Elijah's First Disciple

Elijah's First Disciple: Elisha.

I Kings 19:19-20 NKJV

[19] So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. [20] And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?”

Every person called of God has to have another to steward their calling. Making great impact without the directions of another may not be impossible, but rare in operations. So, after receiving instructions from Giyd, Elijah went on his first mission to recruit his replacement. You may call him an assistant, , a replacement, a disciple. It doesn't really matter. This is how Kyle Echols explains  the process . "...when the garments of Elijah was being tossed onto Elisha, he was leaving Elisha with a choice. Grab my garments or hold onto the plow. This choice sheds light on how God chooses to activate His calling in our own lives. Elisha was living his life, plowing fields with oxen, and what does Elijah do to invite him into his calling? He throws his garments onto him". Isnt it exciting that God  had to call someone who was already plowing a field? God could have picked one of the sons of the prophets. He didn't. God called Elisha. That is sovereign will.

   Tim Knight( July, 2022 ) adds a lesson: " This is a reminder that spiritual leadership does not always come from the religious establishment. The best leaders are not always found in the seminaries or universities or church hierarchies". Im a witness. I cant help but wonder at all the sons of the prophets. Gid didn't pick them

   In a blog post, John Smith observes another important point. " Elisha was trained by one of the most important figures in the history of Israel, Elijah. For a while after he begins to follow Elijah nothing is mentioned of him. He must have been merely observing and watching, learning by spending time with Elijah. Later, when Elijah was taken up to heaven, Elisha received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kings 2:9). Elisha’s ministry was anointed by the power of God and he performed more miracles than any other individual in the Bible except for Jesus". Stewardship produces better results. Imagine that this man be came double of his master. It takes humility, focus, steadfastness and sacrifice to become the better man. Gid expects you to be better than the primary. Serve until you cross the Jordan. Good morning.

   

The Silent Majority

The Silent Majority 

I Kings 19:18 NKJV

[18] Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 

Mirriam Webster describes the silent majority as " the largest part of a country's population that consists of people who are not actively involved in politics and do not express their political opinions publicly". While Elijah was dying alone, there was a group of seven thousand men who were on his side, but they did not speak out. These are called a silent majority. This group represents a powerful demographic in political voting process. They can turn election results if they can be mobilized to participate. The problem of this group is that they are silent.

   The popularity of this concept has been attribued to President Nixon who in 1969 turned the tide of feelings towards the Vietnam war. This group represents strength that is unused. This large, politically passive group holds majority opinions without voicing them. If Elijah had the support of at least a thousand of them, the story would have been different.

   Virgil Walker wrote in April 2021 edition of Table Talk Magazine that " Christians are never to be silent about what we believe. We have been commanded in Scripture to be salt and light (Matt. 5:13–16). The previous verse (v. 12) is clear: we are to rejoice and be glad even in the face of persecution. This truth presupposes that we will be attacked by others as we declare truth. As salt, we are a preservative for goodness. Salt was a protectant against putrefaction. What is clear from this example is that as members of the kingdom, we are responsible to stand against the impurity of culture". These silent majority were the  very reason Elijah was depressed. 

   When you feel like Elijah did, remember there is an unspoken majority who support what you are doing. Walker continues, " Jesus also declares that we are light. We are to be “a city set on a hill” that cannot be hidden. In the Old Testament, we find that Israel was to be the “light of the nations” (Isa. 42:6). Jesus would declare that He indeed is the “light of the world” (John 8:12). However, this same verse points to the fact that as followers of Christ, “we will no longer walk in darkness, but we will have the light of life” (v. 12)". Enough of our being a silent majority. Its about time we rise as the light of the world. 

   The problem has always been fear. It generates pragmatism. Walker mourns, "...pragmatism has invaded church culture to such a degree that we have abandoned the notion of an offense in the gospel we preach". Today we call an end to pragmatism and speak for the release of faith to conquer oppositions. Just imagine having seven thousand on your side saying a real " Praise the Lord!". Just imagine it. Good morning.

Change Of Guards.

Change Of Guards

I Kings 19:15-17 NKJV

[15] Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. [16] Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. [17] It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 

The devil may play games, or cause confusions, but God still rules in the affairs of men. God knew that Elijah's ministry had come to an end, so He assigns Elijah to anoint the new set of players for the stage. Three new leaders were going to be anointed for the next season of events. There's  concern that Elijah actually did only one of the assignments by throwing his cloak on Elisha. He did however tell Elisha what to do with the one he could not do( 2 Kings :19-10 ). 

   In a blog post of JesusStrong Ministeries,  the writer observes the change from Moses to Joshua.  " God needed a man of battle, God needed a man of war, He needed someone who will say I see the giants, I see my limitations but I see our God!! Our God is much bigger than any giant!! He is unstoppable!! He is unmovable!! God needed someone who is crazy enough to fight from sun up to sun down and then tell the sun to “stand still” cause he is not going to give up or stop fighting until the job is done!! God needed a Joshua so He changed the guard!". God does change guards. Change of guards only happen when theres a new shift. A new shift was about to be born. Elijah s season was over. God assured him however, that He still had seven thousand others in service.

