WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.679 2 Kings chapter 4 is we're going to be looking at being resilient in life and we're going 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:16.399 ! We're going to talk about overcoming personal needs because desperate times call for miraculous 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:25.280 ! Sometimes God brings us to a point where He is the only one that can make a difference in the situation. 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:31.120 You know, we understand the importance of that as we're going to look at the account here today. 00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:38.799 You know, we're going to look here because in times of great need, you know, it can be easy to assume that God doesn't care. 00:00:39.960 --> 00:00:44.020 You know, have you ever noticed that when sometimes life seems overwhelming, it's like, you know, where's God at? 00:00:44.760 --> 00:00:50.760 Why is God allowing this in my life? Why am I struggling with this? 00:00:50.759 --> 00:01:04.900 And so today we're going to look at a widow woman who was in a dire situation and to see how God stepped in and made a miraculous thing happen in her life. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:16.900 You understand what was available to her that she did not even realize until God took over. 00:01:16.900 --> 00:01:22.620 Because, you know, when it comes to needs, you know, we live in a very blessed nation. 00:01:22.740 --> 00:01:32.500 I mean, most of us, you know, are likely to sit down somewhere today and have lunch or dinner or with enough food to meet our needs and probably more than enough. 00:01:33.540 --> 00:01:35.800 You know, we live in a very blessed place. 00:01:36.380 --> 00:01:38.820 I mean, we have many needs met. 00:01:38.819 --> 00:01:47.599 You know, the meal may be at home or a restaurant or somewhere else with main dishes and side dishes and all these things. 00:01:47.739 --> 00:01:52.679 And it may be our favorite meal or maybe it's the one that doesn't exactly thrill you today. 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:54.199 I don't know what your meal might be. 00:01:54.780 --> 00:01:58.899 But we're all aware that not everyone is that fortunate, though. 00:01:59.479 --> 00:02:03.199 You know, not everybody is fortunate enough to have all their needs met. 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:14.099 Now, we're talking about food, which has to do with hunger, but the reality is sometimes there's a lot of other needs in life where we feel that we're overwhelmed. 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:20.020 That we feel that life is, we don't know what to do or how that need is going to be met. 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:27.280 But, you know, the one thing you find as you read through Scripture, how many times God supernaturally steps in. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:30.879 How God steps in at those moments. 00:02:32.900 --> 00:02:34.939 You know, you think about the story of Ruth. 00:02:35.240 --> 00:02:37.699 She had a great need, but God stepped in. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:46.340 You know, we find that others like the widow of Zerpath, who was on the brink of starvation with her son, 00:02:46.420 --> 00:02:53.180 but fed Elijah first of the meal and oil she had left, and God provided miraculously. 00:02:54.960 --> 00:02:56.360 And took care of them. 00:02:56.360 --> 00:03:00.700 You know, when you think about Jesus and some of the miracles he performed, 00:03:00.860 --> 00:03:07.380 it was moments of life of desperation that he stepped in and changed the course. 00:03:09.360 --> 00:03:12.540 Impacted the heart and life of an individual. 00:03:13.040 --> 00:03:18.800 But, you know, a story that oftentimes doesn't get as much attention as some of those is the story of a widow 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:22.980 whose time of need came in the early days of the prophet Elisha. 00:03:22.979 --> 00:03:27.039 You know, the Bible doesn't even mention her by name, 00:03:27.479 --> 00:03:30.459 but it does tell her her story. 00:03:30.799 --> 00:03:36.539 You know, it may be the fact that God doesn't mention her name to make it to where anybody could step in 00:03:36.539 --> 00:03:38.000 and say, this could be me. 00:03:39.179 --> 00:03:40.780 This is where God is at. 00:03:40.780 --> 00:03:47.640 And we find here that this woman had lost her husband and she had a huge debt and no way to pay her debtor. 00:03:49.020 --> 00:03:50.259 It was overwhelming. 00:03:50.759 --> 00:03:57.199 We saw as God is going to step in and do something that is miraculous. 00:03:57.439 --> 00:04:00.300 You know, let's pick up here in 2 Kings chapter 4. 00:04:00.300 --> 00:04:02.280 Let's look at verse 1. 00:04:03.960 --> 00:04:04.660 It says, 00:04:04.659 --> 00:04:27.600 And she said, 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:55.680 And so she went from him and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, 00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:59.199 who brought the vessels to her and she poured out. 00:04:59.819 --> 00:05:02.199 And it came to pass when the vessels were full, 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:04.400 that she said to her sons, 00:05:05.139 --> 00:05:06.360 Bring me yet a vessel. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:07.840 And he said to her, 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:09.340 There is not a vessel more. 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:11.360 And the oil stayed. 00:05:12.420 --> 00:05:14.699 Then she came and told the man of God, 00:05:14.759 --> 00:05:15.160 and he said, 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:17.000 Go sell the oil and pay thy debt, 00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:21.680 and live thou and thy children of the rest. 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:23.400 Let's pray. 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:24.019 Heavenly Fathers, 00:05:24.100 --> 00:05:28.300 we just take a few moments here this morning to look at your provision. 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:29.379 Lord, 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:32.340 that you step in in desperate times, 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:32.620 Lord, 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:38.680 to fill the gap and to fill the need that is there, 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:49.139 that you step in miraculously at those moments when we have no idea the how or the what in our life. 00:05:49.139 --> 00:05:49.620 Lord, 00:05:49.620 --> 00:05:50.519 Lord, 00:05:50.599 --> 00:05:52.159 we pray to this work in a mighty way, 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:53.139 even here this morning. 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:54.219 Lord, 00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:54.680 that we might, 00:05:54.759 --> 00:05:56.819 no matter what situations might arise, 00:05:56.919 --> 00:05:59.779 we might trust you as we walk through. 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:00.060 Lord, 00:06:00.099 --> 00:06:02.019 and we just ask it all in your precious name. 00:06:03.019 --> 00:06:03.319 Amen. 00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:05.519 You know, 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:06.399 we realize that, 00:06:06.419 --> 00:06:06.560 you know, 00:06:06.579 --> 00:06:08.399 we've talked about Elijah, 00:06:09.219 --> 00:06:11.419 and we saw that he mentions Elisha, 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:14.379 and we understand Elisha's last encounter, 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:15.259 or excuse me, 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:19.180 Elijah's last encounter with the Israeli king of Haziah, 00:06:19.540 --> 00:06:22.520 and Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire, 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:24.800 and his ministry was transferred to Elisha, 00:06:25.280 --> 00:06:27.340 really in a miraculous way. 00:06:27.520 --> 00:06:30.939 And when Elijah told Elisha he was going to be taken to heaven, 00:06:31.639 --> 00:06:35.080 Elisha knew he would need the power of God to be used of God, 00:06:35.460 --> 00:06:36.860 as Elisha had been, 00:06:36.860 --> 00:06:40.800 so he asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:43.139 and God gave it to him. 00:06:44.020 --> 00:06:48.780 God provided miraculously as he saw Elijah depart. 00:06:49.360 --> 00:06:52.860 But we know Elisha was now the prophet of Israel. 00:06:55.040 --> 00:06:55.240 You know, 00:06:55.300 --> 00:06:56.660 during this time, 00:06:56.819 --> 00:06:58.860 it was Jehoram, 00:06:58.980 --> 00:06:59.379 Ahab, 00:06:59.460 --> 00:07:01.780 and Jezebel's son was king in Samaria, 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:04.939 and the northern nation of Israel's capital, 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:06.639 it was during this early portion, 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:08.960 of Elijah's ministry, 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:14.080 the widow in today's text came to Elisha for help. 00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:17.000 Because notice here, 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:17.660 this widow, 00:07:17.980 --> 00:07:19.319 what had taken place, 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:21.540 as we read here in verse four, 00:07:21.660 --> 00:07:22.720 she cries out, 00:07:23.080 --> 00:07:26.280 a certain woman of the wives of the son of the prophets. 00:07:27.280 --> 00:07:27.500 You know, 00:07:27.699 --> 00:07:30.160 we see here the desperation of this widow. 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:31.960 When the woman came to Elijah, 00:07:32.960 --> 00:07:34.319 her need was dire. 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:34.860 She was like, 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:36.759 I don't know what we're going to do. 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:38.520 I don't know what's going to happen. 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:40.020 She was in desperation. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:41.319 Her husband was dead. 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:42.540 This newly widowed, 00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:44.780 single mom had a great need. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:45.879 She had two sons, 00:07:46.300 --> 00:07:46.900 no money, 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:47.800 a mountain of debt, 00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:49.860 and a creditor knocking on her door. 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:51.280 When we read this, 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:56.780 we realize that this widow wasn't abstract to Elisha. 00:07:56.779 --> 00:08:00.219 Notice her phrase that she says here. 00:08:00.719 --> 00:08:01.759 In verse one, 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:02.159 it says, 00:08:02.239 --> 00:08:05.979 and now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:06.519 saying, 00:08:06.619 --> 00:08:07.159 thy servant, 00:08:07.279 --> 00:08:08.259 my husband and dead, 00:08:08.719 --> 00:08:09.299 is dead. 00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:11.879 And now knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord. 00:08:13.579 --> 00:08:14.159 Know that. 00:08:14.419 --> 00:08:20.139 She mentioned specifically that he knew her husband and his service. 00:08:20.139 --> 00:08:24.039 She recognized and knew them. 00:08:24.099 --> 00:08:25.180 It was not abstract. 00:08:25.459 --> 00:08:28.500 It was personal to the prophet. 00:08:29.139 --> 00:08:31.659 It was personal to Elijah. 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:34.759 And we see here that from the language here, 00:08:34.759 --> 00:08:37.740 we see the woman knew there was no other avenue of help. 00:08:38.139 --> 00:08:41.340 She came and her plea was a hopeful request. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:44.000 It was a desperate cry for help. 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:51.259 Here she is having to deal with all the overwhelming dynamics of the situation 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:55.399 and feeling isolated and overlooked sometimes. 00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:59.840 But this story reminds us that God sees every person's need. 00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:03.840 No matter how desperate the situation, 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:05.019 God sees your need. 00:09:06.280 --> 00:09:10.000 God knows what's going on in our life. 