by Pastor Cecil | Nov 18, 2019 | 2 Kings
2 Kings 2:11
“Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
In college I had a godly professor of physics. On the first day of class he handed out all of the questions he would be giving on his tests. There was only one problem—the list consisted of 500 questions. We never knew which ones would be asked on each test! I think I studied more for that class than any other and enjoyed it more.
This brilliant scientist had worked on the Manhattan Project during WWII, yet had a humble Christian spirit that made him a true example of what a man of God should be. Here is a quote that was attributed to him: “I always imagined that I would go out in a ‘blaze of glory’, but I suppose I will have to settle for going out in an ordinary way.” His obituary stated that it was not his death, but his life that was a “blaze of glory.”
In today’s Scripture we read of the prophet Elijah being caught up to heaven in a chariot of fire. We might even say it was a “blaze of glory.” But the real blaze of glory was his life of unswerving faithfulness to the Lord. As Elijah left this earth he left his mantle to Elisha, who assumed his role as the faithful servant of the Lord. In a way, Elijah’s blaze of glory was his disciple Elisha. Their blaze of glory continued to burn for years to come. Who is your blaze of glory?
May God richly bless you by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 11, 2019 | 2 Kings
2 Kings 6:17
“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.”
I have worn glasses for as long as I can recall. As a matter of fact I have separate glasses just for using the computer. If I forget and wear the wrong glasses my vision is blurry and it takes a few minutes to correct my mistake.
Spiritually it is critical that we have the eyes to perceive the Word of God in a manner that will keep us focused on the goal of being faithful servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are many things that will keep our vision blocked. One of the hindrances is fear of the unknown. We do not know what the future holds so we fret and stew about what might happen instead of simply trusting in the Lord to direct us.
Elisha was able to see what his servant could not see. We need to trust the Lord whether or not we are able to see the host of heaven around us. All we need to do is ask the Lord to show us what He wants us to see!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 12, 2018 | 2 Kings
2 Kings 6:17
“And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
The beginning and ending of vision rests with God! That is essential to keep in mind at all times. In fact, God is always with us, even as we experience the death of our original vision. Why is it necessary to experience the death of a vision? So that we may observe that it is the power of God working in and through us, and not what we ourselves are accomplishing.
Elisha saw what his servant could not see. His vision was spiritual and inspired faith. The servant saw only the enemy that spelled defeat and death. Elisha saw that God was in and over all, and that spelled victory and life! What is your vision? Are you looking at the situation or to God who controls all situations?
It is so easy to get focused on a vision or a promise, and get our eyes off of the God who is the giver of visions and promises. It is then that the Lord puts His children to the test, not necessarily to punish, but rather to prove one’s commitment. It is well to recall the insight of Proverbs 3:11-12: “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” The God who brings each of us a vision which is eternal is the eternal God. The vision He gives will last through all eternity. That is a vision we all can receive!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 21, 2016 | 2 Kings
2 Kings 5:2-3
“Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house. 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.’”
Yesterday I wrote about the faithfulness of a young slave girl who demonstrated love for her captors by suggesting a prophet in Israel who could heal a proud Syrian general of his leprosy. It is a disease that damages the nerve endings and eventually can lead to the loss of fingers or even limbs. Swallowing his pride, the general acted on the suggestion of this unknown maiden of Israel and journeyed to Samaria to be healed.
Naaman not only suffered with leprosy, but also with pride. The prophet Elisha did not even come out to meet him but sent his servant out to Naaman with directions in order to receive his healing.
At first the general balked at the idea of dipping in the Jordan seven times. It was only at his servant’s urging that he agreed to follow Elisha’s direction and humbled himself. When he emerged from the water after the seventh dipping, his skin was like a baby’s.
Sometimes we insist on doing things our own way instead of listening to the Lord. Pride is more devastating than leprosy. It causes us to lose the spiritual nerve endings by which we can be led by the Lord. God wants us to deal with the ugliness of our sin. Don’t give up. It may take being abased before we can abound.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 20, 2016 | 2 Kings
2 Kings 5:2-3
“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. 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.’”
What are we to do when we are caught in a situation that enslaves us? The right answer is that we are to remain faithful. In today’s Scripture we read about an unknown young girl that was taken captive from Israel and exiled to a foreign nation where she served the wife of a Syrian general who had leprosy. She demonstrated kindness by suggesting the general go to Samaria where a prophet would heal him.
It is interesting to recall that other captives showed kindness to their captors. I think of Daniel and Nehemiah, to name only two others. This young girl had never seen the prophet Elisha heal someone with leprosy, but she had faith that he could and would.
The general believed her, so the Syrian king sent Naaman with gifts and a letter to the king of Israel. The king was terrified, thinking it was a trap. You see, he had no faith like the young servant girl. Elisha heard about the king’s dilemma and asked that Naaman be sent to him.
There was a miracle about to take place that would show the power of God doing what the political powers were unable to do. There is a God in heaven who is able to do more than we can ever think or conceive.
Tomorrow we will continue to explore this topic.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 11, 2016 | 2 Kings
2 Kings 23:24
“Moreover Josiah put away those who consulted mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord.”
I have always been impressed with Josiah. He was a young king in Judah who sought after the Lord. Many other kings allowed the sinful practices of those around them to contaminate, but Josiah sought the Lord.
We live in a sinful age in which Satan has sanitized sin to make it appear to be harmless and fun. One of the areas is in the demonic realm. There was a time when witches were presented as being cute and harmless. Television programs made the lead characters “good” witches or mediums. I am here to tell you that there is no such thing as “good” witches. God specifically warns against having anything to do with them.
It is disturbing that some Christians allow books or TV programs that attempt to show these forces as cute and harmless. Our minds should be opposed to anything of the sort. If God says it is dangerous, we need to pay attention.
What are you allowing on your television screen, movies, or bookshelf? Here is another question … do you think Jesus would be pleased with what you are watching or reading? Make His word the final authority.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
