MAY 14, 2025

 "Any fool can know. The point is to understand."

— Albert Einstein

2 Kings 9–11: Knowing What Is Right vs. Understanding God's Heart

Jehu knew what God had commanded, and he acted decisively to carry it out. The Lord even commended him: “Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes… your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation” (2 Kings 10:30). But the very next verse offers a sobering contrast: “Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the Lord… with all his heart” (v. 31).

It’s possible to execute the right actions without cultivating the right heart. Jehu knew what needed to be done—but he didn’t go far enough. He cleaned the surface, but failed to let the truth take root deep within. And as the text unfolds, we watch another powerful scene of reform: Jehoiada’s bold protection of the rightful king, the covenant renewal between the Lord and His people, and the violent but purifying dismantling of Baal worship (2 Kings 11:17–20). This was more than knowing what was wrong—it was about understanding what it meant to truly belong to God.

John 5: From Rule-Knowing to Relationship-Living

Jesus faced opposition from religious leaders who knew the law but didn’t understand the heart of the Father. After healing a man who had been lame for thirty-eight years, Jesus is harassed—not for what He did, but for when He did it (John 5:16). He responds with a statement that reframes everything: “My Father is always working, and so am I” (v. 17). Jesus wasn’t just obeying commands—He was walking in complete unity with the Father’s will, revealing what it means to understand divine purpose.

He explains, “The Son can do nothing by himself; he does only what he sees the Father doing… the Father loves the Son and shows him everything” (vv. 19–20). This isn’t mechanical obedience—it’s relational alignment. And it leads to life: “Those who listen to my message and believe in God… have already passed from death into life” (v. 24).

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Journal Reflection

There is so much depth in these passages. The drama in 2 Kings is intense—political intrigue, courageous reform, and divine justice all wrapped together. I can only imagine watching it unfold like a film. But what strikes me more is that every king, every priest, every moment is a part of God’s tapestry. Even with their flaws, God weaves His purposes through broken people.

And then we see Jesus, standing in the middle of rigid tradition, pushing back—not with rebellion, but with healing. He reminds me that holiness is not about strict rule-keeping. It’s about love. It’s about freedom. It’s about understanding that God’s heart is always beating for restoration, not regulation.

There’s a line that keeps circling in my mind: A miracle is never just a miracle. It’s always more. The healing at the pool wasn’t just about a man walking—it was about revealing the Father. It was about confronting false systems. And it was about showing that God is near and active, even when we don’t understand how.

Likewise, the Bible is never just a book. As Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true… to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). I don’t need a middleman to access this wisdom. God gives me His Spirit, and in seeking, I find—not always quickly, not always easily—but deeply.

And so I press on. Not to simply know more, but to understand more—of God, of His Word, of what He’s doing in and around me. There’s beauty in the struggle, in the questions, in the unfolding. That’s where the transformation happens.

MAY 13, 2025

 

"The work of restoration cannot begin until a problem is fully faced."
— Dan B. Allender

2 Kings 6–7: A Crisis Fully Faced

In 2 Kings 6:33, the king of Israel, overwhelmed by the siege-induced famine in Samaria, voices what many of us have felt in the pit of despair: “This misery is from the Lord! Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?” His hopelessness is raw—there is no pretense, no spiritual gloss, just a man at the end of himself. And it’s here that God speaks.

Elisha responds not with rebuke, but with a promise: “This is what the Lord says: By this time tomorrow, in the markets of Samaria, fine flour and barley will be sold at a fraction of today’s price” (2 Kings 7:1). In other words, restoration is not only possible—it’s imminent. But only for those who believe. The officer who mocked the possibility would see it with his eyes but never taste it (v. 2). There's something sobering in that—that doubt can blind us not just to what might be, but to what already is unfolding before us.

