Main Bible Text: 2 Kings 4:1-7
“Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.
5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.
7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.”
“Elisha said unto her, what have you in the house?” She said nothing but save a pot of oil. Timely discovery leads to timely recovery. What you don’t discover on time, you can’t manifest on time.
The pot of oil was there but she didn’t notice it, therefore she said NOTHING, for our God shall supply all our needs… (Philip. 4:19). Until she realized God is the all-sufficiency, she didn’t remember the pot of oil lying dormant in her house.
The pot of oil signifies undiscovered visions, talents, purposes, gifting and calling. The very moment she discovered the pot of oil, the miracle began. No visions, no miracles. Until you see what God has deposited on your inside, you’ll keep on suffering.
As soon as she said “save a pot of oil”, instructions came forth from the Lord unto the woman. You are void of instructions because you have not seen the deposit of God on your inside. When you see it, you can’t but manifest it. It will surely speak. (Hab. 2:3)
Instructions are guidelines from the Lord towards the accomplishment of a God-given task. When there are instructions from the Lord, accomplishment is guaranteed, instructions will only bring forth the best results when appropriately carried out.
INSTRUCTION ONE: GO
This is a commandment. Matthew 28:19-20. There is something which is required of us and this is the word ‘GO’. If we can go out, He will be with us, it’s a promise! Had it been the woman refused to go, she would have died in debt and the collaterals would have been used to redeem the debt.
It is very important to know that, until we go, we can’t overcome, and until we overcome, we can’t return with rejoicing unto the Lord, the giver of all good things. (Ps. 126:6).
It is usually not easy to go through, but it pays. It takes grace to go through. Jesus was strengthened by the angel to go through His mission here on earth. (Matthew 4:9-10) at Gethsemane/Mount Olive (Luke 22:39 – 43). I see the Lord giving us the grace to go through the vision given unto us for accomplishment in the mighty name of Jesus. (Amen)
INSTRUCTION TWO: BORROW VESSELS ABROAD OF ALL YOUR NEIGHBOURS
This refers to human beings, men and women created by God for exploits but who have not yet discovered their place in the end-time race. (2 Tim. 2:20 – 22).
In a great house, that is in the body of Christ, there are loads of vessels. The main difference between them is purification and sanctification. That is what will make them to be useful in the master’s hand ‘GOD’. God’s intention for creation is that we might show forth His praises. (Isaiah 43:21, I Pet. 2:9).
And until we are sanctified, we can’t give God the quality praise which is required of us. (I Cor. 6:15 – 20). Until we are fit to show forth the praises of God, we can’t become an honourable vessel in the hands of the Lord.
The Lord instructed the woman to borrow vessels for what? For upbringing, clarification of visions, establishment of purpose, discovery of talents etc. HELPS FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION can be referred to as the woman whom God instructed to borrow vessels.
Make your vessels available for the master’s use. The master needs your vessel for a miracle in the house until He has your vessels in His hands you can’t make the best of your life, present your vessels and let him fill them to the brim. May God help you in Jesus’ name. (Amen)
INSTRUCTION THREE: EVEN EMPTY VESSELS
God is very much interested in empty vessels, He believes so much in you but you are still empty, he doesn’t want to leave you the same way He met you, therefore he is pleading with you today to come to the river of life that you may drink of the ever-flowing water which is JESUS CHRIST. Empty vessels can be referred to as dead, hopeless and terrible cases.
For with God, all things are possible. In the valley full of dried bones, the Lord caused a mighty and great army to come forth (Ezekiel 37:1-14). And He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Heb. 13:8). If you don’t have Jesus in your life, then your vessel is empty, but there is time for repentance when you call upon Him He will fill up your life to the brim with all the good things of life.
Say this prayer now, “Lord Jesus, I come before you today, as a sinner, forgive me of all my sins, wash me with your precious blood shed at Calvary, give me a new life, thank you for saving me, in Jesus mighty name. (Amen)”.
