#Elisha performs miracles

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Elijah Taken Up to Heaven

Shortly before the LORD took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal, and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.”

But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

So they went down to Bethel.

Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?”

“Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”

And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.”

But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

So they went to Jericho.

Then the sons of the prophets at Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?”

“Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”

And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.”

But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

So the two of them went on.

Then a company of fifty of the sons of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing Elijah and Elisha as the two of them stood by the Jordan. And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?”

“Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.

“You have requested a difficult thing,” said Elijah. “Nevertheless, if you see me as I am taken from you, it will be yours. But if not, then it will not be so.”

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.

As Elisha watched, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he saw Elijah no more. So taking hold of his own clothes, he tore them in two.

Elisha also picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah, and he went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the waters. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked.

And when he had struck the waters, they parted to the right and to the left, and Elisha crossed over.

When the sons of the prophets who were facing him from Jericho saw what had happened, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed down to the ground before him.

“Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.”

“Do not send them,” Elisha replied.

But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.”

And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah.

When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?”

Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note, our lord, that the city’s location is good, as you can see. But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.”

“Bring me a new bowl,” he replied, “and put some salt in it.”

So they brought it to him, and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.’ ”

And the waters there have been healthy to this day, according to the word spoken by Elisha.

From there, Elisha went up to Bethel, and as he was walking up the road, a group of boys came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”

Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD.

Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

And Elisha went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria. — 2 Kings 2 | The Reader’s Bible (BRB) The Reader’s Bible © 2020 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. All rights Reserved. Cross References: Genesis 37:34; Exodus 15:25-26; Leviticus 13:40; Numbers 11:17; Joshua 3:8; Joshua 6:26; Ruth 1:15; 1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Kings 18:19; 1 Kings 19:16; 1 Kings 19:19; 2 Kings 4:29; 2 Kings 8:11; Nehemiah 13:25; Amos 7:14; Acts 1:10; Acts 8:39; Hebrews 11:5; Hebrews 11:37; Revelation 11:12

[valencepod]

Of course, you can never really go back home. It’s time to stop repeating patterns. Let’s look ahead. And always, always remember: protect your magic.

Listen to Season 3, Episode 13 of VALENCE now wherever you get your podcasts.

And for the last time... protect your magic. ⚡️

VALENCE is a serialized fiction podcast meant for adult listeners. You can find more information, including our full cast list and transcripts, on our website.

For ongoing support of this show and others like it, please consider supporting Hug House Productions on Patreon.

Credits:

VALENCE was created by Wil Williams. This episode was written by Wil Williams and Katie Youmans, and edited and sound designed by Wil Williams. This episode was directed by Anne Baird and Katie Youmans, transcribed by Katie Youmans, and produced by Anne Baird. The VALENCE Season 3 theme was composed by Travis Reaves.

Performances by:

Josh Rubino as Liam Alden and Liam’s Inner Voice

Naomi McMillan as Morgan Reilley

John Westover as Nico Salvai

Caleb Del Rio as Flynn Velasco

Jordan Cobb as Sarah Harris

Katie Chin as Grace Chen

Ishani Kanetkar as Mahira Varma

Alex Welch as Noel Alden

Izzy O’Connell as Cass

Madison Dabbs-Petty as Elisha Dawes

Miracle Fonmanu as Zoe Kafoa

Elena Fernandez Collins as Soledad Marquez

Maddi Albregts as Jessi

Khalila Roney as the Therapist

Giancarlo Hererra as Luis Acebo

and Roscoe Baird as Roscoe. We miss you, big baby.

[eesirachs]

How is elisha such an unpopular prophet considering he said stuff like “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” ?????

elisha dropped everything to be a prophet. he let god swallow him whole. he’s one of two prophets in the hebrew bible to perform resurrection—and he did it twice. he speaks with love and desire always. after elijahs death, he scorns god, mocks his miracles. elisha is one of the most present, loud, remarkable prophets lost to memory. i think in part because he moves prophecy to the abject, in part because he mocks god, and in part because he left no writings nor any ‘writings,’ he has been buried alive

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Wednesday, August 2, 2023

orthodox peace fellowship

august 2_july 20

THE HOLY  PROPHET ELIAS/ELIJAH ( 9th. c B.C)

Saint Elijah, one who saw God, a miracle worker and a zealot for faith in God, was born of the tribe of Aaron from the town Tishba for which he was called the Tishbite. When St. Elijah was born, his father Savah saw an angel of God hovering around the child, wrapping the child in fire and giving him a flame to eat. That foreshadowed Elijah's fiery character and his God-given fiery power. He spent his entire youth in godly thoughts and prayers, withdrawing frequently into the wilderness to contemplate and to pray in solitude. At that time, the Jewish kingdom was divided into two unequal parts: the kingdom of Judah, consisting of only two tribes, the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with their capital in Jerusalem, and the kingdom of Israel, consisting of the remaining ten tribes with their money in Samaria. The first kingdom was governed by the descendants of Solomon, and the second kingdom was ruled by the descendants of Jeroboam, the servants of Solomon. The most significant confrontation the prophet Elijah had was with the Israelite King Ahab and his evil wife, Jezebel. For they, Ahab and Jezebel worshipped idols and turned the people away from serving the One and Living God. Before this, Syrian Jezebel persuaded her husband to erect a temple to the Syrian god Baal and ordered many priests to serve this false god. Through great miracles, Elijah displayed the power and authority of God: he closed up the heavens so that there was not any rain for three years and six months; he lowered a fire from heaven and burned the sacrifice to his God, which the pagan priests of Baal were unable to do; he brought down rain from heaven by his prayer; miraculously multiplied flour and oil in the home of the widow in Zerepath, and resurrected her son; he prophesied to Ahab that the dogs will lick up his blood and to Jezebel that the dogs will consume her flesh, all of which happened as well as many other miracles did he perform and prophesy. On Mount Horeb, he spoke with God and heard the voice of God in the calm of a gentle breeze. Before his death, he took Elisha and designated him as his successor in the prophetic calling; by his mantle, he divided the waters of the Jordan River; finally, he was taken up into the heavens in a fiery chariot by flaming horses. He appeared on Mount Tabor to our Lord Jesus Christ together with Moses. Before the world's end, St. Elijah will appear again to end the anti-Christ's power (Revelation, Chapter 11).

ST. ALEXIS MEDVEDKOV, ARCHPRIEST OF UGINE (1934), ELIAS FONDAMINSKII (1942), PRIEST DEMETRIUS KLEPININE (1944), YURI SKOBTSOV (1944), AND NUN MARIA (SKOBTSOVA) (1945), OF PARIS

St Alexis Medvedkov, archpriest of Ugine (1934)

St Alexis of Ugine was born in Russia in 1867. Afterward, he went to seminary and became a reader and choir director at a St Petersburg parish. He felt unworthy of the priesthood but finally accepted ordination, encouraged by St John of Kronstadt. He was sent to serve a village 60 miles from the capital. As was the case for many priests, his meager salary was not enough. Side by side with his neighbors, he worked the land. Yet he also lived a life of mind and spirit, saving money to buy the writings of the Church Fathers. He was also a parent -- he and his wife had two daughters. His pastoral zeal was recognized -- in 1916, at age 49, he was made an archpriest. Then the following year, in the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution, he was arrested, tortured, and sentenced to death. Remarkably, his eldest daughter freed her father by offering herself as a hostage in his place. The effects of torture remained with him for the rest of his life. Because of nerve damage, his right eye was always wider than his left.

