Chapter 37 - Difference between the right and the left

Freedom from Captivity 

Chapter 37 

Difference between the Right and Left 

I want to begin by sharing a testimony from last week. For the past two years, a family from another district have been regularly listening to the messages that were shared on social media. They called in to tell me that as result of this, their entire family had committed their lives to Jesus, and I had the blessed privilege to minister to this family last week. Every time I wonder if it is necessary to use social media to share the worship and messages, the Lord confirms this through some testimony to attest and encourage me. Let me encourage all of you that as long as we in obedience to the will of God, do all that the Lord desires to accomplish through us, He will certainly fulfill all of His plans through us, and no one can hinder it.

Put childish ways aside and grow in maturity

We read in Jonah 4:11, “Shouldn't I feel sorry for this important city, Nineveh? It has more than 120,000 people in it as well as many animals. These people couldn't tell their right hand from their left." (GW)

These are the words that God spoke to Jonah when he was disheartened that the Lord did not destroy the city of Nineveh, but relented when the people repented, and spared them from His great wrath. God’s reply to Jonah was that His heart was moved with compassion for the great city of Nineveh had more than 1,20,000 people as well as animals, and also for the fact that the people who lived there couldn’t tell their right hand from their left.

All of us as adults know the difference between our right hand and left, but it is generally very young children who can’t tell the difference. You might have noticed how when a parent asks their toddler to shake hands with someone, they will often stretch out their left hand, and then the parent will correct the child encouraging him or her to extend their right hand instead. The same child when they are a little grown up need not be told which hand to extend to someone while greeting them. This maturity comes with age, and the child on growing up has learnt to decipher between their right hand and their left.

The God who felt sorry for the people of Nineveh, is the same God who sympathizes with us and has pity on us. When Jesus stood at the tomb of Lazarus, He knew that He would raise Lazarus from the dead, yet, He sympathized with those around, was moved with compassion and wept. The assurance we have is that we have a God who understands our deepest emotions, and can feel for us. We often complain that people have not understood or sometimes misunderstood us, instead let us decide to take all our woes to God, and pour out our hearts to Him for He alone fully comprehends all that we are going through. Sometimes we make the mistake of pouring out our hearts to others, only to find that they often have betrayed our trust, and misrepresented our situations to others.

God is calling us to not be like children who cannot decipher between their right hand and left, but grow in maturity and in our walk with the Lord.

1. Grow up and leave your childish ways  · Guard your speech

We read in 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I no longer used childish ways.” (GW)

All of us were little children at one time when we spoke, thought and reasoned childishly. Little children are generally finicky and constantly complain about others. The reason is because children usually are attention seeking, and wish to be in the spotlight the whole time. Our children as infants may babble, and we enjoy the fact that they are trying to speak, but, as they grow up we expect them to speak intelligibly, and will not encourage baby talk which would be inappropriate.

However, sadly there are those who in their spiritual walk are still like babies, and have not sought to mature in their speech, thoughts or reasoning. Our maturity in the Lord will be evident only when our speech is seasoned, our words bless others, and comfort those who are in grief. Our thoughts must mature and we must be those who discern everything that is being shared with us. Sometimes, we associate with the wrong people who when they gain entry into our lives or families cause division and discord. Our growth in our spiritual walk must enable us to discern those who are filled with the Spirit of God, and those who are not. When a man of God enters our home there will be peace and unity, not division and discord. Let us wait on the Lord, meditate on His word, and earnestly desire to have our minds broadened. The verse is clear that when we become adults, we must set aside every form of childish ways (speech, thought or reasoning) from our lives. These childish ways don’t go away on their own, but we have to deliberately choose to cast them aside.

We read in Matthew 12:36,"I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say.” (GW)

The Lord cautions us that on the day of judgement we will have to give an account for every careless word we speak. Our words must bless others, benefit others, and must bring peace and healing to situations where there is chaos and disunity. Let us not be childish, that when hurt by someone, we carry those bitter feelings and share them with others, thereby, spreading hatred and animosity towards each other.

We read in Ecclesiastes 10:2, “A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. (ASV)

The Lord is teaching us that a wise person’s heart will lead him in the right way whereas the heart of a fool will lead him in the wrong way. A wise man and foolish man are contrary to each other, and we will consider how the word of God defines them.

We read in Proverbs 14:16, “A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is careless and overconfident.” (GW)

Wisdom and foolishness are paradoxical, and one can either be wise or foolish. A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil because he has the fear of God. That is why the word of God says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A foolish man on the other hand is negligent and presumptuous, only because he does not revere or fear the Lord as He should. From comparing the above mentioned verses we may conclude that a wise man stands on the right hand side, and the foolish man on the left hand side.

When a person lives with that kind of fear for the Lord, they will be cautious what they speak no matter where they are, or irrespective of whether anyone is around or not. We must analyze ourselves to check if we are wise, avoiding every form of evil and living in obedience to the Lord.

· Guard your deeds

We read in 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For all of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him. We will each receive what we deserve, according to everything we have done, good or bad, in our bodily life.” (GNB)

Here the word of God exhorts us that when we stand before the judgement seat of Christ, all of us will certainly have to give an account for all of our deeds, both good and evil that were done while we were lived here on earth.

2. Turn away from evil and do good

We read in Matthew 27:38, “At that time they crucified two criminals with him, one on his right and the other on his left.”(GW)

In Luke 23:39, “One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" (GNB)

In Luke 23:42 we read, And he said to Jesus, "Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!" (GNB)

Of the two criminals who hung on the cross, on either side of Jesus, one of them mocked Him and said, ‘if you are the Christ, save yourself and us.’ This man challenged Jesus just like Satan did in Matthew 4, when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness by questioning His very identity, saying to Him ‘if you are the son of God’ then prove it, while Jesus had absolutely no need to prove who He really was. The other criminal on the other hand acknowledge who Jesus was, and even in His agony realized that Jesus was Lord and king. He also appealed to Jesus to have mercy on Him, and by so doing received the grace of God, being assured by Jesus of a place in paradise. I am led to think this man must have been on the right hand side of Jesus, for He found favor with Him.

Many people go to Jesus for their own personal gain, wishing to be delivered from their problems and hardships. There are others who think they can challenge God to have their prayers answered, failing to realize that He is Almighty, we mere mortals, and hence He will not answer such prayers. This kind of confrontation has its roots from the evil one, and one should be extremely discreet about this.

3. Stop using God for your own advantage

· The final separation

We read Matthew 25:31-33, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. The people of every nation will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right but the goats on his left.” (GW)

This passage mentioned above, describes that final judgement day, when the Son of Man will come in all His glory, with all His angels, and sit on the glorious throne to judge all the people of the earth. He then separates them as a shepherd would separate his sheep from his goats. He segregates them gathering the sheep on His right, and the goats on His left.

All of us are going to be part of this great gathering who stand before the Son of Man. It would be a day of reckoning when the Lord will segregate people to His right and left. Those who cannot discern between their right hand and left, are those who are oblivious to this impending judgement. We are a blessed people because the Lord has forewarned us of what is to come. If we can comprehend this truth, we will most certainly set things right in our lives.

We read in Matthew 25:34, “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.” (GW)

To the ones on His right, He welcomes them to come and inherit the kingdom that was prepared for them from the creation of the world. These on His right hand side Jesus refers to as the ones who are blessed by the Father. The same Heavenly Father who approved of Jesus when He came out of the waters of baptism and declared, ‘This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.’

The ones on the right are those who cast aside their childish way of speaking, feeling and thinking. They are those who have turned away from evil to decided do good. They are also those who do not use God for their own advantage, but rather led a life that was a blessing to others.

We read further in Matthew 25:41, “Then the king will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me! God has cursed you! Go into everlasting fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels!(GW)

To the ones on His left, he commands them to get away from Him, for they were the ones whom God had cursed. Their destination was into the eternal hell fire that was originally prepared for the devil and his angels.

What made the difference between those on the right and the left was that the ones on the right were blessed, and the ones on the left were cursed. The reason was the ones on the left were immature and childish who could not discern their right hand from their left. The Lord can perceive all about us, and there is no place for hypocrisy or a form of godliness before God, for everything will all be revealed and laid bare on that day. We must shun a life of dichotomy, and instead desire to lead a godly life, totally pleasing to the Lord.

The kingdom of God is prepared even before the creation of the world for those who walk with the Lord; it is a place of eternal joy, peace, blessing, health, where Christ will rule and reign as King forever. To the ones who are on the left, the Lord destines them to hell, which is a place of eternal torment, prepared only for the devil and his angels. We are called to grow in maturity and know the difference between our right hand and left so we too can be partakers of the eternal kingdom and live in God’s presence forever.

With our mouth we can like those two criminals either confess Jesus to be our Lord, and thereby secure for ourselves a place with Him in the kingdom of God, or we can like the other criminal on the left deny Him, challenge Him foolishly, ending up in eternal destruction. It is up to us to decide if we want to be on the right or the left, but must be cautioned that there is no middle ground. Let us choose to be those who are blessed by God, who hear His word, repent, walk in His ways, get baptized and live a life that is totally pleasing to the Lord in every way. May the Lord help us to guard our words, and our actions, so that we too can be part of that glorious and eternal kingdom that the Lord has prepared for all who are His children.

