Do You Have Empty Jars?

Barb Suiter shares with us, "My faith sets the limits of my miracles.

My blue bird houses had to be emptied and cleaned out for a new season of nesting. 

Imagine my sadness when I scraped out a dead blue bird. Emptying and cleaning out for a refilling is part of life, whether it is boxes, jars, garages, or birdhouses.

'Do you have an empty jar?' the grieving widow asked her neighbors, hesitantly at first, somewhat embarrassed at such a request. 

'Ask your neighbors for empty jars. And don't ask for just a few. Then go home and shut your door.' (2 Kings 4:3, 4)

The widow was commanded to ask for jars. She needed as many as she could collect. Even as questions arose in her worried spirit, she continued to walk, continued to ask her curious neighbors. 

Carrying her empty treasures, she obeyed the prophet's command, 'But first shut the door.'

God often works in the secret places. He chooses to come when the door is 'shut' from questions, from curiosity, faithless opinions, and fear. 

How often do I seek Google's solution or call a friend to tell me what I want to hear? Then the Lord whispers, "Shut the door." 

When I am protected from prying eyes and inquiring minds behind closed doors, I am free to surrender in hushed obedience. 

Total obedience comes first in the silent chambers of my heart. His presence, His answer, His peace are poured into my hollowness.

The oil was multiplied in the pouring for this widow. In obedience, she acted on the command of the Lord. 

God wanted her to know personally He was the I Am of her life, and He was the supplier of her needs. 

But she had to ask for empty jars -- and shut her door to those snooping onlookers and demanding creditors -- to be alone with the One who would fill her vessels. 

Gather your containers behind closed doors. Your faith sets the limits of your miracles. Pray for all the empty places that need a refilling, and let God pour the oil of His answer into your emptiness. 

He will saturate every dry crevice."

Empty Jars - Barb Suiter

Barbara Suiter is a wife, mother, and grandmother of thirteen. 

  She is married to Tom Suiter, Associate Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Lebanon, Tennessee. 

  The couple has recently returned from serving ten years in Western Europe as missionaries. She is a freelance writer and women’s Bible study leader and teacher.

Read Barbara's devotions.  

  

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(Used by permission http://www.christiandevotions.us/ and Barb Suiter)

Store Jean's link for future referencing.  Jean's blog 

Five Summer Sanity Savers for Moms!
By Jill Savage on Jun 03, 2014 05:34 am

"The days of summer are upon us.  For those with school-age children it means change.

Within a matter of days many moms will have their children home for the summer.  I always looked forward to that time with both excitement and uncertainty.  As an at-home mom, I would ask myself, “Just how will we fill our hours and our days?”

Jill has some good suggestions. I hope you'll check out her blog, to read them...

Let’s pray:

   Father, may we gather our containers behind closed doors, and may our faith not set the limits for our miracles! 

   I pray for all the empty places that need a refilling, and I ask for You to pour Your oil into my emptiness. 

   Thank You, for I know You will saturate my every dry crevice.

   I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen. 

Today’s Bible verse:   (Ps. 37:5) "Commit they way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

Today’s quote: 

Justus Martin – “I have found that life is not about Yesterday or tomorrow. Life is today! Life is not made up of what I had or wish I had, but is made up of what I have today and what I am doing with it today. Success is not measured by strength but grows amidst brokenness. Pain is not understood, it is felt. Tears don’t sting, they heal. People are not faces; they are souls. Knowing and having children is one of the greatest honors given to man by God.”

Some thoughts today: 

- All areas of our lives need to reflect the Kingdom of God. Unless God helps us in every part, it becomes a useless effort.

- Our Kingdom endeavors have challenges. Building families is Kingdom building.

- Know and keep the vision you have for the reason you do what you do for God, and its importance.

8th- Sunday’s post:  Cancer (his story)  James Cagle

8th- evening's post: Old Person Pride  Unknown 

10th- Tuesday's post:  #91  Quiet People  C. Peter Wagner

12th- Thursday's post:  #92  The Pastor Has a High 
Priority  C. Peter Wagner

A popular post: 

Lord, I want to Know You More  As seen on GodVine 

A man after God's own heart!

