providing

by

2 Kings 6:22 Treating The Enemy Correctly

“Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and go back to their master.” 2 Kings 6:22

Throughout history there have been many different wars with various nations against other nations. In every war there have been soldiers who have been captured. Many of those who did the capturing would torture those they had captured with severe painful torture. The torturing was done out of anger and vengeance against their enemies and to instill fear into their enemy.

The king of Aram sent soldiers to find and capture Elisha. Elisha had those soldiers blinded then led them into the king of Israel. When the king of Israel wanted to kill them, Elisha said not to, but to feed them food and water and sent them home.

Very few people will ever be in a position of capturing an enemy and being able to deal directly with that enemy as in an army with a nation against another nation. The enemies that the average person has are those people who treat them badly and lie, cheat or even physically harm them.

When a person is caught in the act of doing something wrong, most people may not want to physically kill the person, but they do want to strike back and often harshly. People want their enemies to pay a severe price for doing wrong.

Years after Elisha told them not to kill the enemies, Jesus told the people to love their enemies and do good to them. Believers are to provide for the needs of their enemies to show and represent God’s love to them. Love, in this way, will turn their hearts away from their sin and to God, rather than angering them more.

You most likely have someone who has done you harm. When you have caught them in doing the harm, you have a choice to make as to how you deal with them.

Keep in mind the love Jesus had for you when you sinned against Him and did Him harm. He loved you and treated you with respect providing abundantly for all of your needs, despite your deserving death. In this same way, treat those who harm you with love. Give them food and water, things that they need, to win their hearts over to God.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the love God has for you and your enemies; that you will treat your enemies with God’s love; that God will guide you in providing what your enemies need; and that you will be a witness of God’s love to this world.

by

2 Corinthians 8:2 Extreme Generosity

In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8:2

Giving is something that many in the world even understand to a point. Many wealthy people give a lot a way every year, though it is primarily for the purpose of getting a tax cut. Others will also give, but only to look good, not really to help others out.

The majority of people in the world are trying to keep things to themselves. They want all the wealth and not to have to share it with others.

Paul points out that the Macedonian church had been going through a severe trial and extreme poverty, yet, they gave very generously to the needs of others.

Believers are to be known for sharing and generosity, yet, this is not often the case. Just as with the world, many believers are holding on to what they have, afraid that they will not make it if they give anything away.

As they hold this view, they are only looking at the here and now and not at what God can provide. The work that Jesus had done for them is forgotten. Jesus had given up all of heaven to live as a man and die on a cross. He gave everything, so that the believer can have everything.

Keeping this in mind, every believer needs to be filled with love and joy at being able to give something to any in need. The amount given does not matter, but the love and joy in the heart to be helping others out does.

No matter how little a person has, there is usually something that he can give to another in need. This is a portrayal of what Jesus has already given and can be a tool to share His love and be His witness.

When you see someone in need, what is your first reaction? Do you want to send them to someone else? Or do you provide what you can with a generous heart?

Pass on what God has given you. The material things you have are only temporary and need to be used to build His kingdom. Be willing to part with material things in order to show His love and meet the needs of others. God will, in turn, meet all of your needs generously.

You can never out give what God can provide.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will know what God has given you; that you will know God’s love for others; that you will see God’s provision for your life; and you will find God’s joy in giving to meet the needs of others.

by

1 Corinthians 10:13 Always A Way Out

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Every person deals with personal desires that they often should not have. In each and every case they have a choice to make as to whether to follow those desires or not.

Most often people give into those desires or temptations, because in their heart that is what they really want. After giving in, many will blame others or that the temptation was too great for them to turn it down.

Paul points out that all temptations are common to all people. He also points out that God will always make a way to get out of the temptation.

Just as the world will fall into temptations to do the wrong thing, many believers also give into temptations. They will often say that it was just too much for them to turn away from the temptation.

Although this may be true about the non-believer, it is not true for the believer. Every time that a believer is tempted, all one needs to do is to look to God for guidance and strength.

God does not want any believer to ever sin in any way. With this desire in His heart, He always makes a way that the believer can take in order to get out from under that temptation.

The most basic and simple ways to avoid the temptation are to flee it, begin to worship God, pray, read God’s word and go and be His witness. In other words, the believer must do what God has called him to do. Doing these things removes the power and desire of the temptation.

You are not alone in being tempted. There is nothing that you are tempted with that is not common for others. Every time that a temptation comes your way, and it will, refocus your attention upon God.

Do not give in to the temptation, causing you to sin against God. Allow God to guide you away from that temptation. The more you turn down a temptation, the easier it becomes to turn it down.

God is faithful and will always open a door to getting away from every temptation. Be willing to take that door out.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will seek God for guidance in walking His path for you; that you will flee all temptation; and that you will see the door God provides to getting out of temptation to sin against Him.