Proverbs 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
Think for a second about that wealthy individual who lives in a nice house, drives a nice car, and is always rubbing shoulders with the most important people in the country. Maybe you have dreamed […]

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
What is the most valuable thing to you? Is it the amount of money in your pocket book or is it your reputation? It is one thing what you think of yourself, but it is […]

2 Kings 5:27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
Gehazi the servant of Elisha committed a great sin when he ran after Naaman and obtained silver and garments for his personal use for the […]

Proverbs 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. What is your personal pet sin? What is the area in your life that has caused you to stumble more times then you care to count? Whatever […]

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understand.
In the next verse, we see a promise for those who trust in God and lean not on their own understanding. The promise is that God will direct their paths. In order for one to receive direction from God, […]

Acts 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas were on the isle Paphos where they met Sergius Paulus. Sergius Paulus was a man in authority and he called for Paul and Barnabas to come to him. However, there was a sorcerer […]

Acts 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,
Jesus has ascended to heaven and the disciples have returned to Jerusalem to wait for the filling of the Holy Spirit as Jesus had promised them. While the disciples were waiting, they […]

I Corinthians 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
How many people can you think of who meet the description in this passage? They have so much learning and so many degrees but they have no practical wisdom. In this passage we learn […]

Matthew 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

It all begins at the heart. A good man has a good heart and the result is good things. An evil man has an evil heart and the result of his life is evil. As your heart goes, so goes your life. You can have an evil heart and attempt to fool people for some time, but the wickedness of your heart will eventually reveal who you really are.

Christ teaches a lot about the heart during HIS ministry. You know that out of the abundance of the heart does your mouth speak. You know that you are to love the Lord your God with all your heart. You know that if you look at a woman and lust after her you commit adultery in your heart.

II Kings 6:12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

The king of Syria desired to go to war against Israel. The king set up a plan regarding where he would camp. However, Elisha told the king of Israel these plans and the king of Israel avoided the area. This occurred a couple times before the king of Syria began to be upset and began to accuse his servants of spying for the king of Israel. It was at this time that it was revealed to him that Elisha who was not with the king of Syria was telling the king of Judah the king�s secret war plans.

How the servant of the king of Syria knew that Elisha was telling the king�s secret war plans we do not know. However, the power of Elisha was well known among the armies of Syria since Naaman was the captain of the army and he had recently been healed of leprosy. Whoever it was who figured out that Elisha was the culprit is not important, what is important is that the faith of Elisha was so well known that even the enemies of Israel understood that God was with Elisha.

Elisha heard from God what the enemy�s plans were and Elisha simply revealed these plans to the king of Israel. God was protecting Israel from having to go to war and HE simply used HIS servant Elisha by speaking to him. Elisha heard from God because he had a close relationship with HIM. Elisha knew the voice of God, and when HE heard God�s voice, he responded accordingly and Israel was spared a bloody war.

When people look at you, do they understand that you are different? Have they seen the power of God demonstrated in your life so that when something unusual occurs, they attribute it to you and God being in your life? The servant of the King of Israel lived in another country, yet the power of God in the life of Elisha was so evident, that this man recognized and was willing to proclaim to the king of Syria with confidence exactly what Elisha was doing, even though he had no proof.

Your life should be like a properly cut diamond that reflects the light. This life is not about you; the purpose of your life is to glorify your Creator and Maker. Yes, a diamond is valuable in and of itself, but the diamond is worth more when it is properly cut so that it reflects the most light. You are valuable to God, but your value increases the more your life demonstrates to the world the power of God.

God does not speak to you because HE loves to hear HIMSELF speak. God opens your eyes to certain truths so that you can do something about it. Elisha heard from God the plans of the enemy and Elisha spread the word so that war did not occur. God is willing to speak to you, but you need to listen. When you hear HIS voice, you need to respond with the information so that HIS will is done.