In 1919 the entire family managed to escape to Estonia, where Fr Alexis worked in a mine and then as a night watchman. In 1923 he became an assistant priest at a local parish, also helping in the parish school. In 1929, following prolonged illness, his wife died.

After this heavy blow, he was invited by Metropolitan Evlogy in Paris to come to France. He was sent to the town Ugine, near Grenoble, to serve as rector of St Nicholas Russian Orthodox church. A local factory employed 600 Russian immigrants.

He often celebrated the Liturgy on weekdays, Sundays, and feast days. He was known for how carefully he intoned each word when he stood in the sanctuary. After services, he would stay on to do memorial services and meet whatever other needs were brought to him by his parishioners, never charging money.

His congregation proved difficult. The parish council was dominated by secular-minded lay people of a military background, men used to giving orders, whose primary interest was politics. Some harassed Fr Alexis during services. Some were abusive. When insulted, he replied with silence. He patiently endured the criticism of those who regarded the services as too long or criticized him for not dressing better.

His health declined -- doctors diagnosed cancer of the intestines. In July 1934, he was taken to hospital. He died on the 22nd of August. On the advice of a physician who warned that Fr Alexis' cancer-ridden body would rapidly decompose, he was buried in a double coffin.

His parishioners, even those who had been hostile, came to remember him as an exceptionally modest man, shy, full of gratitude, prayerful, outgoing, compassionate, slow to criticize, eager to forgive, generous with what little he had, who never turned his back on anyone in need.

A friend who visited him during those final weeks of his life recalled him saying: "In my parish, the true parishioners are the children, the children of my parishioners ... and if those children live and grow up, they will form the inner Church. And we, too, belong to that Church as long as we live according to our conscience and fulfill the commandments ... Do you understand what I mean? In the visible Church, there is an invisible Church, a secret Church. In it are found the humble who live by grace and walk in the will of God. They can be found in every parish and every jurisdiction. The emigration lives through them and by the grace of God."

It was a life of ordinary sanctity -- small deeds of holiness performed daily that were either taken for granted or ridiculed. He might have been entirely forgotten had it not been for a decision by the Ugine town council in 1953 to build flats on the site of the cemetery. The remains of those buried in the old cemetery were moved. On the 22nd of August, 1956, precisely 22 years after Fr Alexis's death, workmen came to his grave and found that his double coffin had entirely disintegrated. Still, his body, priestly vestments, and the Gospel book buried with him had not decayed.

I have left out many details of his life. Still, you see the main lines: great suffering, endurance, patient service to impatient people, belief in the face of disbelief, an uprooted life, the early death of his wife, his own brutal death, a love of prayer, a constant witness to God's love -- and then a sign after death that served to resurrect his memory and inspired the decision that this humble priest ought to be remembered by the Church. The memory of the Church is the calendar of the saints.

St Eli Fondemensky of Paris ( 1942)

Born in February 17, 1880, in Moscow, Russia — November 19, 1942, in Auschwitz, Nazi-occupied Poland), 

He was a Russian author (writing under the pseudonym I. Bunakov) and political activist in the 1910s, one of the leaders of the Esers party, in 1917, a senior member of Alexander Kerensky's Provisional government

In 1918, Fondaminsky took part in the Iași Conference. In Paris, where he has been living since 1919, Fondaminsky veered off from the left and became an influential newspaper editor (Sovremennye Zapisky, among others), author of philosophical essays, and in the later years — much-admired philanthropist, supporting Christian magazines and charity funds. In his biography of Mother Maria Skobtsova, Pearl of Great Price, Father Serge Hackel wrote that Fondaminsky gave occasional lectures at the Sunday afternoon gatherings at the house on the Rue de Lourmel.

Facing the Nazi occupation, Fondaminsky refused to leave Paris, saying he would accept his destiny, whatever it would be. Arrested in July 1941 as a Jew and sent to the concentration camp, he adopted Christianity and was received into the Russian Orthodox Church not long before being sent to Auschwitz. Ilya Fondaminsky died there on November 19, 1942, aged 62. 

Priest Dimitry Klepinine (1944)

Father Dimitri Klepinin was born in 1904 in Russia to an educated, cultivated, devout Orthodox family.  His mother, Sophia, helped establish Orthodox schools in Odessa, where they lived, and became active in providing help and support to the city’s poor.  The Klepinin family fled Russia after the Communist Revolution, first residing in Constantinople, then Yugoslavia, and finally in Paris, France.  A turning point in Dimitri’s life occurred in 1923 when his beloved mother died.  He described this experience in a letter to a friend:

“…the first time I understood the significance of suffering…But joy returned to me when I remembered the Savior’s words:  ‘Come to Me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. I had come to my mother’s grave with the heavy burden of worldly worries.  Everything seemed confused and unsolvable when suddenly I found the light yoke of Christ.  I’ve never known a day more joyful than that day, and I thank God for all He’s given me to bear.  After that experience, I reoriented my life, and it became easier to resolve certain problems."

In 1925, Dimitri enrolled in the St. Sergius Theological Institute in Paris, and after graduating in 1929, he received a scholarship to study in America at the New York Protestant Theological Seminary.  Returning to Paris, he worked various jobs while remaining active in the Church, directing the parish choir.  Dimitri married Tamara Baimakova in 1937 and was ordained by Metropolitan Evlogy.  A daughter Helen was born in 1939, and a son Paul in 1942.  Father Dimitri’s life was forever changed in 1939.   He was assigned as the parish priest at the shelter for the poor operated by an Orthodox nun, Mother Maria Skobtsova. Significantly for his life and that of Mother Maria, that same year France was invaded and conquered by the German Nazis.  Mother Maria (now St. Maria of Paris) had opened a home and shelter to minister to the poor of Paris.  As the Nazis began the mass arrests of French Jews in 1942, many sought help and refuge at Mother Maria’s shelter.  As a shield against deportation to a concentration camp, many Jews sought to obtain baptismal certificates from Father Dimitri.  While initially troubled by engaging in such deception, he realized his Christian Faith and priesthood demanded that he act.  He placed a small mark on the false certificates to remember which were authentic and which were not.  

Christ would give me that paper if I were in their place.  So I must do it… …If a man surprised by a storm takes shelter in a church, do I have the right to close the door?

During war, suffering, and mass arrests, one of Father Dimitri’s parishioners wrote of the experience of celebrating Pascha with him in 1942.  It was to be his final Pascha at his parish:

Outside there were restrictions, anguish, and war.  Here in the church, lit up by our candles, was our priest, all vested in white, as if borne on the wings of the winds.  With his face radiant, he proclaimed, “Christ is risen!”.  And we responded, “Truly He is risen!” causing the shadows to scatter.

In February, 1943, the Gestapo arrived at Mother Maria’s shelter and arrested Mother Maria, her son Yuri and several others.  In Yuri’s pocket, they discovered a letter from a Jewish family to Father Dimitri requesting a baptismal certificate.  Father Dmitri was absent during the raid, but the following day, he calmly celebrated a final Divine Liturgy in the church and went to face the Gestapo. 

Two months later, Father Dimitri and Mother Maria's son Yuri were sent to a prison camp. In the camp, Father Dimitri continued to function as a priest.  The Orthodox prisoners were permitted to set up a chapel where the Divine Liturgy was served daily.  Father Dimitri could sketch the chapel, which he smuggled out to his wife.  In letters he wrote to his family, he encouraged his wife to remain strong:

Make the morose thoughts go away with the Jesus Prayer, take Communion as often as possible…Don’t let despondency or irritation take root in you, and dash and confess to a priest.

