dailywordofdestiny

An old chorus I used to sing in Sunday School came to my mind to confirm what I was to write about this week:
Give me oil in my lamp
Keep me burning, burning, burning.
Give me oil in my lamp I pray.
Give me oil in my lamp
Keep me burning, burning, burning.
Keep me burning til’ the break of day.

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to the King of kings.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to the KING!

What is “oil”? According to Oxford, it is any of various thick, viscous, usually inflammable liquids insoluble in water (i.e. petroleum); it can be used with colors as with oil painting; you can apply oil to lubricate (as in massage), impregnate or treat with oil; or you can soak a fabric with it, especially canvas, making it waterproof. There are many kinds of oil: mineral, fuel, whale, vegetable, cooking, melted fat, motor, lubricant, liniment, ointment, balm, salve, pomade, and hair. OIL comes from the Greek elaion, which was olive oil, the only kind of oil known in the Greco-Roman world.

The kind of oil I want to discuss today is the OIL OF HIS PRESENCE and how vital it is for you to soak in it every moment of every day. This OIL brings healing to every open wound, to every aching and tired muscle. When burned in a lamp, the fragrance will envelop your senses bringing calmness to your spirit. The OIL provides an excellent Source of Light and warmth for all who are caught in the night’s cool air and darkness. It is used to soak your daily bread in and the OIL not only adds a great flavor, it provides some calories for nourishment. Oils are many and varied properties make it extremely marketable. In fact, I have an example of just how marketable in 2 Kings 4: 1-7 and it could very well be the most valuable piece of information you need right now in light of the present “down-swing” in global economy. For you who have ears, HEAR what the Spirit is saying.

The Widows Oil
The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a little oil.” Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars (see Isaiah 64: 8; Jeremiah 18: 4-6; Matthew 25: 4; 2 Timothy 2: 19-21). 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.” She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the OIL stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can LIVE on what is left.” 2 Kings 4:1-7

The first thing you need to determine is, “Who is your creditor?” Who is it that owns you (Luke 16: 5-13)? Many will quickly say, “Well, Christ of course.” I ask you to consider that you cannot serve two masters and if your creditor is making a slave out of you, you need to repent because LIFE IN JESUS brings freedom ( Luke 4: 18, 19; John 8: 31-36). The next question is, “What do you have in your house?” If you have given your life to the LORD, you yourself are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives within you (1 Corinthians 3: 18, 19). Is your temple consecrated; able to hold the OIL OF HIS PRESENCE (Luke 7: 44-48)? What would you be feeling if Jesus came to you and said, “Come, I must stay with you in your house today.”

In the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13) you see that five had oil and even had some to spare while the others weren’t quite to the fill line. BUT, I want to draw your attention to the fact that ALL TEN fell asleep! Have you dozed off thinking all is clean and tidy in the temple? God also gave each of us talents and gifts to use to touch other people’s lives for Christ. W hat gifts are you using right now and which ones have you put in storage? God expects each of us to use well what He has given to us (Matthew 10: 8). Even a simple item (like the rod Moses had, like this widow’s oil) can be used to help thousands when God is in it (Matthew 14: 15-20; 15: 34-37)! Remember, a little oil goes a long way (Mark 4: 30-32). Hallelujah!

The widow and her sons were told to get the neighbors empty jars and NOT TO ASK FOR JUST A FEW. I see the empty jars as her neighbors. They could be the people God places across your path each day. The number of jars you ask for could also indicate your level of faith. WE serve a BIG GOD and it is us who put limits on Him (read about Jehoash in 2 Kings 13: 14-19). Do you ask God each day for opportunities to give Jesus to others (2 Corinthians 4: 7-12)? Put faith into action!

The woman and her sons went into the house and shut the door. The sons brought the jars to her and she POURED OIL INTO THEM. Perhaps this represents our prayer life. Who has God brought to you to pray for? I believe that in every 24 hour period God will bring several different people into your thoughts (even wake you up) that He KNOWS need prayer at that very moment. Do you stop for just a moment to pour the OIL OF HIS PRESENCE over them (Psalm 133)? Your prayers could actually change the circumstances in that person’s situation.

My friends, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4: 7-11).