What is your reputation? Do people understand that you have a personal relationship with God and that HE speaks with you? If not, maybe you need to start spending more time with God and less time being entertained. God should be number one in your life, and others should see the results. Your life should reflect the power of God.

II Kings 5:27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

Elisha had just exercised his faith in healing the leprosy of Naaman. When Naaman attempted to pay Elisha for Elisha�s faith, Elisha refused. However, Gehazi, Elisha�s servant, ran after Naaman and told a lie and received some treasures from Naaman. God had told Elisha what Gehazi had done and now, by faith, Elisha pronounces a punishment upon Gehazi because of Gehazi�s wickedness. Elisha understood that the same God who could heal Naaman could also make Gehazi diseased as a punishment for his sin.

Elisha probably preferred using his faith to do good in the world. However, Elisha understood that sometimes God has one to do something that is not pleasant. Elisha had to obey God in pronouncing judgment upon Gehazi so that you would understand that God is not pleased when one procures payment out of greed for God�s demonstration of power through ones life. Peter also had to deal with a man who attempted to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit.

The power of God as demonstrated through your life is not given to you for your personal wealth; it is given to you so that God might be glorified through you. When you lose focus of using God�s power for HIS glory and start to use it for your personal benefit, you actually bring discredit to God and these actions are an abomination unto the Lord.

All the good that Gehazi may had done for Elisha did not matter when Elisha pronounced a curse upon Gehazi and his family. Gehazi had sinned, and had at least created the image that Elisha could be bought and that all one had to do is bring payment and their problems would be taken care of. Elisha understood that his power was from God and that God would take care of his needs. Elisha thus by faith pronounced the curse and it came to pass. Gehazi left Elisha�s presence that very day a leper.

The world today has been feed a lot of prosperity preaching. Sermons like Jonathan Edwards �Sinners in the hands of an angry God� are not the predominant message. The world needs to understand that God is love and because of HIS love, HE will punish those who do not accept HIS free gift of salvation. The world does not understand how God could punish someone if HE really loves them. By faith you will proclaim the message of God�s love and HIS judgment.

Faith is used to bring glory to God. By pronouncing judgment upon Gehazi, Elisha caused all to realize that the power of God is not for sale. The power of God can be used in your life not only to do good things but also to allow bad things to happen. Elijah�s faith caused a famine for three and a half years so that God would be glorified.

The purpose of your life is to draw attention to God. God uses both good and evil to cause others to understand that HE is the only God. You need to be prepared to allow God to work through you. Yes, you would love to see God use you to do great good throughout the world, but God can also use you to be the bearer of bad news so that HE can remind the world that they need to repent from their evil ways. The important thing for you is to understand the will of God and obey. Do not attempt to second-guess God.

II Kings 5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

Naaman was the captain of the armies of Syria. While Naaman was a great man, he had a problem in that he had leprosy. Naaman had attacked Israel in the past and had taken an Israelite maid as a servant for his wife. One day, this Israelite maid mentioned that there was a man of God in Israel that could heal Naaman. Naaman did not know who Elisha was so he went to the king and Elisha sent a message to the king to send Naaman to him. However, when Naaman arrived, Elisha did not come and see him but instead, sent a messenger to tell Naaman what he must do to be healed. Naaman was angry with the man of God because he knew there were superior rivers to the Jordan River. However, after Naaman�s servant spoke with him, Naaman obeyed and he was healed.

This little story has four different individuals who demonstrated faith and one individual who demonstrated a lack of faith. The first person who demonstrated faith was the little maid. She had heard of the power of God through Elisha and while there is no evidence that Elisha had healed a person of leprosy before, this maid believed that Elisha was capable of healing her master. This girl did not consider the fact that Naaman was an enemy to Israel or that Naaman had ripped her away from her home, she did not form prejudices but understood that God could heal anyone.

The second individual who demonstrated faith was Naaman. Based upon the words of his servant girl took a long trip to seek healing. Naaman did show a lack of faith when he hesitated at dipping in the Jordan, but in the end, he obeyed, and he was healed.

