Articles by Kris Swiatocho, Director The Singles Network Ministries

Articles by Kris Swiatocho, Director

"ALL" People Are Affected By Our Witness by Kris Swiatocho

2 Kings 5:1-15 Naaman Healed of Leprosy
Naaman was a paramount leader in the army of King Aram. But he had contracted leprosy. A highly contagious disease that, in the end, will kill you. During the illness, because it is contagious, you are often banished from others, even sent to live out your days with others who have the same disease. Naaman, like us all, when we are sick, was looking for a cure. He had heard of a prophet named Elisha who could cure him. So he decided to find him so that he could cure him.

What can we learn from Naaman regarding our own need for healing?
2 Kings 5:1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.
1. Naaman was highly regarded among the army and the king. However, no amount of power, popularity, or money can protect you from certain diseases.

2 Kings 5:2-3 Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. 3 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. God can use anyone to speak His truth, even a child. Often, we are looking for a message written in the sky or through a great sermon, but there are many times God will use a child, or even someone lost, to tell us something. The key is, are we listening?

Also, it's essential to realize this child was captured and had become a slave. She had every right to be angry, but instead, she showed compassion to her master. What about you? Do you find yourself in difficult circumstances? Maybe you thought your life would have turned out differently? Can you see God's hand in it? Do you see how God wants you to use your life in the midst of where you find yourself for His purpose?

2 Kings 5:4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said.
3. When you are hurting, you will do anything to feel better. Sometimes we medicate our pain with food, stuff, and activity, etc. Naaman was at the point that he listened to a young slave girl's recommendation of Elisha, the prophet who could heal him. What are you willing to do to get help? Do you find yourself trying to fix your pain, or are you turning to God?

2 Kings 5:5-6 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 "By all means, go," the king of Aram replied. "I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: "With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy."
4. Naaman, a good follower, went to his king and told him what he had learned. The king, who favored Naaman, was also wanting him to be healed. Being a typical businessman, he sent a letter to show authority and favor for Naaman and money. The king assumed that Elisha would want this…money for his healing for Naaman. And Naaman must have thought the same as he took it with him. There are times God does ask us to tithe, to give, to serve as a way to give back to God what is already his. But there are other times; God does not ask for anything. He simply wants us to accept the gifts he gives us. The most essential gift is the one of salvation. Do you find yourself trying to buy God's favor? Do you over-serve, thinking God will be happy with you? Do you let others know how much you give to God to win their favor?

2 Kings 5:7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, "Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!"
5. So Naaman took the letters and money to the king in Isreal, where Elisha lived, asking to be cured. However, this king got frustrated with Naaman's request as he knew he had no power to do this. He was even concerned that this request was made in a way to start a fight. This is another place where God used someone to remind us of who He is and where the power comes from. The king was on the other end of authority from the little girl but affirmed where the power came from. It is nothing our money, education, or position provides. It is only by the Holy Spirit.

2 Kings 5: 8-10 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: "Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel." 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. 10 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."
6. So praise the Lord, Elisha heard about Naaman and his request and what the king of Israel did. He sent word for Naaman to come to him. But when Naaman arrived, Elisha sent a messenger to tell Naaman what to do. Yet again, God used another person to disclose Naaman information. This time, an assistant of Elisha. Someone who was neither of influence or power nor a child. Who has God spoken to you through? Are you expecting someone of excellent knowledge or power?

2 Kings 5: 11-12 But 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. 12 Are 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.
7. Naaman was expecting this great prophet of God that he had heard of to come to the door himself. Like most of us, we want God to be Santa Clause or a wizard. We want him to answer our prayers, giving us full attention, and ignoring the circumstances. And while God can instantly heal, sometimes God wants us to learn something in the process. Also, Naaman was used to people answering his beck and call because of who he was. He would argue with Elisha's assistant about why it had to be the river Jordan and why seven times. I understand Naaman completely. Often God gives us directions for our lives, and we want to argue with him. We do not see what God is doing. We think we know better. We forget who we are talking to. We can get so impatient and want to give up.

2 Kings 5: 13-14 Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
8. So here we go again, yet another person God chooses to speak to Naaman, one of his servants. I was surprised Naaman didn't punish him, but I believe Naaman, deep inside, was a man with a soft heart. A man who valued people no matter where they came from. A man who wanted to be cured and had to let go of his anger, need to control, and his need to want to do it his way.

I love that this servant said, if Elisha's messenger told you to do something great (because we all love to get attention and accomplish something significant), you would have done it. Yes, folks, dipping yourself in the dirty Jordan is embarrassing. Yes, there are times God asks you to do something uncomfortable. Maybe you need to apologize to someone? Perhaps you need to give in to not having your way? Maybe you need to admit you are wrong? The servant reminds Naaman that dipping himself would end up being washed and cleansed.

This reminds me of:

When you accept the Lord as your savior, you are cleansed from your sins. We get baptized as a witness to others of our belief. Naaman did the same thing, showing his belief in God, the only one who could heal him.
I wondered why seven times versus just once? Maybe it was because dipping one time was too easy. Perhaps there are seven areas of Naaman's life that needed repenting? What about you? What is God asking you to give away, lay down, be cleansed from?
God not only healed Naaman, but his flesh was new as a child. God asks us all to come to Him like a child, innocent, and to trust Him.

2 Kings 5: 13-15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant."
9. His healing was a witness to all, including his servants. Naaman would go back to Elisha, who at this time would face him in person to tell him of his 100% belief in God. This is an excellent lesson for us too. When God does something in your life, let others know about it. And don't' forget to thank those who have to help you along the way. Whether it's a child God uses, to a friend, a family member, your pastor, or even through a lost person, thank them for how God used them.

