CAN GOOD COME FROM BAD?

After Pentecost, the New Testament Church grew so fast!

On Pentecost Sunday, Peter’s message to the crowds on the streets of Jerusalem brought 3,000 people into the fledgling church [Acts 2:41]. By 4:4, it is recorded that “There were now about five thousand in the group of believers.”

[All quotes from the New Century Version, unless otherwise noted]

By Acts 5:14, “More and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to the group of believers.” Acts 6:1 reports: “The number of followers was growing.”  Six verses later it reads: “The word of God was continuing to spread. The group of followers in Jerusalem increased, and a great number of the Jewish priests believed and obeyed.”

WOW! PTL!

Apparently, the new church was operating feeding programs for those who were struggling. In this process, some conflict arose:

The Greek-speaking followers had an argument with the other followers.

[Seemingly] The Greek-speaking widows were not getting

their share of the food that was given out every day. [6:1]

The Apostles – clearly being overwhelmed – delegated seven godly men to oversee this ministry so that they could focus on prayer and the teaching of the Word. [6:4]

One of these men was Stephen – who was described as “(a man with great faith and full of the Holy Spirit). [6:5]

Stephen apparently had a special anointing from God, for just a few verses later, we read:

Stephen was richly blessed by God who gave him the power to do great miracles and signs

among the people [6:8].

Maybe we ought to read that again! 

This guy who was chosen to assist in the daily distribution of food is suddenly – almost immediately – empowered by God to do great miracles?

It’s noteworthy to observe that the other six men chosen to help with the daily distribution of food ARE NEVER MENTIONED AGAIN IN THE BIBLE! However, the lengthy six and seventh chapters are ALL ABOUT STEPHEN!

Stephen was heavily opposed by “people from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia. They all came and argued with him” [6:9]. He was essentially arrested and brought before the high priest! A conspiracy of lies was concocted against him. As this injustice unfolded, “All the people in the meeting were watching Stephen closely and saw that his face looked like the face of an angel [6:15].

When questioned by the high priest, Stephen lectured the entire group on the history of Israel! It was a lengthy message! As his message progressed, he eventually accused his listeners by saying:

You stubborn people!

You have not given your hearts to God, nor will you listen to Him!

You are always against what the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you,

just as your ancestors were… [7:51]

 

When the leaders heard this, they became furious.

They were so mad they were grinding their teeth at Stephen.

 

But Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit.

He looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right side.[7:54-55]

The angry mob was stirred up to such an extent that they hauled Stephen out of the city and began to stone him to death. As they did so, Stephen prayed:

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” [7:59-60]

Then, he died!

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Why would God bless and empower a man so richly, and then abandon him to a brutal and painful, public death?

This man had quickly acquired a ministry that nearly paralleled that of the apostles themselves! He clearly had SO MUCH POTENTIAL! Why not rescue him? Why not use him for godly purposes?

Dare we question GOD?

He is omniscient [knows all], omnipotent [all powerful], and omni-present [everywhere at all times]!

Who are we to question His wisdom?

BESIDES:

In the incidental details of Stephen’s story, we discover something that is quite powerful!

Acts 7:58 tells us that “those who told lies against Stephen left their coats with a young man named Saul.” Acts 8:1 reports that “Saul agreed that the killing of Stephen was good.”

Who is this Saul?

He is a highly motivated, extremely well-educated, aggressive Pharisee who is eager to make a name for himself! He quickly begins to persecute Christians in Jerusalem. His persecution was SO INTENSE that many began to flee Jerusalem! This sounds bad but as these people fled, they carried the gospel in every direction that they went! The result was amazing influence and growth for the Kingdom movement in all of Jerusalem’s surrounding areas!

God was seeing all of this! You must read Acts 9 to capture the power of Saul’s conversion!

