Devotionals from Dad

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Who is Jesus to you? A survey done in 2020 by lifeway research reveals that 52 percent of American adults believe that Jesus was a great teacher and nothing more. It may not be a great surprise that the majority of the U.S. population rejects the deity of Christ, almost a third of evangelicals (30 percent) agree that Jesus was merely a great teacher. And while 66 percent of American evangelicals disagree with the statement, "Jesus was a good teacher, but he was not God," nearly as many (65 percent) still agree with the statement, "Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God." Statistics like these from the State of Theology survey are quite shocking, but they also shed light on the concerns that many American churches have expressed for decades. As the culture around us increasingly abandons its moral compass, Americans are sadly drifting away from God's absolute standard in Scripture. 

2 Timothy 4: 3-4 NIV For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 

Jesus is just one of many gods to the Hindus. Islam believes Jesus was a prophet and wise teacher, but not God. Buddhists recognize Jesus as only a wise teacher and a holy man. To some Jesus was a healer. He restored a shriveled hand, reattached an ear, and raised the dead. He healed cripples, mutes, and the deaf. He healed every part of the body, eyes, ears, hands, feet, legs, backs, and skin. Jesus healed everyone who placed their faith in Him and came to Him for healing. To the Romans, Jesus was a troublemaker who had got his just desserts. To the Pharisees Jesus was a threat. He regularly exposed their hypocrisy and inconsistencies and He was a threat to their entire worldview. The Pharisees tied salvation to performance of the law, and Jesus tied salvation to faith in Him. If Jesus was not who He claimed, then He would have been the blasphemous teacher the Jews spoke of. Only a handful of Jesus faithful followers believed that he was the messiah, the Son of God. As far as the Bible is concerned, Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. He died for our sins and He rose from the dead for our justification. We can only get to God through Him. 

John 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

Throughout a good chunk of my life, I have believed that Jesus was my savior. I believed this because that’s what everyone told me. As I have grown older my views of God, Jesus, and faith have evolved. Referring to Jesus as just my savior feels insufficient. Yes, Jesus Christ is my Savior, but more importantly, Jesus is my Lord. And if Jesus is my Lord, I should focus my life on doing his will, and not fitting Jesus into my will, my world.

So, with Christ as my Lord, I must now live my life for him. Ideally in a perfect world, where Christ goes, I follow. Where Christ decides to send me, I go. What Christ wants me to do, I do. But, sometimes I aruge with Jesus. Sometimes I fight His will! I can’t lie, I argue, fight and resist. I am a bit of a control freak and it is very difficult for me to let go and trust that Jesus Christ knows better than I do what is best for me. But in the end, Jesus love wins me over. Because Jesus is Savior and my Lord. He is full of love, grace and forgiveness. Who is Jesus to me? He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is my Savior. He is my LORD. He is my GOD. That’s who Jesus Christ is to me.

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The following is and excerpt from a sermon from Adrian Rodgers titled, "What the bible says about faith."

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Saving faith is faith that not only knows and comprehends the facts about the gospel of Jesus Christ but also trusts in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Even Satin comprehends the facts of the gospel but he doesn't accept Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

James 2:19 NIV You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

Some people don't have any more faith than the devil himself. The devil himself believes more of the the bible than many people. The devil and his demons have a very extensive intellectual belief and understanding in the truth of the bible. In Matthew chapter 8 Jesus has and encounter with two demon possessed men. The two demon-possessed men came out from the tombs to met Jesus. They were so violent that would not let anyone pass. As Jesus approached the two demons confronted him.

Matthew 8:29-31 NIV What do you want with us, Son of God? they shouted. Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time? Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs. 

What if the devil was in our church service. When the invitation was given the devil made his down the aisle and said I want to place my membership in Immanuel Baptist Church. First Pastor Issac would say you know Mr. Devil before you join our church we need to ask you some questions. First do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Yes I do. Do you believe that Jesus was born of a virgin? Yes I do. Do you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross a substitutional death? Yes I believe that. Do you believe that He arose from the dead? Oh yes I do. Before we receive you into our church would you be willing to serve in our church? Oh yes, I will join the choir, as a matter of fact if you ordain me I will serve as a deacon and if you will let me I will be glad to preach! The devil sounds like he would be a great candidate for church membership, right. However we have just one more question for you Mr. Devil before we put our stamp of approval on you. Will submit to Jesus Christ as the king of Kings, as your Lord, your personal Savior? No, I absolutely I will not!!! Belief that Jesus exists is not enough. 

