The Spirit Of prophecy

The Spirit Of Prophecy: Divinely Forwarned!

2 Kings 6:32-33 NIV

[32] Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Don’t you see how this murderer is sending someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold it shut against him. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?” [33] While he was still talking to them, the messenger came down to him. The king said, “This disaster is from the Lord. Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?”

The Spirit of Prophecy is a book written by Ellen G. White of Seven Days Adventist Church. Its content is slightly different from our vignette this morning. Our usage aligns more with Michael Reinemann's who describes the phrase as is used in Rev.19:10, it being the testimony of Jesus Christ. We  will use the phrase as God's spiritual pattern to forewarn His people by prophetic insights and revelations. Its intention is  to honour Jesus Christ. 

   Elisha as God's prophet had revelations of the intentions of King Jehoram to kill him. That is the spirit of prophecy st work. He was with others, and he told them about the arrival of the murderous messenger. He added that the Master, King Jehoram, was going to join shortly. Thus, he was forwarned of the satanic agenda.

   Someone explains that, " The apostle Paul also employs such language, using the phrases "testimony of Christ," "testimony of God," and "testimony of our Lord" (1 Cor 1:6; 2:1; 2 Tim 1:8). Similarly, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah uses the expression "the law and the testimony" (Isa 8:19-20) to refer to the messages given by God's true prophets in earlier times". God uses prophetic insights to punch holes in satanic agenda concerning the church. It must be frustrating to the devil. Wherever the spirit of prophecy is, the church benefits, and the devil is exposed.

   The spirit of prophecy maximizes on the gift of prophecy. However, the New Testament church has been asked to judge any prophetic claims or proclamations by the word. That revelation saved Elisha from a violent death that day. May God's prophetic insights save you from any satanic agendas today and forever more, in Jesus Name. Amen. Good morning.

Someone To Blame

Someone To Blame 

II Kings 6:30-31 NKJV

[30] Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes; and as he passed by on the wall, the people looked, and there underneath he had sackcloth on his body. [31] Then he said, “God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on him today!”

It is very difficult to understand the King's anger towards Elisha. That's what blame does. This issue bothered Adam Clark. Here's his submission: " Either he attributed these calamities to the prophet, or else he thought he could remove them, and yet would not. The miserable king was driven to desperation". Indeed we shift blame on others as a mark of desperation. Its no spiirituality at all. 

   An AI report explains on blame shifting: " Blaming others for problems or mistakes is a defense mechanism that can prevent people from taking responsibility and learning from their mistakes. It can also create tension and damage relationships". Caterina Kostoula calls blameshifting the hidden barrier of potential. She says that, " It will keep you small and inconsequential without any of the guilt. It's someone else’s fault in the end...You feel ethically superior to the other party. Blaming others is often a defence mechanism to protect one's self-esteem". She insists that in blaming others, " You avoid responsibility. Facing our shortcomings can be painful, and blame is the go-to way to prevent this pain. With blame, you do not have to face your mistakes or the opportunity for learning and growth". We could go on in learning what that King did. 

    Joseph Benson is very scathing in his remarks, " This wretched and partial prince overlooks his own great and various sins, and, among the rest, his obstinate adherence to the worship of the calves, and his conniving at the idolatries and witchcrafts of his mother Jezebel, (2Ki 9:22,) and the wickedness of the people, which were the true and proper causes of this and all their calamities; and he lays the blame of all upon Elisha..."  We could keep on talking. For many, blame shifting is their popular game. Truly, accepting our flaws can bring us mercies from the throne of grace. Confessing them will bring us deliverance. Good morning.

When Economic Conditions Become Critical

When Economic Conditions Became Critical 

II Kings 6:24-25 NKJV

[24] And it happened after this that Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria. [25] And there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of silver.

There came a time when the King of Syria returned to fight Israel. This is the strategy of the devil. Even during the temptation of Jesus, the report is that the devil departed for a season. Please keep that in mind and dont plan to be careless. When you put the enemy under pressure, it will depart. It may even promise everything to be free from your bindings. But, the devil is a liar. It will return. 

   Whenever the enemy returns, it will attempt to amaze you with its power. Mat.12:43-45. So the Syrians returned. They put up such battle that Israel was hemmed into their battlements. This went on for a long time and the daily economy was affected. Our read is the report. People ate their children as if it was chicken, just to survive.