Br. Dixon

Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins

www.goodnewsfriends.net

Chapter 36 - The bondage breaker

Freedom from Captivity 

Chapter 36 

The Bondage Breaker 

We read in 2 Peter 2:19, “for we are slaves of anything that has conquered us.” (GNB)

The above mentioned verse endorses the truth that a person becomes a slave to something, when they are overpowered by it. For instance, a person who is addicted to alcohol, may realize that the habit affects his family, and might even take great efforts to quit the addiction, but is so often unable to do so because the habit has subdued him.

We read in Titus 2:3, “In the same way instruct the older women to behave as women should who live a holy life. They must not be slanderers or slaves to wine…” (GNT)

In this verse the admonition is for those who are slaves to wine, and strangely in this context this is directed towards women. Surprising as it may sound, women being addicted to alcohol is not something that is new only to our day and age, but was a problem of the early church days as well. The addiction to wine is applicable therefore, to both men and women, but the point is that when a person is overcome by the addiction, they are unable to break away from the habit.

In Titus 3:3, we read, “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. We were slaves to passions and pleasures of all kinds. We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we hated them.” (GNT)

Here Paul refers to various other things that people can be in bondage to like, passions (lusts), pleasures, malice, envy and hatred. Speaking of lust and pleasure, there are so many, even so-called believers who are enslaved by the addiction to pornographic material which is readily available on the internet.

Hebrews 2:15 says, “and in this way set free those who were slaves all their lives because of their fear of death.” (GNT)

Then there are those as mentioned in the above verse who live in constant fear of death. We must remind ourselves from the word of God that those who die in the Lord, will live forever with God in His holy presence. This fear grips those who have not understood that death is just the passing on from our earthly life, onto a heavenly one.

Have you noticed how when someone is addicted to a habit, people start referring to them by that name, for instance a person who becomes addicted to alcohol is referred to as an alcoholic, a promiscuous person as an adulterer and a person who is in constant fear as a fearful person.

We read in Romans 6:16,“Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey...” (ISV)

This kind of bondage as mentioned in Romans 6:16, are of those who of their own accord become enslaved to something. These are those who chose to voluntarily be enslaved by certain habits.

In Galatians 4:3, we read, “while we were children, we were slaves to the basic principles of the world.” (ISV) Describes those who are in bondage to the basic principles of the world.

In Galatians 4:8, Paul mentions, “However, in the past, when you did not know God, you were slaves to things that are not really gods at all.” (ISV) Characterizes those who served and sought after things which were by nature not gods at all.

In I Corinthians 7:23, we read, “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” (KJV)

Paul exhorts the church at Corinth, that they should not be slaves to men. When someone becomes a slave of men, they will not be able to think and operate on their own, but will be controlled by the person to whom they have been enslaved.

So being in bondage can be of two kinds; one where the person is overcome by the habit and the other where one willingly chooses to get enslaved to any sinful habit. Both of these need deliverance, and we will study the word to see how one can be set totally free from every form of enslavement.

How can a person be set free from bondage?  Accept that you are in bondage 

In John 8:32 -33, “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. We are the descendants of Abraham,” they answered, “and we have never been anybody's slaves. What do you mean, then, by saying, 'You will be free'?" (GNB)

When Jesus told the Jews that they will know the truth and the truth will set them free they took offence at His saying. They retorted that they were children of Abraham, and were therefore slaves to nobody. They forgot their history that they were in bondage to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for more than four hundred years. Interestingly as they dialogued with Jesus, at that very point they were under the Roman rule and in bondage to them.

Many people are not even aware that they are in bondage and are unwilling to accept this fact. The first step is therefore a vital one where one takes stock of their lives and consider all those areas that they are in bondage to, where they need liberation.

Know the truth and the truth will set you free

We read in John 8:34, Jesus said to them, "I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. (GNB)

Jesus told them plainly that whoever sins, becomes a slave to sin. As the Jews talked about their physical realm and were categorical that they were slaves to no one, Jesus reiterated that their souls were in enslavement to sin.

It is only when one comes to comprehend who Jesus truly is and of all that He has done for us, will be able to break free from every form of bondage.

The woman caught in adultery

We read in John 8:2,“Early the next morning he went back to the Temple. All the people gathered around him, and he sat down and began to teach them.”

In John 8:59, “Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the temple.” (GNB)

Jesus was at the temple early in the morning and was teaching people who had gathered there. Jesus referred to the temple as His Father’s house, and as He taught the people who had gathered there it was unfortunate that many were unable to accept His teachings. At the end of the passage we find that the people who had heard all of His teachings, actually picked up stones to throw at Jesus.

Even today one of the main purposes of the church meeting together is that the word of God be taught to the people. My premise is that even today if Jesus were to come into the church, many will pick up stones to throw at Him, because His teaching will be in total contradiction to their life style. We may be in church and listen to the word of God, but we are to be greatly pitied if after having heard all of it, we still have in our hand stones that are aimed at Jesus, hindering Him from coming to rule in our hearts and our homes.

Where did these stones come from?

We read in John 8:4-5"Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. In our Law Moses commanded that such a woman must be stoned to death. Now, what do you say?” (GNB)

As Jesus taught early in the morning at the temple that day, there was a sudden commotion when a group of men brought to Jesus a woman who was caught in the act of adultery, and all of them carried stones in their hands. There were two groups who had assembled at the temple that day; one who eagerly wanted to hear the teaching of Jesus, and the other who came in just to condemn the woman, and have her stoned. The man who was guilty was let off, though the law demanded that they both be brought to justice.

Many people are hesitant to come to church because they are looked down upon by those inside the church. We must remind ourselves that the church is for such sinners who need transformation, and none of us have a right to judge or condemn anyone. Jesus came into the world to save those struggling with sin, and to bring about radical transformation in their lives. All man’s righteousness is like filthy rags, and we should never expect justice from unrighteous men. For those who are hurt because of accusations that were made against them, the Lord encourages them to run this race looking only unto Jesus.

Man is undependable and the same person who speaks well of us, will put us down some time later. If we were to take heed to all that is being said about us, we would probably never move forward in life. Reminds me of a story of a competition that was held for frogs. The contest was to see who could climb the fastest and reach the top of a very tall pole. Lots of frogs got interested to take part in this event, but most of them couldn’t even get up half way, and were constantly falling down. However, there was one frog that was unperturbed and reached the top in no time. They later discovered that the reason that frog accomplished this feat, when all other frogs were unable to do so, was that it was totally deaf. If we are to progress in life, we must move on in this race that God has set before us, comprehending God’s purposes for us and not allow the words or opinions of others to hinder our progress.

The men who brought that woman to Jesus, had already decided on the judgement, when they brought stones in their hands. They were however, in for a shock when they heard Jesus’ response to their accusations.

We read in John 8:7, As they stood there asking him questions, he straightened himself up and said to them, “Whichever one of you has committed no sin, may throw the first stone at her.”(GNB)

In John 8:10 we read, He straightened himself up and said to her, “Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?” (GNB)

We see the wisdom of Jesus being demonstrated so beautifully in this incident. He never told them not to throw a stone at her, but challenged them that the one who has committed no sin should be the first to throw a stone at her. Jesus knew all about the men who gathered against that woman that day, and He perceived all of their thoughts. When Jesus looked up, there was no one left of the crowd who could stand there to throw a stone at her. They came thinking that they would trap Jesus, but did not expect the turn of events as Jesus turned it against them. As the crowd left the temple that day, they dropped all the stones and walked away in haste.

Unfortunately the stones that they dropped were the ones that those who heard the teachings of Jesus, and could not accept it, picked up and wanted to stone Him with. They tried their best to obstruct Jesus, but God the Father fulfilled the plan and purpose for which Jesus came down to this earth, and no man could thwart His plans.

The next time we take a stone to throw at someone else in accusation or condemnation, it is good for us to stop, and take a check on our own lives. None of us are worthy to judge another, for that right belongs to God alone. The Lord also cautions us to not judge anything before its time. Whenever we think of aiming a stone at someone, we must remember that the Lord can and will twist things around. The Lord is there to protect those who belong to Him, and nothing that is aimed at God’s children will prosper.

1. Without Jesus no man can understand his real condition

In John 8:12, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again, “I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.” (GNB)

Without the light of Jesus shining in our hearts, no one can comprehend their real condition. It is only when Jesus comes into our lives can we realize all our areas of weakness, and the kind of bondages that we are enslaved to. Apart from Him man can never grasp the helpless state that he is truly in. It is only when we turn to Jesus, allowing His light to penetrate into our lives, will He help us discover our weaknesses, and receive His strength to set them right.

For instance, for some the problem is telling lies. They have made lying such a habit that everything that comes out of their mouth is false. Some people justify their lying is harmless as it does not affect any one, but what they fail to understand is that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, and that the Lord detests falsehood. When Jesus comes into such a person, He will convince them that lying is a sin, because He is truth and He expects truth in our inmost being.

2. Without Jesus no man can be freed from slavery to sin

We also read in John 8:34-36, Jesus said to them, "I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave does not belong to a family permanently, but a son belongs there forever. If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free. (GNB)

Jesus is categorical that anyone who sins is a slave to sin. The only one who is able to deliver us is Jesus, and that is why He said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’. The reason Jesus is the exclusive way, is because He alone was the sinless son of man, who can lift us up from the mire of sin, and liberate us. Many are standing today on their own self-righteousness, and failing to recognize the fact that when we stand before God, all our righteousness are like filthy rags because the Lord knows all about us, and there is no one who is righteous in His sight. True freedom comes only from Jesus, and it is a possibility for one to live a life of freedom from every bondage.

