Everything I Have is Yours!

Today I read the story of Naaman, a LEPER.

What impressed me about this story

was the character of Naaman,

who must have been an impressive man.

He was the army commander of

the King of Aram. 

And it says in 2Kings 5:1,

that he was highly esteemed and respected

by the King!

From what I know of lepers, they were shunned

during those times because leprosy was incurable!

The King sent him off to the King of Israel,

to see the prophet Elisha,

and the prophet sent Naaman

to wash seven times in the River Jordan

so that he will be healed.

At first Naaman was adamant

because Elisha did not even bother to see him,

and he said proudly, "Are not the rivers of Damascus,

the Abana, and the Pharpar,

better than ALL the waters of Israel?

Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?"

Sometimes we have expectations of God,

and when God does not fit in the box,

we are also adamant and proud

and unwilling to see things from God's point of view!!!

After the prodigal son in the Gospel of Luke,

Chapter 15, returned home, the son who had

stayed behind and was obedient, complained,

"Look, all these years I served you

and not once did I disobey your orders;

yet you never gave me even a young goat 

to feast on with my friends.

But when your son returns who swallowed up

your property with prostitutes,

for him you slaughter the fattened calf!"

Here, obviously this son has also boxed in 

his father. 

Perhaps he was secretly yearning 

to go off on an adventure or even to have a party!

But he DID NOT ASK!

The father's answer to him shows

his heart,

"My son, you are here with me always;

EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS.

But now we must celebrate and rejoice,

because your brother was dead

and has come to life again;

he was lost and has been found."

Yes, everything the Father has is ours.

Sometimes He does not give it to us yet,

because He wants us to be more mature,

but sometimes He is waiting for us to ask.

How gracious is our God!

In Luke 13, Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree.

There were no figs on it and the owner told the 

gardener to cut it down.

The gardener said,

"Give me one year. I will take care of it,

fertilize it, cultivate the ground around it,

and prune it so that it will bear fruit."

In 1 Corinthians 3:9 it says we are God's garden.

God is our gardener who takes care that

we grow well, bloom and bear fruit!

Let us not box God in with

our own idea of who He is.

He says to us,

"Everything I have is yours!"

Believe Him!

Every week I choose one wonderful visitor

who leaves a comment

to receive an ATC from me.

I know it takes so much time and effort

to leave a comment

and I appreciate it soooo much!

This week,
Random.org chose,

#19, Ayala Art.

Visit her blog to see a lot of enigmatic faces!

Sometimes I put on my best pajamas 
and join these great parties! 

Jean Ferguson at Soli Deo Gloria

Motivating Monday, Word Art Wednesday

New Equus Party, Sunday Stillness

Women Helping Women at Teaching What is Good

and

Blessings!

Patsy