Are your ears tingling?
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 21, 22, 23; Psalm 75
II Kings 21:12-15 (NIV)
12 “Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. 13 I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. 14 I will forsake the remnant of my inheritance and hand them over to their enemies. They will be looted and plundered by all their foes, 15 because they have done evil in my eyes and have provoked me to anger from the day their forefathers came out of Egypt until this day.”
II Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Good morning!
Our church parsonage sits one house down from a four-way stop. We’ve lived in this house for seven years now, and I can tell you that, based on experience, very few people truly stop at the four-way stop. They kind off slow down and roll through it. Some don’t slow down at all. I’ve seen police patrol the area, and when that happens, motorists tend to try to stop, but not always. I’m sure many tickets are written to drivers who “roll through” the stop signs in our community.
Do you ever try to roll through God’s Word? It’s easy to skip over the parts of scripture that are hard to hear or not easy to understand. We may slow down a bit, take a second look, and then gloss over the tough stuff and get to the scriptures that encourage and comfort us. It’s not easy to read the Word of the Lord when He is provoked to anger. Idolatry seems to be a hot button with the Almighty. He just doesn’t want us to give our time and attention to anything that takes our eyes off of Him, not even for a second.
John Wesley understood this process all too well. So much so, he would literally wake himself up every fifteen minutes at night just to record and confess any sin he might have committed in his subconscious mind while he slept. Thank God there is medication for this sort of thing today, but honestly, when I think about just how easy it is to let our mind wander off in a sinful direction, this humble man of God knew exactly what he was doing.
We live in such a “me-first” society. We want to be first in line at the restaurant after church on Sunday afternoon. We avoid the yield signs along the path. We refuse to come to a full stop even when the large neon signs are flagging us down, screaming "dead end ahead," begging us to stop and turn around. If we do choose to heed the warning and stop where we at, we might have to take a harder look at where we were going in the first place, and most of us just really don’t want to do that. It is easier to gloss over the truth or ignore it entirely. I don’t enjoy being told I’m wrong. It’s painful. It is also a necessary part of my life, and I need to learn to accept rebuke if I truly want to learn to live like my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Young Josiah took his childlike faith and chose to turn things around for his people. He began to repair the mess that his predecessors had so unconscionably left behind. A reign of terror is never easy to clean up, but this kid wasn’t afraid of facing the tough stuff in life. He placed his faith upon the Word of the Lord, and did what was right.
Are your ears tingling today? Is it time to reassess the direction of your life? King Solomon asked the Lord to make a way for repentant sinners, like you and me. If we will humble our hearts, admit our sin, pray for forgiveness, and seek God continually, turning away from the things that separate us from Him, He will hear our prayers, forgive our sin, and heal our land. Friends, it is time to get healed. It is time to live within His umbrella of forgiveness and grace. It is time to yield our hearts completely to the Lord. Are you ready to stop and turn around today?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the strength of young Josiah. If you are willing to stop and turn around, the Lord not only will hear your prayers for help, but He will forgive your sin and heal your heart. You can have abundant life today. Come to church with me this weekend and experience the amazing love of God through His Son, Jesus Christ! I’ll see you at Faith Church!
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Friday, May 04, 2007
The blanket of prayer
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 18, 19, 20
2 Kings 19:14-16a; 31 (NIV)
14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “O Lord, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see.”
31 For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
2 Kings 20:4-5a (NIV)
4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.
Good morning!
Do you like fireworks? I enjoy going to the river with my family at night to watch the light display. We sit under the stars and enjoy the amazing beauty of each firework, as it explodes in the sky above us. I think the best way to observe an evening of fireworks is to take a blanket and spread it out over the hardened and dry ground. By mid-summer, the dirt and rocks are hard and brittle. It is much easier to sit on the ground, if you have a nice, soft blanket to sit on. I personally enjoy laying down on the blanket and simply looking up, so that I can take in each flicker of light in the night sky.
I really like Hezekiah. He was a true prayer warrior. Understanding the power of petitioning the Father for every need, Hezekiah went to the temple to spread it all out at His feet. How often do we go to our churches and places of worship just to sit at the foot of the cross, and lay out our burdens before the only One who can heal and forgive us? The next time you stop to pray, think about taking your heart-felt petitions and shaking them out, like you would a blanket, over the hard and rocky places of your life. Lay yourself down on that blanket of prayer and look up with expectancy. You will find yourself amazed as you delight in seeing the Lord’s light show from up above.
