In 2 Kings Chapter 4 we have an interesting story. A recent widow complains to Elisha, the head prophet of the prophet school, that creditors are coming and since her husband has passed, she has no means to pay her debts. Elisha asked her what she has in the house. The desperation is poignant in her reply, "Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil." (2 Kings 4:2) Elisha then tells her to go to her neighbors and borrow empty jars, and not just a few. He then told her to take that little bit of oil and pour it into those borrowed jars. Which she did. And to her surprise the oil only stopped flowing when the last jar she had borrowed was filled. She then sold the oil and was able to pay off her creditors.
There are so many lessons in this story.
Successful people take advice from those with a proven track record. Wisdom can be found in the right source if we search it out. But once you found the right source, then it is imperative that you actually follow that advice. Many times people come for advice, but they do not put into practice the advice they received.
Asking for those jars could have created a crisis of faith for her. How would she explain it to her neighbors? Is it possible that we miss God’s active intervention in our lives because we don’t want to share with others what God is asking us to do? So we don’t do anything.
We don’t know how many jars she borrowed, but let’s say it is 5. Why did she stop there? I wonder what she thought when the last jar was filled and there were no more. Did she kick herself for not getting five more jars? Maybe it was too much work to carry home those jars. Maybe the neighbors were too far apart and her feet got sore. Maybe she really didn’t believe it and so didn’t want to go to too much effort just in case it didn’t work. When the last jar was filled, it would not have been loss to her, that the blessing was in direct proportion to how many jars she borrowed.
I wonder how many times we have felt shortchanged by the hand of God. God may not be responsible; maybe we got advice from the wrong person. Or, it might be, we didn’t take the advice from the right person. Worse yet, we did not follow the advice with enthusiasm, going further and deeper than what would seem reasonable? God loves taking the little we have and enlarging it, increasing it, ballooning it, so that we are blessed beyond measure. It just requires little things from us - like faith and obedience. As the scripture says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
Baptism
Have you made a public commitment to Christ? It is one thing to say you are a Christian, but you can take it to another level when you publicly declare your commitment in the waters of baptism. When you choose to participate in water baptism you are making a covenant with God that you are his and he is yours. It is like a marriage covenant where you publicly declare your commitment to each other. Baptism is the covenant where you make a decision to leave this world and become a follower of Jesus. God then makes a covenant that you will be his child forever. Wow. We will be having a baptism Sunday, December 17th. If you are interested in learning more about baptism email me at my personal email. pastorjim@kcfoffice.com. By the way, Romans 6:3-14 gives a good explanation for the benefits of being baptized.
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Children’s Village in Haiti
Invite your friends and co-workers to give a child a chance as we enjoy a meal and fun night together. Funds raised will go towards building the next home in the children’s village. Visit http://www.haitiarise.org/childrens-village to learn more about this. The Dinner will take place at KCF on Thursday, December 14 at 6pm. There will be a Talent Show and Toonie Auction. Tickets are $30 (includes $20 tax receipt). Click on the link for full details http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com/dat/images/2017-11/spaghetti-dinner-fundraiser-poster-2017.jpg
Tickets available at KCF Office, S.H.A.R.E. Nelson or Kelly Eckes staygold1969@hotmail.com.
Do you or do you know someone with a special talent, please have them contact Kelly. Let’s make this the best night ever.
Haiti Arise
KCF is actively involved with supporting Haiti Arise. Please keep them in prayer as this is active hurricane season for them. To find out more about Haiti Arise, click on the link. http://www.haitiarise.org/
S.H.A.R.E. Nelson
S.H.A.R.E. is accepting and receiving donations and new items are being put out for sale every day. Come down and support the poor. If you would like to volunteer at S.H.A.R.E. we currently have great ministry opportunities. Call the store at 250.352.1222 or stop by the store to inquire. Click on this link to check out S.H.A.R.E.’s video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZX9v7gxdM
Calendar of Events
Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.
Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Pastor Jim
E-transfers to office@kcfoffice.com
Kootenay Christian Fellowship520 Falls Street (1/2 Block up from Baker Street)Nelson, BC V1L 6B5