Thursday March 3, 2011
Today's Passage: 1 Kings 16:29-19:18
Memory Verse: 1 Kings 18:38-39
The call of God is not always an easy thing to uphold . I mean, it's not exactly the thing you tell your high school guidance counselor you're striving for. It can put you in some difficult situations from time to time. On the flipside, it comes with perks that outweigh other things. For instance, it's exciting to get sneak previews of God's impending move. And whereas its not always easy to be the messenger, it does bring "humble security" to know you're chosen to carry it. Am I just talking to preachers, teachers, evangelists, or prophets? No. I talking to all of us.
If we believe we're living in a world that is losing its moral standard, what do we do about it? What is our role? In our passage, the children of Israel were living in a land where the leaders had become Godless and sin-sick. They seemingly went out of their way to defy God's statutes. One after the other, each of them defiled God's holy place in his own diffirent way. Flash forward! What has happened to our society? It seems moral things are negative in today's rationale. What used to be wrong is now considered the norm. People are throwing caution to the wind all for the sake of "freedom & liberty". So now, if one were to make a stand for morality, they would be called a biggot or extremist. Well, allow me to introduce Elijah, the extremist. He went to Ahab, a Godless king, and told him there'd be no rain until he said so. The meaning of this came in two ways. One, God wanted to send a message to Ahab. He wanted him to know that all his land, power, and wealth was nothing without God. And nothing proves that that kills everything. You want to destroy a nation of people? Cut off their water supply. They'll be dead in months. Two, God wanted Ahab to know how serious He was about holiness. He wants us to know it too. Listen Friends, if God can't get His glory out of it, you shouldn't put anything into it. God can't get His glory out of selfishness, so don't put anything into being selfish, or prideful, or unforgiving. Don't put anything into material things that God can't be glorified with. Ahab had gotten so bad, he even began to worship idols. He'd forgotten that the purpose for his kingship was to glorify God. So, God sent Elijah to set the record straight.
That's us my friends. We're here to set the record straight. I know that kind of God-call is not always popular, but it's necessary. We have to be that voice in the darkness. We're to be proof that not everyone agrees with this everybody-do-what-you-want style of living. There has to be boundaries. So, our lifestyles should be reminders that there's still a moral code. There are still certain things we shouldn't say or do. When Elijah challenged the priests of Baal, it wasn't to a fistfight or a footrace. It wasn't to see who had more possessions. He challenged them to see if their god was more powerful than the Most High. When they lost, King Ahab was on his face worshipping God. That's where we need our leaders to be in order to get our land healed. When God saw what He was looking for, the rains were on their way, thus ending the drought. Is there a drought in some area of your life? If there is, find you way back to God's heart. Ask Him to rain on your land. Stand up for what God is calling you to. Know that in the end, God's power in you will be the thing left standing.
Prayer: Father, I see all the sadness in this world. Everyone seems to doing what they want. Noone cares about what You've said. But there's a remnant. Lord, some of us here still know You are God. And we want to show Your love as we uphold Your truths. Be with us as we take on the enemy of this age, just as You were with Elijah. Let Your voice be heard when we open our mouths. Show Your power so humanity can come face to face with You and; give You praise in Jesus' name. Amen
Today's Passage: 1 Kings 16:29-19:18
Memory Verse: 1 Kings 18:38-39
The call of God is not always an easy thing to uphold . I mean, it's not exactly the thing you tell your high school guidance counselor you're striving for. It can put you in some difficult situations from time to time. On the flipside, it comes with perks that outweigh other things. For instance, it's exciting to get sneak previews of God's impending move. And whereas its not always easy to be the messenger, it does bring "humble security" to know you're chosen to carry it. Am I just talking to preachers, teachers, evangelists, or prophets? No. I talking to all of us.
If we believe we're living in a world that is losing its moral standard, what do we do about it? What is our role? In our passage, the children of Israel were living in a land where the leaders had become Godless and sin-sick. They seemingly went out of their way to defy God's statutes. One after the other, each of them defiled God's holy place in his own diffirent way. Flash forward! What has happened to our society? It seems moral things are negative in today's rationale. What used to be wrong is now considered the norm. People are throwing caution to the wind all for the sake of "freedom & liberty". So now, if one were to make a stand for morality, they would be called a biggot or extremist. Well, allow me to introduce Elijah, the extremist. He went to Ahab, a Godless king, and told him there'd be no rain until he said so. The meaning of this came in two ways. One, God wanted to send a message to Ahab. He wanted him to know that all his land, power, and wealth was nothing without God. And nothing proves that that kills everything. You want to destroy a nation of people? Cut off their water supply. They'll be dead in months. Two, God wanted Ahab to know how serious He was about holiness. He wants us to know it too. Listen Friends, if God can't get His glory out of it, you shouldn't put anything into it. God can't get His glory out of selfishness, so don't put anything into being selfish, or prideful, or unforgiving. Don't put anything into material things that God can't be glorified with. Ahab had gotten so bad, he even began to worship idols. He'd forgotten that the purpose for his kingship was to glorify God. So, God sent Elijah to set the record straight.
That's us my friends. We're here to set the record straight. I know that kind of God-call is not always popular, but it's necessary. We have to be that voice in the darkness. We're to be proof that not everyone agrees with this everybody-do-what-you-want style of living. There has to be boundaries. So, our lifestyles should be reminders that there's still a moral code. There are still certain things we shouldn't say or do. When Elijah challenged the priests of Baal, it wasn't to a fistfight or a footrace. It wasn't to see who had more possessions. He challenged them to see if their god was more powerful than the Most High. When they lost, King Ahab was on his face worshipping God. That's where we need our leaders to be in order to get our land healed. When God saw what He was looking for, the rains were on their way, thus ending the drought. Is there a drought in some area of your life? If there is, find you way back to God's heart. Ask Him to rain on your land. Stand up for what God is calling you to. Know that in the end, God's power in you will be the thing left standing.
Prayer: Father, I see all the sadness in this world. Everyone seems to doing what they want. Noone cares about what You've said. But there's a remnant. Lord, some of us here still know You are God. And we want to show Your love as we uphold Your truths. Be with us as we take on the enemy of this age, just as You were with Elijah. Let Your voice be heard when we open our mouths. Show Your power so humanity can come face to face with You and; give You praise in Jesus' name. Amen
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