Of his own life he wrote:

I am fully aware that the will of God is being carried out and that a new obedience in the Church is beginning for me.

After a year, Father Dimitri was sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany and then to the camp at Dora.   His health was broken; suffering from pneumonia, he died on February 9, 1944, and his body was burned in the Buchenwald crematorium.   When word reached his family that Father Dmitri had died, Metropolitan Evlogy officiated at a solemn funeral service in the Paris Cathedral.  On January 16, 2004, Father Dimitri, Mother Maria, her son Yuri and associate Elia Fondaminski were all glorified as martyrs/saints of the Orthodox Church by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.  Their memory is kept each year on their feast day of July 20

Saint Marie of Paris (1945)

Mother Maria was born in Latvia in 1891. Like many of the pre-Revolutionary Russian intelligenstia, she was an atheist and a political radical in her youth but gradually came to accept the truths of the Faith. After the Revolution, she became part of Paris's large Russian emigre population. There she was tonsured as a nun by Metropolitan Evlogy, and devoted herself to a life of service to the poor. With a small community of fellow believers, she established 'houses of hospitality' for the poor, the homeless, the alcoholic and visited Russian emigres in mental hospitals. In 1939 Metropolitan Evlogy sent the young priest Fr Dimitry to serve Mother Maria's community; he proved to be a partner, committed even unto death, in the community's work among the poor. When the Nazis took Paris in 1940, Mother Maria, Fr Dimitry, and others of the community chose to remain in the city to care for those who had come to count on them. As Nazi persecution of Jews in France increased, the Orthodox community's work naturally expanded to include protection and care of these most helpless ones. Father Dimitri was asked to provide forged certificates of baptism to preserve the lives of Jews and always complied. Eventually, this work led to the arrest of Mother Maria, Fr Dimitri, and their associates. A fragment survives of the Gestapo's interrogation of Fr Dimitri:

  Hoffman: If we release you, will you give your word never again to aid Jews?   Klepinin: I can say no such thing. I am a Christian and must act as I must. (Hoffman struck Klepinin across the face.)   Hoffman: Jew lover! How dare you talk of helping those swine as being a Christian duty! (Klepinin, recovering his balance, held up the cross from his cassock.)   Klepinin: Do you know this Jew? (For this, Father Dimitri was knocked to the floor.)   "Your priest did himself in," Hoffman said afterward to Sophia Pilenko. "He insists that if he were to be freed, he would act exactly as before."   Mother Maria, Fr Dimitri, and several of their colleagues were sent to the Nazi concentration camps (Mother Maria to Ravensbruck, Fr Dimitri to Buchenwald) where, after great suffering, they perished. It is believed that Mother Maria's last act was to take the place of a Jew being sent to death, voluntarily dying in his place.

JAMES 5:10-20

10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord-that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your "Yes" be "Yes," and your "No," "No," lest you fall into judgment. 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the church's elders, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 He prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. 19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover many sins.

LUKE 4:22-30

22 So all bore witness to Him and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?" 23 He told them, "You will surely say this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.' " 24 Then He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. 25 But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; 26 but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And many lepers were in Israel during Elisha the prophet's time, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian. 28 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29 and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. 30 Then, passing through the midst of them, He went His way.

[psalmonesermons]

Miracles of time frame Do you believe in miracles? Well you ought believe in miracles if you are a Christian. Because the greatest miracle we ever experience, is the miracle of the new birth. How can it be that we who were spiritually dead have been made alive unto God, how can it be that our hard and stony selfish heart has been replaced with a loving tender heart. How can we who lived to please only ourselves, now live to please our heavenly Father. It is a miracle. It is the power of the living God entering and miraculously changing our lives. It is a miracle. Do you believe in miracles? Well, you will if you read and believe the bible, it is packed from cover to cover with miracles, signs, and wonders. Remember, all that God did as he brought the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, the plagues, the pillar of fire/cloud, opening the red sea, water from the rock. Or what about the the miracles of Elijah/Elisha and many, many more right through to the time of Jesus and his disciples. If you study the miracles in the bible, you will notice something surprising, God never breaks his owns rules, never does anything un-natural. Matthew 14:15-21 Feeding the 5000 He may multiply loaves and fishes, but he does not turn a fish into a bird that is magic where supernatural power is used to act in an unnatural way like voodoo or witchcraft. God is the one who naturally causes fish and grain to multiply since he is the life source of all nature. This miracle was in a sense a miracle of timescale. In the same manner if God is not healing all of our human bodies every day we would just die. I want you to see that God is the only healer. Doctors can only help set the right conditions for healing, but it is the life force given by God which heals. No doctor can heal a corpse. When Jesus performed many healings. He was just doing what God did normally with only difference being the time scale i.e. the healing was instantaneous. The miracle was in a sense of timescale. John 2:1-11 Water to wine Who gives power for yeast to convert water in wine normally? It is God. Again we see a miracle in sense of time scale. It seems at least some miracles are things... https://www.instagram.com/p/CmHwHuaoiqq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

20th June >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Thursday, Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time 

or

The Irish Martyrs.

Thursday, Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II))

First Reading Ecclesiasticus 48:1-15 The spirit of Elijah fills Elisha.

The prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch. It was he who brought famine on the people, and who decimated them in his zeal. By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens, he also, three times, brought down fire. How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah! Has anyone reason to boast as you have? – rousing a corpse from death, from Sheol by the word of the Most High; dragging kings down to destruction, and high dignitaries from their beds; hearing reproof on Sinai, and decrees of punishment on Horeb; anointing kings as avengers, and prophets to succeed you; taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses; designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob, Happy shall they be who see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love; for we too will have life.

Elijah was shrouded in the whirlwind, and Elisha was filled with his spirit; throughout his life no ruler could shake him, and no one could subdue him. No task was too hard for him, and even in death his body prophesied. In his lifetime he performed wonders, and in death his works were marvellous.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 96(97):1-7

R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.

The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, let all the coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his raiment; his throne, justice and right.

R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.

A fire prepares his path; it burns up his foes on every side. His lightnings light up the world, the earth trembles at the sight.

R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory.

R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.

Let those who serve idols be ashamed, those who boast of their worthless gods. All you spirits, worship him.

R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation 1 Samuel 3:9, John 6:68

Alleluia, alleluia! Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!

Or: Romans 8:15

Alleluia, alleluia! The spirit you received is the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 6:7-15 How to pray.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this:

‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us. And do not put us to the test, but save us from the evil one.

‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

------------------------

The Irish Martyrs 

(Liturgical Colour: Red. Year: B(II))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Thursday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

Either:

First Reading 2 Chronicles 24:18-22 'You have deserted the Lord: now he deserts you'.

The Judaeans abandoned the Temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, for the worship of sacred poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem. He sent them prophets to bring them back to the Lord, but when these gave their message, they would not listen. The spirit of God took possession of Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood up before the people and said, ‘God says this, “Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord to no good purpose? You have deserted the Lord, now he deserts you.”’ They then plotted against him and by order of the king stoned him in the court of the Temple of the Lord. King Joash, forgetful of the kindness that Jehoiada, the father of Zechariah, had shown him, killed Jehoiada’s son who cried out as he died, ‘The Lord sees and he will avenge!’