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:13.240 But I want you to see this widow did what all of us should do. 00:09:13.280 --> 00:09:14.280 When we have a need, 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:15.940 she looked to God. 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:18.120 You know, 00:09:18.160 --> 00:09:18.920 in her case, 00:09:18.940 --> 00:09:20.840 that was to the prophet Elisha. 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:22.300 You know, 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:22.800 have you ever thought, 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:25.800 how do people respond in desperate situations? 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:26.320 You know, 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:29.080 to whom or what do people tend to go to to help? 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:31.940 If they don't go to God first. 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:32.360 You know, 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:34.860 how often do we try to solve the problems ourselves? 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:38.500 We try to work through every option or everything we might be able to 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:40.019 manipulate or to control. 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:42.960 It says stopping to say, 00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:43.320 Lord, 00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:48.019 you know that the need is there. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:52.639 It's so easy that we find ourselves in need to go to insufficient places. 00:09:52.780 --> 00:09:57.800 We try to figure it out or turn to friends or maybe we get angry. 00:09:57.799 --> 00:10:00.359 You know, 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:07.740 or cause of all sorts of situations where this lady's particular problem was the fact of the debt that they had. 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:12.339 This woman turned to the Lord and God met her need in a miraculous way. 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:12.799 You know, 00:10:12.839 --> 00:10:13.379 even better, 00:10:13.579 --> 00:10:16.559 her children got to see God work in a miraculous way. 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:24.119 God to see God step in in a moment when nothing else could fill the need. 00:10:24.939 --> 00:10:25.199 You know, 00:10:25.219 --> 00:10:26.199 as we look at this story, 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:29.879 I want you to remember what did Elisha tell her to do? 00:10:29.959 --> 00:10:30.659 She didn't say, 00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:32.479 go up on stage and make a big show. 00:10:32.799 --> 00:10:33.000 He said, 00:10:33.079 --> 00:10:34.139 go home and shut the door. 00:10:34.419 --> 00:10:35.479 Just you and your sons. 00:10:35.819 --> 00:10:42.019 And God did a miraculous work when they were obedient to God's word. 00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:45.799 God did a miraculous thing. 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:47.199 You know, 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:49.639 when we understand that she, 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:55.620 she and her sons got to participate with God in an unbelievable provision. 00:10:55.620 --> 00:11:00.159 Now I handed out some three by five cards this morning to a few. 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:04.060 So hopefully you've got those verses looked up for me already this morning. 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:08.899 But what I want you to do is those that I handed the cards out to, 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:19.240 I want you to read them and then share what that verse says about how it relates to God's intervention in our needs. 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:20.240 So Psalm 32, 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:20.539 eight, 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:21.779 who's got that one that you, 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:22.039 Joe, 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:23.879 you drew the first card. 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:26.860 Or is that the one you and your brother settled on anyways? 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:27.600 Go ahead and read. 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:33.879 Okay. 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:35.799 What's God promised to us there? 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:41.320 Going to instruct us and teach us. 00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:42.460 You know, 00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:44.860 why do you need instruction? 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:45.740 You need to learn something. 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:47.159 You know, 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:48.440 Psalm 55, 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:49.019 22. 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:50.019 Psalm 55, 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:50.840 22, 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:52.759 cast thy burden upon the world, 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:54.179 shall stand, 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:55.559 but God shall have a struggle, 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:56.039 right? 00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:58.439 Okay. 00:11:58.519 --> 00:11:59.980 So how's God provide for us? 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:04.299 Yeah. 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:04.840 What we need. 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:06.000 Psalm 62, 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:06.379 eight. 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:07.340 Nice and loud there, 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:07.559 Tim. 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:09.860 You have to use your outdoor voice. 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:12.580 Trust in him at all times. 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:14.960 People pour out in the heart for him. 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:17.000 God is a refuge for him. 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:17.779 Yep. 00:12:18.419 --> 00:12:18.639 You know, 00:12:19.680 --> 00:12:22.159 I think the other thing that's important in that verse too is God listens. 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:25.139 Pour out your heart before the Lord, 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:28.159 that God's hearing what's going on. 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:28.600 How about, 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:28.840 uh, 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:29.580 uh, 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:29.899 Psalm, 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:30.180 uh, 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:31.039 uh, 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:31.519 62, 00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:32.039 eight. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:32.639 Is that, 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:33.860 that's when you just read Tim? 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:34.840 That's Tim's. 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:35.220 You just read, 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:36.840 you read 62, 00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:37.139 eight, 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:37.399 right? 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.000 Okay. 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.899 Make sure I'm getting down my list correctly. 00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:40.980 Proverbs three, 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:41.340 five, 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:41.799 and six. 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:42.480 Who got that one? 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:55.399 How's God provide? 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:01.799 Okay. 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:02.919 All right. 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:03.799 Isaiah 41, 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:04.240 10. 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:22.779 He's there to support us along the way. 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:23.600 Yeah. 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:25.159 Isaiah 43, 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:25.879 one and two, 00:13:26.459 --> 00:13:27.360 not secret code. 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:29.460 But now, 00:13:29.580 --> 00:13:31.240 thus saith the Lord that created thee, 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:31.960 O Jacob, 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.860 and he that formed thee, 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:34.680 O Israel, 00:13:34.820 --> 00:13:35.300 fear not, 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:36.779 for I have redeemed thee, 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:38.440 I have called thee by thy name, 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:39.580 thou art mine. 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:41.480 When thou passest through the waters, 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:42.879 I will be with thee, 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:44.340 and through the rivers, 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:45.680 they shall not overflow thee. 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.600 When thou walkest through the fire, 00:13:48.060 --> 00:13:49.080 thou shalt not be burned, 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:51.019 neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:52.920 He created us, 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:53.639 formed us, 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:54.960 he redeemed us, 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:55.720 we are his, 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:56.840 and he will protect us. 00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:58.200 Amen. 00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.940 How about John 16, 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:00.440 33? 00:14:00.440 --> 00:14:02.399 Do you think that I've spoken unto you, 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:04.899 that if you might have to be, 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:07.580 the world of you shall have tribulations, 00:14:08.220 --> 00:14:09.240 but it's good to you, 00:14:09.660 --> 00:14:10.019 perhaps, 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:10.800 no matter what, 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:11.680 along the road. 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:12.080 Yep. 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:14.680 Philippians 4, 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:15.440 6 and 7. 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:16.980 I care for nothing, 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:18.259 but a heavy thing, 00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:19.639 by fear and temptation, 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:20.879 to him, 00:14:21.060 --> 00:14:23.240 but the peace of God, 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:24.399 which happens, 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:24.919 Paul, 00:14:25.079 --> 00:14:26.399 and the peace of God, 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:26.379 I see that, 00:14:26.439 --> 00:14:26.699 like, 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:30.000 I just let God know you over you, 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:31.419 and he's going to be in prayer. 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:32.220 Yep. 00:14:32.579 --> 00:14:32.840 Amen. 