Consequences of Greed: Devotion for Saturday June 12, 2020

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Devotion for Saturday June 12, 2020

Topic: Consequences of Greed                             

Text: 2 Kings 5:20 – 27                                      

Naaman didn’t make the mistake of going back to Syria after his miraculous healing. He went back to Elisha as a mark of gratitude for what God of Israel had done for him. He came to offer Elisha his gifts instead of offering them to God. That was his understanding. Elisha refused because it will amount to taking the glory of God. Most Pastors of our age would gladly hijack such offers and corner them for our personal use. Such men will easily quote 1 Timothy 5:18.

While Elisha was rejecting those offers from Naaman, Gehazi, his servant out of greed was lusting after those gifts. Thus he went after Naaman to ask for some of those gifts his master rejected. He even went ahead to tell lies in the name of his master. That made it double offence (2 Kings 5:22). Naaman gave him more than he requested for (2 Kings 5:23).

Gehazi never knew that his sins will find him out. Most times when we commit sin and tell lies about them, we easily forget that the Holy Spirit is there with us and can reveal anything we do because He sees us and all we do. Elisha opened his mouth release the word of God and Gehazi became leprous as was Naaman. Compare this to Acts 5:1 – 5.

Greed has grievous consequences. This story is a warning for those who are greedy; priests, their servants, politicians and their aids, civil and public servants, etc. Don’t have an eye on what God has rejected. Be contented with what God has given to you to avoid had I known at the end. What do you think would have been the reaction of Naaman if he heard what happened to Gehazi? Your guess is as good as mine. Have a great day.            

Food for Thought: “Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction” – Erich Fromm. 

Memory verse: 2 Kings 5:27  

Prayer: God, deliver me from any form of greed in my life in Jesus name.

Obedience Brings Testimonies: Devotion for Friday June 12, 2020

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Devotion for Friday June 12, 2020

Topic: Obedience Brings Testimonies            

Text: 2 Kings 5:13 – 19                                     

Now Naaman calmed down after his attendant had persuaded him to try the method Elisha offered. He did as Elisha instructed and he was cured. In some cases, servants are sometimes wiser and better advisers to their masters, and they give better advice, which when followed will be well for them.

What Elisha commanded was not cumbersome. It was a simply command that seem foolish in Naaman’s eyes (see 1 Corinthians 2:14; 3:19). Things of God and his commands are always too simple that most people do not take it serious. Mere words from Angel Gabriel was all Zachariah needed to have a child. He doubted God and was punished because God had determined to do it. If not, he would have missed that opportunity. In Genesis 26:1 – 6, 12 – 14 we have the story of how Isaac obeyed God and he became an envy of the Philistines.

The level of your obedience determines the level of your blessings and miracles. When Naaman obeyed and washed, he had a testimony: I was once a leper.

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Today many of us miss out from God’s package of blessings for us due to the ways they undermine God’s instructions in the scriptures. Some of us take it lightly and certainly we will pay dearly for it. Lot’s wife did it and we know her story. God cannot be mocked. Follow His instruction carefully and you will certainly benefit from it at the end.            

Food for Thought: It takes a humble heart to obey God’s command.

Memory verse: 2 Kings 5:14

Prayer: O Lord, as I obey your commandments, answer my prayers and bless me. 

Ignorance Hinders Blessing: Devotion for Thursday June 11, 2020

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Devotion for Thursday June 11, 2020

Topic: Ignorance Hinders Blessing                   

Text: 2 Kings 5:9 – 12                                    

Elisha knew Naaman to be a proud man, and he would let him know, that before the great God all men stand upon the same level. Every commandment from God is always aimed at testing the spirit in us. Most times the spirit in us is usually rebellious to the laws of God. Thus denying us the blessings that would have followed total obedience.

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Naaman, a great hero, was used to getting respect, and this time he didn’t get it and he was outraged when Elisha treated him like an ordinary person. This is usually expectations of those who are proud. They expect everybody to worship and honour them. As a proud man, he expected royal treatment. He was ignorant of the fact that God is no respecter of any person (Acts 10:34). Thus God’s instruction here was to humble him because a proud man has no place in God’s plan and purposes.

To wash in a great river would be one thing, but the Jordan was small and dirty. To wash in the Jordan, Naaman thought, was beneath a man of his position. But Naaman had to humble himself and obey Elisha’s commands in order to be healed.

Obedience to God begins with humility. We must believe that His way is better than our own. We may not always understand His ways of working, but by humbly obeying, we will receive His blessings. We must remember that; (1) God’s ways are the best,

(2) God wants our obedience more than anything else and

(3) God can use anything to accomplish His purposes.

