Mom2Moms- The Widow of Zarephath, I Kings 17:8-24
We can glean many truths from the story of Elisha and the Widow of Zarephath; obedience, faith to believe, miracles, salvation, the power of God, and sacrifice just to name a few. Today’s application will focus on: Little things can make a big difference.
God used a prayer of a little girl to teach a lesson to Helen Roseveare, in 1945 a medical missionary, in the Congo who struggled with overwork and a tendency to be short-tempered to trust God.
God used a Widow from a pagan country in her suffering and pain as an example to us of how God uses the smallest of things like a drink of water and a morsel of bread. Don’t underestimate the power of little things. Jesus took a little lunch from a little boy and fed thousands. With a little jawbone, Samson slew an army. David took a little stone and brought down a giant. When we choose to obey God in the smallest of things, great things can be accomplished.
Luke 16:10a “He that is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much.”
Matthew 13:31-32 Jesus used a parable of a mustard seed to explain, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is the smaller of all seeds: but when it is full grown, it is the larger among the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in the branches.”
The Danger of Little Sins: Matthew 15:19 “For out of the heart come evil thoughts…..”
Question: What are some “little sins, little indulgences, little indiscretions which are often ignored?
Example: Neglecting Faithfulness in the little things can lead to be trouble. Take for instance David who started with a small indiscretion- a lingering lustful look- turned into adultery, deception and even murder. He lost four of his sons and nearly the kingdom over something that started with a little look at Bathsheba bathing.
Question: What would you do if your doctor said, “You have a little cancer?”
Examples: eating too much, exaggerating, day dreaming about someone else, heated arguments, prideful disguised as confidence, greedy disguised by motivated, experimenting with things of the world, Eve eating a little piece of fruit
The Power of Little Words:
Question: Give an example of a positive or negative comment someone said to you which has impacted your life.
James 3:5 “Even so the tongue is a member and boasts of great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” (Careless words of gossip, little words causing big heartache, words that start a family war, words said in anger)
James 1:19 “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.”
Matthew 12:36 “But I tell you that every carless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for in the Day of Judgment.”
Little Words of encouragement can turn a life around. Parents don’t forget to celebrate the little things.
- Celebrate when your child chooses kindness with a friend or sibling.
- Celebrate when you see a loved one engaging with Scripture and prayer.
- Celebrate when you see grace and generosity in action
- Celebrate progress in faith.
The Power of a Little Time: Ephesians 5: 15, 16
Question: Mountains are made of many grains of sand, and lifetimes are made of many moments. How could you better use your moments?
The Power of a little Speck:
Question: Do you have a tendency to see a little speck in somebody else’s eye instead of the instead of the plank in your own eye? Luke 6:41-42 God says, “You Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” You’ll experience a lot more fulfillment and a closer walk with Jesus by focusing on your own little specks.
The Power of a Little Humility: Read- Luke 7:40-47
Question: Do you view yourself as a little sinner? Or do you view yourself next to God?
Little sinners have a little appreciation for the enormity of God’s grace. It’s the little sinners who have a little savior. Those who see themselves as great sinners appreciate the greatness of their Savior.
Examples: Gideon- “Lord, how can you use me? I am the least in my father’s house. David- “I’m the least, just a shepherd boy.” Paul- “I am the least of the apostles.” Martin Luther- “God creates from nothing so until we become nothing He can do nothing with us.”
No work is small if it is God’s work. No gift is small if it is given in faith and love. No act of service is small if it is done to the glory of Christ. So do not go around comparing yourself with others. Let God do the measuring and the weighing. He measures for eternity and that is what counts. (Unknown author)
Praying for you,
Laura Rawden, Mentor Mom
