We read in 2 Kings 4:8-37 of a woman - a prominent, rich, wealthy and influential woman - who was blessed by Elisha's ministry. God does not
choose only the poor and the illiterate and the uneducated to bless. He has no partiality. He chose an illiterate Peter, but He also chose a
highly educated Paul. Peter did not know much of the Scriptures, but Paul was a scholar in the Scriptures. There were some rich women who supported Jesus
and His disciples financially, and Jesus accepted their large gifts, because they were godly women(Lk.8:3).
Here was a wealthy woman who decided to support Elisha. She was a godly woman too, because when she saw this man visiting them occasionally, she said to
her husband, "I perceive this is a holy man of God." How did she recognize Elisha as a holy man of God without even listening to a single sermon
of his? She just observed the way he conducted himself at the dining table. What an example for us! It is the little things that identify a godly man - the
way he sits and talks to people, the way he eats his food and the way he conducts himself in ordinary matters. We don't have to listen to his sermons.
So this woman decided to make a little guest-room in their house for Elisha to stay in - with a bed, a table, a chair and a light. Elisha had never even
suggested that he needed any of these things. But she was a thoughtful, considerate woman - as all godly women are. God takes care of his servants by
providing such places of rest for them, without their even expecting it. But a true man of God will never remain in debt to such people. So Elisha asked
his servant Gehazi what he could do for her in return. Gehazi said that she had no children. So Elisha prayed for her and told her that she would have a
child within a year. And she did.
That child grew up, and one day became sick and died (2 Kings 4:20). Think of the faith of this mother that she did notbury the
child immediately, but said, "Let me first contact the man of God" (2 Kings 4:22). So she went to meet Elisha. When Elisha saw her from a
distance, he told Gehazi to ask her, "Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with your child?" (2 Kings 4:26). Listen to the answer of faith that she gave concerning her dead child: "It is well." What faith that
was! Elisha went and prayed for that child and raised him from the dead. It's amazing to see what that mother's faithdid for that child. According to her
faith she received. That is why she finds mention in the gallery of the heroes of faith: "Women received back their dead by resurrection and gained the approval of God by their faith" (Heb.11:35, 39). If that mother did not have faith,
she would have buried her child. What miracles the Lord does wherever He finds someone with faith.
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Zac Poonen ( - Present)
God called brother Zac Poonen to a new work early on in his Christian experience. The movement is now called Christian Fellowship Churches where the New Covenant of New Testament Christianity is clearly preached.Brother Zac Poonen has written 25 books most of them being on the deeper Christian life. Many of these have been translated into a number of languages and have been circulated widely around the world. He clearly and passionately shares the narrow way of Christian discipleship that is neglected by so many modern preachers.
Recommends these books by Zac Poonen:
Through The Bible by Zac Poonen
The Final Triumph-A verse by verse study of the book of Revelation by Zac Poonen
Beauty for Ashes by Zac Poonen
Zac Poonen is a former Indian Naval Officer who has been in full time ministry in India for nearly 50 years as a Bible teacher and preacher. He holds responsibility for a number of churches in India and abroad. He currently pastors the Christian Fellowship Church in Bangalore, Karnataka.
He has written more than 25 books and numerous articles in English - which have been translated into many Indian and foreign languages. His messages are available on audio and video format.
Like the other elders in his church, Zac Poonen also supports himself and his family through what he describes as "tent-making" and does not receive any salary for his services. He does not receive any royalties for any of his books, CDs or DVDs, that are published by Christian Fellowship Centre, Bangalore.