29/07/13

The Shunammites in Church

2 Kings 4:25 - So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:

The chronicle of Elisha and the Shunammite woman is an excellent study of the mistakes Men of God make and how yet the Lord saves their face when they spiritually wrestle with the Lord. It also exposes those who gather is Churches but are far from God.

The rich, socialite Shunammite woman respected Elisha and went out of her way to be in good books with Elisha but was far from the God of Elisha. She respected Elisha as a Man of God but did not know the God whom Elisha represented. Elisha went out of the way to bless her with a son because he wanted to reciprocate the favour she had done; but then Elisha had to really struggle with the Lord later to keep that blessing, when the son whom he had blessed her with died. For the woman the son was not a gift from God but a gift from Elisha and then Elisha had to sleep on the child head to head, hand to hand, leg to leg many a times, indicating to the Lord to take his life but give the child life. Elisha was the Peter of the Old Testament; he did great miracles but also one of the greatest blunders.

The understanding of this event helped me to be careful when ministering to others. There was a Hindu family I was (am) ministering and at 2 occasions God has used me to show this family His healing power. The family members have great respect for me and consider me a Man of God. At one time when a member of the family was on the verge of death in ICU they hurryingly called me. They had people standing that the entrance of the hospital to guide me in so as to save the person. Before I went there the Lord had told me it was the end for that person. But to keep my respect I struggled with the Lord. That person became alright and was even moved out of the ICU but the next day died. I had warned the son about it before hand. They have still not changed their ways. They want the healings and blessing of God and yet want to live a life worshipping false gods and false beliefs not wanting to have any disconnect with their community. I realized I was like a baba (Hindu godman who was more like a magician). So I drew back from them while keeping in touch waiting for the right time to get back to where I stopped.

The woman came from a town called Shunem which in Hebrew meant "double / two resting place". It is not only the unbelievers, we even have believers who call themselves Christians but are from this place called Shunem. They come to Church mostly because of the one who heads that Church or the people in the Church or for being blessed or healed. Some may not even have any things which they need (like the Shunammite woman) but yet they want to be resident in this world and also have a feeling they are spiritual.

People who think of Jesus as God and man really do not know Him, they are also residents of Shunem. There are those who want salvation but the blessings of God should be of this world. They do not know the definition of salvation. If you ask them they will say it means to be saved. They do not know, saved from who or what. They think it is about been saved from the Devil, they do not know salvation is about being saved from God and from His wrath. No man can save us by God other than God Himself. The man Jesus is the Way but the one who takes us on the Way is the Holy Spirit (God Himself).

Let us not look at any man. Lord the Son came as man yet did not ask us to worship Him as man. He as man glorified the Father in Heaven and the Holy Spirit who was His Father as man (since He was born of the Holy Spirit).

Let us always remember we cannot be residents of this world and also call ourselves Christians. A true Christian always remembers he or she is just passing through this world and is here for a mission. True Christians are aliens/migrants (non-resident person) of this world.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, there are times we are drawn unto people who represent You. We forget it is You who are the power behind them and not them. They are just instruments / vessels through whom You bless us. They are holy vessels who need to be respected but then it is You alone who are worthy of glory and praise. Lord we pray we always remember we are made in this world for a reason. This world is temporary and we are just passing this world. We are called to dwell with You in your true presence permanently, but as we pass here we are called to gather our family in You...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference ]
2 Kings 4:8-37

Matthew 13:36-43
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 4:18-19
18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Luke 16:9-11
9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

John 8:22-24
22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 2:5-8
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:


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