To the Brim...

John 2:1-11 (Click reference to read text)

The beginning of John capture 2 describes Jesus' first miracle, changing water into wine. I have always read this story with little more than a passing interest... hey I was raised Baptist and wine was a major no-no! However, recently the Lord really taught me some things that I would like to share.

The jars that Jesus used were designated for ceremonial washings (vs. 6). Often God uses people and things in unconventional ways for His glory. We must learn not to place restraints on God and put Him in a box. How many times do we miss out on His blessing/abundance because we try to tell the Lord how He can and should use us, our talents, our home, or our loved ones? Do I make everything available for His use... even things that I feel would be better used somewhere/somehow different?

Next, we see the servants filling the jars to the brim (vs. 7). This truth is key in our Christian walk. We must learn to be obedient to the brim! We need to obey with enthusiasm. We need to have a "to the brim" mentality! How much abundance have we missed out on because we obeyed most of the way, or gave mostly our best?

However, not only do we need to obey fully, but we also need to just do what the Lord tells us to. Even the simple things. Jesus told the servants to take some of the water to their master, and they did so (vs. 8). This command probably made no sense, because for all the servants knew they were about to take some water to their boss. They didn't know it was wine yet. We must never hesitate in obeying God just because we don't fully understand what He is going to do. We need to obey even if we think it might affect us negatively or risk embarrassment!

Basically, it all boils down to this: If the servants would have argued, "You can't use these! They are made for something else! They only have one use!" they would have never seen the miraculous hand of God. Or if they would not have filled the jars to the brim, they would have limited the overflow of Christ. SO many times we limit God in our life... either because of excuses or by not putting forth a "to the brim" kind of effort. Let's see the hand of God. As you can read, there was no step-by-step plan in making this miracle happen. The servants could not take the Glory, only God could! Let Him take control, take the Glory, and Bless!

Are You Empty?

2 Kings 4:1-7 - Click on reference to read... Please take a moment to read the Scripture. My words are simply that, but God's are living and active (Hebrews 4:12)

God promises in His Word that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deut. 31:6). However, there are times in our life that we are so weighted down and troubled we cannot imagine getting through. Although He promises that He will never leave us, God also promises, "in this world you will have trouble," BUT don't forget the rest, "I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

This God-fearing widow found herself in dire need. Her life, and the lives of her children, were at stake! Instead of running to worldly solutions, she ran to God! God was willing to bless her in the midst of her troubles... to the point of OVERFLOWING! He took what she already had (vs. 2) and brought deliverance! However, it was her responsibility to provide empty jars. As many empty jars as she provided, God was willing to fill!

So many times, the amount of blessing we receive depends upon the amount of emptiness we present to God. We may obey him half-heartily... maybe only gathering the jars closest to us that require no extra cleaning out or searching. Maybe we are scared to ask others around us for help. Maybe we are too scared to be totally empty and vulnerable before the Lord. Yet any of these excuses would limit the work and power of God in our life. Elisha commanded, "Don't ask for just a few" (vs. 3). It is only when we are empty before the Lord, taking out all of ourselves and presenting it before God, that He can deliver us from ourselves and fill us with His spirit to the point of overflowing!