John 4: Nourishment in the Unexpected

Likewise, in John 4:31–38, the disciples are concerned with lunch while Jesus is operating on a completely different level. When they urge Him to eat, He replies, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about… My nourishment comes from doing the will of Him who sent me.” The work of God—His invisible, often misunderstood restoration process—was already bearing fruit. The disciples couldn’t see it yet, but the harvest was happening.

Jesus reminds them (and us), “Wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest” (v. 35). Like Elisha’s word to the king, it’s a call to faith in the middle of contradiction. What you see may scream famine, but what God says declares feast.

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Journal Reflection

There are days when Scripture feels like a language I don’t understand—where the stories seem distant, and my own confusion clouds the meaning. I imagine the disciples must’ve felt this too. Jesus often spoke in terms they couldn’t yet grasp. And yet… they followed. And eventually, they understood.

These passages remind me that God doesn’t operate on my timeline or within the limits of my imagination. Restoration often begins at the very moment I’m convinced all is lost. When I feel stuck—disoriented by doubt, impatient in waiting, or simply worn down—it helps to remember that I’m not alone in this. The Bible is full of people who stood at the edge of despair only to find God already working behind the scenes.

Trusting in that reality doesn’t mean pretending everything’s okay. It means being honest about the problem—fully facing it—so that restoration has room to begin. Dan Allender was right: the healing doesn’t come until we stop minimizing the wound.

And in those moments of honesty—when the pain is real and the questions louder than the answers—I’m reminded of Romans 5:3–5:

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.”

Hope that doesn’t disappoint. That’s what He promises—not because the situation makes sense, but because His Spirit remains with me in it. When I slow down and focus on the day—on this moment—I find that He’s never left. The presence of God is most palpable in the places I least expect it.

MAY 12, 2025

 "Today is calling to you, trying to get your attention, but you’re stuck on tomorrow, and today trickles away like water down a drain. You wake up the next morning and that today you wasted is gone forever. It’s now yesterday. Some of those moments may have had wonderful things in store for you , but now you’ll never know.” 

― Jerry Spinelli

2 KINGS 4-5

10Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”11But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.

JOHN 4:1-30

19“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”21“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”25The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”26Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

JOURNAL 

Expectations...oh how they mess us up. Naaman was sure he knew how the story would play out. He thought Elisha would come out, call on the name of the Lord, wave his hand over the spot, and cure him of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:11). Instead, Elisha sent a messenger with simple instructions: "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed" (2 Kings 5:10).

Naaman couldn't handle it. He was furious. He had it all worked out in his head—how the miracle should look, how the prophet should act, how healing should unfold. And when it didn’t fit his expectations, he almost missed out on his miracle.

It wasn’t just Naaman. The Samaritan woman at the well had her own set of expectations. When Jesus told her about true worship, she pushed back: "Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem" (John 4:20). She was stuck on what she thought worship was supposed to be—location-based, tradition-bound. But Jesus didn’t let her stay there. He broke through her expectations: "A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem... true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth" (John 4:21, 23).

The pattern repeats itself over and over. The Pharisees thought they knew how the Messiah would come—powerful, kingly, overthrowing Rome. Instead, they got Jesus—born in a stable, washing feet, eating with sinners. They missed Him because they couldn’t let go of their expectations.

The Trap of Wanting to Know

We all do it. We think we know how God is supposed to move, what life is supposed to look like, how situations should resolve. We script it out in our minds and get frustrated when the reality doesn’t match the story we’ve written.

It’s human nature to want to know. Adam and Eve wanted knowledge too—they thought having it would make them like God (Genesis 3:5). Even though they had everything they needed, they craved what wasn’t theirs—the certainty of knowing. And in reaching for it, they lost everything.

That desire to know... it’s still in us. We want to be prepared, to have control, to map out every detail so we feel safe. But that’s not how it works. God doesn’t give us the whole picture. He gives us Himself.

Letting Go of Control

What’s sad is that the knowledge we chase is often just a lie. It’s an illusion of control that we never actually have. No one knows how the story is going to play out. No one knows how God will move or what He’s going to do. All we really know is that He promises to be with us, to guide us, to work things out for good if we love Him (Romans 8:28).

