There was a couple who used to go England to shop in the beautiful store. This was their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially tea-cups. They said, “May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful."
As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the tea-cup spoke, "You don't understand." It said, "I have not always been a tea-cup. There was a time when I was red clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, "Let me alone," but he only smiled,"Not yet!!"
"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. 'Stop it!! I'm getting dizzy!' I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'
Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and
knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook hid head, 'Not yet'.
"Finally, the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to
cool. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Stop it, Stop it!!' I cried. He only nodded, ‘Not yet!'.
Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven, not like the first one.
This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I
pleaded. I screamed. I cried. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf.
An hour later he handed me a mirror and said 'Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'
"I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I just had left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurts and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened.
You would not have had any color in your life, and if I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't survive for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you." God knows what He's doing [for all of us]. He is the potter, and we are His clay.
He will mould us and make us, so that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Trials
We need to get to the place where we can say "I know that God has been holding me in the fires of affliction and I have felt His hammer upon me.
But I don't mind, if only He can bring me to what I should be. And so, in all these hard things my prayer is simply this: Try me in any way you wish, Lord, only don't throw me on the scrap heap."
The T-R-I-A-L of Your Faith
1 Peter 1:7:
7 these trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being
tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
All believers face such trails when we let our light shine into
the darkness. We must accept trails as part of the refining process that burns away impurities and prepares us to meet Christ.
As gold is heated impurities float to the top and can be skimmed off.
Likewise, our trials, struggles, and persecutions refine and
strengthen our faith, making us useful to God.
1. T-emptaition
2 Peter 2:9:
9Now if [all these things are true, then be sure] the Lord knows how to rescue the godly out of temptations and trials…
Just as God rescued Lot from Sodom, so he is able to rescue us from the temptations and trials we face in a wicked world. Gen 19
A. Every Christian experience temptation, Satan tries to catch
Christians unawares.
B. We must not yield to temptation. We can overcome through decision, discipline, determination, and divine help.
James 1:12:
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.
Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Temptation comes from evil desires inside us, not from God. It begins with an evil thought and becomes sin when we dwell on the thought and allow it to become an action.
Like a snowball rolling downhill, sin grows more destructive the more we let it have its way.
The best time to stop a temptation is before it is too strong or
moving too fast to control.
2. R-esentment-: to feel or express annoyance or ill will at
1 John 3:14:
14 If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.
A. Resentments dwindles the physical, dwarf the mental, and destroy
the spiritual life of an individual.
B. We can be released from resentments through love and prayer. One cannot love and pray for another person and hold resentment at the same time.
3. I-nferiority- of little or less importance, value, or merit
Philippians 4:13:
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
As we contend for the faith, we will face troubles, pressures. and trails. As they come, ask Christ to strengthen you.
A. Inferiority feelings hinder Christians from working for God as they should.
B. We overcome by doing, by moving ahead, by believing the Holy Spirit is within us, and that He is guiding, directing, and speaking through us.
4. A-ffliction
Psalm 119:67:
67 before I was afflicted I went astray; But now I observe thy word.
A. Christians suffer affliction like everyone else. Some blame God when they suffer.
B. We must trust God during affliction. He has a purpose in what He allows and can work it out for our good and His glory.
Romans 8:28:
28 and we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
God works in everything- not just isolated incidents- for our good.
This does not mean that all that happens to us is good, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long range good.
5. L-oneliness
Hebrews 13:5:
5.I will never abandon you.
A. Many people are lonely. Sin, sorrow, suffering, and separation
bring loneliness.
B. Christians need never be lonely. They have a “friend who is closer than a brother.” The Holy Spirit promised to “abide with them forever”.
John 14:16:
16And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever"
The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God within us and all
believers, helping us live as God wants and building Christ’s church on earth. By faith we can take possession of the Spirit’s power each day.
No matter what card life has dealt you don’t fold under the pressure turn to Jesus.
Have you been trying to push through difficulties on your own? If so, make a change right now. Start getting strength from deep within you, where the Holy Spirit dwells.
Instead of asking “why me?” we should respond to suffering with a new set of responses:
1) Confidence that God knows, plans, and directs our lives for the good. It’s hard to calculate sometimes, but God always provides his love and strength for us. God leads us toward a better future.
2) Perseverance when facing grief, anger, sorrow, and pain. We
express our grief, but we don’t give in to bitterness and despair.
3) Courage because with Jesus as brother and savior, we need not to be afraid. He who suffered for us will not abandon us. Jesus carries us through everything.
