Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said.  “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied.”  So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house.  Elisha 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.”  2 Kings 5:4, 9, 10

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For the past 3 weeks, the Holy Spirit has placed me in a situation where He has instructed me to observe, listen and proclaim the Name of Jesus Christ to total strangers.

How swwweeeeet is that!

(Honestly, it has been more than a few years since as a  member of a few churches, I participated actively as a member of the Sunday School teaching staff, the Board of Christian Education, the church building committees, a leader/teacher for special bible study classes and workshops, a member of the Deaconess Board, and an activist and International missionary traveling to more than ten countries throughout the world for ten plus years.)

You see, as I have aged, my health has diminished, and my church participation has dwindled, also.

But through it all, the Lord has been with me, and some years ago, He promised that He would never leave me nor forsake me.  More personally, the fact that I could no longer participate in foreign mission travels to help spread the gospel, upset me the most.  However, in that vein, I distinctly heard the Holy Spirit say that from now on, He would send weary souls to me.  And certainly, during these past 3 weeks, the third part of the Holy Trinity has been working over time in my life.

Let me explain…

This week, as I searched the scriptures to get a clearer understanding of how God was directing me to write this blog, he laid it upon my heart to re-read the following scriptures concerning a valiant soldier in Aram named Naaman (not an Israelite) who was healed of Leprosy by Elisha, an Israelite prophet:

“Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife.  She said to her mistress, ‘If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria!  He would cure him of his leprosy.’” 2 Kings 4:2, 3

 (I won’t use this space to retell of the first 3 incidents that happened between me and 4 perfectly total strangers during the past 2 weeks.  You can read them for yourself by scrolling backwards through my last 2 blog titles to read about those amazing encounters.)

What happen this week was even a more challenging situation.  And that’s why I found myself praying and asking God if this was another one of his ‘virtual mission trips’ that he had scheduled for me to run interference for him.

It all happened the other day at my daily hospital visit for treatment… 

You see, I am under the care of my physician who has scheduled 16 radiation treatments for me during the next several weeks.  To date, five of these treatments have been completed. During that time, I have come to know my administering lab technicians very well.  The other day, just prior to treatment, one of the technicians engaged me in a conversation and inquired of my past work history and where had I traveled.  I briefly mentioned my 28 years of employment, as well as the names of several foreign countries I had visited as an international missionary.  She was astonished!

A second technician was readying the lab room for my treatment and was not participating in our conversation.  However, on my next treatment day, when I arrived for lab work, and was seated all alone in a private waiting room, that second technician entered, shut the door and seated herself beside me.  She looked weary and began asking me how I had managed to do so many extra things in my life and how I had paid for all of my travels.

(WOW! I thought.  This is just like the other lady I blogged about earlier.  It’s an opportunity to witness for the Lord to one of His sheep.  And it does not require for me to preach like Paul.)

But this time the circumstances were more direr.  The technician briefly explained her need to earn more money, to re-examine her field of employment and also her obligations to family, a special needs woman-child, as well as her life choices as a single mother.

As we began to walk towards the examination room, time did not permit us to converse in depth, and I did not have an opportunity to impart too many encouraging words.  However, before I left the hospital, I slipped a business card in her hand and suggested that she call me at her convenience and we could continue our conversation.  I assured her I was there for her and wanted to be of assistance, if I could.

Epilogue… 

Here’s the part where the ‘Naaman Story’ comes into play.  I’m not saying that the Lord is using me as the girl from Israel, the king of Aram, Naaman or even Elisha the prophet.  I’m just sayin’ that I believe that the Lord has whispered into the ears of the total five strangers He has sent my way and said to them, ‘I hear your cry, and your desire to change and to do something more productive with your lives, and I will send you to one of my servants to direct you on the right path.’  Therefore, I’m claiming the position of being that ‘servant’…The Master’s Servant…just as I proclaim that position as the very last words in each of my blogs.

Consequently, I am asking my followers to be prayerful in this situation, and to submit their comments and suggestions, and pray that Our Heavenly Father will use me in a mighty way, and order my steps to proclaim His holy Word, until my traveling days on this earth are over.

Please know, as these situations continue to happen in my life, they are drawing me closer and closer to Him and the power of His might.  For now, right here in the United States is my mission field…where of I am glad.  To God be the glory.  Amen!