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

OR: --------

First reading 2 Maccabees 6:18,21,24-31 I am glad to suffer because of the awe which he inspires in me

Eleazar, one of the foremost teachers of the Law, a man already advanced in years and of most noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth wide to swallow pig’s flesh. Those in charge of the impious banquet, because of their long-standing friendship with him, took him aside and privately urged him to have meat brought of a kind he could properly use, prepared by himself, and only pretend to eat the portions of sacrificial meat as prescribed by the king. ‘Such pretence’ he said ‘does not square with our time of life; many young people would suppose that Eleazar at the age of ninety had conformed to the foreigners’ way of life, and because I had played this part for the sake of a paltry brief spell of life might themselves be led astray on my account; I should only bring defilement and disgrace on my old age. Even though for the moment I avoid execution by man, I can never, living or dead, elude the grasp of the Almighty. Therefore if I am man enough to quit this life here and now I shall prove myself worthy of my old age, and I shall have left the young a noble example of how to make a good death, eagerly and generously, for the venerable and holy laws.’ With these words he went straight to the block. His escorts, so recently well disposed towards him, turned against him after this declaration, which they regarded as sheer madness. Just before he died under the blows, he groaned aloud and said, ‘The Lord whose knowledge is holy sees clearly that, though I might have escaped death, whatever agonies of body I now endure under this bludgeoning, in my soul I am glad to suffer, because of the awe which he inspires in me.’ This was how he died, leaving his death as an example of nobility and a record of virtue not only for the young but for the great majority of the nation.

OR: --------

First reading 2 Maccabees 7:1-2,9-14 'The King of the world will raise us up to live for ever'

There were seven brothers who were arrested with their mother. The king tried to force them to taste pig’s flesh, which the Law forbids, by torturing them with whips and scourges. One of them, acting as spokesman for the others, said, ‘What are you trying to find out from us? We are prepared to die rather than break the laws of our ancestors.’ With his last breath the second brother exclaimed, ‘Inhuman fiend, you may discharge us from this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up, since it is for his laws that we die, to live again for ever.’ After him, they amused themselves with the third, who on being asked for his tongue promptly thrust it out and boldly held out his hands, with these honourable words, ‘It was heaven that gave me these limbs; for the sake of his laws I disdain them; from him I hope to receive them again.’ The king and his attendants were astounded at the young man’s courage and his utter indifference to suffering. When this one was dead they subjected the fourth to the same savage torture. When he neared his end he cried, ‘Ours is the better choice, to meet death at men’s hands, yet relying on God’s promise that we shall be raised up by him; whereas for you there can be no resurrection, no new life.’

OR: --------

First reading 2 Maccabees 7:1,20-23,27-29 Make death welcome, so that in the day of mercy I may receive you back

There were seven brothers who were arrested with their mother. The king tried to force them to taste pig’s flesh, which the Law forbids, by torturing them with whips and scourges. But the mother was especially admirable and worthy of honourable remembrance, for she watched the death of seven sons in the course of a single day, and endured it resolutely because of her hopes in the Lord. Indeed she encouraged each of them in the language of their ancestors; filled with noble conviction, she reinforced her womanly argument with manly courage, saying to them, ‘I do not know how you appeared in my womb; it was not I who endowed you with breath and life, I had not the shaping of your every part. It is the creator of the world, ordaining the process of man’s birth and presiding over the origin of all things, who in his mercy will most surely give you back both breath and life, seeing that you now despise your own existence for the sake of his laws.’ She said to her youngest son, ‘My son, have pity on me; I carried you nine months in my womb and suckled you three years, fed you and reared you to the age you are now (and cherished you). I implore you, my child, observe heaven and earth, consider all that is in them, and acknowledge that God made them out of what did not exist, and that mankind comes into being in the same way. Do not fear this executioner, but prove yourself worthy of your brothers, and make death welcome, so that in the day of mercy I may receive you back in your brothers’ company.’

OR: --------

First reading Wisdom 3:1-9 The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God

The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out; as sparks run through the stubble, so will they. They shall judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.

OR: --------

First reading Ecclesiasticus 51:1-8 Thanks to God the saviour

I will give thanks to you, Lord and King, and praise you, God my saviour, I give thanks to your name; for you have been protector and support to me, and redeemed my body from destruction, from the snare of the lying tongue, from lips that fabricate falsehood; and in the presence of those around me you have been my support, you have redeemed me, true to the greatness of your mercy and of your name, from the fangs of those who would devour me, from the hands of those seeking my life, from the many ordeals which I have endured, from the stifling heat which hemmed me in, from the heart of a fire which I had not kindled, from deep in the belly of Sheol, from the unclean tongue and the lying word – the perjured tongue slandering me to the king. My soul has been close to death, my life had gone down to the brink of Sheol. They were surrounding me on every side, there was no-one to support me; I looked for someone to help – in vain. Then I remembered your mercy, Lord, and your deeds from earliest times, how you deliver those who wait for you patiently, and save them from the clutches of their enemies.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 30(31):3-4,6,8,16-17

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Be a rock of refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me, for you are my rock, my stronghold. For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord. As for me, I trust in the Lord: let me be glad and rejoice in your love.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

My life is in your hands, deliver me from the hands of those who hate me. Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your love.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Acclamation Mt5:10

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!

Or: Jn17:19

Alleluia, alleluia! For their sake I consecrate myself, so that they too may be consecrated in the truth. Alleluia!

Or: 2Co1:3-4

Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed be God, a gentle Father and the God of all consolation, who comforts us in all our sorrows. Alleluia!

Or: Jm1:12

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy the man who stands firm, for he has proved himself, and will win the crown of life. Alleluia!

Or: 1P4:14

Alleluia, alleluia! It is a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the name of Christ, for the Spirit of God rests on you. Alleluia!

Or: cf.Te Deum

Alleluia, alleluia! We praise you, O God, we acknowledge you to be the Lord; the noble army of martyrs praise you, O Lord. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 10:17-22 The Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you. ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[yhwhrulz]

Wayside ChapeL Daily Devotional 25th May 2024

5/25 2 Kings 4:43

43 But his servant said, "How can I set this before a hundred men?" So he repeated, "Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, 'They shall eat and have some left.'"

Centuries before Jesus fed the 5,000, Elisha fed the 100. They had received a small gift of food and Elisha told his servant to set it before the men. The servant protested that it was not enough. Perhaps he was even thinking it would cause arguments to break out. But the LORD had told Elisha it would be enough and there would be leftovers, and it was so.

Jesus fed five loaves and two small fish to a crowd of 5,000, while Elisha fed a hundred men with twenty barley loaves and some stalks of grain. A loaf was enough for one person to have a small meal. What is the LORD showing us from these two accounts? The only person to perform more recorded miracles than Elisha was Jesus. We should understand that Jesus is greater than the prophets who came before Him.

We might also see that there is really no comparison to the anointing on the prophets of old and that upon Jesus. It is a completely different scale. While Elisha did raise a dead boy, Jesus raised a dead boy, a dead girl, and a man who had been dead four days. One of the reasons for the abundance of Jesus' miracles is for us to see that there is none like Him. There is nothing too hard for Him. As the Creator, He can do anything. If you are going to place your faith in someone, look to someone for help, or ask someone for guidance in life, could there be any greater one to ask than Jesus?

Consider: Why would you turn anywhere else in times of need? And if you would turn to Him then, why not turn to Him now simply because of who He is!