3. Jesus is God in flesh who came to save man from sin

We read in John 8:58"I am telling you the truth," Jesus replied. "Before Abraham was born, 'I Am'." (GNB)

It is paramount that we understand who Jesus is, for only then we can revere Him as we should. In John 8:58 Jesus said, before Abraham was born, ‘I Am’ indicating that He is not a man, but God who was from the very beginning. When Jesus used the phrase ‘I Am’ the Jews were annoyed because they knew from the scriptures as to who this referred to, and were upset that Jesus made Himself equal to God.

We read in Exodus 3:14And God said to Moses, "I am that I am." And he said, "So you must say to the Israelites, 'I am sent me to you.'" (LEB)

When God met Moses at the burning bush, and instructed him to go to Egypt to deliver the Israelites, Moses was hesitant and he asked God, ‘Whom should I say sent me?’ And God replied and said to him, tell them “I am that I am” is the one who sent you. When Jesus used the same introduction for Himself, He was being emphatic to explain that He was there even before Abraham was.

As the season of Christmas is fast approaching, here’s a word of caution as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Many have a faulty understanding that Jesus originated at advent, not realizing that He has no beginning or end. Still others prefer to let Jesus remain an infant, whom they can control, instead of recognizing Him as the Lord and Master of their lives. There’s so much of money being spent during this season, wherein many end up with huge loans just to get new clothes and cakes, not comprehending the meaning of all that Jesus did by His coming down to earth. Instead of spending so much of our money on meeting our personal desires, we should look for ways to bless others, and keep Jesus at the center of all the celebration. Jesus is coming again, and this time as the King of Kings to judge everyone, and it would be wise for us to discern this truth, and live our lives in obedience and reverence to Him.

It is of utmost importance to fathom who Jesus really is. He is the Son of God who has no beginning or end, who took upon Himself form of flesh, and came down as a man to lead a sinless life. Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins, and that is why Jesus took on human form, to be that sinless lamb, who would die on the cross as a propitiation for all of our sins. Only those who believe that Jesus died for their sins, and accept the finished work of Jesus on the cross, can be delivered from all their sins and bondages.

It was this Jesus that the people at the temple who heard His teachings, decided to stone that day. We may justify ourselves that we will never stone Jesus, but every time we follow those human traditions, go after pagan worship, and practices that are displeasing to Him, we are in a way guilty of picking up stones to throw at Jesus. Let us examine ourselves and cast aside everything that the Lord does not approve of in our lives. God desires for us to lead a life of freedom from every sinful bondage. May our bodies be the temple of the Holy Spirit, allowing the Lord to fulfill all of His plans, and His perfect will in our lives.

Br. Dixon

Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins

www.goodnewsfriends.net

Chapter 35 - The Marks of a Disciple

Freedom from Captivity 

Chapter 35 

The Marks of a Disciple 

The great commission of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20,“When Jesus came near, he spoke to them. He said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. "And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.” (GW)

This was the commission that Jesus gave to His disciples before He ascended into heaven. In verse 18 Jesus explained to them that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him, and in verse 20 He encouraged them with these beautiful words which holds true for us today as well, that He will always be with us even until the end of the age. We are a blessed people because the one who is with us until the very end is the Lord Almighty Himself, who is endowed with all power and authority, one that supersedes all human authority. But what we need to understand is that the foremost reason the Lord is with us is so that we should go and make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them all that He has commanded us.

We studied in the previous message that the huge crowds who followed Jesus did so for several reasons, many to have their sickness healed, some to see the wonders He performed, others for the miraculous food Jesus provided and the some with the intention to make Jesus king, so as to be freed from the Roman rule. The majority who followed Jesus did so to have their personal needs met by Him. This was the fan following that went after Jesus. There was a minority who followed Jesus most sincerely, and they were His disciples.

We too may have begun our journey with Jesus for our personal needs and benefits, but as we grow in our walk with Jesus, we must follow Him for who He is to us, and not for what we can gain from Him. One person told me that the ones who need Jesus are those who have nothing and are in want. He said, ‘I have everything in this world and I don’t see the necessity to have God in my life.’Sadly, there will come a day when he will realize that his life is meaningless and worthless without God. Even today there are great number of people who are content with being fan followers, who only seek Jesus for their own personal gain. The call of the Lord today is for us to be His disciples, who will acknowledge Him as Lord and ruler of our lives. His desire for us as His disciples, is that we go out and make others disciples of Jesus.

Who is a disciple of Jesus?

We read in Mark 3:14-15, “And he chose twelve to be with him, whom he would send out to preach, and who would have power to heal the sick, and to cast out demons.” (Murdock)

1. A disciple is one who is with Jesus

The reason Jesus chose the twelve disciples primarily was that they would be with Him. It was essential for the disciples to be with Jesus, so that they could see all the miracle He performed, hear all that He taught, and then put them into practice.

If we want to get to know someone really well, we can do so if we spend a day or few days with them. Our true witness is not what people see of us on Sunday, but what we are all through the week, and what those closest to us perceive of us.

The question is how can we be with Jesus today just as the disciples were when Jesus was here on earth?

· Firstly we must discipline ourselves to read the word of God daily

· Secondly, understand and meditate on God’s word

· Thirdly, obey the word of God and put it into practice

Unfortunately we live in a day when many have no time to read the word of God. A lot of people find social media so entertaining, but consider the Bible to be boring. If we are disciples of Jesus and desire to be with Him, then we will spend time with the word of God, for only then we can understand who He really is. Many people read the word, but are unable to understand or comprehend its meaning.

If our child got home from school and informed us that he or she did not understand Mathematics, none of us will ignore it, but rather go out of the way to get them tutored so they can understand and pass in maths. That’s exactly the kind of efforts we should take, if for some reason we cannot understand the word of God. It is only when we read the word of God, understand and put it into practice can we become true disciples of Jesus.

2. A disciple is one who is available for Jesus

We read in Luke 10:1,“After this the Lord chose another seventy-two men and sent them out two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go.” (GNB)

Secondly, a disciple is one who is available, willing and able to give time for Jesus. In the above mentioned verse when Jesus called the seventy they were willing and available to go where He wanted them to. He sent them ahead of Him so that they would go, and prepare the place for His coming.

John the Baptist was also sent by God for that very same purpose. He was sent as a fore runner of Jesus, as the voice to announce Jesus’ coming and the one who would make straight paths for Jesus’ ministry here on earth.

Most of us are so busy through the week we don’t have time for anything that pertains to God. At the beginning of the year we all gathered together on New Year’s Day and made several decisions and commitments to the Lord. As the months roll on, we have even forgotten those resolutions we made before the Lord. A disciple must be available to go where the Lord wants him or her to go. If you are wondering where God wants us to go, He wants us to be His ambassadors to all those who are around us. He wants us to be those who are willing and available to carry the good news of the gospel of Jesus to everyone we encounter. When we enter the house of a friend or neighbour, our sincere prayer should be that they too would come to know Jesus as their saviour that God would intervene to bless their family, heal their sickness and change their arduous situations. We must be those instruments whom God can use to make way for them to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only when Jesus enters a home that there will be genuine transformation, and for that to take place we must be those available channels whom the Lord will use to make way for that to happen.

We are called to be disciples who are willing to give and not fans who are always on the receiving end, always readily available to go and do all that the Lord wants to accomplish through us.

3. A disciple is one who values his relationship with His Master as the highest

We read in Luke 14:26, "Those who come to me cannot be my disciples unless they love me more than they love father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and themselves as well.”(GNB)

Many are still hesitant to be a disciple of Jesus because they are more concerned about the opinion of their parents, their family, relatives and society. The challenge that the Lord sets before us is to love God more than we love any other family member on earth. A disciple is one who has utmost love for God that far outweighs his or her love for the family and relationships on earth. He gives the Lord top priority, because He realizes that it was God who gave him all these earthly ties and relationships.

A great example in the Bible if of Abraham. God promised Abraham that he would bless him and make him a great nation at the age of seventy five, and at the age of a hundred God blessed him with his son Isaac. However, when God tested Abraham and asked him to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, he did so willingly with no hesitation whatsoever. Most of us would shudder and shun such a thought away, but Abraham was a disciple and a lover of God who without questioning laid his son at the altar. God not only stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son, but because of Abraham’s faith, those of us who have believed in Jesus are now made children of Abraham.

That is the call to each one of us, to love God more than anybody else on this earth, more than our life itself. If we become a slave of Jesus, and love Him as we should, nothing in this world can enslave us.

4. A disciple is one who is willing to carry his cross

We read in Luke 14:27, “Those who do not carry their own cross and come after me cannot be my disciples.” (GNB)

To be a disciple of Jesus, one must be willing to take up his cross and follow after Jesus. Most of us would have seen images of Jesus carrying the cross. When a person carries a cross they cannot look back or be distracted about anything, but must move forward with it. As Jesus carried the cross he went forward with the only goal to fulfil the purpose of God the Father and lay down His life as a ransom for many.

To carry the cross means to focus on the main purpose for which we were created and chosen by God, and move towards fulfilling that plan of God in our lives. To carry the cross means everything else that distracts should be put out of focus and Jesus becomes our central focus, and His purpose becomes ours.