John 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

The sinner must place their trust in Jesus Christ, believe that Jesus is the son of God and that he came to save sinners through his life, death, and resurrection. Here is another illustration of what a saving faith is. Let's say you have 2 letters I front of you. The first is in a gold envelope. It is addressed with letters written in the most perfect script and sealed with a wax seal to protect it's contents from being tampered with, but there is no postage stamp. The second envelope is dingy and looks like it was dropped in a mud puddle. The hand writing on the outside is barely legible and it has scotch tape holding the envelope shut because it was previously opened and is being reused, but it has a stamp on it. When the mail man comes to pick up the letters which one do you think will be delivered? The one that outwardly looks perfect or the one that obviously has external flaws, but has a postage stamp. A bare knowledge of Christ and is not enough for salvation. We must trust that he is the only way to be saved from our sin and the only one who can give eternal life. 

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What is an example of a dilemma in the Bible? There are several moral dilemmas presented in the Bible, some of which include the story of Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, the story of King Solomon deciding the true mother of a disputed child, the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. Maybe one of the greatest dilemmas in the bible is the one that Joseph faced. He discovers that Mary is pregnant. He must decide what he will do with Mary. We are told, Joseph, being a righteous man was unwilling to expose her to public disgrace so he planned to dismiss her quietly. Later he is told by an angel that she is with child from the Holy Spirit. I feel very fortunate, because my greatest dilemma is deciding what to have for dinner and knowing when to push away from the table so that I don't get so fat that I can't get my jeans buttoned. One of the greatest dilemmas in the bible maybe found in the greatest commandment found in Matthew.

 Matthew 22: 36-40 NIV Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Do I have you confused? What possible dilemma can this commandment have it seems so simple, direct and to the point. The dilemma lies in the word commandment. If you look up the definition of the word commandment you will find that it means to command someone, the act or power of commanding or something that is commanded. What are some things you can be commanded to do, pass the salt, get out of my way, shut the door, clean your room. However it is impossible to command someone to love. You can't command someone to love anything or anyone, including God himself! You don't have to command me to watch football, eat a fine steak, spoil my grandchildren or kiss my wife because I love all of these things! If love could be commanded then it wouldn’t be called love, it would be called duty. Duty is not love and love is not duty. Love must be chosen, not commanded, but the greatest commandment in Matthew is not the only place we are commanded to love!

 John 13: 34-35 NIV A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

How can God command us to love if love must be chosen? The answer is in the second sentence of that verse from John 13:34: “As I have loved you.” We are to love as Christ has loved us. As a Christian, you have the ability to love as God loves. You did not have this ability before you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior. Can unbelievers love others? Sure, but it’s not the same love as God’s love. God’s love is an agape love. It’s unconditional and never-ending. Love is not just a characteristic of God or a description of our Creator it is what He is!

1 John 4:8 NIV Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love. 

Love comes from God, so Christians who demonstrate love show they have relationship with Him. The opposite is also true. The person who does not demonstrate love, does not know God. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

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In the bible the book of James tells us that, whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, has become guilty of all. This is a hard concept for me to comprehend. I have never murdered anyone, but according to James 2:10 because I have broken one of God's laws I am guilty of breaking them all.

James 2: 10-11 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 

Whether you want to admit it or not we all struggle with temptations and some of these temptations are more difficult, more tempting for us than others. When it comes to the 10 commandments I have no problem with the commandment don't murder or don't steal, but more than once I have coveted my neighbors stuff. I will see someone that has a brand new car and think to myself, man I wish I had a nice new car like that. Yeah, I know that may not seem like a big deal but Deuteronomy 5:21 says You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Here is an illustration that helps me understand this concept better. Let us pretend that you have been placed into a harness. Next attached to the harness is a steel chain with 10 links in it. Each of these links represent one of the ten commandments. Each of the links are solid steel except for the one that represents your greatest temptation, that link is made of a baling wire. Finally the harness and chain that is attached to you is fastened to a gallows. Under that gallows is a kettle of boiling hot oil. What do you think will happen to you when that weakest link breaks. Even though I didn't break all of the commandments of God I am still going to suffer the same consequences. Romans 3:23 says for all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God.

