Empty Vessels Made Full

As 2014 draws to a close, this blog has passed a significant milestone:  50,000 views from all over the world.  It is a great blessing to be able to freely share the love of Jesus Christ and the truth of scripture with all who are interested.  My schedule 2015 looks to be busier than ever, and as God leads and provides I shall continue to regularly contribute to the blog.

In the last month, the top visitors to the blog came from the United States, France, Australia, Ukraine, and Germany.  Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and South Korea are also listed on the all time most viewed list.  I thank the LORD for the internet and the translation tools which allow people from all over the world to read with understanding.  Much to my surprise, the blog has been the means to connect me face to face in fellowship with Christians I never knew before.  My prayer is through these words God would be glorified and praised for His goodness and truth.

Dear Christian, I encourage you to follow Jesus Christ closer this year than ever before.  Joyfully spend and be spent for His glory, God's grace working in you to labour abundantly for Him.  He will supply all your needs, even as He did for the indebted woman through Elisha written of in 2 Kings.  She was desperate because her husband died and left her with a large debt she could not pay.  Her sons were at risk to become slaves and she cried out to Elisha for help.  He asked her what she had on hand.  All she had in the house was a jar of oil.  Things looked bleak and desperate.

2 Kings 4:3-7 reveals what followed:  "Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors--empty vessels; do not gather just a few. ⁴ And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones." ⁵ So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. ⁶ Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, "There is not another vessel." So the oil ceased. ⁷ Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest."  The woman and her sons were obedient to gather up all the empty vessels.  According to the command of the man of God they shut the door, and poured and poured.  The oil from the original vessel failed only when there was not another empty vessel to fill.  After all the vessels were filled, they went back to Elisha who bid them sell the oil, pay the debt, and live on the rest.

Are you willing to be an empty vessel God can fill with the Holy Spirit?  You may look inside and see your complete poverty of soul.  You may look at your life and wonder what you could possibly contribute of value for the kingdom of God.  The truth is, we are nothing and have nothing.  But when we are empty of self and obey God's Word in faith, He will supply all we need.  Our meager efforts can produce life-saving, transformational changes in the church and the world.  Will you lay down your will before the LORD this year?  How about today?  Will today be the day when you finally surrender in joyful obedience?

God asked Moses, "What is in your hand?"  He answered, "A rod." (Ex. 4:2)  It was that rod God used to do mighty wonders in Egypt and even prove Aaron was His chosen high priest.  Instead of lamenting what you do not have and why you cannot do as you wish, what is in your hand?  What is in your house?  Ask God how He would have you invest yourself in His work.  Even if it is only a little pot of oil or a stick, God will do miraculous wonders if we will trust and obey!