GIVING FOR OPEN DOORS

2^nd Kings 4:3-4

Then he said, Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 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.

Our opening scripture is the story of the widow whose husband served Prophet Elisha. She had run into some debts and was unable to pay.  You would expect the initial response of Prophet Elijah to be “Go, the Lord will cause money to rain down from heaven”. Rather, He required that she go and borrow jars, empty jars for that matter.

Our natural response as humans will be to conclude that the prophet was quite inconsiderate. How useful are empty jars at this time sir? But the laws of the spirit are in constant war with the natural mind. The obedience of the widow woman to this seemly difficult instruction from the Prophet, caused her to experience an open door where debts became a thing of past. What an amazing story!

Today, let our opening scripture become a fountain of understanding in your heart with each given opportunity to give, that presents itself to you. Refuse to question that which God has required of you. It may seem unrealistic but obey. What God has for you far outweighs that which you have in your hand. Hallelujah!

Prayer for the day: Dear Father, thank you for the revelation of your word, help me not to withhold my hand in Jesus name.

Japan

68% are unreached with the Gospel. About 70% are Buddhists. The impact of the Japanese Church on the nation is inadequate. The Church must turn from its insular, bunker mentality to engage with society. There is need to have new paradigms of ministry to reach their world.

Y: We are praying for a new generation of pastors as 70% of the existing pastors are over age 50.

Prayer for leaders/nation: Father, remove leaders and men of authority that you did not set up. Give the nation selfless leaders, men and women of wisdom and understanding; leaders who will not cause the people to err.

Prayer for Israel: Father, I ask today that there will be peace in Jerusalem and that your purposes be established in that city, Amen (Ps 122:6).

Prayer for Unity in the Church: We pray, help us to love one another as you have loved us in Jesus name.

Prayer for Souls/Revival: Father in the name of Jesus, we pray for men and women out there in this city who do not know you; we cry out for their souls that they will be convinced of the reality of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and they will be bold to accept and declare his Lordship.

STUDY YOUR BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  JUDGES 17&18, MATTHEW 1, PSALMS 44