    You see, economic conditions describe the state of variables in any economy. It may include " gross domestic product (GDP) growth potential, the unemployment rate, inflation, and fiscal and monetary policy orientations". Israel experienced all. The economic outlook for Israel was bad. You couldn't forecast any hope. When things got that tough, the King blamed the Prophet Elisha. Immature people look for who to blame at crisis. What do you do at crises? Behind the people we blame is the devil. The real enemy is the devil. Change your focus. Bind the enemy. You sre empowered  to win. Do it now. Good morning.

Understanding Power And Authority

Understanding Power And Authority In Christ 

II Kings 6:19-20 NKJV

[19] Now 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.” But he led them to Samaria. [20] So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!

When we understand the place of power and authority we have as Christians, we will not be terrified by the enemy. Prophet Elisha in the Old Testament understood this. Authority may be described as the delegation to influence or command thought, opinion, or behaviour( Webster ). Power on the other hand is the ability to act or produce an effect. It is the ability or potential for an individual to influence others and control their behaviour. What Elisha did demonstrated both. It is what we are opportuned to have as New Creations in Christ.

   At Newbirth, we are introduced to this power in Christ. Luke 10:19,  John 20:21. Christianity Today reports that, " In the Gospels, Jesus models for his church what he wants us to do and be, including living in God's power". We can therefore demonstrate this level of power in our times. 

   Imagine the entire troop alive and in the center of Samaria before their eyes of understanding is opened. The king wanted to kill them. That would have exacerbated the problem. Elisha said they should feed them and let them go, instead. Mercy prevailed, and the King of Syria stopped his antics. Read the details. They came  no more. When the enemy experiences power, they will think twice before returning. You're anointed to do that. Receive grace to capture troops and bring them to subjection in Jesus Name. Good morning.

Divine Insights And Restraints Through Prayers

Divine Insights And Restraints Through Prayers 

II Kings 6:17-18 NKJV

[17] And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. [18] So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

Prayers is a very powerful force on earth to either open someone's eyes or close it. People behave in alignment with the insights they have of who you are. Dr Uma Ukpai tokd a story of how he was given a first class seat in an aeroplane with a third class ticket. Its perception, a divine insight to who he really is. When people have an insight into your true value, they treat you differently. That usually happens when  people's understanding are opened.

   In the same way, people's understanding of who you are may be restrained. When that happens, people treat you in accordance to that restrained perception. In today's read, Elisha prayed for the servants eyes to open and prayed for the soldiers eyes to be closed. He changed their perceptions by prayers. 

   You're full of power to change the way people see things around you. A minister told a story of a family who lived opposite the church for many years. One day, the preacher prayed that their eyes of Understanding be opened. Surprisingly, they came to the Pastor and confessed that they never understood that they were a living church. They became nembers from that point on.

   Prayers can open or restraint people's perception, but the prayers must be prayed. Most people only wish things will happen or stop happening when they are meant to pray. If you pray, and it doesn't change, leave it in the hands of God as Jesus did. Just don't keep quiet and be swallowed up by things. You can change how you're received or rejected. Its in your hands. Good morning.

The Consciousness Of Spiritual Things

The Consciousness Of Spiritual Things

II Kings 6:13-16 NKJV

[13] So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.” [14] Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. [15] And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” [16] So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 

The consciousness of spiritual things owes it to one's spiritual intelligence. Wikipedia describes Spiritual Intelligence as, " ...a term used by some philosophers, psychologists, and developmental theorists to indicate spiritual parallels with intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EI)". Irini Fambro says that Spiritual Intelligence is the gift of seeing the unseen. " The Bible speaks clearly of an unseen world that is parallel to ours, but many of us live unaware of it. Spiritual intelligence is how we describe the God-given wisdom of being aware of the spiritual dimension of reality". 

   The servant of Elisha saw a city surrounded by soldiers, but the Master saw more with Spiritual Intelligence. He saw the soldiers sorrounded by  a higher and more sophisticated heaven's army. Our emotional response owe it to the level of Spiritual intelligence we have. Read the lines again. Feel the servant's fear and the Master's faith. The enemy wants you to operate in fear, but your Spiritual intelligence will link you to faith. 

   Kris Vallotton in his book of a similar title "...suggests that believers are ignoring a deeper dimension of our makeup–our SQ, or spiritual intelligence. Because we have the mind of Christ through the Holy Spirit, we are capable of divine brilliance–a heightened understanding that aligns our perspective with His and reveals stunning solutions. God not only invites us to operate in this gifting, but He designed us for it!" Read the lines again. To make it easy, Valloton identifies five dimensions of this gifting: " The Gift of Discernment, The Gift of Knowledge, The Gift of Wisdom, The Gift of Prophecy, and The Mind of Christ". Today, be more conscious of spiritual things. They rule the physical. By the end of the day, Elisha captured a whole battalion of soldiers by Spiritual Intelligence. You too can ask God for it. Good morning.

