There Is No Room

       We have all heard of the Christmas story and it is a wonderful and important story to know and learn but since most of us have heard that beautiful story I want to look at the story in a different light this season. Jesus’ birth is the only reason we have this season, God came to earth to give us a way to escape the wiles of the devil but we must learn how he plans to attempt to destroy us all.

       Living in a home filled with the love and peace of God Himself is almost like living in heaven right here on earth. We all know that it is true and long to live in such a home. Yet, time and time again we tend to short change our families, we spend our kindest words and our most winning smiles on those beyond our front door. Spiritually speaking our families are under attack, it is not only one of our most precious gifts when it is operating in harmony, and it is also one of our most powerful resources. Satan knows that even if we did not and he is out to completely destroy it. He will do everything he can to stir up strife, jealousy, and self-pity in our homes. He will encourage us to nurse resentments and harbor bitterness and through it all his purpose to is to divide and destroy our families.

        When we God’s people get into harmony with each other, miracles start to happen and the same can happen for our families. Their agreement creates an atmosphere in which God’s super natural, miracle working power is free to flow, so Satan is constantly tempting us to spoil that flow and atmosphere; by fowling things up to stay at odds with each other. All too often we do not realize just how dangerous strife can become; a close look at the word can help us to solve that problem. In James 3:16 says that where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

        Do not let the quarrels of Satan sneak into your families; stop the destruction before it starts. We must anchor ourselves in God’s word; find out what he says about the power of agreement. Stop looking at our families with our own limited perspectives and start seeing it as God sees it – as a powerhouse. This way we will not drift into an argument every time a gust of emotion blows through our home.

        We have all gotten memories we do not care to remember because it brings back the pain and the heart ache of rejections, heartaches, or criticism. Forgiving sounds simple yet we treat it like it as if it were one of life’s additional options. It is not something we can take or leave; it is a requirement for everyone by God. It states in Matthew 18 in a parable that unforgiveness is wickedness and Jesus illustrates the consequences of it.

        If we are harboring the bitterness, envy, and jealousy then we have no room for loving care, honor, or peace. Determine right now not to let devil have our families; instead pray for them, support them, and love them. Christmas is not only a time to remember but a time to forget. When we forgive and forget we are able to clear out all the corners of our heart and make room for Jesus. Let us not harbor the emotions about our families; let us put Jesus in everything we do and say to all of family members and grow closer and activate the powerhouse that we can posse through obedience.

Written by: Karen ReNee

Walking By Faith



Thank Him for the Little Things

Today is the day to brag on God, we are to live in hope and we are to rejoice because greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. Be steadfast and patient in long suffering and tribulation. Our time seems to be ever ending but the children of Israel was in the wilderness for 40 years and they are His chosen people. We are the Gentiles that have been adopted into His loving arms of grace.

People of the world already have all the pain and agony they want, they are looking for a way out of torment and pain. The sinners of this world are looking for results and relief of worry, pain, and agony. We the Gentiles in God’s grace are the people that can show them Jesus and love. In Matthew 15 it says that God gets the glory when they see the lame walk and the blind can see. In John 15 it talks about how our Father is glorified, when you bear much fruit. What are our fruits? It is when lives are being restored and healed by the power of God.

We are able to show and gain fruits when we obey the Lord in the little things that He commands us to do. Have you ever wanted to take on some really big project in the kingdom of God; but Lord just doesn’t seem to let step into that role. It may be because there are steps to reach that role and we must concur each step before we can move into the next step. The Lord worked with the children of Israel in the same manner.

He wanted to take the children of Israel into the Promised Land but before He could do this He had to know if they would obey Him and listen to His voice. If they did not then the enemies that were standing between them and the Promised Land would over take them and wipe them out; the Lord had to prepare them for the battles to come.