It is my prayer that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart will be acceptable to my God as I earnestly attempt to minister to those sent to me my Him.

Scripture Lesson:  “I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and be glad.  O magnify the Lord with me; and let use exalt his name together!  I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”  Psalms 34:1-4

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

What do you know about cars?  For one thing, did you know how inefficient they are?  I had to laugh out loud when I learned that cars take up a huge amount of space on this earth but get driven around mostly empty.  Government statistics have shown that the private car in the United States carries only 1.6 people in them per trip!

Okay, I know what you are thinking…What does the above trivia piece of information about cars have to do with participating in a conversation with God using Scripture?

Well, I’m so glad you asked.

Today, as I was traveling up the highway, heading to the Half Price Book store, to purchase a book by Linda Page entitled Healthy Healing, I decided to turn on my car CD player.  A highly popular gospel tune by Reverend Hezekiah Walker entitled  “Every Praise” blasted out from the speakers and immediately the beat caused me to sway with the rhythm and to pat the steering wheel as though it was a drum as I drove down the street. (Click below, skip the ads and watch the street performance of Mr. Walker.)

A few customers were in line in front of me, so I took this opportunity to turn aside to examine some for sale items on a shelf while at the same time still humming “Every Praise”.  Just then a strange thing happened.  I felt something pressuring against my back.  I turned and to my surprise, I was facing the customer that was ahead of me in the checkout line.  Immediately, I apologized for bumping into her, but she smilingly corrected me and said she purposely leaned back to hear what I was humming because it sounded so soothing and gave her such joy to embrace my happiness in this troubling world.

(WOW!!! I immediately thought, Lord you are doing it again.  Just like last week.  You have opened another door to present Yourself to me and to others and to give me an opportunity to witness.) 

The next thing I knew, we were both giving God praises and thanking Him for his ever presence in our lives, seen and unseen.  (You know He loves to travel incognito.)

NOW, all I want to know from you is this…

What radio station is permanently set on your car radio?  Or what artist’s music CDs do you tote around in your clove compartment for entertainment?  Do you realize that this sanctuary place of yours can become an arsenal of ammunition to prepare you to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  Read the verse from 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV) below:

Jesus said, “I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to.”  John 17:4   Can we, too, recite those words before the Almighty?

PROLOGUE…

Today, I feel good!…doo-dah…doo-dah..doo-dah…doooo!  WHY?  Because God allowed the actions of three young complete strangers to bless me real good.  Big as day!  In all of His glory.  Smiling.  Silently.  Just chillin’.  He said to me, “My child, I know your plans for today and I’ll be with you.”

Okay.  I’m not crazy.  But I did, I did see Jesus…where of I am rejoicing.  Here is how it all played out.

HIS FIRST STILL SMALL VOICE…

This past Wednesday morning I met with my contractors and went shopping for a lot of materials to renovate a rental property I own. Afterwards, I stopped by the Sears Outlet store in my town to examine a refrigerator I had seen advertised on the internet.  The young sales person who assisted me was extremely polite and explained that the refrigerator I was inquiring about was not at her store, but actually located in another city.  However, she was anxious to show me another refrigerator that she thought I would like much better.  And the price was sweeter, too.

As we walked towards the  appliance display area I informed her of my intent to pay cash for the unit.  The sales lady immediately began to exclaim how she wished she could get to the place where she could buy big ticket items for cash, but with her family obligations, her small salary and her daughters college tuition, she did not see herself becoming financially secure for a very long time.

(I immediately thought, Lord, how can I witness to this woman?)

As we continued to walk, I listened to her recite how extended family members, needy friends, poor money habits, job hopping and other money grabbing situations had put her into a mountain of debt with no savings plan in sight.  By this time, we had reached the ‘for sale’ refrigerator with a sign that read ‘take an extra 10% off’.   I immediately made a calculation that if I purchased this model I would save an additional $200.  WOW!!

I was overjoyed and in my enthusiasm, I looked at the sales person and exclaimed; ‘you have blessed my soul today.  The Lord has truly used you in His plans towards me this day.’  The clerk looked stunned and her eyes got big.  “What do you mean?  What did I do?”

“You went an extra mile,” I said to her.  “Just before you returned to the store from your lunch brake, two other sales girls had looked up on their computers the first refrigerator I wanted and told me it was not in stock.  They both dismissed me, and I started to leave the store.  But, just then you darted in the front door and one of the other sales girls called to you to assist me.  The rest is history and you have made a cash sale and the Lord has provided me with a better deal, and I have saved some money.”

