The Oil Is Still Pouring.

This is my concept of the widow in Second Kings 4:1-7: She is an unseen resourceful woman nearing the end of her resources. She is the good steward of the little, remaining diligent while slipping into expiration. Hers is a household abundant in faith, yet in desperate need of God's miraculous presence and power. Her oil cruse is not a new one, but an old container whose oil she has been rationing for a very long time.

May I speak prophetically? She is you. I am she.

We are diligent and careful. But we are nearly empty, and needing to be filled again: not from our own storehouses, but from the supply of our Prophet, Priest, and King.

Holy Spirit of Christ, eternal Supplier, pour Your oil into us.

(Image Copyright 2000, Genise Reid.)

"Cruse"-ing...

One of the points made by Pastor Joy in this past Sunday's sermon was (and I paraphrase), The widow knew something about the prophetic community; she did not ridicule Elisha's instructions.

What was the widow asked to do? A few things that seemed odd:

• She was to acquire jars from all of her neighbors.
• She was to close the door behind herself and her sons.
• She was to pour oil from her small jar into every container she had acquired.

What happened as a result of her doing what was asked of her?

• Her obedience transformed her from a widow buried in debt to a local businesswoman.
• Her obedience saved her sons from slavery.
• Her obedience served as proof that she trusted the counsel of God through Elisha.

Pastor Joy noted, The widow trusted God for a miracle, and she had to do her part. If the widow had not carried out the prophetic instruction, nothing would have happened.

Fast-forward to 2013.

What crisis situation(s) are we facing?
Have we sought the counsel of God through His Word?
Is the Lord asking us to act on behalf of the miracle we need? If so, what has He asked us to do?
Are we obeying His word to us, or are we dismissing His counsel as ridiculous?

Problems As Promptings.

What do we do when a problem arises?

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy shared (and I paraphrase): Problems are promptings from the Holy Spirit to pray: they are opportunities to appeal to our God, who does the impossible.

Here is where we find the dividing line between mature and immature Christians. The immature Christian, in the face of crisis, will engage a number of actions before "getting around to" prayer. Persons who claim to be Christian, but who routinely choose to address crisis situations through every means but God, should not be surprised that their crises continue.

Jesus has said that with God, nothing is impossible. There is no better option we hold than to talk to Him, hear Him, and obey Him. He is the Problem-Solver.

Who are you talking to? Who are you listening to? Who are you appealing to?

Land Of A Thousand Sound Bites!

One of the joys of hearing Pastor Joy preach is that there are usually at least a dozen "sound bites" to chew on for the week. So, today, I am happy to share a few quotes, Pastor Joy-isms, from this past Sunday's sermon (Second Kings 4:1-7). May they be a blessing and encouragement as we go through the day.

• "Sometimes the prayer doesn't go through because we don't know the Word." 
• "Position yourself in Word-instructed prayer."
• "We can live on Miracle Avenue."
• "The flow depends on the capacity."
• "The Lord has given us unlimited power to be overcomers."

Amen!

Blessings and Peace,
G.

Alliteration Station.

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy shared four things that God does on behalf of His people:

• We experience God's providence.
• We experience God's provision.
• We experience God's protection.
• We experience God's promises.

As I have been reflecting on these glorious gifts we receive from the hand of God, the word that has come to mind is bliss. We experience profound spiritual joy as beneficiaries of the grace of God.

Bliss in the midst of crisis. Some years ago, Don Moen wrote and produced the song "God Will Make A Way". It was a song birthed out of deep pain and sorrow. In modern Christianity we tend to associate the goodness of God with the absence of troubles... but He is good even in our troubles, even in our crises, even in our losses. One of the distinguishing features of the mature Christian is that he is able to rejoice before seeing the manifestation of God's promises, protection, provision, and providence.

In order to experience providence, there must be desire.
In order to experience provision, there must be lack.
In order to experience protection, there must be danger.
In order to experience promise, there must be loss.