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:33.860 You know, 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.179 we see all throughout Scripture, 00:14:35.319 --> 00:14:36.259 there's just a few, 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:38.699 of the Scriptures that we have, 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:40.139 that God gives us promises, 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:41.379 that he's going to be there, 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:43.319 that he's going to meet those needs, 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:44.579 but we see that, 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.980 this woman's problem was, 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:47.199 her husband was dead, 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:48.240 that was a big issue, 00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:49.819 but now we find, 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:51.079 the creditor had come. 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.319 You know, 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:53.540 she had money problems. 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:56.780 And I think we can all understand, 00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:57.940 the reality of, 00:14:58.440 --> 00:14:59.740 where it is, 00:14:59.780 --> 00:15:01.420 when you're struggling financially, 00:15:01.660 --> 00:15:03.220 and this widow's story, 00:15:03.280 --> 00:15:04.520 went from bad to worse, 00:15:04.540 --> 00:15:06.560 when the creditor came to collect, 00:15:06.940 --> 00:15:08.720 because she couldn't pay the debt. 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:10.820 And in biblical times, 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:11.500 what would happen, 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.240 is they would come, 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:14.040 and take the children, 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:15.200 and they would be put, 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:18.320 into indentured servanthood, 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:18.960 servanthood, 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.180 to pay, 00:15:20.280 --> 00:15:21.379 or to make for the debt, 00:15:21.940 --> 00:15:22.879 of the family, 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:24.020 to pay that off. 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:26.140 And we see here, 00:15:26.180 --> 00:15:27.220 that she couldn't pay, 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.980 so the debtor, 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.640 or the creditor, 00:15:30.780 --> 00:15:32.780 came to indenture, 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:34.840 her children, 00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:36.980 to pay it off. 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:39.300 And according to the Mosaic law, 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:41.140 creditors could require this, 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:42.620 of a debtor, 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:43.480 or their children. 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:43.840 You know, 00:15:43.900 --> 00:15:45.520 Leviticus chapter 25, 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:47.399 tells us this, 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:48.240 in verse 39, 00:15:48.419 --> 00:15:48.579 it says, 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.279 if thy brother, 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.659 that dwelleth by thee, 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:51.639 be waxen poor, 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.620 and sold unto thee. 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:54.039 Now I want you to understand, 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:54.419 something here, 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:55.639 because culturally, 00:15:55.819 --> 00:15:57.100 this sounds harsh to people. 00:15:58.679 --> 00:15:59.240 I'm just going to do, 00:15:59.319 --> 00:16:00.259 a little side note here, 00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:02.159 to help you understand, 00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:02.699 because, 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:03.899 they didn't have, 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:05.120 all the social programs, 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:05.919 we have today. 00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:07.960 Oftentimes, 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:09.360 this was very beneficial, 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.799 because it did provide, 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:11.659 the one thing, 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:12.960 the woman could know for sure, 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.620 that her children, 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.460 were going to be fed, 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.639 they were going to be cared for. 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:16.759 You know, 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.040 there were some elements, 00:16:18.180 --> 00:16:18.860 socially, 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:20.580 that God structured this. 00:16:20.900 --> 00:16:22.000 But as we read through this, 00:16:22.040 --> 00:16:23.000 I want you to see here, 00:16:23.060 --> 00:16:24.639 because God also, 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:26.660 made some provision. 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.420 He said this, 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:28.780 thou shalt not compel him, 00:16:28.780 --> 00:16:31.040 to serve as a bond servant, 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.920 but as a hired servant, 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.940 and a sojourner, 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:35.400 he shall be with thee, 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:36.340 and shall serve thee, 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.580 under the year of Jubilee. 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:38.600 You know, 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.620 the interesting thing is, 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.200 God said, 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:41.379 you're not to treat them, 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.560 like you would, 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.820 a bond servant, 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.500 somebody that, 00:16:45.040 --> 00:16:45.879 as we would call, 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:46.840 a common slave, 00:16:46.920 --> 00:16:47.200 he said, 00:16:47.280 --> 00:16:48.300 you treat them like, 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:49.020 a hired person. 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.460 In other words, 00:16:49.780 --> 00:16:51.440 they had a different status, 00:16:51.760 --> 00:16:52.720 within that, 00:16:52.760 --> 00:16:53.080 and he said, 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:54.060 if the year of Jubilee, 00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:55.180 this is another great thing, 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:55.580 in scripture, 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.980 God had years of Jubilee, 00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:58.460 when the year of Jubilee, 00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:59.160 would come down, 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:00.080 all sorts of things, 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:00.600 would reset. 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.100 You know, 00:17:03.300 --> 00:17:04.400 they were set free, 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.759 they were able to go back, 00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:08.420 matter of fact, 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.799 the land that was taken, 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:11.840 or sold off, 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:12.439 would go back, 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.859 resort back to the families, 00:17:13.959 --> 00:17:14.879 in the year of Jubilee. 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:16.459 God had a plan, 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.939 of how all this worked through, 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:18.799 that the families, 00:17:19.179 --> 00:17:21.019 would make everything, 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:21.779 in the land, 00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:23.619 work the way God designed it to, 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.720 that they would all have, 00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:25.939 their inheritance. 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.059 But we see here, 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:30.480 that working off this debt, 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.819 was a common practice, 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.859 but I want you to understand, 00:17:33.959 --> 00:17:34.379 it would have been, 00:17:34.439 --> 00:17:35.699 even more devastating, 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:36.480 to this woman. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:40.099 not only is her husband gone, 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:42.360 but now her children. 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:44.740 You know, 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:46.140 that's a dire situation, 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:48.480 a desperate situation, 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.339 she was in, 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:50.660 and we see here, 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.740 that not only, 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:53.900 would it be added to the lost, 00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:54.480 but it was unbearable, 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:56.599 to a mom. 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:56.839 I mean, 00:17:56.860 --> 00:17:57.799 I couldn't imagine, 00:17:58.860 --> 00:18:00.160 but without her sons, 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:00.880 the other thing is, 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:02.140 she would be truly destitute. 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:05.039 She would have nothing, 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:06.279 this widow's story, 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:08.119 highlights the importance, 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:09.700 of a resilient life, 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:11.559 because desperate times, 00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:13.359 call for miraculous measures. 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:13.899 You know, 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.619 it's been said, 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:16.019 that man's extremity, 00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:17.259 is God's opportunity. 00:18:18.379 --> 00:18:18.619 You know, 00:18:18.639 --> 00:18:20.440 God does miraculous things, 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.039 in moments, 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:21.399 when we say, 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:21.639 God, 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:22.220 where you at? 00:18:23.399 --> 00:18:24.599 When we trust him, 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.759 God steps in, 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.359 and makes a difference. 