learning from others

NOTE: I am spending this week on vacation with my family, and we are having a great time. That means this will be the only devotion / blog post shared this week. Thanks for understanding and for praying for our family!

The relationship between Elijah and Elisha was very special. One learned from the other, and both men led people to know God and see the miracles that only God could do.

In his final days Elijah poured much of his life into his student Elisha. One of the incredible things we see happen to Elijah is that he didn’t die. Scripture tells us that a fiery chariot came down to take him to Heaven. It was the conversation between these two men that I wanted to share with you this week.

1 Kings 2:9-11 ESV

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

The request Elisha made was similar to the request Solomon made to God when he became king by asking for wisdom. He could have asked for wealth or power or relationships. Because of Solomon’s request God gave him everything he could wish for.

There are lots of points we can discuss there, but what is most evident is that Solomon learned much from watching his father David’s wisdom. Elisha learned from Elijah as well. Elisha asked to be able to lead others just like Elijah did.

Who is it that we have learned from? What in that person’s life is it that we would like to emulate? When we seek God more and more, God things begin to take priority. Getting closer to God allows us to life stronger and simpler lives. The material or superficial things loose their luster. The things of heaven become stronger in our lives.

My prayer is that those I lead won’t want things but will want more of God. I pray my children will see my wife and I love God and serve others that they will do the same.

John 3:30 ESV

He must increase, but I must decrease.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

pray for our back2school outreach event as this coming Saturday is our first registration day from 9am until noon at The Community Fellowship, Fairway Baptist, Mercy Crossing and Mt. Calvary churches.

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Search This Blog