Beloved, do not allow pride and ignorance to hinder your blessings. There is substitute to humility.

Food for Thought: Every commandment from God is always aimed at testing the spirit in us.

Memory verse: 2 Kings 5:12 

Prayer: Almighty God, heal me of any atom of proud spirit in me. Grant me spirit of humility and obedience to your commandments in Jesus name. 

A Prophet In Israel: Devotion for Wednesday June 10, 2020

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Devotion for Wednesday June 10, 2020

Topic: A Prophet In Israel                                      

Text: 2 Kings 5:7 – 8                                        

When Jehoram, the king of Israel got the letter sent by the king of Syria through Naaman, he tore his cloth, a way of expressing grief and despair. The writer of the letter Naaman brought does not mean it should be taken literally.

It may be that, since the letter was addressed to the king of Israel, Jehoram saw this as a potentially embarrassing situation for him politically. He well knew he could not heal Naaman and this might be seen as a political snub, leading to new hostilities.

Unfortunately, it didn’t occur to Jehoram that there are still prophets of God in the land of Israel because of the level of idol worship in the days of Ahab. This made Elisha to chide him. The language of Elisha here is not out of arrogance or pride but to chide kings of Syria and Israel.

Most times we undermine what we have. Some people are running from church to church, fellowship to fellowship in search of miracles undermining what they have in their church. They go to wrong places like the king of Syria and Naaman who went to the wrong place for miracle. If God could touch my life and I repented in the church where I am now, what else can’t that God give to me if I ask Him?

Jehoram didn’t know that there was a prophet in Israel. Do you know that there is a prophet in your church? God can use him to meet your need.

Food for Thought: Most people don’t know the value of what God has blessed them with until others start requesting for and making use of it.

Memory verse: 2 Kings 5:8               

Prayer: Help me to value what I have, O Lord, before it eludes me.

Was It A Mistake? Devotion for Tuesday June 7, 2020

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Devotion for Tuesday June 7, 2020

Topic: Was It A Mistake?                                                   

Text: 2 Kings 5:4 – 6                                  

Naaman set out for Samaria, carrying with him some luxurious gifts; ten changes of raiment, splendid robes and outer garments for special days and occasions, “festal” gowns (RSV, JB). To this day, Damascus is known for its beautiful brocade cloth. To own a garment made of such material would indeed have been a status symbol, and highly valued.

A talent of silver contained three thousand shekels. A shekel of silver has been estimated at from fifty to sixty cents. The total worth of silver Naaman took was about US$18,000:00 (N3.96m – Three million, Nine Hundred and Sixty thousand naira).

A shekel of gold was many times greater. This calculation gives us a clear view of the kind of luxury gifts Naaman took to Israel. Unfortunately, all those gifts and the letter to King of Israel were mistakes on the part of Naaman because you don’t buy the blessings of God with money. Those gifts were not a guarantee that he will be welcomed and favoured.    

This is how some of us make grievous mistakes in worshipping God with our wealth and talent. Our gifts are not bribe to God. Salvation and blessings of God are gifts. Some sow seed with the mind of reaping more. It doesn’t work like that because you can’t bribe God with your money; your tithe or your talent. You should give out of love for God.

Naaman and his master wrote to the King of Israel as if the girl told them of a king who heals. Their action and letter show their arrogance. Instead of appealing to the king to urge the prophet in his domain to help, they were compelling the king to heal. Such action should not been seen among believers.   

Food for Thought: Our gifts and sacrifices are not bribe to win God’s favour and blessings. 

Memory verse: 2 Kings 5:6                   

Prayer: Lord God, help me to understand the best way to approach you and use my gifts in worshipping you. 

An Incomplete Testimony: Devotion for Saturday June 6, 2020

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Devotion for Saturday June 6, 2020

Topic: An Incomplete Testimony                                 

Text: 2 Kings 5:1                                   

Here is a great testimony of Naaman, the commander of the army of Syria. He was described as a mighty man of valour, a great man in battle, used by God to wrought victories for Syria but he was a leper. What a testimony of a great man!

However, the ‘but’ has a great question mark on his life. This shows that despite all his exploits in life, the leprosy has restricted him in so many ways because no honours or successes can secure men from trouble.

Matthew Henry puts it this way, “No man's greatness, or honour, can place him out of the reach of the sorest calamities of human life: there is many a sickly, crazy body under rich and gay clothing.” This shows that any man living has some troubles of life to contend with. Naaman took the advice of the young captive girl from Israel and he was healed as we shall read in the days ahead.

