delivered the resolution, and that in that time the Jordan was a very dirty river!  Naaman is even quoted as saying could he not have bathed in 2 other rivers in his home land, for surely they were cleaner!

Because it was not a hard thing to do, Naaman just could not believe that this simple washing in a dirty river would solve his Leprosy.  Eventually he did wash in the Jordan and became clean.  The Bible says his skin was that of a new born baby.

This story tells us that sometimes we need to take a step back and realize that solutions are that simple.  Are you open to humility in order to solve your problems?  Are you humble enough to simply say, "OK", or are you like Naaman and find reasons not to do something?

Another GOOD portion of this story that sticks with me is that the key to all of this is that first a servant tells of Elisha, then the servants in the end tell Naaman that if the solution was hard he would have done it, why not do something simple?  It brings to mind that sometimes we should listen to those around us, they may be able to help us, don't be single-minded, and a know-it-all.  Also it shows that when we see someone acting
like Naaman, that we should give advice, BUT MAKE SURE IT'S GOOD ADVICE!

Gideons National Day Of Prayer

Today, June 11, 2011 is the Gideon International Day Of Prayer. We ask that you all be in prayer (1) In His Spirit - Ephesians 6:15-18 (2) In His Will - 1 John 5:14-15, and (3) In His Name - John 14:13-14. Be ready, and watch what God will do.

 

His Ways Are Not Always For Us To Understand

One of the hardest things to come to grips with for myself as a Christian is to accept that God has a plan for me, and no matter what that plan is, I must be patient and wait and be reverent while his plan is at work.

Isaiah 55:9 continues with "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."    Given this we must realize that God doesn't always think like we do.  His concept of time is a lot different than ours.  He will wait until we are ready either through our own realization, trials that he brings us from, or for the right time itself.  We on the other hand are a "microwave and McDonald's" generation.  We want it now, without effort, without a time span.

When we come upon these times we really need to go to the Word and reference it.  One of the most encouraging verses I can think of relates with how we should always stop our worrying, and leave it at is feet to show us what to do.  Jeremiah 33:3 says "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

So no matter what your trouble, remember that we are told in several Psalms:

Psalm 34:19 > Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Psalm 55:22 > Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 18:30 > As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

Psalm 27:14 > Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Peter tells us also, most importantly,

Have a blessed day, and my hope is that you will put your trust in God, and that through your never-ceasing prayer, that he shows you great and mighty things.



Doing what God wants us to do.

Ever notice how when you do something you are not supposed to do, that inner spirit that is part of you (some call a conscience) tells you that you are wrong?    For example, have you ever done something due to laziness, or your pride that you know wasn't right but did it anyway, only to find out you were back where you started and should have just faced up and gotten on with it?

Several people in the Bible did this same thing, and paid the price for it more dearly than anyone of us I can guarantee.  Jonah, was told to go to Nineveh, he refused but was swallowed by a fish.  Aaron's sons in Leviticus 10 were devoured by fire from the Lord because in an act of haste offered profane fire before the Lord and did not follow God's instructions he gave specifically on the ceremony.   Did these people really do something so wrong they deserved their punishment?  The answer, is yes.  Jonah, tried by being swallowed by the fish came to the realization of what he must do, and was put back on the right path.  Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu suffered the ultimate consequence because they during a most Holy ceremony disobeyed God and his instructions, and as such they were made examples.  We see this same consequence in 2 Samuel 6:6-7 when Uzzah put his hand on the Ark of the Covenant to prevent it from falling (no one but those chosen could carry/touch the Ark), the Lord strikes him dead. 

In the book of James 1:2-3 he says "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."  I know personally that I should wait and be patient, Lord knows that I have had to learn this lesson.  But personally, this is the largest thing I struggle with in my life.  The patience to see God's will to the end.  When I'm down and suffering and have nothing left, I still can't be patient enough not to question where am I going or when will it end.  In fact recently I went through another hard time in my life, in involved someone in a Christian organization who did something that I would not necessarily feel as a Christian should act.  I felt I needed time to heal from this and instead of letting God deal with it I let it affect part of my obligation to the organization because I had a hard time coming to grips as to how they could allow someone like that who would act like that to be a member and expect me to associate with them.

After some time now I have learned what I did wrong and need to get my butt in gear and back on track.  But it makes you think sometimes, are you doing something that God doesn't want you to do?  It's not hard to do!

Isaiah 55:7 says, "Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon." 