   Changing guards is a  " traditional and formal ceremony that takes place in London, when one set of soldiers guarding a royal building replaces another on duty. It takes place almost every day in summer, and every two days in winter outside Buckingham Palace, and is very popular with tourists". So a fresh set of guards take over duties from the tired ones who retire. This was the road to Elijah's  retirement. Who will be there in your establishment for a change of guard? Think about it. When Christ left, he had the disciples. When the disciples left, they had the church. Who will you have? Good morning.

God's Reply In A Gentle Whisper

Gods Reply In A Gentle Whisper 

I Kings 19:11-12 NKJV

[11] Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; [12] and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

In this same spot, God had appeared earlier to Moses in Exodus 33:22. Meyer says that: " Perhaps no spot on earth is more associated with the manifested presence of God than that sacred mount.” It is here that God demanded Elijah to explain himself. In our earlier post, we had submitted that Elijah had believed a lie about the state of things in Israel and God's participation in it. He had become discouraged and depressed. God was about to teach him a lesson by revealing how He operates.

    Here is David Guzik's submissions on the subject." God brought His presence before Elijah, but first, to show where He was not. The LORD was not in the wind; He was not in the earthquake; He was not in the fire. Like many others, Elijah probably only looked for God in dramatic manifestations. Certainly, God sometimes appears in such ways, but He often appears in less dramatic surroundings". Have you had the experience of wondering where God was in relation to your predicament? Then, finally God will answer: I never left you nor fosaken you ( Heb.13:5; Deut31:6 ). He never left you, nor did He leave Elijah.

    Zerubabel understood that first hand( zech.4:6 ) that God may not only be in crowds, public display and demonstration of power. God is also in the gentle quiet places. Adam Clarke makes a strong point here. " God intended to display himself to mankind not in judgment, but in mercy; and that as the wind, the earthquake, and the fire, were only the forerunners of the still small voice, which proclaimed the benignity of the Father of spirits; so the law, and all its terrors, were only intended to introduce that mild spirit of the Gospel of Jesus". Thank you Lord for the gentle whisper. Your case may appear as a gentle Whisper .What a whisper does is to pull you closer into a deeper intimacy.  Thats how Mark Batterson sees in his book: "Whisper". Be careful, God is sending you a whisper. Don't miss it. Good morning.

Elijah Believed A Lie

Elijah Believed A Lie

I Kings 19:9-10 NKJV

[9] And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [10] So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” 

Just yesterday, I saw on two related Facebook page the story of the demise of a major minister of the gospel. I was so broken that I didn't take out time that night to confirm from other possible sources. I reposted the information. Some friends scrambled to tell me the story was fake. I saw it later in the afternoon. I quickly went to delete all of it. You may not know, but I'm a retired Mass Communication lecturer. I know the need of confirmations.What happened to me? It must be the same thing that happened to Elijah. It is called Illusory truth Effect. It " is the tendency to believe false information to be correct after repeated exposure".

 Most belivers know that lieing is a sin, but not many know that believing a lie is also a sin. David Trounce examined this in 2021, "...this was the first sin of Man. Adam and Eve didn’t lie. Their first and most devastating sin was that they believed a lie". So did Elijah, and so did I yesterday. Elijah believed that he was the only one left who believed in Jehovah. 

 It's that belief that sent him on a forty day journey to Mt. Horeb. The last time someone was in a similar cave was Moses in Exodus 33. Keil and Delitzsch say, " This question did not involve a reproof, as though Elijah had nothing to do there, but was simply intended to lead him to give utterance to the thoughts and feelings of his heart". I agree with them. By the end of the encounter, Elijah must have taken down the post. Tomorrow we share God's reply to the fake post Elijah carried. In a study that was done at Temple University, they found out that, " Repetition makes statements easier to process relative to new, unrepeated statements, leading people to believe that the repeated conclusion is more truthful". The more Elijah repeated that he was the only one around, the more he belived it, even though God told him there were several thousands more. My prayers for you is that you do not believe a repeated lie, in Jesus Name. Good morning.

The Fear Of Jezebel

The Fear Of Jezebel 

I Kings 19:1-2 NKJV

[1] And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. [2] Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 

One of the most exciting reports on Jezebel is actually from a study center. Here's how they describe her, "Jezebel is one of the most infamous figures in the entire Bible.....( She )  was a Phoenician princess who married Ahab, the seventh king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and ruled as his queen around the mid-ninth century BCE. Her father was King Ethbaal of Sidon, according to the Hebrew Bible. Jezebel worshiped the Canaanite storm god Ba'al and converted her husband to Ba'alism as well. Most of the story of Jezebel is focused on her treachery and worship of Ba'al in opposition to the Israelite god Yahweh and his prophets". The name is associated with a spirit to describe her character. Hope Bolinger puts it bluntly, " The Jezebel Spirit term is often used to describe someone who uses cunning, deception, and seduction to tear apart entire marriages, churches, and other entities. Unlike many evil spirits, the Jezebel Spirit operates more subtly and sinisterly".  This description is in view of Jezebel's nature in relationships. She killed Naboth, took his vineyard, ruled Ahab, the husband, threatened Prophet Elijah, and promised to kill him. The woman was the real king of Samaria. One scholar describes what constitute the Jezebel Spirit in these words, "...everything from sexual looseness in a woman to the teaching of false doctrine—by a man or a woman". That should give you an idea why Elijah ran after a heavy display of anointing. Fear is the strongest weapon the devil has. The Man of God ran. Her obsessive passion to control Ahab is described as witchcraft. In Rev.2:18-25, theres a reference to a woman in the Church of Thyatira who is compared to Jezebel. Jesus hated her influence and gave instructions that she should not be tolerated. Here's someone's conclusion of this character. " Perhaps the best way to define the Jezebel spirit is to say it characterizes anyone who acts in the same manner as Jezebel did, engaging in immorality, idolatry, false teaching, and unrepentant sin". Most Jezebels today are called Narcissists. Have you had any experience with this spirit? Its  a very draining spirit. We are stronger because the victory of the blood of Jesus Christ. Good morning.