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.720 It's when our backs, 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.700 are against the wall, 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.579 and we're just at the end, 00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.579 of our resources, 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:32.859 when our need, 00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:33.960 isn't just unlikely, 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:34.700 to be met, 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.519 but impossible, 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.840 for us to work out. 00:18:38.620 --> 00:18:39.240 Have you ever asked, 00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:40.200 why does God bring us, 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:40.660 to the point, 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.799 that we can't work something out, 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.120 that we feel overwhelmed? 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:43.960 Have you ever thought, 00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:45.220 that God's already got a plan, 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.860 that God's already got means, 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.740 in place, 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:50.940 that God's got an answer, 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.420 for the situation? 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.720 Like this woman, 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:56.759 when we understand, 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:58.160 her desperate need, 00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:59.440 that she had, 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.120 but you know, 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.640 it applies, 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:02.240 not just to financial needs, 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:02.740 but it also, 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:05.079 applies to relations, 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:06.099 you know, 00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:06.960 your relationships, 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:08.380 your emotional needs, 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:08.900 your health, 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:09.180 I mean, 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:10.319 we all come against things, 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:10.980 that are difficult, 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:12.359 that seem overwhelming, 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:14.240 and times of personal need, 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:14.700 is when we, 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.480 it's easy to spiral, 00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:17.339 into fear, 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.920 rather than grow in faith, 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.220 you know, 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.059 these are times, 00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:22.059 when God's desire, 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:23.099 to meet our needs, 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.240 and prove, 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:25.539 he is sufficient, 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:27.120 he intervenes, 00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:28.299 in a supernatural way, 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:28.559 you know, 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.460 when God steps in, 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.420 in a supernatural way, 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.500 there's no doubt, 00:19:31.580 --> 00:19:32.039 who did it, 00:19:33.300 --> 00:19:34.820 there's no way, 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:35.320 of questioning, 00:19:35.620 --> 00:19:36.000 what happened, 00:19:36.060 --> 00:19:36.539 because you say, 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:36.779 there's, 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.680 God did something here, 00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:39.800 it's obvious, 00:19:40.320 --> 00:19:40.500 you know, 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.380 when we realize, 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:43.519 that God is the one, 00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:44.420 that's going to work through, 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:46.120 it's easy to go into fear, 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:48.259 but what God wants us to do, 00:19:48.300 --> 00:19:49.480 is to grow our faith, 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:51.420 but these are times, 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.400 when God desires, 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.640 to meet our needs, 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.840 and prove, 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.779 he is sufficient, 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.680 whether it's through, 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:58.460 supernatural needs, 00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.500 or something, 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.980 that he orchestrates, 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:03.000 you know, 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:04.019 sometimes it's amazing, 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:05.519 how God takes care of things, 00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:08.039 that God's got things, 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:08.759 under control, 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:10.480 before we even realize, 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.220 that we need it, 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:13.859 that God steps in, 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:15.240 and takes care of things, 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:17.619 you know, 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.279 I want you to understand, 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:19.420 God meets needs, 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.619 in a couple different ways, 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:21.420 in our life sometimes, 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.519 sometimes it's because, 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:23.619 he steps in, 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:24.700 and supplies something, 00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:25.680 and sometimes, 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.700 it's just that God, 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:28.059 keeps things moving forward, 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:29.240 without a need, 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:31.460 you know, 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:33.460 that God works miraculously, 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.900 to keep things operating, 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:37.220 you know, 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.880 that things come together, 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:39.400 you know, 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.799 God is able to help, 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:42.420 but we see the desire here, 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.559 secondly of the prophet, 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:46.160 because after the widow here, 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:47.180 in 2 Kings 4, 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.640 pours out her story, 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.640 he responds, 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:52.079 notice this simple question, 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.940 that he responds, 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.920 notice verse 2, 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:57.000 and Elisha said unto her, 00:20:57.100 --> 00:20:58.340 what shall I do, 00:20:59.400 --> 00:20:59.900 for thee, 00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:01.300 in other words, 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:02.640 how can I be of service, 00:21:04.340 --> 00:21:04.560 you know, 00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:05.980 it's a tremendous question, 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:07.300 for Christians, 00:21:07.300 --> 00:21:08.140 to ask, 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.779 those in need, 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:10.500 you know, 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:12.440 we understand, 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:12.440 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:14.660 that we need to be concerned, 00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:15.660 about others, 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:15.960 you know, 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:17.480 think about what James tells us, 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.599 in James 1 27, 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:19.619 it says, 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:20.420 pure religion, 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:21.960 undefiled before God, 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:22.980 and the father is this, 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.220 to visit the fatherless, 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.359 and the widows, 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.059 and their affliction, 00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:27.640 to keep himself unspotted, 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:29.319 from the world, 00:21:29.880 --> 00:21:30.240 you know, 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.559 when we see here, 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:33.380 that James tells us, 00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:34.779 that we ought to put those things, 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.539 into action, 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.779 what does he say, 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.899 how can I be of service, 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:39.099 what can I do to help, 00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:40.339 when we understand, 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.160 that God, 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.980 ultimately is the one, 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.039 that could help, 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:44.700 you know, 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:46.440 Elisha must have felt, 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:47.019 pretty desperate, 00:21:47.139 --> 00:21:47.279 he says, 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:47.519 okay, 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.639 how am I going to solve this, 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.440 what can I do, 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:51.480 you know, 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.700 sometimes it's overwhelming, 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:54.099 to the others also saying, 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.000 you know, 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.440 how do we help this situation, 00:21:56.599 --> 00:21:57.700 sometimes there's situations, 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.039 you want to help, 00:21:59.139 --> 00:21:59.599 but you just, 00:21:59.799 --> 00:21:59.960 there's, 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:01.119 you don't know what to do, 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:01.819 or how to do, 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:02.799 except just tell, 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:04.079 point people to the Lord, 00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:04.379 to say, 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:04.599 