"Lord I want to know you more,
than just a figment of the mind,

I want to know you in a way,
that I will let Your light shine..."

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  

Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal

Wisdom for Women

Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help) 

#90 Prophetic Intercession

C. Peter Wagner relates some  
facts about Prophetic Intercession:

"All true intercessors hear from God on a regular basis and most from time to time will move into prophetic intercession.

Don Block, a lay minister from Jacksonville, Florida, is an example of one who has a ministry of prophetic intercession. He prays on call from the Lord for situations all over the world.

Block says,

    'The Lord shows me events that are about to take place and asks me to pray for them. I believe God is calling many people to be intercessors and more and more He is giving the gift of prophetic intercession.'

Cindy Jacobs defines prophetic intercession as 

    'an urging to pray given by the Holy Spirit for situations or circumstances about which you have very little knowledge in the natural. You pray for the prayer requests that are on the heart of God.'

Lois Main, an intercessor from Coalinga, California, could not sleep one night in April 1983. She sensed she heard the Lord say,

    'Pray for the people of Coalinga. Go out and pray now.'

Although it was a strange time for such an assignment, Lois obeyed, got dressed, and walked the dark and deserted streets of Coalinga faithfully, praying for the people in each building she passed.

After a long period of time, she felt the release to go back to bed and sleep the rest of the night.

The next afternoon Coalinga suffered a 6.5 earthquake. The local hospital was braced and on high alert to treat all the victims. However, only 25 people showed up, most for minor injuries.

Sondra Johnson, who tells this story, comments,

    'Intercessors must be willing to step out in faith and pray as God speaks to their hearts. Like most who pray prophetically, we might never know the results. But we must leave that to God, knowing we have done His will.'

Lois Main had the added satisfaction of knowing the results."

(Google image and emphasis added)

#90  Prophetic Intercession,

in the series taken from C. Peter 

Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, 

How to intercede for pastors, Christian

 leaders and others on the spiritual

 frontlines. (pgs. 168-169)
By Regal Books

PRAYER SHIELD  ChristianBooks - offered for $9.69 There are many of Wagner's books offered. Type in the title of this book at top of page.

Jean's blog Store this link for further referencing.

Let’s pray:

   Father, may we be alert to Your impressions to pray for someone or something of importance to You.

   Open my heart and mind to receive the burden at hand, and to pray effectively.

   I may not know the results, but I want to take part in what You're doing all around me.

   Help me understand that I'm needed to pray to bring about Your will in situations You bring to my attention.

   I ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen

Today’s Bible verse: Luke 12:12 "For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say."

Today’s quote: Dr. Mike Evans- “We cannot make contact with God without prayer. If we don’t make contact with Him, no matter how sincere our intentions, we will see no change in the circumstances of our life.”

Some thoughts today: You can work "for Jesus", even in a bad situation. As a "slave" to Christ, we're to embrace the vision, dreams, and goals of our boss in what seems to be a tough job. God wants us to support the manager, and to serve with a good attitude. Much more can be accomplished if we realize we serve God there. He will look out for us.

- Get the bigger picture of what needs to be done. 

   1.) Keep in mind that you are serving Christ where you are.

   2.) Recognize the opportunity to be prepared for something even greater. Practice makes permanent. Practice the right attitude where you are and in what you're doing from day to day. 

   3.) Recognize the good that's found in your job. Watch for opportunities to invest into other's lives.  

7th- Saturday’s post:  Do You Have Empty Jars?  Barbara Suiter

8th- Sunday's post:  Cancer (his story)  James Cagle

8th- Sunday evening's post:  Old Person Pride  Unknown author

10th- Tuesday's post:  #91  Quiet People  C. Peter Wagner

  

A popular post: The Vision Confirmed: Prayer Note #111 Dutch Sheets tells us of his first confirmation that our nation will have revival at The National Day of Prayer.

The simple joy of a child!

jowildflowers@gmail.com (for comments)

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
Kindle $2.99 a review would be
appreciated.

Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal

Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 

My book in paperback $7.95

(Check out the Reviews on the

Kindle page of my book)

Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help) (Volume 1)

#89 The Miracle for Pastor Everett

C. Peter Wagner tells us: During 
the period of time when our I-1
baton was being passed from 
Cathy Schaller to Alice Smith, 
Alice called me early one morning.

I was in the midst of teaching a one-week intensive Doctor of Ministry course.

She said that morning (Houston is two hours ahead of us) God had told her there was a pastor named Everett in my class who was going through a difficult time in his life and whom God wanted to minister to.

When I got to class, sure enough, Everett Briard, pastor of a Presbyterian Church in Canada, responded with total astonishment, almost unbelief, that such a thing could happen.

We as a class prayed for him, and some other pastors ministered to him personally as well.

He testified to us that he had felt a definite change in his spiritual and mental outlook.

Nine months later, Everett wrote a letter to me telling me how important Alice's word had become to him. 

   'I had been struggling with many things for a long time,' he said,

 'not the least of which was the inability to get rid of an underlying sense of meaninglessness, and periodic times of degrees of depression.'

He said that in a seminar two weeks after the word from Alice he had heard a Christian psychologist say that only through therapy could a person be moved from low self-esteem and self-hate to high self-esteem.

But Everett said, 

   'God did that for me instantly during your class. He set me free and has given me a sense of newness in ministry. Things which used to throw me into deep despondency no longer have the power to do that. I am so grateful.'

You can imagine how grateful I am as well, seeing God use me as a relatively passive instrument to link a Houston intercessor with a Canadian pastor visiting in Pasadena, California, and observe God's power manifested in a mighty way. 

Yes, intercessors do hear from God.

#89 The Miracle for Pastor Everett,

in the series taken from C. Peter 

Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, 

How to intercede for pastors, Christian

leaders and others on the spiritual
frontlines. (pgs. 167-168) 

By Regal Books

(Emphasis added and Google image)

Jean's blog Store this link for further referencing.

Let’s pray:

   Father, there are times that I'm aware of Your nudging me to pray.

   May I become more sensitive to what's on Your Heart, and may I pray effectively, either in my native tongue or in the heavenly prayer language. 

   May I be used to encourage others to release their apprehensions into Your hands.

   I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen   

Today’s Bible verse: Prov. 10:6a "Blessings are upon the head of the just."

Today’s quote: Dr. Mike Evans- Prayer is our most powerful weapon. No rifle, tank, airplane, missile or even nuclear weapon can compare…because prayer touches the power of Heaven and brings it down to Earth. Let us never fail to faithfully pray as God has commanded.”

Some thoughts today: For the joy set before Jesus, He endured the Cross. He looked through the suffering, to the joy ahead. Wait on God in prayer to renew your vision of what you're doing for Him in your situation. Your vision will give energy!

- We need fresh vision. Let the Holy Spirit re-energize you.

- As people are hard-wired to worship, they'll worship something. May our worship of God inspire our children, strangers, and friends to worship the One Who is worthy of all worship!

5th- Thursday’s post:  #90  Prophetic Intercession  C. Peter Wagner

7th- Saturday's post:  Do You Have Empty Jars?  Barbara Suiter

8th- Sunday's post:  Cancer (his story)  James Cagle

8th- Sunday evening's post:  Old Person Pride  Author unknown

A popular post: I-1 Intercession C. Peter Wagner tells us: "God calls I-1 intercessors to have a special close relationship with the pastor or other leader.

Our pastors NEED our prayers!

jowildflowers@gmail.com (for comments)

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
Kindle $2.99 a review would be
appreciated.

Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal

Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 

My book in paperback $7.95

(Check out the Reviews on the

Kindle page of my book)

Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help) (Volume 1)

Keeping the Family Rituals

Sirmal Marthenis shares with us, "It is 9 pm and the 'ritual' begins.

The children drink a glass of milk, followed by brushing their teeth and getting ready for our sacred time together.

It has become a habit to close each day with a simple family devotion.

We read a story from a children's Bible story we've read cover to cover three times, but the kids love the stories in the Bible.