The apostle Paul was used mightily by God, and he wrote most of the epistles in the New Testament. The reason for this was on the day he encountered the risen Lord the first thing he asked Him was ‘Lord what would you have me to do?’ and God’s purpose became Paul’s mission for life. Paul was a learned man, but when he decided to follow Jesus he went through all sorts of trials and hardships, but he persevered because his only goal was to complete the purposes of God for his life. He considered all that was gain to him earlier as total rubbish when compared to getting to know who Jesus was, and accomplishing His will.

We too need to ask God to show us what His purposes are for our lives. Instead of running daily for our own whims and fancies (our education job, marriage, family etc.,) expecting God’s approval and provision, we must truly desire to do His will, so that He can fulfil His purpose in and through our lives. May we too desire like Paul to find out what is God’s purpose, and make every effort to fulfil it. Jesus should become everything for us, the One who fills our thought first thing in the morning, and the one who guides us through the day in all we do.

5. A disciple is one who is willing to give up anything

We read in Luke 14:33, In the same way," concluded Jesus, "none of you can be my disciple unless you give up everything you have.

There are two metaphors Jesus used just before this verse. One is of a man who began building a tower, but was unable to complete it, and so became an object of scorn to others around. The other is of a king going to war, who did not count the strength of his army in comparison to his opponent, and by so doing was bound to encounter defeat at the hands of his enemies.

A disciple is one who has to count the cost before he decides to follow Jesus. Today there are many followers of Jesus but very few disciples. We must decide to be a disciple of Jesus, and be willing to give up everything no matter what it may cost us.

We are called to be true disciples of Jesus but are also commissioned to go out and make disciples of others. Let us analyses ourselves to see if we are true disciples who have given Jesus topmost priority, who want to be with Jesus, always available for His service, loving Him more than anybody or anything else in this earth, eager to do only His will and willing to pay the cost no matter what. Only then can we be those effective disciples who can make disciples of others.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for teaching me who a disciple is.  Help me to spend more time with You in prayer, teach me to carefully use my time so that I will be available for You and make You the Lord of my life, giving Your priority over everything or everyone else.  Help me O Lord to carry my cross everyday.  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,  I pray, Amen.

Br. Dixon

Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins

You can view this message in tamil through this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrlTP3oyY_k&t=3074s

For more information : www.goodnewsfriends.net

Chapter 34 - Fan or a Follower?

Freedom from Captivity 

Chapter 34 

Fan or a Follower? 

We read in Matthew 4:25, “Large crowds followed him. They came from Galilee, the Ten Cities, Jerusalem, Judea, and from across the Jordan River.” (GW)

Great multitudes of people followed after Jesus while He was here on earth and there were several reasons why they did so. As we study the following passages given below, they will give us a vivid understanding as to the various reasons they thronged after Him.

Matthew 4:24, “The news about Jesus spread throughout Syria. People brought him everyone who was sick, those who suffered from any kind of disease or pain. They also brought epileptics, those who were paralyzed, and people possessed by demons, and he cured them all.” (GW)

When people brought to Jesus those who suffered with all sorts of disease or sickness, they found that He had the power to cure all of them. Jesus spoke or touched the sick, as a result of which many were healed from every form of infirmity, and delivered from demon possessions.

Hence,there was this large group that followed after Jesus whose sole purpose was to receive healing.

We read of an incident in Matthew 9:33, “Jesus forced the demon out, and the man was able to talk. The people were amazed and said, "We have never seen anything like this in Israel." (ERV)

In the above mentioned incident in Matthew 9:33, there was a man who was unable to speak, and when Jesus cast out the demon from the man, he was healed, delivered and began to talk. Often we perceive sickness as just a physical ailment, and fail to realize that often these afflictions are the work of Satan. When the people saw this miraculous deliverance and healing they were amazed in wonderment, as they had never seen anything like this being done in Israel ever before.

We also read in Matthew 9:8, “The people saw this and they were amazed. They praised God for letting someone have such power.” (ERV)

For a background to the above mentioned verse, Jesus had healed a paralytic, forgave his sins and the man immediately got up and walked. When the crowds saw this, here again they were amazed and praised God for the demonstration of such power through Jesus.

Here was a second group of people who followed Jesus, mainly to see the wonders He performed, and pursued after Him in amazement.

In John 6:26 Jesus replied to them, "I can guarantee this truth: You're not looking for me because you saw miracles. You are looking for me because you ate as much of those loaves as you wanted.”

When Jesus performed the miracle of the five loaves and two fish to feed more than five thousand, there was a large crowd that followed Him simply because they had witnessed this astounding miracle of provision. When they came looking for Jesus later on, Jesus was forthright, and told them that they were pursuing Him only because they had their stomach’s filled.

We observe that this third group which followed after Jesus, did so only to have their physical needs met.

We read in John 6:15, “Jesus knew that the people planned to come get him and make him their king. So he left and went into the hills alone.” (ERV)

There was this group of people who when they realized that Jesus had divine power and authority, wanted to take him by force and make Him their king so they wouldn’t have to be under the Roman rule. They did not seek his approval or God’s will but wanted to force Jesus to become a king, so that they could use His divine powers for their own benefits.

This was a fourth and dangerous group of people, whose motive was completely selfish or self-centered.

However, there was a small group of followers whom Jesus specifically called to be His disciples. His invitation to his disciples was “follow me” and this call extends to all of us as well. Sadly, even today many people are still following Jesus, for healing, for the wonders he performs, to have their physical needs met, and often for their own selfish gain. All of these are also bondages that one must be set free from.

It is essential that we should live our life here on earth comfortably, be debt free, have good health, have our daily provision of food and water met, and have the Lord to be our helper. But, if we follow the Lord for the above mentioned reasons alone, we are the most pathetic people.

There’s a story told of a king who was so filled with mirth one day that he decided to call his ministers, and grant them whatever they wished for. The first man came and asked the king that the path to his house be laid well as it was rugged. His wish was granted by the king. The second man requested the king to get his house repaired, which the king also gladly did. The third man asked the king for some silver coins which was also readily given. The fourth man however, humbly told the king that he only desired that the king come and stay with him in his house for a week. The king was so overjoyed at the request of the fourth man, that he sent his servants to get the house of this man ready and fit for him to stay. What happened as a result was that the king’s servants set the path to the fourth man’s house in order, got his house furnished to host a king, gave him all the money he needed, so that he could entertain the king as he should. By desiring the presence of the king, the man not only got the king, but along with him received all the blessings that he brought as a result of him being invited.

Like that man in the story, if we will truly seek the Lord, and yearn after Him with all our heart, everything else will follow suit. That is why Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:33 that we should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness so that everything else will be added to us as well.

To those who follow Jesus for the wrong motives, and use His name for their own gain here’s the Lord’s shocking response as found in Matthew 7:22-23,“Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name? Didn't we force out demons and do many miracles by the power and authority of your name?' Then I will tell them publicly, 'I've never known you. Get away from me, you evil people.'” (GW)

On the last day when we stand before the judgement seat of Christ, many will call on God saying “Lord, Lord.’ They will list out to God all the wonderful deeds they carried out in the name of the Lord, but the Lord will deny even knowing them, simply because though they performed all these acts in His name, they were not in alignment to the Lord’s divine will. The Lord is indignant with such, and rebukes them as evil people who should get away from His presence. He goes further on to say that He does not even know them.

For all of us who use the name of the Lord, but do not fulfill His will we are just ‘fans’ who follow after Jesus. The Lord is not looking for a ‘fan’ following but He is seeking those who will be His true disciples. The ones who are just fans of the Lord are always on the receiving end, and want the Lord to give them all that they need and desire. We might have heard of many of the cine stars who have fan clubs. The sole selfish motivation for these fan followers is to await the next movie to be released, so they can watch and enjoy it. A disciple on the other hand is one who loves the Lord, gives to the Lord, and is motivated to serve the Lord.

What does God expect of us as His disciples?

We read in Matthew 7:26,“Everyone who hears what I say but doesn't obey it” and in Matthew 7:24,“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:” (NKJV)

A disciple is one who knows the will of God, and fulfills it in total obedience. On the other hand a ‘fan’ is someone who hears the word but does not obey it. Jesus refers to a person who hears and obeys His word as a wise man who builds his house on the rock, which can never be shaken. Contrarily those who hear the word and do not obey it are referred to as foolish people, who build their house on the sand, which cannot withstand any calamity.

There are more fans who follow after Jesus, who love Him, but are not willing to walk in obedience to His word. Jesus had twelve disciples and when He gave the great commission before his ascension, he commanded his disciples to go into all the world and make disciples of others, those would hear the word, living every day in obedience to God and His word.

That is why Jesus said in John 8:31, “So Jesus said to those who believed in him, "If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples;” (GNB)

Who is a disciple of Jesus?

We read in Luke 5:11, “Simon and his partners brought the boats to shore, left everything, and followed Jesus.” (GW)

When Jesus first called His disciples, at his behest they obeyed, threw their nets into the deep and had an enormous catch of fish. Having witnessed this astonishing miracle, when Jesus gave the invitation to his disciples and said, ‘follow me’ they willingly left their boats on the shore along with everything in it. The boats and nets they left back were not empty, but full and brimming with a great catch of fish. Peter came from a family of fishermen, where fishing was his livelihood, his income, his everything. When Peter recognized Jesus as the Lord, without a moment’s hesitation, he gave it all up, and went after Jesus to become His disciple.

