Day 184 Bible Readings – 2 Kings 7: 2 (ESV)

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2 Kings 6:24-33, 2 Kings 7, 2 Kings 8: 1-15, Acts 22: 22-30, Acts 23: 1-11, Psalm 105: 23-36

2 Kings 7: 2 (ESV)

“Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned said to the man of God, “If the LORD himself should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” But he said, “You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it.”

In verse 2 from 2 Kings 7, we read about the captain who was sent from the King to see Elisha the prophet about the severe famine Samara that was caused by the Syrian siege. Elisha prophesied to the captain that there would be so much food that it would be sold for a cheap price. The captain questioned the possibility of Father-God sending a divine intervention in this dire situation. Elisha then prophesied that the captain would see the prophecy come true but would not be able to eat because he was going to be punished for his doubt and unbelief. The captain was full of doubt because the city was surrounded by a hostile army, and he had no faith in the Lord’s power and promises or the creativity of Father-God to bring about provision in a completely unexpected way.  Even in the worst circumstances, we must always trust in Father-God’s ability to provide and deliver on his promise to care for his people. If you have doubt or unbelief, you will see a miracle, but you will not be able to participate or partake in it. We find out later that the captain was trampled at the gate of the city when the people rushed the gates to get to the food left behind by Syrians. As people of faith, we need to always believe that Father-God will provide provision for us, no matter how unlikely it seems that provision can be delivered. Father-God is powerful and can bring about any miracle in most unexpected way. If we have doubts, then we will miss out on the blessings of the Lord.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse, find yourself a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-base church where you can hear the word of the Lord preached and strengthen your faith in the Lord who keeps his promises and makes the impossible possible in the most unexpected of ways.

Day 183 Bible Readings – 2 Kings 4: 42-44 (ESV)

2 Kings 4: 38-44, 2 Kings 5, 2 Kings 6 1-23, Acts 21: 27-40, Acts 22: 1-22, Psalm 105: 12-22

2 Kings 4: 42-44 (ESV)

“A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.”

In verses 42 through 44 from 2 Kings 4 Elisha the prophet performs a supernatural miracle that foreshadows Christ’s many miracles of feeding large crowds with very little provisions. When Elisha received the gift of bread and first fruits, he ordered his servant to serve it to the 100 men. The servant told Elisha it wasn’t enough food to feed all the men, and Elisha prophesied that the men will and there will be left over food. When the food was served to the 100 men, they ate and there was still left over food as Elisha had prophesied. This miracle feeding shows the faith of Elisha to trust Father-God over the visible evidence of our eyes or circumstances. Father-God provided manna for his people when they left Egypt and were wondering in the wilderness, so would he not do the same now for his prophet Elisha. Elisha’s feeding of the 100 men also demonstrates that when Father-God provides, he is generous and provides abundantly with always something left over. As children of Father-God and believers in Jesus Christ, we must always trust that Father-God is always able to meet our needs abundantly. We serve a good God who always delivers on his promises. We also serve a good God who will use all means to accomplish his purpose and to show his love for us his children. We must have faith that provision and supernatural miracles will come at the right time and in God’s perfect timing for our needs. Father-God is not deaf to our prayers, so we must have faith that he is the same God who rained down manna to his people who needed food in the desert. Father-God provided then, and he will provide for us today.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, find yourself a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the word of the Lord preached and increase your faith in the God of the supernatural miracles who always provides for his children.

Day 182 Bible Readings – 2 Kings 4: 2-7 (ESV)

2 Kings 3, 2 Kings 4: 1-37, Acts 21: 1-26, Psalm 105: 1-11

2 Kings 4: 2-7 (ESV)

“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.” Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”

In verses 2 through 7 from 2 Kings 4, we read about another supernatural miracle from Father-God on provision. A widow owed debt to creditors who were going to take her child as slaves, so she went to Elisha for help. When Elisha asked her what she had in her house, she told him she a small jar of anointing oil. Elisha told her to borrow all the vessels she could get hands from her neighbors. The widow was able to fill all the borrowed jars with oil from the one jar she had. She was able to pay off her debts and still had enough money left over to live on for herself and her sons.

I love this miracle of supernatural provision from Father-God. The widow had enough faith to do exactly as Elisha asked, and provision was her reward. We may get advice that doesn’t make sense from the Holy Spirit when we are praying for a miracle, but we must have enough faith to do exactly as requested and only then will we see a supernatural miracle from Father-God. We also need to have faith that the Lord in the Bible never changes, and he is the same then as he is now. Father-God was provider to his people then, and he is provider to his people today.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a Holy-Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-base church where you can hear the word of the Lord preached and strengthen your faith that Father-God is the provider of supernatural miracles.

Day 181 Bible Readings – 2 Kings 2: 11 (ESV)

2 Kings 1 & 2, Acts 20, Psalm 104: 31-35

2 Kings 2: 11 (ESV)

“And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”

Verse 11 from 2 Kings 2 shows us how Elijah the prophet died. Elijah didn’t die like a normal person. He was instead taken up to heaven by a whirlwind. I love how the death of Elijah is so supernatural, because it shows the power of Father-God. Elijah was a powerful prophet, and the Lord honored him by taking him up on heaven so he wouldn’t have to experience death. Elijah’s faithful service was rewarded by his unique departure, since no other Biblical figure was taken up to heaven in this way except for Jesus Christ. Many Biblical scholars have commented that Elijah’s ascension into heaven prefigures the ascension of Jesus Christ. Christ died because he was human like us but was resurrected after three (3) days. Christ then lived among his followers for 40 days before ascending into heaven. Unlike Elijah who was taken up in a whirlwind, Christ was taken to heaven in a cloud. Both ascension experiences give believers in Christ the hope that when we die, we will ascend into heaven like Christ to be with our Father-God. We might not ascend in a whirlwind or a cloud, but we will be resurrected to live in heaven after we die.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about this Bible verse, find yourself a Holy Spirit-filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the word of God preached and find assurance that one day you will live with Father-God after your earthly death.