Saul was not content to just persecute Christians in Jerusalem! He asked the high priest for permission to go to Damascus and arrest Christians there as well! It was as he drew near to Damascus that God intervened in his life! 😊

God overwhelmed this enemy of the faith and – in doing so – confirmed that this was His choice as Judas’ replacement! This Saul – renamed Paul – was to become the greatest church-planter that the world has ever known!

It’s unstated, but how much did Stephen’s inspiring death impact this young man who held the coats of his killers? How did it affect Saul to hear Stephen – with his dying breath – forgive those who were throwing the stones? This incident has been referred to as THE SEED OF FAITH SOWN IN A FIELD OF HATE!

Kind and Loving God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Thank You for Stephen - his obedience, his submission, his humility, his influence and his outspokenness! His example inspires us!

And thank You for Saul-Paul! What an outstanding leader and example!

These two lives are uniquely intertwined, even though they probably didn't even know one another! 

You are the Master Weaver!

We must learn to trust You more!

What are You currently weaving in our lives today?

Help us to tune in so that we can fit in with Your plans!

FOR THE KINGDOM'S SAKE.

AMEN!

WHY ARE ALTARS BEING REMOVED FROM OUR CHURCHES?

I was a kid in the 1950’s and a teen in the 1960’s. I grew up attending the New Brighton, PA Free Methodist Church. It was a large church for that time period with an average attendance over 200. They maintained a very large Sunday School attendance by using a vehicle [pun intended] common among churches of that day – repurposed school busses.

Sunday morning was a worship time that focused around the pastor’s message. Sunday evening was considered an evangelistic meeting [it had less than half the attendance of the morning service]. There was more singing in the evening, along with occasional testimonies and special music.

Every Free Methodist Church [as far as I knew] had an altar and used it. People commonly responded to the messages by going forward to pray. Sometimes the pastor would give a special invitation related to his/her message. [At that time there were only a few women pastors, but today there are many!]

When a person responded by coming to the altar, it was not uncommon for others to join them by kneeling beside them – or sometimes even across from them. The pastor would also come and pray with individuals at the altar.

If there was a strong response to the altar – which was common – most people would stay in their seats prayerfully. When the needs presented at the altar were satisfied, it was common for the person to give a testimony about how God had helped them. [This was not mandatory!] Our song leader would usually lead us in singing something appropriate and then the service would end.

At Family Camp every July, the altar was used even more frequently. I have seen the altar filled shoulder-to-shoulder MANY TIMES!  Pastors present would come to pray with members of their church. Mature believers would also assist the many ‘seekers’. The congregation would largely remain seated throughout the prayer time. Testimonies would be given and general rejoicing would take place with occasional outbursts of songs.

I knelt at those altars many times through the maturation process. I initially opened my heart to the Lord at that altar. Tissue boxes were kept near the altar for those who frequently wept out confessions and experienced the forgiveness of God through His Holy Spirit.

While leading churches from 1976 through 2017, I frequently knelt at the altar before the service began. Other committed lay people sometimes did the same. I always served Holy Communion by having the people come forward to receive the elements of the Lord’s Supper. Most knelt for a few moments while they took Communion – and then returned to their seats. Others simply stood to do so, or made their personal altar at their seat. The atmosphere was one of deep gratitude to God and many people reported that the experience was deeply meaningful!

So, that’s why I’m asking the question: Why are altars being removed from our churches?

Debbie and I have been attending an evangelical Presbyterian church for six years now. There is no altar and no opportunity – during worship – to pray with one another in a personal way.

I occasionally have the opportunity to visit other Free Methodist Churches and find that many simply don’t have an altar. Or, if they do, it’s rarely used.

About two months ago, I was struggling with some issues in my life. To be honest, at this point I can’t even remember what they were. However, I remember waking up on a Sunday and wishing that I could pray at an altar. I know that must sound odd to some, but it was deeply ingrained in me that the altar is a place of confession and drawing near to God! I almost went to a neighboring Free Methodist Church that Sunday because of that strong sense of need I was experiencing.