[billysigudla]

FOR OUR LIVES. He is never too early and too late. Preacher: Rev John Sigudla 2Kings 6:1-8 Introduction. The God who do not forget the good that you are doing. He will remember you very soon. A. THE BACKGROUND OF THIS WOMAN OF SHUNEM. He was a very rich woman together with her husband. she was godly, in so much that she always welcomed the servant of God, Elisha and offered the man of God food and shelter always. She eventually, consulted her husband that “This man who always passes here, he is truly the man of God. She then suggested to her husband that something must be done for Elisha the man of God.an upper room must be built for Elijah and not lower room.A bed must be in that upper room, for rest.A table for study must be in that upper room.A chair for setting was supposed too to be in that upper room as he will be reading and studying the Word of God or being studied or read by the Word of God. The husband of this woman agreed with his wife. LESSON TO LEARN HERE FROM THIS WOMAN This woman feared God.  This woman acknowledged servants of God. This woman was observant. This woman respected her husband since she followed protocol in whatever she was suggesting. This woman was barren, she didn’t have children Though this woman was very wealthy. This woman was satisfied with her status of childlessness. This woman never prayed for a child. Elisha was touched by the kindness of this woman and Elisha wanted to do something for her or her family and the man of God, didn’t know what to do for this family. The woman was called and sked what she wanted and she said that she was sharp, needed nothing, No prayer for the king to give her more land. Then Gehazi the servant of Elijah said to Elisha, She doesn’t have children. Then Elisha responding to his assistance, Call her and when she was there in the presence of Elisha, Elisha said that by next year, that very same time, she will be having a baby boy. She scolded Elisha by saying “Do not lie to me man of God” Exactly by next year, the same time, a child was born. The child became sick later on, and he died, in the field where his Father was working. The Father said to their servant, “Please take this dead boy to his mother” Upon arrival, the boy was taken to Elisha’s room and prayer followed and the child was restored back to life. B. THE FAMINE THAT WAS ABOUT TO HIT THAT LAND. God will never forget the good you have shown to others. God owes no man anything, thus your labour in the Lord is not in vain. God remembered this woman of shunammite Elisha was send to warn and instruct the woman and her family to leave that country and go anywhere for 7 years’ famine.The woman obeyed together with her family.They left their house and field and everything as they left.Questions, were there, but she said “The Lord said I must go” After seven severe years of hunger, she together with her family went back home, to go and claim her house and filed. C. GOD IS ALWAYS ON TIME, NEVER LATE OR EARLY. When the time was fully come, and the famine gone. God allowed the King to talk about prophet Elisha and his miracles and the servant of Elisha was asked to mention any miracle that was performed by Prophet Elisha. Elijah performed 16 miracles but Elijah requested for a double portion of the anointing of Elijah. Out of so many miracles that were performed by Elisha, Gehazi the servant of Elisha, related a miracle of the son of this woman. While the King was surprised and listening, this woman came back to claim her property. Gehazi, when he saw her and the child or son, he said to the king “This is the woman I was talking about and her boy” The king attention went to this woman and she was asked about what really happened. She was able to affirm that a miracle indeed took place and that was there not to talk about the miracle, but looking for a miracle of restoration and restitution which means, to be given back that which is hers, compensation, pay back that which belongs to that person. D. CONCLUSION GOD IS TRULY FA...

[biblegrad]

Strange Miracles

“Then he [Moses] cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet.” (Exodus 15:25)          Have you ever noticed that God often performs miracles through weird processes?  Jesus uses mud to cure a blind man’s eyes, Elisha stretches on top of a dead body three times to raise the dead, and in the above case, Moses throws a tree…

[carolap53]

Your Ministry to the Poor

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman

02/09/2024

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Is 58:7). For many years, I have read this passage without responding to it personally. I read it and moved on to the rest of my Bible reading without any actions steps. It was just another verse of scripture. Then one day the Holy Spirit asked me a question. "Os, how are you ministering to the poor in my name?" It was a very convicting question. As I began to ponder that question, I realized I had no specific focus on the poor in my workplace ministry. Sure, I give to my local church that often gives to the poor and I may give a donation to the needy here or there. However, I was not directly involved in any specific activity that served the poor. I believed God was challenging me to change this. I began praying about this and soon God connected me with a Christian leader in the nation of Uganda. I had never been to a third world nation. I had not seen poverty up close and personal. I decided this was God’s answer to my prayer. Paying all my own expenses, I traveled to Uganda.  I visited the camps where thousands of people have come to live – having abandoned their lands because of a 20-year rebel war. Children have been killed and maimed. During my stay, I experienced limited access to electricity and other basic needs we take for granted in the west. It is a stark contrast to how so many of us live. This trip has begun a long term relationship with the nation of Uganda. The Lord does not ask us to give what we don’t have. However, I do believe each of us should ask God, "What do I have in my hand that I can offer?" That is what Elisha asked of the widow. And God performed a miracle through what she had (2 Kings 4:2). Ask God today what you have in your hand that you can give to the poor.  

[rainsmediaradio]

Open Heavens For Teens 29th December 2023 – Ask

The RCCG Open Heaven For Teens

The Topic of Teenagers Open Heavens for FRIDAY 29TH DECEMBER 2023 Is “Ask”

Read: Matthew 7:7-11 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Memorise: Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

TEENS OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 29TH DECEMBER 2023

God has much to give His children, but sometimes, we don’t have what it takes to receive from Him. When God was about to change the situation of the widow of the late prophet in 2 Kings 4:1-7, Elisha asked her to borrow empty vessels and pour a bit of oil into all of them. Miraculously, the oil did not stop flowing until they were all filled. I believe that if she had gotten more containers, they would all have been filled. The story of Elijah and Elisha is another remarkable one. Theologians have reported that while Elijah did seven miracles in his lifetime, Elisha performed fourteen outstanding miracles. When Elijah was to be taken away, he asked Elisha to make his request. Elisha requested a double portion of his master’s anointing, and he got it. I once asked God to give me the double portion of the anointing on Elisha, Peter, Paul, and our Lord Jesus Christ but He said I was asking for trouble because people would not allow me to rest. You are not foo young to covet spiritual gifts and thirst for the power of the Holy Spirit. KEY POINT: You are not too young to have spiritual gifts. Ask, and you will be given. HYMN 13 – Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour 1.⁠ ⁠Pass me not, O gentle Saviour, Hear my humble cry; While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by. CHORUS Saviour Saviour, Hear my humble cry; While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by. 2.⁠ ⁠Let me, at Thy throne of mercy Find a sweet relief; Kneeling there in deep contrition, Help my unbelief. 3.⁠ ⁠Trusting only in Thy merit Would I seek Thy face Heal my wounded, broken spirit, Save me by Thy grace. 4.⁠ ⁠Thou, the spring of all my comfort, More than life to me. Whom have I on earth beside Thee? Whom in heaven but Thee BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 15-17 Read the full article

[z3norear]

GOD MEMORANDUM

TO: YOU

FROM: GOD

11.

This day like unto Elijah with the widows Son, I stretch myself upon thee three times and you live again. This day, like unto Elisha with the Shunammite's Son, I put My mouth upon your mouth and My eyes upon your eyes and My Hands upon your hands and your flesh is warm again.

This day, like unto Jesus at the Tomb of Lazarus, I command you to come forth and you will walk from your cave of doom to begin a new life.

This is your birthday. This is your new day of birth. Your first life like unto a play of the theater, was only a rehearsal. This time the curtain is up. This time the World watches and waits to applaud. This time you will not fail.

Light your candles. Share your cake. Pour the wine. You have been reborn.