One of the simplest tests the Lord placed in front of the Israelites is in Exodus 16 when the Lord told Moses that He will allow bread to rain from heaven and the people were to go out and gather a certain rate every day and I will see if they will obey my law or not. God used this manna from heaven to see if they would obey Him. He told them how much to gather, when to gather it, when not to gather, and what to do with it after they brought it in. The Israelites went right out and violated those instructions and because of this they had to continue to wonder and the Lord tried other test throughout the time they were in the wilderness till they passed the tests to be able to move into the Promised Land.

The Lord works the same way today; before He can send you out on a really big project He will give you the opportunity to prove that you will trust and obey the simplest instructions. A simple test could be praying for an hour every morning before we start our day and we say that is a good idea but we never seem to get around to it.

Don’t make that mistake by letting the little things get in the way of our future big project. Let the Lord see that you can be trusted in the little things and keeping all of His commandments too. You will find that your blessings will become greater than you can hold and the Lord will start sending you bigger assignments till one day you realize that you have stepped into that really big project that you wanted to do for Him.

Written By: Karen ReNee – Nov 2012

I Am Reminded

I was sitting on my porch this morning with my mug of coffee feeling the cool breeze hitting my face and watching the leaves fall from the trees beside the house while feeling the sweet peaceful presence of the Lord. I knew this was a wonderful day that the Lord has made for us and as we talked I was reminded about this little thought from a dear friend of mind and I wanted to share this thought with you.

One day a woman’s husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn’t anymore. No more phone calls just to chat, no more “just one minute dear,” no more smiles across the table, and no more memories to be made; only the memories he left behind. Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, sometimes we are not allowed the chance to return to say the things we need to or before we can say I’m sorry, good-bye, and most importantly say “I Love You” to the people you care about.

So while we have today together, it is best we love each other with all our heart, take care of each other with tender care, fix the things that is broken and help to heal each other when we are sick. This is true for marriage... and old cars... and children with bad report cards, dogs with bad hips, our aging parents and grandparents but we also need to remember our church family which is bigger than those that come to the little building in Dalton; our church family is across the globe. We keep them because they are worth it; we love them because there is a feeling inside of each of us that says you are truly special in God’s eyes.

Some things we are able to keep – like a friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make us happy such as sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee chatting with a dear friend. Life is important, like the people we know who are special, and so, we pray for them and we keep them close to our hearts!

I received this from someone who was very special to me and she thought I was a ‘keeper’! Now I want give it to the special people and I want you to know today that you too, are a keeper. Now it’s your turn to do the same for all those special people who are “keepers” in your life, it doesn’t matter who does it first, as long as we do it. Suppose one morning you are the one that is taken home to be with Jesus, do all your special friends or loved ones know just how much you care about them and how much you really love them?

So as I sat there on my little porch sipping on my coffee I began thinking... I could die today, tomorrow or the next week, and I questioned whether or not I had any wounds that needed to be healed, friendships that needed to be rekindled or if I had forgotten to say these three special words that need and should always be said. Let every one of your friends know how much you love them. Even if you think they don’t Love you in return, you will be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do.

We should always live as though Jesus died yesterday; he arose today, and is coming back tomorrow for this is basically how God sees it; for to Him a thousand years is as one day. So my brethren live today to the fullest for tomorrow is not promised. And just in case God calls me home before we get a chance to meet again; I will meet you at the table but I want you to know today and right now that with all my heart…

I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!!!

Written by Karen ReNee

He Don't See Me With His Eyes

       As I sat down and began to write this newsletter, the Lord showed me a vision. I was sitting in a rocking chair, and this chair was under a big oak tree out in the middle of a beautiful green field and there were children running all around me.

 

       My dress was silvery yet white in color. It was long with a full skirt. In the skirt I could see many shiny stones, and on the bottom edge of the hem it sparkled as if it had been dusted with gold glitter. My shoes were clear yet gold in color. The top of my dress was covered in a lace of colors, so that each time I moved you saw something different. My hair was long and combed in a way I had never seen it before, each hair was perfect in color, small yellow roses were stuck in it with small curls to frame my face. My face was flawless, no wrinkles or age spots were to be found. It glowed with so much joy and yet peace was what you found.
 