Take time, give your troubles up and leave them with God. Ask him to show you the way out, be patient and wait for the time.  Be reverent and be attentive.   I conclude with Psalm 142, one of my favorites I read everyday.  It goes along with this article (v3), and gives me comfort when I am lost and overwhelmed.

Psalm 142
I CRY out to the LORD, with my voice; With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication. (2) I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. (3) When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then you knew my path.  In the way in which I walk They have secretly set a snare for me. (4) Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul. (5) I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. (6) Attend to my cry, For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are stronger than I. (7) Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me."

Why so many churches? Where do I start?

When I was growing up, you usually went to the church that was closest to you, or by whatever faith your parents went to.  This day and age, that is not the story.  There is a church on every corner, and if you are not careful some that don't preach from the Bible but have their own doctrine and own beliefs.  Just look at the amount of empty churches or those with a small congregation.  Matthew 7:16 says: "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?"

There is an old joke that goes:  One balmy day in the South Pacific, the Captain of a navy ship sees smoke coming from one of three huts on an uncharted island. Upon arriving at the shore they were met by a shipwreck survivor.  He said, "I'm so glad you're here! I've been alone on this island for more than five years!"   The captain asks, "If you're alone why is there three huts?"   The survivor said, "We'll, I live in one, and go to church in another."   "What about the third hut?" asked the captain.  "That's where I use to go to church."

Its sad these days but that is the truth.  People get mad or convicted because they want to make God's word fit what they want to do and not do what God's word tells them to do.  This causes them to split off, leave one church for another, adopt their own doctrine, or much worse stop going to church and believing.

As Christians we must first realize that we are not perfect, Romans 3:23 says: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  The more we come to terms with that the more we realize we need the word, or a pastor, or sermon to make us conscious of our actions, to know that we did wrong.  God knows we are going to sin, it is in our nature.  It is when you accept the responsibility for your actions, ask for repentance, and THEN believe that he will deliver you from sinning again. 

1 Corinthians 1:10 says: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."  This means we as the church (the actual people are the church, NOT a building) should be of one like mind, forgiving of others even when they offend you, compassionate, and loving.

So with all that said, where do you start when looking for a church?   Well the first step is knowing you want to go and need to attend a church.   Hebrews 10:25 says: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  Fellowship in a church that is caring and loving will encourage you and you can encourage others.  First start by going to churches you know someone that is a member if that makes you comfortable.  Try several if you have never been.  Find a church that fits your needs (maybe a good youth program, study program or age group), make sure their doctrinal beliefs are solid in the word, not just built on a verse or translation of a single line of the Bible.  Membership should be free, while as the Bible expects tithes, offerings, and giving, there should NOT be a fee to let you in the door.  Once you find one you are comfortable with, make a commitment, talk with the pastor, become saved if you have not already, and do what you can.  Remember while not all members are capable for filling a particular role you have to find what you can do.

Remember the key factors, it does not matter what denomination you attend so long as they agree on the primary issues and beliefs:
1.) There is only 1 God.
2.) There is only 1 way to salvation.
3.) The belief in Jesus Christ.
4.) That Jesus lived, died on the cross for your and my sins, and rose on the third day and ascended to heaven.

I hope this article has helped you in some way.  What a wondrous thing it would be if all churches could get together and think as one mind, co-operate, and be as one in the community!

The Great Servicer

There was once a good man who taught me how to work on everything but computers, who gave me the best advice I have ever come across.  "Don't let customers stand there and watch you work, it freaks them out, you do your best work when they are not watching."  (Thanks Ron).   It's true, its hard to work on something when someone is hovering over your shoulder, moving things around and slowing you down.  Sure there are those that stand quietly and ask a few questions but not always.

A couple months ago I had the honor of working on our pastor's laptop.  It had taken a tumble and was acting weird.  My diagnosis (best guess) was that something had come loose or worse cracked.  So in order to fix it I had to take it apart.  Well the pastor had to go to the church so I sat in the parsonage and thought I could check it out real quick.   Before I had time to even get it apart fully (thanks to a stuck screw), I heard behind me, "Oh no, that's not good!  Wow, look at my laptop." 

After a few minutes of explaining and calming words he was OK, but I think it shocked him, I mean who wouldn't be if they saw me do the above...lol.    Anyway, to make a story short, I found the loose cable and component and no breaks, re-assembled and sent it on it's way.   I'm sorry I enjoy working on them so much especially for the church because of all it has done for me and my family and I don't expect recognition for it.

Today I was joking about this with someone else as I was doing the same with their laptop.  After fixing it, I had a revelation combined with some wise words from our pastor at last night's Bible study.  Sometimes in life we have to play several roles to get through problems and help others as Christians.