Prayer is such a privilege. Do not let it become a simple daily duty to fulfill. Prayer is intimate relationship with the Father, through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has made a way for us to come into the throne room every day; a place where we can pour out our heart and soul’s desire before Him. There are times when I’m not sure exactly what to pray for. I look at my prayer list, which grows longer every morning, and I am confident that every burden, every need there will be met by my Jesus. Praying for His will in all things is a prayer I delight in. I’m so glad I do not have all the answers. I don’t need them, because I have the only answer that matters. I have Jesus, and He is more than enough for all of us. Are you praying for a lost soul today? There is nothing that breaks my heart more than seeing someone suffer from the consequences of sin. Jesus died for people just like you and me, who struggle with the things that keep us separated from His presence. When we choose to yield our life to Him, as we cry out in faith, “Okay Lord, I’m going to do this your way.” It is in that precious moment of surrender that we begin to see the beauty of His love and how His blood can heal a battered and broken heart. Talk about fireworks! There is nothing more beautiful that receiving complete forgiveness and healing. Prayer is relationship at its best. Holy moments are just waiting to happen. Are you looking up today?
Jesus hears you. He loves you. He will answer your every prayer prayed in faith today. Spread it all out at the foot of the cross. Give Him your every care. Trust Him for the answer. Stand upon His holy Word. Lay on it. Look up and see what the Lord Jesus Christ can do for you!
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: fireworks! If you are willing to yield your life completely to the Lord today, His love will take you places you cannot even begin to imagine. Won’t you spread your prayers before the foot of the cross, lay yourself down on them, and look up with expectancy. Have faith and believe that with Jesus Christ, all things are possible!
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 18, 19, 20
2 Kings 19:14-16a; 31 (NIV)
14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “O Lord, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see.”
31 For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
2 Kings 20:4-5a (NIV)
4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.
Good morning!
Do you like fireworks? I enjoy going to the river with my family at night to watch the light display. We sit under the stars and enjoy the amazing beauty of each firework, as it explodes in the sky above us. I think the best way to observe an evening of fireworks is to take a blanket and spread it out over the hardened and dry ground. By mid-summer, the dirt and rocks are hard and brittle. It is much easier to sit on the ground, if you have a nice, soft blanket to sit on. I personally enjoy laying down on the blanket and simply looking up, so that I can take in each flicker of light in the night sky.
I really like Hezekiah. He was a true prayer warrior. Understanding the power of petitioning the Father for every need, Hezekiah went to the temple to spread it all out at His feet. How often do we go to our churches and places of worship just to sit at the foot of the cross, and lay out our burdens before the only One who can heal and forgive us? The next time you stop to pray, think about taking your heart-felt petitions and shaking them out, like you would a blanket, over the hard and rocky places of your life. Lay yourself down on that blanket of prayer and look up with expectancy. You will find yourself amazed as you delight in seeing the Lord’s light show from up above.
Prayer is such a privilege. Do not let it become a simple daily duty to fulfill. Prayer is intimate relationship with the Father, through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has made a way for us to come into the throne room every day; a place where we can pour out our heart and soul’s desire before Him. There are times when I’m not sure exactly what to pray for. I look at my prayer list, which grows longer every morning, and I am confident that every burden, every need there will be met by my Jesus. Praying for His will in all things is a prayer I delight in. I’m so glad I do not have all the answers. I don’t need them, because I have the only answer that matters. I have Jesus, and He is more than enough for all of us. Are you praying for a lost soul today? There is nothing that breaks my heart more than seeing someone suffer from the consequences of sin. Jesus died for people just like you and me, who struggle with the things that keep us separated from His presence. When we choose to yield our life to Him, as we cry out in faith, “Okay Lord, I’m going to do this your way.” It is in that precious moment of surrender that we begin to see the beauty of His love and how His blood can heal a battered and broken heart. Talk about fireworks! There is nothing more beautiful that receiving complete forgiveness and healing. Prayer is relationship at its best. Holy moments are just waiting to happen. Are you looking up today?
Jesus hears you. He loves you. He will answer your every prayer prayed in faith today. Spread it all out at the foot of the cross. Give Him your every care. Trust Him for the answer. Stand upon His holy Word. Lay on it. Look up and see what the Lord Jesus Christ can do for you!
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: fireworks! If you are willing to yield your life completely to the Lord today, His love will take you places you cannot even begin to imagine. Won’t you spread your prayers before the foot of the cross, lay yourself down on them, and look up with expectancy. Have faith and believe that with Jesus Christ, all things are possible!
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Pushing through to breakthrough!
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 15, 16, 17
2 Kings 17:40-41 (NIV)
40 They [the Israelites] would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. 41 Even while these people were worshipping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.
Good morning!
We are such creatures of habit, its ridiculous! Do you ever take the same road to work every day? With the construction woes in and around St. Louis, I find commuting to and from work to be a real challenge. I never know when the roadways are going to come to a dead standstill, due to an unfortunate accident, or changes in the highway from the road work that is being performed. Every major artery is clogged, and there are times when I simply take the same path everyday, knowing I’m not going to get around this, so I might as well resign myself to pushing through it. Do you ever feel that way about life in general?