During the sermon Pastor Joy noted that, in desperate situations, our inclination is to first go to whom we know best. I pray that, for all of us, God remains our first, best, and sole resource.

May we experience Him today, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.

Speaking Of Prophetic...

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy shared prophetic words at the beginning and at the end of the sermon.

[Now, for those of my readers who are Nazarene and are getting nervous, please relax and remember that the roots of our denomination are firmly planted in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Prophecy is a promised gift, released to men and women, in order to make plain the word of the Lord to His people. The Bible indicates that, in a community of faith, there are people equipped to exercise this gift in order to build up the body of Christ. They do it under the direction of God, just as my fingers type these words under the direction of my brain.]

Two of the words our pastor shared were (and are):

1) "I want My people to know that nothing is impossible."
2) "The provision has already been made for the breakthrough."

These are prophetic words that we all need to hear. In a world of uncertainty, fear, and loss, our God has never lost His ability to do amazing things.  In an atmosphere of obedience, we trust that God will step in to our situations.

With God, nothing is impossible. There are numerous examples in Scripture of God causing seemingly impossible scenarios to be experienced: the parting of the Red Sea, physical healings, and even the transformation of weights and measures (as we see in Second Kings 4:1-7 and Second Kings 6:1-6). God is free to adjust the laws of nature in order to save and deliver His people.

*Do we believe that these accounts are true?
*Do we believe that our Lord is capable of performing miracles today?

The provision has already been made for the breakthrough. One of my favorite things about the ministry of Jesus is that, from time to time, He would tell His disciples what would happen before it happened. "Go to such-and-such a place and you will find..." (see Matthew 21:2 and 26:18). In other words, "I have already done all that needed to be done. You just go at My word, and You will find what I have done when you reach the place where I am sending you."

*Do we believe that our Lord knows our needs before we ask Him?
*Do we believe that God is able to provide?

Pastor Joy boldly proclaimed the word of the Lord to His people at Bronx Bethany.
I boldly proclaim that I am more mature today, because of that word.

What are you boldly proclaiming?

The Bounds Of Prophetic-Faith Exchange.

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.” (Second Kings 4:3-4)

Last year I wrote some posts on the concept of prophetic-faith exchange (see The Prophetic-Faith Exchange and Shuna-Might), and in yesterday’s sermon Pastor Joy reminded us of one of the key aspects of prophetic-faith exchange: the working relationship between the prophet and the lay person, without intervention from others.

Elisha said to the widow, “Shut the door behind you and your sons.”

Pastor Joy said to us, “Obedient action is not a spectator sport.”

There are instances in which acts of God, miracles, are executed in private. We see this occurring periodically in the ministry of Jesus (see John 9:1-7; Matthew 9:23-25; Mark 8:22-25). The careful Christian, whether congregant or clergy, will always be listening to hear from the Lord regarding how He wants them to act.

Pastor Joy spoke briefly on the aspect of sensationalism, noting that God has not called His people to be sensational in the process of executing the miraculous. The indictment against the Pharisees was that they demanded to see particular signs from Jesus as “proof” that He was the Messiah (see Matthew 16:1-4), while hardening their hearts to the teachings and miracles occurring right in front of them. Jesus was not obligated to put on a show then, and He is not obligated now.

Here is where we must be very careful. In our weakness, pain, and desperation, we may have longings to see a particular sign from Jesus… sent in the way we choose… sent at the time we desire… sent so that everyone else can see God bless us. I urge you, and myself: Reject those immature longings and live in maturity.

Crave the secret place of God, where amazing things happen just between you and Him.

God does not call us to sensationalism.

Elisha, I Really Want An Appointment With You.

In Second Kings 4, we are told that the Shunammite woman journeyed from her home in Shunem to Mount Carmel in order to personally appeal to Elisha concerning her dead son.