If that divine strength does not yet dwell in you, all you need to do to receive it is admit your sins, repent of them, and ask Jesus to be your Savior.
Surrender your life, all that you are and all that you are not, to him.
Let God be your strength. God does not want to just give us strength; he wants to be our strength.
2 Samuel 22:3:
3My God, my Rock, in Him will I take refuge; my Shield and the Horn of my salvation; my Stronghold and my Refuge, my Savior--
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
6th Annual CrossWalk
Many people are just living there lives like they are promised another
day. We get so wrapped up with the circumstances of this world that we
take our eyes off of Jesus and find ourselves seeking as Peter did. We
blame others for our wrong choices and expect others to fix them. We
are so quick to put our hands out to receive a blessing but rarely do
we extend a hand to be a blessing. We need to get our priorities in
order in order for a real change to happen we have to adopt 2 Chron
7:14 which says “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.
This September 4th starting at noon people from all walks of faith
will be gathering in front of Lorain City Hall for the National Day of
People with Integrity; for the 6th annual Cross Walk sponsored by
Church of the New Harvest. We will first meet for a time of prayer as
we turn our hearts to the needs of this community after which we will
start carrying a cross up Broadway Avenue to RT. 254 heading onto Lake
Ave till we end at Elyria City Hall. We encourage participants to
walk, drive, cheer, and support any amount they feel they can. As we
walk we will pray over this community, the homes, families and
businesses that we pass. This community needs prayer, encouragement
and support so no matter the weather the cross walk will continue to
take place rain or shine.
As a pastor whose vision is “equipping people to believe, receive and
achieve all that God has for them”. I believe it is vital that on this
day that we march right into the enemy’s camp and take back what
belongs to us our economy, jobs, schools and families. I believe that
God has a plan and purpose for all of us, one that is meant to prosper
us and not harm us. God wants everyone to know that in Him we have a
hope and a future. God desires to give His people good things. Yet
just as He makes sure that the sparrows are fed He doesn’t go around
dropping worms off in all their nests. We are expected to be
responsible and live our lives with integrity making good decisions
that will bring about a prosperous outcome. If we want to see a change
then we as people of integrity need to step out in faith and instead
of being part of the problem seek to be part of the solution.
Proudly on this day our Mayor of Lorain has again declared this the
“The National Day of People with Integrity” and also urges all to come
out and support this positive community event. If you have any
questions or would like more information regarding this event please
contact Pastor Danny Parsons at 1(440)714-0820 or email at
outreach@churchofthenewharvest.org. Each year the response to this
event and day grows more and more and we want to see it explode this
year like never before and resonate through our whole county and
state. Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of change.
This years crosswalk will be held in honor of Danny Parsons Sr. who
back in Oct was dx with Renal Cancer. Danny will be leading this years
crosswalk of by being the first to carry the cross. We are encouraging
all friends, familys who have cancer or lives has been touched by
cancer in some way to join with us Sept 4th at Lorain City Hall for a
special time of prayer before we begin the 9 mile walk in .
day. We get so wrapped up with the circumstances of this world that we
take our eyes off of Jesus and find ourselves seeking as Peter did. We
blame others for our wrong choices and expect others to fix them. We
are so quick to put our hands out to receive a blessing but rarely do
we extend a hand to be a blessing. We need to get our priorities in
order in order for a real change to happen we have to adopt 2 Chron
7:14 which says “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.
This September 4th starting at noon people from all walks of faith
will be gathering in front of Lorain City Hall for the National Day of
People with Integrity; for the 6th annual Cross Walk sponsored by
Church of the New Harvest. We will first meet for a time of prayer as
we turn our hearts to the needs of this community after which we will
start carrying a cross up Broadway Avenue to RT. 254 heading onto Lake
Ave till we end at Elyria City Hall. We encourage participants to
walk, drive, cheer, and support any amount they feel they can. As we
walk we will pray over this community, the homes, families and
businesses that we pass. This community needs prayer, encouragement
and support so no matter the weather the cross walk will continue to
take place rain or shine.
As a pastor whose vision is “equipping people to believe, receive and
achieve all that God has for them”. I believe it is vital that on this
day that we march right into the enemy’s camp and take back what
belongs to us our economy, jobs, schools and families. I believe that
God has a plan and purpose for all of us, one that is meant to prosper
us and not harm us. God wants everyone to know that in Him we have a
hope and a future. God desires to give His people good things. Yet
just as He makes sure that the sparrows are fed He doesn’t go around
dropping worms off in all their nests. We are expected to be
responsible and live our lives with integrity making good decisions
that will bring about a prosperous outcome. If we want to see a change
then we as people of integrity need to step out in faith and instead
of being part of the problem seek to be part of the solution.