My  initial submission to God took place at the altar when I opened my heart to Him! I made many trips to the altar through my teen years while dealing with the stresses and confusions of adolescence. The campus church – while attending Roberts Wesleyan College - was quite large (attendance of over a thousand at that time). I don’t remember if the altar was used, however, while attending the Asbury Seminary Free Methodist Church in Wilmore, Kentucky – where we lived for three years while attending seminary – the altar was used frequently!

WHAT HAS CHANGED?

I earnestly wonder about this.

Is confidentiality a factor? Is it that we don’t share openly as we might have in decades past? Have we become more private regarding our need of God and the pressures and stresses we may be facing?

Has the church lost passion for God? Do we not seek Him as vigorously as we once did?

Have we become too proud to humble ourselves in public?

Are our services so time-restrained now that we can’t afford to spare time for personal seeking? Large churches have multiple services that are often tightly scheduled and controlled.

____________________________________

These are honest questions. Perhaps because I’m a retired pastor, I think about this a great deal.

If salvations aren’t happening at the altar anymore, where are they happening? Our denomination is in a cataclysmic decline in membership and attendance. Does the missing [or unused] altar have any connection to this fact?

What was going on a couple of months ago when I felt such a need to pray at an altar? Do others experience this need or desire? I miss kneeling at the altar to receive Holy Communion – even though it was a brief posture change. Does anybody else share these thoughts, longings and questions?

If you have thoughts about this, I’d love to hear from you! I’m active on Facebook. My email is halinasia@psmail.net 

 [Responses on this blog page always show up as 'Anonymous' - which, of course, leaves me wondering who it is? Please direct your thoughts in a way that allows for dialogue.  :-)]

CAMP FRIENDS

The Tri-State Free Methodist Family Camp begins today [7/10/25]. If you've followed me for long, you'll know that I've published lots of memories about this ten-day camp. [Just use the 'Search' bar and enter 'Family Camp' to get started.]

It's been a focal point of my life from infancy to the present. There were years we missed. For instance, we lived in Kentucky for three years while I was attending seminary. There were other years that I was appointed in different parts of the Pittsburgh Conference [now 'Harvest Conference'] and needed to support either the Fairchance or Apollo camps.

For thirteen years, I led one of the three East Liverpool, Ohio Free Methodist Churches. In spite of the fact that we lived one mile away from the campground, we still packed everything up up and moved into the camp cabin for ten days every July.

Most people know that the camp always begins on the first Thursday after the Fourth of July! If the 'Fourth' falls on a Thursday, then the camp begins the following Thursday, It used to end on the final Sunday evening with a grand tradition of marching, singing and farewell greetings, but when instrumental leaders passed away and busy schedules encroached on staying late on the last Sunday evening - this tradition simply became part of history.

But every year a group of several hundred people gather for this ten-day camp to enjoy fellowship, participate in vibrant worship, and grow spiritually. We live in rustic cabins for ten days. We eat in the air conditioned dining hall three times a day. We hit the 'Camp Store' after church for cheeseburgers, nachos, milkshakes and other treats! We engage in sporting competitions like volleyball, corn-hole, Euchre Tournaments, golf outings, and this year - Pickle-Ball.

We enjoy learning from missionaries every year and offer our financial support to their work. The women enjoy craft times - also in the cool of the dining hall. There are 'after-glows' for the youth and special classes for the children as well. Some head to Thompson Park in the afternoon to enjoy the refreshing community pool [close enough to walk to]. 

There are always a few curfew-breakers who hole-up in a cabin and play games until late into the night!  Early-risers get their exercise in by walking several times around the camp road! Morning classes are held for campers of all ages! The afternoons are largely left open to find your own entertainment. A lot of women make an excursion to the area's pottery outlets in search of good bargains! 