Lord, 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.059 you need to, 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.599 we have to trust the Lord, 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.579 notice what, 00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:09.480 the prophet says here, 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.359 he asks, 00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:10.799 and he says, 00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:11.220 tell me, 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:12.799 what hast thou in thy house, 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.500 and she said, 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.139 thy handmaid, 00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:16.519 had not anything in the house, 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:17.579 save a pot of oil, 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:18.099 you know, 00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:19.119 we see here that, 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.539 he asks, 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:22.000 what shall I do for thee, 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.599 God doesn't stand, 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.279 indifferent, 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:26.139 from our needs, 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.879 and he doesn't want us, 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:28.920 to try to figure out, 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.420 first, 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.619 before we come to him, 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.899 he invites us, 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:32.940 to come boldly, 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:34.180 and receive freely, 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:34.940 the help, 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:37.060 that is there, 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:37.980 you know, 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.380 consider, 00:22:38.580 --> 00:22:38.880 what did, 00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:40.120 what did, 00:22:40.120 --> 00:22:40.640 Elijah, 00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:42.340 point to, 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:42.740 he's like, 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.620 what do you have, 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:45.480 what has God already given you, 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:46.940 that can help, 00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:48.140 through this situation, 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:50.120 as she had come boldly, 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:50.700 before, 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:51.860 the prophet, 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.759 which is a picture, 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.940 of us coming boldly, 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.779 before God, 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:56.200 notice the reality, 00:22:56.340 --> 00:22:56.779 it tells us, 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:57.400 Hebrews 4, 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:57.840 16, 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.480 let us therefore, 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.340 come boldly, 00:22:59.340 --> 00:23:00.539 under the throne of grace, 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:02.359 that we may obtain mercy, 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.339 and find grace, 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:03.859 to help, 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:04.259 in what, 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:05.720 in time of, 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.119 need, 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:08.779 you know, 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.899 that God is there, 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.279 God promises, 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.940 to provide for our needs, 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:14.440 as we bring them to him, 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.700 but he says, 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.279 secondly, 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.659 what is in thine house, 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.339 you know, 00:23:18.379 --> 00:23:19.720 God was going to supply, 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:20.839 the widow's need, 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:22.759 but he wasn't going to do it, 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.539 through a snap, 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:25.440 of Elisha's fingers, 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:27.059 to make money appear, 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.500 rather, 00:23:28.659 --> 00:23:29.659 he gives her a question, 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:31.240 what is in thine house, 00:23:31.320 --> 00:23:32.400 it may seem like, 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.600 a strange question, 00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:35.759 because, 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.040 obviously, 00:23:37.300 --> 00:23:38.279 when you think about that, 00:23:38.340 --> 00:23:38.980 he asked her this, 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.200 he says, 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:41.519 her creditors are coming, 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:42.360 what's in her house, 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:43.080 isn't sufficient, 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:43.560 you know, 00:23:43.580 --> 00:23:44.279 you think about that, 00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:44.820 for a moment, 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.380 don't you think, 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:46.220 she probably would have sold, 00:23:46.300 --> 00:23:46.800 what she had, 00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:48.000 to try to make up, 00:23:48.040 --> 00:23:48.519 for the difference, 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:51.300 and here the prophet says, 00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:52.019 what's in your house, 00:23:52.060 --> 00:23:52.340 she says, 00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:53.580 nothing but a pot of oil, 00:23:53.580 --> 00:23:54.880 if she would have had enough, 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.759 she would have just paid, 00:23:55.860 --> 00:23:56.640 the creditors, 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.440 but he asked, 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.220 what do you have, 00:23:58.340 --> 00:23:58.480 you know, 00:23:58.540 --> 00:23:59.500 because I want you to understand, 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:01.240 God is always going to ask us, 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:02.819 to do by faith, 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:04.160 what we can do, 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:06.259 God uses what we have, 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:08.640 and then turns it miraculous, 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.180 in his hand, 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.700 it not only grows our faith, 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:12.980 but gives us the opportunity, 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:15.140 to be involved in his work, 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:16.579 rather than simply watching, 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.680 as impressed bystanders, 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.099 you know, 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.980 think about for a moment, 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:23.099 think about Moses, 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:25.619 when God called Moses, 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.659 to lead the children, 00:24:26.659 --> 00:24:26.679 to lead the children, 00:24:26.679 --> 00:24:27.959 of Israel, 00:24:27.959 --> 00:24:28.899 out of Egypt, 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:31.899 what was Moses' response, 00:24:31.979 --> 00:24:32.500 at that moment, 00:24:32.739 --> 00:24:33.599 here's your Bible trivia, 00:24:33.739 --> 00:24:34.199 think back, 00:24:35.879 --> 00:24:37.439 I can't, 00:24:37.699 --> 00:24:39.619 I can't, 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.819 Lord, 00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:42.099 do you know, 00:24:42.159 --> 00:24:42.859 who you're talking to, 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:44.539 I don't have what it takes, 00:24:45.679 --> 00:24:47.319 I don't have the ability, 00:24:47.439 --> 00:24:47.959 to speak, 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.099 God replied, 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.459 with a question to him, 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.019 notice what, 00:24:51.439 --> 00:24:52.399 in Exodus 4, 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:53.500 God said unto him, 00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:54.840 what is in thine hand, 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.759 in Exodus 4, 00:24:55.820 --> 00:24:56.700 God looks at Moses, 00:24:56.780 --> 00:24:57.220 when he's saying, 00:24:57.340 --> 00:24:57.759 I can't, 00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:58.480 and he says, 00:24:58.560 --> 00:24:59.380 what's in your hand, 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.340 what was in his hand, 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:02.040 a staff, 00:25:02.120 --> 00:25:02.560 a rod, 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.960 common thing, 00:25:05.280 --> 00:25:05.420 you know, 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.000 it wouldn't have looked, 00:25:06.080 --> 00:25:06.480 any different, 00:25:06.600 --> 00:25:07.680 than any other rod, 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:09.220 or staff, 00:25:09.300 --> 00:25:09.780 that a shepherd, 00:25:09.780 --> 00:25:10.480 would have used, 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:13.280 it was a common item, 00:25:13.280 --> 00:25:14.100 that nobody would have, 00:25:14.300 --> 00:25:15.019 thought anything about, 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:16.100 he told Moses, 00:25:16.100 --> 00:25:17.360 to throw down the rod, 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:17.880 and he did, 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.960 and it became a snake, 00:25:19.060 --> 00:25:19.420 he told him, 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:20.280 to pick up the snake, 00:25:20.320 --> 00:25:21.500 and it became a rod again, 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.759 and that rod, 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:23.660 went with Moses, 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:25.359 as he stood before Pharaoh, 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:27.680 and demanded on God's behalf, 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.799 to let his people go, 00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:30.319 it's the same rod, 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.660 that Moses proclaimed, 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.819 the plagues of God, 00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:33.859 that were sent to Egypt, 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.559 it's the same one, 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:37.259 he stretched over the Red Sea, 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.240 before it parted, 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:40.519 it was held up in prayer, 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.519 during the battle, 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:44.539 but it was simply, 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.759 