Topic > Christian Beliefs
Elisha’s strange miracles
The Old Testament prophet Elisha performed some pretty strange miracles. Like the one where he threw flour in a pot of stew to remove the poison so a bunch of prophets-in-training could eat it. Entertaining story, but what relevance could this story have to us? Today on “Discover the Word,” we will continue the discussion on “The Miraculous Life of Elisha.” Join the study today on “Discover the Word”!
Not Forgotten
At her mother’s 50th birthday celebration with hundreds of people present, firstborn daughter Kukua recounted what her mother had done for her. The times were hard, Kukua remembered, and funds were scarce in the home. But her single mother deprived herself of personal comfort, selling her precious jewelry and other possessions in order to put Kukua through high school. With tears in her eyes, Kukua said that no matter how difficult things were, her mother never abandoned her or her siblings.
God compared His love for His people with a mother’s love for her child. When the people of Israel felt…
The Promised Spirit
Tenacity and audacity—Elisha had heaps of both. Having spent time with Elijah, he witnessed the Lord working through the prophet by performing miracles and by speaking truth in an age of lies. Second Kings 2:1 tells us that Elijah is about to be taken “up to heaven,” and Elisha doesn’t want him to leave.
The time came for the dreaded separation, and Elisha knew he needed what Elijah had if he was going to successfully continue the ministry. So he made a daring demand: “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit” (2 Kings 2:9). His bold request was a…
The two women from Shunem
Many Bibles stories don’t seem to be connected but upon closer examination, we find they are. Today on “Discover the Word,” we examine the stories of two different women from the town of Shunem. Find out how they are connected and why only one has a happy ending. Listen today to “Discover the Word”!
Understanding our need for the Lord and others
Has anyone ever told you, “Hey, if you need anything, just let me know”? And have you ever taken them up on their offer to help or were you able to handle things on your own? Today on “Discover the Word,” we will talk about what it often takes for us to understand how much we need the Lord and others. Another aspect of “The Miraculous Life of Elisha” today on “Discover the Word”!
Prayer Marathon
Do you struggle to maintain a consistent prayer life? Many of us do. We know that prayer is important, but it can also be downright difficult. We have moments of deep communion with God and then we have times when it feels like we’re just going through the motions. Why do we struggle so in our prayers?
The life of faith is a marathon. The ups, the downs, and the plateaus in our prayer life are a reflection of this race. And just as in a marathon we need to keep running, so we keep praying. The point is: Don’t…
What’s in a sneeze?
You’ve heard of the seven dwarves. But have you heard of the seven sneezes? Today on “Discover the Word,” we will talk about an odd chapter in the story of “The Miraculous Life of Elisha.” After the prophet Elisha prayed for a young boy who had died, the boy awoke and sneezed seven times! So what’s with all the sneezes? Join the conversation today on “Discover the Word”!
Out of the Ruins
In the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem you’ll find Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue. Built in the 19th century, the synagogue was dynamited by commandos during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
For years the site lay in ruins. Then, in 2014, rebuilding began. As city officials set a piece of rubble as the cornerstone, one of them quoted from Lamentations: “Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old” (5:21).
Lamentations is Jeremiah’s funeral song for Jerusalem. With graphic imagery the prophet describes the impact of war on his city. Verse 21 is his heartfelt prayer for God to intervene.…
Faith, disappointment and doubt
Have you ever been the victim of a cruel joke? Well, today’s study of “The Miraculous Life of Elisha” on “Discover the Word” takes us to a woman who may have felt like the victim of a cosmically cruel joke after her young son suddenly died. Join us as we discuss how repeated disappointments in our lives can cause us to doubt, even in the midst of our faith. A revealing conversation today on “Discover the Word”!
Just What I Need
As I stood in the back of the room at a senior citizens’ center in Palmer, Alaska, listening to my daughter’s high school choir sing “It Is Well with My Soul,” I wondered why she, the choir director, had chosen that song. It had been played at her sister Melissa’s funeral, and Lisa knew it was always tough for me to hear it without having an emotional response.
My musings were interrupted when a man sidled up next to me and said, “This is just what I need to hear.” I introduced myself and then asked why he needed this…
Why is it easier to give than to receive?
For many people, it’s easier to give than to receive because they feel uncomfortable being on the receiving end. Maybe they might feel unworthy or less in control. Today on “Discover the Word,” we will begin a two-week focus on “The Miraculous Life of Elisha” and talk about a woman who gave generously of her resources to Elisha and his ministry but had a difficult time being on the receiving end. Why was that? Join the study today on “Discover the Word”!
An Amazing Love
The final major historic acts of the Old Testament are described in Ezra and Nehemiah as God allowed the people of Israel to return from exile and resettle in Jerusalem. The City of David was repopulated with Hebrew families, a new temple was built, and the wall was repaired.
And that brings us to Malachi. This prophet, who was most likely a contemporary of Nehemiah, brings the written portion of the Old Testament to a close. Notice the first thing he said to the people of Israel: “ ‘I have loved you,’ says the Lord.” And look at their response: “How…
Storms on the Horizon
Our son, Josh, is a commercial salmon fisherman in Kodiak, Alaska. Some time ago he sent me a photograph he took of a tiny vessel a few hundred yards ahead of his boat moving through a narrow pass. Ominous storm clouds loom on the horizon. But a rainbow, the sign of God’s providence and loving care, stretches from one side of the pass to the other, encircling the little boat.
The photograph reflects our earthly voyage: We sail into an uncertain future, but we are surrounded by the faithfulness of God!
Jesus’ disciples were surrounded by a storm, and He used the…
Greater than the Mess
A major theme of the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel could easily be “Life is a mess!” It has all the elements of a blockbuster TV miniseries. As David sought to establish his rule as king of Israel, he faced military challenges, political intrigue, and betrayal by friends and family members. And David himself was certainly not without guilt as his relationship with Bathsheba clearly showed (chs. 11–12).
Yet near the end of 2 Samuel we find David’s song of praise to God for His mercy, love, and deliverance. “You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into…