The focal point of the camp is the evening service at 7:00 PM. Almost everyone attends - in spite of the fact that the tabernacle can be quite warm at that point of the day. The worship team - which is becoming increasingly comprised of younger people - leads us wonderfully in communicating our love for God! A guest evangelist brings a message and there is often a call to prayer as the service ends. Hundreds - if not thousands - have made commitments to follow Christ during these annual ten days! Many of us made our first commitment to the Lord while attending camp.

When it ends, we say 'farewell' to our camp-family-friends. Some will gather for a follow-up 'Harvest Weekend' in late September, but we will not see many until July rolls around again!

Family Camp is a special and sacred time for many of us. We have tons of memories of those who went before us and set examples for us. We cherish these special days when we share life with folks from other churches and cities. 

In my home while growing up, we began looking forward to Family Camp right after the celebration of Christmas. Then, when camp was over we would look forward to Christmas! These two events were pivotal in our lives. Of late, however, the Family Camp experience is being described as THE BEST TEN DAYS OF THE YEAR!

[If you'd like to visit, evening services begin at 7:00 PM from July 10-20 at 1027 Anderson Boulevard, East Liverpool, Ohio. We'd love to see you there!  If you come by day, bring a lawn chair, find a tree and relax. You can also buy your meals there - or hit the store with us after the evening worship!  The adult morning class begins at 10:00 AM in the tabernacle.]

LET'S CREATE A DUST STORM!

It may surprise some to discover that we have no original copies of biblical books. However, we have many copies and fragments of copies that are carefully compared to produce the Bibles that we possess today. The Dead Sea Scrolls were unearthed between 1947 and 1956 in eleven caves in and around the Wadi Qumran. These scrolls – when scrutinized over the next twenty years – would refine and corroborate the preceding scriptural examinations! Their value is inestimable!

We know that all of our New Testament was written before 100 A.D. The Old Testament scriptures had obviously been carefully maintained for well over a thousand years earlier. The original languages would have been Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek!

There was chaos in the first four hundred years A.D. trying to determine which books had authority. The process was not highly structured, but rested in the hands of the early church fathers who eventually confirmed – by the end of the fourth century – the sixty-six books that protestants consider the Holy Bible.

But the history of western Asia and Europe was then enveloped in a period that we know as the Dark Ages. It’s difficult for us to imagine this period of history. I’m reminded of a joke I enjoyed as a teenager.

Why was the period from 500 – 1500 A.D known as the ‘Dark Ages’?

Because there were so many knights!

It was during this period that monasteries were established throughout Europe and the feudal system came into being. Most of us know that this was an incubation period for this new Christianity! Monks busied themselves meticulously copying the early manuscripts of scripture by hand-writing copies of the Bible!

By the fourth century when books were copied by hand, there was a standard rate of pay for scribes. Books were divided into what were called stichoi. A stichos is not a line. It was originally the length of sixteen syllables [based on the average length of a line that Homer wrote].

There is a sixth-century New Testament manuscript called the “Codex Claromontanus” which gives the number of stichoi in each New Testament book.  It reported that in Matthew there are 2,600 stichoi, in Mark 1,600, in Luke 2,900 and in John 2,000. Consequently there were 9,100 stichoi in the four Gospels.

There is also an edict of Diocletian published early in the fourth century that fixes the prices for all sorts of things; and amongst them it fixes the rate for the pay of scribes; and the pay is 25 denarii per hundred stichoi. A denarius was a little over five cents, so the rate was approximately $1.25 per hundred stichoi.

This means that – at that time - one could purchase the four Gospels for about $124. All the letters of Paul would have cost about $68.

When Wycliffe published the Bible in English for the first time at the end of the fourteenth century, it was, of course, before printing was available. The Bible still had to be copied by hand. Later, George Foxe wrote: “Some gave five marks (equal to about $55), some more, some less for a book. Some gave a load of hay for a few chapters of St. James or St. Paul in English.”