Proudly on this day our Mayor of Lorain has again declared this the
“The National Day of People with Integrity” and also urges all to come
out and support this positive community event. If you have any
questions or would like more information regarding this event please
contact Pastor Danny Parsons at 1(440)714-0820 or email at
outreach@churchofthenewharvest.org. Each year the response to this
event and day grows more and more and we want to see it explode this
year like never before and resonate through our whole county and
state. Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of change.
This years crosswalk will be held in honor of Danny Parsons Sr. who
back in Oct was dx with Renal Cancer. Danny will be leading this years
crosswalk of by being the first to carry the cross. We are encouraging
all friends, familys who have cancer or lives has been touched by
cancer in some way to join with us Sept 4th at Lorain City Hall for a
special time of prayer before we begin the 9 mile walk in .
Saturday, August 21, 2010
The Great Invitation
The Great Invitation
Hx : To finance their great world empire, the Romans levied heavy taxes on all nations under their control.
The Jews opposed these taxes because they supported a secular government and its pagan gods, but they were still forced to pay. Does this sound any different from life today?
Luke 19
Jesus and Zacchaeus
Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.
Tax collectors were among the most unpopular people in Israel. Jews by birth, they chose to work for Rome and were considered traitors.
It is so much easier to just join in and go along with the crowd, but how many of you know it takes more courage to stand up for what you believe in than just sit back and go along with everyone else.
In Luke 14:34-35 says
“Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
We are called to be the salt of the earth.
Many Christians blend into the world and avoid the cost of standing up for Christ.
But Jesus says if Christians loses their distinctive saltiness, they become worthless.
Just as salt flavors and preserves food, we are to preserve the good in the world and bring new flavor to life.
This requires careful planning, willing sacrifice, and unswerving commitment to Christ’s Kingdom. But if a Christian fails to be salty he or she fails to represent Christ in the world.
How salty are you?
We read on: 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
What is blocking your view of seeing Christ in your life today? Is it pride, a judgmental attitude, unbelief, or some other sin that you have allowed to take root in your life?
Zacchaueus did what we all need to do and he rose above the obstacle that was hindering him to see Jesus.
His word tells us that we are more than conquers, that victory is ours for the taking.
Now maybe he was only looking for curiosity because he has heard about the many miracles that Jesus performed, he might not of been looking for his life to be changed in a moment but that’s all Christ’s needs for our spirits to be awaken, and our hearts changed.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
Jesus wants to be a guest in your home today; He stands at the door and knocks.
Revelation 3:20-22:
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts because He wants to save us and have fellowship with us.
He is patient and persistent in trying to get through to us- not breaking and entering, but knocking.
He allows us to decide whether or not to open our life to Him. Do you intentionally keep His life-changing presence and power on the other side of the door?
How did Zaccheus respond?
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
When Christ is calling us to come down we must humble ourselves and come down. We must not make haste for delays are dangerous.
We know neither the day nor the hour of His return.
Sometimes we hesitate because we are afraid of what others might think or say.
But not Zacchaeus you see it was common knowledge that tax collectors were making themselves rich by gouging their fellow Jews. So you could only imagine why they despised him so.
He didn’t care nor should we.
When we allow Christ to be a guest in our homes be prepared for a change.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
2 Corinthians 5:17:
17 this means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives us new life, and we are not the same anymore.
This is not a superficial change that will be quickly supersede by another novelty. This is an entirely new order of all creation under Christ authority. It requires a new way of looking at all people and all of creation.
Does your life reflect this new perspective?
He seeks those that were not worth seeking to: he seeks those that sought him not, and asked not for him, as Zaccheus here.
Zaccheus is declared to be now a happy man, now he is turned from sin to God: now he has bidden Christ welcome to his house, and has become an honest, charitable, good man. All the benefits of salvation are his.
Will you allow all the benefits to be yours today?
Christ knows your name and He is calling you today, when was the last time you communed with Him?
Maybe today will be your first time and maybe today you will meet up with a very old friend once again.
Whatever the case may be He has something great for you, something life changing if only you accept His invitation.
Some of you here today maybe saying “I answered that door a long time ago” and I would say to you that’s great.
Sometimes after awhile we get content in our walk.
For you Christ wants to breathe a breath of fresh air into your life a newness like never before, will you accept His invitation?
Hx : To finance their great world empire, the Romans levied heavy taxes on all nations under their control.
The Jews opposed these taxes because they supported a secular government and its pagan gods, but they were still forced to pay. Does this sound any different from life today?
