200th Week, II Kings Introducton - Chapter 4 (Click on Title for Video Intro)

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 Click on Title for Video Intro




Monday, II Kings Introduction
II Kings Intro
Delores Little
February 24, 2006

THOUGHT
All the kings are recorded in 1 & 2 Kings except for Saul. The purpose of 1st and 2nd Kings is to illustrate the blessings that result from faithfulness and obedience to the Lord and His judgment upon unfaithfulness and disobedience.

The first 17 chapters in II Kings focus on the prophets Elijah and Elisha. We see the legacy in chapter 2 that Elijah will hand down to Elisha.  In the first 9 chapters I want you to see things God did. I call them “miracles”.

Nineteen kings ruled the northern kingdom for 210 years in the divided kingdom. In chapter 17 they are taken by the Assyrians.

Judah had another 135 years before they were taken, a total of 465 years. Judah had 19 Kings and one  Queen, Athaliah, who took control by force.

The prophets who prophesied during this time in Judah & Israel were Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, Jonah, Obadiah, Joel, Isaiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Jeremiah. 

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, show us as we read II Kings what You have us to see and share in the devotions in the weeks ahead. Forgive us each day and bless all the Salt Shakers with a wonderful weekend.  Let the seeds Paul preached so many years ago come forth now.  Father, just love on us all. We Praise and Thank You for All Things.  In Jesus Name We Pray, AMEN


Tuesday, II Kings Chapter 1
II Kings 1
Jeanie ßoldt

THOUGHT
This chapter clearly describes two kinds of men. One man is a king, Ahaziah, who seeks counsel from a false God. The other man, Elijah, follows the words and instructions of the only God, our God.

King Ahaziah sought out a god who was thought to have the power of prophecy. Supernatural power and mystery were associated with this god. Ahaziah’s action showed the king’s disrespect for God by seeking out another god. The king and his people suffered severe consequences by not looking to the God of Gods for help and intervention. The king died in the end according to the Word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken.

How many times do you look for a solution to a situation in a place other than going to prayer with the Lord? How many times do we call a friend or family member before falling on our knees and asking the God of Gods who knows all there is to know about us and can help. How many times do we thank a person for a successful experience instead of falling on our knees in praise and adoration to our Lord and Savior.

Let us not be one of those who seek out advice or peace from one who does not know the final outcome. May our focus be on the eyes of Jesus and our heart with the God of Gods who is all powerful and all knowing.

‘Man of God’ is verbally expressed many times in this chapter. May each of us be one.

PRAYER
Father God, may You always be the direction we turn to when in need and when there are moments of celebration. Help us keep our focus on You as our strength, fortress and leader of righteous living. Protect us from the false gods who want to get ahold of us and bring us down.  Give us direction in our daily lives, and may we be a follower like Elijah. Make us into ‘Men and Women of God’. In The Name of Jesus. AMEN


Wednesday, II Kings Chapter 2
II Kings 2
Verse 14b, 24
Jane Jones

Verse 14b:  “...When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.”

Verse 24:  “He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths.”

THOUGHT
The Chapter gives us two outstanding examples of asking things of God in prayer with a pure heart.

The first example was when Elisha asked to inherit a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. It was granted because Elisha’s motives were pure. His main goal was not to be better or more powerful than Elijah, but to accomplish more for God.

The second example was when Elisha made a curse on the youth that were berating him. They were jeering God’s messenger and paid for it with their lives.

In both of these examples it paid to be on the side of God. This is the side we need to stand on a daily basis, Salt Shakers. If our hearts are pure and our motives are pure, God will respond and answer your prayer in his timing just like he did with Elisha. 

Salt Shakers, to take a stand for God is to be different from the World. We are not to condone the sin that leaders commit; we need to pray for them, not laugh at them.

Sometimes in the morning when I am in prayer with the Lord, I need to keep this lesson in mind. Are my motives and requests coming from a pure heart or am I thinking of what I want not what My Father wants.

After Matt went through his terrible divorce, I prayed daily for a special woman to enter his life. I wanted her ‘now’ so that Matt would be happy again. I couldn’t understand why it was taking so long. Were my motives pure? I thought so, but was I really wanting Matt to be happy again and not waiting on the Lord with a pure heart for His perfect timing and His perfect person. After I placed this request at the feet of Jesus and surrendered this request with a pure heart, Kristen Potratz walked into our lives. They were like two pieces of a puzzle that fit beautifully together to make an awesome picture.

PRAYER
Thank You so much for the lessons learned by trial and error. Thank You for listening to us with a forgiving and gracious heart. May we always, on a daily basis, surrender to You ‘our’ requests and surrender them to You with a pure heart.  In The Name of Jesus.  AMEN


Thursday, II Kings Chapter 3
II Kings 3
Jeanie Boldt

THOUGHT
This chapter is again one of pride, jealousy and power. King Jehoshaphat was wrong to ally himself with the king of Israel, but Elisha did not withdraw from him because of that. The presence of the king of Judah was the only thing that motivated Elisha to help the kings in their plight. God still had a lamp in Judah for the sake of David.

In Nelson’s quick Bible Commentary it explained that the lack of water reminded all three kings that God was in control and their combined power meant nothing without Him. Hoping to get some good out of the war, the king of Moab attacked Edom alone, but he failed to conquer. In desperation, he even sacrificed the crown prince. The deed was so repulsive to Judah and Moab that they left the field in great anger against Israel for ever getting them involved.

When you join forces with those who do not love God, you never know what will happen to embarrass or offend you or to disgrace the Lord’s name. Are we walking with the right groups of people? Are we sure they are ‘good friend’ material? May the power of the Holy Spirit motivate us to take the right path and walk on a Godly Road.

PRAYER
Father in Heaven, do not allow greed, power and wealth to get a hold of us. Direct us down the road that You want us to be on. Make our hearts strong with the desire to live righteous lives. Surround us with Godly friends and strengthen our family relationships. We give You honor and praise. 
In The Name of Jesus. AMEN


Friday, II Kings Chapter 4
II Kings 4
Verse 6
Jane Jones

Verse 6:  When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

This chapter records four of God’s miracles through Elisha.
1) Providing money for a poverty-stricken widow
2) Raising a dead boy to life
3) Purifying poisonous food
4) Providing food for 100 men
These miracles show God’s tenderness and care for those who are faithful to Him. It reminds me of the days of Jesus. How awesome that miracles occurred in the Old Testament.

Whenever I think of the Old Testament, I am guilty of thinking of harsh judgment from God with rebellion with killings, murders and wars. I minimize His tender care for those who love and serve Him.

With the many jars that were brought to be filled, all of them were filled. We must beware of limiting God’s blessings by a lack of faith and obedience. God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

A true example of immeasurable faith would be when Bart and Mindy Strayer stepped out in total faith and put their whole lives, possessions, and beings on the line for the Lord. They are living their lives totally for Him and putting their trust in Him as He leads them toward the high purpose that He has for both of them. Let this devotion be a lesson to us all that believing, trusting, having faith, and having hope in the Lord can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

PRAYER
We Thank You, Dear Jesus, for the physical blessings You give us, for the provisional blessings You give us, and the spiritual blessings that You freely bestow upon us as we walk with You and trust You with the affairs of our lives. May we have a thankful heart before God. Today may we learn to beware of not limiting God’s blessings by a lack of faith and obedience.  Let us now let go and let God do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.  Thank You for all that You do for us. In The Name of Jesus.  AMEN








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