SippingFromWithin

The account of the widow and the prophet Elisha in 2 kings 4: 1 -7 brings to light certain life lessons. In this account, we read of a woman whose opening remark and initial response to the questions asked were evident of dread, but even though her situation was dire, she was truthful to add to the latter part of her answer what actually remained, by saying, “ except a little oil.” This statement from the widowed woman led to a series of events that brings to light the following lessons, and I believe that anyone could benefit from them. 1.      Obedience to Godly Instruction  The scriptures have shown us that disobedience has dire consequences. This can be seen from the fall of man in Genesis 3 as well as in other books of the Bible. But in most scriptures we’ve also been shown that there are benefits for those who obey Godly instructions and the former is a consequence of not obeying the instructions given. Now, I believe she was aware of this,...

It is human to make logical assessment on issues that surrounds us and from the assessment draw conclusions that eventually determines our respond to these issues.  The encounter of Jeremiah in chapter 1: 4 – 8, shows an interesting conversation between God and Jeremiah, the first part of the conversation in verse 5 outlined God’s will for him, but as clear as His will was revealed concerning Jeremiah, he replied with an answer that kind of implied that he heard what God has said concerning him, but that God should see things the way he currently saw them. The nature of the conversation showed that Jeremiah knew God. The nature of the conversation also shows that though he was in God’s presence and listened, he still assessed things with what his physical eyes could see. But thank God for His mercy, Jeremiah had an encounter during his conversation that removed the scales of his eyes. So when the word of the Lord came to him again in verse 11, his reply reflected God...

The men of the high council were vast in knowledge of the letters, yet the words and works of a young man threatened what they believed in. At various occasions, they had made attempts to pin accusations on him but none stuck. Instead, each attempt against him established what he taught and verified his works. There was a festival and the men of the high council knew that this young man would show up to teach on the court grounds which its town’s folks respected, so they planned to pin something on him as a reference point for their accusations. At dawn he appeared in the courts, where people gathered him, and he sat down to teach them. As the teaching progressed, everyone’s attention was gradually drawn to a ruckus that was without a doubt heading in the direction of the court. The people stood up to get a clearer view and there it was, the men of the court; they had dragged in a woman who was caught in an act, that according to the law strictly upheld by the townsfolk ...

This week’s topic is related to my last post titled  “ Spiritual indifference .” In the previous write up, I wrote more on spiritual indifference and little on how to avoid it. I hope that this write up draws a balance and encourages Christians to stay aflame for God. IDENTIFY THE CULPRIT Having found yourself in Christ does not exempt you from being a target of spiritual apathy. The thing about spiritual apathy is that it does not begin in a day, the account of Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26 proves that. It is therefore necessary that we evaluate ourselves daily and ask ourselves questions such as: what am I listening to? What am I watching? What am I eating? What kind of company do I keep? What am I saying? Thanks to God we have overcome, but make no mistake you have to renew your mind daily to stay an overcomer. It is therefore necessary we ask questions such as these to keep us alert because our enemy never stops trying to draw us out from the cover of the Son. ...

It is an ever-so-gradual damping of your zeal and spiritual fervor; It is an ever-so-subtle fading of your love for the lord; It is an ever-so-gradual cooling of your spiritual flame; It is an ever-so-subtle distraction that shifts your focus from the field and gives room for the enemy to plant tares; It is as silent and subtle like a slow moving shadow. One minute you are sitting under the sun engaged and enjoying its warmth and radiance. Then suddenly you feel cool, and look up to realize you been sitting in the shade for some time and the sun and its warmth have long passed; It is spiritual indifference.   An online post by the Peninsular Florida District council defines spiritual indifference or apathy as: the detrimental spiritual quality of knowing what to do, or what is necessary, but being unwilling to take the necessary steps in that direction. The story of Uzziah in 2 chronicles 26 is a vivid account of spiritual indifference. Here was a young m...