“Wait!  You mean, the Lord had something to do with this?” the sales clerk asked.  “Yes, He did,” I said.  “And He used you to perform it.”

“I don’t understand,” was her response.

“Remember, earlier, you were explaining how you are having trouble managing your money?”  Well, I believe the Lord wants to show you that if you trust Him, He can surely help you manage your income and to direct you on how to make better decisions about financial matters.”

“You see, I am a believer and a missionary and trust the Lord in all things,” I told her.  “And for the life of me, I can never beat God giving on my behalf.  He’s awesome. He’s full of surprises and today He used you to bless me.  Further more, I know, if you will allow Him to work in your life, He will do the same for you.”

The Sears sales clerk did not say much to me after that.  But she was softly smiling all the while she was writing up the sale.  As she handed me my receipt, she said, “I’ll definitely  remember what you said.  Thank you for your wisdom and advice.  Have a wonderful day.”

I left the store glorifying the Lord.  My short, silent prayer request was instantly answered.  The Lord had set up an opportunity to bring in another one of His sheep into the fold.  I did not have to preach like Paul or scold or condemn.

All I had was the here and now! All I had to do was show some love and compassion.  All I had to do was to spread the Gospel.  And to let people know that what God has done for others, He will do for them.  The Holy Spirit will take it from there.

HIS SECOND STILL SMALL VOICE…

Just before returning home from my shopping trip I decided to stop and get something to eat.  I chose a fast foods taco restaurant and indulged my self with a drink and 2 crispy supreme beef tacos.  As I looked around the eatery, I observed 2 young African American  men as they conversed in their booth while awaiting their order.  They were engaged in a lively conversation full of laughter and slang expressions and having a great time.

But here is what surprised me.

After they retrieved their food orders from the front counter and had returned to their booth, they both bowed their heads and whispered a long silent prayer.  As I watched, I smiled and thought, God, you are still definitely on the scene.  I appreciate Your presence in my life and in the life of these young men.  Praise and thanksgiving is not dead.

Just before I left the restaurant, I walked over to the young men’s table and asked if I could address them.  I commended them for giving thanks in a public place and asked the Lord to continue to bless them.  They both smiled and returned the blessing.  And one of them exclaimed to me that he was a young deacon in his church.

To God be the glory.  And may we all accept our Devine Assignments while here on earth because all we have is NOW!  Yes, to God be the glory for the things He has done.

And How’s your day been?  😊

Scripture Lesson:   It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus’ and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others. Ephesians 2:10

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

This week I was reading Pastor Rick Warren’s book entitled The Purpose Driven Life when I received a ‘stay-at-home’ lunch invitation from God.  There were no ifs, ands or buts about it.  My invitation was sent special delivery.

To be honest, at first, I was not aware of what (or WHO) led me to the book, but I was compelled to open and browse through it after reading the sub-title printed on the bottom of the book cover:  “What on Earth Am I Here For?”

So, I opened the book and the page fell on Chapter 12; “Developing Your Friendship With God”.

As I began to read Chapter 12, all I could think of was alphabet soup!  I reference soup because as I have shared with some of my readers, I have been going through a layer of sicknesses that according to the doctors I will be facing for some years to come.  Some home remedies have been suggested that I change my diet and begin consuming lots and lots of soups and salads.

Personally, I was praying and asking the Lord to examine my motives, frame of mind and service to Him.  I was reminding Him of His many promises of contributing comfort and care for His people.  I was seeking a closer walk with Him and His plans for my life.  In other words, I wanted reassurance of our friendship.

God’s response to me was written in the first sentence of Chapter 12:  “(My child,) you are as close to God as you choose to be.” (p. 92)  The Holy Spirit continued to speak and He said; I AM your friend and always will be.  It is up to you to develop your friendship with Me.

THUS BEGAN GOD’S RECIPE FOR OUR LUNCHEON MEAL:  ALPHABET SOUP(*)

(*) And Pastor Warren’s chapter 12 provided our divine recipe.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED OUR LUNCH TOGETHER.  TRY THE SOUP…YOU’LL LIKE IT!

Scripture Lesson:  Draw close to God and God will draw close to you.  James 4:8a

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!