Like a butterfly from its chrysalis you will fly...fly as high as you wish, and neither the wasps nor dragonflies nor mantids of mankind shall obstruct your mission or your search for the the true riches of life.

Feel My Hand upon thy head.

Attend to My Wisdom.

Let Me share with you, again, the secret you heard at your birth and forgot.

You are My greatest miracle.

You are the greatest miracle in the World.

Those were the first words you ever heard. Then you cried. They all cry.

You did not believe me then...and nothing has happened in the intervening years to correct your disbelief. For how could you be a miracle when you consider yourself a failure at the most menial of tasks? How can you be a miracle when you have little confidence in dealing with the most trivial of responsibilities? How can you be a miracle when you are shackled by debt and lie awake in torment over whence will come tomorrow's bread? Enough. The milk that is spilled is sour.

Yet, how many prophets, how many wise man, how many poets, how many artists, how many composers, how many scientists, how many philosophers and messengers have I sent with word of your Divinity, your potential for godliness, and the secrets of achievement? How did you treat them?

Still I love you and I Am with you now, through this words, to fulfill the prophet who announced that the Lord shall set his hand again, the second time, to recover the Remnant of his people.

I have set My Hand again.

This is the second time.

You are my remnant.

It is of no avail to ask, haven't you known, haven't you heard, hasn't it been told to you from the beginning; haven't you understood from the foundations of the Earth?

You have not known; you have not heard; you have not understood.

You have been told that you are a Divinity in disguise, a God playing a fool.

You have been told that you are a special piece of work, noble in reason, infinite in faculties, express and admirable in form and moving, like an angel in action, like a God in apprehension.

You have been told that you are the salt of the Earth. You were given the secret even of moving mountains, of performing the impossible. You believe no one. You burned your map to happiness, you abandoned your claim to to peace of mind you snuffed out the candles that had been placed along your destined path of glory, and then you stumbled, lost and frightened, in the darkness of futility and self-pity, until you fell into a hell of your own creation.

Then you cried and beat your breast and cursed the luck that had befallen you. You refused to accept the consequences of your own petty thoughts and lazy deeds and you searched for a scapegoat on which to blame your failure. How quickly you found one.

You blamed Me!

You cried that your handicaps, your mediocrity, your lack of opportunity, your failures...were the will of God!

You were wrong!

[ancestorsofjudah]

2 Kings 4: 8-14. "The Left Turn."

The Resurrection of the Dead is a sacrament that preceded the appearance of the Christ in year 5 BCE. The Prophets Elijah and Elisha could perform the miracle. Its implications are not a return from death to life but the end of an empirical existence in favor of one that fulfills the soul's purposes in tangible ways. The most tangible being the ability to safely live in one's own home without fear of reprisal:

From Ezekiel 37:

"Therefore, prophesy, and say unto them: 'Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, 0 my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, and caused you to come up out of your graves, 0 My people. And I will put My spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I will place you in your own land; and ye shall know that I the Lord have spoken, and performed it, saith the Lord."'

Home is salvation, it is resurrection, it is the place all the sacraments claim are the abode of God. Home is where life begins, over and over:

The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life

8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.

 9 She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”

11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. 

12 He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.” So he called her, and she stood before him. 

13 Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’”

She replied, “I have a home among my own people.”

14 “What can be done for her?” Elisha asked.

Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.”

The word Elisha means "the free market", Shunem means to be undisturbed. In practice it denotes being comfy, relaxed and at ease. Adjective שאנן (sha'anan), means unmoved in the sense of being perpetual, inattentive, or complacent.

In the previous section we learned a Spirit infused government is supposed to provide education and political illumination, ie "olive oil to the jars." Now we are going to add it is responsibility also for housing.

Gehazi means "river of rebirth."

"The verb גיח (giah), or גוח (gwh), means to burst forth. It's applied to rivers and human births. Human collectives such as families and tribes are in the Bible often symbolized as mountains. Hence births signify valleys and are associated with rivers.

Verb גיא (gy') isn't used in the Bible and its meaning is subsequently unknown. The derived noun גיא (gai'), however, means valley and is used frequently. There are at least seven named valleys mentioned in the Old Testament.

The observation that "every valley shall be exalted and every mountain made low" ties into the principle of rebirth, via which is peopled a world in which every individual is king and high priest and utterly free."

The vision of freedom a government must raise out of the valley of vision includes a robust porfolio of civil rights, security, and access to housing. Complacency in any of these aspects of government is forbidden by the Religion.

The Values in the Gemtria for each verse provide additional details:

v. 8: The Value in Gematria is 11014, יא אֶפֶסא‎‎ד‎, "oh Ephesad." "Advance to Ephesus", AKA "To carry to Ephesus."

The government must maintain the course and heading of civilization and carry lifeless things to the Tabernacle where they will be quickened into functioning, productive, free, and perhaps one day happy citizens for whom it has agreed to take legal responsibility for.

v. 9-10: The Value in Gematria is 8404, חדאֶפֶס‎ד‎, hadapesd, "rejoice in the gold side" the unexplained. The small room with a skylight, lamp, bed, chair and table is the portable version of the Upper Room, the Holiest of Holies.

v. 11-12: Elisha the government, tells his servant, the "Vision of New Life" to offer the people a boon. The Value in Gematria is 8594, חהטד‎‎‎, hatad, "to make someone else glad."

v. 13: The Value in Gematria is 10836, קחגו‎‎‎‎, "get away". The Hebrew word galul best explains this, it means "to turn one's head the right way, to turn it into a repository." All goodness and blessedness begins in society when we educate ourselves regarding what is right, good, proper, lasting in its ability to make us feel safe and happy.

The Decrees were designed for this very purpose. Try as we might not to violate them we do and then quality of life ebbs. The best way to ensure life goes on and remains habitable is to always turn right.

Large numbers of homeless persons are a sign of the opposite, ignorance of the Decrees, AKA a turn to the left.

Governments like civilians make decisions regarding which way they are going turn.

v. 14: The Value in Gematria is 3393, גגטג, ‎gagtag. "The crown of the neighborhood lodging."

This refers to the State House, where among other things, discussions regarding how to effectively enforce the Constitution and the Law are made. In Judaism conversations like these do not employ popular opinion or sectarian rhetoric.

They refer first to the bottom line of the law, which mandates the creation of a dignified humane experience within the boundaries controlled by the government and the Governor, the Most High.

State Houses that debate based on party politics or the minutiae of religion leave the people they represent stranded, winners or losers of fights in which they never had any stake. They do not advance us to Ephesus, or comfortable, cozy place. It does not make them glad as the scripture says governments are supposed to do.

Housing according to the Religion therefore includes proper housing of the delegates within the government as much as it does for the population of a particular jurisdiction. Oversight of both, of course, is the responsibility of the King.

The planet is witnessing the greatest number of failing governments and homeless people in a very long time. World War 3 has begun. It began when the goblin, Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine and did so without little recrimination by the world's governors. Why are we worrying about civilian casualties now instead of before when it could have mattered?

Every nation on this planet is conscripting soldiers or neglecting their usual economic plans in favor of acquiring or manufacturing military technology. Our willingness to understand the information in this forum notwithstanding, we have laws forbidding the former and they must be observed. Only then will civilians be safe from the consequences of the warring tendencies of their governments.

But First: Vladimir Putin needs to be put under arrest and put to death. The same goes for the rest of losers and despots on this planet like Hamas, who are purposefully using force to deprive people of their homes, freedom, or means of survival. If you are in government, you are obligated by the laws of man and the Laws of God to do this immediately.