      As I rocked and sang the children no longer ran and played in the field but they began to come and sit and lay near the chair; some smiled, some napped, some sang with me, and some even laughed. If I quit singing or rocking the children would get up and start running and romping and playing again.

      The Lord then told me to look in the mirror and tell him what I saw. I saw a middle aged woman with wrinkles and flaws on her hands and face and had made so many mistakes.
 

      The Lord was trying to help me so that I could explain to you, just how he sees exactly each and every one of us look to Him. He doesn’t see our flaws or mistakes, once we repent with an earnest heart and turn from our mistakes, Mark 11 says ... if we don’t believe the word in our heart then our words has no power. You must believe in your heart before it can come to pass. II Corinthians 10 says ... take a thought captive by using the word of God. We must learn how to control our thought life.

      When the Lord showed me this vision he told me, “This is the you I’m trying to bring you to. He said, I don’t see you with carnal eyes I see you with spiritual eyes and to the fullest of your ability. I don’t need what you lost, for I want to use what you have left, I will bless you in ways you never dreamed possible. Use what you have and I will take it and turn it into the supernatural but you must trust me. This will only come through prayer and fasting. Obey my word for you are my child and I am your God.”

      In Psalms 91 it says He will keep you in all your ways. No mater where we go or what we do, He is there. God wants to turn things around for us. It isn’t over until we hear the great trumpet sound. The word has only one message throughout the Bible, obey my word and be blessed or ignore my word and be cursed.

      There are times when we need to give God an anyway praise, when all seems to be lost or going wrong, at the top of our lungs shout “Hallelujah anyhow!!! When you shout you are holding up your shield of faith and the things which the devil is trying to hurt and deceive you with, will seem pointless to you. He no longer has a hold on you.

 

      Each time we yield to the will of God and let Him use us, whether it’s in a song, with music, in teaching or preaching, writing, cleaning the church, and even listening to others God sews another stone into our garment that we wear. He doesn’t use threading or has to measure it, for He threads it with Love.
 

      When a man has stayed with and Loved one woman for 60 or 70 years he doesn’t see her wrinkles, flaws, gray hair, no teeth, or her slow unsteady steps. He sees the same young vibrant and beautiful woman he fell in love with many years ago. This is how our Lord sees us each and every day. He will always see us with His heart.

Written by: Karen ReNee

Good Ol' Jim

       A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle; the minister frowned as he saw the man hadn’t shaved in a while. His shirt was kind a shabby and his coat was torn and frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away. In the days that followed, each noon time the chap came, each time he knelt for just a moment, a lunch pail in his lap.

       Well, the minister’s suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, he decided to stop the man and ask him, “What are you doing here?” The old man said, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. “I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is kind a what I say: “I just came to tell you, Lord, how happy I’ve been, since we found each other’s friendship and you took away my sins. Don’t know much how to pray, but I think about you everyday. So, Jesus, this is Jim checking in today.”

       The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray anytime. Time to go, Jim smiled, said “Thanks.” he hurried to the door. The minister knelt at the altar; he’d never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed by love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim’s prayer: “I just came again to tell you, Lord, how happy I’ve been, since we found each other’s friendship and you took away my sins. I don’t know much of how to pray, but I think about you every day. So, Jesus this is me checking in today.”

       Pass noon one day the minister noticed that old Jim hadn’t come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he had given them a thrill. The week that Jim was with them, brought changes to the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious, changed people were his reward. The head nurse couldn’t understand why Jim was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse’s concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up with a winsome smile; “the nurse is wrong, she couldn’t know, that in here all the while every day at noon he’s here, a dear friend of mine, you see, he sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:

 

       “I just came again to tell you, Jim, how happy I have been, since we found this friendship, and I took away your sins. I always love to hear you pray, I think about you each day, and so Jim, this is Jesus checking in today.”