Luke 19
Jesus and Zacchaeus
Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.
Tax collectors were among the most unpopular people in Israel. Jews by birth, they chose to work for Rome and were considered traitors.
It is so much easier to just join in and go along with the crowd, but how many of you know it takes more courage to stand up for what you believe in than just sit back and go along with everyone else.
In Luke 14:34-35 says
“Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
We are called to be the salt of the earth.
Many Christians blend into the world and avoid the cost of standing up for Christ.
But Jesus says if Christians loses their distinctive saltiness, they become worthless.
Just as salt flavors and preserves food, we are to preserve the good in the world and bring new flavor to life.
This requires careful planning, willing sacrifice, and unswerving commitment to Christ’s Kingdom. But if a Christian fails to be salty he or she fails to represent Christ in the world.
How salty are you?
We read on: 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
What is blocking your view of seeing Christ in your life today? Is it pride, a judgmental attitude, unbelief, or some other sin that you have allowed to take root in your life?
Zacchaueus did what we all need to do and he rose above the obstacle that was hindering him to see Jesus.
His word tells us that we are more than conquers, that victory is ours for the taking.
Now maybe he was only looking for curiosity because he has heard about the many miracles that Jesus performed, he might not of been looking for his life to be changed in a moment but that’s all Christ’s needs for our spirits to be awaken, and our hearts changed.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
Jesus wants to be a guest in your home today; He stands at the door and knocks.
Revelation 3:20-22:
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts because He wants to save us and have fellowship with us.
He is patient and persistent in trying to get through to us- not breaking and entering, but knocking.
He allows us to decide whether or not to open our life to Him. Do you intentionally keep His life-changing presence and power on the other side of the door?
How did Zaccheus respond?
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
When Christ is calling us to come down we must humble ourselves and come down. We must not make haste for delays are dangerous.
We know neither the day nor the hour of His return.
Sometimes we hesitate because we are afraid of what others might think or say.
But not Zacchaeus you see it was common knowledge that tax collectors were making themselves rich by gouging their fellow Jews. So you could only imagine why they despised him so.
He didn’t care nor should we.
When we allow Christ to be a guest in our homes be prepared for a change.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
2 Corinthians 5:17:
17 this means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives us new life, and we are not the same anymore.
This is not a superficial change that will be quickly supersede by another novelty. This is an entirely new order of all creation under Christ authority. It requires a new way of looking at all people and all of creation.
Does your life reflect this new perspective?
He seeks those that were not worth seeking to: he seeks those that sought him not, and asked not for him, as Zaccheus here.
Zaccheus is declared to be now a happy man, now he is turned from sin to God: now he has bidden Christ welcome to his house, and has become an honest, charitable, good man. All the benefits of salvation are his.
Will you allow all the benefits to be yours today?
Christ knows your name and He is calling you today, when was the last time you communed with Him?
Maybe today will be your first time and maybe today you will meet up with a very old friend once again.
Whatever the case may be He has something great for you, something life changing if only you accept His invitation.
Some of you here today maybe saying “I answered that door a long time ago” and I would say to you that’s great.
Sometimes after awhile we get content in our walk.
For you Christ wants to breathe a breath of fresh air into your life a newness like never before, will you accept His invitation?
Saturday, August 14, 2010
More than you could ask or imagine
More than you could ask or imagine
2 Kings 4
Elisha Helps a Poor Widow
1 One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.”
2 “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”
“Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.
3 And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. 4 Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.”
5 So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. 6 Soon every container was full to the brim!
“Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons.
“There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing.
7 When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.”
Have you ever had the feeling that God just wasn’t on the job? That he wasn’t keeping promises in the Bible that you counted on to be true? Have you ever been disappointed in him? Bitter?
Are you blaming God for some sorrow or adversity that has happened that you don’t really think you deserve? Don’t be afraid to admit it! There are things in life that none of us really understands.
Romans 8:28, “Oh, God will work it for good,” is sometimes like putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound: it doesn’t always do the trick.
You came trusting God to supply all your needs, and it hasn’t exactly been fun. In fact, it’s getting kind of old to wonder each week if there is going to be enough money for food, for those unexpected illnesses that you have to pay the doctor for.
Your husband is working in a really low-class job, why hasn’t God given him a better job? After all, you gave up everything to serve him, didn’t you?
2King 4:1The 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."
Can you just see her, facing Elisha? “Your servant, my husband, served the Lord! You know him! He is your student! You know that he was a godly man. Now he’s dead!”