what Moses had, 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.539 in his hand, 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:49.380 there was nothing special, 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:51.319 about the physical composition, 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:51.819 of it, 00:25:52.639 --> 00:25:53.259 in fact, 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.980 the very commonness, 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.659 of the rod, 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:57.139 is what made it, 00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:58.359 such a special token, 00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:59.339 of God's power, 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.339 Moses gave, 00:26:00.659 --> 00:26:01.659 what he had, 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:03.240 his shepherd's staff, 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:03.879 to God, 00:26:03.939 --> 00:26:05.079 and God worked miracles, 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:05.559 through it, 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.899 there was nothing special, 00:26:06.899 --> 00:26:08.039 about that rod, 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:10.259 what made it special, 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.460 is what God could do, 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:13.179 think about another situation, 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:14.559 in Mark chapter 6, 00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:16.519 when you have a little boy, 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:17.439 that Jesus wanted, 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.460 to feed the multitude, 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:20.340 who had been listening to him, 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.400 he didn't make food, 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.620 miraculously appear, 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:24.299 you know, 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.059 that's the one thing there, 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:27.039 when Jesus fed the 5,000, 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.900 Jesus could have just, 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:30.299 spoken a menu, 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:31.160 into existence, 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.539 you know, 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.500 Jesus could have, 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.480 instantly catered, 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.160 the situation, 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:39.259 but instead, 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:41.019 he looked out, 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:42.060 and sought out, 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:42.900 a young man, 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:44.500 he asked his disciples, 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.000 first, 00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:45.920 how many loaves, 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.480 have ye, 00:26:46.840 --> 00:26:47.840 go and see, 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.060 Jesus took, 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.680 five loaves, 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.860 and two small fishes, 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:52.840 and fed, 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.259 the multitude, 00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:56.460 I want you to understand, 00:26:56.580 --> 00:26:57.180 he fed them, 00:26:57.320 --> 00:26:58.120 with what was at, 00:26:58.840 --> 00:26:59.620 hand, 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.620 what they had, 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:01.080 you know, 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:01.779 this lad, 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:03.259 that gave a small lunch, 00:27:03.840 --> 00:27:05.140 and Jesus fed a multitude, 00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:05.779 you know, 00:27:05.800 --> 00:27:06.840 when we realize, 00:27:06.840 --> 00:27:07.040 that, 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:08.580 that what we have, 00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:11.180 God can use, 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.920 God already knows, 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:14.560 what you have, 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:17.620 he knows what the problem is, 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:18.700 and he knows where you are, 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:20.060 we have a great need, 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.880 in our life, 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.220 and God is always, 00:27:22.820 --> 00:27:24.460 available, 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.580 and always willing, 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.259 to help, 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:28.620 but he doesn't swoop in, 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.600 and just make the need, 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.180 disappear, 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.640 rather, 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.820 he asks us, 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.680 what we have, 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.320 calls us, 00:27:37.320 --> 00:27:38.120 to give it to him, 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.680 in faith, 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.940 and allow us, 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.640 to be part, 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.620 of his amazing, 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:42.640 work, 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.420 God's going to work, 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.200 in your life, 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.200 because think also, 00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:47.080 the deliverance, 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.700 of the family, 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:48.940 you know, 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.560 this accounts, 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.420 pretty miraculous, 00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:50.960 because, 00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.519 what does the prophet, 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.279 tell her to do, 00:27:54.580 --> 00:27:55.519 he says, 00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:55.900 hey, 00:27:56.560 --> 00:27:57.700 what's in your house, 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.560 a pot of oil, 00:27:58.559 --> 00:28:00.720 he didn't tell her, 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:01.240 to do anything, 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.099 with the pot of oil, 00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:02.740 at that point, 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:04.159 notice what he tells her, 00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.159 when he says, 00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:06.399 there's just a pot of oil, 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:06.919 you know, 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.819 what is this, 00:28:07.919 --> 00:28:08.119 you know, 00:28:08.179 --> 00:28:08.679 think about, 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.399 Andrew, 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.619 with the boys meal, 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.359 that we talked about, 00:28:11.399 --> 00:28:12.099 a few minutes ago, 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:13.139 what is this, 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.019 among so many, 00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:14.240 you know, 00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:15.940 what's five loaves, 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.619 and two fishes, 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.359 among so many, 00:28:17.419 --> 00:28:18.079 she's probably looking, 00:28:18.399 --> 00:28:19.879 here's a small pot of oil, 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.599 what is this, 00:28:20.659 --> 00:28:21.259 to the need, 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:23.660 how is this, 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.799 going to make a difference, 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.339 she had nothing else, 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.879 all that she owned, 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.420 in my house, 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.099 of her house, 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.500 was only a pot of oil, 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.000 you know, 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:33.599 think about her response, 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:36.079 have nothing in the house, 00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:37.220 but save a pot, 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.460 of oil, 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:38.980 you know, 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.519 as I read that, 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.539 sometimes it makes me think, 00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.379 that she'd already sold, 00:28:41.379 --> 00:28:42.059 everything else, 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:42.879 trying to pay the debt, 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.779 all he got left, 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.480 is a pot of oil, 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:44.940 you know, 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:45.859 it's easy to look, 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:47.180 at the needs around us, 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:48.039 and say, 00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:50.460 very similar to the Lord, 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:50.759 God, 00:28:50.840 --> 00:28:52.960 I see these great needs, 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:54.299 for supporting your work, 00:28:54.340 --> 00:28:55.180 or giving to others, 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.519 or doing what you would have, 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:58.299 or challenges in my life, 00:28:58.340 --> 00:28:59.480 but I don't have much, 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.700 but I want you to understand, 00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:02.400 God takes that which is little, 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.279 by faith, 00:29:04.340 --> 00:29:05.079 and makes it much, 00:29:06.340 --> 00:29:07.600 God steps in, 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:09.500 in a miraculous way, 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:11.299 you know, 00:29:11.340 --> 00:29:11.799 this little, 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.640 here's the thing, 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.860 she didn't have something, 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:15.019 she had a pot of oil, 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.799 she was right, 00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:17.900 that it was insignificant, 00:29:17.900 --> 00:29:19.400 towards the need at hand, 00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:21.060 but she was wrong, 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.480 that it was insignificant, 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.380 to God, 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:24.240 or what he wanted, 00:29:24.340 --> 00:29:25.100 to do for her, 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:26.640 