The question we need to ask ourselves today is, ‘What are the things that we have given up for the sake of Jesus?’ Maybe some would say I gave up some friends, the traditions that my family held on to, relationship with my relatives who hindered me from following Jesus, but there are still a majority who are living a fruitless Christian life, because they are unwilling to give up what the Lord is calling them to let go of. A true disciple is someone who is willing to give it all up to follow Jesus.

What did Paul give up?

We read in Philippians 3:7, “These things that I once considered valuable, I now consider worthless for Christ.” (GW)

Paul explains his past in Philippians 3:5, “I was circumcised on the eighth day. I'm a descendant of Israel. I'm from the tribe of Benjamin. I'm a pure-blooded Hebrew. When it comes to living up to standards, I was a Pharisee.” (GW)

In Philippians 3:8 we read, “It's far more than that! I consider everything else worthless because I'm much better off knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. It's because of him that I think of everything as worthless. I threw it all away in order to gain Christ.” (GW)

When Paul encountered the risen Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, there was such a transformation, that he considered everything else worthless when compared to having Christ in his life. There was no one who was more qualified than Paul. He was a pure-blooded Jew, a Pharisee, who had done everything that the law required him to do. However, in Philippians 3:8, Paul says that in order to gain Christ, he discarded everything that he prided himself in earlier, and considered all of it as totally worthless.

There are many who have been Christians for many years, but still are obsessed by their caste, family, education, ancestors and take pride in them. A true disciple is one who comes to a point in his life where God becomes everything, and all other worldly things (money, relationships, caste, family, tradition, idolatry etc.,) become totally worthless, when compared to Christ. We must be willing to let go of all the things that do not please God, and are contrary to His word.

When Jesus comes into our life everything that He considers rubbish must be discarded from our lives, just like Paul did, if we truly long to be a disciple of Jesus. To illustrate this let me explain it this way. If a young child were to ask his or her parent for a cell phone, and the parent purchased for them a feature phone instead of a smart phone, the child would be completely disappointed and consider it worthless or trash. What the child wanted was a smart phone with all modern features, but what he or she got in their hand was a feature phone which is of no value to them.

So also, if we were to compare God with the things of this world, the possessions, the position, the tradition this is how we too should feel, that everything else is rubbish, when compared to having Jesus as our Lord. If for some reason or reasons this is not so, then it is a clear indication that we have not yet become a disciple of Jesus but are still a ‘fan’ of Him. If we wish to follow Jesus and be His disciple there is a price we must be willing to pay. It is to let Jesus be the topmost person, our number one priority, our greatest treasure that we hold on to, and value in our lives.

A disciple will give up everything in order to gain Christ, just like Peter who willingly gave up everything with no questions whatsoever. If we want to be a disciple of Jesus, we will most certainly have to give up those things in our lives that are not in line with His will.

What did Jesus teach about discipleship?

In Luke 9:59-60 He said to another man, "Follow me." But that man said, "Sir, first let me go back and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Let the dead bury their own dead. You must go everywhere and tell about the kingdom of God." (GW)

In the above mentioned verses when Jesus invited a man to follow him, he excused himself by saying that he had to go and bury his father. Basically he was more concerned about the traditions and his family ties. He was overly anxious to have everything settled in his home, before he ventured out to follow Jesus. What did Jesus mean when he replied him, ‘let the dead bury their own dead.’ Jesus was referring to all those who are dead without knowing who Jesus really was. His call to this man was that since he had received eternal life, it was his duty to now go and proclaim to others about the kingdom of God. By so doing he would then bring those who are dead back into the kingdom of God, so that they too can truly live.

A disciple is one who will leave behind all those things that he needs to, and is one who will faithfully do the will of the Lord in his life. It was the twelve disciples of Jesus who turned the world upside down, and it was because of Thomas who was one of them, that the gospel came to our country. The sad thing is that we have not let go of so many things in our lives that displease the Lord, and have also not shared the gospel with those around us. The ones who hear the word of God, and are willing to allow His word to transform their lives are the true disciples of Jesus. Let us not be content to be ‘fans’ of Jesus. Many who came to Jesus initially did so because they had a need, but when they recognized who Jesus was, they were completely altered to become true disciples of Jesus.

As a disciple of Jesus, our obedience is not to be selective, wherein we obey the Lord only when it suits us, but our obedience must be total and complete. To be a disciple of Jesus we must be ready to give up everything that He wants us to give up, and do everything that He expects us to do.

Let’s conclude with the great commission of Jesus as found in Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (NKJV)

The Lord did not ask us to go into all the world and make more converts to Christianity, He asked us to go and make disciples who are in total obedience to His word, who will live in accordance to His will. It is a life of total surrender to the Lord, and a willingness to give up everything that hinders us from following Jesus. Part of the great commission is to obey the Lord by entering the waters of baptism. Baptism is an act of obedience, whereby one declares to everyone that they have become a disciple of Jesus. If our lives are built in total obedience to the word of God, just like the house that is built on a rock, we will be unshaken for nothing that comes against us can prevail or overcome us.

Prayer:

Our Father in Heaven, am so happy that You have showed me the difference between a fan and a follower.  Help me to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, following Your life.  I am willing to change or leave whatever that will disqualify me from being Your disciple.  Help me, O Lord.  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.

Br. Dixon

Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins

You can view this message video through this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_ffTxmX9H0&t=3365s

For more information : www.goodnewsfriends.net

Chapter 33 - No Weapon Forged Against You Can Prevail

Freedom from Captivity 

Chapter 33 

No Weapon Forged Against You Can Prevail 

We read in Isaiah 54:17,"People will make weapons to fight against you, but their weapons will not defeat you. Some people will say things against you, but anyone who speaks against you will be proved wrong." The LORD says, "That is what my servants get! They get the good things that come from me, their LORD.”(ERV)

These words are assurance from the Lord Himself to His own, that no weapon formed against them will prosper. If people are still in enslavement to money, position, material things, and some even to people, it simply implies that the enemy has overcome them in some way. The reason for their bondage is that they fell prey to Satan’s attacks and cunning devices, thereby getting themselves trapped into some form of bondage.

There are two types of weapons mentioned in the above verse that can come up against us. One is the physical weapon, and the other is the deceitful use of words to speak against someone. Most people today will not dare to use physical weapons, because they fear consequences from the law and the government. However, many use words as sharp weapons against others to damage and destroy them. An injury that is caused by use of a physical weapons can heal over time, but often the hurt that is produced by words are deep, painful and long lasting. Both these weapons are used by Satan, but the promise of the Lord is that nothing that is targeted against His children will overcome them.

How Haman used both these weapons

1. Haman lied to the King

We looked at the incident of Mordecai and Haman in the last message. Every time Haman saw Mordecai, he was infuriated simply because Mordecai in some way reflected the character of God, which upset Haman. Haman’s single goal was to get Mordecai out of his way, and the first thing he did to carry out his plan is found in the verse below.

We read in Esther 3:8,“Then Haman went to the king and said: Your Majesty, there are some people who live all over your kingdom and won't have a thing to do with anyone else. They have customs that are different from everyone else's, and they refuse to obey your laws. We would be better off to get rid of them!” (CEV)

Haman went to King Ahasuerus, and lied to him about the Jewish people, that they were a strange lot. Without mentioning who they were, he cleverly fabricated a case against them, lying about their practices and customs. He also accused them of not obeying the laws of the land, and thereby requested the king to punish them by getting rid of them.

Many of us may have been victims of these lying tongues. We have been deeply aggrieved by those who spread false reports about us, or our families. Sometimes it is the destructive words spoken by a spouse that has caused unexplainable ache inside of some. As long as we don’t hear these deceitful rumors we are unaffected, but when it reaches our ears, it most certainly disturbs us intensely. Whatever the case may be, we have a God who can heal those bruises and He assures us that all those dishonest allegations, will fall flat, and not harm us in any way when we are His children.

In the book of James the tongue is described as a small organ that can cause great trouble. It is compared to a spark that can set a forest on fire. We must be extremely cautious with the words that proceed out of our mouth, that they should in no way grieve another person. Many people when they are pained about a small issue, retaliate by speaking ill and spreading false allegations about the person with whom they had an altercation.

2. Haman prepared the gallows for Mordecai

We read in Esther 5:14,“So his wife and all his friends suggested, "Why don't you have a gallows built, seventy-five feet tall? Tomorrow morning you can ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it, and then you can go to the banquet happy." Haman thought this was a good idea, so he had the gallows built.” (GNB)

Haman’s hatred for Mordecai was so intense, that at the suggestion of his wife Zeresh and friends, he prepared the gallows, seventy five feet tall, for Mordecai to be hung. Yet, the Lord was in control and what Haman failed to realize was that the king’s wife Esther, was related to Mordecai. The gallows that Haman prepared for Mordecai later became his own death trap.

Satan may scheme and plan his evil attacks, but the Lord reassures us that none of the weapons will prevail against us when the Lord is on our side

How does Isaiah 54:17, get actualized in our lives?

The Message translation, explains Isaiah 54:17 this way: “but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar.” (MSG)

The second part of Isaiah 54:17 says, “and their righteousness comes from me, says the Lord.” (BBE)

The word of assurance from the Lord is that there is absolutely no weapon that the enemy can forge, to harm those who belong to God. The other part of this verse reiterates the truth that even if someone were to indict us with their deceitful words, the accusation they brought forth will be nullified as false. To understand this, let us consider a case in the court of law. If for instance, someone brought a charge against us, and took us to court, if during the trial, as we stand before the judge, the allegations are proved false, the charges that were framed against us will not stand, and the case will be dismissed.