Children are not concerned with repetition. They love it when the story teller brings life to the same old story by narrating it with passion and conviction.

As I read the stories, I am also learning. I am awed that God spoke and a beautiful world was created.

I am reminded of His grace when He chose a group of undeserving people to be His people and through them brought salvation to me in Jesus Christ.

The same stories taught me, again and again, the simple message of faith and trust in God who works His good in the lives of people.

   'Why did Jesus have to die?'

After reading the story, I ask my kids simple questions. They in turn ask me the more difficult theological questions.

   'What type of body will we have after we die?'

   'Will grandma (who is not yet a Christian) go to heaven?'

Children’s questions can be challenging. I have to craft my answers in simple ways for them to understand. 

I thought family devotions was where my children grew in their faith, but it turns out I am challenged to grow as I wrestle with their questions.

 'Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.' Deuteronomy 11:18-19

God’s Word leads us to stretch to know Him. Through it He encourages us to 'come to Him as little children,' and learn with a pure and honest heart. God connects with us through His Word.

A family devotion is a simple way to 'tie' God’s Word to our children’s hearts.

It takes commitment, sacrificing that TV program, putting down the newspaper, or leaving the dishes in the sink a little longer. 

But the fruits exceed the sacrifices. Our children are nurtured in their faith and they also teach us child-like faith.

Listen to God’s command and be determined to set aside a sacred moment with your family."

Keeping the Family Ritual - Sirmal Marthenis

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net.

Sirmal Marthenis is a pastor serving in the Presbyterian Church in Singapore.

Sirmal accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior as a young person. 

He and his wife Serene, have been married for eight years. 

They have three children -- Christopher age seven, Naomi and Hannah, ages five and three.

(Used by permission http://www.christiandevotions.us/ and 
Sirmal Marthenis Emphasis added)

       Marriage

By James Cagle

"Marriage presents a special picture,

Of Christ Jesus and His bride;

A relationship thus chosen,

To show us heaven on this side.

Marriage starts with a covenant,

A promise, if you please,

Between a man and a woman,

That they will keep till their decease.

As partners they avow

They will hold each other up;

For all life’s joys and sorrows,

They’ll drink from the selfsame cup.

Their strength and glory is love

That they first show to the Lord,

Who draws them close together,

And weaves a threefold cord.

As these who form this marriage

Make Christ the very center,

Then they will share a friendship

That’s pure and strong and tender.

May these in holy union,

Who now bind themselves together,

Rejoice in all God gives them,

And their love for one another.

So let this man and woman

Keep Christ first in their hearts,

Then all the forces of evil,

Shall never set them apart."

Let’s pray:

   Father, as it was stated by Sirmal, family rituals are very important, and we agree.

   James also helps us understand our responsibility in our marriages.

   Christ wants us to reflect how He loves the Church and that we're to follow His example; to love one another. 

   I ask that this become a reality in my life, in Jesus' Name. Amen

Today’s Bible verse:  Is. 51:16a "And I have put my words in thy mouth and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand."

Today’s quote: Dave Ramsey - “Love your children enough to let them make their own mistakes while they’re still under your protection.”

Some thoughts today: In spite of the trends of the day, there are those who believe what God's Word says and directs, and acts accordingly.

- Raising children is not for the weak-in-heart. A lot of challenges! Heb. 12 Jesus endured the Cross for us. He saw what His purpose was. Do you see the purpose of raising godly children? Are you willing to sacrifice for them?

3rd- Tuesday’s post:  #89  The Miracle for Pastor Everett  C. Peter Wagner

5th- Thursday's post:  #90  Prophetic Intercession  C. Peter Wagner

7th- Saturday's post:  Do You Have Empty Jars?  Barbara Suiter

8th- Sunday's post:  Cancer (his story)  James Cagle

A popular post: Things that Make Me Happy  Jean Oathout 
has some thoughts for us to consider: It does seem, that 
when we obey the Lord's promptings, He brings other blessings 
we need, too.

Family devotions build strong
 character in everyone!