There Was A Heavy Rain

There Was A Heavy Rain 

I Kings 18:45-46 NKJV

[45] Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. [46] Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

By now Ahab has learnt by experience to associate what was happening with the God of Elijah. Who wouldn't? The man prayed, and fire came down. Now he went up to pray, and tells you its about to rain. Even if you have no faith, you will be forced to believe the man. Jer.14:22 asks a rhetorical question. None of the wordly vanities can do what God does best. Prayers will call God into your situation and give you a similar boldness as Elijah had.

  Elijah told the king it was time for him to go and have his meals. No one remembered to eat for the entire day. Now it was time to celebrate. It will not be drought for ever. Lack will turn to abundance, slumber will turn to zeal. God will taker over if there's just one person like Elijah to pray. 

 Scholars are not exactly on agreement as to why Elijah ran ahead of Ahab for sixteen miles. Most agree it  was a mark of respect. He stopped at the entrance into Jezreel. What is important is that at his age, he was divinely upheld to run ahead of Ahab into Jezreel. Ahab had a house there, but the capital was still at Samaria. We think he needed to carry a personal message to Ahab's wife, Jezebel. Its like saying : Im still here. He ran some days before, but he was back with a vengeance to all sinful conditions. What is primary is that it rained, and God caused it to rain. When it rains on your situation, you will know it. Speed is a result of God's deluge of His mercies. You probably marked time like the northern kingdom did, but God is raining a change for you. John 14:14. God is taking over. His specialty is change. The drought is ended. Change has come. Good morning.

A Cloud As Small As A Hand

A Cloud As Small As A Hand

I Kings 18:43-44 NKJV

[43] and (he) said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” [44] Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’ ”

This is a rendering of Zech. 4:10 in NLT 

" Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand." The context was different from today's reading, but the sense of smallness is relevant to our intention. God is interested in small beginnings. The cloud might have been like a mans hands, but a thunderstorm was coming. It is credited to Plato to have said that "The beginning is the most important part of the work.” What that means is the willingness to believe that the future is embedded in that little start.

That servant went seven times before he could announce that he has seen a cloud as small as a man's hands.  Albert Barnes reports that, " Sailors know full well that such a cloud on the far horizon is often the forerunner of a violent storm".

  People may laugh at the fact you sent a lookout for seven times. Thank God he didn't give up. They may wonder when you are giving up. Hold on. God will show up at the  horizon. It may be a little business, a small congregation, a little pay, but it takes you away from home on a daily basis. Hold on. James Feeny says, " Our minds can wrongly put limits on what God can do through us. But God is not restricted by our limitations or the circumstances of our lives. Look beyond your situation to the amazing things Almighty God can do with submitted, willing people".  

  Abraham had cried in Gen.15 that God had given him no children. God  took him out and showed him the stars. Israel is the result. Then Christ. Imagine what God can do with your little. Your situation is about to change. That project will attract international support. Whats important is your preparation to believe. " Prepare your chariots..". Wasn't that audacious? Faith speaks of those things that be not as if they were. You're about to be flooded by requests. Put your house in order. Its your turn now. in Mat.13:31-32, we are told that this is the pattern for the kingdom. It may be as little as a mustard, but birds will sit there tomorrow.

   Three things are essential.1. Persistence. What would have happened if Elijah gave up at the fourth trial? 2. Faith, that what he said will come to pass 3. Refusal to be discouraged by others who cant see what you saw. It may be as small as a mans hand. That is enough. Start. Good morning.

The Sound Of Abundance

The Sound Of Abundance 

I Kings 18:41-42 NKJV

[41] Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” [42] So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 

It is very audacious to declare rain in drought and ask the King and others to celebrate it. There are two things he had access to. One, he had access to information not available to others, that is called spiritual intelligence. Secondly he believed that the spirit realm controls physical realities. Its that belief that made Elijah go up to the top of Mt Carmel. He wasn't looking for rain. He was going to do something that will open the spirit realm for the rain to reach the physical. Here is Ajimuda Boluwarin Temitope, " There is no doubt that the physical realm is subservient to the spiritual realm.Many of the things that happen to us physically are spiritual realities first". Someone says in a blog post that, " Until you overcome in the spirit realm you will never move unto a glorious life".  Someone reviewed a performance by Mt Zion Faith Ministries, titled " Lesson From Legion ". This is the submission: " This movie did a great job in demonstrating that the Spiritual controls the Physical. Everything that was happening to Fred in the spiritual realm was happening physically as well".  1 Cor.2:14. Heb.11:3. Here is Bishop Mike Okonkwo, a Nigerian Clergy. " Beloved, there is another world outside this material world where we find ourselves. What happens in this world is determined by what had taken place in that world. So, the Spirit world rules, controls and governs this material realm and you need to have an understanding of your place in it so that you will be able to withstand the challenges of the day". So when Elijah climbed up, he needed to tinker the spiritual to change the physical. He did that by utterance and prayers. What you say must align with what youre praying. Thats why Elijah put his face between his knees. You can change things by changing them in the spirit realm. By the way there's an abundance heading your way. Good morning.

why The Fire Fell

Why The Fire Fell

I Kings 18:38 NKJV

[38] Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 

One of our avid readers called my attention. " You jumped the reason for the fire, God's faithfulness to His covenant!" Indeed the word is deep. Let's attempt to unbundle this observation of love. Thank you Pastor Babs. Bianca Juárez in 2016 tried to bring us to awareness of what Elijah was up against: 

* The king and queen who despised Elijah and wanted him dead

* 850 prophets of Baal

*Slim chances of survival if God didn’t show up in fire

*And all of this without proof that God had ever acted as Elijah was asking."

