FRANKLY SPEAKING,

11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on THE NAME OF THE LORD HIS GOD and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.                        II Kings 5:11-12 NLT

APOSTASY ~ I love the story of Naaman’s healing. That’s what it’s labeled in most BIBLES with a subtopic above the passage. However, I think it should be called the healing Naaman almost missed because of his pride and Unrealistic Expectations. Do you see it? Naaman says, “I expected him to…” He absolutely had his own version of what his healing would look like, and when he did not get things his way… he left mad. He was ready to walk away from GOD because GOD did not do things the way he expected THE LORD and CREATOR of the UNIVERSE to do it his way!

Have your Unrealistic Expectations made you mad enough to quit your FAITH? All too often, we get offended by someone and quit. GOD has not failed us! JESUS CHRIST’S Blood still washes away all of our sin. His mercies are new every morning.

28 Then JESUS said, “Come to ME, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take MY yoke upon you. Let ME teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For MY yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

How often have we said or thought, “I Expected GOD to do something different!” I have spoken to so many people who have shared their “the church failed me” story. Others, tell me how one or a few people did something to hurt them, so they left the faith. Have you ever been there, or are you there right now?

Brother and Sisters, THIS IS ME! We left home to “serve THE LORD!” I expected to see GOD do great things everywhere we went.  However, along the way some people got mad at me and told me to leave their church because they didn’t like my hair, my personality, my jokes, or my illustrations. What happened? I got mad at GOD because they didn’t like me. What have I missed because I let my Unrealistic Expectations get in the way? How many have we failed by not surrendering to GOD? LORD JESUS, please forgive us for our pride and arrogance. Thank you for YOUR grace and mercy through the pain, hurt, and self-pity. I love THEE, LORD JESUS! 😊 PLEASE ~ COME HOME!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15