There are just some things that we cannot avoid, no matter how much we try. Pushing through to breakthrough is essential in persevering faith. We can learn from the mistakes of our Israelite brothers and sisters, if we just have the eyes and ears to hear what the Lord is teaching us through His Word. Old habits can be hard to break, even with the best intentions. Here we see the Israelites worshipping God without recognizing that they are continuing in their pagan practices. Do you find yourself serving other idols instead of the Lord God Almighty? What things separate you from the abundant life that Jesus promises? Do you struggle with an addiction, a spirit of depression, or extreme fatigue? Do you find it hard to muster an hour to read and study God’s Word, or to sit in His presence in prayer and praise? What things do you not want to give up for service to the Lord? Would you rather stay at home and watch the baseball game on television, or serve food at a local shelter for the homeless and hungry?
Take a closer look at your life today. What path do you need to stay on until you break through to freedom in Christ? What habits in your life need to change so that you can become less self-centered, and more Christ like? May you find patience and perseverance in your journey home to the Lord. Together, we can find ways to break our former practices and find true break through and freedom as we seek the heart of Jesus.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: perseverance to reach breakthrough in your life. Old habits may die hard, but with Christ, all things are possible. Do not give up and do not give in. Stay on the highway today, and look to the Lord for your every need. If you seek Him, He will find you right where you are at. He has the power to transform your life into a new creation - He can use for Kingdom work. Are you ready to break through?
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 15, 16, 17
2 Kings 17:40-41 (NIV)
40 They [the Israelites] would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. 41 Even while these people were worshipping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.
Good morning!
We are such creatures of habit, its ridiculous! Do you ever take the same road to work every day? With the construction woes in and around St. Louis, I find commuting to and from work to be a real challenge. I never know when the roadways are going to come to a dead standstill, due to an unfortunate accident, or changes in the highway from the road work that is being performed. Every major artery is clogged, and there are times when I simply take the same path everyday, knowing I’m not going to get around this, so I might as well resign myself to pushing through it. Do you ever feel that way about life in general?
There are just some things that we cannot avoid, no matter how much we try. Pushing through to breakthrough is essential in persevering faith. We can learn from the mistakes of our Israelite brothers and sisters, if we just have the eyes and ears to hear what the Lord is teaching us through His Word. Old habits can be hard to break, even with the best intentions. Here we see the Israelites worshipping God without recognizing that they are continuing in their pagan practices. Do you find yourself serving other idols instead of the Lord God Almighty? What things separate you from the abundant life that Jesus promises? Do you struggle with an addiction, a spirit of depression, or extreme fatigue? Do you find it hard to muster an hour to read and study God’s Word, or to sit in His presence in prayer and praise? What things do you not want to give up for service to the Lord? Would you rather stay at home and watch the baseball game on television, or serve food at a local shelter for the homeless and hungry?
Take a closer look at your life today. What path do you need to stay on until you break through to freedom in Christ? What habits in your life need to change so that you can become less self-centered, and more Christ like? May you find patience and perseverance in your journey home to the Lord. Together, we can find ways to break our former practices and find true break through and freedom as we seek the heart of Jesus.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: perseverance to reach breakthrough in your life. Old habits may die hard, but with Christ, all things are possible. Do not give up and do not give in. Stay on the highway today, and look to the Lord for your every need. If you seek Him, He will find you right where you are at. He has the power to transform your life into a new creation - He can use for Kingdom work. Are you ready to break through?
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Half-baked prayer
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 12, 13, 14; Psalm 74
2 Kings 13:18-19 (NIV)
18 Then [Elisha] said to [Jehoash], “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. 19 The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”
James 5:16 (NIV)
16 Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Good morning!
Have you ever attempted a task half-heartedly? When my children were younger, the phrase “clean your room” was heard at least once a day. Two of my three children just didn’t seem to get it. They would shuffle back to their bedroom, shut the door, and commune with their dirty laundry, loose school papers, an unmade bed, and snack food wrappers. They were not supposed to eat snacks in their room, and yet, those infamous wrappers would suddenly appear from out of nowhere. One of my boys, however, was meticulous with his room. He would spend hours organizing and straightening his stuff. His clean room may not have been exactly the way I would have liked, but the thought and effort he put into it meant more to me than the end result. I rewarded his ability to see the bigger picture, capture a vision in his head, and run full-steam toward it.
Do you ever pray half-heartedly? Scripture is full of promises from our Lord. If we pray a prayer in faith, standing upon His holy Word, and believe that He will do what He says He will do even in an adverse situation, we can live a life of victory rather than defeat. Isn’t it ironic how we may choose to simply pray the prayer with our feeble words and not put our faith muscle behind it? When Jehoash met with Elisha for the very last time, Elisha became angry with his obvious lack of faith. Elisha commanded Jehoash to take his arrows and strike the ground. He did what he was told, but only in a half-baked manner. Jehoash struck the ground three times. As Elisha lay on his death bed, he knew this boy just didn’t get it. God was willing to give the king a landslide victory over the Arameans at Aphek. Because of the king’s lack of vision and faith to trust God’s promises, the victory over Aram would not be complete. If we want victory over the evil that surrounds our life, our family, our community, and our denomination, we absolutely must obey God’s Word completely. A half-hearted effort will not bring forth the benefits and blessings of the Lord. It is not enough to bury ourselves inside the walls of our churches, praying half-baked prayers and not standing upon His Word in all things. It’s time to sound the prayer trumpets. It is time to take a step up in faith.