Add to this the audacious call to pour twelve buckets of water into the sacrifice. Pause, in my last science class in Wikipedia, they said  that " burning, is a high-temperature exothermic redox chemical reaction between a fuel (the reductant) and an oxidant". What that means is that it is not water that makes fire burn. It would have been if he poured in petrol or kerosene To pour in twelve buckets of water into the sacrifice was to put the nails on the coffin against  himself. For Elijah, it was either going to be God, or nothing.

 Yet, God answered by fire. Why did God do that? God did it for His Name Sake.  Elijah called upon Him. He did it for the protection of the Covenant, which they had departed from. He did it to point out that Baal is a dead god. He did it to change the heart of the people back to Him. Just imagine if God didn't answer him. It would have been a tragedy of greatest proportions for the Prophet Elijah.Tim Ogundele suggests a few other reasons why the fire fell:

* 1. Elijah knew God intimately. Daniel said, “The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits, [Daniel 11:32b].

* 2. Elijah was an holy man of God who always hears from God and do obeyed Him.

* 3. God wanted to honour Elijah to become a man of fire by answering his prayer.

* 4. He was on God’s side and fighting the battle of God. See 1 Kings 18:17-19. We can only take few.

  Thank God the fire fell. You have no idea of what is released when you pray. Note that the fire did not just lick the wster, it licked the stones. Thank you Jesus for answered prayers. Now its your turn. Make the fire fall. That doesn't sound like it was just a simple meditative prayer. It sounds like it was war. Lets get on our knees and nake this happen. Good morning.

The Fire Of The Lord Fell

The Fire Of The Lord Fell

I Kings 18:38-40 NKJV

[38] Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. [39] Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!” [40] And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!” So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there. 

For about six times in the Bible, the fire of God fell. Primarily, it fell as God's judgement on people. There are intances, however when the fire from God fell for a different reason. Here's one scholars submission: "But fire from heaven is not exclusively a means of judgment. On at least three occasions, God sent fire from above in order to consume a sacrifice: fire came down from heaven to consume the sacrifice that David offered on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (1 Chronicles 21:26); to consume the sacrifice at the dedication of the temple, in the presence of King Solomon and the people of Israel (2 Chronicles 7:1); and to consume Elijah’s sacrifice on Mt. Carmel, in response to the prophet’s simple prayer (1 Kings 18:38)". 

This last fire sparked a stirring in the hearts of the people, even if it was temporary. The people fell down and acknowledged the Lord . Then Elijah seized the atmosphere to remove the prpohets of Baal according to scriptures ( Deu 13:5; Deu 13:13-18; Deu 17:2-5 ). David Guzik says, " Tragically, this was only a momentary persuasion. This was no lasting revival in Israel. The people were decidedly persuaded, but not lastingly changed". The prophets of Baal simply received the treatment they themselves had promoted. 

This fire fell because someone prayed. The same fire can still fall today. Every time someone calls on the name of the Lord in prayers, there's room opened for the fire to fall. Roll away from morbid life, start storming heaven in prayers and cause the fire to fall. Good morning 

The Repair of the altar

The Repair Of The Altar 

I Kings 18:29-30 NKJV

[29] And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention. [30] Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. 

Faith has its place in the creation of the supernatural.  But faith alone will not do the work if the altar is broken. At the time in question, we are referring to a physical altar. This is what Constance Cherry says an Altar is. " The altar of God represents the place of worship. The state of the altar is a reflection of the state of one's relationship with God. The Israelites had allowed God's altar to fall into disarray to the point where they had to take it down. Elijah knew that before they could call on God, the altar of God had to be repaired -- that was the first order of business. Their relationship with God had to be repaired and restored". It cant be said better. 

Faith must act on an altar to bring forth results. Unfortunately, where our altar is broken, that must be the first order to be fixed. For some of us not very familiar with the implications of a broken Altar in Old testament worship, here is  a current question as it would relate to us. " What is the state of your personal altar which also signifies the state of your personal relationship with God?" So Renewal  Christian Center continues that " It wasn’t just that the Israelites fell away from worship through disinterest or preoccupation; they became willfully defiant against God and the holiness of his dwelling place. Such in-your-face action against God showed itself over time in the abomination within the temple, the very dwelling place of God".

 Jack Hayford explains how this physical structure may mean to us today." There is a place of “altaring” and a price of altering. Altars have a price–God intends that something be “altered” in us when we come to altars. To receive the promise means we make way for the transformation...". When was the last time God altered things within your operations? You may need a return to repair the Altar. It didn't take long after the repairs for the fire to fall. Repair your altar. Your case will receive a similar visitation. Good morning.