The Law Enforcement Cycle is how the beginnings of wars can also be their end. God "spoke it, and performed it." It is now our turn.

[bernardo1969]

The Bible teaches us that wisdom has accompanied God since before the creation of the world, and that through her all the perfections of the universe were manifested; wisdom is the science by which God governs all things. And wisdom is not only a theoretical science but also a practical one, that is why the teacher of wisdom Ben Sira dedicated part of his book to teaching how God's wisdom was manifested throughout the history of Israel. And to achieve this he composed some beautiful metaphors that describe with great precision the most prominent people of the Old Testament. One of these people was the great prophet Elisha, about whom the wise Ben Sira spoke in a few brief words. And Ben Sira began talking about Elisha, explaining how this prophet received the spirit of Elijah, who was caught up to heaven, to continue with the prophetic mission: "When Elijah was enveloped in the whirlwind, ELISHA was filled with his spirit; he worked twice as many marvels, and every utterance of his mouth was wonderful" Ben Sira 48:12. Then Ben Sira continued with the teaching and explained that with the power Elisha received from Elijah he became very feared by his enemies, like the Arameans, humiliating them and making them ridiculous: "During his lifetime he feared no one, nor was anyone able to intimidate his will" Ben Sira 48:12 And his miracles were so many, Elisha was a prefiguration of Jesus, that even after he died his remains resurrected even a dead person: "Nothing was beyond his power; and from where he lay buried, his body prophesied In life he performed wonders, and after death, marvelous deeds" Ben Sira 48:13-14. But Ben Sira concluded that due to the lack of fear of God among the common people, this notable prophet was only recognized as such a long time after his death: "Despite all this the people did not repent, nor did they give up their sins, until they were uprooted from their land and scattered all over the earth" Ben Sira 48:15.

[princeofgod-2021]

LIGHT OF LIFE 411

John 1:4

UNDERSTANDING PROPHETIC MANDATES 45: FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY 3

Amo 3:7 CERTAINLY, THE ALMIGHTY LORD DOESN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS HE FIRST REVEALS HIS SECRET TO HIS SERVANTS THE PROPHETS. GW

4. Prophecy declares the Activities of Men ahead of their times, while Miracles address their Problems at that time. Men will be more impressed by Fulfilled Prophecy than by Miracles.

2Ki 7:1 Elisha answered, "I have a message for you. The LORD promises that TOMORROW HERE IN SAMARIA, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO BUY A LARGE SACK OF FLOUR OR TWO LARGE SACKS OF BARLEY FOR ALMOST NOTHING." The chief officer there with the king replied, "I don't believe it! Even if the LORD sent a rainstorm, it couldn't produce that much grain by tomorrow." "YOU WILL SEE IT HAPPEN, BUT YOU WON'T EAT ANY OF THE FOOD," Elisha warned him. CEV

It was a Prophesied Miracle, but the appeal of events happening exactly as declared was ecstatic and specifically noted and recorded in details by those who heard Elisha.

2Ki 7:17,20 Now the king had placed THE OFFICER WHO WAS HIS RIGHT-HAND MAN AT THE CITY GATE. When the people rushed out, THEY TRAMPLED HIM TO DEATH IN THE GATE. THIS FULFILLED THE PROPHET’S WORD WHICH HE HAD SPOKEN WHEN THE KING TRIED TO ARREST HIM…This is EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM. The people trampled him to death in the city gate. NET

5. True Prophetic Declaration and its Fulfillment, can never be duplicated by satan because he isn’t Omniscient, but Miracles can be because God did not take [that] Power from satan. satan is being used by God to EXAMINE humanity and he needs power to do a profound job of it.

Exo 7:10-11 So Moses and Aaron went to the king and did as the LORD had commanded. AARON THREW HIS WALKING STICK DOWN IN FRONT OF THE KING AND HIS OFFICERS, AND IT TURNED INTO A SNAKE. THEN THE KING CALLED FOR HIS WISE MEN AND MAGICIANS, AND BY THEIR MAGIC THEY DID THE SAME THING. GNB

If any Prophecy seems fulfilled by demonic declaration, it can only be [firstly] because demons have peeked into, and understood some of the Prophecies already declared by God.

Mostly, God hides the details of Profound Prophecies from Men and spirits.

1Pe 1:10-12 ABOUT WHICH SALVATION THE PROPHETS SOUGHT OUT AND SEARCHED OUT, prophesying concerning the grace for you; SEARCHING FOR WHAT, OR WHAT MANNER OF TIME, THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST MADE CLEAR WITHIN THEM, testifying beforehand of the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow. To them it was revealed that not to themselves, but to us, they ministered the things which are now reported to you by those who have preached the gospel to you in the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven; WHICH THINGS THE ANGELS DESIRE TO LOOK INTO. MKJV

But [secondly] where God permitted satanic agents to make true Prophecies, He did deliberately [yet] to test His Children, the CHURCH.

It is aimed at determining how faithful we are to Him, our Creator.

Deu 13:1-3 Someday A PROPHET MAY COME ALONG WHO IS ABLE TO PERFORM MIRACLES OR TELL WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE. Then the prophet may say, "Let's start worshiping some new gods—some gods that we know nothing about." If the prophet says this, don't listen! THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BE WATCHING TO FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU LOVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND SOUL. CEV

6. Miracles are however important because they help people Believe easily in God and Jesus.

Joh 4:48 Jesus said to him, "YOU PEOPLE MUST SEE MIRACULOUS SIGNS AND WONDERS BEFORE YOU WILL BELIEVE IN ME." ERV

Signs and Wonders have to be intrinsic parts of the Gospel, backing up its declaration often.

Heb 2:3-4 How, then, shall we escape if we pay no attention to such a great salvation? The Lord himself first announced this salvation, and those who heard him proved to us that it is true. At the same time GOD ADDED HIS WITNESS TO THEIRS BY PERFORMING ALL KINDS OF MIRACLES AND WONDERS and by distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will. GNB

But Prophecies go way further than all than: they herald the Integrity of God’s Purpose.

Fulfillment of Prophecy helps Men to perceive more easily the Plan of God for Mankind.

Luk 4:20-21 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to tell them, “TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE HAS BEEN FULFILLED EVEN AS YOU HEARD IT BEING READ.” NET

Sadly though, Fulfillment of Prophecy is sensible only to those who have been [expectantly] following the Prophecy, and also to those of such who haven’t been blinded by satan.

2Co 3:14-16 The people were STUBBORN, and something still keeps them from seeing the truth when the Law is read. ONLY CHRIST CAN TAKE AWAY THE COVERING that keeps them from seeing. When the Law of Moses is read, they have their minds covered over with a covering that is removed only for those who turn to the Lord. CEV

Our Souls will never be resistant to Profound Prophecies, IN JESUS NAME.

Come back on Friday, for more of this insightful and enlightening Sub-Subtopic.

Keep Shinning!

