Are You Limiting God? - From His Heart - July 19
ARE YOU LIMITING GOD?
Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few." 2 Kings 4:3
The situation looked bleak for this poor woman in the Old Testament. Her husband had died. and she was torn up with grief and loneliness. She had debts to pay. and the fear and worry were eating away at her soul. And then the very worst thing happened: the creditor was coming to take her two boys into slavery as payment for her debts. AHHHHHHHH!!!!
She had Trouble with a capital "T". Can you relate to trouble? Probably not to her extent, but I would imagine you have some trouble of your own. What should you do?
GO TO GOD WHO IS ABLE
This distraught, hopeless widow went to God for help. She asked God's man, Elisha, to show her what to do. Elisha asked her what she had in the house. "Nothing," she said, "except this jar of oil." And Elisha told her to go and borrow lots of empty jars for that little bit of oil. A miracle was coming her way. God was going to turn her little jar of oil into an oil factory so that she could pay her debts and take care of her sons.
DO NOT GET A FEW JARS
Elisha told her not to get just a few jars. Although at the time she did not know why she was getting jars, she just knew to get a lot of them. After collecting the jars, he told her to pour her oil into them. As she poured her little bit of oil into the empty jars, the oil kept flowing. As long as there were empty jars available, there was still oil to pour. But, when the jars ran out, the oil stopped flowing. If she had had more jars, she would have had more oil.
What does that say to you and me? God is able to do "exceeding abundantly beyond all we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). He is the God of abundance. So pray BIG, believe BIG, and get lots and lots of jars.
PERSONAL INVENTORY
Are you believing God for big things. or just small things? Are you collecting lots of jars in your life so that the oil can flow and keep flowing. or are you just getting a few jars thinking what's the use, God will not come through anyway?
Jesus said to two blind men who asked to be healed, "Be it done to you according to your faith" (Matt. 9:29). If God does for you according to YOUR faith, how much does He do. a little or a lot?
In a very real sense, you and I determine the size and amount of our blessings. If we get lots of jars and believe God for BIG things, guess what? He does big things. But if we get just a few jars and believe him for next to nothing, we get next to nothing from Him.
My friend, I encourage you to enlarge your prayers and broaden your vision of what God can and will do in your life. He has a GREAT and wonderful plan for you. Keep pushing yourself to think BIGGER. Factor a BIG God into all your plans and into all the problems you face. Don't ask God for a decent marriage. Ask Him for an off the charts one. Don't ask God for an "okay" job. ask Him for one that is fulfilling and perfect for you, one that will meet your needs and open doors of opportunity. Don't live your life getting only a few jars!!
The poem says it best,
You are coming to a King,
Large petitions with you bring.
For His grace and power are such,
No one can ever ask too much.
Remember, you have all of God that you have room for. If you want more of God, create more room by believing Him for more. He will do for you according to your faith.
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.
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