Based on which scholar you read, the journey would have been somewhere between fifteen and twenty-five miles. On a donkey. On unpaved roads. The Shunammite was determined to see Elisha.

Prophetic engagement, as Pastor Joy shared with us, is time-consuming and inconvenient. The trials of life test us, and our colleagues and loved ones get a front-row seat as they watch our response to the inconveniences that accompany prophetic relationships. Sometimes it means having to travel a long way. At other times it means living with accusations or jealousies from those who don't comprehend the nuances of prophetic-faith exchange.

Sometimes it means we have to go overboard in our expression of love, and deal with the subsequent embarrassment and exposure. Many of us know the story of the woman who poured a substantial amount of expensive perfume onto Jesus (about half a liter or so). The result? Negative comments from His disciples, a home that reeked of spikenard, and a financial loss of the equivalent of a year's wages (see Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8).

Ah, but there was a benefit: the commendation of Christ Himself. "Leave her alone; she has done a good thing. Her story will be told wherever the gospel is preached." Yes, what a great reason to be inconvenienced!

I will say, in defense of Gehazi and his modern-day equivalents, that sometimes ministry assistants don't know why someone is "grabbing the feet" of a ministry leader, and the collective instinct of assistants is to protect their leader. But perhaps it might be better if we all step back and ask God to step in.

Has God called you to inconvenience yourself and radically bless Him by serving His ministers? Go for it.

Are you really unsure about this whole concept of prophetic-faith exchange? Ask God to work out His will in and through you, and to give you grace to bear the cost. You might be surprised at how God uses you to honor His name!

Shuna-Might.

In a culture where women were typically classed as subservient to men, the Shunammite stood out. She was described as a “well-to-do” woman. She owned property. She took the initiative of inviting Elisha to eat with her household. She planned the addition of another room to her house for the sake of the prophet. She personally traveled from Shunem to Mount Carmel to appeal directly to Elisha concerning her son. God placed her in a relationship where she was able to be a blessing, and to receive a blessing. Not a blessing mediated through Gehazi, nor through her husband, but a direct relationship between herself and the prophet.

For those of us who have read past Second Kings 4, we know that God maintained this prophetic dyad between Elisha and the Shunammite woman over a period of years. In Second Kings 8 we see Elisha return to warn her of impending famine, and she obeyed by moving to temporary housing in a different land for seven years. Upon her return to her homeland, Elisha’s servant Gehazi is found standing in the court of the king at the very moment that the Shunammite enters to appeal for the return of her house and field (see Second Kings 8:1-6).

Should we be looking to establish prophetic dyads on our own? No. Relationships forged apart from the will and direction of God are sources of confusion, error, and destruction. Our best and only Source is Christ Himself, the Lord of all creation. Our adoration, appeals, and petitions are to Him. But we, like the Shunammite woman, should obey when the Spirit of God leads us to bless the ministers of God who cross our path. We bless at His prompting, without seeking to gain something for ourselves. If God chooses to set up a prophetic exchange, using His servants to speak specific blessings into our lives, then that is His prerogative.

Lord, help us to live and serve according to Your leading.

The Prophetic-Faith Exchange.

The lifeless thing.

It may be a lost child, a lost job, or a lost marriage. And, figuratively speaking, we may hold the thing in our lap and watch helplessly until its last vestiges of life slip away. This was the experience of the Shunammite woman, whose son became ill and died.

Why did she never make arrangements to bury the lifeless thing? What kept her operating in faith?

The Shunammite continued to believe the promise.

Second Kings 4:8-36 illustrates the keeping power of a prophetic promise. It is that promise that keeps us encouraged even in the face of apparent loss.

It seems that from time to time God sets up prophetic encounters, short-term dyads between leadership and laity, where not even a spouse nor a ministry assistant is involved in producing the promise. We see this in the relationship between the Shunammite woman and Elisha. There had been an exchange between them: she had blessed Elisha with food and lodging, and he had blessed her by speaking prophetically into her life. God caused them to honor Him through this prophetic exchange: one room added to the physical house for the sake of the prophet, and one son added to the biological household for the sake of the woman.