My friends, this is the time to get serious about what we say we believe. Will we have victory through Jesus today? Or will our prayers lack the power and stamina to see us through the tough stuff of life? Will we fight for our Lord’s honor today or will we utter a few pretty words and leave them strewn, like snack wrappers on the floor, for someone else to sweep up? Are we tired of the hemmorhage of people from our churches? The bleeding needs to end now. So many people are falling away. Who will go and speak to them? If it is not you, then who will go for the Lord?
May Jesus Christ give you wisdom and a clear vision today, as you pray your prayers this morning. Do not be afraid to stand on His Word! He is sure to hear and answer your every petition. God’s truth will never fail. Are you willing to trust Him completely this day?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: courage to trust and obey the holy Word of God. Get down on your knees and pray like you’ve never prayed before. Things are about to change! If you believe that you stand today covered in the righteousness of Christ alone, then claim His promise and believe that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 12, 13, 14; Psalm 74
2 Kings 13:18-19 (NIV)
18 Then [Elisha] said to [Jehoash], “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. 19 The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”
James 5:16 (NIV)
16 Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Good morning!
Have you ever attempted a task half-heartedly? When my children were younger, the phrase “clean your room” was heard at least once a day. Two of my three children just didn’t seem to get it. They would shuffle back to their bedroom, shut the door, and commune with their dirty laundry, loose school papers, an unmade bed, and snack food wrappers. They were not supposed to eat snacks in their room, and yet, those infamous wrappers would suddenly appear from out of nowhere. One of my boys, however, was meticulous with his room. He would spend hours organizing and straightening his stuff. His clean room may not have been exactly the way I would have liked, but the thought and effort he put into it meant more to me than the end result. I rewarded his ability to see the bigger picture, capture a vision in his head, and run full-steam toward it.
Do you ever pray half-heartedly? Scripture is full of promises from our Lord. If we pray a prayer in faith, standing upon His holy Word, and believe that He will do what He says He will do even in an adverse situation, we can live a life of victory rather than defeat. Isn’t it ironic how we may choose to simply pray the prayer with our feeble words and not put our faith muscle behind it? When Jehoash met with Elisha for the very last time, Elisha became angry with his obvious lack of faith. Elisha commanded Jehoash to take his arrows and strike the ground. He did what he was told, but only in a half-baked manner. Jehoash struck the ground three times. As Elisha lay on his death bed, he knew this boy just didn’t get it. God was willing to give the king a landslide victory over the Arameans at Aphek. Because of the king’s lack of vision and faith to trust God’s promises, the victory over Aram would not be complete. If we want victory over the evil that surrounds our life, our family, our community, and our denomination, we absolutely must obey God’s Word completely. A half-hearted effort will not bring forth the benefits and blessings of the Lord. It is not enough to bury ourselves inside the walls of our churches, praying half-baked prayers and not standing upon His Word in all things. It’s time to sound the prayer trumpets. It is time to take a step up in faith.
My friends, this is the time to get serious about what we say we believe. Will we have victory through Jesus today? Or will our prayers lack the power and stamina to see us through the tough stuff of life? Will we fight for our Lord’s honor today or will we utter a few pretty words and leave them strewn, like snack wrappers on the floor, for someone else to sweep up? Are we tired of the hemmorhage of people from our churches? The bleeding needs to end now. So many people are falling away. Who will go and speak to them? If it is not you, then who will go for the Lord?
May Jesus Christ give you wisdom and a clear vision today, as you pray your prayers this morning. Do not be afraid to stand on His Word! He is sure to hear and answer your every petition. God’s truth will never fail. Are you willing to trust Him completely this day?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: courage to trust and obey the holy Word of God. Get down on your knees and pray like you’ve never prayed before. Things are about to change! If you believe that you stand today covered in the righteousness of Christ alone, then claim His promise and believe that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
When the Lord speaks, will you listen?
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 9, 10, 11
2 Kings 9:1-3 (NIV)
1 The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. 2 When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. 3 Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; do not delay!”
Genesis 35:11-15 (NIV)
11 And God said to [Jacob], “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body. 12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you. 13 Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him. 14 Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 15 Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.”
Good morning!