The God Who Answers By Fire

The God Who Answers By Fire

I Kings 18:23-24 NKJV

[23] Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. [24] Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” So all the people answered and said, “It is well spoken.”

 

A segment of a blog post from Holy Ghost Fellowship International reads like today's emergency response information. " There is a time to draw the bloodline. There is a time to confront the powers that have held you down, a time to confront the powers that mock the image and glory of God in your life. There is a time to confront idolatry; there is a time to confront the other gods that crave your worship; these are the other gods that want to mock the real God who created the universe. There is a time to get up and confront the things that are challenging your walk with God and determine in your heart that things cannot continue the way they are, they must change for the better and align with the purpose of God for your life. That time, I believe, is now". Sensitivity to life timings will bring you to the point of calling fire or rain from heaven. Please hear me...the devil is a bad devil. He does not understand pleas or your apologies. Elijah had reached an end. 

There has to be a time we will need to put our faith on line and ask God to show up. This was the time. You see God loves when a mortal abadones self at his feet. What took the garden away was when a mortal doubted what God said. What will restore the garden is our absolute faith in Him. When Stephen was killed, the word records that he saw Jesus standing in heaven ( Acts 7:55-56 ). That is after he sat down in victory. He stood up to welcome a person of faith. Don't give it to me that my faith has no reward. It made Christ stand up from the throne. Elijah demonstrated faith. He did more when they failed to bring down fire from their God. He poured twelve buckets of water on the sacrifice to represent the tribes. Hear me, fire came, and licked everything on the altar. Today our concern is that audacious faith that God will answer. Tomorrow we will look at something else he did. God will answer you today. He knows how to defend his Name. He will answer you by fire.

What Elijah did was so significant that he appeared on the Mt of transfiguration in Lk.9. You see, Baal is a do it yourself system, but our God answers prayers. What you cant do, He will do it for you if you call on Him. Good morning.

Victory At Mt Carmel

Victory At Mt. Carmel 

I Kings 18:19, 21 NKJV

[19] Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” 

[21] And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. 

The encounter between Elijah and Ahab reveals the real leader between the two. What strikes me is the audacity of Elijah to pick the place, the nature of the contest and  who  has to be present. These instructions were not given to a surbodinate but to a political ruler of the land. The famine must have had its effect on the man. It is not until you hear Elijah pray in v.36 that you understand that this was not just a blustering bravado. This is Poole's clarification, “Gather to me all Israel, by their deputies, or heads, or representatives, that they may be witnesses of all our transactions.” (Poole). The man heard God! If he didn't, he should have been meat by now. Today, you may not have a performance at Carmel, but the reality of the contest is deeply spiritual.

 It takes a real leader to denounce the consequences and speak directly to the people before the king. " How long will you falter between two opinions?" That is the existential question. That is the reason for the drama. The enemy is seeking to have an opinion in your existence. That is not acceptable to Elijah or any child of God. 

Have you had a struggle to go or not to go for fellowship? Two opinion. This excerpt is not just what happened in Israel. Its now our reality. Its not just a contest, or just an existential  drama. Its warfare. Someone must win. And it's you. The provision has been made for you to win. That's why Christ rose again from the dead. You have to win. Every day is a Mt Carmel experience. The great witnesses are applauding your season. You have to win in all spheres. Its the only language the enemy understands. And you're dressed for it. Good morning.

who Really Troubled Israel?

Who Really Troubled Israel?

I Kings 18:16-18 NKJV

[16] So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah. [17] Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” [18] And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals. 

Sometimes people make use of words without caring to know their deep imports. When Ahab refered to Elijah as a troubler in Israel, and Elijah told him same, they were both right. It depends on what kind of trouble they were both looking at. Elijah was a spiritual troubler who insisted on following the true God. In the next verses following , you'll be a witness to how much trouble Elijah will cause to eight hundred and fifty false prophets. Elijah was such a trouble maker that he could lock the heavens for three and a half years. The devil dreads these kind of trouble makers. Every time a child of God goes on his knees against the kingdom of darkness, they are creating trouble. That's why the devil will do everything possible for you not to pray. On the other hand, Ahab was a trouble maker in pursuing to extinction the prophets of God. This is how David Guzik describes him. " Ahab was easily the worst, most ungodly king that Israel ever had. Yet he did not hesitate to blame the godly prophet Elijah for the problems of Israel. If Ahab would at least stop the active persecution of the people of God, God would relent in the drought. But the wicked king of Israel found it easier to blame the godly prophet".  Ahab's  theology was minted in hell. Here is Guzik again. " Ahab believed in Baal, so much so that his government promoted and supported Baal worship and persecuted the worshippers of Yahweh. Ahab believed that Elijah had angered the sky-god Baal and therefore Baal withheld rain. Ahab probably thought that Baal would hold back the rain until Elijah was caught and executed". Imagine that that kind of thinking. Now we know the real trouble maker. The irony in life is that there is no middle camp. You have to make a life choice of what kind of trouble you want to make in life. When the heavens were locked, it affected everyone. You cant afford to be on the sidelines. Today, the pattern has not changed. Trying not to offend the devil is weak and apologetic. The battle will get to you, whether you provoked anything. So why don't you just decide on the side of victory before the battle starts. Be a good trouble maker. When Elijah explains on why Ahab was a trouble maker, he said that Ahab has abandoned the commandments of God. What kind of trouble maker are you? In 2Cor.2:4, Paul speaks about his troubles and anguish of heart. In 

2Thes.1:6, Paul says that it is  beautiful for God to give trouble to those who trouble you. Its okay to be a trouble maker, but you have to choose which kind you want to be. Good morning.

