2 Kings 4:18-36 ~ As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you

If you are thinking a Yellow Crepe Myrtle has been created, you should know Yellow Bells, or one of the 3 flower names is also, Esperanza, is mostly hardy, but will Freeze. And this gangly shrub trains into a tree in about 5 to 7 years to be substantial.

During the drought of late July and heat advisory in Texas, my yard is blooming due to the resilient Crepe Myrtle. I saw one of my large, favorite Crepe Myrtle trees at Lake Woodlands and Panther Creek, is really in sad shape, and realized we needed to talk about weariness and hope.

Yesterday, I didn't Post due to headache. I was sound asleep by 10 pm. Edward had a headache today. And so I looked for a Headache reference in Scriptures.

2 Kings 4:18-36

  

  

  18 When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. 19 And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. 

21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. 22 Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.” 

23 And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.” 

24 Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.

When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite. 26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.” 

27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 

28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” 29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” 30 Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. 

31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.”

32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. 35 Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 

36 Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.”

2nd Kings 4 

The wealthy lady living in Shunem, Southeast of Nazareth, giving food and shelter to Elisha. She is another woman similar to Hannah. The Lord isn't necessarily saying wealth is all money. And her good deeds are not given up as common knowledge. Wealth is knowing the Lord, hospitality and gracious giving. The woman from Shunem is known later, in this 2nd Kings 4 Chapter, as the Shunammite. And is similar, in her privacy, exactly as the sisters of Jesus Christ.  We know that Jesus' great and grandnephews encountered and were known to the Bishop of Caesarea, Eusebius, and Emperor Constantine in the about 350 A.D in Nazareth. 

   

   

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, 

so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. 

   

   

Genesis 33:10-12

10 Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, 

then accept my present from my hand. 

For I have seen your face, 

which is like seeing the face of God, 

and you have accepted me. 

   

11 Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, 

   because 

God 

has dealt graciously with me, 

   and because I have enough.” 

Thus he urged him, and he took it.   

   

   

 Genesis 43:29

And Joseph lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, 

his mother's son, and said, 

   “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? 

God be gracious to you, 

my son!”  

Just as Jacob was gracious in his blessings

of Josephs sons.

   

  

   Exodus 34

   

5 The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, 

and proclaimed the Name of the Lord. 

6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 

“The Lord, the Lord,

 a God merciful 

and gracious

Slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love

 and faithfulness, 

7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, 

forgiving iniquity 

and transgression and sin."

We are very fortunate not to be as ill as the lady's son. God's grace and Love. 

And today, we heard of the gracious healing of Nicko McBrain. You just gotta Love God's Name ability and the coincidences of the Lord. Nicko McBrain is the drummer for Iron Maiden. And he wanted to release a quote today about being healed from a stroke.  This stroke was severe and Nicko McBrain was concerned his career was over.  He wanted us to know, "By the Grace of God, I'm healing." That's really wonderful! God is good.

Matthew 11:26 

yes, Father, for such was your gracious will 

Abba, Father,

In Your Grace,

we live in an age

Social Media shows 

not just dysfunction,

but how 

different opinions

 can be over the 

simplest matter.

Making our time in history

so important

for Gracious words

and deeds.

We know since the Pandemic

so many people

are caring for stray animals,

hurt wild animals

and seriously asking the joy

and longevity of Your Creation.

Let's pray for the nations to heal.

Let's Pray for Jesus to Shine

His Love and Hope

into all the hearts of those we love

and know.

Let's pray God's love favor on ALL

and

the trees

and adopt the trees we have always

loved with gallons of

hand watering. 

And realize again

God is working.

So many miracles

and coincidences to

remember in our

prayer lives.

In Jesus, we ask

Dwell in us, Father

Send Your Holy Spirit as Helper

Dwell in those we love

and 

Help us to seek You first

And in Jesus,

we will finish well.

The Good News in Jesus

we are the truly noble

who know Jesus is Lord,

aspire to go forth

in His strength.

We pray

seriously 

to avoid fire

during this drought.

Ask your local government

to spray with

potable water.

While you are on the road: 

Do not discard cigarettes from moving vehicles; use ashtrays. 

With the conditions we have now, lit cigarettes do cause fires 

and can be disastrous in times of drought and high fire risk. 

When pulling off the side of the road, stay off of dry grass areas. 

Park vehicles so that the exhaust does not come in contact with dry grass, leaves or weeds. 

Adjust the safety chains on your trailers to ensure 

they don’t drag and create sparks that can cause roadside fires. 

At home: 

Avoid cooking outdoors during this drought season.

 If you do cook, never leave barbeque grills unattended. 

Place your grill on concrete or your driveway away from your home or any structures. 

If using charcoal or wood, make sure that 

the fire has been extinguished 

by soaking it with a garden hose 

before disposing of the coals. 

 During this time, do not burn household trash in barrels. 

Check lawnmowers and farm equipment for 

properly working spark arresters. 

Mow lawn at least 30-50 feet away from your house 

and 

water to create defensible space. 

Cut back or remove 

any dry and dead landscaping plants 

or bushes around your home.

 Clear leaves from your roof and gutters;

 rake them away from the sides of your home. 

Move anything that will burn far away from structures, 

items like firewood, compost piles, brush piles, etc

Notify the electric company when dead trees 

or overhanging limbs endanger the electric wires. 

Fire Safety for you: 

Practice fire safety with your family. 

If you see suspicious fire or smoke, call 911.

 Clearly mark driveway entrances with address 

and street names.

Psalm 4:8 

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; 

for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Thank You for the

calm Gulf of Mexico

and Florida Waters.

God is working.

Our God is working. His Son, 

Jesus is working.

And we say Amen in Jesus.

Psalm 96:11-13

 

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

 let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 

12 let the field exult, and everything in it! 

Then shall 

all the trees 

of the forest 

sing for joy

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Lord Jesus