I spent a lot of time riding bicycles when I was a child. We lived on a circle drive, just off a service road. The street was relatively quiet and it did not have a lot of cross-traffic. This made bicycle riding a real treat! My neighborhood friends would join me for races at the end of the street all the way to the inner circle. We would clip baseball cards to the spokes of our wheels with clothes pins and as we pedaled, they would make a cool flapping noise. Occasionally, the chain would become dry and begin to squeal when we would brake. My father would step outside with his can of oil and grease the chain and spokes. I always liked my bicycle best after it was oiled. Talk about a smooth ride – no more squeaking or hesitation, and it felt as if I were floating on air. It’s amazing what a little oil can do for a squeaky wheel.
When our grandson Joshua was baptized at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Cuba, Missouri in 2002, the priest took a flask of oil and literally poured it over the child’s head. I wondered whether we would ever be able to wash all that oil out of his hair. Joshua looked like a little greased monkey, and we had to be extremely careful holding him the rest of the day because that boy was slippery! There was no doubt in our minds that our grandson had been anointed by God that morning as His precious and beloved child.
When Jacob experienced the Word of the Lord at Bethel, he poured out a drink offering and a flask of oil upon the stone pillar where they met. It was there that God blessed his willing servant, promising that a nation of faithful followers, kings and a community of nations would be birthed through Jacob’s line. He was promised the land that was given to his ancestors Abraham and Isaac, and that land would be passed down to Jacob’s descendants.
Don’t you wonder how Jehu must have felt when the prophet of God pulled him aside and anointed him with oil? The Lord had handpicked Jehu to be the next king of Israel. His job would not be easy and yet, Jehu could achieve it, if he completely relied on the strength of the Lord in all things. Do you make time to listen to the Lord? Can you hear Him speak to your heart? Every morning, I set aside a block of time to rest in the loving arms of my Savior. His Word is the anointing I need to carry with me all the day long. I know that when I focus my whole heart, mind and strength upon His Word, He will lead me through the day and help me achieve the work He has for me to do. His anointing saturates the squeaky and rough places in my heart and restores me to new life. I can hear His still, small voice as I sit enraptured in His holy presence. The anointing oil He pours over my head gives me grace and courage to follow Him, even when the road is narrow and rough.
You are a child of the King of Kings. When you invite Jesus to become your Lord and Savior, He will begin to speak words of eternal life to your heart. Will you hear Him when He calls you? Take a moment today to dip your hand into the cleansing oil of His Word. Feel the release in knowing that your imperfections are covered through His precious blood. He has big plans for you. Can you feel His anointing upon your life today?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: eyes and ears to see and hear the amazing work God is doing inside of your heart. Allow Him to anoint you today through His Word. When the Lord speaks, people listen. Will you hear and answer when He calls out your name?
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 9, 10, 11
2 Kings 9:1-3 (NIV)
1 The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. 2 When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. 3 Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; do not delay!”
Genesis 35:11-15 (NIV)
11 And God said to [Jacob], “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body. 12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you. 13 Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him. 14 Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 15 Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.”
Good morning!
I spent a lot of time riding bicycles when I was a child. We lived on a circle drive, just off a service road. The street was relatively quiet and it did not have a lot of cross-traffic. This made bicycle riding a real treat! My neighborhood friends would join me for races at the end of the street all the way to the inner circle. We would clip baseball cards to the spokes of our wheels with clothes pins and as we pedaled, they would make a cool flapping noise. Occasionally, the chain would become dry and begin to squeal when we would brake. My father would step outside with his can of oil and grease the chain and spokes. I always liked my bicycle best after it was oiled. Talk about a smooth ride – no more squeaking or hesitation, and it felt as if I were floating on air. It’s amazing what a little oil can do for a squeaky wheel.
When our grandson Joshua was baptized at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Cuba, Missouri in 2002, the priest took a flask of oil and literally poured it over the child’s head. I wondered whether we would ever be able to wash all that oil out of his hair. Joshua looked like a little greased monkey, and we had to be extremely careful holding him the rest of the day because that boy was slippery! There was no doubt in our minds that our grandson had been anointed by God that morning as His precious and beloved child.
When Jacob experienced the Word of the Lord at Bethel, he poured out a drink offering and a flask of oil upon the stone pillar where they met. It was there that God blessed his willing servant, promising that a nation of faithful followers, kings and a community of nations would be birthed through Jacob’s line. He was promised the land that was given to his ancestors Abraham and Isaac, and that land would be passed down to Jacob’s descendants.
Don’t you wonder how Jehu must have felt when the prophet of God pulled him aside and anointed him with oil? The Lord had handpicked Jehu to be the next king of Israel. His job would not be easy and yet, Jehu could achieve it, if he completely relied on the strength of the Lord in all things. Do you make time to listen to the Lord? Can you hear Him speak to your heart? Every morning, I set aside a block of time to rest in the loving arms of my Savior. His Word is the anointing I need to carry with me all the day long. I know that when I focus my whole heart, mind and strength upon His Word, He will lead me through the day and help me achieve the work He has for me to do. His anointing saturates the squeaky and rough places in my heart and restores me to new life. I can hear His still, small voice as I sit enraptured in His holy presence. The anointing oil He pours over my head gives me grace and courage to follow Him, even when the road is narrow and rough.