There's Always A Remnant

There Is Always A Remnant 

I Kings 18:1, 7 NKJV

[1] And it came to pass after many days that the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth.” 

[7] Now as Obadiah was on his way, suddenly Elijah met him; and he recognized him, and fell on his face, and said, “Is that you, my lord Elijah?”

God wont do anything on earth without men. These men  are the remnants who will stand for the truth. Hidden in Ahab's court was a remnant called Obadiah. God created a scenario for Elijah and him to meet. Zac Ponen says, " God's work in the world suffers today, because such men are few in number." Ponen's cry   is for men who are willing to be used to reach the world . " Determine with all your heart that you will be such a man for God, in the midst of a sinful and adulterous generation and a compromising Christendom".  Obadiah had hidden God's prophets at a time of need. So God saw him fit to carry the word to Ahab. Things don't just happen. Things are nade to happen for God's glory. Its the remnant that God will use to complete the story. 2 Chron.16:9. Rodney Francis is of the same concern that God needs men. " God is looking for men ~ men (and women) who have yielded their hearts and wills to the cause of Christ, and to the extension of His Kingdom ~ men who are willing to “Lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us” (Hebrews 12:1-3) in order to live our lives for His glory". Rodney explains the reason: " There is a job to be done! There is a field to be sown and watered! There is a harvest to be reaped!" While the famine was on, God preseved a remnant. Be part of the remnant who will carry the end time message to the world. Obadiah carried the message to Ahab. He had his fears, but he did the work. The stage is now set for the showdown between the prophets of the goove and Elijah. God is set for a public display. It begins with a man. Be thst man. Good morning.

The Evidence Of the call.

The Evidence Of The Call

I Kings 17:24 NKJV

[24] Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.”

This is how Colin Peckham explains God's relationship to the Called. " It might well be said of the preacher's office, 'And no man taketh this honour unto Himself, but he that is called of God' (Heb. 5:4). We cannot elect ourselves to this holy task. No man may intrude into the ministry. If God wants you for His work, He will tell you personally. You will not have to guess, you will know, for He will speak clearly to your soul". There's a difference between your knowing and when others publicly acknowledge it. Theres a difference between your telling others who you are and their catching a revelation of the call on your life. Sometimes it will take an overt supernatural manifestation as it happened here to Elijah. The first supernatural supply came in the inexhaustible stretch of food. That didn't make much impact. When the widow's child died, her world collapsed. Bringing the child back to life confirmed that God was with Elijah. He wasnt just walking around to look for a free woman he can exploit.  He came with a call of God on his life. To the called, here are a few suggestions you may experience that will confirm the call of God for you.

* A contraint in the spirit in form of an 

   an inward compulsion to act.

*  The confirmation of the word of 

    God having a direct application to         

    your situation.

 * The ordering of life circumstances.    

     made clear by the Lord. 

* The burden of human needs( Mat.   

     9:36 )

 * Confirmations by other godly 

    people.

  * The manifestation of the 

     supernatural that glorifies God.

Even if Elijah doubted his call, Gid confirmed it by the bringing of the young man to kife. God will confirm your as well. Good morning.

God Sees Ahead: People In Your Life

God Sees Ahead: People In Your Life 

I Kings 17:17, 21-22 NKJV

[17] Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick. And his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him. 

[21] And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” [22] Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.

God has a purpose in allowing people into our lives. When we know the purpose, we can maximize the moment. Here's a poem written by Brian A. “Drew” Chalker. Its titled " Reason, Season And A Lifetime ". It captures most of what we could have said that we request permission to reproduce it here.

" People always come into your life for a reason, a season and a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, or to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or even spiritually. They may seem like a godsend to you, and they are. They are there for a reason,you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die, Sometimes they just walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilleed; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season. And like Spring turns to Summer and Summer to Fall, the season eventually ends.

LIFETIME, relationships teach you a lifetime of lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway);, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas in your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being part of my life…..". We may not understand in details what motivated the poem, but we do know that Gid sent Elijah to that woman for a time like this. If you look carefully, you will understand why certain people are in your life or why others are in yours. Don't miss any opportunity given you by God. Good morning.

God's Better poan

God's Better Plan

I Kings 17:9-10 NKJV

[9] “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” [10] So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 

So God took Elijah out of  Brook Cherith. You would have thought the next place should be an improvement of Cherith. It was, except, that God wanted the man to work. That's how the world  operates. You don't just sit in to be fed by birds every day. That's not  the principle of function . God's blessings are released for us as we serve others also. Keep that in mind. In Zerapath, a widow must have prayed for food. Things were tough. They were at their last drop of flour. She had concluded that after the  meal, they will wait to die. God sent them an answer by a prophet in need. If she sows into the prophet, she has grace to continue having her meals. The decision had to be hers. So the prophet who was not used to asking anyone for help had to ask for one. God can break down our personal idiosyncrasies just to give us an answer. I imagine the final act must have been quite awkward. They both got it right. From water in a cup to bread, and a release of anointing for sustenance, the rest is history. There are no free lunches. You have to sow to get. That's how this world operates. God used one situation to answer two prayers. She could have missed her opportunity because of fear that the flour wont be enough. He could have missed his opportunity of a great accomodation and feeding if he thought she wasnt driving a car. Or perhaps, she was gathering firewood. She couldn't  even afford cooking gas. That thinking may sound misplaced in ancient Israel, but its the way we may reason now. God is sending you an answer. It may not look like it. Just follow the divine promptings. Later when death finally stared her in the face, her seeds spoke restoration. We will talk about it tomorrow. Today just know that God is sending you help. Be careful  because the answer may not look like it. Good morning.