In life, many of us have one “but” or another tormenting us which invariably has dented our testimonies. It may be pride, unfaithfulness, lies, anger, malice, little sins, gossip, immorality, stealing, etc. Whatever may be the “but,” it is important you realise that it has dented your testimony and do something about it now. You can’t say you are a Christian but you are still living a life of lies, deceit, anger, etc. That is not a good testimony. It is better to do something now or it will deny you a place in the Kingdom of heaven.

Food for Thought: Every man has one negative ‘but’ or another which blemishes and diminishes him.                         

Memory verse: 2 Kings 5: 1b

Prayer: My God and my Father, remove every negative ‘but’ in my life the way you healed Naaman of his leprosy in Jesus name.

CONSEQUENCES OF GREED: Devotion for Friday June 3, 2016

CONSEQUENCES OF GREED: Devotion for Friday June 3, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 5:20 – 27                  Memory verse: v 27

Naaman didn’t make the mistake of going back to Syria after his miraculous healing. He went back to Elisha as a mark of gratitude for what God of Israel had done for him. He came to offer Elisha his gifts instead of offering them to God. Elisha refused because it will amount to taking the glory of God. Most pastors would gladly hijack such offers and corner them for their personal use. They will easily quote 1 Tim 5:18. While Elisha was rejecting those offers from Naaman, Gehazi, his servant, out of greed, was lusting after those gifts. Thus he went after Naaman to ask for some of those gifts his master rejected. He even went ahead to tell lies in the name of his master. This made it double offence (5:22). Naaman gave him more than he requested for (5:23).

Gehazi never knew that his sins will find him out. Most times when we commit sin and tell lies about them, we easily forget that the Holy Spirit is here with us and can reveal anything we do because He sees us and all we do. Elisha opened his mouth; spoke the word of God and Gehazi became leprous as was Naaman. Compare this to Acts 5:1–5. Greed has grievous consequences. This story is a warning for those who are greedy, priests and their servants. Don’t have an eye on what God has rejected. Be contented with what God has given to you to avoid had I known at the end. What do you think would have been the reaction of Naaman if he hears this story? Your guess is as good as mine. Have a great day.             

Food for Thought: Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction” – Erich Fromm. 

Prayer: God, deliver me from any form of greed in my life in Jesus name. 

OBEDIENCE LEADS TO MIRACLES: Devotion for Thursday June 2, 2016

OBEDIENCE LEADS TO MIRACLES: Devotion for Thursday June 2, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 5:13 – 19      Memory verse: v 14

Now Naaman calmed down after his attendant had persuaded him to try the method Elisha offered. He did it and was cured. In some cases, servants are sometimes wiser and better than their masters, and they give better advice, which when followed will be well for them. What Elisha commanded was not cumbersome. It was a simply command that seem foolish in Naaman’s eyes (1 Cor. 2:14; 3:19). Things of God and his commands are always too simple that most people do not take it seriously. Mere words from Angel Gabriel was all Zachariah needed to have a child. He doubted God and was punished because God had determined to do it. If not, he would have missed that opportunity. In Gen. 26:1–6, 12–14 we have the story of how Isaac obeyed God and God blessed him to the extent that the Philistines began to envy him.

The level of your obedience determines the level of your blessings and miracles. When Naaman obeyed and washed, he had a testimony – I was once a leper. Today, many of us miss out from God’s package of blessings for us due to the ways we undermine God’s instructions in the bible. We take it lightly and certainly we will pay dearly for it. Lot’s wife did it and we know her story. God cannot be mocked.            

Food for Thought: It takes a humble heart to obey God’s command.

Prayer: God, answer my prayers and bless me as I obey your commandments.

IGNORANCE HINDERS BLESSING: Devotion for Wednesday June 1, 2016

IGNORANCE HINDERS BLESSING: Devotion for Wednesday June 1, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 5:9 – 12    Memory verse: v 12

Elisha knew Naaman to be a proud man, and he would let him know, that before the great God, all men stand upon the same level. Every commandment from God is always aimed at testing the spirit in us. Naaman, a great hero, was used to getting respect, and he was outraged when Elisha treated him like an ordinary person. As a proud man, he expected royal treatment. He was ignorant of the fact that God is no respecter of any person (Acts 10:34). Thus God’s instruction here was to humble him because a proud man has no place in God’s plan and purposes. To wash in a great river would be one thing, but the Jordan was small and dirty. To wash in the Jordan, Naaman thought, was beneath a man of his position. But Naaman had to humble himself and obey Elisha’s commands in order to be healed.

Obedience to God begins with humility. We must believe that His way is better than our own ways. We may not always understand His ways of working, but by humbly obeying, we will receive His blessings. We must remember that; (1) God’s ways are the best, (2) God wants our obedience more than anything else and (3) God can use anything to accomplish His purposes. Beloved, do not allow pride and ignorance to hinder your blessings in this new month. There is substitute to humility. Happy new month!