This promise of Isaiah 54:17 is applicable to those who stand without fault before God, whose righteousness comes from Him alone. We will study Isaiah 54 in depth to see how it will be possible for us to be made righteous, so that we can stand faultless before God.

Two states of mankind

Isaiah 54 describes two states of people, and the important aspects that characterize both these groups.

The first group

1. Isaiah 54: 1, “a barren woman” (NKJV) referring to a dry and fruitless situation that many people feel they are trapped in.

2. Isaiah 54:6, “a woman who is forsaken and grieved in spirit.” (NKJV)

3. Isaiah 54:8, “With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment” (NKJV).There are many who are in such situations, where they feel that their prayers are unanswered and God has turned His face away from them.

4. Isaiah 54:11, “O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted,” (NKJV). Describes a situation where one is in deep distress, literally tossed about and with no ray of hope or comfort whatsoever.

The above mentioned verses describe the adverse or unfavorable state in which people in the first group are found; barren, forsaken, rejected and brought low, and all of these are the consequence of sin.

The second group

1. Isaiah 54:1, “For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord. (NKJV)

2. Isaiah 54:3,“For you shall expand to the right and to the left” (NKJV)

3. Isaiah 54:4,“Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame” (NKJV)

4. Isaiah 54:7“But with great mercies I will gather you” (NKJV)

5. Isaiah 54:8“But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you” (NKJV)

6. Isaiah 54:9, “So have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.” (NKJV)

7. Isaiah 54:14, “In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.” (ESV)

The second state of mankind as detailed in the above mentioned verses is in total contrast to the first. It described a life of fullness (many children), growth (expand to the right and to the left), abounding with great mercies, the kindness of God, grace of God and a life where there is no fear but total confidence.

God’s redemptive plan

If we are wondering how this transformation came about, the revelation is found in Isaiah 54:8, “In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the LORD, your Redeemer.” (ESV)

Yes, the Lord is our Redeemer, and it is only when this becomes our personal experience, that something amazing begins to happen. There is total transformation from the deplorable state in which man is found, to the glorious state as mentioned in Isaiah 54. To be redeemed means to be saved from sin and the effects of sin. The benefits of redemption that the Lord offers, is that sinful man can come out of barrenness to enjoy fullness, and from a state of being forsaken to being engulfed in God’s everlasting love.

Why do we need redemption?

We read in Isaiah 53:6, “We have all strayed like sheep. Each one of us has turned to go his own way...”(GW)

This is the true condition of all mankind from God’s perspective. All of us have strayed away like sheep, and each of us have not heeded God’s voice, but have gone our own way. As a result of this rebellion mankind stepped out of God’s grace and protection.

When Jesus spoke about the lost condition of man, he used three parables; the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son or prodigal son. In the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd had a hundred sheep and lost one, which he went seeking after to find. The second parable is about a woman who had ten silver coins, of which she lost one. In order to find it she lit a lamp, swept the house and searched diligently until she found it. The third parable is of a father who had two sons, the younger of whom walked out in rebellion. The father waits for his son to return, and the son having squandered all of his father’s possessions gets back to his senses, and returns home to his father, who lovingly receives him back.

These parables refer to the three probable states that all of mankind can be classified in. The first is the state of the silver coin, which was not even aware that is was lost. There are many like that coin who are not even conscious of their lost condition or reasons as to why they are in such a predicament. There are some like the sheep who are lost and are desperate, but do not know how to get back. The third state is those who like the younger son, know their condition and realize that they must get back to God, but dilly dally, and don’t have a heart to repent or change. For the transformation to take place in all of the above mentioned people the Lord must intervene, and bring about redemption for He alone can redeem us from our sins.

There are many people who are obstinate to do their own thing and walk in their own ways. Sometimes, when someone comes for counselling with an issue, after hours of sharing with them and advising them, we will be greatly frustrated, when at the end of that conversation, they still hold on to their own thinking with which they first came to us, having no mind to change themselves whatsoever.

How did the Lord redeem us?

We read in Isaiah 53:4-5, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities; (NKJV)

We read in Isaiah 53:12 says, “Because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (NKJV)

We also read in Isaiah 53:10, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin,” (NKJV)

Jesus came down to earth to redeem all of mankind from all of their sins and that’s the sole purpose why Jesus took the form of man. Jesus was nailed to the cross, and bore all the excruciating pain simply because He chose to bear our griefs, our sorrows and our sins. He was wounded for our transgressions, and was bruised for our iniquities. Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from sins, sickness, poverty, despair, barrenness, hate and brokenness. We were living in rebellion and sin, but the Lord carried all of our sins on the cruel cross, and His life was sacrificed for our wrong doings. Jesus paid the price and He became the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.

We must be reminded that no amount of our good works, alms giving for the poor, offerings or pilgrimages will save us from our sins. The only way for a person to have their sins forgiven, is to believe in the atoning sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us on the cross of Calvary. Only the finished work of Jesus on our behalf can redeem us, and save us from all our sins. Jesus came to change our situation from a state of despair and hopelessness, to one of fullness and hope.

It is only those who have been redeemed by the Lord Jesus, who can claim the promise of God as mentioned in Isaiah 54:17, that no weapon formed against us will prosper. Jesus took our sins and He has given us His righteousness, so that we can stand boldly in the presence of God blameless. When we stand in His righteousness nothing can attack us, or harm us in any way. We must accept Jesus as our Saviour and Lord of our lives, the one who forgives our sins and also as one who reigns over every area of our lives. Nothing else or no one else should rule over our lives. When we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of the Lord, He will lift us up in due time.

What have we received as a result of redemption?

In Isaiah 53:5 we read, “The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripeswe are healed.” (NKJV)

Redemption brought peace between sinful man and a holy God. But all of our sins were laid upon our Lord Jesus. The death of Jesus, our Lord brought about peace and broke down the wall of hostility. Redemption has made us righteous before God. That is why we are able to wear the breastplate of righteousness. No one is perfect, but as we read in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (NKJV). We stand justified before God because of the righteousness that our Lord Jesus Christ offers.

We read in Isaiah 53:11, “My righteous Servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for He will bear all their sins.” (NLT)

Jesus is the righteous one, who made it possible for us to be made righteous, because He alone was the sinless Lamb of God who shed his precious blood, and bore the sins of all mankind on Himself. All that is required of us to do is to believe in Jesus, our redeemer and appropriate this righteousness in our lives. Only then will this great promise and blessing of God as stated in Isaiah 54:17, that, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness if from Me,” says the LORD. (NKJV) become a reality in our lives.

Prayer:

Our loving Heavenly Father, I thank You for redeeming me and giving me Your righteousness.  I know that no weapon that is formed against me can ever overcome me, because You are with me to help me.  Thank You Lord for Your Word which has encouraged me to go on following You and not to worry about the people who come against me.  In the name of Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.

Br. Dixon

Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins

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Chapter 32 - In God’s Image

Freedom from Captivity

Chapter 32

In God’s Image

We read in Genesis 1:26, And God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (KJV)

Why was man made in God’s Image?

When God created man, He made man in His own likeness and image, in order that he could rule and have authority over all that He had created. Man was the last part of God’s creation, but he was made in God’s likeness and image as a reminder to all other creation that when they beheld man, they would be reminded of God. However, when Satan beheld the image of God in man, it infuriated him and it was his crafty evil scheme, to destroy the flawless image of God in man, which he carried out most cunningly. All other created beings were made differently, but only man was made in God’s image, as men and women are the crown of God’s creation.

We are made in the image of God and should reflect Him in such a way when people look at us they must recognize that there is a God of justice. When a baby is born, have you noticed how parents are overjoyed when we tell either of them that their baby resembles them in some way? So also when God made us, His original intention was that when people considered us, they can behold the image of God in us. The image of God does not please everyone, and sometimes even without a cause people may hate us. The reason for this is because something inside of us reminds them of God, and that probably disturbs them.

Cain hated his brother Abel

Cain and Abel brought an offering to the Lord, while Abel’s offering was accepted by God, Cain’s got rejected by Him. This filled Cain with hatred and anger toward his brother. We read in

1 John 3:12, Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. (KJV)

The fundamental reason Cain hated his brother, was because his brother Abel was righteous, and the image of God was reflected through Abel, which Cain despised.

Joseph is hated by his brothers

Joseph’s brothers also hated him without a cause. As Joseph approached his brothers with food which their father had sent for them, as they beheld him at a distance, they plotted to kill him.

We read in Genesis 37:2, “These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.” (KJV)

The reason Joseph’s brothers hated him was because he was a righteous young man, who when he saw the evil deeds of his brothers, brought it to his father’s notice.

John the Baptist was hated by Herod

We read in Mark 6:17-18, “For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.” (KJV)

John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness about the Kingdom of God and baptizing those who believed. King Herod resented John the Baptist, for the one reason that John the Baptist rebuked Herod for taking his brother Philip’s wife to be his own.

The Pharisees hated Jesus

We read in Mark 3:6,“And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.” (KJV)

Though Jesus did so much of good among the people, the Pharisees and other religious leaders hated him and conspired to kill Him, mainly because Jesus was righteous. He reflected the Father, and this annoyed the Pharisees and the religious leaders in Jesus’ day.

