OT DAY 531 - Appreciate, Accept and Encourage Women to Initiate God's Works (Please click here for English podcast)

Silence

1.   Put on your “brakes” and stop for a moment of silence

2.   Wait for God. Breathe deep for God's peace and feel His presence. Exhale your worries.

Praise and Thanksgiving

1.   Think through your day, all the times that made you smile

2.   Thank God for all those moments, and for all those people

3.   Open your heart to praise the Lord

       you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
            for you are my refuge.

         Into your hand I commit my spirit;

             you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

        

                                     Psalm 31:4-5

Confession and Repentance (Subjective Shifting Devotion Method http://bishopsilas.blogspot.ca/2009/08/count-down-5-subject-shifting-devotion.html)

1.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in you:

     “Dear Holy Spirit, shine your light into the places of darkness in my life. Show me my sins, everything that blocks me from encountering God. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

2.  Through the Holy Spirit, examine yourself for a short silence and then pray:

     "Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for our sins and being victorious over death and sin. I confess my sin to you(pause, to tell Jesus what the Holy Spirit has shown you). Forgive my sins by your blood and help me follow you. Holy Spirit, fill me that I may be able to receive your gift to love God and His people. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen."

The Word (2 Kings 4:8-17)

English(ESV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=列+王+紀+下+3&version=ESV

8 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. 9 And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. 10 Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”
11 One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there. 12 And he said toGehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him.13 And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.” 14 And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” 15 He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” 17 But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.                                       2 Kings 4:8-17

Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmax47l2hLU

    My Listening

           In Elisha's time, women were being looked down upon. They followed their husbands and they had no say at all. Here in this passage, we see a very special role of women who initiated important action which brought to a miracle of her having a baby. What would happen if the Shunammite woman did not urge Elisha to stay for a meal? 

     Let's see how Professor John Goldingay tells us: 

     (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Goldingay) : 

           It looks as if this woman from Shunem had come to terms with not being able to have children, and she had directed her energy in other directions, like giving hospitality to a wandering prophet. Like many Old Testament stories, this story shows how women can be people of initiative and action - they are not confined to doing what their husbands say…
            It is Elisha's appreciation of the woman's care for him that leads to his encouraging his servant to ask what he can do for her. She tells him she has everything she needs, and it is Gehazi who points out that she has no son and that her husband is old. The implication is not merely that they will be unable to have children but that she will be left on her own sooner rather than later. Who will then look after her? 

John Goldingay. 1 and 2 Kings for Everyone. Louisville,KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011, p.120.

     What I have received from Jesus today are:
1. How can we appreciate, accept and encourage women to initiate various works for God and not dislike, reject and discourage women to do things?

2. How important it is for a person to help God's servant. At the end, God will reward that person in a very special way. In today's case, a miracle to have a son! 

    Dear Lord Jesus,
    Help us to appreciate, accept and encourage women more and to be willing to try all our best to help your servants.  In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Reflect on these questions:

    1. Are you one of those who love to appreciate, accept and encourage women? How can you do more so that God's miraculous work can be done through your encouragement?

2. Is there anything you can do to help a servant of God?

    3. What have you got from Jesus today?

10,000 Reasons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

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