Easy Like Sunday Morning

But now bring me a harpist.” While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came on Elisha and he said, “This is what the Lord says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also deliver Moab into your hands.
The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was—water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water. (‭2 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭15-18, 20‬ NIV)

I don’t know what your need is today, but if the Lord can fill the land with pools of water without so much as a sprinkle of rain. Then it is stated that this is an easy thing for the Lord. I think He is able to meet your need. 

Ask Him for help. 

Seek Him for the answer or resolution. 

Have faith for the change. Remember, it is an easy thing for Him to do! 

2015

For Jerusalem will stumble, and Judah will fall, because they speak out against the LORD and refuse to obey him. They provoke him to his face. The very look on their faces gives them away. They display their sin like the people of Sodom and don’t even try to hide it. They are doomed! They have brought destruction upon themselves. Tell the godly that all will be well for them. They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned! But the wicked are doomed, for they will get exactly what they deserve. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭3‬:‭8-11‬ NLT)

As read this morning I was halfway wondering if Isaiah was writing about America in 2015?

I love that His word says, If MY people who are called by my name.  If my people will humble themselves and pray. If we turn from our wicked ways. He will heal our land.  It is time to pray. It is time to repent. 

Here is my hope though from the reading in Isaiah today:

Tell the godly that all will be well for them. They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned! But the wicked are doomed, for they will get exactly what they deserve.  

By the way, I don’t want anyone to misunderstand this reference. Our rich reward is in Heaven. It is not here on earth. This doesn’t mean we will avoid all suffering here, but we have the assurance of our rich reward in Heaven. This truth is better then anything here on earth anyways!

Examine, Evaluate, and Adjust if Necessary

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭6-8‬ NIV)

I realize gender is used in this passage of scripture, but it a great passage of scripture for every believer. 

We should be an example, especially in our current world, political environment, and the lack of moral conscience surrounding us. 

We should be showing integrity in all of these areas. If we don’t point them to Jesus with our life actions then our words will not matter. 

What can your enemy say about you that is valid?  What can the world say about you that is valid. Live your life in such a way that they are embarrassed because everything they would accuse you of is a lie!

Give Him Praise

Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. (‭Psalms‬ ‭86‬:‭11-13‬ NLT)

These three verses of Psalm 86 are the cry of my heart, and my prayer for today and everyday. 

When we recognize how needy we were and are, it becomes easy to give the God of Heaven, who created the foundations of this world the glory He is due. 

He loves me, and everyone reading this in ways we can’t even begin to imagine. It is a strong, intense, and enduring love that is unchanging. 

Strengthen me today to honor You with my lips, my heart, my actions, and my intentions. Help me to give you the glory and praise You are due. 

Remember

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 

Here is a trustworthy saying: 

If we died with him, we will also live with him; 

if we endure, we will also reign with him.

 If we disown him, he will also disown us; 

if we are faithless, he remains faithful, 

for he cannot disown himself. (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭10-13‬ NIV)

A reminder from Paul to Timothy, and from Paul to us today!

Where is Your Trust?

But when Rehoboam was firmly established and strong, he abandoned the Law of the LORD, and all Israel followed him in this sin. (‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ NLT)

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭17‬ NLT)

Two significant warnings about where our peace and trust should come from this morning. The things of this life can and will fail us, but Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God never will!  

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5-6‬ NLT)

Seen and Unseen!

Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭24-25‬ NLT)

All scripture is true!

This is an empowering and troubling passage of scripture all at the same time. I am thankful for the Grace and Mercy of the Lord. It is only possible by the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ shedding His blood. It washes me clean, and I am presented to the Lord as a son!  
I want to please Him in all I do. I am thankful for forgiveness. I recognize all intentions of the heart are seen by Him. The world may never know the good or the bad, but He does. Thank You for Your forgiveness, and thank You for the undeserved reward You have stored up for me!

Obedience

So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing.

But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.”

But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me! Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.
So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! (‭2 Kings‬ ‭5‬:‭4-5, 8, 10-12, 14‬ NLT)

A reminder that obedience is not based on preference. 

Obedience is not based on desire. 

Obedience is based on obedience. 

When we come to the Lord with our need or request. We don’t have the luxury of being in the driver seat. When He answers or directs us to His Word we should be quick to fully obey. 

It is time we remove our preconceived ideas about when and how things should be done. Obedience is better then sacrifice. Obedience is where the blessing is fully engaged. He is the King, we are the servants. Don’t be a Naaman. Be a person of faith and quick obedience.  

Is It Worth It?

And Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the LORD has told me to go to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!” So they went down together to Bethel.

Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the LORD has told me to go to Jericho.” But Elisha replied again, “As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together to Jericho.

Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the LORD has told me to go to the Jordan River.” But again Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together. (‭2 Kings‬ ‭2‬:‭2, 4, 6‬ NLT)

Are we willing to go after the things of the Lord like Elisha, or do we give up at the first sign of trouble?

Are we willing to go after the things of the Lord like Elisha, or do we give up when it takes to long?

Are we willing to go after the things of the Lord like Elisha, or do we give up when it doesn’t go our way?

The prophets told him to quit; It took longer then he expected, and there is no way it happened as he expected. Yet he persevered to the end, and he received his reward. 

I’m committed to the end regardless!

I’m going to persevere regardless of what it looks like!

My trust and reward is in Him!

Everyday Prayer

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. (‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭5-6‬ NLT)

This is my prayer today:

1. I want to live wisely

2. I want to make the most of every opportunity

3. I want my words and conversation with others to be gracious and attractive

4. I want to have the right responses today, not reactions

Help me love You, and love your people today.