Start with What You Have, Not What You Lack

Start with What You Have, Not What You Lack

📖 Scripture Reference: 2 Kings 4:1-7 – The Widow’s Oil

Introduction

Life often presents us with challenges—financial struggles, business failures, or personal hardships. In such moments, it is easy to focus on what we don’t have rather than recognizing the potential in what we already have.

In 2 Kings 4:1-7, we see a powerful lesson from the story of a widow who was on the verge of losing everything. Yet, God performed a miracle when she took a step of faith with the little she had. This story teaches us that God can multiply even the smallest resources when we trust Him.

1. Acknowledge the Problem, but Seek God First

📖 2 Kings 4:1 – “A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, ‘Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.’”

The widow was in a desperate situation—her husband had died, she had no income, and her children were about to be taken as slaves. But instead of giving up, she cried out to the man of God.

🔹 Lesson: When we face hardships, the first step is not to panic, but to seek God’s wisdom and direction.

Example:

Many people, when faced with financial struggles, either complain or give up. But those who seek God’s guidance find solutions beyond their expectations.

2. Use What You Have, Even If It Seems Small

📖 2 Kings 4:2 – “So Elisha said to her, ‘What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?’ And she said, ‘Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.’”

The widow thought she had nothing, yet she did have a small jar of oil. She underestimated what God could do with it.

🔹 Lesson: God will always use what we already have to bless us. The problem is that many of us focus on what we lack rather than on what we already possess.

Example:

  • Moses had only a staff—but God used it to part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16).
  • David had only a sling and stones—but God used them to defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50).
  • The boy had only five loaves and two fish—but Jesus used them to feed 5,000 people (John 6:9-11).

🔥 God is not asking you for what you don’t have. He is asking you to trust Him with what you do have!

3. Take a Step of Faith

📖 2 Kings 4:3-4 – “Then he said, ‘Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.’”

Elisha told the widow to do something that didn’t make sense—pour out oil into empty jars when she only had a small jar. But she obeyed in faith, and God multiplied her oil.

🔹 Lesson: Miracles happen when we step out in faith. If we wait for perfect conditions, we may never start.

Example:

  • Peter had to step out of the boat before he could walk on water (Matthew 14:29).
  • The lepers in 2 Kings 7 had to move forward before they found provision.

🔥 Faith requires action!

4. God Will Multiply Your Efforts

📖 2 Kings 4:5-6 – “So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, ‘Bring me another vessel.’ And he said to her, ‘There is not another vessel.’ So the oil ceased.”

As long as the widow kept pouring, the oil kept flowing. The moment she ran out of vessels, the oil stopped.

🔹 Lesson: The size of your faith determines the size of your blessing. If she had gathered more jars, the oil would have continued flowing.

Example:

  • If you start a business with faith and integrity, God can multiply it over time.
  • If you start with small acts of kindness, God can use them to impact many lives.

🔥 God’s provision is only limited by our capacity to receive!

5. God’s Blessing is More Than Enough

📖 2 Kings 4:7 – “Then she came and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.’”

Not only did God provide enough oil to pay her debt, but He gave her more than enough to live on.

🔹 Lesson: When we trust God, He provides not just enough, but abundance.

Example:

  • Joseph was once a slave, but God raised him to become a ruler over Egypt (Genesis 41:41-43).
  • Job lost everything, but God restored him with double blessings (Job 42:10).

🔥 God’s blessings are never just about survival—He wants us to thrive!

Conclusion: What Do You Have in Your Hands?

Many of us are waiting for a perfect opportunity, a big investment, or a breakthrough. But God is asking, “What do you have in your hands?”

  • Do you have a skill? Start using it.
  • Do you have a little resource? Invest it wisely.
  • Do you have faith? Step out and trust God!

📖 Zechariah 4:10 – “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NIV):
"Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap."

🙌 Start with what you have, trust God, and watch Him multiply it!

🙏 Prayer:
"Lord, help me to see the blessings You have already given me. Give me faith to step out and trust You, even in difficult times. I believe that You will multiply what I have for Your glory. Amen."


