Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 118
June 13, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: June 12, 2013
Ten Rainy Day Motivators
Forget the make-up and let the humidity curl your hair.
Carry an umbrella on your morning walk.
Let the kids sleep.
Deep clean the main rooms.
Enjoy a mid-afternoon treat at a coffee shop.
Finish a book, then start a new one.
Buy some outside plants and let the rain water them.
Get beach supplies ready for the next sunny day.
Sing as many songs as possible that include “rain” and “sun” to the rhythm of the window wipers.
Look forward to tomorrow’s forecast–rain or shine!
One Good Thing Every Day: June 11, 2013
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 small jar of olive oil.”
Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. 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 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.”
As a little girl, I resonated with the magical, fairy-tale quality of this story. As an adult, I recognize this story for what it is. It is an example of what happens in the lives of believers when they ask, accept, act, and acknowledge God’s provision in any circumstance.
In the opening scene, the widow simply states her situation. Most likely, she assumes Elisha, a prophet and her husband’s co-worker/mentor, already knows her husband has died. But, she reveals the severity of her circumstances and the pending results. The only earthly possessions she has to pay her husband’s creditor are her sons. Imagine a grieving widow and loving mother faced with selling her sons into slavery. This transaction relieves the debt, but what about survival? She cannot live without her sons literally or figuratively.
1. Ask
Although no obvious question is asked, the widow appeals to Elisha as a prophet. She appears to be asking for advice rather than assistance. It is Elisha who offers assistance and asks what he can do, what resources she has. Perhaps in her mind, a little oil is hardly worth mentioning. Yet, Elisha describes in detail a plan to use that nearly disregarded oil.
2. Accept
The widow listens to Elisha’s plan. As I read it, I considered her possible reactions. “Why did I bother asking! Go door-to-door and ask my neighbors for their empty jars? How degrading! Close my door? What difference does that make? At least, pouring the oil won’t be a waste of time. There isn’t enough for even a minute to pass!”
But, that is not her reaction.
3. Act
Elisha is barely out the door before she closes it behind her. Her sons collect the jars, and she starts pouring. And pouring. And pouring. There is still oil to be poured when her sons say all the jars are filled. All the jars are filled, even hers.
4. Acknowledge
Just as she immediately follows Elisha’s instructions, she does not hesitate to find him and share the results. What may have seemed like a crazy plan suddenly makes sense to her when he tells her to sell the oil–most likely to those gracious neighbors who will be grateful for having their empty jars filled–and to live with her sons on the surplus oil.
5. Application
When I read this seemingly fantastical story, I marvel at the miraculous power of God. Before I even ask, He knows my situation. But, He listens anyway. He shares His plan with me through His Word, wise counsel, and heartfelt whispers. After I accept His plan and obediently act according to His instructions, my life–and those lives I encounter–will be filled beyond expectation. With a grateful heart, I share the results with Him. His blessings are revealed to me and to others.
Fact or fiction? Magic or miracle? God’s provision makes the adult in me believe in miracles, keeps the child in me believing in happy endings.
June 10, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: June 9, 2013
This morning I sang a solo based on Psalm 91. My maternal grandmother encouraged me to learn the song because it was my great-grandfather’s favorite. Knowing this made the song one of my favorites. He died the day after I was born. I have sung it often while soothing my children, hoping to pass on the calming peace of God’s protection. May they soothe you as well.
Psalm 91 NKJV
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
One Good Thing Every Day: June 8, 2013
While writing down an abbreviated lesson plan for a very busy week ahead, my middle son looked over my shoulder. I expected him to be relieved by his shortened schedule. Instead he said, “I need to do my Sunday School reading.” I gladly amended his to-do list, thankful for the reminder about the important inclusion of Bible reading in spite of overwhelming agendas.
One Good Thing Every Day: June 7, 2013
Over several days, I have encountered the word “cloak” during my study time. I have highlighted the word in the following passages along with personal application.
So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.”
“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”
So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.
While discussing 1 Kings 19 with one of my sons, I noted Elijah’s cloak is mentioned twice. The first time the cloak is used as a protective covering as Elijah prepares to face God after hearing His gentle whisper. The second time Elijah places the cloak on Elisha’s shoulders, signifying passing the mantle of leadership from one generation to the next. In both cases, God’s servants respond to His calling.
Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak.
The day after I read 1 Kings 19, I stumbled on Mark 13. Verse 19 triggered a connection to Elisha receiving Elijah’s cloak while working the field. Elisha leaves the field and his family to follow Elijah. In Mark 13, Jesus is describing the signs of the last days. He warns His disciples to be on their guard against false prophets and those claiming to be Christ. He says the elect must not be deceived. Much like Elijah listening to the wind, earthquake, and the fire before hearing God’s call in a gentle whisper, Jesus’ words resonate a protective, distinctive quality known to those who follow Him. Much like Elisha who left his fields behind once Elijah’s cloak was placed on his shoulders, I am to abandon my former life and pursue a new one by following Jesus, assuring inclusion in His gathering of the elect.
“Wear My Love like a cloak of Light, covering you from head to toe.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
Then I read this passage from Sarah Young’s devotional. In these days of darkness described in Mark 13:24-25
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
and when God calls me to serve Him as He did Elijah and Elisha, I am to reflect God’s Love to others like a dazzling raiment, confident in Mark 13:31: ”Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
June 6, 2013
Books of the Month: May 2013
The Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor: This biography of Hudson Taylor reveals missionary heart devoted to life-long service amidst trials and triumphs. Inspirational!
In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon: Of all the books my son and I read this year, we agree this is our favorite. It generated great discussion. A must read for anyone who has asked “What would Jesus do?”
The Chaplain by Maurice Russell: Maurice Russell’s debut semi-biographical novel tells of a chaplain’s faith and personal struggles even as he ministers to others. A compelling read!
A Jane Austen Devotional: This devotional is a gem! Each lesson contains a passage from one of Jane Austen’s classics, applicable insights, and powerful scriptures. Highly recommend it!
One Good Thing Every Day: June 5, 2013
Are my words the wailing wind? Are my pounding feet the earthquake? Is my fury the fire? If so, no wonder when I miss His gentle whisper! Today, like Elijah, I am thankful I did not!
One Good Thing Every Day: June 4, 2013
Have you ever thanked God that you were wrong?
Recently, I found myself mulling over what I thought someone was thinking. Hot indignation boiled inside me, and though I covered my anger with silence, it still simmered. When I discovered the truth about my faulty assumptions, I thanked God for proving me wrong. He extinguished my unchecked fury before it completely singed my heart or hissing words escaped.