You are a child of the King of Kings. When you invite Jesus to become your Lord and Savior, He will begin to speak words of eternal life to your heart. Will you hear Him when He calls you? Take a moment today to dip your hand into the cleansing oil of His Word. Feel the release in knowing that your imperfections are covered through His precious blood. He has big plans for you. Can you feel His anointing upon your life today?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: eyes and ears to see and hear the amazing work God is doing inside of your heart. Allow Him to anoint you today through His Word. When the Lord speaks, people listen. Will you hear and answer when He calls out your name?
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Seeing the chariots of fire
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 6, 7, 8
II Kings 6:15-17 (NIV)
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Do not be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
I John 4:2-4 (NIV)
2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Good morning!
When my children were young, I would encourage them to dream big and remember that with God, all things are possible. Without Him, dreams are simply not worth dreaming. Elisha lived his life seeing the wonder of God through his spirit. Picture this: you are in your prayer closet this morning and you are praying to the Lord. Maybe you are sitting there, wondering whether God is listening to you. Maybe you are simply unsure whether the time you are spending is productive and helpful to the life of the person you are lifting up in prayer. Do you ever doubt the power of prayer when you pray?
Think about this – as you are praying, the Lord covers your prayer closet with white stallions, surrounding you in a circle of grace. The angels are sitting on the stallions’ backs, just waiting to carry your petitions into the throne room of the Father. They are pulling the chariots of fire, whose flames protect you and the ones you lift up in prayer. They are on a passionate mission of mercy and grace. If you could see the chariots of fire surrounding you as you pray, would that change the power of your prayer? Would you pray harder, longer, and more fervently? Would it keep you from doubting that when God hears your prayers, He answers each and every one of them?
Elisha’s servant became frightened when all he could see were the enemies knocking at his front door. Do your enemies scare you? Are you afraid to open your door and see what is lurking outside on the front porch? Maybe you are fighting some sort of illness, be it physical, emotional or spiritual. If you open the door to God’s grace and mercy and trust Him completely, you wonder if He will fail you and you won’t survive. Maybe you are struggling financially – having trouble meeting your obligations and you cry out for help to pay the bills. What if you pray and nothing tangible happens? Is God listening to you? Will He not answer you in the greatest moment of your need?
Sometimes, we must look with the spirit eyes the Lord has planted within us. There are spirits everywhere, and we can discern which spirits come from the Lord and which spirits are not His. The apostle John said that any spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as God in the flesh, is not a spirit of the living God. We often think that the antichrist (or evil one) is not yet here. Yet the apostle John says that the antichrist has been here for quite some time and is with us, even now. It is that spirit where faith becomes doubt, when we struggle to see the Lord for who He truly is. Like Elisha, we need to pray that our eyes will be opened and we can see and know what is Truth and what is not.
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He comes into your heart and lives within you. He is greater than any struggle you may be facing, and He has ultimate authority and power to help you conquer the sins that separate you from God. On our own, we are powerless to help ourselves, but with Christ, there is nothing impossible for us. Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world. As you pray this morning, check out the chariots of fire surrounding your life. The angels are there, just waiting to help you. Do not let a spirit of doubt keep you from all the God has in store for you. Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God, sees you. He knows you. He hears you. He is answering your prayers today.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: eyes to see what the Lord is doing in your life! Trust Him to answer your every prayer. Ask Him to help you capture the vision, so that you will not be afraid to face the enemies in your life. Ask Him to give you spiritual discernment, to know what is true and what is not. Give Jesus your life today. Everything changes when you invite the Lord of life into your heart.
____________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 6, 7, 8
II Kings 6:15-17 (NIV)
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Do not be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
I John 4:2-4 (NIV)
2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Good morning!
When my children were young, I would encourage them to dream big and remember that with God, all things are possible. Without Him, dreams are simply not worth dreaming. Elisha lived his life seeing the wonder of God through his spirit. Picture this: you are in your prayer closet this morning and you are praying to the Lord. Maybe you are sitting there, wondering whether God is listening to you. Maybe you are simply unsure whether the time you are spending is productive and helpful to the life of the person you are lifting up in prayer. Do you ever doubt the power of prayer when you pray?
Think about this – as you are praying, the Lord covers your prayer closet with white stallions, surrounding you in a circle of grace. The angels are sitting on the stallions’ backs, just waiting to carry your petitions into the throne room of the Father. They are pulling the chariots of fire, whose flames protect you and the ones you lift up in prayer. They are on a passionate mission of mercy and grace. If you could see the chariots of fire surrounding you as you pray, would that change the power of your prayer? Would you pray harder, longer, and more fervently? Would it keep you from doubting that when God hears your prayers, He answers each and every one of them?