       Many people walk in and out of our lives but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. May God hold you in the palm of his hand and angels watch over you, for we are continually in his sight.

 Isaiah 49:16

 

       I do not know the author of this little story but I wanted to share it with you and hope that you will see that everyone has a chance to know Jesus and we should not be the judge of someone just by the clothes they wear or the color of their skin or what nationality they are because Jesus loves everyone and He wants us all to go to heaven. Today is the day that the Lord has made and we should try to hold each other up in prayer. Let’s agree together that when Ol Jim comes to us we will embrace him and show as much love for him as our heavenly father does.



Where is Your Independence?

         Each year I find where we are blessed to see another Independence Day and how close we are to the coming of our Lord and Savior. In 2008 I wrote about the upcoming of the presidential election and we are facing the same thing in 2012. Is this going to be our last Independence Day in America? America as a whole seems to have turned her back on the very reason we came to this little piece of dirt. Each time I see a flag or a soldier my heart weeps and has pride because I’m proud to be an American Christian. I’m thankful that the men and women loved God so much that they packed up and chose to go where no one had gone. Looking for a place where they could worship God in the freedom they desired. 
         Many years ago in our Biblical times a man did the same thing because God told him to get up and pack his family and flock and go in the direction that he would show him later. This man did not ask where or how long it would take him to get there; all he did was ask when. Abraham trusted God so much that it did not matter what the Lord told him to do. Do we trust God enough not to ask why or where or do we sit around and complain because God has not blessed us and we do not want to do it because it seems silly or strange? If we can just trust in the Lord without questioning him or giving him the third degree just imagine the heights and the direction he will take us too.

         In I Thessalonians 2, I John 2, and in Revelations it describes the Anti-Christ of a man who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a massive Christ-like appeal...the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, he will destroy everything. Our time is so close. Our time to get in church is now, for He’s Coming! I pray with all my heart that you do not hesitate, or wait another moment.

         People it’s time we stop playing church for it won’t be long before we may have to meet in secret. Start paying attention to what is going on in Washington DC for this is where it is going to start. These other countries that are angry with us will come to our country. We could very possibly be invaded on our own soil. The killing and bombing could be in our own front yards. I know this has been different than the other newsletters and I hope I’ve been able to put what I have in my heart down to where you are able to see and understand what I feel the Lord has shown me. I pray with all my heart that you will come to see how close we are to going home.

         My Independence is in knowing that the Love of my Lord and Savior has for me is strong enough to carry me when I’m weary, comfort me when I’m sad, hold me when I need a hug, and correct me when I stray in the wrong direction. I also know my Lord and Savior also likes to be carried to every place we go, comforted when he is sad when a soul turns away from him, hold him because he likes to be hugged too, and loved because he chose to die for us all.

 

Written by: Karen ReNee

All in a Day With My Father

Some days are filled with joy
Some days are filled with sorrow
Some days are peaceful and serene
For I love to spend the day with my father.

He is my strength when I am weak
He is the praise in my songs
He is my comfort when I want to cry
He is my pillar to lean on in the time of trouble.

He never lets me down
He is always there when I call
He listens to me grumble
He loves to hear me praise him in everything.

There will come a time
When this day will never end
I won’t have to worry about
The mistakes I made or the forgotten thank you.

One day he will come to get me
I do not know when or how
It may be in a hospital room
Or he may come in on a beautiful cloud from heaven.

My earthly father has gone on
And can never be replaced
The father I speak of now and yours too
His name is Jesus, My heavenly father above.

I can feel His anointing
Like that mighty rushing wind
There can be no denying
When He steps into the room.

Written By: Karen ReNee, June 2012

My Strength

As I sat down to write this paper I found myself in so much joy and love I was unsure if I could put the feelings of peace and joy into words. God has been so good to me and I love Him so much; even though my finances are terrible and my bills are getting further and further behind. I do not see the things of this world as a priority; all I see is the coming of my Lord and king.