“Why has this calamity happened to me? Why didn’t the promises of prosperity to the righteous come true for me?
This women might of thought It’s not fair!” Have you ever thought that?
She lost a good husband, and now she was going to lose her sons to pay his debts, and they are going to become slaves! Someone else is going to own them like property!”
She had a valid complaint! She, no doubt, had supported her husband’s vision and his goals. She had been an efficient housewife. After his death she used up all their resources to pay their debts, and now she was reduced to nothing. There was nothing left!
Now the pathetic plead of this widow was that, not only had she lost her husband, now she’s going to lose her sons—her family. That was bad enough, but it meant something else. You see, it meant that in her old age, she would have no security. It was the sons who took care of their aged parents.
Elisha’s response to this woman rightly reflected God’s attitude. Now to 2 Kings 4:2: “Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I help you?’”
You see, he was sensitive, he was concerned, he was compassionate, he was willing to be involved, and so is God! He asked another question. He said, “Tell me, what you have in your house?" (2 Kings 4:2b)
This was an important question to ask. You see, this would be no government handout! God would use what she had to start with.
Saints, there’s a principle here that is supported all through Scripture. God multiplies what we surrender to him.
Remember when Moses was terrified about meeting Pharaoh and telling him to let Israel go, and God said, “What is that in your hand?” Moses’ shepherd’s staff became the rod of God, a symbol of God’s power.
Remember when Jesus fed the 5,000? He started with a little boy’s lunch, which he multiplied to feed a multitude of probably 10,000 people, because it was only 5,000 men that were counted.
God will use whatever we surrender to him, no matter how insignificant it seems.
Now, notice her answer. She says, "Your servant has nothing there at all … except a little oil" (2 Kings 4:2c).
All she had was olive oil. That was a very necessary commodity in that culture. They used it for food, for cosmetic, and for medicine. But she had so little—not even enough for herself, and so she disparaged what she had!
Do you ever do that? God says, “I want you to trust me—to live by faith. I want you to serve me. I want you to accomplish this task or finish this project.” And we answer, “How can I? I don’t have any talents! I don’t have any resources! I have nothing.”
But you see, God never made a “nothing.” He never did. He asks you to surrender whatever you have, and whatever you are and he’ll multiply it to accomplish what he has chosen for you to do.
You see, God doesn’t want us to be passive, but actively cooperating with him and depending on him. There is always a market for olive oil—all she needed was more! Now notice Elisha’s instructions. 2 Kings 4:3-4:
Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."
Now, why did he tell her to do this? Why couldn’t the jar be multiplied, as well as the oil?
That would have been such a simple solution. One reason is that it required faith to go around to every neighbor and ask for empty jars.
It couldn’t have been easy! It took faith to obey Elisha. Was she nervous? Was she fearful that maybe it wouldn’t work?
Have you sometimes not told somebody you were praying about something because you were afraid it might not be answered, and then you didn’t want to look like God didn’t come through?
You see, it didn’t matter how she felt; she acted with her will to obey Elisha. Her boldness and her personal effort combined with her faith, and that’s always a necessity, .
Can’t you see her and her two boys as they as they hurried from house to house, asking for jars, getting them, bringing them back home until there were no more to get?
Look what it says (2 Kings 4:5-6):
She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one."
But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing.
You see, the basis for the miracle was her own resources! God will multiply what we surrender to him—multiply it beyond our dreams.
God’s provision was as large as their faith and willingness to obey.
Beware of limiting God’s blessing by a lack of faith and obedience. God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Eph 3:20
2 Kings 4:7: “She went and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.’”
You notice, he gave her two commands. He said, “Go, sell the oil.”
You see, she still had work to do. She still had to take the initiative. She still had to be creative. Then he said, “Pay your debts!” That came first! That came before the new sofa, the new T.V., the new car, the new clothes. Pay your debts!
Sometimes when God makes away we are so quit to see how we can benefit from it and not bother asking what it is He would have for us to do.
The first thing God will do is make sure all your needs are meet and then get ready if your faithful and obedient more blessings are coming your way.
Do you trust Him this morning? If so, don’t limit what He can do for you and through you. Ask largely and expect large blessings to follow.
2 Kings 4
Elisha Helps a Poor Widow
1 One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.”
2 “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”
“Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.
3 And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. 4 Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.”
5 So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. 6 Soon every container was full to the brim!
“Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons.
“There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing.
7 When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.”
Have you ever had the feeling that God just wasn’t on the job? That he wasn’t keeping promises in the Bible that you counted on to be true? Have you ever been disappointed in him? Bitter?
