Grief

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Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

chapelblog: 2 Kings 7 "The Good Samaritans"

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(MJones)

No, not the one Samaritan Jesus spoke of. There was more than one good Samaritan.

Israel was in the sunset years. Elisha was the prophet of the Day (see Ch. 6). Ax heads were not readily available then as they are now. Elisha's servant was freaking out because the King was upset with his boss, but Elisha saw something the servant did not. We are not accustomed to using these kinds of tools in ministry.

Setting 6:24ff the King of the nation was bringing the wages of his sin onto his nation. Then he blamed God. He was not listening and unrepentant.

7:1 Gas prices are dropping (as it were).

Four lepers were sitting there and decided to do something. They encouraged each other. They thought they would see the end of the spear, but all they found was food and plunder. V.9 they realize they are not doing right and go back to announce the enemy was gone. One wise man urged the king to go see.

God will work in the most awful situations.
3 kinds of people:

  1. The unwilling and unrepentant among whom you must minister;
  2. The ones who just will not believe so matter what they hear;
  3. Leprous men who go out and do something that God uses to bring victory.

    Which person are you called to?
    How do you spend your time and resources?

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