Food for Thought: Every commandment from God is always aimed at testing the spirit in us.

Prayer: Almighty God, heal me of proud spirit, grant me spirit of humility and obedience to your commands in Jesus name.  

A PROPHET IN ISRAEL: Devotion for Tuesday May 31, 2016

A PROPHET IN ISRAEL: Devotion for Tuesday May 31, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 5:7 – 8     Memory verse: v 8

When Jehoram, the king of Israel got the letter sent by the king of Syria through Naaman, he tore his cloth, a way of expressing grief and despair. The writer of the letter Naaman brought does not mean it should be taken literally. It may be that, since the letter was addressed to the king of Israel, Jehoram saw this as a potentially embarrassing situation for him politically. He well knew he could not heal Naaman and this might be seen as a political snub, leading to new hostilities. Unfortunately, it didn’t occur to Jehoram that there are still prophets of God in the land of Israel because of the level of idol worship in the days of Ahab. This made Elisha to chide him.

The language of Elisha here is not out of arrogance or pride but to chide kings of Syria and Israel. Most times we undermine what we have. Some people are running from church to church, fellowship to fellowship in search of miracles undermining what they have in their church. They go about to wrong places like the king of Syria and Naaman who went to the wrong place for miracle. If God could touch my life and I repented in the church where I am now, what else can’t that God give to me if I ask Him? Jehoram didn’t know that there was a prophet in Israel. Do you know that there is a prophet in your church? God can use him to meet your need.

Food for Thought: Most people don’t know the value of what God has blessed them with until others start requesting for and making use of it.

Prayer: Help me to value what I have, O Lord, before it eludes me.

A MISTAKE: Devotion for Monday May 30, 2016

A MISTAKE: Devotion for Monday May 30, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 5:4 – 6 Memory verse: v 6

Naaman set out for Samaria, carrying with him some luxurious gifts; ten changes of raiment, splendid robes and outer garments for special days and occasions, “festal” gowns (RSV, JB). To this day Damascus is known for its beautiful brocade cloth. To own a garment made of such material would indeed have been a status symbol, and highly valued. A talent of silver contained three thousand shekels. According to Living bible translation, “Naaman started our taking gifts of US$20,000 worth of silver and US$60,000 worth of gold,” (5:5). This calculation gives us a clear view of the kind of luxury gifts Naaman took to Israel. Unfortunately, all those gifts and the letter to King of Israel were mistakes on the part of Naaman because he can’t buy the blessings of God with money.

This is how some of us make grievous mistakes in worshipping God with our wealth and talent. Our gifts are not bribe to God. Salvation and blessings of God are gifts. Some sow seed with the mind of reaping more. It doesn’t work like that because you can’t bribe God with your money, your tithe or your talent. You should give, out of love for God. Naaman and his master wrote to the King of Israel as if the girl told them of a king who heals. Their action and letter show their arrogance. Instead of appealing to the king to urge the prophet in his domain to help, they were compelling the king.

Food for Thought: Our gifts and sacrifices are not bribe to win God’s favour and blessings.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to understand the best way to approach you and to use my gifts in worshipping you.

A BAD TESTIMONY: Devotion for Saturday May 28, 2016

A BAD TESTIMONY: Devotion for Saturday May 28, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 5:1         Memory verse: v 1b

Here is a great testimony of Naaman, the commander of the army of Syria. He was described as a mighty man of valour, a great man in battle, used by God to wrought victories for Syria but he was a leper. What a testimony of a great man! However, the ‘but’ has a great question mark on his life. This shows that despite all his exploits in life, the leprosy has restricted him in so many ways because no honour or success can secure men from trouble. Matthew Henry puts it this way, “No man's greatness, or honour, can place him out of the reach of the sorest calamities of human life: there is many a sickly, crazy body under rich and gay clothing.” This shows that any man living has some troubles of life to contend with. Naaman took the advice of the young captive girl from Israel and he was healed.

In life, we all have one ‘but’ or another tormenting us which invariably has dented our testimonies. It may be pride, unfaithfulness, lies, anger, malice, little sins, gossip, immorality, stealing, etc. Whatever may be your own ‘but’, it is important you realise that it has dented your testimony and do something about it now. You can say that you are a Christian but you are still living a life of lies, deceit, anger, etc. That is not a good testimony. It is better to do something now or it will deny you a place in the kingdom of heaven.

Food for Thought: Every man has one negative ‘but’ or another which blemishes and diminishes him.

Prayer: My God and my Father, remove every negative ‘but’ in my life the way you healed Naaman of his leprosy in Jesus name.