And perhaps this is why the Shunammite's husband and Gehazi, though faithful men, could not be full participants in the miraculous. They stood outside of the circle of exchange. As Pastor Joy shared on Sunday, the Shunammite woman's husband questioned why she would want to see the prophet apart from a Sabbath or feast day (See Second Kings 4:23), and Gehazi even took the stance of attempting to push the Shunammite woman away from Elisha's feet (see Second Kings 4:27). They didn't understand what was happening.

We have loved ones and close colleagues who hold important positions in our lives (such as Gehazi and the Shunammite's husband did), but their status does not equip them to stand in the gap for us. Their lack of spiritual depth makes it impossible for them to offer authentic spiritual help in a time of crisis. They are close to us physically and emotionally, but somehow they aren't able to navigate the spiritual demands of walking in faith and courage when faced with "the lifeless thing".

There seems to be a correlation between participating in the prophetic promise and having the ability to exercise faith for the miraculous. In verses 21 and 33 of Second Kings 4, we see that the Shunammite woman and Elisha employed the action of shutting the door, an act that restricted the crisis response to the ones who had the necessary measure of faith to deal with the crisis. Jesus Himself employed the same action:

...people came from the synagogue ruler’s house saying, “Your daughter has died. Why trouble the teacher any longer?” But Jesus, paying no attention to what was said, told the synagogue ruler, “Do not be afraid; just believe.” He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James... he put them all outside and he took the child’s father and mother and his own companions and went into the room where the child was. (Mark 5:35-37, 40)

Pastor Joy made the observation that perhaps our needed miracles have been sidetracked because we've spent our energies on discussing our needs with those who, though close to us, are not equipped to help us. Perhaps it is time for us to take counsel from the Scriptures, from our Savior, and from the countless saints who have gone before us. The prophetic process has no place for unequipped spectators. It is a place for the faith-filled, the fearless, the few who can stand before the lifeless thing and speak life back into its being.

So be encouraged my friends, even in the face of loss. Keep hold of the prophetic promise. Have great faith. Dismiss the spectators. Shut the door. And speak life.

"Well" Spring.

The boy grew and one day he went out to see his father who was with the harvest workers. He said to his father, “My head! My head!” His father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” So he picked him up and took him to his mother. He sat on her lap until noon and then died. She went up and laid him down on the prophet’s bed. She shut the door behind her and left. She called to her husband, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, so I can go see the prophet quickly and then return.” He said, “Why do you want to go see him today? It is not the new moon or the Sabbath.” She said, “Everything’s fine.” (Second Kings 4:18-23)

Okay, we know everything is not fine when a loved one dies. There is anguish. There are questions. There is the deep sense of loss and finality. So why does the Shunammite woman take such unusual action upon the death of her son?

Pastor Joy asked the congregation to share their thoughts about the Shunammite's behavior, and they responded with words like faith, courage, trust, and hope. The Shunammite, although faced with extreme crisis, chose to cling to the promise of God that Elisha had given her.

Pastor Joy also shared some key insights about how to respond to crisis, based on the behavior of the Shunammite woman:

Return to the source of the prophecy. The Shunammite put the boy on the bed of the one who had promised her a son, and made arrangements to go and see Elisha personally.

Refrain from spreading gossip. The Shunammite did not involve anyone else in her crisis of faith, because they were not in a position to address the crisis.

Resist the offer of assistance from third parties. When Gehazi spoke to the Shunammite (see Second Kings 4:26), she did not give him the opportunity to step in on behalf of Elisha.

For many of us, these three areas are where we get tripped up in our faith walk. When God's promise to us is threatened, or even seems to have been crushed, what do we do? Call the church secretary and complain? Send an e-mail blast to the masses to tell the world how disappointed we are? Do we avoid going back to the prophetic source who is in a position to help us?

