“In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’ Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, ‘Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.’” 2 Kings 20:2-3 (ESV) Have you ever been desperate for God’s intervention? Have you ever been between a rock and a hard place and wondered how you would make it through? Hezekiah reached the breaking point as he neared the point of death. To make matters worse, the prophet Isaiah came to Hezekiah with a definitive word from the Lord concerning the reality of Hezekiah’s sickness ending in death. In absolute desperation, Hezekiah cried out to the Lord in prayer. God responded to Hezekiah’s plea. “‘Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake.’” 2 Kings 20:5-6 (ESV) What do you need to take to the Lord in prayer? What are you agonizing over? Bring your burdens to the Lord. Entrust your life to His care. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Category: 2 Kings
“And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings on the high places.” 2 Kings 12:2-3 (ESV) Is Jesus your life or just a part of your life? When you add Jesus to your life in the midst of an array of other loyalties and devotions, then you embrace pluralism. The danger of pluralism is that you give weight and allegiance to other things that become idols in your life. Jehoash was instructed by Jehoiada to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Jehoash was effective at some level of leading himself in the ways of God, but failed to influence his culture to do the same. Idolatry was rampant during his reign. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Romans 13:14 (ESV) Allow the Lord to transform your life. You have been saved by His grace and adopted into His family and sealed by His Spirit. In Christ, you are a child of God. Invest the rest of your life pursuing God and transforming the culture. Be a change agent. Shine God’s light and share God’s love. Be an irresistible influence for the Lord. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin.” 2 Kings 10:31 (ESV) Are you a fully devoted follower of Christ? Have you completely surrendered to the Lordship of Christ? Make Jesus the Lord of your life. Enthrone Him. Yield to His prompting. Obey His voice. Walk in His steps. Know God’s Word so that you can obey God’s will. Forsake sin. Remove anything that would hinder your love relationship with the Lord. Walk carefully. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 (ESV) “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV) Jehu did not follow the Lord with all of his heart. He drifted into the same pattern of Jeroboam which made Israel to sin. Jehu’s life was not marked by obedience to the Lord, but rather rebellion and neglect. Delight in God’s Word. Meditate on God’s Word day and night. Allow God’s Word to illuminate the path He wants you to take and to inform the decisions He wants you to make. Walk wisely. Take steps that are firm and make the most of the opportunities God places before you. Acknowledge the reality of the evil which is so prevalent in our society. Choose to walk carefully and employ the wisdom God gives you to walk in His ways. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Axe Head Floats
“So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, ‘Alas, my master! It was borrowed.’ Then the man of God said, ‘Where did it fall?’ When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. And he said, ‘Take it up.’ So he reached out his hand and took it.” 2 Kings 6:4-7 (ESV) How can an axe head float? The company of the prophet Elisha witnessed a miracle as one of them encountered an unfortunate circumstance. The borrowed axe head detached and fell into the water. Elisha cut off a stick and threw it near and made the iron float. The axe head was recovered and the miracle happened. Perhaps you have a situation in your life that is saturated with impossibilities. Maybe you have received heartbreaking news such as a bad report on your health. You could be facing a challenging situation that perplexes you and seems unfavorable in its potential outcome. Whatever you are going through, remember that God can make an axe head float. “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.’” Mark 10:27 (ESV) “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) Keep your eyes on the Lord and trust in His daily provision. Rest in His sovereignty. God always has the final say. Seek Him with all your heart. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Empty Jars
“And Elisha said to her, ‘What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?’ And she said, ‘Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.’” 2 Kings 4:2 (ESV) I want you to think about how far you have come during your life on the earth. Think about all that God has done to see you through each moment of each day of each month of each year of your life. Perhaps you have come close to death. Maybe you have experienced God coming through for you financially at just the right moment. As you look over your life, you may be able to remember specific encounters of God’s divine intervention. You know that you would not be where you are today without God’s abundant supply of grace. God has provided for you every step of the way. The widow only had one jar of oil left in her house. The creditor had come to take her two sons and make them slaves. She and her sons were desperate for a move of God and for a miracle of God. Can you relate? She cried out to Elisha and he responded by instructing her to go to her neighbors in order to borrow empty vessels. Elisha told the widow and her sons to pour into all the vessels. Miraculously, as one jar became full, she would pour into another jar until it became full, and the process continued until all the jars were full. The oil stopped flowing. She sold the oil to pay her debts and then she and her sons lived on the rest. God will make a way when there seems to be no way. Entrust your life to His care! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’ 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, 3 ‘Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.’” 