America has set aside this month to celebrate our fathers and we should do this daily because there may come a time that our earthly father may no longer be here for us talk to, get direction, or strength but there is a father who wants to be here for each of us in every way. Jesus said he would never leave or forsake us. Our tongue is one of the most powerful forces we possess and speaking the word of God out loud will give you strength. In John 6 it tells us that the words He speaks to us is life so if you speak words of God that are positive then we will receive spiritual and physical life but if we are speaking words that are negative then we are receiving spiritual death and at times physical death.

The word of God is the most powerful medicine we can take in this world but we must follow the instructions He has given us. When we go to a doctor and he gives us a medicine we generally follow the instructions on the prescription bottle so that we can recover from the illness in our body. We must do the same with the word of God or the medicine cannot work properly and the benefits for our spiritual life will suffer.

In Proverbs 4 it says that the words are life and health to you. His word is to heal us in body and soul and if you apply it today and every day then you can prevent illness from affecting your body and your spirit. This will keep God’s healing power working in abundance in your daily life and it will be difficult for you to get sick. Unlike the medicine of your doctor there is no limit to the amount of God’s medicine and you will never overdose; you will only grow closer and stronger in Him.

One of the secrets is to put God’s word first in your life; find the time to get in the word daily. I know you have heard this all before but I challenge you to read the four gospels and Acts three times in 30 days. Don’t get me wrong it will not be easy to find the time when we are trying to work, take care of our home and family, and some of us are trying to go to school too. It also says in Proverbs 4 that wisdom is the principle thing and with understanding so embrace the word of God for it is our strength in Him. I wasn’t sure if I could do it but I made it a priority in my daily schedule. You will be amazed as I was because not only does it affect your spiritual life but I found that I was able to accomplish more of my household work too. Invest your time in the word first and soon you will see that investment pay off in every area of your life.

In Hebrews 4 it talks about the promise of rest when we enter into His word and believe, for His word is sharper than any two-edged sword and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Without God’s word daily we cannot be at peace and without peace we cannot receive the joy in our lives or stand in faith to overcome the fiery darts of the devil. Come boldly before the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy in our time of need; without the word we cannot make it.

So get an addiction to the word of God and all you have to do is make a decision to give yourself to it. To focus your time and attention on it; the more you do the more your desire will grow to do and give more of your time; eventually it will consume you completely and this is how we are able to grow and stand without fear. I have never known anyone walking in faith and power that hadn’t developed the same type of addiction to the word and giving themselves totally to the word for an extended time; not just a little time here and there but making the word of God a priority in their daily life. So make it point to find some serious time for the word and become a “word addict” today and soon you find that you cannot live without it.

Written by: Karen ReNee, June 2012

Memorial Day

Many thanks, love, and appreciation goes out to the past and present for their dedication to America and our freedom of choice.

Prayer is a Conversation

Prayer is the beginning of a conversation with our Lord Jesus; speak to him and He will answer.
I Thessalonians 5:12, 16-18
And we beseech you, brethern, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you.
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Jesus Knows