To quote Pastor Joy, "What have you done with the thing that has rocked your world?" If you are sure that God has spoken, and your circumstances have been thrown into turmoil, return to the Source. Appeal to the Prophet-Priest-King, our Lord Jesus, and watch Him work miracles on your behalf.

It is well.

Future Suture.

One day Elisha came for a visit; he went into the upper room and rested. He told his servant Gehazi, “Ask the Shunammite woman to come here.” So he did so and she came to him. Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tell her, ‘Look, you have treated us with such great respect. What can I do for you? Can I put in a good word for you with the king or the commander of the army?’” She replied, “I’m quite secure.” So he asked Gehazi, “What can I do for her?” Gehazi replied, “She has no son, and her husband is old.” (Second Kings 4:11-14)

During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy brought out the paradox of the Shunammite woman's plight. While the Scripture describes the Shunammite as a well-to-do woman, and the Shunammite herself gave a testimony of not needing anything (Second Kings 4:13, 4:28), Elisha's servant noted a critical challenge: in a context where widows were dependent on their children, Gehazi reveals that the Shunammite had no children. In effect, she had no means of continuing support. Though her husband was alive, he was old. The woman's state of childlessness meant that she would experience, as Pastor Joy said, "no Social Security" to sustain her upon her husband's death.

Is that our situation? Do we tell God and the world, "I'm okay", when in fact there is an imminent pressing need? Are we allowing the prophetic community to have a role in preparing us for handling life's challenges?

Maybe you have enough money and resources, and you've determined that you don't need anything. And maybe that's true, for today. But I ask that you prayerfully consider the uncertainties of the future. God has given us ministry leaders who, like Elisha, have the authority to speak to powers. If you, like the Shunammite, have treated them with kindness and respect, then take the next step and allow your leaders to be a blessing to you.

Inn Sense.

One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.” (Second Kings 4:8-10)

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy spoke on Second Kings 4:8-37. The account of the interaction between Elisha and the Shunammite woman provides several key thoughts for our reflection this week.

Verses 8 through 10 give us a glimpse of the wisdom and discernment of the Shunammite. After seeing Elisha on a number of occasions, she suggests to her husband that they create a space in their home for Elisha to rest in whenever he passes through their community.


At a recent event, I learned that each month several hundred ministers leave ministry. Why? Because ministry is often a life of high demands, low pay, and no encouragement or appreciation from the constituents they are called to serve.

Sometimes we are not conscious of the needs of our ministry leaders. We come to church for a myriad of reasons; more often than not, we expect to "get" something out of our attendance. It is a rare Christian who asks, "How can I bless my pastor? How can I bless the evangelist who passes through my town on a regular basis?"

The Shunammite woman models an answer: "I can bless this prophet by creating an atmosphere of refreshment and rest."

Now, I understand that we aren't all well-to-do like this woman was. Not everyone can renovate their home or open their apartment to host itinerant ministers. Not everyone is in a position to open their wallets or purses. But we can all open our hearts. We can create an atmosphere of refreshment and rest through our prayers for, and encouragement of, ministry leaders with whom we regularly interact.

Let's take a page from the life book of this Shunammite. Without fuss or fanfare, and without hidden agenda, she did her part to be a blessing to one of God's ministers. May God help us all to follow her lead.

The Prophetic Community Or The Party Line?

When the prophet's widow needed assistance, she went to a prophet. Her salutation, "your servant my husband", suggests that Elisha was a higher-ranking prophet than her spouse was.

Who do you go to when you need assistance? As Christians, we often give lip-service to the idea of seeking God first, last, and always... but can someone tell me what really happens? For some, it's less 'prophet' and more 'party-line'.