2 Kings 20:2-3 (ESV) Have you ever been desperate for God’s intervention? Have you ever been between a rock and a hard place and wondered how you would make it through? Hezekiah reached the breaking point as he neared the point of death. To make matters worse, the prophet Isaiah came to Hezekiah with a definitive word from the Lord concerning the reality of Hezekiah’s sickness ending in death. In absolute desperation, Hezekiah cried out to the Lord in prayer. God responded to Hezekiah’s plea. “‘Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, 6 and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake.’” 2 Kings 20:5-6 (ESV) What do you need to take to the Lord in prayer? What are you agonizing over? Bring your burdens to the Lord. Entrust your life to His care. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 214: 2 Kings 20-21) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings on the high places.” 2 Kings 12:2-3 (ESV) Is Jesus your life or just a part of your life? When you add Jesus to your life in the midst of an array of other loyalties and devotions, then you embrace pluralism. The danger of pluralism is that you give weight and allegiance to other things that become idols in your life. Jehoash was instructed by Jehoiada to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Jehoash was effective at some level of leading himself in the ways of God, but failed to influence his culture to do the same. Idolatry was rampant during his reign. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Romans 13:14 (ESV) Allow the Lord to transform your life. You have been saved by His grace and adopted into His family and sealed by His Spirit. In Christ, you are a child of God. Invest the rest of your life pursuing God and transforming the culture. Be a change agent. Shine God’s light and share God’s love. Be an irresistible influence for the Lord. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 186: 2 Kings 12-13; 2 Chronicles 24) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin.” 2 Kings 10:31 (ESV) Are you a fully devoted follower of Christ? Have you completely surrendered to the Lordship of Christ? Make Jesus the Lord of your life. Enthrone Him. Yield to His prompting. Obey His voice. Walk in His steps. Know God’s Word so that you can obey God’s will. Forsake sin. Remove anything that would hinder your love relationship with the Lord. Walk carefully. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 (ESV) “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV) Jehu did not follow the Lord with all of his heart. He drifted into the same pattern of Jeroboam which made Israel to sin. Jehu’s life was not marked by obedience to the Lord, but rather rebellion and neglect. Delight in God’s Word. Meditate on God’s Word day and night. Allow God’s Word to illuminate the path He wants you to take and to inform the decisions He wants you to make. Walk wisely. Take steps that are firm and make the most of the opportunities God places before you. Acknowledge the reality of the evil which is so prevalent in our society. Choose to walk carefully and employ the wisdom God gives you to walk in His ways. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 185: 2 Kings 9-11) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Axe Head Floats
“So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5 But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, ‘Alas, my master! It was borrowed.’ 6 Then the man of God said, ‘Where did it fall?’ When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. 7 And he said, ‘Take it up.’ So he reached out his hand and took it.” 2 Kings 6:4-7 (ESV) How can an axe head float? The company of the prophet Elisha witnessed a miracle as one of them encountered an unfortunate circumstance. The borrowed axe head detached and fell into the water. Elisha cut off a stick and threw it near and made the iron float. The axe head was recovered and the miracle happened. Perhaps you have a situation in your life that is saturated with impossibilities. Maybe you have received heartbreaking news such as a bad report on your health. You could be facing a challenging situation that perplexes you and seems unfavorable in its potential outcome. Whatever you are going through, remember that God can make an axe head float. “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.’” Mark 10:27 (ESV) “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) Keep your eyes on the Lord and trust in His daily provision. Rest in His sovereignty. God always has the final say. Seek Him with all your heart. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 184: 2 Kings 5-8) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Empty Jars
“And Elisha said to her, ‘What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?’ And she said, ‘Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.’” 2 Kings 4:2 (ESV) I want you to think about how far you have come during your life on the earth. Think about all that God has done to see you through each moment of each day of each month of each year of your life. Perhaps you have come close to death. Maybe you have experienced God coming through for you financially at just the right moment. As you look over your life, you may be able to remember specific encounters of God’s divine intervention. You know that you would not be where you are today without God’s abundant supply of grace. God has provided for you every step of the way. The widow only had one jar of oil left in her house. The creditor had come to take her two sons and make them slaves. She and her sons were desperate for a move of God and for a miracle of God. Can you relate? She cried out to Elisha and he responded by instructing her to go to her neighbors in order to borrow empty vessels. Elisha told the widow and her sons to pour into all the vessels. Miraculously, as one jar became full, she would pour into another jar until it became full, and the process continued until all the jars were full. The oil stopped flowing. She sold the oil to pay her debts and then she and her sons lived on the rest. God will make a way when there seems to be no way. Entrust your life to His care! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 183: 2 Kings 1-4) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell