Feasting In A Famine? (1)

1 Kings 17:1-24

Keeping your head above of water in a downturn economy is a challenge for most anybody. Elijah had just told Ahab, "There will be no rain during the next few years until I give the word." Israel had turned to other gods and was about to feel the wrath of their backsliding.

God knows how to take care of His kids during tough times. When employment is rising, when nations are recklessly out of control with their budgets, God knows how to provide for his own.

God tells Elijah; "Get down to the brook of Cherith, for the Lord hath commanded the ravens to feed you there." Getting right where the Lord has commanded you is paramount. If Elijah had of chosen any other place, he would have missed God's place of provision.

Many times people panic in a famine, how am I going to feed my family, how am I going to keep the lights on, put gas in the car, keep a roof over my family? There are benefits in doing exactly what His word tells you to do.

Elijah went to the place where God told him to go, and there at the brook of Cherith ravens showed up with bread to feed him each morning and evening, and there was water to refresh him in this famine.

God rules over the earth and isn't intimidated by it's forces or it's wrath. Elijah was sitting in the cocoon of God's protection and plans and therefore would be just fine in the wrath of this season on the earth.

Are you in His will today? Are you following His word in your giving back of the tithe as He instructs in Malachi 3:8-12? He promises to open the heavens for us if were doing what He tells us to do. God knows how to send rain when were following him with our hearts and our hands. God is more than able to provide for you and your family? Follow his blueprint, it will not mislead you.

There are blessings even in a famine when you're in the will of God. God had given Elijah an assignment and would take care of His son to fulfill the mandate that was given.

When you know you're in His will and His plan, fear nothing, God is greater than any famine that has the power to swallow you up. He controls even the ravens that deliver just what you have need of. Be confident today that, "My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory." (Phillipians 4:19)

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Ignoring Words From Heaven?

1 Kings 13:1-34

Listening to God offers great benefits and blessings in this life. Ignoring God's voice always brings great heartache, grief, and sorrow. Every son and daughter has had to learn that lesson the hard way. God's word comes to keep us from danger and destruction.

King Jeroboam, son of Solomon had taken over the dynasty, but was leading it further away from God's master blueprint. The Lord sent a man of God to speak against Jeroboam as he was burning incense on the altar. He had ignored the priest's role in their ministry to the Lord.

This prophet said; "This altar will split apart and its ashes will be poured out on the ground." As Jeroboam heard him speak, he pointed his hand at him and shouted, "Seize that man." But instantly the king's hand became paralyzed in that position.

At the same time a wide crack appeared in the altar and the ashes poured out, just as the man of God had predicted.

The king cried out to the man of God to restore his hand. As the man of God prayed, his hand was restored. The king attempted to offer him a gift and a meal in his palace, but the man of God refused saying; "God has instructed me to not eat anything here in this land."

Even a man of God can detour from the Word of the Lord. An old prophet hears of this man of God and his words to the king. He runs after him and offers him a meal as well. He says "An angel sent me after you to offer you a meal." After he had enjoyed this meal with this prophet, on his way home a lion came and killed him.

How could this man of God be so quickly fooled and persuaded? The journey of life in ministry can make any of us weary and tired. When you are following God's Word and His work, be cautious and careful with your steps.

This man of God was no doubt exhausted and weary. He became vulnerable to the appetites of the flesh. Keep your steps in line with His instructions and word to your life and you'll stay the course. Giving in to your emotions and fleshly feelings will always leads us down the wrong path.

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth but the word of God shall stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8) Don't allow His Word to fade or wither in your heart. It's the only thing that will protect you from the roars and attacks of the enemy. Let His Word stand up in you everyday and it will carry you through every demise and deceptive work out of hell.

His Word is your sword that will cause you to triumph over every doubt and devil that comes against you." No weapon formed against us shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment shall thou condemn." (Isaiah 54:17)

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Cautious With Your Next Step!!

1 Kings 11:1-13

Solomon was the riches king on the earth. He was blessed with thousands of horses, camels, sheep, silver, and gold just to mention a few. He took seven years to build the most incredible temple and thirteen years in building his magnificent palace. Where did this man detour from his roots of faith? Where did he go wrong? How could one step in the wrong direction lead him so far from his Jehovah God?

The word says that Solomon loved many foreign women. So did this guy just have issues with women? God was clear that Israel was not to marry those from foreign nations, because the women's gods would turn their hearts away from their Jehovah God. (1 Kings 11:2)

Why did this king seek after women from other nations? Could it be that he married Pharaoh's daughter so that he wouldn't have to war with the king of Egypt? Would not that be a wise strategy in order to secure his nation Israel?

