BEHOLD, I THOUGHT II

MEMORY VERSE: But Naaman was wroth, 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 strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. 2 Kings 5:11

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 28-31

Naaman had everything money can buy except for one thing, a good health (2 Kings 5:1). He traveled to see Elisha for healing from leprosy. On arrival, Elisha sent his servant to tell him to wash seven times in the River Jordan. 2 Kings 5:11 says: ‘But Naaman was wroth, 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 strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.’ Naaman had an expectation of who should minister to him. He expected Elisha, not his servant, to physically minister to him. God can use any of His children to minister to you or your needs. Many, today, come to the church with an expectation of who the Lord should speak through. As a result, they only listen when the pastor preaches.

Secondly, Naaman came with an expectation how he should be healed. He expected Elisha to come out to him, call on the name of the Lord, and lay hands on him. Don’t come to God with an expectation of how He should solve your problems. The way you expect God to work can rob you of your miracle. Lastly, Naaman came with an expectation of where his healing should take place. He expected Elisha to pray for him in the front of his house and get healed; however, God wanted him to bathe in River Jordan. Not all difficult problems require a difficult solution. The solution to some difficult problems is very simple. Not all big problems require big solutions. Naaman struggled with the instruction he received from the prophet because it was too basic and too simple to be a solution.

NOTE: Big problems don't always require big solutions. The simplest thing to do when you face challenges is pray.

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Samuel Oluwatoki

IF YOU HEAR MORE FROM GOD, YOU WILL SWEAT LESS

MEMORY VERSE: Isaiah 30:21 says and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 27, John 6, Prov 3, Gal 2

 

If there is anything to earnestly seek, it is the ability to hear from God. When you hear from God, your faith grows, Romans 10:17. The whole world may be panicking but your mind will  be at rest because you have heard from the controller of seasons, Daniel 2:21. Not only that, every time He speaks life is injected into your situation. According to John 6:63, His words are life. I remember several years ago when I was given a month to produce a thing or two and attend an interview or leave the country. It was certain that I was going to leave the country because I stood no chance under the heaven if I attended the interview. While I was fasting, crying and praying, a voice thundered from heaven saying   ‘what are you, O Great Mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain’, Zechariah 4:7. Today I am still in the same country where I was giving a month to leave several years ago. The reason why most people sweat and struggle in their endeavor is because they have not heard from God. Isaiah 30:21 says And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. When God begins to speak to you, you will never miss a turning in life again. The reason why many struggle today is because they have missed a major turning in their life. They have studied medicine instead of studying law. They have married brother A or sister X instead of marrying brother B or sister Y. They end up struggling to survive. When you hear from God, missing a major turn becomes impossible. The more you hear from God, the lesser the wrong turns you will take in life.

 

There are one or two reasons why people do not hear from God. Firstly, they do not spend time with God. They are too busy with work, family, career e.t.c. If you want to hear from God, go close to Him. James 4:8 says draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Secondly, they disobey God in little things. There are many who God have been asking to do a thing or the other for years and they have not done it. If you are not ready to obey little instructions, what are they chances that you will obey instructions that will turn your life around? Has the Holy Spirit been nudging you to preach to someone at work or in the college? Stop ignoring the Holy Spirit and witness to them. If you continue to ignore the leadings of the Holy Spirit, He will stop leading you. Thirdly, lack of gratitude. No one loves to talk to an ungrateful fellow let alone a fellow who is always complaining. Instead of complaining of what the Lord is yet to do, thank Him for what He has done.

 

ACTION POINT: Spend more time with God praising Him. Not only that stop ignoring the leading the Holy Spirit.