The world hates us without a cause simply because they see the image of God being made evident in us. We should therefore not be perturbed or surprised if we are despised by people of this world. The people of this world wish to forget that there is a just God, and when we reflect the image of God as we should, the reaction we receive is one of antagonism. Instead of being afraid we must sincerely desire that the image of God be reflected through us in a powerful way.

Haman hated Mordecai

In Esther 5:12-13 we read, “Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.” (KJV)

In this incident, there was a man named Haman, who was next in command to King Xerxes and he hated Mordecai a Jew, who was seated at the entrance of the royal palace. When Queen Esther invited Haman to a banquet, Haman went home and proudly announced to his wife Zeresh and friends that he was the only honored guest to Esther’s banquet. However, he also told them, that the one thing that infuriated him was the fact that Mordecai, the Jew, sat at the king’s gate. Haman was so filled with hatred for Mordecai, that he shared his bitter thoughts with his wife and his friends. Every time Haman saw Mordecai, he was reminded of the righteous God whose image was reflected in Mordecai. His only goal then, was to destroy Mordecai for in so doing, he thought he could destroy the image of God that was so evident in Mordecai.

Haman plotted to kill Mordecai

We read in Esther 5:14,“Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and tomorrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.” (KJV)

When Haman shared his vicious thoughts about Mordecai, his wife and friends advised him to make a gallows almost 75 feet high, to have Mordecai hanged on the gallows, on the day of the banquet. This idea from his wife and friends pleased Haman and he immediately organized for the gallows to be made ready. Haman so despised the image of God in Mordecai that the only spiteful thought on his mind was to have Mordecai killed.

At this particular point Haman was happy, Mordecai was in deep trouble but the best part of it was that God is always on the throne and in full control of every situation in the life of those who are His children.

We are created in the image of God, and the chief plot of the devil is to destroy that image in us. Every time we look at ourselves in the mirror, instead of finding fault with our appearance, we must remind ourselves over and over again that we are made in the image of God, made to reflect Him in our lives. This implies that wherever we are, at home with our family, at work, at church, in society we are created by God to reflect His image in every area of our lives. When the image of God is in us, wherever we go, the Lord will use us to change and transform every situation, and people will acknowledge the fact that the Lord is with us.

We share a lot of information through social media, but it is good to be cautious that what we share is edifying to others and not harmful in any way. Haman shared his hatred with his family and friends, only to end up with an evil scheme.

There are many believers who shy away from any sort of hardship, and wish that their lives would be free from every sort of trials. However, what we fail to realize is that these difficulties are those which makes us strong in our faith, and reveal to others that our God is a living God. It was only when Daniel was thrown in to the lion’s den that the king understood who the God of Daniel really was. Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego had to be thrown into the furnace, for others to discover the God whom they worshipped.

We read in Esther 6:4,“And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.” (KJV)

Though Haman had prepared the gallows for Mordecai, he now had to seek the permission of the king in order to execute his evil plan.

No matter what the enemy’s ploy may be against us, nothing will come nigh us without the Lord’s permission and consent. The word of God assures us that we are safe in the palm of His hands and that the one who touches us touches the apple of His eye, meaning there’s no way any harm can come near us when we are secure in God’s care.

In Esther 6:6, we read, “So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?” (KJV)

We read in Esther 6: 7-9, And Haman answered the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’ ” (NKJV)

As Haman went to obtain permission to get Mordecai to the gallows, the king summoned Haman to enter his presence. The king now asked Haman what he thought should be done to someone whom the king wished to honor. Haman presumptuously thought that the person the king sought to honor was himself, and therefore listed out in great detail all that should be done for such a man.

We read in Esther 6:10, “Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.” (KJV)

Haman was totally shocked when he discovered that the man whom the king wanted to honor was none other than Mordecai. By giving Mordecai the king’s robe, the king’s horse, the royal crest and the king’s most noble princes, Haman procured for Mordecai the very honor that was due to the king himself. The king made sure that every part of the plan that Haman proposed be carried out for Mordecai by Haman himself. God made Mordecai parade through the town with the same honor that the king himself would have received.

The tables turn now, Mordecai is elated, Haman is crushed in spirit and the Lord God is sovereign, seated on the throne and in complete control.

Just as Mordecai represented the king in every way, we too are chosen to reflect the image of the Almighty God in our lives and the word of the Lord is categorical that the Lord will honor those who serve Him. For in John 12:26we read,“….If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”(TLV)

When Jesus was here on earth, the ones who followed Him were called disciples. However, after the resurrection of Jesus, the believers started to walk exactly like Jesus, and reflected Him in every way. They spoke like Jesus Christ, they performed miracles and wonders just like Jesus did, which was why the people started to refer to the followers of Jesus as ‘Christians’. The early church faced persecution and we still do, only because the image of God is evident in all of us who believe in Him, but the glorious assurance is that in the midst of it all, the sovereign Lord reigns and is seated on the throne. In times of joy and sorrow, we must remember that the Lord is in total control.

How do we handle persecution?

We read in Esther 4:16, “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” (KJV)

The first thing that Esther and the Jews did, when they knew that there was a wicked plot against them was to fast and pray for three days and three nights.

Today when encountered with persecution, people resort to all sorts of worldly methods to confront opposition. The way that the Lord calls us to face these antagonistic forces, is with prayer and fasting.

We read in Acts 12:5, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” (KJV)

When Peter was imprisoned and there was a threat to his very life, the church of God got together and prayed without ceasing and that resulted in his miraculous release.

God sent His angel to deliver Peter from prison, but John the Baptist was beheaded and Stephen was stoned to death. The Lord chooses whether or not to deliver His chosen ones from the grip of persecution and the pangs of death. We know that if we live on earth, we will be serving Him and if we die we will live forever and ever with Him in His presence.

We are called to pray and depend on God. The crafty scheme of Satan through all generations, is to destroy the righteous ones and he has miserably failed because the one who is on the throne is the Almighty God. Our deepest longing must be that we reflect the image of God in every area of our lives. The more time we spend with the Lord, the more we will reflect the image of the Lord Jesus in our lives.

Like Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego we should be able to say in Daniel 3:16 -18, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Peter was an unschooled fisherman, but when he preached, thousands were added to the early church. The early church faced tremendous persecution and we should not be surprised when we are challenged with antagonism. We need not fear for our times are in God’s hands and as long as the Lord wants us to live on this earth, no one can harm us in any way. He will deliver us and even if not, we will continue to be faithful to the Lord. Let us yearn to reflect the image of Jesus so vividly, in our words, deeds, thoughts, looks and every aspect of our lives, that those who associate with us will recognize that we belong to the Lord.

We have this promise of God in 1 Samuel 2:30, that, “for those who honor Me I will honor,” and also the assurance from Him that no weapon formed against us will prosper.

Prayer:

Our loving Heavenly Father, thank you so much for creating me in Your image.  I am so happy that I reflect You.  Help me to live just like You in every way.  I know at times that I will be hated because I carry Your image, yet give me the grace and the strength to grow more into Your likeness for You will deliver me out of every danger and affliction.  In the name of Lord Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Br. Dixon

Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins

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Chapter 31 - Our God Who Restores

Freedom from Captivity 

Chapter 31 

Our God Who Restores 

We read in Psalms 77:11, “I will remember your great deeds, LORD; I will recall the wonders you did in the past.”(GNB)

We recall the wonders of God from the past, so as to understand the manifold characteristics of our Almighty God. As we meditate on all that is recorded in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, we perceive in depth the heart of God, and all that He desires of us as His children.

Elisha and the woman of Shunem

We read in 2 Kings 4:8,“And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.”(ASV)

As the prophet Elisha passed by the town of Shunem, there was a respectable woman, who invited the prophet to her home, and compelled him to eat bread in her house. The woman recognized Elisha as a man of God, and therefore chose to honor him. We read earlier that Elisha was one who poured water on the hands of the prophet Elijah, and ministered to Elijah. Elisha was so humble, that the Lord honored him with a double portion of the anointing that rested on Elijah. Elisha honored Elijah, and now the woman of Shunem honored Elisha.

In the New Testament we read of Mary, Martha and Lazarus who often invited Jesus to their home and showed Him love and hospitality. They were living in a time when many leaders sought to kill Jesus, and if anyone believed in Jesus they were even cast out of the synagogue. In spite of these oppositions, Mary and Martha determined to be hospitable to Jesus, simply because they knew that He was the Son of God, who was worthy of their honor.

When we honor the Lord’s anointed, the Lord will most assuredly honor us in due time.

1. The woman of Shunem showed hospitality

We read in 2 Kings 4:10, “Let's make a small room on the roof and put a bed, table, chair, and lamp stand there for him. He can stay there whenever he comes to visit us."(GW)

The woman of Shunem then went to her husband and made a request that they build a small room on the roof of their house for the prophet Elisha, furnish it well, so he could stay with them whenever he passed by that town. The woman of Shunem ministered to Elisha with her hospitality, and she did the very best that she could, with what she had. It was also commendable that she offered this kindness and hospitality to Elisha, not expecting anything in return.

We live in a calculative world, where so often people offer something to someone, expecting to get something back in return. But, the Lord reminds us to be like this woman, who served with kindness, without anticipating anything in return.

As Elisha visited the house of the woman of Shunem often, enjoying her heartfelt generosity, he was prompted to look for some way he could bless this woman, who showed such cordiality to him.