What father is going to go after the destruction of his daughter's domain?

The problem with that reasoning is God never breaks His principals in order to take care of His children. I do believe that indeed that was Solomon's strategy and when it worked with one nation, he married women also from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hitties.

How did this wise man lose confidence in his protector? God had promised him that as long as he kept His commandments that blessing's and protection would be upon him and his nation.

Just as God had predicted, Solomon's wives turned his heart to worshipping other gods. These 700 wives caused him to worship Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. What he did was evil in the Lord's sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David, had done.

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. Satan works at tempting us with one step, the first step in the wrong direction. Solomon married one woman from a foreign nation. When it seemly worked out to marry Pharaoh's daughter, what could be so wrong with marrying more from other nations?

Just one step in the wrong direction is what will lead you down the road of death. There is a way that seems right unto man but the end thereof is the way of death.

Be cautious with your steps in life, when you choose your own strategy that opposes the word of God, your about to step on a landmine that will forever change the trajectory that he has purpose for your future. How could one so blessed, so powerful, so successful turn away from his God?

Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) Order my steps in thy word, and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. (Psalm 119:133) Let God's word and not your knowledge and wisdom be your guide and compass today.

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Neck On The Line?

Acts 7:49-60

Jesus said; "If any man will come after me, let him take up his cross and follow me." None of us know what it will cost us to walk all the way with Christ. Stephen one of God's chosen leaders wasn't going to back down from living out a life for Christ with boldness and courage and faith to follow and serve his Lord Jesus Christ.

The Jews couldn't stand to hear the revelation truth about Christ. They wanted to put the death of Christ off as some weirdo act from a crazy man. Stephen declares as he looks into the heavens, "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God's right hand."

They picked up stones and threw them at Stephen until he took his last breath. The last words of this great man of God was; "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." He fell to his knees shouting, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin." An with that, he died.

None of us ever know what kind of impact you and I have on people that are around us. This man's death would plant a seed into a life that would soon be turned upside down to do great things for God.

Saul was that man, who worked hard at persecuting Christians and was busy placing them in prison. But the death of Stephen would forever be etched in the memories of his mind.

Are you willing to truly walk the path Christ has set out for your life? Have you said; "It doesn't matter what my friends think of me at work, at school, in my family, in my social world. Stephen was willing to put his neck on the line for the sake of Christ who had changed his life.

Notice when he's at his last moment on this earth, he sees Christ in heaven, not sitting at the right hand of the father, but rather he sees Christ Standing at the right hand of God.

When you're under great pressure to be a light, a witness, an influence, a bold person for God, the Lord Jesus is standing up for you and I as well. Never back down from your faith in Christ. Ask yourself today; am I willing to put my neck on the line for the sake of the cross and my Lord Jesus Christ?

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Which Way Is The Right Way?

1 Kings 3:1-28

Before David died, Solomon was chosen by God to sit on the throne and to be the King of Israel. God not only chose him but also gave him great wisdom and riches in his serving. He had been asked by God, "What is it that you want from me? He replied, give me wisdom so that I might serve you." God not only gave him great wisdom but riches and wealth that he did not ask for.

Solomon was placed in many tough situations that would test his wisdom. Two women were arguing over who was the mother of this one child. In the night one of the mother's rolled over on her baby, and the child died. That mom swopped babies in the night with the one who was alive. When they both woke up one recognized that this is not my child. They were both brought to the king to discern who was the real mother.

The king says;" Bring a sword and divide the child. One of the mother's scream' "No give her the child, the other says, yes divide the child. Solomon says, now I know who the real mother is, give the child to the one who wants the child to live."

The people recognized that God had given their king great wisdom. God is no respecter of persons. James says, if any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God that gives to all men liberally.

Many times we all get in a place where we really don't know what to do. In these moments we can either lean to our own understanding or we can ask God for His wisdom and knowledge and understanding. God says;

Ask of God. Have you ask the Lord in prayer; "Lord what is your thoughts and your desire in this situation?" We bring more pain in our situation when we lean to our own thoughts, emotions, doubts, and fears. God says; "Come boldly to the throne of grace that we might obtain mercy to help in the time of need." God wants us to come with confidence that He is there waiting to hear the cry of our hearts.

Giving in to impatience and your fears and doubts and frustration will only cause you grief and heartburn and being paranoid in your crisis. The disciples ask; "Lord teach us how to pray?" Christ said pray; "Our father which are in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and power and the glory forever."