जो है उसी से शुरू करें, जो नहीं है उस पर मत टिकें

📖 बाइबल सन्दर्भ: 2 राजा 4:1-7 – विधवा का तेल

परिचय

जीवन में अक्सर कठिनाइयाँ आती हैं—आर्थिक तंगी, व्यापार में असफलता, या व्यक्तिगत संघर्ष। ऐसे समय में हम प्रायः इस पर ध्यान देते हैं कि हमारे पास क्या नहीं है, बजाय इसके कि हम समझें कि हमारे पास जो है उसमें कितनी सम्भावना है।

2 राजा 4:1-7 में हम एक विधवा की कहानी देखते हैं, जो सब कुछ खोने की कगार पर थी। लेकिन जब उसने विश्वास के साथ जो थोड़ा उसके पास था उसे आगे बढ़ाया, तो परमेश्वर ने चमत्कार किया। यह हमें सिखाता है कि जब हम विश्वास करते हैं तो परमेश्वर छोटी सी चीज़ को भी गुणा कर सकता है।

1. समस्या को स्वीकार करें, पर सबसे पहले परमेश्वर की ओर जाएँ

📖 2 राजा 4:1 – “भविष्यद्वक्ताओं के शिष्यों की पत्नियों में से एक स्त्री ने एलीशा से चिल्ला कर कहा, ‘तेरा दास मेरा पति मर गया है, और तू जानता है कि तेरा दास यहोवा से डरता था; और अब लेनदार मेरे दोनों पुत्रों को दास बनाने के लिए लेने आया है।’”

वह विधवा बड़ी मुसीबत में थी—पति की मृत्यु हो गई थी, कोई आय नहीं थी, और लेनदार उसके पुत्रों को दास बनाने वाला था। लेकिन हार मानने के बजाय उसने परमेश्वर के जन से पुकार की।

🔹 पाठ: कठिनाई में पहला कदम घबराना नहीं है, बल्कि परमेश्वर से मार्गदर्शन माँगना है।

2. जो आपके पास है उसी का उपयोग करें, चाहे छोटा क्यों न हो

📖 2 राजा 4:2 – “एलीशा ने उससे कहा, ‘मैं तेरे लिए क्या करूँ? मुझे बता, तेरे घर में क्या है?’ उसने कहा, ‘तेरी दासी के पास घर में कुछ नहीं है, केवल एक तेल की कुप्पी है।’”

वह सोच रही थी कि उसके पास कुछ नहीं है, पर वास्तव में उसके पास थोड़ा तेल था। उसने उसके मूल्य को कम आँका।

🔹 पाठ: परमेश्वर वही उपयोग करता है जो हमारे पास पहले से है। समस्या यह है कि हम अक्सर जो कमी है उस पर ध्यान देते हैं, जो है उस पर नहीं।

उदाहरण:

  • मूसा के पास केवल एक लाठी थी—पर परमेश्वर ने उससे समुद्र को चीर दिया (निर्गमन 14:16)।

  • दाऊद के पास केवल एक गोफन और पाँच पत्थर थे—पर उसने गोलियत को पराजित किया (1 शमूएल 17:50)।

  • एक लड़के के पास केवल पाँच रोटियाँ और दो मछलियाँ थीं—पर यीशु ने उनसे पाँच हज़ार लोगों को खिला दिया (यूहन्ना 6:9-11)।

🔥 परमेश्वर आपसे वह नहीं माँगता जो आपके पास नहीं है—वह चाहता है कि आप उस पर भरोसा करें जो आपके पास है।

3. विश्वास का कदम उठाएँ

📖 2 राजा 4:3-4 – “तब उसने कहा, ‘तू बाहर जा कर अपने सब पड़ोसियों से खाली पात्र उधार माँग ले, थोड़े नहीं, बहुत से। फिर घर में जा कर अपने और अपने बेटों के पीछे दरवाज़ा बन्द कर लेना और उन सब पात्रों में तेल उड़ेलना, और जो भर जाए उसे अलग रख देना।’”

एलीशा ने विधवा को असम्भव लगने वाला काम करने को कहा—थोड़े से तेल को खाली बर्तनों में उड़ेलना। पर उसने विश्वास में आज्ञा मानी और तेल बढ़ता गया।

🔹 पाठ: चमत्कार तब होते हैं जब हम विश्वास का कदम उठाते हैं। यदि हम सही परिस्थिति का इंतज़ार करेंगे, तो शायद कभी शुरू ही न करें।

4. परमेश्वर आपके परिश्रम को बढ़ाता है

📖 2 राजा 4:5-6 – “सो वह उसके पास से जा कर अपने और अपने बेटों के पीछे दरवाज़ा बन्द कर ली; और वे उसके पास पात्र लाते रहे और वह उड़ेलती रही। जब सब पात्र भर गए, तो उसने अपने पुत्र से कहा, ‘एक और पात्र मेरे पास ला।’ उसने कहा, ‘कोई और पात्र नहीं है।’ तब तेल रुक गया।”

जब तक पात्र थे, तेल बहता रहा। जैसे ही पात्र ख़त्म हुए, तेल रुक गया।

🔹 पाठ: आशीष आपकी विश्वास की सीमा तक आती है। जितना आप तैयार होंगे, उतना परमेश्वर भर देगा।

5. परमेश्वर की आशीष पर्याप्त से भी अधिक है

📖 2 राजा 4:7 – “तब वह परमेश्वर के जन के पास गई और उसने कहा, ‘जा, तेल बेचकर अपना ऋण चुका, और जो कुछ बचे उस पर तू और तेरे बेटे जीविका चलाना।’”

परमेश्वर ने केवल कर्ज चुकाने भर ही नहीं दिया, बल्कि आगे जीने के लिए भी पर्याप्त दिया।

🔹 पाठ: परमेश्वर केवल ज़रूरत पूरी नहीं करता—वह प्रचुर आशीष देता है।

निष्कर्ष: तुम्हारे हाथों में क्या है?