God Will Expose Your Enemies

God Will Expose Your Enemies 

II Kings 6:8-9, 11 NKJV

[8] Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” [9] And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.” 

[11] Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”

Josh Meyer and  Tom Vanden Brook published in USA Today about the Pentagon documents leak on April,2023. Some persons had published in the dark web about the status of the war in Ukraine. The Department of Defense in USA went into " ...full damage-control mode in an urgent effort to identify what’s in the documents and whether any more might become public soon". Later in the week, it was reported that Jack Telxeira, a twenty one year old soldier was arrested in connection with the crime. So even today, what happened in Syria is a serious crime. The only problem in Syria was that the exposure was not internally ochestrated. There was a Prophet of God far away , who told even the conversations that the king of Syria had in his bedroom. Let that sink. God can tell things to His beloved.

   In 1 Cor.2:9-10 we are told of the kind of revelations that God has prepaered for those who love him. The revelation is by God's Spirit which can search all things, and even the deep things of God. Things may be hidden to human eyes, but exposed to God. That's why your enemies are vulnerable in Gods hands. God  has a covenant promise to expose your enemies. " The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law" Deut.29:29. " Surely the Lord GOD does nothing,

Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets" Amos 3:7. " And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32. We can go on. Be confident of this fact, God will expose your enemies so that they can ve defeated. It is emotionally draining for the enemy to know, you know that they are planning, and you know how to offset the enemy. God will do it, if we listen. Good morning.

The Response of the Man of God

The Response Of The Man Of God 

II Kings 6:6-7 NKJV

[6] So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. [7] Therefore he said, “Pick it up for yourself.” So he reached out his hand and took it. 

If you're planning or you're already a Man of God, you must pray God for the miraculous as well as answers to life problems. They are the benefits of what will define you for the people and the spirit realm. First you have to live for God. Bethany Verrett makes an attempt to describe the nature of this kind of man who lives for God. " A man who pursues that righteousness, and strives to live for the Lord, is sometimes called a man of God. It can be difficult to define what that kind of man looks like, but the Bible provides insights into how a man can conform to the image of God, and help others identify them. Some of the traits of a man of God include faith, a consistent relationship with God, patience, and temperance, among other things". 1 Timothy 6:11 “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”   

    Even artificial intelligence descrbes a man of God as " someone who seeks God above all else, and is characterized by humility, leadership, and a commitment to righteousness". That is what Elisha was before the miraculous. Anyone who lives carelessly, but commands the miraculous is not within the scope of this definition. Elisha did not perform magic. He made the iron to float by the power of God. 

  If you ask me how this miracle happened, I think God reversed the properties of the water and iron. That's because its is impossible to make an iron float. Archimedes must have chanced on this story before he states his famous principle that " ..the net upward force on an object immersed in water is equal to the weight of the water displaced by the object". Don't take me on it. A miracle happened here. God can change the properties of what tries to sink you or your future.  I've witnessed God enough to know this. Youre next in line for a floating miracle. No devil can sink you. Good morning.

It Was Borrowed

It Was Borrowed !

II Kings 6:4-5 NKJV

[4] So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. [5] But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.”

Today's vignette raises the old question of being in debt. The sons of the prophet borrowed an axe, now, they have lost it. Let's draw a parallel in our contemporary times. It confronts us with the questions: Should a Christian borrow? What happens if you loose on what you borrowed? There are no direct answers. Jeffrey W. Hamilton asks the question: Is it a sin to be in debt? He touches on why some people say you should not borrow. "For some Christians, it's a sin to be in debt." As I continued to read, the author admitted that only a few "hardliners" say owing money is morally wrong. The verses they used to justify their belief were Romans 13:8, which says to owe no man anything but love, and Proverbs 22:7, which says debts put other people in control of your life. While I agree that being in debt is not the best circumstance within to find yourself, can we say that being in debt is a sin?". Here is Hamilton's attempt to answer this question. " God clearly warns us not to go into debt or cosign a loan unless we are certain we can repay our obligation (Proverbs 22:26-27). You must conclude then that some debt is allowed. You can owe money to other people and not be in sin. However, debt carries a responsibility - you must repay your debts. Think about it, borrowing money is a promise to the lender to return the borrowed money". All promises must be kept. Those sons of the Prophet had promised they will return axe. Now, they cried: It was borrowed.