 Romans 7 19-20 NIV For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 

We all face a daily battles with the temptation. If you struggle with sin, it is because you are converted to Christ. Once you have been justified by faith, an internal battle begins in you. There is a new desire in every believer to do what is right. To love God, the church, the truth, and to do the will of God. But there are other desires in us that love our self and the world. There is a relentless battle between our new man in Christ and our old sinful flesh. There is never a truce between these two forces. There is never a white flag waved in this battle. There is never a ceasefire. There is a song by Shane and Shane titled, “You've Already Won.” The lyrics go like this: There's peace that outlasts darkness - Hope that's in the blood - There's future grace that's mine today - That Jesus Christ has won - So I can face tomorrow - For tomorrow's in Your hands - All I need You will provide - Just like You always have - I'm fighting a battle - That you've already won - No matter what comes my way - I will overcome - I don't know what You're doing - But I know what You've done - I'm fighting a battle that You've already won.  So just remember when your struggling with your greatest temptation, your weakest link. The full and final sacrifice for ALL your sin was paid at the Cross, all your past, present, and future sins are forgiven.

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I believe that if you are a Christian you must believe that every word in the bible is the truth, but my curious minds wonders, how many times is the word “Truth” in the bible? The word truth appears 333 times in the King James Version, 224 times in the Old Testament and 109 times in the New Testament. The number of times the word appears in the Bible varies slightly depending on the translation you choose. In a world where truth is often questioned and subjective, the Bible affirms absolute truth and its calls Christians to live by it. As believers, we are to be people of truth, guided by the unchanging principles found in God's Word. Denying or distorting truth has serious implications. It can lead to moral and spiritual confusion, relationship breakdowns, and a general decay of society. In order to understand absolute truth, we must begin by defining the word truth. Truth, according to the dictionary, is conformity to fact or a statement proven to be accepted as true. Some people would say that there is no absolute truth, only perceptions and opinions. Tolerance has become a cardinal virtue of the world today, and intolerance is the only evil. Anyone who has a dogmatic belief, especially a belief in absolute truth, is viewed as intolerant, the ultimate sin in today's world! Those who deny absolute truth will often say that it is all right to believe what you want, as long as you do not try to impose your beliefs on others. But this view itself is a belief about what is right and wrong, and those who hold this view definitely try to impose it on others!!!

John 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

All though the entire Bible is the truth, the bible can be summarized into five basic truths. First God is the good and Holy Creator of everything. Second, man is sinful and has fell short of the glory of God. Third, man's sentence for being sinful is eternal death, torment and separation from God in Hell. Forth, God has provided us a way to be forgiven of our sins and Jesus Christ is the one and only way to be forgiven. Fifth, man must admit he is sinful, believe in Jesus Christ death and resurrection and confess this truth in order spend eternity in heaven. The world today wants to deny the absolute truth of the bible. If men deny the truth of the bible then they are free to live as they please and are accountable to no one for their actions. If there is no absolute truth, then there are no absolute standards of right and wrong, to be held accountable to. This accountability is what people are really rejecting when they reject absolute truth.

 Romans 1:22-25 NIV Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human beings and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator who is forever praised. Amen.

Yet no matter how much sinful men deny the existence of God and absolute truth, they still will someday stand before Him in judgment.

 Romans 14: 10-12 NIV You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God. So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

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How long can a person survive without food or water? When a person’s body does not receive enough calories to carry out its usual life supporting functions, it starts functioning differently to reduce the amount of energy it burns. If nutrition is not restored, starvation leads to loss of life. With no food and no water, the maximum time the body can survive is thought to be about one week. With water only, but no food, survival time may extend up to 2 to 3 months. How long can you survive without oxygen? After only 30 seconds to a minute and one half you may pass out or lose consciousness. At the one-minute mark, brain cells begin dying. At three minutes, lasting brain damage becomes more likely. At five minutes, death becomes imminent. Now here is a difficult question. How important is scripture or God's holy word to your survival? At the risk of sounding ungrateful, is Scripture really necessary? If someone claims to be speaking the word of God how would we know without the scriptures? If you were to hear a voice speaking directly to you, a voice claiming to be God Himself, how would you know it was God speaking and not just indigestion, your own desires, or something else? The Apostle John addresses this in first John.