You are welcome to the family of the righteous, your light (righteousness) shall spring forth as a morning and thine health shall spring forth speedily. (Isaiah 58:8)
INSTRUCTION FOUR: BORROW NOT A FEW
There are loads of vessels close to us both empty, half-filled and filled, God wants to use you and me to touch those vessels He said “borrow not a few” which means God still want to reach out to many people to influence their lives through you. You do not have a crown in heaven yet until you work for it.
How can you get this crown and a place of your own in Heaven? Matthew 5:3-12. Also, He that wins a soul is wise (Prov. 11:30). Soul winning is one of the cheapest ways to have a crown in heaven. May God give you understanding. Reaching out to sinners is a joint venture in the body of Christ; it is not restricted to the evangelical churches, ministries or groups but a general commandment unto every one that is saved. (Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 24:46-48). Go be a witness for Christ!
INSTRUCTION FIVE: CLOSE THE DOOR UPON YOURSELF AND YOUR SONS
This means SEPARATION When you are saved together with your family in Christ, separate yourself from the world. (Rom 12:1-2). Stand out! (Gal. 5:1). Don’t join them to do evil again. Let them call you all manner of names (S.U., too spiritual, righteous man/woman) don’t mind them, thank God for that, for you are not called a bad name. A good name is better than gold and silver. Prov. 22:1
WAYS TO SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM THE WORLD/HOW TO STAND OUT
1. Through the word, (Eph. 5:26, Col. 3:16, Ps. 119:11)
2. Through prayers. (Philip. 4:5-6, James 5:16)
INSTRUCTION SIX: SET ASIDE THE VESSELS THAT ARE FULL (Matthew 13:24-30)
Harvest, this is the time of proof, operation show me your reward. When you might have laboured on the vessels, then there must be a particular thing to show forth as the result. Let them grow together; the harvest shall determine the good and the bad, (Rev. 22:11-12). He that is faithful, let him be faithful still. God shall give unto every one according to his work shall be. (Isaiah 59:18-19).
Therefore strive to do what you know you can do to make sure you have a good record with your maker so that on the judgment day you shall be justified as being righteous. Righteousness pays! It may be difficult to practice but it pays, nothing else can be compared to it. I pray that the Lord will strengthen you to remain focused for the rest of your life. (Amen)
INSTRUCTION SEVEN: PAY THE DEBT AND LIVE FOREVER
There is a price to be paid for you to get to your place of greatness. God’s plan for us is to be great. (3 John 2). Divine health and prosperity in every part of our lives. Prosperity in that sense that you have all your desires met, peace on every side. Riches, wealth and total health. These are all end products of the price you have to pay.
Matt. 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God. (Rom. 14:17), when you seek God every other thing (Riches, long life, favour, prosperity etc.) will be added unto you but the Kingdom of God is being righteous, living a peaceable life and having joy in the Holy Ghost.(Rom. 14:19).
Follow after those things which make for peace and edify (Impact and influence) one another. The power of influence and impact is what will make you live forever. Even after death, people will still keep on remembering you and your deeds. Many great men of God who had passed on are still remembered today just because of their impact and influence, I pray that you will also leave a footprint on the sand of time.,
Impact and influence on others is the responsibility we have to pay to remain unforgettable. No one will remember someone who did nothing. So get up from your slumber and take responsibility for yourself for greatness.
Don’t blame anyone for your shortcomings, because you have 75% role to play to become successful. In comparison, others only have 25% to add to what you already have, so don’t allow your age, colour, family background, or your educational background to defeat you.
You are born great, we are all born to make it happen, and we are born for impacts and influences, may you not die without fulfilling your destiny in the name of Jesus. (Amen)
Becoming great in life starts with the discovery of vision and Purpose, The following questions must be answered:
- What am I here to accomplish?
- Why I am here?
- What is the purpose of my creation?
I am happy to let you know that you are alive today just because there is something you are created to accomplish.
Arise now, discover, pursue and manifest your potential and make the best of it. It is well with you in Jesus’ name. The world will only celebrate people of great impact and influence. You shall not be forgotten, but you shall be remembered for good in your generation.
Heralding the establishment of HELPS FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION, A non-governmental and non-denominational organization in Nigeria.