When Jesus was on the cross and dieing, He looks down to find His mother at His feet. He knows that she is in pain for him, her son, her first born. His love for his mother then directs him to have John to take care of his mother. Jesus is a very compassionate man, He went to the cross to free us from our sin and shame, and still found the time to take care of his mother.
It has been said for generations, that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. I’m not just talking about the love of a mother but also the love of a child for our mother. Somewhere in the line the mothers began to get slack in the raising of the children. Each generation gets a little worse than the last each time. The values that our ancestors had just 60 or 70 years ago, such as to fear, love and obey God seem to be the furthest thing from our minds.
We, the children of God, have the Love for our mother and our children needs to begin to take back what Satan has taken away from us. It wasn’t noticeable until you look at what our grandparents from several generations back did in the church and for God and what we are doing today.
God is still the same; it is us that have changed. God will and still wants to do the miracles, but we are not believing he will do it for us as He did in the days of old. We are the chosen generation, so it is up to us to take back and claim what is God’s, our children and our families. He promised that if we will raise up a child in the way it should go, he or she will never depart from it.
God is waiting on us to have the willing heart and determined mind to take back what is ours plus seven times more. We could make Satan release seven other families, if we believe and stand firm in our faith. His word says that we have the power over Satan and his demons. It’s time we begin to fast and pray for our church family, God’s children.
In John 17 it says not to look to the left or to the right, but to keep our eyes on him. He loved us enough to give us a beautiful world to live in for a while till He comes back, and will bring us back to live with Him forever in heaven.
I myself as a mother and as a child (and a child of God), I do hereby claim and stand upon the faith that my family and seven other families will come unto the Lord as promised by God as it says in His word today.
It is time we become the burning bush, fire may be all around us yet we are not consumed. Even though there is destruction all around we shall not be consumed. Stand firm in the word for we are planted on Holy Ground, and we shall not be moved. God is with us each and every moment of every day. He does not sleep, this is why we are able to sleep and rest in peace each night when we close our eyes. Continue to claim and take back our families from Satan plus seven other families, for this is the promise, saith the word of God. Remember there are angels in our midst and they are sent by God to keep and protect us.
Jesus knows it is almost time for Him to come and get His bride. He is waiting upon God to say, “Go and get my children”, so let’s be ready and watching for His arrival in the eastern skies. Our time is almost up, let’s not wait for we may find ourselves without love, without hope, without God and without heaven.


Written by: Karen ReNee May 2011

Living by Faith – It’s a Life Style

II Timothy 2:3 – Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ!

On a night similar to this many years ago it was raining and thundering; many people were broken hearted, filled with despair and there were others that were merry and gambling while you hung on that cross bleeding and in great pain wondering how long you must suffer and wait for the peace of death to come in and give you rest. God was in great pain too to know that he had to sacrifice his only son to save the lives of all the sinners then and those to come.
Satan thought he had finally beaten God by taking the life of his son but what he did not realize was Jesus gave it knowing how many souls he would take back from Satan. Jesus waited for the time when he could walk among the demons in hell so that he could take the keys of death and the grave from him once and for all. We no longer have to fear death or the grave because if we are a child of the king we will not know death or the grave. If we die before Jesus returns we will just step from this body into the new body we have been promised to receive when we leave this world.
This joyous occasion doesn’t end there but not only did Jesus take the keys of death in those three days he also returned upon the earth to show the people that believed and loved him so much that he did what he said he would do. He appeared to the disciples and other apostles several times. He also told them to gather in an upper room and wait for him; but they were not to sit around and gossip while they waited; he told them to tarry. Tarry means to linger in expectation or to abide at a place; so they were told expect something.
Jesus came as he promised and when the Holy Ghost showed up; God showed out. We now have the comforter to dwell inside our hearts to lead and guide us from sun up to sun up; meaning never ending. He watching over us while we go to school, work to provide for our families, washing dishes, cleaning the house, mowing the lawn, and while we sleep. Some of the best time I receive peaceful sleep is between 2:00 and 6:00 in the morning. A lot of times this is also when Jesus wakes me up to talk to me or I have a vision.
But these things I’ve mentioned are the best part of the story; the best part is that when Jesus ascended up into heaven he told them to watch and pray because he will be coming back some day to take to be with him forever more. No more pain, no more bills, no more broken hearts, no more struggling, and no more fear or worries of any kind.
We’ve been redeemed from the curse, and there’s nothing that Satan can do to reverse that, but he is going to challenge you on it. Times will come when you will have to stand strictly by faith, you will have to speak and act what God says is true even when you can’t feel it or see it happening around you. Living by faith isn’t something you try but it’s a life-style. You do it when it’s hard and you do it when it’s easy. You do it all the time because you’re not just doing it to get in on the benefits. You’re doing it because you know that faith pleases God.
Things may get a little rough at times, but let me assure you; you will come out on top if you endure hardness as a good soldier. If you refuse to faint and fall away, you will have the victory. The only defeated Christian is the one who quits!