1 John 4:1 NIV Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 

The way we “test the spirits” is to measure everything against God’s written Word. If any voice doesn't align with Scripture at any point, then according to bible it shouldn’t be treated as being, from God. Another reason why Scripture is necessary, it gives us a supreme court by which all the moral values of the world are measured. Without the scriptures, in particular the 10 commandments the world would be chaotic! It would be a murderous, cruel free-for-all. Can you imagine a world where it is acceptable to kill anyone you don’t like? Where anyone can grab anything they want, including someone's home, their crops, clothes or livestock? Where you can grab any woman you want? Where you kill off your old parents when they become a burden? Where you cannot trust anything that anyone says or does? The scriptures in the bible should be the rudder that guides us down the river of life!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

Many don’t realize it, but almost every aspect of our life finds its roots in Christianity. Here are some powerful ways Christianity has changed the world. Christianity gave us the concept of holidays. The word “holidays” came from the phrase “holy days,” a term of Christian origin to describe Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, and Pentecost. Christianity gave us hospitals. The idea of the hospital grew out of the Christian emphasis on charity, especially toward the sick. It was decreed, beginning in the 4th century, that for every church built, a corresponding hospital be built next to it. Christianity gave us a higher view of sexuality, women and marriage. It was Jesus who revolutionized the way of viewing sex, even gazing at a woman lustfully is committing adultery in the heart. Jesus was the first to recognize the rights of women. It was scandalous, but Jesus elevated the status of women. Now, wherever Christianity spreads, so does the value, respect, and dignity of women. So you need the scriptures in your life just as much as you do food, water or even oxygen. 

Ephesians 5:29 NIV After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.

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If you have children you know that getting your children to be obedient is very difficult, as I am certain my parents will attest to! When my children were living at home one of the most difficult tasks for me to get them to do was washing the dishes, and we had a dishwasher! If I asked them to do the dishes they would always respond, “I did them last time Dad” and it didn't matter which child you asked that was always their response. Another difficult task was getting them to clean their room. For some reason they never thought their room needed to be cleaned even when the bed was unmade and there was piles of dirty laundry all over the floor. If they would only listen to me then life would be a lot simpler! However, even if they were obedient they still had to complete the chore that, to them, seemed so hard. You would think being obedient would make the task ahead of you easier, right? But it doesn't seem to work that way. You can find a perfect example of how life can be difficult even when you are obedient in Matthew chapter 14. Jesus told the disciples to get in the boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and they were obedient, they did as they were told. However, as they were on the way a storm came and they were battered by the waves.

Matthew 14: 24-27 NIV Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared to death. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Have courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

Obedience is supposed to bring blessings, right? What happens when obedience brings pain? Following Christ will eventually lead to suffering. Scripture tells us not to be surprised when trials come.

1 Peter 4:12 NIV Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 

Scripture is filled with stories of those who obeyed even when it was hard. Consider Mary when the angel Gabriel visited to tell her that God was about to make her, a virgin, the mother of the Savior of the world. Mary knew some of what she was getting into. She knew she was in for a life of scandal and persecution. Not to mention the pressure of raising God’s Son! Consider Hagar, Sarai’s servant. She was given to Abram by Sarai, so she could bear him a son. She did what Sarai wanted, became pregnant with Abram’s child, and then Sarai turned on her. She was so mistreated, she fled to the wilderness. The angel of the Lord found her and told her to return to Sarai and submit to her. Hagar was given to a man she did not choose, she becomes pregnant, and the woman who forced her into this treats her harshly. It’s no wonder she wanted to run away! Returning to Abram and Sarai meant more suffering, yet she obeyed. We need to look no further than Jesus Christ for the ultimate example of someone suffering for their obedience.

Luke 22:42 NIV Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.

He chose to submit to His Father’s will, knowing the great cost He would pay. Jesus desired His Father’s will more than His own. He obeyed even when it hurt! He gave his life so we could have eternal life with Him! Laying down our will is a death must die every day. And death is painful! It is no wonder obedience is so hard!