Are you blaming God for some sorrow or adversity that has happened that you don’t really think you deserve? Don’t be afraid to admit it! There are things in life that none of us really understands.
Romans 8:28, “Oh, God will work it for good,” is sometimes like putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound: it doesn’t always do the trick.
You came trusting God to supply all your needs, and it hasn’t exactly been fun. In fact, it’s getting kind of old to wonder each week if there is going to be enough money for food, for those unexpected illnesses that you have to pay the doctor for.
Your husband is working in a really low-class job, why hasn’t God given him a better job? After all, you gave up everything to serve him, didn’t you?
2King 4:1The 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."
Can you just see her, facing Elisha? “Your servant, my husband, served the Lord! You know him! He is your student! You know that he was a godly man. Now he’s dead!”
“Why has this calamity happened to me? Why didn’t the promises of prosperity to the righteous come true for me?
This women might of thought It’s not fair!” Have you ever thought that?
She lost a good husband, and now she was going to lose her sons to pay his debts, and they are going to become slaves! Someone else is going to own them like property!”
She had a valid complaint! She, no doubt, had supported her husband’s vision and his goals. She had been an efficient housewife. After his death she used up all their resources to pay their debts, and now she was reduced to nothing. There was nothing left!
Now the pathetic plead of this widow was that, not only had she lost her husband, now she’s going to lose her sons—her family. That was bad enough, but it meant something else. You see, it meant that in her old age, she would have no security. It was the sons who took care of their aged parents.
Elisha’s response to this woman rightly reflected God’s attitude. Now to 2 Kings 4:2: “Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I help you?’”
You see, he was sensitive, he was concerned, he was compassionate, he was willing to be involved, and so is God! He asked another question. He said, “Tell me, what you have in your house?" (2 Kings 4:2b)
This was an important question to ask. You see, this would be no government handout! God would use what she had to start with.
Saints, there’s a principle here that is supported all through Scripture. God multiplies what we surrender to him.
Remember when Moses was terrified about meeting Pharaoh and telling him to let Israel go, and God said, “What is that in your hand?” Moses’ shepherd’s staff became the rod of God, a symbol of God’s power.
Remember when Jesus fed the 5,000? He started with a little boy’s lunch, which he multiplied to feed a multitude of probably 10,000 people, because it was only 5,000 men that were counted.
God will use whatever we surrender to him, no matter how insignificant it seems.
Now, notice her answer. She says, "Your servant has nothing there at all … except a little oil" (2 Kings 4:2c).
All she had was olive oil. That was a very necessary commodity in that culture. They used it for food, for cosmetic, and for medicine. But she had so little—not even enough for herself, and so she disparaged what she had!
Do you ever do that? God says, “I want you to trust me—to live by faith. I want you to serve me. I want you to accomplish this task or finish this project.” And we answer, “How can I? I don’t have any talents! I don’t have any resources! I have nothing.”
But you see, God never made a “nothing.” He never did. He asks you to surrender whatever you have, and whatever you are and he’ll multiply it to accomplish what he has chosen for you to do.
You see, God doesn’t want us to be passive, but actively cooperating with him and depending on him. There is always a market for olive oil—all she needed was more! Now notice Elisha’s instructions. 2 Kings 4:3-4:
Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."
Now, why did he tell her to do this? Why couldn’t the jar be multiplied, as well as the oil?
That would have been such a simple solution. One reason is that it required faith to go around to every neighbor and ask for empty jars.
It couldn’t have been easy! It took faith to obey Elisha. Was she nervous? Was she fearful that maybe it wouldn’t work?
Have you sometimes not told somebody you were praying about something because you were afraid it might not be answered, and then you didn’t want to look like God didn’t come through?
You see, it didn’t matter how she felt; she acted with her will to obey Elisha. Her boldness and her personal effort combined with her faith, and that’s always a necessity, .
Can’t you see her and her two boys as they as they hurried from house to house, asking for jars, getting them, bringing them back home until there were no more to get?
Look what it says (2 Kings 4:5-6):
She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one."
But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing.
You see, the basis for the miracle was her own resources! God will multiply what we surrender to him—multiply it beyond our dreams.
God’s provision was as large as their faith and willingness to obey.
Beware of limiting God’s blessing by a lack of faith and obedience. God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Eph 3:20
2 Kings 4:7: “She went and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.’”
You notice, he gave her two commands. He said, “Go, sell the oil.”
You see, she still had work to do. She still had to take the initiative. She still had to be creative. Then he said, “Pay your debts!” That came first! That came before the new sofa, the new T.V., the new car, the new clothes. Pay your debts!