“When the Great Bible was published in 1540, Bishop Bonner placed the six copies in convenient places in St. Paul’s Cathedral; and such was the eagerness to read them, and to hear them read aloud, that services were rendered impossible and the traffic disrupted and the crowds so great that Bonner had to threaten to take the Bibles away if the eager disorder did not cease.”

When George Foxe had spoken of the eagerness of the people to read the Wycliffe Bible and of their sacrifices to pay for one, he went on, “To see their travails, their earnest seekings, their burning zeal, their readings, their watchings, their sweet assemblies…may make us now in these days of free profession to blush for shame.” It was 1563 when Foxe wrote that.

There is a lesson in this review for all of us. Something that was originally hailed as life-transforming has become mundane! At various points of history, people craved to hear or read the word of God! They would expend inordinate amounts of money or invest hours of time in order to hear these precious, life-giving words!

Many over the years have prayed for a revival. Perhaps instead, we should pray for a rebible!

Gracious God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

You have clearly given us Your Word!

You initiated people through many ages to write these sacred words.

You protected manuscripts through centuries of chaos and rebellion.

You’ve guided the process through translators and translations.

And today, we hold in our hands THE WORD OF GOD!

There is no limit to its power especially when energized by Your Holy Spirit!

Grow in us a DESIRE FOR YOUR WORD!

Create hunger in us for it.

Speak to us through it!

Guide us and use us to incite passion in others for Your precious messages!

FOR YOUR KINGDOM’S SAKE.

AMEN!

Woodrow Kroll, the late president of Back to the Bible once said: "If Christians blew the dust off their Bibles at the same time, there would be a massive dust storm."  [adapted]

Maybe it's time for a dust storm!

THAT SLIPPING FEELING

It’s all too familiar.

Those who have battled depression will know what I’m talking about.

It’s an inner awareness that all is not well. It’s an imposing reality that you’re in for a rough ride. It feels unavoidable. It creates dread.

There are very direct results:

·         Greater difficulty negotiating social connections [desire to isolate]

·         Feelings of failure

·         Lack of motivation [have to force oneself to work]

·         Loss of hope

·         Brooding

·         Disappointment

·         Guilt

The list could go on, but you get the idea.

This slipping feeling is depression’s early warning system!  The ultimate destination of bottoming out is inevitable – UNLESS YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR COURSE.

Ah, now comes the essential question: How do you change your course?

The answers here will vary depending on the person and their past experience.

Some possible answers are:

o   Call the doctor and ask for a prescription.

o   Contact a counselor and set an appointment.

o   Ask for prayer in your small group [if you are part of one].

o   Increase your physical exercise and outdoor exposure – especially sunlight.

o   Talk with a trusted friend about your feelings.

o   Write down your thoughts and feelings [Journaling is an excellent practice for maintaining mental health!]

o   Read something therapeutic or for pleasure.

o   Call out to God for understanding and help by searching His Word, talking with a pastor [or trusted spiritual guide] or simply talking with God Himself!

I’m sure there are other alternatives that could be pursued, but I hope you get the main message: Your body is sending you a message as a warning! Act immediately or the descent of the slide will quickly accelerate your path to a dark place!

If you’ve been to this dark place before, you definitely don’t want to go there again! None of the doors have doorknobs to facilitate your escape! It’s dark! You’re isolated! You morbidly review your life – especially your failures. The loneliness is excruciating!

Make no mistake about it: This miserable, hopeless, dark and depressed place is a carefully laid trap set for you by your spiritual enemy! 

MEMORIZE John 10:10,

A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy,

but I [Jesus] came to give life – life in all its fullness.

[NCV]

As one who has spent too much time in the ‘slough of despair’, I can testify that you DON’T WANT TO GO THERE!

FIGHT IT! FIGHT HIM – THE ENEMY OF YOUR SOUL! 

Don’t be afraid to speak to your enemy out loud! Jesus did! We should! Tell him to go back to hell where he belongs and where he’ll be for all eternity!

