Title: Not Another Day
Scripture: 2 Kings 1:13-14
13 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. "Man of God," he begged, "please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! 14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!"
Observation:
Can you imagine wintnessing fire coming down from the sky and killing 51 people? Not once? But twice!!!
I don’t know what to be more amazed with, the fire or Elijah’s faith. It required great faith for Elijah to do what he did. He believed God is God. He knew all things are possible only through God. And he was devoted to God’s message: only God should be worshipped.
Application:
Although, God seems to work in different ways, He is still God.
How am I trusting in God the way Elijah did? Do I call on Him? Do I listen to Him? Do others see God in my life?
I want to live a life that the world sees God in me. I want to do the impossible for God’s glory.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being YOU! Help me trust in You. I ask that you would use my life as you will. For Your glory. amen!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 by Bob
TITLE: Follow-Through
SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 20:34 [Ahab said] "On the basis of a treaty I will set you free." So he made a treaty with him, and let him go.
OBSERVATION: In this passage the King Ahab, who was the king of the Israelites, inquired with the prophets of God about the series of battles Israel had with the Arameans. In each case God’s prophet instructed King Ahab on what he was to do, and the kings obedience on the battlefield resulted in victories for Israel. But with the final battle won, King Ahab took it upon himself to determine the fate of King Ben-Hadad, and rejected God’s desire to have him killed. Instead King Ahab established a treaty with him and let him go free.
APPLICATION: There are times when the odds in our life situations are overwhelming that we cry out to God for strength, wisdom, and guidance. And when we receive God’s provisions we sometimes become self-confident and prideful and don’t follow-through on all the guidance that God places in our hearts. We desire to re-gain control of the situation for our own sake, and we leave God’s direction along the sidelines. It’s no wonder in those times that God allows us to fail in the midst of our prideful choices. We can learn a great deal from King Ahab’s mistakes, and commit to follow-through with God’s direction, for he knows what is best for us and our family.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for those times that I seek your help only to refuse it once the situation seems to improve. Help me to be faithful in my walk with you, as you are so completely faithful to me. Impart in me a desire to love your decrees and be obedient to your will.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 20:34 [Ahab said] "On the basis of a treaty I will set you free." So he made a treaty with him, and let him go.
OBSERVATION: In this passage the King Ahab, who was the king of the Israelites, inquired with the prophets of God about the series of battles Israel had with the Arameans. In each case God’s prophet instructed King Ahab on what he was to do, and the kings obedience on the battlefield resulted in victories for Israel. But with the final battle won, King Ahab took it upon himself to determine the fate of King Ben-Hadad, and rejected God’s desire to have him killed. Instead King Ahab established a treaty with him and let him go free.
APPLICATION: There are times when the odds in our life situations are overwhelming that we cry out to God for strength, wisdom, and guidance. And when we receive God’s provisions we sometimes become self-confident and prideful and don’t follow-through on all the guidance that God places in our hearts. We desire to re-gain control of the situation for our own sake, and we leave God’s direction along the sidelines. It’s no wonder in those times that God allows us to fail in the midst of our prideful choices. We can learn a great deal from King Ahab’s mistakes, and commit to follow-through with God’s direction, for he knows what is best for us and our family.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for those times that I seek your help only to refuse it once the situation seems to improve. Help me to be faithful in my walk with you, as you are so completely faithful to me. Impart in me a desire to love your decrees and be obedient to your will.
Monday, June 16th, 2008 by Randy
TITLE:
“What are you doing here?’
SCRIPTURE:
When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:13 (NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Elijah was depressed. My notes point out that he showed all the classic symptoms of depression. He felt isolated. He withdrew. He had sorry for himself. He had a pity party, feeling he was worthless. As he put it “I am not better than my fathers." He even becomes suicidal and expresses his desire to die.
The good news was that God didn’t want Elijah to remain in this depressive state. God came alongside him and asked, not once, but twice, “Elijah, what are you doing here?” This question wasn’t just about where Elijah was physically, but where he was emotionally and spiritually. The Lord provided a way out for Elijah. He cared for him physically (1 Kings 19:7-9). He appeared to him and refreshed him spiritually(1 Kings 19:11ff), and he gave him a purpose and helped him emotionally (1 Kings 19:15ff).
APPLICATION:
I’m so glad that God is interested in my whole being. The Hebrews had a word for that ---Shalom. It means more than “peace." It involves health and completeness. God wants me to be healthy in every area of my life, even emotionally! While it’s hard for me to identify depression in myself, it is my wife who will tell me that she thinks I’m depressed. Like Elijah, I can feel sorry for myself and think that no one really understands. God is so gracious as he brings others around me to encourage me and show himself to him in my quiet times with him. He is always so faithful to give me a purpose and direction. Today I thank God for a merciful God who cares about all of my life!!!
PRAYER:
Father, thank you that you care about everything that happens in our lives! Forgive me for the times I’ve let depression distort my feelings and actions. I want to trust you more. Please fill me with your presence and love. Help me to fully follow you. AMEN.
“What are you doing here?’
SCRIPTURE:
When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:13 (NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Elijah was depressed. My notes point out that he showed all the classic symptoms of depression. He felt isolated. He withdrew. He had sorry for himself. He had a pity party, feeling he was worthless. As he put it “I am not better than my fathers." He even becomes suicidal and expresses his desire to die.
The good news was that God didn’t want Elijah to remain in this depressive state. God came alongside him and asked, not once, but twice, “Elijah, what are you doing here?” This question wasn’t just about where Elijah was physically, but where he was emotionally and spiritually. The Lord provided a way out for Elijah. He cared for him physically (1 Kings 19:7-9). He appeared to him and refreshed him spiritually(1 Kings 19:11ff), and he gave him a purpose and helped him emotionally (1 Kings 19:15ff).
APPLICATION:
I’m so glad that God is interested in my whole being. The Hebrews had a word for that ---Shalom. It means more than “peace." It involves health and completeness. God wants me to be healthy in every area of my life, even emotionally! While it’s hard for me to identify depression in myself, it is my wife who will tell me that she thinks I’m depressed. Like Elijah, I can feel sorry for myself and think that no one really understands. God is so gracious as he brings others around me to encourage me and show himself to him in my quiet times with him. He is always so faithful to give me a purpose and direction. Today I thank God for a merciful God who cares about all of my life!!!
PRAYER:
Father, thank you that you care about everything that happens in our lives! Forgive me for the times I’ve let depression distort my feelings and actions. I want to trust you more. Please fill me with your presence and love. Help me to fully follow you. AMEN.
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