Sometimes when God makes away we are so quit to see how we can benefit from it and not bother asking what it is He would have for us to do.
The first thing God will do is make sure all your needs are meet and then get ready if your faithful and obedient more blessings are coming your way.
Do you trust Him this morning? If so, don’t limit what He can do for you and through you. Ask largely and expect large blessings to follow.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The mercy of God
GRACE = God DOES give us what we DON'T deserve.
MERCY = God DOESN'T give us what we DO deserve.
Mercy. The gift given to the guilty. Mercy is a word you will hear used in the legal system. After the conviction has been made, the jury has unanimously declared your guilt, and the sentence is about to be handed down, MERCY is begged for.
Your advocate may say, “We would like to throw ourselves on the mercy of the court. My client is a wife and has three children, we beg for mercy.
Mercy is not found in a state of innocence, nor is it sought before the sentence is sure. When an appeal for mercy is invoked, it is your only hope.
There is no prayer that your defense argument will prevail, there is no hope that reasonable doubt will be established. The only hope is that the gavel will not come down with the sentence you have now been declared worthy of, that the judge will show mercy.
The M-E-R-C-Y of God
Psalm 103:11:
11For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
We miserably fail to comprehend the extend of God’s m-e-r-c-y.
1.M-motivates
Psalm 103:4:
4Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;
A. There is much injustice and inequality in the world: Greed and illegal or unfair gains have crowded out liberty and justice.
B. God’s mercy motivated Christ to come to earth to bring pardon and purpose to all mankind.
Galatians 2:20:
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
We are no longer alone, for Christ lives in us- he is our power and motivation for living and our hope for the future.
C. We must be motivated by God’s mercy to lift up the fallen, love the unloved, and introduced to everyone that abundant life through Christ.
Psalm 108:4:
For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
2. E-ndures
Psalms 136 says God His mercy endures forever.
We never have to worry that God will run out of mercy because it flows from a well that will never run dry.
A. We live in a materialistic world with treasures that do not last. They wear out, rust out, and decay.
B. God’s mercy is enduring; not for just a day, week, month, or year, but forever.
C. No sin is too great, no burden too heavy, no valley to deep, no suffering to severe, no night too long. God’s mercy offers calmness and healing.
Psalm 100:5:
5For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.
3. R-edeems
Titus 3:5:
5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
When we give our hearts to Christ we move from a life full of sin to one where we are led by the Holy Spirit. All our sins, not merely some, are washed away. It is then; we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
A. For his sin man deserves to die. The wages of sin is death. No sacrifice could earn his pardon. Mankind was doomed.
B. In God’s mercy we are rescued from our dilemma, Romans 6:23:
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Christ died for our sins
1 Corinthians 15:3:
3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.
Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried and on the third day raised from the dead so that we might have life and life more abundantly.
C. When we confess our sins and commit our life to Christ, we are forgiven, cleansed, and renewed in God’s love.
1 John 1:9:
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Salvation does not depend on good deeds, but it results in good deeds. A person who claims to be saved while remaining unchanged does not understand faith or what God has done for him or her.
4. C-comforts
James 5:11 says for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
A. God comforts the bereaved, the suffering, and the lonely. He consoles us when we pray. He proves his faithfulness when we test His promises. The Lord’s mercy towards us is tender.
B. We are channels through which God’s compassionate mercy flows to other.
Corinthians 1:4:
4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Remember that every trial you endure will help you to comfort others who are suffering similar troubles.
5. Y-ields
Galatians 5:22:
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
We can’t obtain these fruits by trying to get them without his help. “If we want the fruit of the spirit to grow in us, we must join our life to his. We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate them.
A. Christ came to destroy the works of the devil, and to bring forth fruit of the Spirit. His love lifts and gives life to those who receive Him.
B. We must cultivate the fruits of the Spirit. We must show mercy, by performing good deeds, showing kindness and understanding, sharing Christ with the unsaved, and promoting God’s cause and kingdom here on earth
John 15:5:
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
Remaining in Christ means
1. Believing that he is God’s son
2. Receiving him as Savior and Lord.
3. Doing what God says.
4. Continue to believe the good news.
5. Relating in love to the community of believers, Christ’s body.
Many people try to do good, honest people who do what is right. But Jesus says that the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to him, like a branch attached to a vine.
Are you receiving the nourishment and the life offered by Christ, the vine? If not, you are missing a special gift he has for you.
Let Go and Let God
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown
As children bring their broken toys,
with tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God,
because He is my friend.
But, then instead of leaving Him,
in peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help,
with ways that were my own.