   Have you ever been confronted like this in life? Its called double jeopardy. You borrowed, and you lost. You have to find what you borrowed to return while you're experiencing the pain of the lost. They cried that it was borrowed. If it was their axe, they could have left it, but it was borrowed. Are you feeling their pain?

   Someone says that " Repaying debts is seen as a matter of integrity and righteousness. Being responsible with what we borrow reflects our character and commitment to doing what is right". I agree. Psalm 37:21. 

    If you follow the world financial system, you'll get caught up in borrowing, but you can cry to God to help you get out of debt. I have experienced it, so can you. Tomorrow we will find out how those sons of the prophet got out of debt. They called on their Master. You too have to call your Master, Jesus. Do it now. Good morning.

Dealing with Difficult Assistants

Dealing With Difficult Assistants 

II Kings 5:24-27 NKJV

[24] When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand, and stored them away in the house; then he let the men go, and they departed. [25] Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere.” [26] Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? [27] Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.

  Elijah produduced Elisha. Elisha was meant to produce Gehazi, but Gehazi was a man of the flesh. He needed quick results. He was more focused on the gains of the ministry than the process of the ministry. Every leader encounters this. Between entry and celebration, there's a period of training. It is the time Assistants are made. 

  So Elisha dismissed Naaman. Naaman returned to Syria with a deeper sense of respect for the God of Israel. As far as Gehazi was concerned, the master had missed an opportunity. He believed that you should use any opportunity to squeeze something out of the flock. This was a commercial Minister in the making. So he took it upon himself to run after Naamam and collect some stuff. He considered himself wiser than the Master. Assistants who do so, do not go very far in the ministry. 

  Managing difficult assistants or employees are a major concern for any employer. Here is someone's lamentations: " One of the most perplexing questions that managers in leadership positions face is how to deal with difficult employees. An employee’s problematic behavior and poor attitude can spread quickly, negatively affecting their productivity and that of other members of your team. This can lead to serious repercussions for your entire business, creating a toxic environment that keeps you from satisfying customers and reaching your goals. Dealing with difficult employees is an enormous challenge, but you must do so immediately to minimize the damage".          That information was made available in 2022, yet it fits Gehazi's case adequately. Gehazi did not behave in a professional manner fitting the life of the next generation Prophet.

   Gehazi posed a deep leadership challenge. His behaviour and attitude vould affect a whole generation of the sons of tge prophet. In that act, Gehazi did not go alone. He was already affecting others. A toxic assistant can ruin years of leadership investments. Unless you understand this, there's a tendency to dismiss Elisha as being harsh and unfeeling. If you're confronted with a lying, powerless, and prayerless assistant who refuses to learn from you, what would you do? Share with us. If you're an assistant, share your expectations with us. Good morning.

Gehazi's Greed

 Gehazi's Greed

II Kings 5:20-22 NKJV

[20] But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” [21] So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?” [22] And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.’ ”

Greed may be described as an excessive and selfish desire for more of something than is needed, especially material gain, social value, or power. It may also be described as an immoderate love for riches and earthly possessions. keep that at the back of your mind as we reread the story of Gehazi. Many, unfortunately have been affected by this virus even in the work of ministry.

   Here are a few Bible verses that warn against greed: 1Timothy 6:9-10, 17-18: "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil". Ephesians 5:5: "Covetousness, or having an excessive or greedy desire for more, is idolatry". Hebrews 13:5: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have"  We are not sure whether Gehazi was familiar with these, but the Master's reaction is an indication that greed was just as sinful then as it is now. 

   Greed is considered a deadly sin, meaning it's believed to lead to other sins and immoral behavior. Here's an AI report: " Greed can lead to a psychological obsession that causes people to become willing to cheat, steal, or exploit others to obtain material gain. It can also cause people to neglect family, donate little to charity, or look down on the poor". These all seem to appear on Gehazi's resume. Luke 12:15 sums it up: " Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions". May Gid deliver us from greed, in Jesus Name. Good morning.

Redirected To The Prophet

Redirected To The Prophet 

II Kings 5:8-10 NKJV

[8] So it was, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” [9] Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house. [10] And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” 

That little girl had said if the Master ,Naaman, was with the Prophet . Then Naaman went to the king with a right attitude. Now he is finally directed to the right place and he arrived with a wrong attitude. He became offended because he didn't appear to have received honour as a Syrian King representative. Attitudes are mental positions we carry concerning another person, place or thing. It has the power to make us be positive or negative in our responses to either  God or men. We can let wrong attitudes rob us of divine blessings.