Written by: Karen ReNee, April 2012
Other Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:6 & Number 14:1-24

God's Care For A Single Mom

by Gail Rodgers

(The Widow’s Oil)
2 Kings 4:1-7
She was desperate. A widow with two young boys. Her husband had died leaving her with debts she could not pay. Oh, he had been a good man, even a religious man. And she had tried hard to make the payments. But today her purse was empty and her cupboard was bare. News had come to her that his creditor was demanding payment and was coming to take her two boys to work for him as slaves in order to pay off her husband’s debt.
In desperation she ran to the house of Elijah. He was a “holy man”, a prophet, a man set apart by God. The local minister of the day. He knew her husband from the religious community where they had worked together. The young widow cried out her anguish to Elijah. “My husband is dead,” she sobbed, “and you know he was a man that revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves”.
Elijah asked her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“I have nothing there at all”, she said, “except a little oil.”
Then Elijah told her to do a strange thing. He told her to “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.”
Knowing the little oil she had in the house, this woman could have easily written this strange advice off as the impractical thoughts of a religious fanatic. But she didn’t. She had a faith of her own and a situation that truly needed a miracle. So off she went with her boys to collect jars. And not just a few! Can’t you just imagine the murmur in the neighborhood as this young mom and her boys knocked on door after door with the question, “May I borrow any spare jars you have?”
Then when they had plenty, when their table was covered and the ground around as well, Mom shut the door behind her and her sons. She reached up into the cupboard for the small bottle of oil and began to pour. One jar filled, then two, then three. The boys brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.
Imagine the excitement growing in that little home as each jar is filled from the small bottle. Imagine all the jars on the table full and the boys begin to lift the ones off the floor. Mom glanced into the little bottle. Still some oil in there! She smiled at her boys and they smiled back. A quiet excitement grew as they realized they were witness to a miracle, a private demonstration of God’s mercy and grace. A quiet miracle that could only happen because of the faith and obedience of a Mom who took the risk.
“Bring me another jar”, she said to her son. But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.
In excitement the woman ran back to Elijah’s house and told Elijah what had happened. Words must have tumbled out on one another as she recounted the miracle. Elijah said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
How the neighborhood must have buzzed as mom and her boys lugged the jars down to the market and sold the oil. How faith must have grown in the hearts of the woman and her sons as the coins collected, jingling in her pocket. How grateful she must have been as she thankfully paid off the pursuing creditor.
How well she must have slept that night knowing she had a God who could do miracles. She had a God who cared about her and her two boys. Yes, she had a God that could be relied on. How thankful she must have been that she had taken the risk in collecting those jars when she knew she did not have oil to fill them. What a miracle they would have missed!
Imagine how she and her boys would recount the story over and over to one another in the years to come. God can be relied on!!
The God of yesterday is still the God of today. The widow’s God is still the same God that cares about you and your kids. He is still in the business of miracles. He still looks for hearts that will trust Him, hearts that will take the risk of believing and obeying.
If you need a miracle today go to God and ask Him for His help. Find a Godly person to pray with you. Believe in Him, obey Him and watch Him work.
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
“You are the helper of the fatherless” Psalm 10:14b

The original posting of this story was on this website - http://www.christianwomentoday.com

Welcome To My Blog

I love to work with numbers so in 2009 my children convinced me to go back to school and get my degree. Accounting has always been a dream of mine and I can now see how wonderful it can be; I have been attending Kaplan University for three great years and I have almost completed a portion of my dream. 

Here I hope to experience the joy of working with people in their small companies and their personal financial information. This dream job will create an income that I can provide the necessities for my family. Bookkeeping and tax preparation are the main areas I wish be in contact with and at this time I'm looking for a part-time position in a small company until I finish school. This will allow me to get a hands on experience and a way to practice my new skills. 

Thank you for visiting my blog and if I can offer some assistance with bookkeeping please let me know.

Karen ReNee