Have you ask the Lord today for His will to be done in your marriage, your finances, your job, and your ministry at church? Ask the Lord and you will be amazed to watch His hand orchestrate before you, open doors, a peace instead of confusion, a smile from heaven that orders your steps.

Slow down when you see blocked obstacles, when your emotions are out of control, impatience that only produces Ishmaels. God always helps us to make the right call when we ask. Wait on Him and choose not to grow weary in well doing, for in due season you will reap if you faint not. (Galatians 6:9)

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Are Tongues For Real?

Acts 2:11 On the day of Pentecostt all the believers were meeting together in one place.2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,t as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

There has been much speculation in the body of Christ whether tongues are for real. It really doesn't matter what a man says, but what does the word of God say?

Jesus said after I leave; "I will send the comforter, and out of your bellies shall flow rivers of living waters. This spoke he of the Spirit. (John 7:38,39) When the disciples and others totaling up to 120 went to the upper room, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell that day and all 120 people were filled with the Holy Spirit and also began to speak in tongues.

If God gave the early church the Spirit with tongues then, what would cause Him to change up His plan today? If the early church needed the power of the Spirit then, why would the church need something less now?

Why does man try to explain away something that God had planned for the last days? The prophet Joel prophesied that in the last days I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh. Peter makes it clear that this experience was just what Joel had talked about in Joel chapter two.

I have learned over my years with God, that with every authentic element from God comes a counterfeit. Satan is a master at confusing and counterfeiting the things of God. I have heard preachers trying to teach someone how to speak in tongues. That is not what the word says. God is the one who gives the utterance, not a man. If you see someone teaching a person to say certain sounds, that is not of God.

When I was a young teenager, I said Lord if this Baptism experience is real, please give me what they experience on the day of Pentecost. Guess what; "He filled me with the Holy Spirit and with the tongues." It really doesn't effect me that some don't believe it's for today; let them go on with their doubts and disbelief.

Just don't allow some portion of false teaching divert you from the real experience. Some use these false teachings to throw out the entire authentic experience. Remember who works overtime to keep you and I from receiving all that God has purposed for our lives. If Christ thought Peter and his disciples needed it, why would He not intend for us to receive it for our day?

I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would want to go out through this life with something less than what He has purposed for His people. If it were real back then, why would it be fake or phony today?

If you want the Holy Spirit friend, just ask as they did on the day of Pentecost; don't be surprised when He does the same for you. He is no respecter of persons. Get ready to experience a new power in your life that will cause you to overcome intimidation and fear in your walk and witness for the Lord.

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Absalom Builds a Monument To Himself

2 Samuel 18:1-33

With Absalom's good looks, his arrogant heart, his pride, his passion to steal the throne from his father, he attempts to kill his dad. He begins by sitting at the gates and says things like; "If you only had somebody that would sit and to listen to your hurts and cares and difficulites of life?"

I will sit with you, I will give you the wisdom and advice that you need for your troubles, since the king doesn't have the time of day for you. Absalom is a master manipulator that stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

From that point, Absalom believed his own lies that he was big, better and greater than his father. He sought out to take the throne by munipulating the people and then on to killing his own dad.

David eventually had to run for his life. There was a short season that this son ruled the land of Israel. David took those that were loyal and those that saw right through Absalom's deception. David is now running for his own life, from an evil son seeking the throne of his father.

What he forgot was God had anointed his father David to serve as the King of Israel. Promotion doesn't come for the east or the west or from the south, but from the north. God in heaven is the one that brings promotions. He raises one up and brings another down.

As Abasalom and his men continue to seek after David, it was this battle one day in the forest, more that day were killed by the forest than by the sword. That day Abasalom's hair got caught up in a limb. David's commander Joab came and placed three daggers in his heart, to kill the one who had been out to kill the King of Israel.

David wept when he heard that his disloyal son had been killed. Here is a man that attempted to build a throne to himself, but God stopped everything because of the man's pride and arrogant heart.

When you try to build your own throne, your own monument to yourself, it just might be a clue that you're on the wrong track. When you have to take something from someone else to get what you want, it just might be a clue that you're heading down the wrong path. God calls those actions pride and stealing.

The same thing happen when Satan attempted to dethrone God in heaven. It didn't work then and it didn't work for this disloyal son. Learn from it friend, if God doesn't make things happen, if God's hands are not in your actions, you're walking in vain and in vanity. "Unless the Lord build the house, those that build it labor in vain." Psalm 127:1a

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