  An Ai scan reveals the impact of attitude on our lives. " Attitudes have a significant impact on how we think, behave, and feel, and they can also affect the people around us: 

 i.Inner world: Attitudes affect our self-talk, thought life, and inner world. 

Behavior: Attitudes shape our behaviors, including the choices we make and the health behaviors we practice. 

 ii. Communication: Attitudes affect how we communicate and collaborate with others. 

  iii. Success and happiness: Attitudes can shape our success and happiness. 

 iv. Mental and physical health: Attitudes can impact our mental and physical health. Research has linked a positive mental state to improved health, including lower blood pressure, a healthier weight, and a reduced risk of heart disease. 

    Our attitudes are so important because they can block  or help us see things from God's perspective. A negative attitude will become an obstacle to God's blessings. Naaman nearly lost it.

   How do you respond when you feel you're not being honoured? That was Naaman's dilemma. It took his servants to beg him to go back and get a healing. Has your attitude robbed you of a blessing? Share with us. Good morning.

Miscommunication

Miscommunication 

II Kings 5:5-7 NKJV

[5] Then the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he departed and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. [6] Then he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which said, Now be advised, when this letter comes to you, that I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy. [7] And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me.”

So Naaman told the story of the Israeli slave girl to his boss, the King of Syria. His reaction was immediate. He wanted Naaman well, but he forgot that he was writing to a King in a different setting and culture. Anytime we forget  people's settings, we tend to be misunderstood in our attempt to convey knowledge or information. That is failure to communicate clearly. 

   Mona Chung in 2011 made an attempt to discuss doing business in China. He described  how this matters of miscommunication can affect international relations.  " Miscommunication refers to the exchange of information that is not effectively understood or interpreted due to differences in perception and cultural background between the sender and the receiver. It often occurs when there is a lack of awareness or understanding of these differences, leading to misunderstandings and communication breakdowns". Think about Syria and Israel. The two nations had periods of open warfare and some periods of peace.

   Imagine a letter from Syria asking the King of Israel to make sure Naaman was well. The King of Israel considered it a provocation for war. The matter would have been intense, but the information got to Elisha. May you be the source to correct  miscommunications. May God cause your requests to be properly understood. May God keep someone with divine answers waiting for your needs in Jesus Name. Later we will explore how God met Naaman in Israel and how he got his healing, because of one slave girl. Good morning.

The Interruption

The Interruption 

II Kings 5:1-3 NKJV

[1] Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper. [2] And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. [3] Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” 

In life stories, there are intiating elements that turn the stories into what the audience might not have expected. Its usually an interruption on what could have been a balanced life story. That interuption is called an obstacle. Its impact on the lead character is usually so intense that something has to be done about it. In today's read, we are introduced to a smart military commander, Naaman. His story is what everyone would wish for, except for three letters that introduced the obstacle. Those letters are " but ". 

   " But " is a conjunction with  negative implications. Mirriam Webster says it's a conjunction that means "except for the fact that". It changes the story. What should have been a great story of a Captains exploits, became a tragedy. Read that again. He was a mighty man, but... May God deliver us from every negative intrusion into our life story, in Jesus Name! What a way to change a man's glory. That's all the enemy is looking for. Its trying to gain traction to say: " You were a very good christian but....".  We refuse any such interuption in destiny! Ordinary three letters are used to overthrow one's glory. 

   People outside may not have noticed that he was a leper, but a little girl from Israel did. There's someone who knows who you are, even if the entire church doesn't. The uniform may cover you, but the little girl knows your suffering when you return. 

   Naaman didn't need a cosmetic reform. He needed help. He didnt need multiple uniforms, he needed healing. The girl was young, but she didn't forget what she was taught by the prophet about her God. She was a slave, but she had control. Don't tell me that you don't remember those Sunday school stories. The young girl preached her last sermon to offset that interruption. Preach it darling. And the captain fell for it. Preach to all. You don't know which captain will repent. Tell 'em that God still heals. He does. He still saves the soul. Hallelujah. Be the interuption in someone's tragedy. Change their story. Good morning.

Feeding The Multitude: Old Testament Pattern

Feeding The Multitude: Old Testament Pattern 

II Kings 4:42-44 NKJV

[42] Then a man came from Baal Shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley bread, and newly ripened grain in his knapsack. And he said, “Give it to the people, that they may eat.” [43] But his servant said, “What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?” He said again, “Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the Lord: ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’ ” [44] So he set it before them; and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord.