God Will Speak Again

God Will Speak Again !

I Kings 17:7-9 NKJV

[7] And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.  [8] Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, [9] “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 

It's very difficult to sit by a drying brook. When God told Elijah to go to Brook Cherith, we feel a sense of excitement that God's about to proof Himself. When the brook began to dry, because it had not rained for a while, what was your expectation? Meyer says its very hard to sit by a drying brook. David Guzik describes the three kinds of drying brooks:

 " The drying brook of popularity, ebbing away as from John the Baptist.

• The drying brook of health, sinking under a creeping paralysis, or a slow consumption.

• The drying brook of money, slowly dwindling before the demands of sickness, bad debts, or other people’s extravagance.

• The drying brook of friendship, which for long has been diminishing, and threatens soon to cease". We may add to that list. The issue is that things are dying around us. Has anyone been there? Why does God allow it when youre speaking for him? Meyer answers the question, " He wants to teach us not to trust in His gifts but in Himself. He wants to drain us of self, as He drained the apostles by ten days of waiting before Pentecost. He wants to loosen our roots ere He removes us to some other sphere of service and education. He wants to put in stronger contrast the river of throne-water that never dries.” God is not punishing you. He will speak again. Be patient. He's removing you from a drying brook. He has a better plan. Trust Him. Good morning.

Locking the Heavens

Locking The Heavens For Three And A Half Year

I Kings 17:1-3 NKJV

[1] And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” [2] Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, [3] “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 

It is possible to read this and pass it on as one of the fables in the old testament. It may not be until you read the report of James that you'll get the antecedent actions of the story. This is David Guzik: " Elijah was not merely the prophet of this drought – in the sense of prayer – he was the cause of the drought. He prayed and it happened. Jas 5:17-18 makes this clear: Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit". Guzik continues that this was  " a dramatic demonstration against the pagan god Baal, who was thought to be the sky god, the god of the weather. Elijah showed that through his prayers to the God of Israel, Yahweh was mightier than Baal". Don't forget that by now the worship of Baal was a state religion, and the King publicy acknowledged it. The focus is that he prayed and it happened. We can cause change in our time by prayers. Here's the baseline. God instructed ravens to go and feed the orophet while the drought lasted. God give us men. That waa not for two weeks, but three and a half year. Ravens are very selfish birds. They can eat and let , their chicks die. Yet these birds brought food to Elijah. No matter what curves of life throws at us, God  is too powerful to fail. Your case is not different. It takes us to call on Him. Good morning 

Ahab's Reign And The Curse Of Jericho

Ahab's Reign And The Curse Of Jericho 

I Kings 16:33-34 NKJV

[33] And Ahab made a wooden image. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. [34] In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation with Abiram his firstborn, and with his youngest son Segub he set up its gates, according to the word of the Lord, which He had spoken through Joshua the son of Nun.

We have flipped over Nadab and Baasha, Elah, Zimri and  Omri. All were failed Kings in Israel. There's an unwritten record of your service. May God not flipp over your season. May your accomplishments be worthy of being noted in heaven's record. The verse above happened in the reign of Ahab. Ahab was not different. It is what happened to a man called Hiel during Ahab's reign that caught our attention. Remember that Joshua had cursed Jericho many years earlier as the people of Israel tried to navigate their journey to the promise land. Joshua 6:26. God had demanded that the city be left for Him as tithe. Only Rahab and her household escaped the city. In today's read, during the reign of Ahab, someone called Hiel built Jericho and inherited the curse of Joshua. It is either the people were totally stupid or they were very ignorant of a standing curse. To me, its a miniature picture of the leadership and the state of Israel at that time. Israel  wallowed in dark ignorance without  God. Are you doing more to provoke or promote the work of God around you? Are you conscious of what Christ expects of you in a place of this kind? Well someone did eventually, long after Hiel lost two sons working in the flesh. It took Elisha in 2Kings 2:19-22 to reverse the curse and make the place habitable. Every curse is caused or spoken by a man. They can be reversed by another. Don't buy it from the devil that you're done, because you were cursed. Beyond that, the blood of Jesus Christ provides the provision to break every curse This is Gary Linton, " There is power inherent in His blood to break every curse and bondage (addiction) from off our life. “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:11a). There is power in the blood of Jesus to save us and break every curse and bondage from off our lives. Claim His blood over every curse and bondage and watch them be broken!". A word is enough. Good morning.