At last, I snatched them back again
and cried, "How can you be so slow?"
"My child." He said, "What could I do?
You never did let go."
This morning let’s let go and let God, allowing His mercy’s to be poured out unto our lives.
MERCY = God DOESN'T give us what we DO deserve.
Mercy. The gift given to the guilty. Mercy is a word you will hear used in the legal system. After the conviction has been made, the jury has unanimously declared your guilt, and the sentence is about to be handed down, MERCY is begged for.
Your advocate may say, “We would like to throw ourselves on the mercy of the court. My client is a wife and has three children, we beg for mercy.
Mercy is not found in a state of innocence, nor is it sought before the sentence is sure. When an appeal for mercy is invoked, it is your only hope.
There is no prayer that your defense argument will prevail, there is no hope that reasonable doubt will be established. The only hope is that the gavel will not come down with the sentence you have now been declared worthy of, that the judge will show mercy.
The M-E-R-C-Y of God
Psalm 103:11:
11For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
We miserably fail to comprehend the extend of God’s m-e-r-c-y.
1.M-motivates
Psalm 103:4:
4Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;
A. There is much injustice and inequality in the world: Greed and illegal or unfair gains have crowded out liberty and justice.
B. God’s mercy motivated Christ to come to earth to bring pardon and purpose to all mankind.
Galatians 2:20:
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
We are no longer alone, for Christ lives in us- he is our power and motivation for living and our hope for the future.
C. We must be motivated by God’s mercy to lift up the fallen, love the unloved, and introduced to everyone that abundant life through Christ.
Psalm 108:4:
For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
2. E-ndures
Psalms 136 says God His mercy endures forever.
We never have to worry that God will run out of mercy because it flows from a well that will never run dry.
A. We live in a materialistic world with treasures that do not last. They wear out, rust out, and decay.
B. God’s mercy is enduring; not for just a day, week, month, or year, but forever.
C. No sin is too great, no burden too heavy, no valley to deep, no suffering to severe, no night too long. God’s mercy offers calmness and healing.
Psalm 100:5:
5For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.
3. R-edeems
Titus 3:5:
5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
When we give our hearts to Christ we move from a life full of sin to one where we are led by the Holy Spirit. All our sins, not merely some, are washed away. It is then; we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
A. For his sin man deserves to die. The wages of sin is death. No sacrifice could earn his pardon. Mankind was doomed.
B. In God’s mercy we are rescued from our dilemma, Romans 6:23:
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Christ died for our sins
1 Corinthians 15:3:
3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.
Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried and on the third day raised from the dead so that we might have life and life more abundantly.
C. When we confess our sins and commit our life to Christ, we are forgiven, cleansed, and renewed in God’s love.
1 John 1:9:
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Salvation does not depend on good deeds, but it results in good deeds. A person who claims to be saved while remaining unchanged does not understand faith or what God has done for him or her.
4. C-comforts
James 5:11 says for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
A. God comforts the bereaved, the suffering, and the lonely. He consoles us when we pray. He proves his faithfulness when we test His promises. The Lord’s mercy towards us is tender.
B. We are channels through which God’s compassionate mercy flows to other.
Corinthians 1:4:
4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Remember that every trial you endure will help you to comfort others who are suffering similar troubles.
5. Y-ields
Galatians 5:22:
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
We can’t obtain these fruits by trying to get them without his help. “If we want the fruit of the spirit to grow in us, we must join our life to his. We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate them.
A. Christ came to destroy the works of the devil, and to bring forth fruit of the Spirit. His love lifts and gives life to those who receive Him.
B. We must cultivate the fruits of the Spirit. We must show mercy, by performing good deeds, showing kindness and understanding, sharing Christ with the unsaved, and promoting God’s cause and kingdom here on earth
John 15:5:
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
Remaining in Christ means
1. Believing that he is God’s son
2. Receiving him as Savior and Lord.
3. Doing what God says.
4. Continue to believe the good news.
5. Relating in love to the community of believers, Christ’s body.
Many people try to do good, honest people who do what is right. But Jesus says that the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to him, like a branch attached to a vine.
Are you receiving the nourishment and the life offered by Christ, the vine? If not, you are missing a special gift he has for you.
Let Go and Let God
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown
As children bring their broken toys,
with tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God,
because He is my friend.
But, then instead of leaving Him,
in peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help,
with ways that were my own.
At last, I snatched them back again
and cried, "How can you be so slow?"
"My child." He said, "What could I do?
You never did let go."
This morning let’s let go and let God, allowing His mercy’s to be poured out unto our lives.
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