Brother Prince

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

08055125517; 08023904307

[realtybanker]

Hope and Encouragement: The Cornerstones of Personal Growth

Hope and encouragement are two of the most powerful gifts we can receive. They can give us strength, comfort, and hope even in the most challenging of times and can provide a source of inspiration and motivation to keep going. Hope and encouragement are themes found throughout the Bible and the stories of Elijah and Elisha, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and Paul’s letters of encouragement are some of the most powerful examples of how these themes are demonstrated. In this article, we will be exploring the stories of Elijah and Elisha, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and Paul’s letters of encouragement to gain insight into how hope and encouragement can provide strength and resilience in difficult circumstances. We will look at how these stories are relevant today and how they can provide a source of comfort and strength in our lives. The story of Elijah and Elisha provides an example of how hope can be found in times of discouragement and despair. Elijah was a prophet of God and his successor, Elisha, inherited his prophetic mantle. In the story of Elijah and Elisha, Elijah is a beacon of hope in times of despair and is an example of how one can have hope even in the darkest of times. The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus shows us how hope can be restored by encountering Jesus. After Jesus was crucified, the disciples were filled with despair and hopelessness. But when they encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus, their hope was restored. This story demonstrates how hope can be found even in the midst of tragedy and despair. Finally, Paul’s letters of encouragement provide an example of how hope can be found in the midst of challenges and difficulties. Paul wrote letters of encouragement to the churches he founded throughout the Roman Empire, providing hope and encouragement in the face of persecution and other difficulties. His letters are a powerful reminder that hope can be found in the midst of challenges and provide an example of how to stay hopeful even in the face of adversity. Throughout this article, we will be exploring these three stories and how they provide examples of how hope and encouragement can be found in difficult circumstances. We will look at how these stories are relevant today and how they can provide a source of comfort and strength in our lives.

The Story of Elijah and Elisha: Hope And Encouragement

The story of Elijah and Elisha is one of hope in times of discouragement. This story can be found in the Old Testament of the bible, in the book of 1 Kings. This story tells of how God chose Elijah to be a prophet in a time when the Israelites were straying away from their faith. Elijah was a powerful prophet, who called down fire from heaven and commanded the ravens to feed him. Elijah was eventually taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire, leaving his successor Elisha to carry on his prophetic work. Despite the unfavourable circumstances in which Elisha found himself, he continued Elijah’s prophetic work with enthusiasm and godly courage. Elisha was a source of hope and encouragement to the Israelites in a time of turmoil. He performed miracles, such as healing a leper, and fed a hundred people with a small amount of food. The story of Elijah and Elisha is a reminder of the importance of hope in times of discouragement. It is a reminder that faith in God can provide strength to face difficult and challenging times. In the same way that Elijah and Elisha sought God’s strength to remain faithful, so too can we look to God for hope in times of discouragement. The story of Elijah and Elisha is also a reminder of the power of community in offering hope in times of crisis. When Elisha faced overwhelming odds, he turned to the community of prophets for help. They fed him as he journeyed, and encouraged him in his prophetic task. In turn, Elisha’s work of providing hope to the Israelites was enabled by the prophetic community. The story of Elijah and Elisha is a reminder of the importance of staying connected to our faith and our community in times of discouragement. It shows us that when we come together, we can provide hope and support to one another. In the same way Elijah and Elisha found strength in their faith and their community, we too can look to God and our community for hope in times of darkness.

The Disciples on the Road to Emmaus: Hope Restored Through Encounter with Jesus

The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus is one of hope and restoration. This story is an example of how God can restore hope even in the midst of discouragement and despair. In the story, two of Jesus’ disciples were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were discussing all the events that had taken place during Jesus’ last week on earth, including his crucifixion. As they walked along, a third traveler joined them. This traveler was none other than Jesus himself, although he was not immediately recognized by the disciples. As Jesus walked with them, he began to explain the scriptures in a way that they could understand. He opened their eyes to the fact that the promises of God had been fulfilled before their very eyes. Jesus then revealed himself to the disciples and suddenly, their hope was restored. The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus reveals the power of encountering Jesus in our lives. When we turn to Jesus, we can find hope, even in the midst of despair and discouragement. We can find comfort in the knowledge that God has already accomplished all that he promised in his word. This story can be an encouragement to us in our own lives. When we are feeling overwhelmed by life’s difficulties, it can help to remember that God is always near. We may not always recognize his presence, but when we trust in him, he will certainly be with us. We can be sure that he will restore our hope in times of despair. The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus also reveals the importance of friendship and community. The two disciples were comforted by each other’s presence and by the presence of Jesus. When we are feeling lost and discouraged, it can be a great source of hope to have a friend or family member with us. Spending time with a trusted companion can help to bring us back to a place of hope. Finally, this story is a reminder of the power of the gospel. It is a reminder that Jesus’ death and resurrection brings hope to everyone who believes. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances. It is the hope that comes from knowing that Jesus has conquered death and offers us everlasting life. We can find hope in the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. It is a reminder that God is always near and that he will always restore our hope, no matter what we are going through. It is a reminder that we have a friend in Jesus and that we are never alone. It is a reminder of the power of the gospel and of the hope that it offers to us all.

Paul’s Letters of Encouragement: Hope in the Midst of Challenges

When faced with challenges, it is easy to feel discouraged and give up. But hope can help us persevere and press on. In the Bible, Paul is a prime example of how hope can help us stay strong through difficult times. His letters of encouragement demonstrate how hope can be found in the midst of any challenge. In the New Testament, Paul wrote several letters to churches and individuals, providing guidance and encouragement. In these letters, he consistently emphasizes the importance of hope and encourages believers to remain strong in their faith despite the challenges they face. He reminds them that God is sovereign and will ultimately bring victory out of any difficulty. In his letters, Paul encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, no matter what the circumstances. He tells them to live in hope, trusting that God will work things out for their good. He also admonishes them to remain hopeful in the midst of suffering and persecution, knowing that God will use it for their ultimate good. In addition, Paul reminds them that the ultimate hope is in Jesus Christ, who is the source of all hope and strength. Paul’s letters of encouragement are relevant today. They remind us that in times of hardship and difficulty, we can have hope in Christ. We can find strength in the presence of God and trust that He will bring victory out of our trials. We can have hope in His promises and cling to them, no matter what. Paul’s letters also remind us that hope does not come from our own efforts but from the Lord. He is the one who gives us hope and strength to persevere. We can put our hope in Him and trust that He will see us through. Paul’s letters of encouragement are a reminder that we can find hope in any situation. No matter how dark the situation may seem, we can have hope in God and trust that He will bring us through. We can find strength in the Lord and draw upon His power to live a life of hope and courage.

Conclusion

Hope and encouragement are integral parts of the Christian faith. In the stories of Elijah and Elisha, Jesus’ encounter with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and Paul’s letters of encouragement, hope and encouragement are displayed in the midst of discouragement. The stories of Elijah and Elisha demonstrate how hope can provide solace and guidance during times of distress and despair. Elijah and Elisha’s example of faith in the face of adversity can provide us with the courage and strength to embrace hope in our own lives. It is important to remember that though difficult times may come upon us, hope is still available. The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus reminds us that in the face of despair, Jesus’ presence can bring hope and restoration. Jesus provides comfort, guidance, and strength even when hope seems lost. Finally, Paul’s letters of encouragement remind us that hope can thrive in the midst of challenge and difficulty. It is important to remember that even when things seem hopeless, hope still exists. Paul’s words of encouragement provide us with the assurance that we are never alone and that we have the strength to remain steadfast in our faith. It is important to remember that hope and encouragement can help us navigate difficult times. We can take comfort in knowing that even in our darkest moments, hope and encouragement can provide us with the strength and courage to persevere. By practicing hope and encouragement, we can find peace and strength to carry us through even the most challenging times. Join the Realty Banker Network and stay ahead of the competition. Connect with us on Youtube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Twitter. We hope to see you there.

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