We read in 2 Kings 4:13, he said to Gehazi, "Ask her what I can do for her in return for all the trouble she has had in providing for our needs. Maybe she would like me to go to the king or the army commander and put in a good word for her." "I have all I need here among my own people," she answered. (GNB)

Elisha was a man of God, who was truly grateful to the woman of Shunem, and wanted to bless her back in any possible way. Elisha called his servant Gehazi, and sent him to the woman to find out if there was anything that he could do, in appreciation for all that she did for him. Elisha was a man of great influence and he wanted to know if he could put in a word for her to the king or the army commander to which the woman replied, ‘I have all I need here among my own people’. Here was a woman who was so filled with contentment and satisfaction, that she desired nothing more from Elisha.

Our God is mindful of all that we do, and when it is done as unto Him, the Lord will never forget it. We read in Hebrews 6:10,“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (NKJV) If the Lord were to ask us if there was anything we wanted to have, I am sure that most of us would have a long list of requests. Like the woman of Shunem, we must decide to be grateful to the Lord for all that He has bestowed upon us, instead of complaining and wanting to have more and more.

We read in 2 Kings 4:14, Elisha conferred with Gehazi: "There's got to be something we can do for her. But what?" Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son, and her husband is an old man." (GNB)

Now Elisha summons his servant Gehazi, to find out if he knew of anything that the woman could be in need of. Gehazi then told the Elisha that the woman had no son, and that her husband was an old man.

Elisha’s outlook was spiritual being focused on serving the Lord, while Gehazi had a worldly perspective of things, and his mind set on worldly possessions. The eyes of a spiritual man see things from God’s viewpoint, whereas a person who is earthly only perceives things from a worldly standpoint. This was also evident in the incident of Naaman the Syrian commander who was healed of leprosy by obeying the word of Elisha. When Naaman came back and offered loads of gifts to Elisha, he refused to accept anything from Naaman. However, Gehazi ran after Naaman and received the gifts that Elisha refused from Naaman, and ended up contracting the leprosy that Naaman had been healed of.

It is good for us to examine ourselves to see if our eyes are focused on the things of God, or on just the earthly things. We must decide to fix our eyes on Jesus alone. The woman of Shunem had a great need, she was childless and probably derided by others, but she had a heart of contentment, for she believed in God, and knew that in His time God could give her a child, if He desired to.

The woman of Shunem was blessed with a son

In 2Kings 4:16-17 we read, and Elisha said to her, "By this time next year you will be holding a son in your arms." But, as Elisha had said, at about that time the following year she gave birth to a son. (GNB)

Elisha called the woman and promised her that God would bless her with a son, and true to His word the Lord helped the woman conceive. The following year, God fulfilled the words of Elisha, and she gave birth to a son.

It all began when the woman of Shunem decided to honor the man of God with her hospitality and generosity, not considering the lack of a child in her own life. She esteemed the Lord’s anointed, and the blessing she received in return was a son from the hands of God.

If we like that woman of Shunem are willing to use whatever little is in our hands to serve and honor God, the Lord will do wonders in our lives that are far beyond our expectations.

We read in Matthew 10:41, “The person who welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward.” (GW)

The woman recognized that Elisha was a holy man, a prophet of God and as she respected him, the Lord gave her the due reward. So also, when we give the honor due to the servants of God, we will most certainly receive the rightful recompense from God Himself.

2. The woman of Shunem had faith and perseverance

A few years later, the son of the Shunnamite woman, took ill and died. This is what the woman did when her son died on her lap.

We read in 2 Kings 4:21,“She took him upstairs and laid him on the bed of the man of God, left the room, and shut the door behind her.” (GW)

This woman did not place the son on his own cot, but took him to the prophet’s room and laid him on the prophet’s cot closing the door behind him. Here was a woman who did not wail and cry when tragedy struck her son. A woman of fear would have been totally broken considering the next steps for the burial of her son, but here was a woman of faith, who did not even tell her husband that their son had died, but ran to the prophet. She believed that if God gave her a son, He did so to bless her, and that the Lord would not take her son away from her so suddenly. She also ran believing that God had endowed the prophet with the power to raise the boy back from death, to grant him a new lease of life.

In 2 Kings 4:26, we read, “Run to meet her and ask her how she, her husband, and the boy are doing." "Everyone's fine," she answered.” (GW)

As the woman of Shunem came rushing to meet Elisha, the prophet recognized her at a distance and sent Gehazi to enquire if all was well with her, her husband and her son, to which she replied, ‘Everyone’s fine’. This is a strange answer, knowing that she had just laid her dead son on the prophet’s cot back home. She begged Elisha to come to her home, and all through the entire episode she did not once mention to Elisha or Gehazi, that her son was indeed dead. The prophet also declared that the Lord had also hidden this incident from him.

Many of us when we encounter difficulties, we share with others who have no faith and end up being filled with all sorts of fears. Often we speak negative words, and make our situations far worse than what they actually are. When faced with any sort of difficult situations, it is important that we don’t let any negative words proceed from our mouth. We often speak with finality into several circumstances, thereby creating a sense of apprehension. There are others, who when met with some simple symptoms, check them out on google, and often conclude wrongly that they are struck with some untreatable malady. Instead of analyzing the symptoms of our sickness or situations, we should like the woman of Shunem, run to God who can turn everything around in no time.

We read in 2 Kings 4:32, “When Elisha arrived, he went alone into the room and saw the boy lying dead on the bed.” (GNB)

Also in 2 Kings 4:35, “Elisha got up, walked around the room, and then went back and again stretched himself over the boy. The boy sneezed seven times and then opened his eyes.” (GNB)

It was only when Elisha entered his room, did he realize that the boy was dead. Elisha stretched himself over the boy twice and as he did so, the boy sneezed seven times and then opened his eyes. The woman’s hospitality resulted in her being blessed with a son, her faith and perseverance culminated in her receiving her dead son back to life.

Often in the midst of hardships and challenges, we give up praying, and thereby lose out on our blessings because we do not persevere with faith. When we turn to the presence of the Lord and lay at his feet all our problems and difficulties, the Lord will intervene to do the miraculous, bringing great deliverance. Instead of seeking advice from those around us, most of which may be ungodly, it is far wiser for us to pursue after God and receive His counsel.

3. The woman of Shunem was obedient

We read in 2 Kings 8:1-2, “Now Elisha had told the woman who lived in Shunem, whose son he had brought back to life, that the LORD was sending a famine on the land, which would last for seven years, and that she should leave with her family and go and live somewhere else. She had followed his instructions, and had gone with her family to live in Philistia for the seven years.” (GNB)

When Elisha foretold the woman of Shunem that there was a famine imminent in the land, which would last for seven years, and instructed her to leave elsewhere, she and her family did so without questioning. She was implicitly obedient to the word of God, through the prophet Elisha. This resulted in the woman and her family being saved from the severe famine that plagued the land of Israel for seven years.

To those who are willing to obey the word of God wholeheartedly, the power of God will be made manifest most certainly in every area of our lives.

God restored everything to the woman of Shunem

We read further in 2 Kings 8:3-4, “At the end of the seven years she returned to Israel and went to the king to ask that her house and her land be restored to her.She found the king talking with Gehazi, Elisha's servant; the king wanted to know about Elisha's miracles.”

After the seven years of famine were over, the woman of Shunem decided to go back to her home in Israel to petition the King of Israel to restore all that belonged to her. As she went back she was probably filled with apprehension, if all of her house and possessions would ever be restored back to her. She must have proceeded to her home town with much confusion and turmoil wondering as to what would have become of all that she had left behind.

At that exact time, when the woman of Shunem went to place her petition to the King of Israel, there was Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, elaborating to the king all that the Lord had performed through Elisha the Prophet. As Gehazi narrated the part of the incident of the miracle of the son of the woman of Shunem being raised to life, at that very moment the woman and her son appeared before the king to present her request. Immediately Gehazi introduced her to the king as the woman whose son Elisha had raised from the dead.

In 2 Kings 8:6, “And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.” (ASV)

When the king saw the woman of Shunem, he now desired to hear the incident firsthand from her. As she recounted in detail the wonderful miracles that God executed in her life through Elisha, the king was totally pleased. The king appointed an officer to go out with her and restore back to her all that was hers, all the fruits of the field, since the day she left the land until the time she came back. By her obedience to the word of Elisha, though she had to leave everything behind, the Lord honored her obedience and restored every bit of what was due to her right back to her a hundred fold.

When we go forth in obedience to the word of God, no matter what our hardships are the Lord will intervene to restore everything back to us. We live in a rebellious time where obedience is hard for many, but for those who chose to obey God and His word, His grace will be poured out in abundance. Obedience may seem hard, but when we chose to walk in obedience, the Lord will restore back to us all that we have lost. God is a faithful God and He will restore back to us all that we have missed.

There are four lessons we learn from the woman of Shunem, she was a woman who practiced hospitality, one who had unshakeable faith with unwavering perseverance and was totally obedient to the word of God. The Lord will work wonders and restore to us too, if we use whatever is in our hands for His glory, live a life of faith, choosing to speak only words of faith, persevere in this faith walk and live a life of complete obedience to the word of God.

Prayer:

Our loving Heavenly Father, help us to be hospitable to people, specially the servants of God.  Thank you for the incidents recorded in the Bible about this woman of Shunem.  Help us also to have faith, perseverance and obedience like her.  I believe that O Lord You will restore unto us whatever we have lost.  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Br. Dixon

Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqG7DoQ9BBY&t=4s

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