But that doesn’t stop us from trying to figure it out, does it? We make plans, set expectations, and then feel betrayed when God doesn’t follow our script.

What if the real freedom is in letting go? What if God’s unexpected, unplanned ways are actually better than anything we could imagine? Maybe the challenge isn’t figuring out how to make our expectations come true. Maybe the challenge is trusting that God’s way, no matter how different it looks, is better.

So here’s the challenge: Stop scripting. Stop expecting God to do things your way. Let go of what you think you know and be open to the unexpected. Because when you do, you might just find that the miracle you’ve been waiting for has been right in front of you all along.

13Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 

JOHN 4:13

MAY 11, 2025

 

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.” 
― William G.T. Shedd

2 KINGS 1-3

9When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.10“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”11As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.13Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

JOHN 3:22-36

27To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.”^h31The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for Godⁱ gives the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

JOURNAL 

Here is the beauty of the Gospel. Power and love are from God. It is not dependent on man or society or government. Those that believe are part of the kingdom despite, race, religion, male or female. God loves and gives, do I willingly receive? 

This is the grace that says that I can be rejected by the world but will never be rejected by God once I accept his love. I have a kingdom that will never fail and that will always welcome me with open arms. I don't have to measure up to the expectations of others or worry about acceptance. I am accepted and loved. Amazingly that invitation is available to everyone. They can receive the spirit and be part of the kingdom. 

What a message, what a hope! For this reason I am not designed to shrink back from life but rather to fully take it on. For I have the God of creation within, therefore there is no reason to allow doubts or fears or the past to deter me from conquering today. Today is to be lived fully and without reservation, without inhibition. 

6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

 2 Timothy 1:6-7

MAY 10, 2025

 

“God doesn't bless us just to make us happy; He blesses us to make us a blessing.”  

― Warren W. Wiersbe

1 KINGS 21-22

41Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. 43In everything he followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

JOHN 3:1-21

 1Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”3Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.^a ”4“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”5Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^b gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You^c must be born again.’ 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”^d9“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.10“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

JOURNAL 

In John 3:1-21, we find Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, coming to Jesus at night. Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus as a teacher from God, recognizing the miracles Jesus performed as proof of God's presence. Yet, he struggles profoundly with the spiritual truths Jesus presents. Jesus tells him plainly that "no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again" (John 3:3). Nicodemus is confused, unable to comprehend how an adult could be reborn physically. Jesus clarifies that being born again refers to a spiritual rebirth—one must be "born of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5). The Spirit, like the wind, moves freely and unpredictably—you feel it, witness its effects, but cannot control it or predict its direction (John 3:8).

Reflecting on Nicodemus' confusion makes me think about my own spiritual understanding. Like Nicodemus, there are moments when I fail to fully grasp spiritual truths, attempting instead to manage my faith as something predictable and controllable. The Jews of Nicodemus' time had turned God's laws into tools for shame and control, moving far from their intended purpose of healing, freedom, and hope. Jesus offered something revolutionary—true forgiveness, freedom, and hope accessible to everyone, regardless of their past or position in life.

Nicodemus was thoroughly trained in scripture but missed the essence of Jesus' message. It challenges me to examine if I, too, am missing the deeper spiritual truths Jesus offers. Jesus didn’t come for those who believed they already had everything figured out, but for those needing genuine hope and transformation. He extends an open invitation to everyone—regardless of background, race, or history—to experience a new, transformative hope.

Thinking further, this is a problem that extends beyond faith alone. Whenever we assume we have all the answers, or worse, fear discovering new truths, we stagnate and cease to grow. Growth is essential and ongoing; we never fully "arrive" while here on earth. Becoming prideful or dismissive is a clear sign that our growth, particularly in our relationship with God, has stalled. Instead, embracing humility and openness allows us to continually deepen our understanding and relationship with Him.

16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  

John 3:16-17