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I don't know about you but when Christmas day is near I don't want things to get messy. Truth be known I am a bit of a control freak and I like things neat and orderly. I really don't like surprises. The last thing I want to happen before the Christmas holiday is for myself, my wife Joyce to get sick. Also it is certainly not a good time for the car to break down or for refrigerator or stove to quit. I have enough trouble paying for Christmas and don't need any additional expenses or stress from someone getting sick. When Christmas comes I want everything to be perfect. Most of us want a Martha Stewart, Wonder Woman, Christmas, not an Erma Bombeck left over fiasco. Here is a letter written from Martha Stewart to Erma Bombeck and Erma's response. “Hi Erma, the letter I am writing you today is being written on paper I made myself. I am writing to let you know what I have been up to. It snowed last night so I got up early and made a sled with old barn wood and a glue gun. I hand painted it in gold leaf, then I got out my loom and made a blanket to wrap up in. When I finished it was time to start making the place-mats and napkins for my 20 guests I am having for breakfast. I must admit that I am disappointed that I didn't have time to make the table and chairs. So I am using the ones I had on hand. Well I need to go know. I must finish the buttons holes in the dress I am making to wear while I serve my breakfast guests. I will get the sled out, hook it up to the team of horses and take this letter to the post office as soon as the glue dries on the sled. Love Martha.” Here is Erma's reply. “Dear Martha, I am writing this letter on the back of an old shopping list. Pay no attention to the coffee stains and the sticky jelly, it just adds some additional character. My daughter didn't wake up on time and is going to be late for school. I am writing you this letter with one hand, while holding the phone with the other. It seems Fido needs bailed out of the dog pound once again. I couldn't find my scissors to cut out paper snowflakes so I tried using a razor blade and I trashed the table cloth. Oops the smoke alarms is going off! Gotta go, Love Erma!” Most of us have the idea that Christmas must be perfect! You know chestnuts roasting over an open fire and silver bells lining the streets. If your Christmas isn't picture perfect don't feel bad, the first Christmas very messy!!!

Luke 2: 5-7 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 

The first Christmas was real messy, matter fact it was beyond messy, it so bad you would have never planned it that way. First of all it happened in manger, likely surrounded by lambs and maybe other livestock. The typical nativity scene features the holy family in a neat stable that looks like a clean barn. But if the truth be known it was likely a dark – damp - cave that smelled like manure. Jesus was placed in a manger, which was a feeding trough for livestock. Then He was wrapped in swaddling cloths. Here is an interesting fact. Baby lambs were wrapped in swaddling cloths to keep them from injury and laid in mangers for their own protection. Thus, when Christ was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger, and then worshiped by the shepherds, it was a clear reflection of Jesus Christ.

John 1:29 NIV The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 

So if your Christmas celebration seems a bit chaotic and messy, don't worry so was the first Christmas!

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What is in your hand? This question appears for the first time in Exodus 4:2, where God called Moses and told him to go and lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Moses however was afraid that they wouldn't believe him and he asked for a sign of the power of God. God asked Moses this question ‘What is in your hand?’ To Moses, it was just a staff used to herd stubborn sheep, but to God, it was the instrument by which miracles could be performed. 

Exodus 4:1-4 NIV Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “ A staff,” he replied. The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand.

The staff of Moses by the power of God became the rod of God. When it was in Moses hands it was nothing more than a stick used to keep stubborn sheep in line, but when it was in Gods hands it was used to part the red sea, perform the 10 plagues and bring water out of the rock. Another example of God using something that seem like nearly nothing in the hands of the person holding it can be found in Second Kings. The wife of a prophet cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” Elisha replied to her, Tell me, what do you have in your house?” There woman replied, I have nothing there at all, except a small jar of olive oil. 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.”

2 Kings 4:5-6 NIV She left him and 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.

My question to you is: What has God put in your hand? Do you wonder how God might use you? God equips people in various ways. Maybe you like to have people over to your home, than open your home to a bible study. Maybe your good with your hands, there is always something at the church that needs to be fixed or repaired. Maybe you have some extra time on your hands and you like to get things done. Come set up chairs for a funeral dinner at the church. Maybe you like to cook, the youth of the church are always hungry. Maybe you have the gift of gab, go visit someone in the hospital. Offer to God in faith what He has given you, no matter how simple, and God will use it to do His work. I challenge you to see how God will use what you currently have to get you to where he needs you to be. Nothing happens by chance; you are not in your current situation by chance, it’s all part of God's plan. Step out in faith let God use you. Don't despise what you have now, or consider it to small to make a difference, instead be grateful for it, nurture it with all of your heart. Speak the word of God into it then watch God use it to increase you. To paraphrase Zechariah 4:10 Don't despise the small beginnings! So once more, what is in your hands?

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