Feasting In A Famine? (3)

1 Kings 18:1-46

Israel had been in a backslidden condition for now three and half years. God instructs Elijah to call King Ahab and all of Israel to a showdown on Mount Carmel. "The God who answers by fire is the one true God."

The sacrifice was prepared on Mount Carmel and Elijah's tells the prophets of Baal, you call on your god, and then I'll call on my God, the one who sends fire down on the sacrifice, is the one true God.

The prophets of Baal cry out all day and nothing happens, but when Elijah stands up to pray, God sends fire down and the people of Israel hit the deck knowing that Jehovah God is the one true God.

Then Elijah and the people kill the prophets of Baal and Elijah tells King Ahab; "Get down to the bottom of the mountain, for I hear the sound of an abundance of rain."

God shows Israel who the real God is on Mount Carmel. He not only sends his fire but also now is about to send His rain after three and half years of drought. Elijah sends his servant to go and look out over the mountain and said; "Go and tell me what your see?" Six times he is sent and he returns each time with the same words, "I don't see anything."

Maybe you have been praying and seeking God for your miracle. You have also said; "I don't see God doing anything." The seventh time he sends him, he returns with these words; "I see a little cloud about the size of a man's hand."

God knows how to turn our hearts back to Him and how to send the rains of blessings. He can send rain on your health, on your job, on your family, on your finances, on your kids, on your ministry, on your dreams and visions. So many get discouraged in the famine, but God has a plan in bringing you out. The skies darken that day, the clouds grew until they dropped an incredible rain that fell to the earth.

You may have given up, thought God has forgotten you, but hold on friend, God knows how to get you where you need to go. He knows how to open up the heavens of blessings and rain for your future. When Israel got their hearts turned back to God, He opened the heavens and the feast wasn't far behind the rain.

Never, Never give up on God's love and plan for your future. His mercies are fresh and new each and every morning. Like the servant, Get up each morning, turn your heart to Him, go out and look again, God is no respecter of persons. Keep pressing to God, and you will hear the sound and also see the of abundance of rain.

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Feasting In A Famine? (2)

1 Kings 17: 8-24

What do you do when the brook dries up? What do you do when you lose your job, you can't keep the lights on, you can't pay the water bill, you can't get out of bed because your so distraught and discouraged in your quagmire of disappointment? Elijah had obeyed God in the famine in going to Cherith, but now God moves him to anther place called Zarephath.

God saw a widow that was at the point of death, but had other plans in mind for her and her boy. The prophet was sent to show God's love and mercy and greatness in a famine to this widow and her son.

As he arrives he instructs her; "Bake for me a cake first." She responds; "All I have is enough flour and oil for me and my boy then were going to die." He says; "Don't be afraid, just do what I say." She followed the prophets words, she brought to him a meal first, sure enough the flour nor the oil ran out.

Why do we doubt the word of the Lord? Why do we place more confidence in our own system, in our own knowledge, in our own abilities to make things happen? Had the widow ignored the prophet's words, she and her boy would have died. Many will die with their doubts in God's word, and choose to do it their own way.

Put your trust today in the blueprint that God has drawn out for you. "Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. With the same measure ye meet it shall be measure to you again."(Luke 6:38) Had the widow ignored the word of the Lord, she and her boy would have died in the famine.

Instead she listened and obeyed to what Elijah had said and there was feasting around the table for her and her boy and the prophet of God. I know it's an oxymoron to give to God an expect to end up with more in the end. The only place in the bible that God says; "Test me if I will not open to you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing." (Malachi 3:8-12) This widow tested the word of God, and He proved himself to her.

In this famine, the widow was tested again when her son dies. God steps in again with his prophet and raises this son from the dead. Had she not been confident in what God's hand could do, she would have missed everything that God had in mind for her and her boy. Choose today to believe in HIs word and many miracles and blessings and feasting will come in your famine. "Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

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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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