The individual who did not demonstrate faith was the king of Israel who when presented with Naaman immediately thought of how Syria was seeking a fight rather then thinking back on the power of God being demonstrated through Elisha and sending Naaman to Elisha. The king of Israel tried to limit God to just the God of the Israelites.

The third individual who demonstrated faith was the Naaman�s servant who understood Elisha�s words and believed that his master would be healed if he obeyed. Finally, Elisha demonstrated faith when he gave Naaman a task that if he obeyed, God would heal him. Elisha healed an individual who had attacked Israel. Elisha understood that this was an opportunity for God to be magnified beyond the borders of Israel.

God is not limited in your life. God is not limited by nation, by race, by age, by sex, or by any other limitation that you can create in your mind. God desires to show HIMSELF strong throughout the world and HE is looking for opportunities to do so. You need to have the faith of the little maid who simply understood the problem and understood that Elisha was the man who could solve the problem.

While Elisha may not live today, the same God of Elisha should dwell in your heart. Nothing is too difficult for God. Your faith in God will be evident to those around you. Do others look at you and understand that you have the answer to their problem? Do others know that you serve a living God? Your life should be such a testament to God that people have faith that you have faith. The world should see your faith and believe.

I Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Paul is instructing Timothy that his age should not be a limitation on his ability to lead the church. While some people may look down on Timothy because of his age, Paul told Timothy to simply be an example of how one should live. Even though Timothy was young, he could demonstrate the way a Christian should behave.

Samuel was a child, while Eli�s sons were committing abominations in the sight of the Lord; Samuel was living his life according to God�s rules and was an example in word.

Prior to killing Goliath, David served Saul with music. Saul loved David and David found favor in the sight of Saul because David was an example of good conduct in both his private and public life.

When Jesus feed the 5,000, he was able to do so because one young boy was willing to give up his lunch in order for others to eat. This lad was an example in love.

Daniel and his three friends refused to compromise their standards and it was evident to all that these young men had a different spirit about them.

Naaman the leper had a young maid who was an example in faith when she told her master that there was a man of God in Israel who could heal her masters.

Joseph was fairly young when Potiphar�s wife tried to have a martial relationship with him. Joseph was an example in purity to all today.

Paul understood that God uses youth to do great things for HIM. When Jesus was on the earth, he rebuked those who prohibited the little children from coming to HIM. Jesus taught his disciples that they needed to have the faith of a little child. While there is wisdom that comes from age, youth can still be an example and remind others of God�s perfect will. Just because Timothy was young it does not mean that he could not minister.

Regardless of your age, others are watching you and you are also to be an example to others on how to live for God. God is looking for those who will be willing to live for HIM and be an example to others. If you are not an example, why should the Lord expand your ministry? If you desire to be used of God, then you need to live what you preach even if it is in the privacy of your own home. As you live Godly behavior, it will become a part of you and God will be able to use you in ways you never imagined.

It is so important that you not only teach others how to live by faith but that you also are an example of how to live by faith. People hear words and they see actions, but of the two, the actions are going to have a greater impact upon their life. That is why testimonies are so powerful. You can preach all day that God will take care of your every need, but an example of how the Lord took care of you will be much more powerful. Is your life an example to others of how to live your life for the Lord? It does not matter your age, you are to be an example so that no one will stumble and fall short of the glory of God. Are you an example in word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith and purity.

Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

After completing their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch to give a report. The report was that God had opened the door for Gentiles to believe.

Paul and Barnabas had the blessing of seeing many Gentiles come to God during this missionary trip. However, it was not because of Paul and Barnabas� ministry that permitted Gentiles to have faith. God never prohibited Gentiles from having faith in HIM. Christ commended two Gentiels for having great faith. God healed Naaman through Elisha because of Naaman�s faith. God put Rahab in the chapter of faith.