you know, 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.640 the oil she had, 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:29.019 was most likely, 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:29.800 olive oil, 00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:30.700 used for everything, 00:29:30.820 --> 00:29:31.340 from cooking, 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.340 to burning lamps, 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:33.080 to anointing, 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.100 a body, 00:29:34.380 --> 00:29:35.259 after bathing, 00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:36.680 to mixing with spices, 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:38.080 for anointing the dead, 00:29:38.340 --> 00:29:40.019 when we see that dynamic, 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.320 of, 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:43.080 it was used for so much, 00:29:43.100 --> 00:29:44.700 it was so beneficial, 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:47.160 but yet there wasn't much, 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:50.100 but God stepped in, 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.640 rather than assuming, 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.860 that we have nothing, 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:55.360 and can do nothing, 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:56.620 we need to take inventory, 00:29:56.620 --> 00:29:57.340 and say Lord, 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.180 what do I have, 00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:59.400 what's the financial, 00:29:59.580 --> 00:30:01.420 provision I have, 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.740 at my disposal, 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:04.440 where am I at, 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:06.580 with maybe your career, 00:30:06.840 --> 00:30:07.940 or what God could do, 00:30:08.120 --> 00:30:08.840 with your life, 00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:10.720 because once we ascertain, 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.759 what we have, 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.619 it's that, 00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:14.119 then it is God's will, 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:14.940 that we deploy, 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.759 what we have, 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.619 into his service, 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.000 you know, 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.819 sometimes we take, 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:20.460 what we have, 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:21.319 and put it secondary, 00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:23.559 or to say Lord, 00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:24.480 I don't have much, 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:26.180 or I'm not a great speaker, 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:27.200 or a great person, 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:27.740 but you know what, 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:28.879 God can use you, 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.359 if you're willing, 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:30.359 to give what you have, 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:30.779 to him, 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:33.480 she was willing, 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:35.259 to trust the Lord, 00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:37.119 on this matter, 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:37.819 that it, 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:40.039 something took place, 00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:42.819 because you know, 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:43.399 sometimes, 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.139 instead of, 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.779 trusting God, 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.619 we draw back, 00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:46.819 you know, 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:47.539 she very could have, 00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:48.399 easily just went, 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.240 and closed the door, 00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:49.899 and stayed home, 00:30:50.159 --> 00:30:51.059 she could have ignored, 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:51.759 what the prophet, 00:30:51.879 --> 00:30:52.960 told her to do next, 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:54.079 because she didn't like, 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:55.539 what he had to say, 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:56.980 you know, 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.139 sometimes that happens too, 00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:58.379 you know, 00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:59.359 sometimes people don't like, 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.220 what God has to say, 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.019 about a situation, 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:02.619 when we realize it, 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:05.079 when we try to rationalize, 00:31:05.319 --> 00:31:06.220 what it is, 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:07.200 God can do, 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:07.960 we can become, 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:09.099 stingier, 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:10.519 or hold back, 00:31:10.599 --> 00:31:10.740 you know, 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.539 I want you to understand, 00:31:11.719 --> 00:31:12.779 it's kind of like, 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:13.719 a plant in a garden, 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.599 when you put a seed, 00:31:14.699 --> 00:31:15.339 in the ground, 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:17.119 you're giving up, 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:17.740 that seed, 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.919 but what's the benefit, 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.819 of planting a seed, 00:31:19.919 --> 00:31:20.279 in the garden, 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.000 that it, 00:31:21.679 --> 00:31:22.559 multiplies, 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.339 you know, 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:26.099 that it comes up, 00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:26.419 you know, 00:31:27.439 --> 00:31:28.599 some more than others, 00:31:28.719 --> 00:31:29.679 some grow things, 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.319 like cucumbers, 00:31:30.459 --> 00:31:31.000 and zucchinis, 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:33.099 and it's the zucchini season, 00:31:33.199 --> 00:31:33.679 once again, 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:33.980 you know, 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:34.959 everybody's trying to give them away, 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.480 and everybody's already, 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.019 got too many, 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:37.119 but how'd that start, 00:31:37.199 --> 00:31:37.740 with a seed, 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:39.180 and when we plant a seed, 00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:39.680 what you're doing, 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.799 is surrendering it, 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.759 this is what I have, 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:44.079 but I'm surrendering it, 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:46.599 for what God's going to do, 00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.160 of what, 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:49.660 how God's going to work through it, 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:52.019 when it's scattered, 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:52.819 it multiplied, 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:53.779 when we hoard it, 00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:55.599 it accomplishes nothing, 00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:57.980 you know, 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.579 it's interesting, 00:31:58.759 --> 00:32:00.480 that statistics tell us, 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.299 that most people, 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.059 when surveyed, 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:03.400 believed they'd be more generous, 00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:04.380 if they had more money, 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:06.560 but according to Forbes magazine, 00:32:07.560 --> 00:32:08.960 in 2007, 00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:11.480 there were 946 billionaires, 00:32:11.760 --> 00:32:14.220 and they gave an average, 00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:16.500 of 1.2% of their income, 00:32:16.600 --> 00:32:18.140 to charitable causes, 00:32:18.580 --> 00:32:18.700 you know, 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.520 there's a lot of people, 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:20.740 that have much less, 00:32:21.040 --> 00:32:22.580 that are way more generous, 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:24.920 with the needs, 00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:27.560 you know why, 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:28.740 it's because their perspective, 00:32:29.560 --> 00:32:30.560 what you have, 00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:32.060 isn't what's going to make you generous, 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:33.440 it's how your attitude is, 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.480 towards what you have, 00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:36.799 that makes a difference, 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.259 you know, 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:39.259 with many Christians, 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.919 generosity, 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:43.659 needs to be a lifestyle, 00:32:44.079 --> 00:32:45.539 not in your level of income, 00:32:45.659 --> 00:32:46.879 but in your level of faith, 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.099 you know, 00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:48.119 sometimes you have to step out, 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.960 by faith and say, 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:49.240 God, 00:32:49.379 --> 00:32:50.220 I'm not sure, 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:51.700 how everything's going to come together, 00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:52.720 but I know this is what, 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.799 you would have for me to do, 00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:55.359 to step out in faith, 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:56.500 to do those things, 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:57.019 you know, 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.359 when we understand the needs, 00:32:58.440 --> 00:32:59.059 she could have tried, 00:32:59.139 --> 00:33:00.299 to hoard what she had, 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.079 instead of saying, 00:33:01.159 --> 00:33:01.500 God, 00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:03.700 I'm willing to give it to you, 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.319 to follow, 00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:05.859 what you would have, 00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:07.640 what you would desire for us, 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:10.039 that we can give, 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:12.059 because of what we have, 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:13.859 not