Ben-Hadad's Foreign Relations

Ben-Hadad's Foreign Relations 

I Kings 15:20-22 NKJV

[20] So Ben-Hadad heeded King Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel. He attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maachah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali. [21] Now it happened, when Baasha heard it, that he stopped building Ramah, and remained in Tirzah. [22] Then King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted. And they took away the stones and timber of Ramah, which Baasha had used for building; and with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

Here we are confronted with high level politics of international relations in the building of Ramah. The struggle for dominance between Judah and Israel continued. David Guzik reports that, " Baasha gained the upper hand in the days of Asa because he effectively blocked a main route into Judah at the city of Ramah. He hoped this military and economic pressure on Judah would force Asa into significant concessions". That is when Asa broke all regards for the things of God. He took all the treasures of silver and gold that was in the temple and the kings house and gave them to Ben-Hadad, King of Syria, reminding him of a pending relationship he had with Judah. This is how games are sometimes played in international relations. Everything being equal, international relationships should be on the basis of peaceful coexistence. It spells out that there should be, " mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non- interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence". They didn't read that from the United Nations charter since there was non in their time. Ben-Hadad changed sides and saved Judah from the trade blockade. It is in 2Ch 16:7-10 that we read God's reactions to this diplomatic blunder. Prophet Hanani brought God's perspective on the matter, concluding, " For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars” (2Ch 16:7 b-9)". Who do you run to when you're under pressure? It shows where your loyalty lies. Don't complicate matters by putting God out of your decisions like Asa did. Good morning.

 

The Tragic End Of A Great Leader

The Tragic End Of A Great Leader 

I Kings 15:17-19 NKJV

[17] And Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. [18] Then Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and the treasuries of the king’s house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants. And King Asa sent them to Ben-Hadad the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, [19] “Let there be a treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a present of silver and gold. Come and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”

Everything looked promising for King Asa. He should have ended well, but he failed. When a tragic end comes to a great leader, you feel like weeping for them. Seen afterwards, you will wish he made a different choice.  It is accedited to  Abba Eban  to have said, " Tragedy is the difference between what is and what could have been.”   Asa could have been it. He had every opportunity to have ended well, but, he missed it with a casual attitude to the things of God. He was more concerned with winning that he could give out sacred temple items to a heathen king. Daniel Groenewald describes a tragic hero as " A promising hero( who )sets out on a journey but is undermined by an unchecked personal flaw which leads to their unnecessary and untimely death". He was not thinking of King Asa when that was written. An Indeed carrer guide outlines several reasons for the failures of leaders like King Asa, but they failed to include in  the list, a spiritual direction. When you read the details of this story in 2nd Chronicles 16, you hear that God was not happy with him. Be a great leader, but seek to please God. He died, diseased on his foot. How would you rate your current walk with God. You started well. Are you going to end well? Good morning 

Reforms Under The Leadership Of Asa

Reforms Under The Leadership Of Asa

I Kings 15:13-14 NKJV

[13] Also he removed Maachah his grandmother from being queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of Asherah. And Asa cut down her obscene image and burned it by the Brook Kidron. [14] But the high places were not removed. Nevertheless Asa’s heart was loyal to the Lord all his days. 

Mirriam Webster describes reforms as the attempt " to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action". Yesterday we examined the revival that Asa started. Revivals however do not last except there are profound changes in the psyche of the people involved. Kenneth Berding in 2018 reported on two revivals in wales. One was in 1859, and the other was in 1904. This is the submission: "  The positive effects of the first revival both for the church and for society persisted for many years. The second revival, lacking an emphasis on the Bible, was “gone as quickly as it came.” Hansen and Woodbridge remarked about the second awakening: “After several years, Wales returned to its previous state of religious indifference.” The second revival was like a sparkler that spouted brilliant colors for a moment, sputtered, then grew suddenly dark". Colin Hansen and Woodridge had compared the two  revivals. They said, " Evan Roberts, the best-known preacher of the second: “Roberts, a gifted exhorter who led meetings filled with prayers, singing, and testimonies, did not prioritize Bible teaching. Compared to the 1859 revival, fewer Welsh preachers taught biblical doctrine. Instead, many new converts sought mystical experiences.” That revival died.  Asa perhaps  thought about such when he removed the grandmother from being queenmother and destroyed her shrine. Two can't work together except they're in agreement. He might not have dealt with all the high places, but no one in leadership was going to go against Jehovah. That must have sent news to the rest in the nation that reforms are underway. Don't just look for a revival. Look for deep spiritual change in lives. That will last. Good morning.

Revival Under Asa

Revival Under Asa

I Kings 15:9-11 NKJV

[9] In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king over Judah. [10] And he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His grandmother’s name was Maachah the granddaughter of Abishalom. [11] Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did his father David. 

I paused as I read these words, and whispered a silent thanksgiving. The events happened about 916 BC., but I felt the reality today. There's a battle going on to get the soul of the land, and the enemy is struggling to put its men in the lead. The irony is that most Christians are not aware. Before King Asa came to the throne, he was preceded by three kings who grew increasingly wicked. They lead the Kingdom of Judah further and further away from God. Then Asa came. Beautiful Feet reports that, " The spiritual condition of the nation when Asa came to the throne left him with many challenges.

► Idolatry was rampant.

► Perversity had filled the land, with idolatrous practices involving male and female prostitutes.". Then Asa went from town to town removing the high places that were dedicated to foreign gods( v.12 ). Thi was a great spiritual awakening after years of dormancy.  Its called revival. Every revival begins with deep repentance and a return to God. To get this kind of revival started, we must think like Paul," So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” — Heb.12:12–13. We can get out of the rut. We can get our own revival started. We can serve God better. Yes you can. Get a revival started. King Asa did it, so can you. Good morning.