कई लोग सही अवसर, बड़ी पूँजी या किसी खास मदद का इंतज़ार करते हैं। परन्तु परमेश्वर पूछता है—“तेरे हाथ में अभी क्या है?”

  • क्या तेरे पास कोई कौशल है? उसका उपयोग करना शुरू कर।

  • क्या तेरे पास थोड़ा साधन है? उसे सही जगह लगाना शुरू कर।

  • क्या तेरे पास विश्वास है? कदम बढ़ा और परमेश्वर पर भरोसा कर!

📖 जकर्याह 4:10 – “छोटी शुरुआतों को तुच्छ न जानो, क्योंकि यहोवा काम की शुरुआत देखकर आनन्दित होता है।”

📖 सभोपदेशक 11:4 – “जो वायु को देखता रहेगा, वह बोएगा नहीं; और जो बादलों को देखता रहेगा, वह लवणी नहीं करेगा।”

🙌 जो है उसी से शुरुआत करो, परमेश्वर पर भरोसा करो, और देखो कि वह उसे कैसे गुणा करता है!

🙏 प्रार्थना

“हे प्रभु, मुझे वह आशीषें देखने में मदद कर जो तूने पहले से मुझे दी हैं। कठिन समय में मुझे विश्वास का कदम उठाने का साहस दे। मैं मानता हूँ कि तू मेरे पास जो है उसे अपनी महिमा के लिए बढ़ाएगा। आमीन।”

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Prophetic Teaching by Deacon Yachang Lalyang : “God’s Heart for Godly Offspring and the Restoration of Marriages”

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🔥 Prophetic Teaching by Deacon Yachang Lalyang : “God’s Heart for Godly Offspring and the Restoration of Marriages” भविष्यद्वाणी शिक्षण: “भक्तिमान संतान और विवाह की पुनर्स्थापना के लिए परमेश्वर का हृदय” 1️⃣ God’s Heart for Marriage — Malachi 2:15 विवाह के लिए परमेश्वर का हृदय — मलाकी 2:15 “Did He not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring.” “क्या उसने उन्हें एक नहीं किया, और उनके मिलन में अपनी आत्मा का एक भाग नहीं दिया? और वह एक क्यों बना? क्योंकि वह भक्तिमान सन्तान चाहता था।” — मलाकी 2:15 God made husband and wife one — not only physically but spiritually, by His Spirit. परमेश्वर ने पति और पत्नी को केवल शरीर से नहीं, पर आत्मा से भी एक किया है। He desires that their union produce godly offspring — a generation that loves and follows Him. वह चाहता है कि उनका मिलन भक्तिमान सन्तान उत्पन्न करे — ऐसी पीढ़ी जो परमेश्वर से प्रेम करे और उसकी राह चले। 2️⃣ The Prophetic Power of Restoration — Ezekiel 37 पुनर्स्...
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When Dry Bones Live Again

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“When Dry Bones Live Again” Text: Ezekiel 37:1–10 Supporting Verse: Hebrews 1:14 1. Introduction: God’s Vision in the Valley God took Ezekiel to a valley full of dry bones. It was not a place of life, but a place of death, decay, and hopelessness. Yet, that’s exactly where God chose to reveal His power. परमेश्वर ने यहेजकेल को सूखी हड्डियों की घाटी में ले गया। यह जीवन की नहीं, बल्कि मृत्यु और निराशा की जगह थी। लेकिन परमेश्वर ने अपनी सामर्थ उसी जगह पर दिखाई। 👉 Sometimes God takes us to “valleys” — not to destroy us, but to teach us to see life where others see death. 2. The Question of Faith Then God asked, “Son of man, can these bones live?” (Ezekiel 37:3) Ezekiel didn’t say “Yes” or “No.” He said, “Lord, You know.”  फिर परमेश्वर ने पूछा,  “मनुष्य के सन्तान, क्या ये हड्डियाँ जीवित हो सकती हैं?”  यहेजकेल ने कहा,  “हे प्रभु यहोवा, तू ही जानता है।” It’s okay when we don’t have all the answers — what matters is that we know Who holds the answer.  जब हमें...
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