First and foremost there is a great service/repair person I know.  God is the great repair person of our lives and by accepting Jesus Christ as our saviour we can allow him to fix what is wrong.

Second, sometimes we have to play the service/repair person.  We need to have compassion for others and be sorrowful with them, but not let them sink into depression or turn away from God by helping them fix problems, and get them back on track after tragedy and hard times.  This goes for those we do know and those we do not.  We need to be there for people.

Third, at times we need to play the role of the laptop owner who watches the repair person work.  Our first reaction to things is to panic, or question why is this happening.  But we need to stand back, look at the long term results, pray, and put trust in people and most importantly in God that things will turn out right.   The most important thing we can do in this role in regards to ourselves or others is to be there but not get in the way of the Lord's work. 

I can tell you from personal experience it is a great turning point in your relationship with God when the majority of your prayers turn from "God please help me get out of this situation, or get better I beg you", to "God we know all things happen for good, and that you will lead us out of this trying time, for you are with us."

Fourth and last, at times we need to stand still and be the laptop.  We need to let God take apart our lives and our troubles, show us what is wrong, and show us the way to get them fixed and operating at 110%.  This is the hardest thing to do, again unlike the laptop we want to question, deny things are wrong, etc.  Stop and be still, listen to what God is telling you and showing you in your life.

Envy

We all know what envy is.  Its that feeling of wanting something because someone else has it.  Its the jealousy that creeps inside you when things don't go your way, and someone else seems to get everything the way the want it.   The bible talks about it in several places, and it is even listed as one of the seven deadly sins.  Not only is it a sin, it is something that will eat you up mentally and physically if you let it get hold of you. 

To me envy is the back end of a scale of conditions including at peace, and pride.  We must be cautious to make sure we are balanced and in harmony and not tip to either side.

Envy ------------------------ At Peace (Content) ------------------- Pride
                                                        /\
                                                      /    \

We we are proud we are one step before fall.  When we experience pride, and fall from it, if we are not careful to monitor ourselves and walk in God's path, we can fall into envy VERY EASILY because we see someone else having what we once had.  If we are envious, and go out and obtain what we covet and then we brag about it we are now letting pride get to us.

The Bible addresses how we should act in several areas:

First in the Old Testament we are told how to recognize it and to avoid it:
Proverbs - Solomon tells us flat out we should steer clear:
Proverbs 24:1 says "Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;"
Proverbs 24:19 says "Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked;"
and also that Envy is "Deep-Rooted"
Proverbs 14:30 says "A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones."

Most importantly we are told in Exodus 20:17 " You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

THIS IS A COMMANDMENT FROM GOD!

Second we learn it is of the past, and that it is not part of the Christian life:
Galatians - Paul reiterates that you cannot see the kingdom of God with sin
Galatians 5:21 ..."envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
and in Titus, Paul says that envy should be of the past life:
Titus 3: 3-5  "For we ourselves we also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 13:4 - "Love suffers long, and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;"

Third, it is the basis for some of the worst acts done by man, sometimes unthinkable:
Acts 7:9 tells us about how the patriarchs, becoming envious old Joseph into Egypt, but God was with him.
Philippians 1:15 - Paul tells us that some even preach Christ from envy and strife.
Matthew 27:18 - Even Pilate knew that they had handed over Jesus because of envy. 

It is an obvious sin! When you are envious you think that it is inside and unseen, but it is not, your facial expressions, your actions, how you come to treat others because of envy, all show on the outside.

We see how even brothers can sell their own family to slavery.  Even religious leaders commit the sin of envy and ultimately commit murder!  This shows that we must control and put envy aside it is a gateway to larger sin!

Fourth, how we should treat envy, and be rid of it:
Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:1-3 "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

I appreciate your patience if you have stayed with me until now reading.  There is a lot on this subject and sometimes we don't realize there are other ways of envy, even one I learned a couple months ago when it was mentioned that I never would have thought of.   Did you know that envy also includes wishing that another persons good fortune or possessions would be destroyed?  Yes, wishing that the money your friend just won in the lottery gets stolen or taken away, or even that new car gets totalled in a wreck is also envy!  Sneaky isn't it?  Stay true to the word, lay your envy aside, do not desire to be with people who are evil, but counter envy with love.  Love of Christ will keep you from envy, and just as envy is an open-faced sin, so love is open-faced and can change others and help you spread the word.

God Bless. Love Conquers All (Amor Vincit Omnia).