MEMORIZE James 4:7-8,

So give yourselves completely to God.

Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you.

Come near to God, and God will come near to you.

You sinners [that’s all of us] clean sin out of your lives.

You who are trying to follow God and the world at the same time,

MAKE YOUR THINKING PURE.

[NCV]

 Call out to God! Ask for His direction and help! Ask Him to send ‘someone with skin’ to walk with you and encourage you!

READ SCRIPTURE! If you don’t know where to read, check out the following verses in a contemporary Bible like The Message or The Living Bible:  [Try meditating on one-per-day]

ü  Deuteronomy 31:8

ü  Psalm 34:17

ü  Psalm 40:1-3

ü  Psalm 3:3

ü  John 16:33

ü  Romans 8:38-39

ü  II Corinthians 1:3-4

ü  Isaiah 41:10

ü  Matthew 11:28

ü  I Peter 5:6-7

ü  Psalm 23:4

ü  Colossians 4:7-8

If you’ve got THAT SLIPPING FEELING, feel free to private message me. I’d be happy to pray for you! I’ve been on that slippery slope many times and care about those who share this struggle!

FAVORITE BIBLE STORIES - II KINGS 7

About 800 years before the birth of Christ, the people of God were divided into two countries: Israel [Samaria] to the north, and Judah to the south. These separate kingdoms were at times on friendly relations, but usually were oppositional.

Around this time, Ben-Hadad king of Aram gathered his whole army and surrounded and attacked Samaria. [II Kings 6:24  -  All quotes from the NCV unless otherwise marked.]

This siege was extremely effective and created a very serious shortage of food in Samaria. The situation was desperate! Finally, in dire frustration, the king sent messengers to Elisha the prophet with the intention of killing the prophet. However, upon their arrival, Elisha told them that within twenty-four hours food prices and supply in Samaria – which had become horribly inflated – would completely normalize! 

Then the officer who was close to the king answered Elisha, “Even if the LORD opened windows in the sky, that couldn’t happen.” Elisha responded, “You will see it with your own eyes…” [II Kings 7:2]

__________________________________

Meanwhile, outside the city gates there were four lepers who were despairing in the realization that they were soon going to die of starvation.  In futility they reasoned that if they stayed where they were, they would surely die. Furthermore, if they went inside the city, there was no food there so they would also die. Then, it finally dawned on them that their best option was to go to the surrounding Aramean army and beg for help. It was likely that they’d die as a result of this action, but they held a hope that perhaps the Arameans would take pity on them and feed them.

Off they went. When they arrived at the Aramean camp, they found it completely deserted!

The Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a large army. They had said to each other, “The king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!” So they got up and ran away in the twilight, leaving their tents, horses, and donkeys. They left the camp standing and ran for their lives. [vs.6-7]

When the men with the skin disease came to the edge of the camp, they went into one of the tents and ate and drank. They carried silver, gold, and clothes out of the camp and hid them. Then they came back and entered another tent. They carried things from this tent and hid them, also. [v.8]

But then something unexpected happened to these four men!

They realized that what they were doing was wrong.

“We’re doing wrong. Today we have good news, but we are silent. If we wait until the sun comes up, we’ll be discovered. Let’s go right now and tell the people in the king’s palace.”

So they went and called to the gatekeepers of the city. They said, “We went to the Aramean camp, but no one is there; we didn’t hear anyone. The horses and donkeys were still tied up, and the tents were still standing.” Then the gatekeepers shouted out and told the people in the palace. [vs.9-11]

After the king of Samaria sent out messengers to insure that this was not a trap, the people flooded through the gates and raided the Aramean camp of all its goods – including livestock!  Within twenty-four hours – just as Elisha had forecast – the prices of goods in Samaria had completely normalized!

_______________________________

Is your conscience alive and well? Do you still hear the voice of God whispering to you? Does your sense of right and wrong still serve as a guideline in your life?