There is a behavioral norm in the prophetic community: when crisis hits, when questions arise, seek the face of God. And, if He chooses, God will send people to be part of the process of solving the crisis, or riding through the crisis, or getting our questions answered, or getting strength to live in the uncertainty. God changes our circumstance, or our character, or our outlook on the situation we face.

There is also a behavioral norm in the 'party-line' community: when crisis hits or when questions arise, persons in the 'party-line' community run to their friends. They talk about their problems, and their friends talk to other friends about their problems. Sometimes suggestions are made and advice is given. However, at the end of the day, not one soul has uttered a prayer to the Creator and Sustainer of our souls... and the crisis remains as is. No change in circumstances, no change in character, no change in outlook.

So, the next time you face a crisis, skip the neighbors and bypass the curious. Go directly to God! He will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go (see Psalm 32:8).

"Strait" Talk

"Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil" (Second Kings 4:2).

Strait: A position of difficulty, distress, or need; affording little space; confined in an area; having or marked by limited funds and resources; a condition of narrowness or restriction.

The prophet's widow knew what it was to be in straits. But, she also knew the power of God. She was asked to do some things, and she complied:

-She and her sons borrowed jars from everyone in the community.
-They went home.
-She locked the door.
-She poured and kept pouring.

We know the end of the story. No challenge there. But I would like to challenge each of us to live the middle of the story as we seek to obey the word of God:
-See beyond your circumstances.
-Our language is not 'I have nothing', it is 'I have nothing except..."
-Demonstrate your trust in God's accuracy and reliability.

In the face of our lack, God has placed a reserve... Tell me, what do you have in the house?

Praying Food Into the Fridge Again

This week we'll reflect on some of the points mentioned by Pastor Benji in this past Sunday's sermon, "To Blame Or Bail: Thanksgiving For Bailouts".

Second Kings chapter 4 begins with the story of a prophet's widow who was facing the crisis of losing her sons to slavery, as a payment for debts owed. Pastor Benji reminded us that, while the priests had the privilege of living off of portions of the temple sacrifices, prophets had no mandated provision- they relied on the voluntary gifts given to them by means of private donors.

I think of this in light of our current situation in this country, where we have already begun the downward spiral into dire economic circumstances. And I remember a sermon I heard several years ago, preached by a pastor who is well-known for his accurate prophetic ministry over the decades. In that sermon, he said that the day would come where we would be praying in faith, trusting God to provide for our needs each day. Specifically, he said the days would come where we would be praying for our daily bread- literally, our physical food. It seems that day is looming closer, again.

When I was a little girl I would hear my mom singing "It Is Well With My Soul" as she went about the housework. As an adult, I now look back and realize that our circumstances were very difficult. My mom was not a prophet, but she and we (her children) were in challenging circumstances. Mommy modeled the power of prayer: we always had food, clothing, and shelter, and I know that God provided tangible answers in response to my mom's praises of Him and prayers to Him.

If you've been reading my blog for a while you already know that I've mentioned my experience of laying hands on the empty refrigerator and thanking God for the food He was sending. This may sound presumptuous to those of you who have lived a life of "having stuff"... but for those of us who had no one else but God to bail us out, we are so glad that He has put in us this audacity to trust Him in the face of impossible odds.

Pastor Benji made the comment that difficulties and challenges are part of the "compensation package" of the prophet. My prayer is that, if God has called you to a profession that might leave your fridge a little emptier than you'd prefer, you will accept His call even knowing the hardships that may come with the position.

Remember the cry of Peter? "Lord, we have left our homes to follow you", and our Lord's response: "Listen, those of you who have left your comfort zone for the sake of the kingdom of God will receive so much more than what you gave up" (Luke 18:28-30, paraphrase mine). There is a payback. We don't get to choose when or how, but Jesus promised that there is a substantial return for those who have invested their lives in serving Him... yes, even if it means your food comes by the exercising of the faith He has given you.

Have faith and pray. God feeds the birds, surely He will provide for His children who cry out to Him.