Elisha’s servant became frightened when all he could see were the enemies knocking at his front door. Do your enemies scare you? Are you afraid to open your door and see what is lurking outside on the front porch? Maybe you are fighting some sort of illness, be it physical, emotional or spiritual. If you open the door to God’s grace and mercy and trust Him completely, you wonder if He will fail you and you won’t survive. Maybe you are struggling financially – having trouble meeting your obligations and you cry out for help to pay the bills. What if you pray and nothing tangible happens? Is God listening to you? Will He not answer you in the greatest moment of your need?
Sometimes, we must look with the spirit eyes the Lord has planted within us. There are spirits everywhere, and we can discern which spirits come from the Lord and which spirits are not His. The apostle John said that any spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as God in the flesh, is not a spirit of the living God. We often think that the antichrist (or evil one) is not yet here. Yet the apostle John says that the antichrist has been here for quite some time and is with us, even now. It is that spirit where faith becomes doubt, when we struggle to see the Lord for who He truly is. Like Elisha, we need to pray that our eyes will be opened and we can see and know what is Truth and what is not.
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He comes into your heart and lives within you. He is greater than any struggle you may be facing, and He has ultimate authority and power to help you conquer the sins that separate you from God. On our own, we are powerless to help ourselves, but with Christ, there is nothing impossible for us. Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world. As you pray this morning, check out the chariots of fire surrounding your life. The angels are there, just waiting to help you. Do not let a spirit of doubt keep you from all the God has in store for you. Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God, sees you. He knows you. He hears you. He is answering your prayers today.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: eyes to see what the Lord is doing in your life! Trust Him to answer your every prayer. Ask Him to help you capture the vision, so that you will not be afraid to face the enemies in your life. Ask Him to give you spiritual discernment, to know what is true and what is not. Give Jesus your life today. Everything changes when you invite the Lord of life into your heart.
____________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
The bunt that became a home run!
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 4-5; Psalm 73
2 Kings 4:1-2 (NIV)
1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” 2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a little oil.”
Psalm 73:23-26 (NIV)
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand,
24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Good morning!
Do you possess a childlike faith? Jeff and I sat with our daughter and son-in-law at the baseball field Friday evening near Barnhart, Missouri, watching our grandson Joshua play his very first t-ball game. How the memories of all those softball games from years before flooded my memory. I cannot tell you how many games we sat at, watching our children play softball. I was never coordinated enough to manage the bat. I rarely hit the ball, but the catcher behind me took his life into his hands every time I came to the plate. I decided this was definitely not my spiritual gift, certainly not a tangible, physical gift either. I was better off on the bleachers cheering on my team. It’s much safer there for everyone, trust me.
Ironically, there was no stand for the ball. One of the coaches pitched to each player. Joshua had fourteen children on his team that night, and the outfield was an interesting sight. Joshua stood just behind the second baseman. I leaned over and asked our daughter Rachel if Joshua was playing shortstop. She said, “with all the children on the field right now, who can tell for sure?” Joshua sported his black baseball cap and a brand new mit that his father had given him as a gift. He proudly wore his team's t-shirt. “Now there is boy on a mission,” I thought to myself, while digging my heels into the dirt and feeling much older than I thought I should be. “I’m watching my grandson play t-ball.” Rachel and I shared a box of Kleenex and we managed to drown our tears in a salty pretzel. She has a good excuse for crying. After all, she is very pregnant and hormonal. Little Emily sat on my lap and chatted in babbling, three-year old lingo. Grandchildren are just so much fun that I guess its worth the sacrifice of aging simply to experience their zest for life.
The challenging team was winning. Our outfield needed a little extra help from above. Fortunately, in t-ball rules, once everyone has had a chance to bat, it’s time to switch sides! This was a lucky break for our ball players. Joshua was last on the batting rotation. He was the man of the hour, as he took his spot at home plate. Joshua strutted to the plate with a quiet confidence and a cute little grin on his face. I could tell he was proud to be there. Another nice thing about t-ball is that if you get three strikes, its okay, because you can keep swinging until you finally hit the ball. Now, that’s my kind of ball game! Joshua kept swinging, bless his little heart – he just didn’t give up. And then it happened. He laid a perfect bunt down just in front of the first baseman. “Run, Joshua, run,” we screamed. He began to take the bases, one by one, not looking back to see where the ball was. Joshua was determined to make it back to home plate no matter what. “Slide, Joshua, slide!” we cried out to him. It was a surreal moment as we watched that boy step on home plate for the very first time. His bunt became a home run, and we laughed and clapped and cheered him on Joshua watched his family act like crazy people that night as he stood on the plate, grinning from ear to ear.