If we obediently respond to God’s voice, then we will continually be open to hearing from Him!

However, when we begin to ignore His voice, it becomes habitual for us and soon we simply no longer hear His messages of correction! This is a terribly bad place for us to be! We have set our feet on the path to depravity!

Miriam/Webster’s definition of depravity: “the quality or state of being corrupt, evil, or perverted.” We could add the impact of becoming spiritually and morally lost. This is NOT a path that we want to put our feet on!

Like the four lepers, we want to be open to hear God’s voice! We want to train ourselves to be soft in God’s hands so that He can mold and shape us according to His desires!

We can rejoice in this ancient story of deliverance while marveling that God used the least likely four men to bring ‘good news’ to the people of Samaria! 

DON’T YOU DARE THINK THAT GOD CAN’T USE YOU!

He absolutely can – AND WILL, IF YOU LET HIM!

FAVORITE BIBLE STORIES - II Kings 6

My bookmark had me read II Kings 6 this morning. I quickly realized that this chapter included one of my favorite Bible stories and I felt the excitement rising as I read on.

The king of Aram was at war with Israel. [v.1 All quotes from the NCV unless otherwise noted]. 

This king held regular council meetings with his officers during which they made plans to attack Israel.  Each time they made a plan, Elisha, the man of God, sent a message to the king of Israel saying, "Be careful! Don't pass that place, because the Arameans are going down there!" [v.9]

Each time, the king of Israel had his soldiers check out the area where they quickly realized that Elisha was telling the truth.

After this happened repeatedly, the king of Aram was angry about this. He called his officers together and demanded, "Tell me who of us is working for the king of Israel." [v.11]

One of the officers said, "None, my master and king. It's Elisha, the prophet from Israel. He can tell you what you speak in your bedroom." [v.12]

The king demanded that they find out where Elisha was so that he could capture him. His servants came back and reported that Elisha was in Dothan. 

Then the king sent horses, chariots, and many troops to Dothan. They arrived at night and surrounded the city.

Elisha's servant got up early, and when he went out, he saw an army with horses and chariots all around the city. The servant said to Elisha, "Oh, my master, what can we do?"

Elisha said, "Don't be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger than the one against us." Then Elisha prayed, "LORD, open my servant's eyes, and let him see."

The LORD opened the eyes of the young man and he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. [vs.14-17]

As the army of Aram descended toward Dothan, Elisha prayed that God would make the entire army be blind. 

As the entire Aramean army stumbled into Dothan, Elisha met them and explained that they were in the wrong city. Then, he volunteered to take them to the right place. Elisha then led the army of Aram directly into Samaria and into the presence of the king of Israel. Then he prayed that God would restore the sight of the soldiers of Aram. They immediately realized that they had been entrapped!

The king of Israel asked Elisha if he should kill these soldiers?

Elisha suggested that he feed them and release them to return home. So the king of Israel hosted a feast for the army of Aram and then released them to return home. 

The armies of Aram did not come anymore into the land of Israel. [v.23]

___________________________________

The LORD says, "My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.  [Isaiah_55:8–9]

Let's remind ourselves that God can do anything He wants to do - any way He wants to do it, when He wants to do it!  God can do anything! [Luke 1:37]

Around the time of 585 B.C., God seemed to favor working through called and designated prophets - such as Elisha! Today - not so much! 

We live in the age of the Holy Spirit! Pentecost - which we just celebrated two weeks ago - changed EVERYTHING!  

Wise followers of Christ will seek to be filled with the Spirit!

They will pursue the direction, wisdom and guidance of the Spirit!

We will also train ourselves to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit is God! The Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity! The Spirit has perfect unity with the Father and the Son! The Spirit is co-eternal with the Father and the Son! They are in perfect fellowship! If heeded, they will lead us to that same unity and fellowship!  And what could be better for our world than for the Church to be unified under the direction of the Holy Spirit?