Showing Love for All

In 2 Kings chapter 5 we find the story of a young girl who was taken into captivity by the Syrians. She was made a slave to the wife of one of the captains who defeated her country. Yet even while enslaved, the young girl displayed the love of God.

Her master, Naaman, was a leper. Seeing his sickness, the young girl spoke up. She mentioned to his wife that Naaman should go see the man of God because she knew that Naaman could be healed if he went to see him. As a result of this young girl's suggestion, her master was ultimately healed after following the prophet Elisha's instructions.

This young woman had every right to be bitter. She was taken captive from her home and she was now forced to be a slave to a family of her enemy. But, this young woman was not bitter. She recognized a need and knew how it could be fixed. She spoke up in faith believing that God would heal even her enemy. In showing her faith in God, she was able to give Naaman his miracle and ultimately show him that the Lord was the one true God.

Are you in a "captive" situation? Do you find yourself working with someone or in a situation that you see as totally against your favor? Don't get so caught up in what you see as a slight that you allow bitterness and anger to cloud your vision. Choose to remain full of God's love. Bless those that curse you. Do good to those who despitefully use you.

As you showcase God's love - even to your enemies - He may point out some problems that only He can fix. As you speak up in faith, you may be just the instrument to bring someone their miracle and ultimately lead them to the Lord.

Verse of the Day: And he [Naaman] returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel... 2 Kings 5:15a

Thanksgiving Friday!

It's been an exciting week! I'm thankful for the boys' winning their game, and our possibility to win state. I'm thankful for the spring-like temps that have been visiting the Chicagoland area. I'm thankful to be alive to enjoy this wonderful world.

It's faith in God that makes us thankful. Knowing that God has a hand in the amazing life we live causes us to open our mouths in praise. And when the Lord hears our gratitude and gratefulness, He is all the more inclined to give us more.

When one of the lepers saw that he was cleansed by Jesus, He turned back and gave God praise. Jesus saw the man's act of thankfulness, and told him that his faith had made him whole. (Luke 17:19)

There were nine other lepers who got cleansed that same day. They still walked away with their physical healing. But the one man who turned back and rightfully praised the One who made it possible - he received healing in every area of his life. He was made complete. He was fully delivered.

Make sure you are keeping up your attitude of thankfulness. Don't forget to give proper praise to the One who's making it all possible. It's one thing to be blessed here and there. It's another thing to be blessed in every area of your life!

Have a great weekend!

Verse of the Day: And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. Luke 17:15-19

Personal Therapy

For the last couple of days I have been pressing in and making a concentrated effort to get into God’s presence each day. The experience has been so uplifting and beneficial to my spirit.

Yesterday, I discovered a wound that I didn’t even know was there during my time of prayer. As tears flowed down my cheeks, I allowed my Heavenly Father to minister His love and comfort to my heart. It was like I was in my own personal therapy session, but I didn’t have to pay a dime for the premiere professional service.

You too have access to this same kind of love. Take some time to dig deep during your times of prayer. I love how the Scriptures talk about pouring out the heart before God. How often do we actually practice this? We may lay our concerns at His feet. But, how many times do we pour out every emotion, every fear, every single item even down to the parts that we’ve hidden even from ourselves?

I’m not saying that everyone’s walking around with some deep hidden hurt like I was, but it may surprise you what desires, dreams, and feelings reside within you. Take some time to pour out your heart before the Lord. He can handle anything you pull out.

Verse of the Day: Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:8