In the Old Testament, this story of Elisha feeding 100 men with 20 loaves of bread foreshadows Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 in the New Testament. Both stories demonstrate that God can do big things through what is given to Him. It doesn't matter wether what is available is a child's lunch or tokens of first fruits. The issue is to be willing to let go first. Let it go for God.

   In both instances, there were leftovers. These leftovers were not wasted. God doesn't like waste. But beyond waste, there's is the fact that what you give to God, He will give you back, a full measure, pressed down shaken together, and running over. God is not in the business of defrauding people. If it is God, then there must be an improvement, with or without your expectations.

   It significant that in both cases, there's a servant who questions the wisdom of the master in presenting what is small to the multitude. There's a difference in how we see. An earhly perception is different from divine perception . It does also appear that the people who served were the very first witnesses of the multiplication. The meal multiplied aa they were served. If our faith is in God, he will multiply what is available to meet what is needed. Our faith must be first in God. Don't look down on what youve been given. God will create profit in all. Good morning.

Death In the Pot

Death In The Pot

II Kings 4:39-41 NKJV

[39] So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were. [40]Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. [41] So he said, “Then bring some flour.” And he put it into the pot, and said, “Serve it to the people, that they may eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot. 

This was a miracle of preservation in a battle against ignorance. Someone had ignorantly harvested wild gourds for food. When we are ignorant of things, we lack knowledge or information about the thing. " The Bible says that God's people are destroyed because of their lack of knowledge". Ignorance can lead to defeat, pain, shame, regrets, acting and regretting later. In this instance, it almost led to death. Isa.5:13 is very explicit. People go into spiritual captivity because they are ignorant.

  Mike Okonkwo, the presiding Bishop of Trem says that, "..if you don’t have spiritual understanding, it will be tough to walk worthy of the Lord. If you don’t have insight concerning the things that have been made available to you, the devil will rob you of your lunch. You will be sitting down, watching him and you will be passing the blame on everything". It nearly happened here, except that Elisha knew what to do. This same thing bothered Hoshea  and he cried: " My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..."( 4:6 ). So people are undone not because the devil is too strong, but because of ignorance.

   Imagine that without knowing what to do, the entire college of the sons of the prophet would have been wiped out. Are you seeking knowledge, spiritually and physically?  Benjamin Franklin says, " Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn". Today be willing to stay out of ignorance. Learn. Good morning.

 

God's Vindication Of Our Ministry

God's Vindication Of Our Ministry 

II Kings 4:36-37 NKJV

[36] And he called Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite woman.” So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” [37] So she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground; then she picked up her son and went out. 

Just because God has blessed you  or cause a prophetic word to come to pass, doesn't mean the enemy will not attempt to cause doubts on your calling or ministry. A casual look at history will show several people who have suffered a similar experience. This child came by a prophetic word. This was an attempt to discredit the word from God. The child died. 

   One of our readers sent me a crucial rejoinder. Would it have been possible that Gehazi failed because he was not properly trained? That's a whole new thesis. Even Elisha had to take time with the child before he came back to life. It took time. So let's forgive Gehazi. This was a satanic strategy to destroy Elisha's ministry and the favour he was enjoying.

   It is at moments like this that some ministers give up, develop self doubt and perhaps abandon ministry. Here's a report from my AI " Billy Graham and Charles Templeton were both young evangelists who experienced doubts about the Bible, God, and the Christian faith. Graham emerged stronger than Templeton, who's faith did not survive the test. Graham had friends to help him through his crisis, which may be why he was able to overcome doubt". Well, Elisha had no one except God. Most times that's the only support you will have. So he prayed, walked around and prayed some more. Our verse today is the testimony. 

   When you have no support to prove ministry, remember, God is the one who called you. He will vindicate your ministry. Moses doubted whether he could lead Israel out of bondage. Its okay to experince intial doubts. Just let God. He will vindicate your ministry. I pray that your faith will not fail. The child will rise again. Thank you Lord! Good morning.

The Difference With The Acts Of Gehaxi

The Difference With The Acts Of Gehazi

II Kings 4:32-33 NKJV

[32] When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed. [33] He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord. 

Theres a difference between the acts of Gehazi and Elisha. The one was just drama on instructions, the other was acts with discernment. Before anything, Elisha talked the matter out with God. There lies the difference. The foundation for any Prophetic actions begins with communing with God in prayers.  Let us dig a bit deeper.