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
Kindle $2.99 A review would be
appreciated.

Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal

Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 

My book in paperback $7.95

(Check out the Reviews on the

Kindle page of my book)

Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help) (Volume 1)

How Long?

James Cagle: I didn’t quit –even after 

I was diagnosed with cancer and went 

through lengthy treatments to cure it.

Dealing with cancer and the treatment, as well as with other very personal family problems, weighed heavy on my heart. 

These things were constantly in my thoughts. Day in and day out I carried these burdens. 

Doubt, worry, disappointment, depression, and discouragement were my constant companions.

But I didn’t quit. I never stopped reading my Bible.

During this time my Bible became more precious to me. Reading it didn’t make the pain go away. It helped me stay focused through the pain.

One day when it seemed I wasn’t winning the battle in my thought life, I headed for my place of prayer. 

I’d reached the tipping point and couldn’t take anymore. Tears fell as I cried out to the One I knew cared very much, yet allowed this to happen. 

I’ll never forget the words I spoke as my heart broke in two. Nor will I forget God’s response.

"I don’t like it," I cried an honest confession. “I’ve endured enough.”

God, in an instant, spoke to my heart and I heard Him clearly in my mind. 

"What do you mean, you don’t like it? You don’t like what I’m doing? You said you surrendered your all to me and wanted to grow up ... more than anything else, you wanted to know me. I’m doing these things in order that I might give you the things you asked for: wisdom, spiritual experience, a better understanding of my Word, and the ability to explain it. Isn’t it worth all this?"

In my darkest hour I saw the greatest light. It wasn’t what I’d like to have happen, but I did like what God was doing, and I didn’t want Him to stop.

My trials, though not over, were lessened. I was no longer focused on them and me, but on God.

How long do our trials last? As long as it takes us to stop focusing on them and start focusing on Him. 

Focus on Christ.

"How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?" Psalm 13:2 NIV

How Long? - James Cagle

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Janaka Dharmasena.

James Cagle was born and grew up in the South. He was a Marine and later attended Tabernacle Bible College in Greenville, S.C. 

James was a pastor for eleven years and taught college level courses on Old Testament Survey and Church Doctrine. 

Many of his poems have been published. A current resident of Lakeland, Georgia, James works on a large sod farm, and is a regular contributor to the local newspaper. 

There’s nothing James enjoys more than putting in writing for others to read, that which God has shown him.

Read James' poetry.

Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!

(Used by permission)

 Let’s pray:

   Father, let me understand what it is You're doing in my life that's intended to bring me closer to You.

   Grant me wisdom, spiritual experience, a better understanding of Your Word, and the ability to explain it.

   May I see the value of what I'm presently going through, so I will grow in faith and character.

   I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen

Today’s Bible verse: Matt. 21:22 "And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

Today’s quote: 

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

I am weak, but Thou art strong,
Jesus, keep me from all wrong,
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more,
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom's shore, to Thy shore.

Author unknown / arranged. By William J. Floyd         

Some thoughts today: Recall what God has done. Tell your story! Your legacy has begun, and those around you are being effected by it. Are you building your own legacy, or Christ's? see James 1:19 (be slow to speak...)

- We can react in wrath to present situations. Remember what the goal is, to train children in righteousness.

- Have you seen that what they do is a reflection of  you? (so true!) We need to address the need we have, first.

1st- Sunday evening's post:  Keeping the Family Ritual  Sirmal Marthenis

3rd- Tuesday's post:  #89  The Miracle for Pastor Everett  C. Peter Wagner

5th- Thursday's post:  #90  Prophetic Intercession  C. Peter Wagner

7th- Saturday's post:  Do You Have Empty Jars?  Barbara Suiter

A popular post: THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN YOU  Sharon Jaynes shares with us, "Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom spent the last years of her life speaking to men and women all around the world about the God who sustained her during her imprisonment and who delivered her from the Nazi prison camps.  

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
Kindle $2.99 a review would be
appreciated.

Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal

Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 

My book in paperback $7.95

(Check out the Reviews on the

Kindle page of my book)

Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help) (Volume 1)