Bible Studies

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LET US SERVE OUR MASTER

Reference: ‘HOLY BIBLE’-II Kings 4: verses(v) 1-7

In this passage, a widow was in a great financial need.She represented the painful issue to prophet Elisha(v:1).Lord did a great wonder to her and also taught a beautiful spiritual lesson.

1.Pressing need:
Her husband was a man from the company of the prophets and revered the Lord when he lived.After his death,his creditor came to take their two sons as slaves.The broken widow cried out to prophet Elisha(v:1).In our lives too,we may be in the ‘ valley of pressing needs’.The situations may be very painful and unbearable.Never be discouraged.Learn to take the painful issue to Lord .A wonderful solution is awaiting for you at the feet of Almighty.

2.Respond to Master(Almighty):
Prophet Elisha asked the widow, “How can I help you?Tell me what do you have in your house?”(v:2).Prophet wanted something from her house to help.The widow replied that she had nothing except a ‘pot of oil’(v:3).Although she had very little,she responded truely to the prophet.Today our Master is asking the same thing to us.What do you have in your spiritual store?Your material need may be great but Lord needs you and also your little(all) resources to perform a miracle.Will you respond positively to the Master?Come forward to submit your little resources to Almighty.

3.The Richest Resource:
Later Lord used the ‘pot of oil’ in her house to perform miracle.This ‘pot of oil’ indicates Holy Spirit,spiritual gifts,talents,resources etc.Your ‘pot of oil’ may be seemingly very small to meet the demanding needs,but Lord needs your ‘pot of oil’(gifts of Lord).Lord will touch your pot and will use it to build HIS kingdom.Also our marvellous Lord will meet every need.There is no believer in this world without this ‘pot of oil’.So irrespective of your situations,come forward to use your ‘pot of oil’ for Almighty and it is the richest resource.

4.Go to neighbours:
Prophet Elisha asked the widow to go around and ask all her neighbours for empty vessels(v:3).She obeyed immediately(v:5).She might have faced many embarrassing, painful situations at each neighbour door.Many might have mocked at her and also might have refused to give their vessels.But she collected empty vessels with utmost perseverance. ‘Going to neighbours’ indicates ‘Going to world’ to preach the Gospel.It is not an easy task.You have to sacrifice a lot to knock the doors of neighbours(people under the bondages of satan).At every door step you may face criticism,tribulations etc.But obey Almighty and carry the good news to the unreached.HIS reward is awaiting for you.

5.Ask and Receive:
Prophet Elisha told the widow to ask and receive many empty vessels(v:3).We should ask Almighty for empty vessels(unsaved) and receive them from satan (world).We cannot receive without asking Lord (without prayers).So intercess for souls everyday and then go to the unreached.Surely the power of your prayers will deliver the neighbours (unsaved) from the clutches of satan.Ministry without prayers is useless.

6.Make Disciples for Lord:
Prophet Elisha asked her to go inside along with her children and shut the door.He also asked her to pour oil(from her pot) in all empty vessels(v:4).Her children assisted in filling the empty vessels(v:5).Train your spiritual children to assist you in ministry.Give them more opportunities to grow so that they may emerge out as good leaders in future.A good leader makes many leaders with the power of Almighty.

7.Secret Prayer Army:
Prophet asked her to shut the door while filling the vessels(to do secretly).Secretly pray for the unsaved(empty vessels) and fill with oil(enrich with Gospel).Never advertize or publicize your ministry.Never expect reward from people.Let Almighty praise you and not only the people.We are the light of the world.Sacrifice the oil in your pot for empty vessels.Come forward to sacrifice your time ,energy,resources etc.Lord will bless you abundantly.

8.More concentration for the unreached:
Prophet Elisha asked her to put the filled vessels to one side(v:4).This would help her to fill the other empty vessels.In our lives too,it is essential to have fellowship with believers,with our spiritual children and spiritual leaders.But spend most of your time and resources for the unreached.It is indeed a sacrifice to put the filled vessels(believer friends) to one side for the sake of ministry.But learn to do, so that the boundaries of spiritual fellowship will increase day-by-day.Let all your material benefits,family,spiritual friends etc become secondary for the sake of proclaiming Gospel.

9.No vessel, No oil:
Prophet Elisha asked her to collect many empty vessels(v:3).She collected but the scripture does not mention the quantum.When there was no more vessel to fill,the oil stopped(v:6). ‘Many’ indicates that our collection of empty vessels should be a continuous process.Lord cannot use our ‘pot of oil’ without our work(empty vessels).So preach Gospel till your last breath and toil hard for perishing souls.Lord touched her little ‘pot of oil’ and so it increased continually as long as vessels were available.Lord will enrich and increase our spiritual stuff when we work for Him.

10.Double Blessing:
Then Prophet Elisha asked her to sell the oil and pay her debts (v:7).Lord blessed them abundantly.Lord is faithful to meet our material needs.He will never forsake us.You may face many pains,adversities etc in the path of vision you got from Lord.Never lose your heart.Put your trust in Almighty and obey HIM in everything.He who trusts in the Lord will prosper(Proverbs 28:25).Lord will make you to prosper both spiritually and materially.Serve HIM joyfully.

WISHES IN JESUS NAME

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