   Joan Emery from New Zealand explains how it fits with the spoken word of prayers. " A prophetic act is more than - or differs from - a spoken word of prophecy, or word of knowledge.  It’s an action, something we DO under the anointing and unction of the Holy Spirit as a step of faith, as an act of obedience to release the power, the presence and the victory of God into a situation. Yes, it can include prophecy and words of knowledge, or it can be an act that stands alone without any ‘extras’.  The Bible records many prophetic acts, but there is no set pattern to go by – the Holy Spirit never gets in a rut". 

   Prophetic actions are a  " rise in prophetic proclamations and declarations". And there are moments when our prayers take on prophetic wings. This was it. The child had to come back to life. Elisha had no Elijah around anymore to go and report like Gehazi did, that it didnt work. It had to work. Has anyone been there? Where you say, God has to answer. I have been there several times in my life.

   After the prophetic acts that followed, the child sneezed and came back to life. May every dead circumstances around you receive the Zoe of God, and come back to life. This is a foreshadow  of our resurrection in Christ Jesus. Good morning.

Opportunity For Ministry

Opportunity For Ministry 

II Kings 4:31 NKJV

[31] Now Gehazi went on ahead of them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he went back to meet him, and told him, saying, “The child has not awakened.”

When you serve, watch out for the opportunities that God will provide for your ministry to grow. Here's the first opportunity for Gehazi. What an opportunity it was for him to experience the supernatural. Gehazi didn't read David Abioye's Spiritual Apprenticeship. He should have. Paul admonishes the the Phillipians, " Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put into practice." - Phil.4:9. Here was the opportunity to put into practice all the supernatural he had witnessed from the master.

   Here's an excerpt from David Abioye's observations on the matter. "We have a duty to present, protect and preserve the worth of ministry in our generation. How long we stand the challenges of our times is a function of how well we lay our foundation for ministry. It is my observation that every man designs and determines the measure of grace and anointing he receives for fulfilling his calling. Each man‟s results is traceable to his training". What happened to Gehazi raises questions about the grace he received from Elisha. I feel your mind.

In 2 Kings 5:20-27, this same Gehazi ran after Naaman to get a booty of ministry without the Master's consent. You may not be very surprised that he couldn't do what he was asked to do by the master.

    Here's a quote you may need to keep by. " Paul’s method was that of apprenticeship, that is always God’s method of training workers". —Oswald Chambers in Workmen of God. If you're experiencing being used as an apprentice, stay on. Opportunity will come someday. Good morning.

Opportunity For Ministry

Opportunity For Ministry 

II Kings 4:31 NKJV

[31] Now Gehazi went on ahead of them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he went back to meet him, and told him, saying, “The child has not awakened.”

When you serve, watch out for the opportunities that God will provide for your ministry to grow. Here's the first opportunity for Gehazi. What an opportunity it was for him to experience the supernatural. Gehazi didn't read David Abioye's Spiritual Apprenticeship. He should have. Paul admonishes the the Phillipians, " Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put into practice." - Phil.4:9. Here was the opportunity to put into practice all the supernatural he had witnessed from the master.

   Here's an excerpt from David Abioye's observations on the matter. "We have a duty to present, protect and preserve the worth of ministry in our generation. How long we stand the challenges of our times is a function of how well we lay our foundation for ministry. It is my observation that every man designs and determines the measure of grace and anointing he receives for fulfilling his calling. Each man‟s results is traceable to his training". What happened to Gehazi raises questions about the grace he received from Elisha. I feel your mind.

In 2 Kings 5:20-27, this same Gehazi ran after Naaman to get a booty of ministry without the Master's consent. You may not be very surprised that he couldn't do what he was asked to do by the master.

    Here's a quote you may need to keep by. " Paul’s method was that of apprenticeship, that is always God’s method of training workers". —Oswald Chambers in Workmen of God. If you're experiencing being used as an apprentice, stay on. Opportunity will come someday. Good morning.

It Is Well

It Is Well.

II Kings 4:23-25 NKJV

[23] So he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.” And she said, “It is well.” [24] Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, “Drive, and go forward; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” [25] And so she departed, and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel. So it was, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, the Shunammite woman! 

The enemy watches to see how youll react when things happen around you. It enjoys the drama because it thinks it has scored a point. Most mature believers understand this, so they keep their feelings under check. You don't win spiritual warfare with too much demonstration of how painful the devil's attack has been. This Shunammite is a model. 