We would learn further that Naaman tried to give Elisha some money for curing him, and Elisha refused. This doesn't mean that our pastors, churches, ministries, etc., do not need our support. This simply means there are times we need reminding of where the cure comes from and the fact it costs NOTHING but believes in the Lord.

To bring Kris to your city/ministry in person or by zoom, call her at 919.434.3611 or email at swiatocho@gmail.com.

www.LaborDaySingles.org (Annual Retreat)
www.TheSinglesNetwork.org Ministries
www.KrisSwiatochoMinistries.org
www.IntentionalRelationshipSolutions.org

General Articles/Relationships

Surviving the Holiday's with Pastor Tom Worstell
Dating During COVID
Should I Online Date?
Friendationship
"ALL" Series of Articles
Christmas Story
I Kissed Dating Hello
4 Kinds of Battles Single Encounter, Burmese Language
Do You Want to Be Married? (doc), Single Matters Magazine
Practical Tips in Online Dating
The Best Worse Date
Jesus, Single Like Me: Alone vs. Loneliness
Salt and Life in the Workplace
I Married My Mother, and Now I Want a Divorce, Single Matters Magazine
I Love/Hate About Being Single (includes Spanish)
Why Should I Reconcile When It's So Painful (doc), Crosswalk.com
Gossip versus Venting (doc), Journey Christian News
Restoration (doc), Journey Christian News
Why Am I Single? (doc)Journey Christian News
4 Battles of Singleness (pdf), Crosswalk Online Magazine
Friendationship: Can You Be More-Than-Friends but Less-Than-Romantic? (pdf), Crosswalk Online Magazine, Graceful Chic Magazine
Jesus, Single Like Me: He Knew What it Feels to Be Alone (pdf), Overwhelmed Single Mom's Magazine
Singles Life: The Worse and Best Dates (pdf), Crosswalk Online Magazine
Being Single and Making a Difference (pdf), Crosswalk Online Magazine
What I Love/Hate About Being Single (doc), Crosswalk Online Magazine
Why Are You Single (pdf), Crosswalk Online Magazine
I Married My Mother (pdf), Crosswalk Online Magazine

The Women in Christ's Life Series:

The Men in Christ Life Series:

Dear Kris...

Dear Kris: Where are the Men? (doc)
Dear Kris: Separation Issues/Church (pdf)
Dear Kris: Need Ideas CA (pdf)
Dear Kris: I Want to Quit (pdf)
Dear Kris: Starting a Women's Ministry (pdf)
Dear Kris: Online Dating/UK (pdf)

Jesus, Single Like Me Series:

A Fine Line Series:
For a full list of these articles, go to Crosswalk.com

Older printed publications:

Online Dating, Pros and Cons
Article Interview, Florida Baptist Witness, 2015

No Regular Joe
Lifeway Home Magazine, 2014

Vantage Point Article
Christian Single Magazine, Lifeway, 2006

Wisdom Article
Living Solo Magazine, 2003

Standing Up for Singles
Raleigh World, 2003

The Singles Network, Joining Forces To MInister to Singles
Christian Single Magazine, Lifeway, 2003

I first met Kris Swiatocho with The Singles Network Ministries about 3 1/2 years ago when she came to speak at my church. I was fairly new to the church and the Singles Ministry. Since then, I have had the opportunity to hear Kris speak to our Women’s Ministry, Singles Ministry, at a retreat and on two cruises. Kris has a way of sharing God’s Word in a practical way. She is a wonderful example of the boldness we should seek in Christ. I lead groups using her studies as well as the 4th Sunday “Pray for a Mate” time. I have found the studies to be thought provoking for great discussions in my groups as well as personal growth.
—Quaye Berry, Singles Ministry Leader, Tulsa, OK

Happy Mother's Day or Is It?

This Sunday, for some, will either be a joyous day or one filled with sadness or anger. Each year when this holiday rolls around, pastors are feverishly preparing their sermons to honor mothers, stores are stockpiling flowers and cards, and restaurants are being challenged to be ready for the onslaught of grayed-haired grannies.

But what happens when your mom has passed on or doesn't live close by, or your relationship wasn't so great. This holiday can actually hurt more than it can help. Or, when folks wish you "Happy Mother's Day" having no idea that you are not a mother. Their well-wishes are like a knife in your heart. Either you had a child and lost it, you could not have kids, or you never married, and now it's too late.

Well, for me, I do have a mom that I have a wonderful relationship with. She is visiting me this weekend so I can honor her for Mother's Day. But I know that many of my friends wished their mothers were still here. So I thank God for this precious time with her and do not take it for granted.

But for me personally, I am not a biological mom. God did not give me a husband or children as of yet. And while this could make me angry or sad, it does not. God revealed to me a long time ago how all women are mothers in different ways. We might be an awesome aunt, like me. I continue to help guide my nieces and nephews. Or maybe you are discipling someone. I had the honor of leading my young cousin to the Lord. I meet with her weekly to help her grow in her faith. Or maybe you watched people's kids--in the nursery, as a teacher in school or Sunday school, neighbors, friends, etc. Or maybe you have fostered, cared for, or nurtured a child in some way? You see, motherhood comes in many ways.

The scripture...Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old, he will not depart from it.

We all have our part in helping to raise a child. It might not be daily, but God still uses it all. I look back at my own childhood and see so many women, other than my mom, that helped me grow up. Thank you, ladies, for inspiring, encouraging, and speak words of life into my life.

Happy Mother's Day, Everyone!