because of what we have not, 00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:15.059 she presented it, 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:16.000 simply what she had, 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:16.759 a pot of oil, 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.920 but notice next, 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:20.359 she obeyed God's word, 00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:23.880 notice what took place, 00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:25.480 and then she, 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:27.180 he says to her, 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:27.720 in verse three, 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:29.279 go borrow the vessels abroad, 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:30.220 of all thy neighbors, 00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:31.259 even empty vessels, 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:32.360 borrow not a few, 00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:34.240 you know, 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:35.279 think about that for a moment, 00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:35.720 he had to, 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:36.620 she had to put some faith, 00:33:36.660 --> 00:33:37.200 into action, 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.299 she had to step out, 00:33:38.360 --> 00:33:39.240 and be a little uncomfortable, 00:33:39.600 --> 00:33:40.900 I'm sure it wasn't comfortable, 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.920 for her and her sons, 00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:42.620 to go and knock, 00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:43.620 on the neighbor's door, 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.880 and say, 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:46.860 hey lend me a pot, 00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:48.259 I need more clay pots, 00:33:48.319 --> 00:33:49.079 can you give me one, 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:50.299 can you lend me a pot, 00:33:50.559 --> 00:33:51.360 stepped outside, 00:33:51.440 --> 00:33:52.240 of their comfort zone, 00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:52.839 a little bit, 00:33:53.120 --> 00:33:54.339 entrusting God, 00:33:54.339 --> 00:33:55.279 and he tells her, 00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:56.659 to borrow not a few, 00:33:57.899 --> 00:33:59.159 and then when you get them, 00:33:59.220 --> 00:34:00.079 to come in, 00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:01.159 and shut the door, 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.359 and to pour out, 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:04.500 into all the vessels, 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:06.240 and thou shalt set aside, 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:07.299 that which is full, 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:08.179 you know, 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:08.799 I want you to think, 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.219 for a moment, 00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:12.039 I imagine that this widow, 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.659 and her sons, 00:34:12.739 --> 00:34:13.259 probably thought, 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:13.900 we should have knocked, 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:14.579 on more doors, 00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.179 you know, 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.039 I don't know about you, 00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:17.319 that's what I'd be thinking, 00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:17.699 at that moment, 00:34:17.779 --> 00:34:18.380 like well Lord, 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:19.380 I shortchanged myself, 00:34:19.539 --> 00:34:20.219 but you know what, 00:34:20.219 --> 00:34:21.880 she went and gathered in, 00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:22.700 all those things, 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.320 closed the door behind her, 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.119 it wasn't something, 00:34:25.200 --> 00:34:26.579 that was a big public display, 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:27.119 you know, 00:34:27.140 --> 00:34:27.619 often times, 00:34:27.660 --> 00:34:28.260 we get caught up, 00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:29.099 that God's working, 00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:30.579 is only a big public display, 00:34:31.260 --> 00:34:31.579 you know what, 00:34:31.660 --> 00:34:32.599 God meets the need, 00:34:32.599 --> 00:34:34.059 sometimes nobody else, 00:34:34.059 --> 00:34:34.720 even sees, 00:34:35.240 --> 00:34:38.880 because God meets the need, 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.579 where you are, 00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:40.539 when it's needed, 00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:41.640 God is there, 00:34:41.760 --> 00:34:43.300 she obeys God's word, 00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:46.240 she gathers all these things, 00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:47.760 and he had a great vision, 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:49.240 of what God was going to do, 00:34:49.239 --> 00:34:52.139 the truth is, 00:34:52.279 --> 00:34:53.559 that God did more, 00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:54.779 than what they even thought, 00:34:54.839 --> 00:34:55.319 he could do, 00:34:55.599 --> 00:34:55.799 you know, 00:34:55.839 --> 00:34:56.339 think about, 00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:58.519 the dynamic of this, 00:34:58.839 --> 00:35:00.619 Ephesians 3 tells us this, 00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:00.959 it says, 00:35:01.139 --> 00:35:02.019 unto him that is able, 00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:03.659 to do exceedingly abundantly, 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:05.899 above all that we ask, 00:35:05.979 --> 00:35:06.819 or think, 00:35:06.899 --> 00:35:07.899 according to the power, 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:08.799 that worketh in us, 00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:10.919 think about that for a moment, 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:12.179 this woman's faith, 00:35:12.419 --> 00:35:14.219 was really stretched, 00:35:15.739 --> 00:35:16.879 really active, 00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:17.719 think about all the, 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:19.399 because she did gather enough, 00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:20.299 to take care of her, 00:35:20.359 --> 00:35:20.879 and her family, 00:35:21.199 --> 00:35:21.619 but you know what, 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:23.459 she realized God still had more, 00:35:23.779 --> 00:35:24.619 you know how she knew that, 00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:25.939 because the jug she started, 00:35:25.939 --> 00:35:26.559 pouring out of, 00:35:26.619 --> 00:35:27.459 still had oil in it, 00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:29.279 God could do abundantly, 00:35:29.799 --> 00:35:31.500 above all that we ask, 00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:32.339 or think, 00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:35.779 she thought she had enough jugs, 00:35:36.779 --> 00:35:38.219 you know what God said, 00:35:38.319 --> 00:35:39.539 there's still room for more, 00:35:39.759 --> 00:35:40.699 when we understand, 00:35:40.899 --> 00:35:42.739 that faith is doing all we can, 00:35:42.799 --> 00:35:44.579 according to God's instruction, 00:35:44.579 --> 00:35:47.519 you know as we exercise faith, 00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:48.500 God blesses, 00:35:48.579 --> 00:35:49.860 you know think about Hebrews 11, 00:35:50.319 --> 00:35:50.779 where it says, 00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:51.779 but without faith, 00:35:51.860 --> 00:35:53.440 it is impossible to please him, 00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:54.539 for he that cometh to God, 00:35:54.599 --> 00:35:55.579 must believe that he is, 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:57.259 and is the rewarder of them, 00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:59.539 that diligently seek him, 00:35:59.799 --> 00:36:00.840 and through this, 00:36:02.279 --> 00:36:04.000 when she obeys the word, 00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:06.299 she delivers her sons, 00:36:07.159 --> 00:36:09.299 look at verse seven, 00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:09.980 in our text, 00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:12.239 and we'll close out here, 00:36:12.239 --> 00:36:12.539 it says, 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:13.259 then she came, 00:36:13.319 --> 00:36:14.399 and told the man of God, 00:36:14.439 --> 00:36:14.779 and he said, 00:36:14.859 --> 00:36:15.899 go sell the oil, 00:36:16.299 --> 00:36:17.279 and pay thy debt, 00:36:17.279 --> 00:36:18.119 and live thou, 00:36:18.239 --> 00:36:19.039 and thy children, 00:36:20.259 --> 00:36:21.019 on the rest, 00:36:21.859 --> 00:36:24.619 this woman's greatest concern, 00:36:24.759 --> 00:36:26.359 when she first came to Elisha, 00:36:26.419 --> 00:36:28.059 was that the creditor, 00:36:28.199 --> 00:36:29.559 had come to take her sons, 00:36:29.679 --> 00:36:31.399 and this miracle of God, 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:33.339 worked for this woman's response, 00:36:33.659 --> 00:36:34.679 to her faith, 00:36:34.779 --> 00:36:36.000 not only met her need, 00:36:36.439 --> 00:36:38.299 but also delivered her sons, 00:36:38.359 --> 00:36:39.559 from going into servitude, 00:36:39.559 --> 00:36:42.239 it changed the course, 00:36:42.299 --> 00:36:43.019 of her family, 00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:44.039 by her faith, 00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:46.360 it changed the course, 00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:48.000 of those around her, 00:36:49.239 --> 00:36:50.380 God had provided, 00:36:50.739 --> 00:36:51.779 for her need, 00:36:52.139 --> 00:36:53.420 God had taken care, 00:36:54.079 --> 00:36:54.619 of her, 00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:56.500 you know, 00:36:56.559 --> 00:36:57.460 this is what happened, 00:36:57.519 --> 00:36:58.119 to this woman, 00:36:58.219 --> 00:36:59.320 her need was met, 00:36:59.840 --> 00:37:01.559 her son saw the miracle, 00:37:01.799 --> 00:37:02.400 and God, 00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:04.259 was glorified, 00:37:05.199 --> 00:37:06.900 God was lifted up, 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:08.779 by her faith, 00:37:08.780 --> 00:37:10.160 you know, 00:37:10.180 --> 00:37:11.580 as we see God multiply, 00:37:11.760 --> 00:37:12.760 the little we have, 00:37:13.200 --> 00:37:14.760 we experience the reality, 00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:16.040 of his power at work, 00:37:16.240 --> 00:37:16.580 in, 00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:18.220 and through us, 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:19.960 you know, 00:37:19.960 --> 00:37:20.820 we need to keep in mind, 00:37:20.960 --> 00:37:21.620 we'll end here, 00:37:21.720 --> 00:37:22.660 Jeremiah 32, 00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:24.200 17 tells us this, 00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:25.280 it says, 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:26.740 all Lord God, 00:37:26.860 --> 00:37:28.000 behold thou hast made, 00:37:28.100 --> 00:37:29.080 the heavens and the earth, 00:37:29.500 --> 00:37:30.740 by thy great power, 00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:31.960 and stretched out arm, 00:37:32.600 --> 00:37:34.120 and there is nothing, 00:37:34.320 --> 00:37:35.019 too hard, 00:37:36.060 --> 00:37:36.840 for thee, 00:37:36.840 --> 00:37:39.960 God can take care, 00:37:40.820 --> 00:37:42.039 of our need, 00:37:42.720 --> 00:37:43.860 what we see, 00:37:43.980 --> 00:37:44.640 is impossible, 00:37:46.120 --> 00:37:47.519 God has it handled, 00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:49.700 as we trust him, 00:37:50.059 --> 00:37:50.460 let's pray, 00:37:50.460 --> 00:37:50.490 holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy