1 Kings 17:1--"Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead." I almost skipped this. Elijah was from the middle of nowhere, from a town nobody ever heard of, but God used him mightily. How many times have you said, "But I'm just a nobody from nowhere special"? God wants to use willing people to be mouthpieces for His Kingdom. Let's accept the challenge!
We don't have any background info on Elijah. He just shows up in King Ahab's court one day and swears that there will be a drought. Wow! That's a lot of confidence in what Elijah believed about God. Then Elijah gets the word from God that all his needs will be met if he will trust God and go live in the wilderness. Any takers on this challenge? Elijah's unquestioning life is in stark contrast to mine.
My heart breaks for the widow at Zarephath. She is just waiting for her family to die in the famine. You and I do not know this kind of heartache. We are so totally spoiled in America. We are worried about our retirement accounts, and this poor widow was worried about keeping her child alive another day.
Elijah challenges this woman to take the path of faith when he asks her to take him into her home and provide for him. Selfish people that we are, we never take in strangers, and we have food, clothing, and shelter in abundance. Sadly, we don't see God work miracles for us because we keep hoarding all the things He provides for us.
Verse 14 blows me away. "The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land." How did Elijah know that? How could he be so confident of God's promise to provide? Sorry, but you and I panic when the paycheck doesn't come a day early. I am fairly certain that a semi trailer load of flour and oil did not show up at the doorstep the next morning. Every meal the widow prepared for her little household of three was an act of faith. Every time she measured out the flour and the oil was an act of obedience to this new God Elijah had introduced her to.
Verse 18--Can you hear the fury in the words of the widow? I don't suppose she intended the phrase "man of God" as a compliment toward Elijah. She was bitterly angry at the death of her only son, her only remaining family member, her only hope for survival in her old age.
Verses 19-22--By faith Elijah resuscitates the boy. Is this the first resurrection story in the Bible? I can't think of any others before this. Do you know of one? Cool. Elijah, the guy from nowhere, is a pioneer in CPR. Again, I am simply amazed at Elijah's trust in God's promises. Did he know that God would bring the child back to life? Elijah stretched himself out and prayed three times for the boy. Would I have given up after the first try?
"Look, your son is alive!" JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY!!!! Verse 24--"Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a "man of God" (maybe it's complimentary now), and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth." Dear LORD Jesus, please provide opportunities for others to witness in my life that Your Word is Truth. May my life never contradict the message you have commissioned me to share with others. You are the Living God. You are the God who works miracles. You are the Giver of all good things.
I glory in Your Holy Name! Amen.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
2 Chronicles 14-16
Did you enjoy studying the lives of King David and King Solomon? I sure did. Now we are going to hop, skip, and jump through some of the other kings. We will start with Asa, King of Judah.
Asa was a good king (in the beginning), and his country enjoyed a time of peace because Asa worked to please God. He recognized that victory would come to Judah because of God's power. "Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you."" (2 Chronicles 14:11) Did you notice the last word? Asa understood that the battle was God's. When I face a battle, do I pray like this? Do I ask God to use His power to save me? Do I realize that He wants to take my place in the battle? There is a big difference between asking God to give me strength in times of trial versus asking God to be my substitute in the trial. Hmmm. What are your thoughts here?
1 The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. 2 He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 8 When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. (2 Chronicles 15:1-2, 7-8a) I am so thankful for the Azariahs in my life, the people who listen to the Spirit and speak the Word of God to me when I need encouragement to stay the course. Who can I encourage today? Have I listened to God's voice closely enough to hear a Word to share?
Do you remember our study of 1 Kings 11? God was angry with Solomon because he had turned away from Him. God promised He would divide Solomon's kingdom. 2 Chronicles 15:9 shows the results of the division. Asa was king over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and some of the people from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon had come over to his side as well.
The remainder of 2 Chronicles 15 showcases Asa's glory years. He led the people to enter a covenant to seek the LORD. "They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them." (vs. 14) King Asa even had the gall to depose his grandmother because of her idol worship. Now that is one gutsy guy! Do any of you want to mess with your grandma?
Chapter 16 introduces us to Baasha king of Israel. I knew Israel was a divided kingdom, but never before in my study had I realized that Israel and Judah actually fought against one another. That's what I love about studying the Bible. I notice different things each time I read its truth. God is such a detail Man!
Wow! What happened between year 35 and year 36 for King Asa? He trusted and sought after God's wisdom for 35 years. Did he just suddenly choose to seek help from other armies? Probably not. If you listen to K-Love radio, you have heard the song Slow Fade by Casting Crowns. Our journey away from God does not happen in a day. It happens as a result of daily choices we make. Just like I was disappointed in Solomon in 1 Kings 11, I was disappointed that Asa did not stay true to his faith in the One True God. My expectation of godly people is that they will become more and more godly as they grow older. Sadly, this is not the case. Just because I seek God wholeheartedly today does not guarantee that I will seek Him when I am old and gray. It is so much easier to get out of the habit of worshiping God than it is to maintain the discipline. Being a God-follower is a daily choice I make. I can make the choice today, but if I do not make the choice again tomorrow and the next day, then I will wander farther and farther from God's wisdom. I think that's what happened to Asa. He enjoyed peace for so long that he forgot what it was like to chase after God. He became so comfortable in his palace that he forgot it was God who placed him there. He stopped praying to ask God to fight his battles. Instead he paid off a neighboring pagan king to fight his battle. "Oh be careful little feet where you go."
"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a) God, keep me fully committed to You!
Asa was a good king (in the beginning), and his country enjoyed a time of peace because Asa worked to please God. He recognized that victory would come to Judah because of God's power. "Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you."" (2 Chronicles 14:11) Did you notice the last word? Asa understood that the battle was God's. When I face a battle, do I pray like this? Do I ask God to use His power to save me? Do I realize that He wants to take my place in the battle? There is a big difference between asking God to give me strength in times of trial versus asking God to be my substitute in the trial. Hmmm. What are your thoughts here?
1 The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. 2 He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 8 When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. (2 Chronicles 15:1-2, 7-8a) I am so thankful for the Azariahs in my life, the people who listen to the Spirit and speak the Word of God to me when I need encouragement to stay the course. Who can I encourage today? Have I listened to God's voice closely enough to hear a Word to share?
Do you remember our study of 1 Kings 11? God was angry with Solomon because he had turned away from Him. God promised He would divide Solomon's kingdom. 2 Chronicles 15:9 shows the results of the division. Asa was king over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and some of the people from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon had come over to his side as well.
The remainder of 2 Chronicles 15 showcases Asa's glory years. He led the people to enter a covenant to seek the LORD. "They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them." (vs. 14) King Asa even had the gall to depose his grandmother because of her idol worship. Now that is one gutsy guy! Do any of you want to mess with your grandma?
Chapter 16 introduces us to Baasha king of Israel. I knew Israel was a divided kingdom, but never before in my study had I realized that Israel and Judah actually fought against one another. That's what I love about studying the Bible. I notice different things each time I read its truth. God is such a detail Man!
Wow! What happened between year 35 and year 36 for King Asa? He trusted and sought after God's wisdom for 35 years. Did he just suddenly choose to seek help from other armies? Probably not. If you listen to K-Love radio, you have heard the song Slow Fade by Casting Crowns. Our journey away from God does not happen in a day. It happens as a result of daily choices we make. Just like I was disappointed in Solomon in 1 Kings 11, I was disappointed that Asa did not stay true to his faith in the One True God. My expectation of godly people is that they will become more and more godly as they grow older. Sadly, this is not the case. Just because I seek God wholeheartedly today does not guarantee that I will seek Him when I am old and gray. It is so much easier to get out of the habit of worshiping God than it is to maintain the discipline. Being a God-follower is a daily choice I make. I can make the choice today, but if I do not make the choice again tomorrow and the next day, then I will wander farther and farther from God's wisdom. I think that's what happened to Asa. He enjoyed peace for so long that he forgot what it was like to chase after God. He became so comfortable in his palace that he forgot it was God who placed him there. He stopped praying to ask God to fight his battles. Instead he paid off a neighboring pagan king to fight his battle. "Oh be careful little feet where you go."
"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a) God, keep me fully committed to You!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Proverbs 2 & 3
I found out last night that one of my former students is in trouble. My heart is broken because I prayed often for the students in my classroom, and I told this particular student more than once that he had great potential and that God had a plan for his life. It reminds me how critical prayer covering is in the lives of our children. So, my post today will be my version of praying God's Word for my children. Will you please take it and make it your own, praying these words for your children, or your husband, or any special person in your life?
Proverbs 2
1 Dear God, please help my son and my daughter accept your words and store up your commands in their hearts.
2 Help them listen to wisdom and apply their hearts to understanding,
3 May they call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
4 Make their hearts' desire to look for wisdom as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 I pray earnestly that my children will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 You hold victory in store for the upright, You are a shield to those whose walk is blameless, Help my children to live blameless lives.
8 I beg you to guard the course of my children. Make them just and protect their way encouraging them to be your faithful ones.
9 Then they will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.
10 May wisdom enter their hearts, and may knowledge be pleasant to their souls.
11 Grant them discretion to protect them, and understanding to guard them.
12 May Your wisdom save them from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,
13 May my children never leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways,
14 Never allow them to delight in doing wrong or to rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 Keep them away from those whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.
16 Please save my son also from the adulteress, may my daughter never become the wayward wife with seductive words,
17 Help my children to be faithful to their partners and help them uphold the covenants they make before God.
18 Help them realize that adultery leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.
20 Please, God, strengthen my children to walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 May they be counted among the upright who will live in the land, and the blameless who will remain in it;
22 Protect them from the wicked who will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful who will be torn from it.
Pray God's Word out loud for your family and friends. Pray it diligently. Pray it often.
Proverbs 3 is even better than this. I want you to pray it for your loved ones. Insert their names as you pray. Make it personal and talk directly to God about the people in your life who need His guidance. Praying for others is a special privilege, and we do not take it as seriously as we should, myself included.
Thank you, Jesus. Your timing is always perfect.
Proverbs 2
1 Dear God, please help my son and my daughter accept your words and store up your commands in their hearts.
2 Help them listen to wisdom and apply their hearts to understanding,
3 May they call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
4 Make their hearts' desire to look for wisdom as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 I pray earnestly that my children will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 You hold victory in store for the upright, You are a shield to those whose walk is blameless, Help my children to live blameless lives.
8 I beg you to guard the course of my children. Make them just and protect their way encouraging them to be your faithful ones.
9 Then they will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.
10 May wisdom enter their hearts, and may knowledge be pleasant to their souls.
11 Grant them discretion to protect them, and understanding to guard them.
12 May Your wisdom save them from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,
13 May my children never leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways,
14 Never allow them to delight in doing wrong or to rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 Keep them away from those whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.
16 Please save my son also from the adulteress, may my daughter never become the wayward wife with seductive words,
17 Help my children to be faithful to their partners and help them uphold the covenants they make before God.
18 Help them realize that adultery leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.
20 Please, God, strengthen my children to walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 May they be counted among the upright who will live in the land, and the blameless who will remain in it;
22 Protect them from the wicked who will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful who will be torn from it.
Pray God's Word out loud for your family and friends. Pray it diligently. Pray it often.
Proverbs 3 is even better than this. I want you to pray it for your loved ones. Insert their names as you pray. Make it personal and talk directly to God about the people in your life who need His guidance. Praying for others is a special privilege, and we do not take it as seriously as we should, myself included.
Thank you, Jesus. Your timing is always perfect.
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