    She left the child on Elisha's bed and went to look for the prophet. Four times, she's confronted enough to have broken down and cry as a sister and a mother, but she insisted that it is well. First to the husband who raised reasons she shouldn't travel. Then to Gehazi's questions. All the answers were: It is well. Let me assure you, no matter what you're experiencing, it is well. 

    Someone says, " The enemy may want you to react in ways that are negative, such as: Frustrating you.

The enemy may try to frustrate you so that you curse them out, gossip about them, or treat them badly", or even cry and regret ever being a child of God. Don't give in. Its but a moment. Amy Blossom says, " To win battles you need to know your enemy, but more importantly, you need to know your enemy's tactics. This is especially true in a spiritual battle". 1Peter 5;8 says your enemy looks like a roaring lion. Dont fear. Dont react. Look for God. Don't forget that the devil is a liar and the father of it John 8:44.

  The only time the woman opened up was before the Prophet. Dont just open up for sympathies. It does nothing. And she wouldn't let him go until he came with her. Phew! Thank you Lord. I see your condition, and I say: It is well with you. Hold on. Good morning.

The Power Of Motherhood

The Power Of Motherhood 

II Kings 4:20-22 NKJV

[20] When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. [21] And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door upon him, and went out. [22] Then she called to her husband, and said, “Please send me one of the young men and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come back.”

Our verses today raise the questions about the role of  mothers in children development. We agreed in our previous vignette that the father failed as most would do even today. These verses turns to the mother, the Shunamite. The child is now dead. But for the mother, that is a story for the gods. 

   You can literally feel her stoic attitude concerning the matter. She was either indifferent or unaccepting of the reality. The only thing that mattered was a living child. Her faith had gone through the rafters. This is a picture of the attitude of most mothers when confronted with problems concerning their kids. At such moments, mothers can fight to their death because of the child. She was set to win. 

   She did by the end of the day. The rest of the verses are the details of how she accomplished the feats. This miracle could only be achieved by a mother. Hannah Spencer explains the role of mothers to their children. " Mothers influence their children's attachment style, emotional regulation and empathy, social skills, cognitive development, their sense of self, and a variety of other traits. The bond between a mother and her child is not only profound but also significantly influential to the child's growth and development". A detailed explanation of these words are beyond the scope of this vignette.  Someone else says, " A mother plays many roles from the mother-child relationship to teaching about the world, language, sharpening their thinking skills, supporting, taking care and many more. Nobody in the world will love you as much as your mother does. Mothers offer unconditional and self-love, care and support". It may not be said better. That the child lived, we owe entirely to the mother. Are there other kinds of mothers than this? Share with us. What was God's original intentions for mothers? As a mother, do you fit into this? Good morning.

When The Child Got Sick

When The Child Got Sick

II Kings 4:18-19 NKJV

[18] And the child grew. Now it happened one day that he went out to his father, to the reapers. [19] And he said to his father, “My head, my head!” So he said to a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 

We don't know much about the husband of this Shunamite. We do know he behaved like a typical male in parenting. What's about a typical male? They are unable to take care of children. Here's a submission from a study done by Guardian on 5th July ,2013 by Gideon Burrows. " A little research into equal parenting reveals that the satisfying picture of men routinely sharing childcare is simply a myth. Those surveys are misleading at best. Men haven't taken on childcare in anything like the numbers we've been led to believe". The statistics get alarming as we study more from Burrows. " Figures from the National Office for Statistics reveal that at the end of 2012 there were just over 6,000 more full-time, stay-at-home dads looking after babies and toddlers than there were 10 years ago. Yet in the same period, around 44,000 women have stopped being stay-at-home mothers. The massive gap has been filled by childcare and grandparents, not fathers. Even on Aviva's figures, our children's grandmothers are twice as likely to look after them during the day than their own dads". 

   It may not be a proven fact, but many men feel it is effeminate to take care of children. But they believe it is manly to be the father. This is a family that had no child until the prophet gave a word. The child suddenly developed a headache. The father's reply was to carry him to the mother. Really? What he was doing was more important. It won't surprise you that the wife did not tell him when the child died. She had to find a solution to the problem. God help our mothers.

   It was her job to find the prophet and get the child back to life. What about the father? Rob Williams of Fatherhood Institute is quoted as saying, " Now maternity leave is so much longer than paternity leave," he says, "it has led to the woman becoming officially viewed as the child carer, which actually gives women less equality in the workplace".  How is that cultural expression in your environment? Would this be a pointer that women are more spiritual and more caring than men? Share your opinion with us in this matter. Good morning.