It must have taken childlike faith for the widow to prepare jars of oil that day. She had lost everything she had, her husband and her role in the culture in which she lived. She was about to lose her house to the creditors and knew they would take her sons away in payment for her debt. She had nothing left to give except a little oil and her heart. Elisha told the woman to ask her neighbors for help. She needed every jar she could find. Willingly, and without question, the woman and her sons collected as many jars as they could find. Even though she only had a little oil, the Lord saw her need and reveled in her faith, and that faith produced enough oil to fill every single jar in her home. With God’s help, we too can score a home run with just a little bunt and a lot of faith. Won’t you take some time today to thank God for the gifts He has given you. Maybe you feel a little inadequate, like I do, when I’m up to bat. With the help of Christ, He can take what little talent we possess, and turn it into a faith-filled victory for His kingdom, if we are just willing to trust Him enough to do it.
Batter up! It’s time for you to bunt.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: faith and courage to share Jesus Christ with the world. He can take whatever you have to give, and multiply it for Kingdom work, if you trust Him completely. Will you step into the batter’s box today?
____________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 4-5; Psalm 73
2 Kings 4:1-2 (NIV)
1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” 2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a little oil.”
Psalm 73:23-26 (NIV)
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand,
24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Good morning!
Do you possess a childlike faith? Jeff and I sat with our daughter and son-in-law at the baseball field Friday evening near Barnhart, Missouri, watching our grandson Joshua play his very first t-ball game. How the memories of all those softball games from years before flooded my memory. I cannot tell you how many games we sat at, watching our children play softball. I was never coordinated enough to manage the bat. I rarely hit the ball, but the catcher behind me took his life into his hands every time I came to the plate. I decided this was definitely not my spiritual gift, certainly not a tangible, physical gift either. I was better off on the bleachers cheering on my team. It’s much safer there for everyone, trust me.
Ironically, there was no stand for the ball. One of the coaches pitched to each player. Joshua had fourteen children on his team that night, and the outfield was an interesting sight. Joshua stood just behind the second baseman. I leaned over and asked our daughter Rachel if Joshua was playing shortstop. She said, “with all the children on the field right now, who can tell for sure?” Joshua sported his black baseball cap and a brand new mit that his father had given him as a gift. He proudly wore his team's t-shirt. “Now there is boy on a mission,” I thought to myself, while digging my heels into the dirt and feeling much older than I thought I should be. “I’m watching my grandson play t-ball.” Rachel and I shared a box of Kleenex and we managed to drown our tears in a salty pretzel. She has a good excuse for crying. After all, she is very pregnant and hormonal. Little Emily sat on my lap and chatted in babbling, three-year old lingo. Grandchildren are just so much fun that I guess its worth the sacrifice of aging simply to experience their zest for life.
The challenging team was winning. Our outfield needed a little extra help from above. Fortunately, in t-ball rules, once everyone has had a chance to bat, it’s time to switch sides! This was a lucky break for our ball players. Joshua was last on the batting rotation. He was the man of the hour, as he took his spot at home plate. Joshua strutted to the plate with a quiet confidence and a cute little grin on his face. I could tell he was proud to be there. Another nice thing about t-ball is that if you get three strikes, its okay, because you can keep swinging until you finally hit the ball. Now, that’s my kind of ball game! Joshua kept swinging, bless his little heart – he just didn’t give up. And then it happened. He laid a perfect bunt down just in front of the first baseman. “Run, Joshua, run,” we screamed. He began to take the bases, one by one, not looking back to see where the ball was. Joshua was determined to make it back to home plate no matter what. “Slide, Joshua, slide!” we cried out to him. It was a surreal moment as we watched that boy step on home plate for the very first time. His bunt became a home run, and we laughed and clapped and cheered him on Joshua watched his family act like crazy people that night as he stood on the plate, grinning from ear to ear.
It must have taken childlike faith for the widow to prepare jars of oil that day. She had lost everything she had, her husband and her role in the culture in which she lived. She was about to lose her house to the creditors and knew they would take her sons away in payment for her debt. She had nothing left to give except a little oil and her heart. Elisha told the woman to ask her neighbors for help. She needed every jar she could find. Willingly, and without question, the woman and her sons collected as many jars as they could find. Even though she only had a little oil, the Lord saw her need and reveled in her faith, and that faith produced enough oil to fill every single jar in her home. With God’s help, we too can score a home run with just a little bunt and a lot of faith. Won’t you take some time today to thank God for the gifts He has given you. Maybe you feel a little inadequate, like I do, when I’m up to bat. With the help of Christ, He can take what little talent we possess, and turn it into a faith-filled victory for His kingdom, if we are just willing to trust Him enough to do it.
Batter up! It’s time for you to bunt.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: faith and courage to share Jesus Christ with the world. He can take whatever you have to give, and multiply it for Kingdom work, if you trust Him completely. Will you step into the batter’s box today?
____________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
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